Window to Wildlife

 We took Sue out to day on her first ever visit to Blackdown, a  heathland common, with some woodland areas and stunning views across forested slopes to the valley.  Our target bird was Great Grey Shrike, which we had seen here last year. It took us a bit of hunting to find it, but it was eventually located around 100m from where we had seen it last year. Great Grey Shrike The area was generally pretty quiet, but another highlight was the beautiful, lilting song of the Woodlark, cascading melodically down the scale. We were delighted when a couple of birds flew in, landing on a bush,giving decent scope views for some, although they didn’t stay there for long.  Although it was slow birding, the scenery was lovely, and it was good to be outside and in a different place, so overall a grand day out!

 On a beautiful sunny afternoon we took a stroll across the fields and beside the river at Rodmell. Near the farm track there were plenty of Chiffchaffs flitting around the bushes and in the fields we found lots of Corn Bunting, foraging on the ground and perched in low lying bushes all along our route, intermittently opening their mouths wide for a burst of their harsh, jarring song.  Amongst a few ponies we found two Little Egrets, and there were several Grey Herons, frozen in position in the reeds, dagger bill poised for action! Walking along by the river, we scanned the low lying marshes by the bank, but there was little activity, other than a Stonechat and plenty of Rooks. Retracing our steps, we found a large flooded field, where a female Goosander was taking advantage of this pop up lake, gingery head glowing in the low evening sun.  Setting out across the fields again, we stopped to chat with another couple, and suddenly we were all rewarded with an appearance from a Short-eare

 We’ve had a number of local walks since returning from Bulgaria, managing to add a few new species to the annual tally. 12th February: A stroll along the boardwalk on the beach down to Shoreham Harbour, was rewarded with a sighting of a Purple Sandpiper at last! Not the greatest of views and no camera, but we have had several unsuccessful attempts so pleased to finally nail it! A few Turnstones were also about and one of the young fisherman on the harbour arm was removing a dogfish from his hook. Dogfish 19th February: We visited Cuckmere Haven, dropping down through Hope Gap which was bereft of birds.   Fulmars were seen near the Coastguard Cottages. The path beside the river was extremely muddy, and we were unable to spot the Long-billed Dowitcher. There were a few waders and wildfowl along the river but nothing of note. Heading up the slope towards Harry’sBush we could hear Skylark singing, and scanning from here with the scopes Tim managed to spot the Dowitcher, very distant, wadi

 Our last day in Bulgaria, and we had a long transfer to Sofia airport, with a few birding stops along the way, together with some unscheduled diversions to avoid protesting farmers blockading roads. In the end it was a day of quality birds rather than quantity.  Our first raptor stop was on high hills and it was bitterly cold in a biting wind. Sadly raptors were staying hunkered down, but we did manage to locate a perched Long-legged Buzzard and a flock of Skylarks skittered across.  We continued our journey, stopping next at some agricultural fields where Imperial Eagles had nested last year. As we approached, we spotted a huge bird sat in the tree, which flew off as we stopped the vehicle. We all piled out and scanned the area and it wasn’t long before we found a pair sat in another tree, showing very well and giving us all fantastic scope views. Imperial Eagles In the copse here we also found both Syrian and Green Woodpecker and a Green Sandpiper was heard calling. Driving on, we w

After spotting both Wren and Robin as new holiday ticks outside the hotel, we started the day once more at Bourgas Lake, hoping to catch up again with the White-headed Ducks, but sadly it was not to be. Many of the species from yesterday were still present, including the graceful and acrobatic Whiskered Terns, but we soon set off in search of something new.  Arriving at Mandra Lake close to the busy road, a few Great White Pelicans were new for the trip, and we were able to compare with some Dalmatian Pelicans with stunning orange bills reflecting their breeding status. In another, quieter reed-lined section of the lake we found a flock of Tufted Duck accompanied by three Ferruginous Duck and some Gadwall and Wigeon, adding rather nicely to our trip tally. The sun was shining and their colours gleamed bright against the water.  Around the margins, there was an abundance of Great Egrets basking in the sunshine amongst the reeds and a Pallas gull loafed in the middle of the lake. Dalmati

 Today we explored the local lakes, and despite a chilly start it soon warmed up into a beautiful spring-like day. We made several stops along the edge of Bourgas Lake. The star attraction here was some incredible rafts of Pochard, numbering into their thousands, their shining chestnut heads looking rather special in the bright sunshine.  Pochard A drake and Red-headed Smew were suddenly spotted amongst them, but unfortunately quickly took off before we got the scopes on them. A little more distant, I was thrilled when Dimiter called a group of White-headed Duck, a new species for me. These are an endangered species, and the cause of the Ruddy Duck being exterminated in Britain, as there is apparently a risk of hybridisation. Since the Ruddy Duck is an introduced American species, the White-headed Duck trumps the endearing Ruddy Duck in conservation terms. The reed-lined water margins also provided some interest, with Pygmy Cormorant and Grey Heron moving furtively in pursuit of food,

 Today we departed from our accommodation by the coast to transfer to the wetland areas around Bourgas. We made several stops en route, starting at an area of riverine woodland at the Albena Spa by the Kamchia River, where we took a short walk along the trail, obtaining excellent views of Middle Spotted Woodpecker and Short-toed Treecreeper. An unexpected addition here was a Great White Egret which suddenly appeared flying through the trees and out of sight. Middle-spotted Woodpecker We continued our journey, pausing en route for a passing raptor, a Black Kite. A short distance further on we found another pair, feeding on the ground, with a small flock of Whooper Swans foraging in the grassy field behind. A pair of Raven also put in an appearance, making it a very worthwhile pause in our travels. Our next stop was at an area of open woodland, seeking Grey-headed Woodpecker, but without success. A Goldcrest and Nuthatch were our only additions here. Continuing our journey through the Ba

 This morning we drove to the headland, pausing at the Balcik cliffs where Dimitri found us an eagle owl, ear tufts showing against the sandy cliff as it sheltered amongst the roots of a stunted tree.  Eagle Owl Moving on to the Kaliakra headland, despite the bright sunshine, it was bitterly cold in the wind as we scanned the sea below. Several Black-necked Grebes glistened in the sunlight, bright white bellies contrasting with black backs as they bobbed amongst the waves. A group of Shags hugged close where the sheer cliffs met the green sea, and a distant Black-throated Diver ducked and dived in the waves. After a stroll around the headland, we drove towards  the beach, noting a ringtail Harrier and singing Woodlark on our way. Here Bernie spotted a Black Redstart, flitting and tail-flicking around the scrub. A Shag posed sunning itself on a rock beyond the harbour wall and Tim spotted some Martin nests built into the rock face. At the reedbeds a Water Rail scurried across the water,

 Just a short drive today after yesterday’s extensive travels, and we were soon disembarking from the bus at an open area overlooking marshland, part of the Durankulak Lake. The sun was low and the air cold, giving a magical atmosphere to the wetland scene. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew over the trees to our right, and a cluster of Pygmy Cormorants clung to the base of the reeds. On our left, we could see plenty of Marsh Harriers leaving their morning roost, swooping and gliding, then dancing low across the reedbeds. As we walked along the track a Sparrowhawk perched in a tree surveying the landscape, but took flight as we approached. Overlooking some semi-frozen open water, a delightful mix of Meadow and Water Pipits were busy, slipping and sliding on the ice as they searched for food. A single Lapwing stood root-still in a patch of mud on the far side and a tiny Blue Tit bounced and swung in the breeze as it clung tenaciously to a delicate reed. We continued from here to the Durankulak

 Our first full day in Bulgaria, and the first thing we did was to travel across the border to Romania! Due to the mild weather conditions, there were few geese in the area around our hotel, and our guide was aware of flocks over the border, not far from where we had visited last June.  We set off in the dark, but by the time we arrived it was bright skies meaning very cold conditions! We stopped at a cafe for a comfort stop, and from here we enjoyed good scope views of our first Long-legged Buzzard sat on the ground, with gingery head and a rufous tail.  Before too long we encountered a flock of around thirty Greater White-fronted Geese close to the road, giving excellent views. In a field opposite, a much larger flock were feeding at some distance, so we clambered out of the van, gathered our scopes, and slowly and cautiously set off down the track. The birds were pretty settled, and we spent some time scanning through in search of rarer species. A single immature Lesser White-fronte