2012 Review: A mixed year!

2011 was an awesome birding year for me, with some great birds like Upland Sandpiper, Scarlet Tanager, Solitary Sandpiper, Northern Waterthrush and Isabelline Wheatear to name but a few. It was always going to be hard for 2012 to live up to the expectations set in 2011 and not surprisingly it generally didn't. Despite this there was several enjoyable avian moments in 2012, some of which are outlined below:

Most of my birding was local this year with the odd trip to the Northumberland, Yorkshire and Durham coasts, the Scillies and South Coast and a few other locations in between. My highlights this year included: Dark-eyed Junco, Spanish Sparrow, 2 Paddyfield Warblers, Red-rumped Swallow, Roller, Bee-eater, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Common Crane, Bittern, Pallid Harrier, Solitary Sandpiper, Blackpoll Warbler, Short-toed Lark, Dusky Warbler, American Buff-bellied Pipit - some pictures of some of these below.

Also had a really enjoyable trip to The Brenne area in France and although I didn't get any 'lifers' it was an incredible location and was fantastic to be able to see some great birds like Bonelli's Eagle, Black Woodpecker, Bee-eater, Black Stork, Honey Buzzard etc and all in beautiful, peaceful scenery. I'll definitely be going back here - loved it!

There was also some great local birding in the York Area with several of the big guns going for the year-list record of 170 species (set in 2006). At least four people that I know broke the record with Tim coming out on top with 174 species. I missed the majority of wader passage whilst I was in France so was never in with a shout but was happy with finishing on 159 species, the majority of which were on my local patch (or in the LDV) and self-found so fairly pleasing. I even managed a couple that Tim didn't; most notably Red-rumped Swallow, Black Tern and Whinchat...

So what does 2013 have to offer, who knows! A 3 week birding trip to Malaysia for starters and maybe either France/USA in the summer and possibly Thailand next Christmas, but that's a long way off...

Thanks for reading the blog over 2012, I hope you've enjoyed it and here's to a great 2013! Incidentally this is my 500th post and I've had over a quarter of a million hits on my blog now! Thank you!

Bee-eater - Durham

Dark-eyed Junco - Hampshire

Bittern - North Yorkshire

Buff-bellied Pipit - Berkshire

Paddyfield Warbler - Cornwall

Blackpoll Warbler - Isles of Scilly

Solitary Sandpiper - Isles of Scilly

Dusky Warbler - Durham

Red-breasted Flycatcher - East Yorkshire

Black Tern - North Yorkshire (phone-scoped)

Garganey In the Hand! (Phone-picture)

Pallid Harrier - South Yorkshire (Phone-scoped)

Roller - East Yorkshire  (Phone-scoped)

Common Cranes - Down South! (Phone-scoped)

Western Bonelli's Warbler - Yorkshire

Golden Oriole - France (Phone-scoped)

Black Woodpecker - France (Phone-scoped)

Melodious Warbler - France (Phone-scoped)

Red-backed Shrike - France (Phone-scoped)

Hoopoe - France (Phone-scoped)

  

Bee-eaters at Breeding Colony - France (Phone-scoped)

Purple Heron at nest - France (Phone-scoped)

Western Bonelli's Warbler - France (Phone-scoped)

Black Redstart - France (Phone-scoped)

Woodchat Shrike at nest site - France (Phone-scoped)

Me birding in France!

France: The other Wildlife seen

Butterflies - if you can ID any of the butterflies in the pictures below that are not on the list below please let me know (same goes for other animals)!

1.       Common Swallowtail

2.       Scarce Swallowtail

3.       Red Admiral

4.       Southern White Admiral

5.       Painted Lady

6.       Small Tortoiseshell

7.       Camberwell Beauty

8.       Peacock

9.       Speckled Wood

10.   Wall Brown

11.   Comma

12.   Heath Fritillary

13.   Glanville Fritillary

14.   Silver-washed Fritillary

15.   Meadow Fritillary

16.   Meadow Brown

17.   Small Heath

18.   Gatekeeper

19.   Common Blue

20.   Holly Blue

21.   Small Blue

22.   Mazarine Blue

23.   Small Copper

24.   Sooty Copper

25.   Sloe Hairstreak

26.   Black Hairstreak

27.   Large White

28.   Green-veined White

29.   Black-veined White

30.   Brimstone

31.   Orange-tip

Mammals           

1.       Wild Boar

2.       Red Squirrel

3.       Musk Rat

4.       Coypu

5.       Stoat

6.       Pine Marten

7.       Hare

8.       Rabbit

9.       Hedgehog

10.   Roe Deer

11.   Red Deer

Reptiles/Amphibians     

1.       European Pond Terrapin

2.       Western Green Lizard

3.       Common Wall Lizard

4.       Grass Snake

5.       Marsh Frog

6.       Natterjack Toad

Dragonflies/Damselflies               

1.       Broad-bodied Chaser

2.       Black-tailed Skimmer

3.       Banded Demoiselle

4.       Western Demoiselle

5.       Large Pincertail

6.       Dainty Demoiselle

7.       Many other unidentified!

Photos generally phone-binned or phone-scoped.

France: Species list (birds)

Just put my trip list together, I recorded 131 species, not bad for a non-birding trip! Recorded more than some specific birding trips that I've read reports for since my return!

1. Mute Swan: Common throughout the Brenne and seen on other Etangs when driving around, several large flocks in north France in vicinity of Calais
2. Greater Canada Goose: Three seen in a field near Etang Foucault surprisingly the only record of presumably feral population
3. Gadwall: Several seen on all trips to the Brenne (e.g. Etang Cistude, Ricot, Foucault, du Blizon)
4. Teal: One drake on 27th May on Etang Foucault
5. Mallard: Common throughout the Brenne and across many other locations, e.g. several pairs around Le Cluzeau, Vienne
6. Shoveler: A pair on 30th May on Etang Ricot
7. Pochard: Common on most waterbodies visited within the Brenne, female at Jardins artistiques de Drulon
8. Tufted Duck: Common on most waterbodies visited within the Brenne and around Calais
9. Red-legged Partridge: A pair seen on two dates near Gite (Le Cluzeau, Vienne), probably under-recorded due to vegetation/crop height
10. Quail: Two heard on two dates near Gite (Le Cluzeau, Vienne)
11. Pheasant: Fairly common in farmland, probably under-recorded due to vegetation/crop height
12. Cormorant: Common in the Brenne where breeding colony, also recorded on River Loire
13. Night-heron: Seen in the Brenne at Etangs Foucault, Bellebouche and Ricot, recorded breeding
14. Cattle Egret: Seen in the Brenne mainly around Etang Foucault and Etang Ricot areas where breeding
15. Little Egret: Fairly common in the Brenne where breeding
16. Great White Egret: Singles seen across the Brenne on each visit (e.g. Etang at Le Temple, Etang des Essarts)
17. Grey Heron: Very common throughout the Brenne and at all other locations visited, regular birds passing over Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne
18. Purple Heron: Very common at Etang Bellebouche where breeding colony viewable from hide, recorded at most Etangs visited and on several marshy areas
19. Black Stork: Single bird circling high over Etang Cistude on 23rd May lost at height in cloud
20. White Stork: Three on a thermal near Belabre on 23rd May
21. Little Grebe: One in full breeding plumage at Etang Cistude on 23rd May was the only record, likely under-recorded
22. Great Crested Grebe: Very common on most Etangs visied within the Brenne, also seen on other waterbodies within the country
23. Black-necked Grebe: Presumably breeding birds recorded at Etangs Bellebouche, Ricot and des Essarts with approximately 8-10 pairs recorded on 30th May
24. Honey-buzzard: Common around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne and also seen regularly in the Brenne and many other locations when driving around. Best views away from Le Cluzeau at Jardins Artistiques de Drulon where 3 performed very well giving close views
25. Black Kite: Fairly common at most sites visited, especially common in the Brenne, regular over Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne
26. Short-toed Eagle: Two seen in the Brenne from Maison du Parc (La Bouchet) on two occasions, also singles seen at several other locations within the Brenne
27. Marsh Harrier: Common in the Brenne, several also seen over farmland when driving around
28. Hen Harrier: Three adult males seen over farmland in the southwest of the Brenne
29. Montagu’s Harrier: Several birds seen (males and females) across a range of sites within and outwith the Brenne (e.g. at le Cluzeau, Vienne)
30. Sparrowhawk: Breeding pair seen around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vinne, also seen at Chambord
31. Buzzard: Very common throughout a range of very pale and very dark birds seen
32. Kestrel: Common throughout with breeding pair regularly seen around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne
33. Hobby: Fairly common in the Brenne, also recorded on several occasions at Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne, also recorded near Calais
34. Water Rail: One heard near Etang Foucault on 1st June
35. Moorhen: Seen on several Etangs, town ponds etc
36. Coot: Common throughout
37. Black-winged Stilt: Over a dozen recorded at Etang Foucault
38. Stone-curlew: One near Etang de la Roche-Chevreux on 20th May
39. Little Ringed Plover: One on Etang Foucault on 27th May, four at Etang de Bellebouche on 30th May
40. Lapwing: Several seen around Calais on journeys north and south, several also seen in Brenne, presumed breeding birds in agitated flight and presumed failed breeders in small post-breeding flocks
41. Common Sandpiper: One on stream at Chateau Guillaume on 24th May
42. Redshank: Two birds seen at Etang Montmelier on 1st June
43. Black-headed Gull: Common breeder in the Brenne, also seen at various other locations when driving around. Flock of 40 over Gite at La Cluzeau, Vienne on 28th May
44. Mediterranean Gull: Common along coast on journey north and south. Also seen in the Brenne and over Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne on 28th May
45. Common Gull: One in Calais on 2nd June
46. Lesser Black-backed Gull: Several in Calais on 2nd June
47. Herring Gull: Common during journeys north and south from Calais when close to coast
48. Yellow-legged Gull: One adult sat on an island on the River Loire north of Chambord on 31st May
49. Great Black-backed Gull: One in Calais on 2nd June
50. Little Tern: One at Etang Foucault on 27th May and two on River Loire on 31st May
51. Whiskered Tern: Very common breeder in the Brenne, seen at most Etangs and flying between Etangs over farmland. Often very vocal
52. Common Tern: Several seen on River Loire on 31st May
53. Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon: Fairly common in towns
54. Woodpigeon: Fairly common throughout
55. Collared Dove: Fairly common throughout, especially in towns
56. Turtle Dove: Recorded all days in a range of habitats, several breeding pairs around Le Cluzeau, Vienne
57. Cuckoo: Very common across most habitats visited with numerous birds seen/heard each day often with multiple birds at same location
58. Scops Owl: One heard calling at Git at Le Cluzeau, Vienne during 4 nights at dusk
59. Tawny Owl: One heard calling at Le Cluzeau, Vienne at dawn on 24th May
60. Swift: Common throughout breeding within towns and foraging widely over adjacent countryside, often sizeable flocks
61. Bee-eater: A ‘new’ breeding colony observed on 30th May with at least 30 birds present. I didn’t check the old sites out.
62. Hoopoe        : Very common throughout, multiple birds seen/heard daily up to at least eight birds on 30th May
63. Wryneck: One bird seen on three dates near Le Cluzeau, Vienne
64. Green Woodpecker: Common, recorded on most days in most areas visited, also often seen in towns/cities
65. Black Woodpecker: A vocal (breeding?) pair observed very well at Chateau Guillaume on 24th May
66. Great Spotted Woodpecker: Very common throughout with multiple birds recorded daily at most locations visited
67. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: At least 2 pairs recorded around Le Cluzeau, Vienne, likely common but likely under-recorded due to vegetation cover
68. Middle Spotted Woodpecker: One seen at Le Cluzeau, Vienne on 23rd May, likely to be under-recorded due to vegetation cover
69. Golden Oriole: Very common in all suitable habitat visited, several pairs breeding around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne. Very vocal during early part of trip, gradually getting quieter as settling down to breed. A pair seen copulating in a nest. Adult male observed in fight with Jay around nest site for 10 minutes
70. Red-backed Shrike: Common within all suitable habitat, often noticed along minor roads on wires. Several pairs breeding around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne. Nest found in hedge on 1st June. At least five/six pairs within 500m of Gite (in accessible areas).
71. Woodchat Shrike: One pair found breeding (nest found) at Le Cluzeau, Vienne, the only record of this species on the trip. The pair were nesting in a lone oak tree in a meadow field
72. Magpie: Common throughout
73. Jay: Common throughout
74. Jackdaw: Common throughout
75. Rook: Common throughout
76. Carrion Crow: Common throughout
77. Firecrest: Two pairs recorded in Le Cluzeau, Vienne, one pair found nest building in garden of Gite
78. Blue Tit: Common throughout
79. Great Tit: Common throughout
80. Marsh Tit: Fairly common with several pairs found. Fledged young observed near Le Cluzeau, Vienne on 25th May
81. Crested Lark: Several recorded, mainly in northern areas
82. Woodlark: Common breeder in most areas visited, five/six pairs around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne
83. Skylark: Common throughout
84. Sand Martin: Surprisingly under-recorded with four birds seen (breeding) at Chateau Chambord the only sighting
85. Swallow: Very common throughout
86. House Martin: Very common throughout
87. Cetti’s Warbler: Several heard throughout time in the Brenne
88. Long-tailed Tit: Fairly common in parkland and woodland
89. Western Bonelli’s Warbler: Recorded in several woodland areas, particularly numerous along eastern side of Etang de Bellebouche
90. Wood Warbler: Several seen/heard around Le Cluzeau, Chateau Guillaume and Bois de Paillet
91. Chiffchaff: Very common throughout
92. Willow Warbler: Only a couple heard in Brenne, not recorded elsewhere, potentially under-recorded if not singing
93. Blackcap: Very common/abundant in all areas visited
94. Garden Warbler: Common in woodland areas visited, breeding around Le Cluzeau
95. Whitethroat: Common throughout
96. Grasshopper Warbler: One heard near Etang Foucault on 1st June
97. Savi’s Warbler: Several heard within the Brenne (within general vicinity of Etang Foucault)
98. Melodious Warbler: Abundant throughout, often very vocal
99. Sedge Warbler: Common throughout Brenne
100. Reed Warbler: Common throughout Brenne, fledged juveniles at Etang Ricot on 30th May
101. Great Reed Warbler: One at Etang du Couvent on 23rd May, one near Etang du Blizon on 1st June
102. Nuthatch: Common in woodland areas, breeding around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne
103. Short-toed Treecreeper       : Common in woodland areas, breeding around Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne
104. Wren: Fairly common throughout
105. Starling: Common throughout many breeding in ‘natural’ nest areas in trees in gardens/woodland edge
106. Blackbird: Common throughout
107. Song Thrush: Several singing males heard around Le Cluzeau, Vienne, probably under-recorded due to vegetation cover when not singing
108. Mistle Thrush: Common in woodland, often seen along roads through forested areas
109. Spotted Flycatcher: A pair breeding in garden of Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne
110. Robin: Surprisingly under-recorded. Three (two adults and a juvenile) at Le Cluzeau, Vienne on 22nd May, singles recorded in parkland/woodland areas/Brenne
111. Nightingale: Very common/abundant throughout most areas visited. Numerous around Le Cluzeau, Vienne and the Brenne. Occasionally seen very well, but most often heard only
112. Black Redstart: Very common in urban areas, but also recorded in several garden/Chateau’s e.g. Chambord etc. Breeding in garden at Gite in Le Cluzeau, Vienne with fledglings recorded in late May
113. Redstart: Singing male daily in garden of Gite at Le Cluzeau, Vienne. Female with fledgling on 20th May also at Le Cluzeau, two other males heard singing in wooded areas
114. Stonechat: Abundant in all suitable habitat, especially so along road verges
115. Dunnock: Recorded regularly around Le Cluzeau, likely under-recorded
116. House Sparrow: Common throughout
117. Blue-headed Wagtail: Several seen in the north of the Brenne, also seen in the north of France while driving north/south
118. Grey Wagtail: Common at Le Cluzeau, Vienne along river where breeding in garden of Gite
119. White Wagtail: Common throughout across all habitats
120. Tree Pipit: Common in woodland and also in farmland near wooded valleys
121. Meadow Pipit: Surprisingly under-recorded with several seen around Le Cluzeau, Vienne
122. Chaffinch: Abundant throughout
123. Greenfinch: Common in farmland/parkland areas
124. Serin: Appeared more common in towns/villages than in the countryside
125. Goldfinch: Common in farmland/parkland
126. Linnet: Fairly common in farmland throughout
127. Hawfinch: A single at Le Cluzeau, Vienne on 22nd May with two seen there on 26th May, likely under-recorded due to vegetation cover and generally unobtrusive nature
128. Yellowhammer: Several seen in the north of France on both journeys
129. Cirl Bunting: Fairly common in farmland around Le Cluzeau, Vienne where several pairs found breeding, also recorded in many other areas visited
130. Reed Bunting: Several recorded in the Loire area with a couple of vocal males in a reedbed
131. Corn Bunting: Common throughout, especially along road verges on wires/fence posts

 I went to a lot of good birding locations but these were generally visited at times of the day not particularly conductive to good birding, e.g. the middle part of hot days when birds were quieter and heat haze was more of a problem. I think the area I stayed, and the Brenne are excellent birding locations.

Will put together the other species lists over the coming days...

France Day 14: The long and windy road..

The journey back up to Calais went well, all 400 miles of it! Managed to clock up 24 Kestrel and 10 Buzzard but also scored male Montagu’s Harrier on a fencepost, several Marsh Harrier and singles of Honey Buzzard and Hobby flying along the road. Had several Red-backed Shrikes and Hoopoe close to the Gite but then less of those while on the motorways, probably due to speed...

The Sat Nav Lady even took me right past the Bee-eater colony! One to remember for my next trip!

A roadside stop produced Green Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Crested Lark and Blue-headed Wagtail with another stop giving great views of a number of Mediterranean Gulls. While waiting for our train in Calais I had several Herring, Lesser Black-backed, Great Black-backed, Common and Black-headed Gull and that was about that.

Holiday done. Just the drive back to Yorkshire to do…

I'll put a trip list of birds on the blog over the next few days, initial count suggests 131 species of birds, plus a good range of butterflies and other animals, not bad for a non-birding trip.

France Day 13: I got weed on by a Terrapin! (Brenne)

We took a drive back up to the Brenne for the final time of this trip this morning dropping into a few new Etangs that we'd not been to before.  Again it was a great morning, this area is incredible and I can't wait to get back here again.

We visited Etang du Blizon, part of the Cherine reserve and several smaller Etangs with names I don't have on me at the moment.  Highlights today included several Savi's Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler, Water Rail, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, loads of Whiskered Tern, tonnes of Black Kite, Marsh Harriers (4 or 5) and a couple of Honey Buzzard.  Colour was provided by loads of Red-backed Shrike, with a handful of Hoopoe, Turtle Dove, Golden Oriole, Green Woodpecker thrown in too. Got a couple of Redshank, Lapwing and surprisingly 3 Canada Geese that were ambling through a cow field! All the usual suspects were still abundant such as Nightingale, Stonechat, Serin, Melodious Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap etc...

Highlight however was not a bird for a change, but was 3 Wild Boar that were foraging along the edge of a marshy area.  Also rescued a terrapin that was walking down the middle of the road! It thanked me by weeing down my leg! Again there was also masses of dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies everywhere.

This afternoon/evening we spent some time relaxing around the garden/Gite area connecting with all the regulars Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike (3 pairs - I found the nest of one of these this evening), Quail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Nuthatch, Nightingale, Melodious Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Stonechat, Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, White Wagtail etc..

Over the two weeks we've been here now its noticeable how much the vegetation has grown, and also that there is a wave of fledglings appearing all over the place.  Finally the Nightingales seem to be less vocal too, presumably some have settled down...

Tomorrow will be a long drive back north but hopefully will connect with something along the route...

France Day 12: Château Chambord

Went to do the touristy thing today and visited the château at Chambord. It was a huge and pretty impressive building and was interesting seeing some of the really old possessions they still have. The grounds were pretty smart too.

Château Chambord 

One of the views off the roof!

The drive there and back didn't really provide too much and was a bit frustrating with glimpses of raptors disappearing behind woods, hedges etc! The scenery however was cool with lots of large château's/churches etc.  Did see a male Hen Harrier though and lots of commoner stuff like Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Red-backed Shrike and there seemed to be Serins everywhere today? I'm sure if you are staying near Chambord on vacation there would be plenty of decent birds in the grounds, I think the forested area is as big as Paris and holds a good selection of raptors and woodpeckers. Could be well worth a search.

After visiting the château we thought it best to visit the River Loire as we hadn't seen it to date. It seemed to be in flood - presumably all the rain we had when we first arrived (and the few weeks before). Did get a few birds here without really trying too hard: Common Tern, Little Tern, Reed Bunting, Yellow-legged Gull, Cetti's Warbler, Black-headed Gull, Serin etc..

Back at the Gite late afternoon there was the usual Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers with the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker also putting in a vocal appearance.  Got Marsh Tit in garden with the pair of Firecrest still building their nest. Also plenty of Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, pair of Golden Oriole, singing Hoopoe, Tree Pipit and Woodlark, families of Blue and Great Tit, Chaffinch, Black Redstart and Blackbird.

This evening I thought I'd take a little walk around the local area and went to check out the Woodchat Shrike I'd found last week. I bit of loitering about in stealth mode resulted in me finding its nest.  It was high up in an Oak tree, about 2/3rd up. The Oak tree was a lone tree in a meadow field. Both male and female birds were observed foraging bringing food back to the nest, prey included bees, caterpillars and what looked like a Common Wall Lizard. Got a couple of pictures below, see if you can spot the bird sat on its nest...

 Woodchat Shrike (Phone-scoped)

Woodchat Shrike (Phone-scoped) 

 Woodchat Shrike (Phone-scoped)

Woodchat Shrike (Phone-scoped)

Woodchat Shrike on nest(Phone-scoped) 

Woodchat Shrike on nest (Phone-scoped)

Otherwise it was the typical Hoopoe, Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodlark, Black Redstart, Nightingale, Melodious Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Cirl Bunting etc...