Archive for the ‘Birding’ Category »

The 2011 Birding Challenge – F...

Posted on Jan 02 2012 | 10 Comments
And the total for my 2011 Birding Challenge was ….. ..drum roll………….. 158 species! So, I failed to meet the target but I don’t think I failed – if that makes sense!  I suppose I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get a bit nearer but I achieved  more than ¾ of the target number and though I say so myself... Read More »

Of Delta Birds, Bulls and Clouds..

Posted on Dec 31 2011 | No Comments
Of Delta Birds, Bulls and Clouds.. As it was the last day of the year I thought I’d go down to the Ebro Delta to see if I could add any last minute birds to my list. It was a lovely still day here in Mora d’Ebre but on the Delta it was blowing... Read More »

Missing the Boat

Posted on Oct 15 2011 | 3 Comments
Missing the Boat Permit me to let off steam… This morning we were due to go on a sea-bird watching trip. I was hoping to add a significant number of  birds to my 2011 birding year. More than that I was looking forward to a few hours... Read More »

Common Cranes – In September o...

Posted on Oct 01 2011 | No Comments
A few days ago, (last Wednesday, 28th September to be exact) Keith and I were just pulling up in the car outside our house when from the corner of my eye I saw a large grey bird taking off from the other side of the river island. For a split second I thought it was the usual heron that hangs about in that spot. Then as I was doing a double take – 4 more... Read More »

Beer n Bitterns

Posted on Aug 16 2011 | No Comments
We’ve had a couple of pairs of Little Bitterns around during the last two weeks. I wasn’t 100% sure when I first saw a skulking shape in reeds on the other side of the river. Then, from our balcony the following morning I was confident that I’d seen a bird in flight that came to rest in the tamarisk on the river island just to the left of us. ... Read More »

A Rare Bird Sighting!

Posted on May 12 2011 | 8 Comments
A Rare Bird Sighting! I suspect that yesterday was the best day that I will have in my “big birding year”. Glancing over the balcony whilst busy doing household chores I noted a group of Little Egrets on the river island. We see egrets... Read More »

A Perfect Start to the Day at Sebes ...

Posted on May 06 2011 | No Comments
A Perfect Start to the Day at Sebes Nature Reserve   6.30 am  Up, dressed, flask of coffee, binoculars, camera and off to Sebes Nature Reserve at Flix. 7 .00 am  The sun was just kissing the tops of the reeds as I settled myself in the hide. Scanned the small lagoon... Read More »

6yrs and 6 short-toed eagles

Posted on Mar 17 2011 | 8 Comments
6yrs and 6 short-toed eagles It occurred to me this morning that we have lived in Spain exactly 6 years today! As I was drinking my coffee on the balcony contemplating our life here, the anniversary was nicely celebrated with the fly-past of 6 short-toed... Read More »

2011 Birding Challenge – Febru...

Posted on Feb 20 2011 | 2 Comments
2011 Birding Challenge – February Update The first couple of weeks of the year were very exciting as I ticked off all the regular birds on my local patch and saw my list start to grow! A trip down to the Ebro Delta added a few more birds and then due to a unusually... Read More »

200 Birds in 2011 -A Learner Birder ...

Posted on Jan 01 2011 | 11 Comments
It all started with a tweet! A tweet on twitter that is – not a bird call!  Last week I posted a comment on twitter something like this: “Decided that from Jan I’ll be a “proper” birder and start listing. Saw Great Bittern xmas day so methinks list has to commence Dec 25th!” That comment kicked off a conversation with another... Read More »


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