Work Trip to Halkidiki

I had to fly to Thessalonika for a three day trip to see two new hotels in our portfolio.

Ryanair flew from Stansted - great - but times were awful and I arrived at the first hotel at 22.30.

Due to the late arrival the hotel group had arranged for all my work to be done on the Friday which meant a long day. However, it gave me the whole of Thursday and a long half day on Saturday before my flight home.

I had been doing a bit of research and the only place of interest from a birding point of view was a saline lake which looked about 10km away.

I got up at 6.30 and looked out from my balcony. Common Swifts and House Martins were plenty and Gull sp were flying a good distance away. On land I only saw two species before getting ready for breakfast - Greenfinch and the lovely Cirl Buntings.

I saw these all three mornings in the hotel grounds but never anywhere else and only first thing!

After breakfast I spoke to an incredibly helpful member of staff who understood where I wanted to go and organised a taxi for me. She explained that the driver would only get me so far as the dirt roads were very rough and he would not want to risk his car. He would come and pick me up an 1pm too. Cost was 25E return which seemed reasonable so off I went.

The small town nearest is called Agios Mamas and the lake is known locally by the same name. I was dropped at the edge of an olive grove and shown a path to take me down to the lake.

On the path down, there were Corn Buntings everywhere.

Unfortunately the sun was shining right in my face looking at the lake so I could not get great photos of anything there. However, a pair of Garganey were the first water birds I saw along with loads of Coot.
Little Grebe and Mallard followed quickly along with distant Little and Great Egrets.

On the waters edge were Black Winged Stilts and these ended up to be the only waders seen.

The path around the lake was in good nick although reeds and general foliage was tall in places giving obstructed views. I doubt anyone has birdied this place yet it was really lovely and shows how little importance other countries put on their natural attractions.

As I approached some reeds, a shadow swept straight over me. It was a large Eagle and I did manage to get it in view to get a decent view before it flew across the lake. The significant thing was the two very distinct white patches on the upper wing. Fortunately, I had my Collins app on the phone and was able to clearly id the bird as a Lesser Spotted Eagle - a lifer for me.  The only other raptor seen was Marsh Harrier.

Approaching the reeds I got a quick glimpse of a large warbler and having seen one briefly before on another Greek trip was able to id Great Reed Warbler. Ironically I did not see any other warbler whilst visiting the lake.

As I got passed the reeds the view opened up. I could have really done with my scope but nevertheless was able to pick out Shelduck and Black Terns. I did attempt a photo but I have still not mastered the flying bird photo as seen below!

As I approached the last part of the path I did notice some very distant birds and was able to easily id Flamingoes which I have not seen in Greece before. With such distance and a heat haze I managed nothing more than a record shot.

It was getting close to my pick up time and by now was knackered. I found an old log under a tree in the shade and decided to take five minutes out to update my list.

Just as I had put my camera and binos down a beautiful bird with long tail and spotted back with russet patches flew straight into the olive grove. It was the easiest id og the day and my second lifer - Great Spotted Cuckoo. I walked to the olive grove but it was completely fenced and I could not see the bird. However, I heard it and have never heard a call like it in my life. I can only describe it as sounding like an ape in the jungle! Sad that I could not get a photo of either lifer but a great morning nevertheless.

My final morning was a gentle stroll around the countryside near the hotel.

I added Red Rumped Swallow and Yellow Legged Gull immediately closely followed by a Hoopoe in grass near the hotel.

An area of scrub was not too far away and I heard my first Nightingale of the year. This briefly appeared on an electric cable but the sun was directly in my eyes so got the classic silhouette shot we never want!

However, Whitethroat and a too quick Sardinian Warbler were added.

Overall only 35 species but as a non birding trip and two lifers to boot - not a bad trip at all!

UK lifer at Holme Dunes

Great that Jen is working at Holme Dunes as I have told her to let me know if anything drops in.

She has not quite mastered the art having casually remarked after dinner one night that a Black Kite and White Tailed Eagle had been seen!

However, on this particular Friday she called to say that she had been busy with birders coming to see the 9 Ring Ouzels that had been reported that day and that warden Gary said they were still there.

Working up in Norfolk does mean I can shoot out after work so was there by 5.45.

As always I seemed to see everything but!

However, a sandy clearing half way along had four birds and just caught a glance of my first UK Rinh Ouzel as they flew off! Frustrating but still great. I walked for another 10 minutes before spying three on bush tops about 50m away.

It was a bit windy and birds were not very stationary but I did get a few shots.

Dave The Fish came up for the weekend and I got him to dust off his binos and he even managed to get a quick view of a lovely male to give him a lifer too!

First Lifer of the Year!

One great advantage of living in Norfolk is although I am working full time,  I can nip out after work.

Yesterday evening I dashed to Chalkpit Lane near Choseley Drying Barns as reports had come in about Dotterel in a nearby field.

As I drove up the lane I saw two other birders with scopes looking out so guessed I had the right area.

However, there was nowhere close by to park so just pulled up on the verge and watched from the car!

I knew that i would have to move if other cars arrived but fortunately got 20 minutes without this happening and got some excellent views of the 9 birds. They were distant but still managed to get some fair record shots.

Having my own celebration in the car (must have looked a bit weird!) I drove back via Burnham Market.

Birds were everywhere and loads of Buzzard, Kestrel, Red Kite and a Hen Harrier which was too distant by the time I screeched to a halt!

I did see a Warbler in the bushes as I pulled up and got a quick couple of shots but had no time to hear it sing before another car was behind and I was forced to pull away. Pretty sure it is a Chiffchaff but I do struggle with Warblers in the LBJ department!

Lastly, coming back along the back edge of the Holkham Estate I noticed an unusual Pheasant which scurried away before I could get a photo. I knew it was not one of the normal ones we see as it was almost completely blue with the standard red head. Looking on the web when i got home, it seems it was a Blue pheasant which is a variant form of the normal but still made a nice change from the thousands of normal Pheasant and Red Legged Partridge I get here daily.

Lovely day today so may even nip out after work again - keep you posted!

Norfolk at last!

It has been some time since I updated my blog all due to our big move from Hertfordshire to Norfolk!

Although we moved in March we spent every weekend before (and most of the time since) decorating. Still not finished we are getting there!

This has led to a sense of frustration in that we are in easy driving distance to a number of brilliant birding sites and until last weekend and the odd hour hre and these I have not managed to get to any of them!

The house is in a lovely rural location three miles from Wells and overlooks fields to the front.
We have a front garden which now has bird feeders and an unkempt huge rear garden. (another project yet to be started!)

As Jono will know, we have Red Kites around the house and have subsequently found they roost about a mile from the house. Other raptors seen from the comfort of my office are Kestrels, Buzzards, Marsh Harrier, Tawny Owl and a Barn Owl that visits the rear garden most mornings and on other odd times.

Having lived only in Hertfordshire, I was quite surprised at the birds i have seen so far just in the garden. We have the normal array of Tits and Finches though Tree Sparrow has been a nice addition. However, we regularly get Pheasant and Red Legged Partridge, Oystercatcher and even a pair of Brent Geese!
A pair of Pied Wagtail are nesting nearby.

Nevertheless, frustration at not getting out and about pushed me to a a quick early morning at Titchwell.

Some good birds with my first Sedge Warbler of the year, Bittern flying, Peregrine dive bombing and distant Red Crested Pochard.

There was the usual array of waders on the Fresh Marsh and Long Tailed Duck and Common Scoter on the sea.

Jen has just started work as the cafe manager at Holme Dunes so I have also popped in to see her!

Nothing special so far but she has promised to keep me posted if something drops in. She has already introduced me to the Warden so hoping I might get some early info!

I have managed a short after work walk at Warham Greens which is about the quickest area for me to visit from my home and apart from more Barn Owls and Willow Warblers, only the regular stuff. I visited last night for an hour and did not see a soul yet it was a beautiful evening. I enjoy this rather than Titchwell and Cley which do get like theme parks unless you visit early or late.

I am hoping to get out a bit more regularly now so will update this a bot more frequently than I have done!