Here is a brief summary of what goes on in “our valley”. Together with fellow birder Ian, we regularly watch our patch and from now on will use this blog to post brief records of what happens. Full species list can be seen on the specific post.
January 25th
Things are a little more lively this morning. The Meadow Pipit has become a regular garden visitor of late, as are a pair of Chiffchaffs. It´s only 1015am and in the garden we´ve already had a pair of Blackcap, a family of Long Tailed Tits, Great Tits, Spotless Starlings, a Sardinian Warbler and a female Crossbill on the bird bath.
January 12th
This morning, a pair of Meadow Pipits have joined the Chiffchaffs that regularly feed on my lawn. Another new garden visitor for this week has been a Coal Tit. Still no sign of Siskins though which is strange…
December 9th
Following a slightly unsettled spell of weather, normality has been restored and we´re now enjoying some beautiful winter sunshine. This week has seen the first of this year´s early morning frost and the nights are beginning to feel a little chilly, although the days are currently clear, bright and beautifully sunny.
Male Sardinian Warbler
To make the most of this morning, I spent an hour or so exploring one of the narrow wooded gorges that lead off the main valley. As I approached through the orange groves, I watched flocks of Serin and Goldfinch passing through the fields. House Sparrows, Blackbirds, and Robins were also plentiful as were Chiffchaff and Sardinian Warbler.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy great views of a male Cirl Bunting and a Stonechat too.
I made my way into the woods and saw a Song Thrush feeding amongst the leaves on the floor, then some careful searching in the tall pines revealed Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit and a pair of Firecrests. As I returned home I watched as a small flock of Crag Martins passed over as did a lone Kestrel. A nice start to the day…still waiting for the Siskins though!
December 7th
November was a fairly quiet month except for a significant invasion of Serins and Robins. A family of Chiffchaff have become regular garden visitors and the Sparrowhawk is often around, particularly just prior to dusk. This morning´s brief walk down the valley turned up Long Tailed Tit, Stonechat, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Serin, Goldfinch. Blackbird and an Iberian Grey Shrike.
November 8th
Must be raptor night! Just before dusk I was working in my office when a movement in the garden caught my eye. I grabbed the binoculars, which are always on my desk, and watched as a female Sparrowhawk landed in a tall pine right outside my window. Then 10 minutes later my father-in-law called to say that there was a bird of prey circling over the valley. Although the light was beginning to fade slightly, I went out onto the terrace and watched as a pair of Peregrines made their way down the valley then over the back of the high cliffs opposite my house. A lovely end to a beautiful sunny autumn day.
November 2nd
On my morning walk with the dog all was quiet today, except the Blackcaps are still here in good numbers and there seems to have been a sudden population boom of Robins! There were a few Long Tailed Tits flitting around plus a Short Toed Treecreeper.
November 1st
Ian…went for a walk around the upper reaches of the valley today. Had a spectacular view of a Peregrine that suddenly emerged from a gully with a small bird in it´s talons. He then landed in a tree approx 25 metres away from me. Fantastic! I also managed another new tick for the valley – Redwing. Also saw Magpie and Song Thrush.
October 30th
Ian… After a few days without any birding I decided to spend the day walking around La Drova, Barx and Les Foies. In the morning there were 80+ Cormorants in formation heading down the valley, an unusual site and a new tick for La Drova. Other birds include a Song Thrush, Jay, Chaffinch, 4 Black Redstart, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Robin, Spotless Starling, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Blackbird and Wren. Les Fois produced some great views of a Firecrest that would not move however close I approached, but decided to fly off as soon as I tried to take its picture. Numerous Black Redstart were present plus good sized flocks of finches. The campsite was awash with Black Redstart and a good number of Chiff Chaff. A walk in the evening produced 4 Rock Bunting and a few Red Legged Partridge also a large group of House Martin flying south. At least 2 Tawny Owls were heard later in the evening before I gave up for the day.
October 28th 2011
Ian….popped down to the village shop and saw 3 Stonechats and a Great Grey Shrike. Only went out for a loaf!
October 27th 2011
The recent influx of Blackcaps show no sign of moving on. Robins seem much more active too, and we´re still seeing a few Swallows passing through. Had a 40 minute walk through the valley this evening and enjoyed good views of Firecrest and Crested Tits in the old pine wood plus 3 Rock Buntings perched on a wire fence. Also had a great view of a solitary male Black Redstart, the usual resident Goldfinches, Serin and Spotless Starlings. As light was beginning to fade, a female Sparrowhawk flew almost silently into the woods on the Eastern side of the valley.