Treeton Nature Diary 2010 Bird species observed in Treeton Area to date 2010 = 104 Details at foot of 2010 section |
Return to the Straights of Gibraltar Wednesday 8 SeptemberWesterly winds still going strong so another yomp up the mountain. As on Tuesday Black Kites came over first with 49 in 2 waves before 0900 hrs. In the next hour 150 Honey Buzzards came over, not as high as yesterday but still too high for decent photos. Then went down the Mediterranean Steps, but not much to see apart from Iberian Wall Lizards and a lot of dragonflies, Yellow-veined Darter being the only one I knew. Odd Honey Buzzards and Black Kites continued to fly overhead. Midday another visit to the Alameda Gardens found the ‘Olive Tree’ dripping with Iberian Chiffchaffs and a spotted Flycatcher was nearby. Firsts in Gibraltar for me were Spotless Starling and Ringed-necked Parakeet. Trafalgar Cemetery had a Monarch butterfly. Tuesday 7 SeptemberI woke today to a miracle, after all my recent visits to Gibraltar finally westerly winds. After a short visit to the Alameda Gardens where several singing Blackcaps gave a spring feel, and 'the Olive Tree' still had Iberian Chiffchaffs. It then took an hour to walk up to O Harrah’s Battery at 1,330 feet above sea level for 0900 hrs. On route a flock of 30 Black Kites(0830hrs) indicated a passage over the straights was on. Between 0900 and 1000 the following passed overhead: Black Kite 6, Honey Buzzard 127, Booted Eagle 12, Short-toed Eagle a few were picked out, Sparrowhawk 3. All these raptors passed over very high, at least as high again as I was above sea level, so cannot be 100% with the identification with no scope onboard, and at times I had to lie on my back! In the following hour as the clouds thickened only a handful of Honey Buzzards were observed. Throughout the morning the local Peregrines were very busy with up to 3 on show at any time, but apart from a few Bee-eaters, no other migrants were passing overhead. Early afternoon it rained so it was back down to town for lunch and a few beers!At 1800 a return to the top of the rock was made via the cable car. Despite the westerly winds there was only a light passage of raptors with Black Kite 8, Honey Buzzard 1 and on the way down an immature Montagu’s Harrier was mobbed by two Peregrines. Two of the Rock's small population of Ravens put in an appearance, and on the north face at least 3 Blue Rock Thrushes showed well.Monday 6 September With the usual easterly wind blowing another trip was made back into Spain. Between 2007 and 2008 the Spanish, with EU money, built a large visitor centre to observe migrating bird on the hill above Tarifa, it was to the best of my knowledge never opened and manned, it is now fenced off with no entry, so I spent over an hour on the access road! The Spanish now use a shack with a portaloo, on the other side of the road a little like the one on the north side of the road was before they spent millions of Euros on it!!!! On arrival two Honey Buzzards flew over, and then things were quiet for nearly an hour until 2 Montagu’s Harriers passed over low and a Sparrowhawk. Above the hillsides in the distance many raptors were soaring, so it was presumed that they were passing over the straights too high to see.A visit was then made to the rice fields at La Janda, on the drive down to the water channel Olivaceous, Willow and Fan-tailed Warbler were observed. Scanning the rice field soon revealed many Montagu’s (All females and immatures) and a lone Marsh Harrier, Whites Storks, Glossy Ibis, Cattle and Little Egrets and a few Black Kites.By early afternoon the wind had moved around to the southwest, so a quick return to Gibraltar was made, but not as quickly as the Spanish who overtake me on double white lines! In Gibraltar the wind was coming from the south again no visible raptor migration was happening A return to the Alameda Gardens found the “Olive tree” still holding at least 4 Iberian Chiffchaffs, and the same Pied Flycatcher from yesterday was on its same perch. A walk to Europa Point to do some sea watching found only a Gannet among the Yellow-legged Gulls which are only around as a fraction of the numbers present last April, perhaps they have all moved north!!
Immature Montagu's Harrier, La Janda Sunday 5 SeptemberGriffon Vultures were up over Grazalemar at first light and were the only raptor to be seen in Spain for the rest of the day. A drive through the cork forests was uneventful and I entered Gibraltar at 3 pm. As to be expected strong easterly winds were the order of the day, which is terrible for raptor passage. A visit was made to the Alameda Gardens, which were mainly quiet, but a small area proved good for migrants with one Olive Tree holding up to 3 Iberian Chiffchaffs, also present were Pied Flycatcher, Blackcap and Sardinian Warbler. By 6 pm the winds had died down and a quick ride up to the top of the rock was made via the cable car, once at the top it was apparent that there was still a slight easterly wind, and only Swifts were passing over. On the way down 3 Peregrines clashed together. Saturday 4 SeptemberArrived in Torremolinos Friday evening after the flight arrived in Malaga on time for a change. Started the day with a visit to the Sierra de las Nieves most of the parc was closed for some reason or other, not much about bird wise other than Griffon Vultures and Spotted Flycatchers, lots of butterflies to be named when I get round to checking the photos. A visit was then made to the mountains to the north of Ronda, a Short-toed Eagle was the only other raptor noted all day, but many more Griffon Vultures were observed. Slowly picked up the areas birds such as Woodchat Shrike, Black-eared Wheatear and bird of the day was an Olivaceous Warbler or Western Olivaceous Warbler or Isabelline Warbler or whatever they chose to call it this week! A long watch was made at the Mirador de las Palomas again Griffon Vultures were the only raptors around, surprise of the day was a roaming flock of 200 to 300 Choughs. The night was spent at Grazalemar. Wednesday 1 September Treeton Dyke Wigeon 3. Forgemasters Tip warm sunshine late afternoon brought out a few dragonflies, including Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker and a single Black-tailed Skimmer. The only butterflies recorded were Common Blue and Meadow Brown. Monday 30 August A 3 hour early morning walk around the village found little other than a flock of over 12 Greenfinch in Lower Ulley Brook (Unusual away from gardens.) and a Snipe at Bolehill Flash. Little Grebe chasing an Immature off its territory - Catcliffe Flash Sunday 29 August Catcliffe Flash Today's autumnal weather meant the butterflies laid low again, but Shoveler 2 and Goosander 1 (Redhead) were appropriate for the weather. One of many juvenile/immature Little Grebe - Catcliffe Flash Sunday 15 August Orgreave Lakes Greenshank flew over north. Catcliffe Flash (0830 - 0930) Teal at least 17 out in the open, very unusual for time of year. Shoveler 1. Late afternoon a walk in warm sunshine along the river only found a few Brown Hawker and Common Darter dragonflies, and the only butterflies were Large White and Speckled Wood. Sunday 8 August Forgemasters Tip Hoverflies of several species were very numerous late morning particularly on Tansy, goldenrod and Buddleja. Butterflies and Dragonflies pretty much as the previous Sunday, apart from my first Treeton Small Copper since I purchased a digital camera 7 years ago! Also out were second generation Common Blue and Comma. By this time of year would be expecting to find some of the southern species that have spread north in recent decades such as Emperor, Southern Hawker and Black-tailed Skimmer. Maybe the last two colder winters are having an effect? Small Copper - Common Blue Forgemasters Tip Monday 2 August Catcliffe Flash (Dusk) Little Grebe seem to be having a good breeding season with a number of fully grown young seen, and tonight 2 nests had sitting birds. Teal 4, Kingfisher giving prolonged views. Catcliffe Flash from the Lay-bye Sunday 1 August Catcliffe Flash Tufted Duck 29, Kingfisher. Forgemasters Tip Butterflies - Gatekeeper, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Peacock. Dragonflies - Common Darter, Brown Hawker. Damselflies - Common Blue. Treeton Dyke Large Red-eyed Damselfly. Peacock - Common Darter (Female) Forgemasters Tip Sunday 25 July A 3 hour morning walk around the village found Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Reed Warbler singing and many Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper butterflies. Mid-afternoon a visit was made to check on the Insects along the riverside floodbank at Catcliffe Flash - Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Large White, Green-veined White and Peacock butterflies were recorded. Dragonflies were only out in small numbers, but included Brown Hawker, Common Darter - Common/Blue-tailed Damselflies and Banded Demoiselle. A good search failed to find any of the once common Emerald Damselfly. Sunday 11 July Treeton Dyke A second pair of Great Crested Grebe have at least 2 young, Kingfisher. -img_337.jpg)
Brown Hawker Dragonfly (Male) Treeton Dyke Catcliffe Flash The pair of great Crested Grebes have 3 young, Grey Heron 6, Teal 2. Saturday 10 July (Dusk) Catcliffe Flash Great Crested Grebe the nesting pair have at least 2 young, after many months of trying. Cormorant 7, Lesser Black-backed Gull over 70 flew northwest. Sunday 4 July Bolehill Flash Good numbers of Ringlet butterflies around flash and tip. 
Large Skipper - Bolehill Flash Saturday 3 July Catcliffe Flash Little Egret, Kingfisher, Little Grebe with at least 2 young. 
Little Egret and Grey Heron - Catcliffe Flash Birds Seen around Treeton 2010 Date in bold indicates first date species seen. For a key to the birds species codes, see the BTO web page below: http://www.bto.org/bbs/takepart/species-codes.htm 15/8 GK, 13/8 CK, 3/7 ET, 6/6 OC, 5/6 CK, 22/5 DN, FP, 16/5 SI, LW, RY, SW, 14/5 RW, 23/4 WH, GH, 19/4 HM, 17/4 CS, LP, 11/4 BC, 9/4 WW, 5/4 GE, SL, 28/3 W, RP, 21/3 SM, CC, 13/3 RK, 6/3 SK, 1/3 PG, 28/2 JS, 20/2 CT, TC, 7/2 SD, 24/1 SU, 17/1 G., 16/1 KF, 14/1 WK, 10/1 SN, 9/1 CM, 1/1 LR, GP, BH, LB, GB, HG, L., WN, GJ, CG, GN, K., J., GS, GG, LG, PO, TU, GA, SH, SV, MS, CO, CA, T, GD, HS, WA, ST, WR, BF, BT, GT, MH, MA, H., LT, PE, MP, PW, GL, RO, C., JD, PH, P., D., WP, FP, R., RE, FF, RB, Y., TS, LI, S., BZ, GR, GO, MG, SG, CD, B. M.,
|
TREETON NATURE DIARY 
-img_3738-sept-10.jpg)
