BIRDWALKERMONDAY

Sunday, 19 November 2017

19-11-2017 BILLERICAY, ESSEX - EUROPEAN GREEN WOODPECKER (Picus viridis)

The European green woodpecker (Picus viridis ) is a large green woodpecker with a bright red crown and a black moustache. Males have a red centre to the moustache stripe which is absent in females. It is resident across much of Europe and the western Palearctic but in Spain and Portugal it is replaced by the similar Iberian green woodpecker (Picus sharpei ).

The European green woodpecker spends much of its time feeding on ants on the ground and does not often 'drum' on trees like other woodpecker species. Though its vivid green and red plumage is particularly striking, it is a shy bird, and is more often heard than seen, drawing attention with its loud calls. A nest hole is excavated in a tree; four to six eggs are laid which hatch after 19–20 days.

The European green woodpecker is a large green bird with a bright red crown and a black moustache. Despite its striking plumage, it is a shy bird and is more often heard than seen, drawing attention with its loud calls. Both the males and the females are green above and pale yellowish green below, with yellow rump and red crown and nape; the moustachial stripe has a red centre in the male but is solid black in the female. Juveniles are spotty and streaked all over; the moustache is dark initially, though juvenile males can show some red feathers by early June or usually by July or August.

European green woodpeckers are widely distributed in Europe but are absent from some northern and eastern parts and from Ireland, Greenland, and the Macaronesian Islands. They also occur in western Asia. European green woodpeckers don’t migrate and rarely move more than around 500 m between breeding seasons. They prefer old deciduous trees for nesting and nearby feeding grounds with plenty of ants. This is usually found in semi-open landscapes with small woodlands, hedges, scattered old trees, edges of forests, and floodplain forests. They prefer to forage in grasslands, heaths, plantations, orchards, and lawns.

European green woodpeckers can be seen alone, in pairs, or in company with their young. They are active during the day and spend much of their time feeding on ants on the ground and do not often 'drum' on trees like other woodpecker species. They feed mainly on the ground probing ant nests and licking up adult ants and their larvae. European woodpeckers have tongues that wrap to the back of their head. They often forage in short-grazed or mown permanent grasslands where the availability of ant nests is high. Although European green woodpeckers are shy and wary, they usually produce loud calls, known as yaffling, which first draw attention. They 'drum' rarely (a soft, fast roll), but often give a noisy ‘kyü-kyü-kyück’ while flying. The song is a loud series of 10–18 'klü' sounds which gets slightly faster towards the end and falls slightly in pitch. The females make a thinner ‘pü-pü-pü-pü-pü-pü-pü’.

19-11-2017 BILLERICAY, ESSEX - EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula)

Saturday, 18 November 2017

18-11-2017 HANNINGFIELD RESERVOIR, ESSEX - NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)

The Northern Lapwing, known scientifically as Vanellus vanellus, is a distinctive bird with a notable crest on its head. It measures 28–33 cm in length, with a wingspan of 67–87 cm and a body mass ranging from 128–330 g. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism; males have a pronounced crest and a stark black crown, throat, and breast, which contrasts sharply with their white face. Females and juveniles have shorter crests and less defined head markings, but their overall plumage is similar to that of the males, with a black and white coloration and a greenish tint on the back.

When identifying the Northern Lapwing, look for its rounded wings, short legs, and the characteristic crest that adorns its head. The male's long crest and contrasting black and white facial patterns are particularly striking during the breeding season. In flight, the species can be recognized by its slow wingbeats and the rounded shape of its wings.

The Northern Lapwing is a ground-nesting bird that favors open landscapes such as cultivated fields, grasslands, and wetlands. It is adaptable and can be found in a variety of temperate environments across Eurosiberia.

This bird is a widespread resident throughout temperate regions of Eurosiberia. It is highly migratory, wintering in regions as far south as North Africa and parts of Asia. Western European populations are more sedentary, while vagrants have been known to appear in North America following storms.

The Northern Lapwing is known for its acrobatic display flights, accompanied by a cacophony of calls during the breeding season. It migrates predominantly during the day, often in large flocks. The species is fiercely protective of its nest and young, boldly confronting any potential threats. In winter, it gathers in massive flocks on open land, and it is known to feed nocturnally when the moon is bright.

The Northern Lapwing is quite vocal, especially in the breeding season. Its contact call is a loud "pee-wit," which is also the origin of one of its common names. Males perform a display flight while emitting a wheezy "pee-wit, wit wit, eeze wit," and they may also produce squeaking or mewing sounds.

20-11-2017 LAKESIDE THURROCK, ESSEX - BRITISH BLUE TIT (Cyanistes caeruleus ssp. obscurus)

The Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is a small passerine bird easily recognizable by its blue and yellow plumage. The bird is famed for its acrobatic skills, as it can cling to the outermost branches and hang upside down when looking for food.

A typical Eurasian blue tit has an azure-blue crown and dark blue line passing through the eye, and encircling the white cheeks to the chin, giving the bird a very distinctive appearance. The forehead and a bar on the wing are white. The nape, wings, and tail are blue and the back is yellowish-green. The underparts are mostly sulphur-yellow with a dark line down the abdomen. The bill is black, the legs bluish grey, and the irides dark brown. The sexes are similar, but under ultraviolet light, males have a brighter blue crown. Young blue tits are noticeably more yellow.

Eurasian blue tits are widespread and common resident breeders throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and in parts of the Middle East. They inhabit deciduous or mixed woodlands with a high proportion of oak, shrubland with scattered trees, and hedgerows. These small birds are also common in parks, gardens, and even in the center of towns.

Eurasian blue tits are usually resident and non-migratory birds. They are social and often form mixed winter flocks with Great tits. These small birds are active during the day spending most of their time searching for food in trees, bushes, and sometimes on the ground. Blue tits are very active and agile when foraging; they will often ascend a trunk in short jerky hops, imitating a treecreeper, and can hang from almost anywhere. As a rule, they roost in ivy or evergreens, but in harsh winters will roost wherever there is a suitable small hole, be it in a tree or nesting box. Eurasian blue tits sing and call throughout the year. Songs are mostly used in late winter and spring to defend the territory or to attract mates. Calls are used for multiple reasons. The birds inform one another of their location in trees by means of contact-calls.

They use alarm-calls to warn others (including birds of other species) about the presence of predators in the neighborhood. Scolding, for example, is used when a ground predator (e.g. fox, cat, or dog), a low-flying predator, or a perched owl is noticed. Sometimes this is followed by mobbing behavior in which birds gather together in flocks to counter a predator. The alarm whistle warns other birds about the proximity of a Eurasian sparrowhawk, a northern goshawk, a common buzzard, or other flying predators that form a potential danger in the air.

Eurasian blue tits are polygynous meaning that males mate with more than one female. The breeding season takes place between April and late June. Courtship includes flights performed by the male and both partners then give a series of high-pitched 'zeedling' notes. Eurasian blue tits nest in any suitable hole in a tree, wall, or stump, or an artificial nest box, often competing with house sparrows or great tits for the site. The nest itself is a cup made with dried grasses, moss, leaves, wool, hair, and feathers. The female usually produces 2 broods per year laying 7-14 eggs in each clutch. Incubation lasts about 12 to 16 days and is performed by the female. The male feeds the female during this time. The chicks hatch altricial (helpless) and are fed by both parents. They usually spend 3 weeks in the nest before fledging.

18-11-2017 HANNINGFIELD RESERVOIR, ESSEX - BRITISH GREAT TIT (Parus major ssp. newtoni)

18-11-2017 BRENTWOOD, ESSEX - BRITISH BLUE TIT (Cyanistes caeruleus ssp. obscurus)

The blue tit is a delicate little bird, weighing in at around 11g – half the size of a robin. Often considered our most attractive garden bird, the blue tit is extremely colourful, with a bright blue cap, white face, black stripes across the eyes, bright yellow breast and blue, green and white wings.

18-11-2017 HANNINGFIELD RESERVOIR, ESSEX - REDWING (Turdus iliacus)

The redwing (Turdus iliacus) is a bird in the thrush family, Turdidae, native to Europe and the Palearctic, slightly smaller than the related song thrush.

It is 20–24 cm long with a wingspan of 33–34.5 cm and a weight of 50–75 g. The sexes are similar, with plain brown backs and with dark brown spots on the white underparts. The most striking identification features are the red flanks and underwing, and the creamy white stripe above the eye. Adults moult between June and September, which means that some start to replace their flight feathers while still feeding young.

It breeds in northern regions of Europe and the Palearctic, from Iceland south to northernmost Scotland, and east through Scandinavia, the Baltic States, northern Poland and Belarus, and through most of Russia to about 165°E in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. In recent years it has expanded its range slightly, both in eastern Europe where it now breeds south into northern Ukraine, and in southern Greenland, where the Qaqortoq area was colonised in 1990–1991.

It is often replaced by the related ring ouzel in areas of higher altitude.

It is migratory, wintering in western, central and southern Europe, north-west Africa, and south-west Asia east to northern Iran. Birds in some parts of the west of the breeding range (particularly south-western Norway) may be resident, not migrating at all, while those in the far east of the range migrate at least 6,500–7,000 km to reach their wintering grounds.

Thursday, 16 November 2017

16-11-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)

16-11-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Sympetrum striolatum)

15-11-2017 EL SALER, VALENCIA - DOMESTIC MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata var. domestica)

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

15-11-2017 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (JUVENILE) (Himantopus himantopus)

The Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, is a slender wader known for its strikingly long, pink legs and contrasting black-and-white plumage. This elegant bird is a member of the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae.

Adult Black-winged Stilts measure 33–36 cm in length. They possess a long, thin black bill and display a distinctive black and white coloration. The head and neck are predominantly white, with variable black markings depending on the sex and subspecies. Males typically have a glossy or greenish sheen on their black backs, while females exhibit a more brownish tinge. During flight, their long legs trail behind, and their wingbeats are steady.

These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.

The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.

Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.

The flight call of the Black-winged Stilt is a sharp and clear kleek, typically heard during its aerial maneuvers.

Nests are simple bare spots on the ground near water. These birds are communal nesters and may breed in loose colonies. They have been known to breed as far north as Britain, with recent successful breeding events recorded in Southern and Northern England.

The Black-winged Stilt can be confused with other stilt species, such as the Black-necked Stilt (H. mexicanus) in the Americas, the White-backed Stilt (H. melanurus), and the Pied Stilt (H. leucocephalus) in Australasia and New Zealand.

Their diet consists mainly of insects and crustaceans, which they deftly pick from the water's surface or from wet sand.

The IUCN lists the Black-winged Stilt as Least Concern, indicating a stable global population. However, they are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in their conservation.

15-11-2017 EL SALER, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a small insectivorous passerine bird. The term robin is also applied to some birds in other families with red or orange breasts. These include the American robin (Turdus migratorius ), a thrush, and the Australasian robins of the family Petroicidae.

The male and female European robins are similar in coloration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts, and a whitish belly. The bill and eyes are black. Juveniles are spotted brown and white in coloration, with patches of orange gradually appearing.

European robins occur in Eurasia east to Western Siberia, south to Algeria, and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Central Group of the Azores and Madeira. Irish and British robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. European robins prefer spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with their preference for parks and gardens in Ireland and Great Britain. These may also be found in grasslands, shrubby vegetation, hedgerows with some tall trees, orchards, and farmlands.

15-11-2017 EL SALER, VALENCIA - IBERIAN GREY SHRIKE (Lanius meridionalis)

15-11-2017 EL SALER, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is a bird of prey from the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, it is often simply referred to as the "kestrel." This raptor is small compared to other birds of prey but larger than most songbirds, with long wings and a distinctive long tail.

Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The male has a blue-grey cap and tail with a black tip bordered by a narrow white rim. Its back is chestnut with black spots, and the underside is buff with black streaks. The female is larger and lacks the blue-grey coloring, having a brown back with black bars and a similar underside to the male. Both sexes have a prominent black malar stripe, bright yellow cere, feet, and eye-ring, with dark toenails, bill, and iris.

The common kestrel favors open habitats such as fields, heaths, shrubland, and marshland. It does not require woodland but needs alternative perching and nesting sites like rocks or buildings. It thrives in treeless steppes and can adapt to human settlements and various landscapes, from wetlands to arid savannas.

15-11-2017 EL SALER, VALENCIA - FANTAIL WARBLER (Cisticola juncidis)

The zitting cisticola or streaked fantail warbler (Cisticola juncidis ) is a widely distributed Old World warbler whose breeding range includes southern Europe, Africa (outside the deserts and rainforest), and southern Asia down to northern Australia. A small bird found mainly in grasslands, it is best identified by its rufous rump; as well, it lacks any gold on the collar and the brownish tail is tipped with white. During the breeding season, males have a zigzagging flight display accompanied by regular "zitting" calls that have been likened to repeated snips of a scissor. They build their pouch nest suspended within a clump of grass.

The zitting cisticola is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) in length. It is brown above, heavily streaked with black markings. The underparts are whitish, and the tail is broad, white-tipped and flicked frequently, giving rise to the alternative name for the species. The adult males have less crown streaking and more back marking than the females, but there are no great difference between the sexes or the eighteen geographical races. The absence of a nuchal collar separate it from the golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis ). In the non-breeding season, they tend to skulk within the grass and can be hard to spot.

This species is found mainly in grassland habitats, often near water. Most populations are resident, but some East Asian populations migrate south to warmer areas in winter. In the Himalayas, they ascend to about 1,900 m (6,200 ft) during summer but are below 1,300 m (4,300 ft) in the winter. This species is a rare vagrant to northern Europe, mostly as a spring overshoot. Its European range is generally expanding, although northern populations are especially susceptible to hard winters.

Zitting cisticolas are very small insectivorous birds, sometimes found in small groups. The breeding season is associated with the rains. Two broods a year occur in many regions. Males are generally polygynous, but some are monogamous. The male builds the initial nest structure deep in the grasses, and invites females using a special display. Females that accept the male complete the nest. The nest is made by binding living leaves into the soft fabric of felted plant-down, cobwebs, and grass. The zitting cisticola's nest is a cup shape with a canopy of tied-together leaves or grasses overhead for camouflage; 3–6 eggs are laid. The female incubates the egg. The eggs hatch after about 10 days. More than one brood may be raised. Females change their mates frequently and rarely stay within the same territory, while males are less mobile, maintaining non-overlapping song-territories which shift from day to day. Females can sometimes breed in their first year.