News And A Scops

I got to Pilling this morning for a few hours, and here’s a summary of birds noted: Pairs of Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Reed Bunting and Kestrel, the latter at Damside where I noted a Buzzard thermalling over the village. Lane Ends plantation: singing Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Reed Warbler plus 2 villainous Jays doing the rounds.

At Pilling Water/Fluke Hall I struggled to make headway with the 8/10 Skylark pairs, the only ones feeding young were in a rather dense silage crop which the farmer won’t thank me for flattening. Two pairs of Redshank with unseen young, likewise one pair of Oystercatcher and a few unringed Lapwing chicks on the too-public wildfowler’s pool. Otherwise, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail and 1 Grey Heron.

That’s not too much reward as spring disappears into June, and it’s nearly time to hang up the bins for a couple of months - just joking.

So to fill out the remainder of the post here’s a few pictures of Scops Owl from this year’s Menorca.

Just like in previous years a pair of resident Scops Owls visited the grounds of our hotel to hunt for moths and insects every evening. Some evenings the owls were more visible than others, but always announced they were due to arrive by soft calling about 9pm from their roost site in trees across the road. Louder calling indicated the pair warming up for a feed and were on their way, with the first bird usually landing by the room balcony or in a nearby palm tree about 2130. One evening as I sat with camera ready one of the pair landed so close I couldn’t get a full frame shot and by the time I slid the chair backwards the owl had flown to another vantage point.

Scops Owl

Scops Owls are widespread across Europe with most of the population migratory, however those on the Balearic Islands including Menorca are thought to be mainly non-migratory. The Balearic race Otus scops mallorcae is also said to be slightly smaller than other races, with less bulk and a smaller wing length, the latter probably as a result of becoming less migratory over many, many years: mallorcae is also said to show less colour variation than the more widespread nominate race. Without direct comparison this is difficult to judge from the pictures here, more so as the photographs were taken under different light conditions then later subjected to removing red-eye and other alteration through Photoshop.

Scops Owl

Some evenings and in between flitting between various hunting perches, the pair mated at the top of the garden canopies. At other times they flew back and forth to their nest site, but all the time their calling to each other was constant and often a means of telling how far away they had moved to hunt. Scops Owls have a very direct, fast unwavering flight, quite unlike the undulating flight of the 10% larger Little Owl. 

Scops Owl

On one or two evenings there were three birds, and while the pair could by early May have bred successfully, I thought it more likely an intruder was about. I was getting stupendous views of the owls so never even looked for their daytime roost somewhere in the grounds of holiday villas nearby. I didn’t hear this pair call in the daytime but occasionally when out walking in Menorca it is possible to hear a Scops calling from a piece of dense woodland. Best not to worry, just set the alarm clock for 9pm every evening, camera in one hand glass of wine in the other. Now that's what I call birding.

Buzzard Response – part two

I really didn’t expect too much from my highlighting on this blog the Defra proposal to control Buzzards. Neither  did I anticipate a result from contacting my Member of Parliament, and probably not from signing an on-line petition. However, read the piece below from yesterday’s Daily Telegraph to see how we as individuals and as organised wildlife lovers can make a difference if we make our voices heard.

“The Department for the Environment (Defra) was offering nearly £400,000 to research the control of Buzzards around shooting estates, including removing nests and taking birds into captivity. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds led protests against the "scandalous" use of tax-payers' money. After less than a week, Richard Benyon, the Wildlife Minister, said the research project has been scrapped, although he was hopeful work could continue into alternative forms of control. “In the light of the public concerns expressed in recent days, I have decided to look at developing new research proposals on Buzzards," he said. "It is right that we make decisions on the basis of sound evidence and we do need to understand better the whole relationship between raptors, game birds and other livestock. I will collaborate with all the organisations that have an interest in this issue and will bring forward new proposals."

"The u-turn comes after Defra was also forced to back down over plans to sell forests and the Department for Communities watered down unpopular planning laws. It is a further embarrassment to David Cameron's beleaguered government after the u-turn over the pasty tax and gay marriage". 

"Buzzards, that are now the UK's most widespread bird of prey, mainly scavenge for dead rabbits and birds but will take young chicks and eggs. The shooting industry that releases millions of young pheasants into the countryside for shooting later in the year claim that the growing number of Buzzards is destroying business. Tim Bonner, Campaign Director for the Countryside Alliance, said the research should be going ahead as Buzzards are now a problem for shoots and songbirds."“The Countryside Alliance is bitterly disappointed by DEFRA’s u-turn on this sensible, proportionate, study into Buzzard control. While the breeding success of Buzzards in Britain over the last decade can be been welcomed by all, it has had an impact on other parts of the countryside that now needs proper consideration. Wild animal management is an essential part of the countryside that is largely misunderstood by those in towns, cities and, apparently, Whitehall. The bird charities have erupted in protest because it is their interest to oppose any raptor management programmes, but the truth is that many of them, including the RSPB, actively manage populations of corvids on their own estates. This study was explicitly non-lethal and right for the countryside as a whole. That the Government has chosen to ignore rural people in favour of a large and vocal special interest group shows ministers are now willing to give in to whoever shouts the loudest.”  

But Martin Harper, the RSPB’s conservation director, said it was unacceptable for the Government to use public money to carry out unnecessary and unpopular research. “We’re pleased the Minister has listened to people’s concerns and acted in the public interest by cancelling this project. This is a strong decision, reflecting the strength of the nation’s desire to see Government protecting precious wildlife. The recovery of the Buzzard is being celebrated by the public after many decades of persecution. It is clear they don’t want their taxes being spent on removing Buzzards and the Government has to ensure that no bird of prey will be killed in the name of sport. We don’t want anything to distract Defra from the pressing task of saving our threatened wildlife. It should be putting its limited resources into areas such as preventing the extinction of Hen Harriers in England. Government-backed research has already concluded that illegal persecution is limiting the populations of Golden Eagle and Hen Harrier. The RSPB believes there are well-tried non-lethal solutions." 

Well said the RSPB and congratulations to the BTO for walking out from the so called discussions. Meanwhile the pathetic Countryside Alliance tries in desperation to add the "songbirds" red herring into the equation .

I think I'll go out birding tomorrow where hopefully I'll see a Buzzard or two and give them a cheery wave.

Changing Scene

Thanks to everyone who enjoyed and commented on yesterday’s Hoopoe post. There's’s time to catch up at http://anotherbirdblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/lapwings-and-hoopoes.html. 

But as the old saying goes, “a change is as good as a rest”, so instead of birding or photography this morning I enjoyed a spot of mist netting at Out Rawcliffe. Now almost into June any new arrivals are drying up as the population of the plantation settles down in terms of numbers and resulting territories. 

It looks like warbler number similar to last season with 8/10 Whitethroat pairs, 6 pair of Willow Warbler and 3 pairs of Sedge Warblers; but this year there are 4 singing Blackcaps probably as a result of the plantation maturing in age and height. Blackcaps were first out of the net today, 2 roving and singing males almost together in the net whilst other species were vocal but remained near to sitting females. 

Total new birds ringed: 5 Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler. Recaptures: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat. The five Chaffinch ringed were nestlings from the nest containing eggs found on 18th May, the nest now holding five young crammed into the tiny space. 

Monitoring nests through the Nest Record Scheme and ringing nestling birds collects data which help to identify species which may be declining because of problems at the nesting stage. Also, we know the exact age of the chick, the precise place of birth, and also the number of siblings.

Chaffinch nest

Chaffinch chick

The picture below shows the brood patch of a female Whitethroat, the prescence or otherwise a way of sexing birds when males and females of a species are identical or very similar.

Brood patch - female Whitethroat

male Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

Blackcap

Sedge Warbler

Today’s birding was as quiet as we might expect at the end of May: 1 Kestrel, 4 Yellowhammer, 1 Buzzard, 2 displaying Curlew, 2 Lapwing, 20+ Tree Sparrow, 2 Corn Bunting.

The forecast is more or less continuous rain for tomorrow but if the rain holds off or the sun comes out I’ll check out the Oystercatchers and Skylarks at Pilling.

 Oystercatcher

Lapwings and Hoopoes

Quiet again today although I did find another brood of two Lapwing chicks to ring  at Pilling. That's at least 8 pairs bred successfully this year. The ground is very dry at the moment which explains the dried mud on their tiny bills.

Lapwing chicks 

Finally, here are the Hoopoes pictures promised from the recent Menorca holiday.

The Hoopoe Upupa epops is found across Afro-Eurasia and is a bird noted for its distinctive crown of feathers. The Latin name Upupa epops is an onomatopoetic form which imitates the call of the bird, a trisyllabic "oop-oop-oop".

Hoopoe

Hoopoes are fairly common in Menorca, although the species is quite shy, with a brief flight view or just the call the best indication one is around. They are not normally as tolerant to being observed as a pair I found near on the coast near the little town of Es Migjorn, Menorca during my recent holiday in early May. I would see one bird most days, either feeding itself or sometimes flying off with large food items, a sign that the bird was probably a male carrying food to a sitting female. Hoopoes nest in holes, normally trees or walls, so I hoped that soon I might find where the bird flew to.

Hoopoe

The diet of the Hoopoe is mostly composed of insects, although small reptiles and frogs as well as some plant matter such as seeds and berries are sometimes taken as well. It is a solitary forager which typically feeds on the ground. Common diet items include crickets, locusts, beetles, earwigs, cicadas, ant lions, bugs and ants.

In the second week the same feeding bird seemed to switch to carrying off just small items of food, some of which it gleaned by searching the crevices of palm trees. By now I was fairly sure it was feeding tiny young and the female might also be more active, although as both sexes look the same I couldn’t be sure if I was watching one or two birds, although the crown feathers of the regular bird were well worn. 

Hoopoe

Day 12 saw both bird birds feeding close together when I was able to distinguish the male and the female separately. The female had an almost unblemished, unworn crest. When I found the nest hole I could see that the male’s constant toing and froing at the hard concrete nest hole had probably worn his crest feathers, with the less active female able to retain her crown feathering. 

Hoopoe Nest Site

Hoopoe

From the car I watched and photographed the birds around the nest site and their by now heavy feeding routine. At times the female stayed with the youngsters while the male passed food through the nest hole. In one of the pictures below the female’s bill can be seen accepting food from the male. At other times she appeared to show aggression towards her partner. 

Hoopoe

Hoopoe

Hoopoe

 Food Pass

Female Hoopoe

Female Hoopoe

Hoopoes

What a privilege to be able to see the Hoopoe’s breeding behaviour close to but what a shame I wasn’t there to see the young emerge from the nest. If ever you are in Menorca, Es Migjorn is a typical friendly small town with a number of good bars and cafes. You may bump into Paco who takes wonderful photographs of the Menorcan landscape, much better than mine. Take a look on his blog by clicking on "Paco" above.

 Es Migjorn

 Es Migjorn

To Es Migorn 

News And Views

Nothing much to report today – the first Willow Warbler nest of the year with youngsters, plus a few oddities at Pilling after the easterly winds: a fresh in Chiffchaff, an unseasonal Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Lesser Redpoll at Pilling Water. 

Willow Warbler nest

To fill the gap I compiled a post with photographs from the recent Menorca holiday, both birds and views. 

It sounded like a good deal to me; drop Sue off In Ciutadella at the Friday market for shopping and browsing around the swanky shops while I drive up to Punta Nati for birding before the midday heat. Later we would meet up for a spot of lunch at our favourite café bar The Aurora in Placa D’Alfons. 

The tiny roadside Little Egret colony just outside the second city prospers despite the passing traffic, with this year large young out of the nest while the adults repaired the damage caused by constant comings and goings. There are Turtle Doves here too. 

Cattle Egret

Cattle  Egret

 Turtle Dove

The road to Punta Nati is single track, and so as to avoid scratching the hire car it’s best to remember the correct side of the road if something suddenly appears from the opposite direction. There’s constant song and calling from three similar sounding birds, Thekla Lark, Tawny Pipit and Short-toed Lark, actually finding each made more difficult by the birds’ colouration blending into the rock strewn landscape; unless that is they perch up alongside the road. 

Punta Nati, Menorca

Punta Nati, Menorca 

Short-toed Lark

Tawny Pipit

Thekla Lark

Like most of the thrush family the Blue Rock Thrushes here are shy, keeping their distance from visitors who mostly spend 15 minutes wandering about the lighthouse then head off to the delights of Ciutadella. In the first week of May we saw Wheatears and Whinchats, both species on their way to Northern Europe, not to mention thousands of Swifts and Swallows.

Blue Rock Thrush

Whinchat

Birds of prey up here in the north of the island: Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Red Kite and Kestrel. Depending upon recent rainfall levels there may be tiny pool of water here which often has an unusual Menorcan bird or two, last year Golden Plover, this year Ruff. 

Ruff

Many years ago Ciutadella lost the crown of capital city of Menorca in favour of Mahon about 50 kilometres to the east where the harbour is bigger and more suitable for larger vessels, and in recent years cruise ships. We prefer magnificent Ciutadella any day, an intimate, working Spanish city where a labyrinth of tiny streets crowded with shops, restaurants and cafes buzz with the daily life of half the population of Menorca. 

Placa Pio, Ciutadella Cathedral

Placa Des Borns, Ciutadella

Placa Federico

The Aurora and Es Moli

Les Voltes, Ciutadella

 

Port De Ciutadella

Menorcan Lunch - Ensaimada and coffee

I hope everyone enjoyed today's trip to Menorca. More Birds soon.

 

Buzzard Response – Sort Of

Another sunny morning for a walk at Pilling, and this is becoming a habit, but not necessarily a bad one when I catch up with Lapwing chicks. 

I relocated some of the pairs near Fluke Hall today where I reckon 4 or 5 pairs have reared young to add to the 2 pairs near Lane Ends. That’s an improvement on last year when it proved a struggle to find any chicks belonging to a species hanging on by a thread. I found six chicks, two broods of three each and all much the same size, about 4 or 5 days old I reckon. The old baseball cap came in handy as a holding pen while I ringed the chicks with mum watching overhead. 

Lapwing chick

Lapwing chicks

Lapwing

Not a lot else to report today: 1 Kestrel, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Jay, 8/10 Skylark territories, 4 Redshank pairs, 3 Oystercatcher pairs. Just one Wheatear today so it looks like the late gang got their act together and flew north. 

 

 Kestrel

One Buzzard over Fluke Hall again - look out mate you are about to become a victim of your own success.

 

Buzzard

I emailed my MP last night to complain about DEFRA’s plan to spend £375,000 of taxpayer’s money in looking how to reduce the impact of Buzzards on Pheasant shoots. I received a holding reply as follows:  

“While I am a supporter of field sports (including shooting) your points seem very credible. I shall ask the Minister on your behalf and get back to you. 

Ben Wallace MP Member of Parliament for Wyre and Preston North 

House of Commons London 

SW1A 0AA” 

I suggest that each and every nature lover/bird watcher should be similarly contacting their Member of Parliament to complain about this ridiculous plan so as to pressurise DEFRA to change or drop it..