CHECKING OUT SALINAS & BEACHES ON COSTA BLANCA

Tuesday 10th November was a glorious sunny day on the Costa Blanca in and around Gran Alicant. Bryan always has targets in mind and we scored early when we pulled into the entrance opposite the turn for Playa Lisa. 

It has proved to be a very good location and before we got out of the car there was a Sardinian Warbler -  Curruca Cabecinegra and a Zitting Cisticola - Buitrón on the track in front of us. Bryan’s highly tuned ears soon picked up calling Penduline Tits - Pájaro Moscón and we spent several minutes walking, listening, and watching this species. It is clear to us that there are a number here and also at Santa Águada. 

On the water not a lot. Four Red Crested Pochard - Pato Colorado which were our first viewings for some time. A Water Rail - Rascón Europeo called. One Audouins Gull.   On the Salinas side were other Gulls, but nothing out of the ordinary. There were a small number of distant waders. 

On a far away pylon was one lone Raptor. We thought and hoped for it to be a Peregrine - Halcón Peregrino but when it flew it had to be an Osprey -  Águila Pescador. We later had nearer views of one and this could have been the same bird or possibly another one. Maybe they will be over wintering here instead of flying on to West Africa.

The Salt Tower lay-by and The Stones Pull off yielded a very distant Marsh Harrier Aguilucho Luganero Occidental. In the far distant fourteen Spoonbill -  Espátula Común and four Great White Egrets Garceta Grande. And just one Great Crested Grebe - Somolomujo Lavanco Where have  the others gone? Perched on posts were eight Cormorant - Cormorán Grande. We were disappointed to see hardly any ducks. Bryan spotted several Kentish Plovers - Chorlitejo Patinegro as we past by on N 332.

El Pinet was next where Bryan photographed a nearby Avocet. Avoceta . Four Dunlin - Correlimos  Común were on an island. Again nothing exceptional here or at the beach. We had decided to put some ‘sea-watching’ into our trip and it was only worth it for the excellent coffee as we gazed out to sea. As we left, perched on a Palm stump one lovely Little Owl - Mochuelo Europea. Photographed of course.

Next, we went to the mouth of Rio Segura with the intention of seeing what was out there. Distant Gulls (Gaviotas) and nothing else except people! The tide seemed to be in so the islands in the estuary were submerged. Not a bloody wader in sight! But we always see something good. In one small bush a Sardinian Warbler called and so did a Cetti's - Ruiseñor Bastardo. The latter is a difficult bird to observe but this one was actively searching. We kept watching it scurrying around and were able to see all of it, but not always at the same time. It was the best view, for both of us, of this species. And on the way back on to N332, a Robin- Petirrojo. Always good to see.

We were not done yet and went to Clot de Galvany. The Large Hide with a great expanse of water in front of it - was quiet. The usual were there, but only in small numbers. Only one Black-necked Grebe- Zampullin Cuellinegro and several Little Grebes - Zampullin Común .  No ducks in any quantity with Common Pochard - Porrón Europeo and two White Headed Ducks - Malvasia  Cabeciblanca in the distance. Not one to indicate that winter is here! Okay Kingfishers - Martin Pescador flew as always. But then we got a treat for only a brief moment as a lovely Grey Wagtail - Lavandera Cascadeña landed in front of us, but not long enough for Bryan to get a photo. Just beautiful.

There were numerous Starlings (Estornino) in the reeds and these were having a difficult time as a Marsh Harrier was flying low over the reeds and making numerous fly-pasts.

Bryan will compile a list of what we did see for this trip as we don't mention every sighting. And just to show that we don't miss much!

BIRTHDAY MONTH IS NOW REALLY HAPPENING!

LISTEN UP LOOK UP. I know that it has been Michelle’s birthday month for a few days now but I haven’t been taking that much notice – so far and I think that I have been getting away with it! Would you believe that two friends from the early 90’s are here in Spain just to celebrate with us. We met them in Florida, they live in Folkestone and they are here for her. We saw them yesterday, lunched with them in L’Afaz de Pi and chatted for hours. Well that is what good friends are for isn’t it? 

Things are winding up, events are getting closer.  Sister Jos arrived from Woodhouse Eves on Wednesday evening before the bars close, of course. There will be another trip to the airport on Friday evening where two lovely people, Rachel and Claudio will be arriving from Schipol which will require more eating and drinking. However it will be good to talk and catch up.

On Saturday things will definitely hot up with a lunch-time barbeque here followed by another noisy, hectic evening in The Stray Sod. A few snacks laid on for forty people, but some will have eaten, some will arrive early and some will not stay that late. The ancient and the infirm will decline but the aged ones will insist on their early to bed philosophy and we can’t possible sleep in the day syndrome! It’s great you know, a siesta, for it stops you falling asleep with a glass in your hand. Some will come later and stay with us to the boozey, rumbustious end.

Unfortunately Neal and Robbie will not be here but we will see them on Thursday week when we meet up for some Real Ale when we overnight in preparation for our flight the following morning to New York. Then it will be all go as we have lots of things planned. We had a great time two years ago and I don’t see that this should be anything other than wonderful. There are different things planned – compared with last time. I am now really looking forward to it all for it should be a great trip.

In the present Lee, our personal hairdresser is here (Wednesday afternoon). I didn’t want a colour this time but Michelle has had the full treatment. She now has blonde roots - fantastic. Of course there has to be more pampering for eyebrows and hairy legs. I wonder what they do with those obsolete bits. Horse hair mattresses are now out of fashion but we would have to search for a modern use other than birds’ nests. Sell them to the Chinese, I suppose.  

I am looking forward to the 3 Magpies and The White Hart for real beer!

The next time I blog I could be in Manhattan.  

I have put a further entry on my blog at http//:johnedwards-je.blogspot.com and so that will be the last blog of our travels but I will continue to write on my blog

HOME AT LAST

We arrived home last night after an 8 and half hour drive and 2 days on the boat!! (Or is it a ship)

We had a fantastic time.  Neither of us can pick a highlight as it was all brilliant, even the weather.  The Puffins in Northumberland were one of my best moments, but then so was the Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, and seeing family and friends, and Shakespeare in Stratford and........ See what I mean impossible to pick a favourite.

Anyway back to normal now.  No real ale and on the diet again!!!

Hope to catch up with all our friends in Spain and we look forward to our next trip.

DOUBLE SHAKESPEARE

I booked tickets to see Richard III at The Swan in Stratford in July - I then got the date wrong and we missed it!!!!  We re booked and saw it today and it was amazing!! The theatre is fantastic.  We sat up in the gods but still had a great view.  Richard was played by an Irish actor whose accent took a bit of getting used to, however he was great. 

We had a couple of hours break, money on the car park and a quick dinner and a pint of Estrella!! and then back to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for Twelfth Night.  This theatre is larger.  Again a fantastic production.  I think we both enjoyed it more - probably because it is a comedy.  I will never forget Malvolio´s entrance with a black rubber posing pouch and his cross gartered yellow stockings!!!

We had a fabulous time as you can probably tell and I would go again anytime.

OUR LAST TWO WEEKS

We are on the last part of our eleven week journey with fourteen days in Woolhope, Herefordshire – a village where my paternal grandfather was born and a place that I have regularly come to over the years with my parents. This area has provided some wonderful memories for me and it is a great place to return to. The countryside has mature trees, thick hedgerows and is alive with wildlife.

We left Walton Thorns Farm having had a good chat with our host Graham about the birds on his farm. The small number of birds in and around the buildings can be attributed to regular visits made by Sparrow Hawk. The trail camera did not capture a thing and we will have another go at Christmas.

Saturday afternoon was spent in The Shed at Kingsholm trying to shout on a transitional Gloucester side that were overpowered in the first half but managed to do much better in the second  but we still lost by five points. The atmosphere created by this home crowd was refreshing and there was none of the chanting and obscene language of the round ball game. It was just a friendly place to be with real ale and Guinness available to drink during the match. Afterwards there was more beer and a curry in Gloucester City Centre with some very good friends. It was so good to sit with many others wearing the cherry and white of their home team.

Yesterday it was a’ Sunday Lunch’ with the same friends in The Crown Inn next to the church in Woolhope. It was all so thoroughly enjoyable. This morning we are catching up with ourselves, enjoying the birdsong outside and waiting for the sun to burn off the mist. Yesterday evening we had a Buzzard perched close by and as the light went Tawny Owls were calling.  

WALTON-ON-THE-WOLDS

We have been very fortunate with our English summer up until now. We have had rain but it barely affected whatever we were doing on any particular day.

Our location is on Six Hills Farm in Walton-on-the Wolds and as I write this I am looking out on saturated land that needs more sun and no more rain. This is our second day of heavy rain but it is forecast that clear skies will appear later. This is a beautiful renovated barn to stay in and one that we will be back to for this coming Christmas. It is a very good choice and the best accommodation in eleven weeks.

We have set the ‘trail camera’ up but nothing seems to have come close to activate it. There is both Fallow and Muntjac deer in the vicinity, together with Fox, Badger and elegant Hares. They are on show daily but we have only seen one at a time. Buzzards have flown regularly and we know that there is Kestrel here as well. Yesterday morning I walked out and had a good sighting of a Mistle Thrush feeding on the weather beaten cornfield and then I had my treat of the day when a male Yellowhammer flew up and perched on top of the hedge. I watched it for several minutes and was thrilled by its bright yellow head and brown body albeit straggly in the rain. We disturbed two Tawny Owls the other evening but have not heard or seen them since. Apparently there are Barn Owls here as well.

I think that this winter is going to be very tough particularly for the small bird populations. Although there is plenty of good cover with all the hedgerows but the berries seem to have gone already if, they were there at all after this very wet summer.

Sadly there are hardly any birds around the farm buildings and I surmise that there are no suitable nesting sites. I expected that there would be House Sparrows but not one was on view. In fact the last sparrow that we saw were Tree Sparrows at Rutland Water