Army Ornithological SocietyArmy Ornithological Society Blog
SPTA West
I have certainly left it too long to write about the Imber area. I have also covered areas on the Centre and East during the last period as well as sites around the Plain. I have also been ringing on the Centre and Braydon Forest areas. I even had some time to do some birding in Slovenia (bee-keeper nest site) on a football trip and birding in Hyde Park. At times the West has been out of bounds as this is an area the military still has some control as otherwise the lack of patrols has seen an increase in use by people walking dogs, riding bikes and 4x4 users. The main birds continue to be a good range of chats and warblers. There are family groups at this time of year including Kestrels (saw 4 families within a drive along the beril valley only a week ago). I have seen 2 Wheatears on the Plain but only 1 on the west in the Berril Valley to the east of Imber Village. The Stone Curlew plots have had half the plot tilled and on one we think a bird is still on a nest at this time of year. I organised a walk in June which was cancelled due to exercises and the one in July was linked to our annual picnic. Birds were far and few between that day however there were plenty of flowers and bugs to look at. There were plenty of butterflies in the sun including lots of Marbled White and Dark Green Fritillary. On a bee walk on the centre I saw a lot of the rare Tuburous Thistle so I know what to look out for on the West. Some birds still around are Grasshopper Warbler and Tree Pipit. Redstart have bred near Southdown Barn but every time I have looked I never found them. I saw lots of other birds though but all are expected to be there including Linnet and Goldfinch. I also will move my nest boxes around Imber as I will not wade through shoulder high nettles next year to check on Great Tits! None of my new open fronted boxes had anything in them. I will have to put up more boxes in the autumn!
CommentsSPTA West
This has been a good month for birds though I have spent some time away. I attended Beating Retreat and Trooping the Colour on Horseguards for the first time and was suitably impressed. I also watched Slovenia play England live. I flew in and out using Zagreb which has changed since I last visited when UN HQ was based there. At the beginning of the month I had organised a Bio-blitz for Heytesbury Wood and surrounding areas. The sun shone but it was rather windy (a common feature this month). There were lots of Swallow, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer as well as masses of corvids. We saw many butteflies including Marsh Fritillary and a few Painted Ladies amongst the many invertebrates. We also recorded about 130 species of plant. My House Martin Survey at the old SASC camp near Netheravon produced lots of Swallow and Swift as the only hirundines. There were none near home as well though I saw a few using a pond just in the square. I also checked my bird boxes on the Plain and they will have to move as I am not keen on walking through Stinging Nettles at shoulder height. The majority of my broods have fledged or were about to. The boxes with holes were mainly occupied by Great Tit families. I also did a lot of ringing though none on the Plain as the planned day's forecast was strong wind. I carried out my BTO BBS instead and the forecast was right. Besides recording lots of Skylark as I dodged the UXBs there were lots of butterflies which were mainly Dark Green Fritillary and Marbled White. I had a long walk in from the north as there were restrictions but I did hear Grasshopper Warbler and a Barn Owl flew over me with a vole in its claws. On the East Quail are regularly heard near Baden Down Farm and a ringtail Montagu's Harrier was spotted as I drove along the A342 (pure chance). A Great Bustard is rearing a chick and Stone Curlew scrapes seem to be active though it is hard to spot the birds at present even in low vegetation. A few Lapwings are also on the scrapes. I have been birding in the New Forest (Goshawk, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Firecrest) and at Heaven's Gate and Shearwater in the County (Siskin and Crossbill). I have been ringing at Trowbidge (Reed Warblers) and in the Braydon Forest area (Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff). There are a series of woods north of the M4 between Royal Wooton Bassett and Minety. There are lots of Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the Plain and the young are active.
CommentsCyprus Weekly - Final Edition
The Final Curtain
After 3 years and about 160 BLOGs, this is the final curtain. I’ve been struggling to find time to write the BLOG in the last couple of weeks and with it being June (the worst month for birding in Cyprus), I’ve also struggled for material, and so all in all, it’s probably time to call it a day, as I depart the island on 11 Jul and am on a Mediterranean cruise next week.
During my time on the island, I’ve submitted circa 35000 records detailing 305 species and managed to photograph many of them. My Cyprus list stood at 263 when I arrived and is now at a very respectable 320. 4 lifers were seen on the Island; Saker, River Warbler, Asian Buff-belled Pipit and Crimson-winged Finch, with an additional 2 being seen in Turkey – Brown Fish Owl and Red-fronted Serin. I’ve submitted rarity reports and supporting evidence for 37 rarity occurrences and so far, with a few pending, all have been accepted, including a few “MEGAs” like the 2nd record of Menetries’ Warbler, 5th record of Goosander, 14th record of River Warbler and recently the 1st record of Lesser Flamingo.
Despite the fact that writing the BLOG every week was a bit painful at times, on the whole, I’ve really enjoyed doing it and providing information to visitors. During my last 3 years and as a result of writing the BLOG, I’ve guided, assisted or provided information to in excess of 50 visiting birders and at a fraction of the price that they might have been charged elsewhere – so I’m very pleased about that!
The 2 tours I organised for the Army Ornithological Society – 1 in the Spring and 1 in the Winter of 2014 were very successful with lots of new birds for all those participating. The best moments; finding a male Hooded Wheatear at Cape Greco on the final day of the Spring tour and getting a Wallcreeper for Tim Cowley in Avgas George on the Winter tour.
In many ways, I have mixed emotions about leaving Cyprus. Of course I’ll miss the birding with Rollers, Beeaters and Spur-winged Plovers to name but a few in my back yard but there are also reasons why I’ll be glad to depart. Sadly, despite the country being full of potential for birders the mass slaughter of millions of birds through netting, liming and shooting continues unabated and if anything, it’s got a lot worse during the last 3 years. Europe, The Cypriot Government, Birdlife Cyprus and the SBA Police seem unwilling or unable to take any real, meaningful action to address and defeat this disgusting, cruel and barbaric practice. Lobbying and campaigning are all very well but it doesn’t save any birds without practical intervention on the ground.
I do not discriminate between the political boundaries of the country or Birdlife Cyprus and KUSKOR as birds do not adhere to political boundaries and more needs to be done to produce a set of records that represents occurrences across the island if any meaningful data is ever to be collated. How it can be described as Birdlife Cyprus that doesn’t represent the Island holistically is beyond me.
Not to end on a low, a big thank you to all the friends I’ve met in Cyprus and visitors who’ve assisted me, joined me in the field and shared bird sightings, which have all added to a fantastic birding experience. Special thanks to the kindred spirit and long standing friend Colin Richardson.
Finally, a thank you to all the BLOG readers (I really have no idea how many), who have followed the exploits of a manic birder and twitcher. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the read and found some useful information on the Birds, Orchids, Butterflies and Dragonflies of the country as a result.
Many thanks and perhaps I’ll see you all around the course.
Yours Aye
Mark Easterbrook - The Bird Finder General - “It’s All About The List”!
SPTA West
It has been quite a while since I last posted some news about the Plain. At the end of April and into May I was based in Sicily helping out and leading bird tours. Just before I left when carrying out a Bee Survey I disturbed a Short-eared Owl which was a surprise. To bring you up to date with May I should first of all mention that Stone Curlews are back and some have had chicks already. I was looking at one with 8 Great Bustards yesterday and there was a pair with a chick on the Driver Trg Area at Tidworth. There are also plenty of Whinchats about and a nest with 7 eggs on Deptford Down was predated. Of my nest boxes all but one with holes are occupied (it lost the lid earlier on) but the open fronted boxes remain empty less an old one by Imber Village which has 7 Robin eggs. Yesterday I saw 2 Hobbys on the west and on Saturday a Wheatear was at the refurbished junction of Berril Valley and Tinkers tracks. Cuckoos are calling from Westdown Plantation and near Southdown Barn. Everywhere I go there are plenty of Swifts and Swallows as well as Whitethroats. In the valleys there are lots of Stonechats some with young families already. Tree Pipits have been noticeable and one by Imber Road perfomed as per the book as it took off from and parachuted back to a large Hawthorn bush whilst singing. Butterflies include Adonis Blue, Small Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Dinghy Skipper, Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Fritillary, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak as well as whites. Of course there are plenty of Corvids about including Jays. Ravens nested again in the quarry however the Peregrines have moved to the old cement factory building and not the tower. Salisbury Cathedral has it pair back this season nesting on the south side of the spire. Skylaks are singing across the area as are Corn Buntings. Yellowhammers are bit more circumspect but they are still around. One of my BBS squares is in the middle of the impact area and all my recording is done by sound as my eyes are glued to watching I do not place my feet too close to some half buried metal (especialy those with fins). There is a Redstart near Southdown Barn and a Grasshopper Warbler has a nest around the corner of the track. The whole eastern bank by the track south of the barn is occupied by birds including Reed Bunting. There are Nightingales near Southdown Plantation as well as Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler. Chiffchaffs are quite common across the area as are Linnets and Goldfinches. That brings me up to date with ongoing birds and with the weather getting better I aim to be out more weekdays.
CommentsCyprus Weekly
Birding Highlights for the Week Ending 31 May 15
Spur-winged Plover and very young chick at Akhna Dam on 28 May.
Cape Greco Pines were very quiet on Bank Holiday Monday. So the hope of some late migrants to add to the year list. Although no year birds were found a couple of late migrants were interesting. In the pines a Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Warbler were late and remarkably after 2 years I managed a picture of a Eurasian Magpie* - understandably, as they get shot at a lot, they are very wary and don’t sit anywhere for very long. Anyway, for completeness, I grabbed a photo for the gallery. Near the picnic site, a male Black-headed Bunting sang from atop a bush and a male Cyprus Wheatear was expected. At the Sea Caves, an Alpine Swift headed west which was unexpected. The evening at Akhna Dam was fairly predictable with the Great White Egret still being in attendance. It was generally the same although a wader caught my eye which proved to be a Common Redshank. Although unremarkable, it was my first ever May record of the species, so interesting all the same – a Wood Sandpiper and Squaccos were nearby and I flushed a Hoopoe. As I left a family covey of Chukars, including at least 15 chicks ran in front of the car.
On Tuesday afternoon, I decided to check Koprulu Dam in the North to see if the Lesser Flamingo was still present – It wasn’t. In any event the site is without doubt the best wetland on the island at present thanks to some good negotiating and conservation work by KUSKOR – The Turkish birding group, which has ensured that water is not drained from the site. It’s always heaving with birds here and today was no exception although working through the 1200+ Common Coots can be a little tedious at times. But it’s worth it! As I looked I saw 3 Whiskered, White-winged Black and a Gull-billed Tern. 2 female Marsh Harriers were very active and Herons were well represented, with Purple, Squacco, Grey (including 2 juvs), Little and Cattle Egrets being present with c100+ Glossy Ibises. I moved to the North end of the marsh, along the raised embankment there was quite a gathering of wildfowl including 50+ Mallards including many ducklings, a female Red-crested Pochard with 5 ducklings, a pair of Ferruginous Ducks and a very lonely looking drake Common Pochard – very unusual for May. I noticed a collection of waders along a raised bit of dry vegetation feeding and sheltering under 3 or 4 bushes. As I scanned I saw 30+ Ruff, 2 Little Stints and 2 Wood Sandpipers with numerous Black-winged Stilts around the site and 2 Spur-winged Plovers. As I continued to watch, I was surprised to see 2 adult Collared Pratincoles. Observing more intently, astonishingly, I saw 2 downy looking juveniles that appeared flightless. Another adult flew in showing the red underwing and drew my attention to another juvenile. The birds must have bred at the site – amazing. Described as opportunistic breeders, the site must have attracted them, with the water – great work KUSKOR! I continued to observe and felt that there were 2 pairs of Pratincoles with 2 chicks each. I reported the discovery to Colin Richardson who confirmed that the only other breeding record was from Jun 14, 1913 (per Flint & Stewart). As I left the site very happy, the usual Little Owl was perched on wires near to the houses in the village.
Wednesday evening at Akhna Dam was predictably dull with the highlights being 6 Rollers, 1 Great White Egret, an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and a pair of Black-winged Stilts, with a few of the usuals including Spur-winged Plovers and Squacco Herons. Thursday evening was similar with the Great White Egret still being present in the same place. Perhaps the highlight was seeing 2 pairs of Spur-winged Plovers, 1 pair with 4 chicks and 1 pair with 2 chicks, newly hatched and hiding, which I managed to photograph – they’re the youngest ones I’ve seen.
On Friday morning, I left the house at first light to photograph the habitat of the Collared Pratincoles at Koprulu and to have another look. 5 adults were present in the same area but no sign of any juvs. From the way the birds were behaving and returning to the same very small piece of vegetation, I suspect the juvs were hiding in the vegetation and I was unable to see any. As I watched 6 Whiskered Terns were flying with the Pratincoles and 2 Flamingos took off, the size differential being obvious, one a Lesser and one a Greater, when they landed, I confirmed the ID. An adult Night Heron alighted from the reeds as did several Squaccos and c30 Corn Buntings. A Hoopoe flew past me and on the far side of the marsh a drake Shoveler was present. With a pair of Red-crested Pochards and 5 Ferruginous Ducks flying around it was quite a productive hour. A single late Sand Martin was also a surprise.
On Saturday evening, I visited Akhna Dam briefly and the Great White Egret was still present with the usual Herons and 2 Black-winged Stilts but that was about it. It would appear that migration has come to an end. I was busy and tied up with admin etc on Sunday so was unable to get out but I did hear Stone Curlews calling all night from behind the house.
Highlights of the Week: Breeding Collared Pratincoles at Koprulu – the first since Jun 14, 1913 was an incredible and much unexpected discovery.
If you are planning a visit or require more info please feel free to contact me at: birder639@yahoo.com
Mark Easterbrook
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