Thursday 31st May (More Fine Weather and a Black Cow)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a clear blue sky. Today Mr. Kite had a plan and that was to cycle up the mountain and watch birds for two hours.
So in the morning Mr. Kite put the saddlebags on his new Dawes Horizon and set out towards La Quesaera. With plenty of water on board Mr. Kite kept The Machine going up the mountain having a drink every two kilometres. Eventually Mr. Kite reached the highest point on the road and settled down for two hours watching the birds.
To cut a long story short the birds were resting and out of sight. Woodlarks, rock buntings, wood pigeons and a coal tit were spotted.
Now Mr. Kite was sitting there enjoying the warmth and the view when a large black cow came by and stood by Mr. Kite. Swishing the flies away with it's long tail this cow, with long sharp horns, seemed to like The Machine. If Mr. Kite turned his head the big black cow headed for The Machine. If The Machine had been old and battered Mr. Kite would have allowed the cow a chance to lick it or push it. But it was new and Mr. Kite did not want it damaged by a big black Spanish cow.
Half an hour later the big black cow walked slowly down the road leaving a nice green trail. At three in the afternoon Mr. Kite free wheeled down the mountain back to The Joint where he had a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Wednesday 30th May (Spain comes to a Standstill)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window trying to find the scops owl that was calling and circling nearby. After breakfast Mr. Kite cycled down the road towards the railway station. On the way he watched a red-backed shrike moving around the tops of bushes. This masked bird had a very pink front and reddish brown back.
Later Mr. Kite cycled down the main road where the workers were resurfacing half the road. Now with only half of the road in use the traffic was controlled at end end of the road by men with phones. Vehicles were let through from one direction and then the other. When Mr. Kite was allowed through he cycled with cars passing and soon he was on his own riding around the bends up a long gentle climb. To cut a long story the resurfacing was one mile long and it took fifteen minutes for Mr. Kite to reach the top of the hill. In the mean time the traffic was held back. When Mr. Kite reached the top there was a queue of vehicles about three miles long. Mr. Kite had brought Spain to a standstill.
Then Mr. Kite turned off the main road and headed for La Pinilla stopping to watch stonechats, griffon vultures and corn buntings. Then for three hours Mr. Kite searched for birds but did not find anything different.
On this warm afternoon Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window trying to find the scops owl that was calling and circling nearby. After breakfast Mr. Kite cycled down the road towards the railway station. On the way he watched a red-backed shrike moving around the tops of bushes. This masked bird had a very pink front and reddish brown back.
Later Mr. Kite cycled down the main road where the workers were resurfacing half the road. Now with only half of the road in use the traffic was controlled at end end of the road by men with phones. Vehicles were let through from one direction and then the other. When Mr. Kite was allowed through he cycled with cars passing and soon he was on his own riding around the bends up a long gentle climb. To cut a long story the resurfacing was one mile long and it took fifteen minutes for Mr. Kite to reach the top of the hill. In the mean time the traffic was held back. When Mr. Kite reached the top there was a queue of vehicles about three miles long. Mr. Kite had brought Spain to a standstill.
Then Mr. Kite turned off the main road and headed for La Pinilla stopping to watch stonechats, griffon vultures and corn buntings. Then for three hours Mr. Kite searched for birds but did not find anything different.
On this warm afternoon Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Tuesday 29th May (Up the Mountain)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sunny sky. Serins made tinkling noises, cuckoos went cuckoo and a green woodpecker laughed.
So Mr. Kite made the gentle ascent to La Quesera stopping to watch willow warblers, rock buntings and a pair of honey buzzards.
On the top Mr. Kite looked for other birds but could only manage chaffinch, blue tit and great tit. Some unusual louder calls were heard but nothing spotted.
On the descent Mr. Kite stopped to listen to warblers and blackcaps. On this warm day Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sunny sky. Serins made tinkling noises, cuckoos went cuckoo and a green woodpecker laughed.
So Mr. Kite made the gentle ascent to La Quesera stopping to watch willow warblers, rock buntings and a pair of honey buzzards.
On the top Mr. Kite looked for other birds but could only manage chaffinch, blue tit and great tit. Some unusual louder calls were heard but nothing spotted.
On the descent Mr. Kite stopped to listen to warblers and blackcaps. On this warm day Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Sunday 27 May 2012
Monday 28th May (The Birds are Calling)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a dark sky where a scops owl was making a noise. Soon a cuckoo, nightingale and wood pigeon could be heard.
Around the camp site little birds flew and Mr. Kite's next task was to identify them.
Mr. Kite was enjoying his breakfast with His Lady when a unusual bird call was heard. A kittera kittera sound was heard. Then a cuckoo appeared with a long tail and light underparts followed by a hassling magpie that chased the cuckoo. What a great start to the bird identifying and watching a great spotted cuckoo. The bird was then seen a few more times before the magpies sent it somewhere else to lay an egg.
Later in the morning Mr. Kite cycled to the ski slopes at La Pinilla just outside Riaza. A few griffon vultures flew over and lots of house martins were building nests on the buildings. On the return trip Mr. Kite stopped to watch jays, ravens, willow warblers and a booted eagle. Other birds were heard that could not be identified. So Mr.Kite's next task is to listen to the songs of some warblers and birds of the mountains.
To do this Mr. Kite will have a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a dark sky where a scops owl was making a noise. Soon a cuckoo, nightingale and wood pigeon could be heard.
Around the camp site little birds flew and Mr. Kite's next task was to identify them.
Mr. Kite was enjoying his breakfast with His Lady when a unusual bird call was heard. A kittera kittera sound was heard. Then a cuckoo appeared with a long tail and light underparts followed by a hassling magpie that chased the cuckoo. What a great start to the bird identifying and watching a great spotted cuckoo. The bird was then seen a few more times before the magpies sent it somewhere else to lay an egg.
Later in the morning Mr. Kite cycled to the ski slopes at La Pinilla just outside Riaza. A few griffon vultures flew over and lots of house martins were building nests on the buildings. On the return trip Mr. Kite stopped to watch jays, ravens, willow warblers and a booted eagle. Other birds were heard that could not be identified. So Mr.Kite's next task is to listen to the songs of some warblers and birds of the mountains.
To do this Mr. Kite will have a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Friday 25th May and Saturday 26th May (Toledo)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over Harcajo de Les Montes where swallows, swift, house martins and azure-winged magpies flew. Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were in Toledo.
For a day Mr. Kite walked the streets of Toledo and visited the museum of El Greco.
However Mr. Kite did watch cattle egrets, hoopoes by The Joint and tree sparrows feeding their young in the small trees on the camp site.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over Harcajo de Les Montes where swallows, swift, house martins and azure-winged magpies flew. Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were in Toledo.
For a day Mr. Kite walked the streets of Toledo and visited the museum of El Greco.
However Mr. Kite did watch cattle egrets, hoopoes by The Joint and tree sparrows feeding their young in the small trees on the camp site.
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Thursday 24th May (Golden Order for the Booted Eagle)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sky over the Cabaneros park. Four azure-winged magpies screeched past the window and in the background a wood pigeon cooed quietly. This is a great place except for the scops owl that bleeps all night.
After breakfast Mr. Kite and His Lady went shopping in Horcajo de Les Montes passing the white stork that were nesting on the rickety church tower. Mr. Kite stopped to pick up a large black and white feather; probably from the white stork.
At midday Mr. Kite cycled down the CM-4106 towards Alcoba. Mr. Kite stopped to identify and watch an eagle. Circling this buzzards sized eagle was a booted eagle looking for food. As it circled another much larger eagle dropped onto it and flung it to one side causing it to leave the vicinity. This large eagle then sat on the ground probably picking up the food the booted eagle had his eyes on. The eagle then flew to the rocks showing golden feathers on hit's back and wings. The bird gained height and then dropped into a rocky part on a mountain. So the booted eagle had had the order of the golden eagle.
Now Mr. Kite continued his ride along the road stopping to watch golden orioles, crag matins, red-rumped swallows, woodchat shrikes and some red deer. Two griffin vultures flew overhead and a short-toed eagle searched in vain for a reptile.
In the late afternoon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Das Schwarze. Cheers to that booted eagle with the golden order.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sky over the Cabaneros park. Four azure-winged magpies screeched past the window and in the background a wood pigeon cooed quietly. This is a great place except for the scops owl that bleeps all night.
After breakfast Mr. Kite and His Lady went shopping in Horcajo de Les Montes passing the white stork that were nesting on the rickety church tower. Mr. Kite stopped to pick up a large black and white feather; probably from the white stork.
At midday Mr. Kite cycled down the CM-4106 towards Alcoba. Mr. Kite stopped to identify and watch an eagle. Circling this buzzards sized eagle was a booted eagle looking for food. As it circled another much larger eagle dropped onto it and flung it to one side causing it to leave the vicinity. This large eagle then sat on the ground probably picking up the food the booted eagle had his eyes on. The eagle then flew to the rocks showing golden feathers on hit's back and wings. The bird gained height and then dropped into a rocky part on a mountain. So the booted eagle had had the order of the golden eagle.
Now Mr. Kite continued his ride along the road stopping to watch golden orioles, crag matins, red-rumped swallows, woodchat shrikes and some red deer. Two griffin vultures flew overhead and a short-toed eagle searched in vain for a reptile.
In the late afternoon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Das Schwarze. Cheers to that booted eagle with the golden order.
Wednesday 23rd May (One Less Dartford Warbler)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over Horcajo de Les Montes. The scop's owl had stopped calling and a desperate cuckoo started. Soon the sun was shining on the plains of the land.
So in the heat Mr. Kite cycled along the road into Cabaneros Parque Nacional. With great optimism Mr. Kite went in search of warblers. To cut a long story short the only positive identification was a dead dartford warbler. Looking rather colourful and forlorn Mr. Kite put the corpse under a bush and looked for it's living relatives. A few fleeting glimpses of warblers was had but no positive sighting could be seen.
Two griffon vultures flew over and on the return leg Mr. Kite watched two eagles; possibly golden but they were flying fast in the wrong direction.
Not the best days watching birds was followed by a cool tipple of Das Helle Suffig Vollmundig. Cheers to the birds of Cabaneros. Time for more beer. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over Horcajo de Les Montes. The scop's owl had stopped calling and a desperate cuckoo started. Soon the sun was shining on the plains of the land.
So in the heat Mr. Kite cycled along the road into Cabaneros Parque Nacional. With great optimism Mr. Kite went in search of warblers. To cut a long story short the only positive identification was a dead dartford warbler. Looking rather colourful and forlorn Mr. Kite put the corpse under a bush and looked for it's living relatives. A few fleeting glimpses of warblers was had but no positive sighting could be seen.
Two griffon vultures flew over and on the return leg Mr. Kite watched two eagles; possibly golden but they were flying fast in the wrong direction.
Not the best days watching birds was followed by a cool tipple of Das Helle Suffig Vollmundig. Cheers to the birds of Cabaneros. Time for more beer. Cheers.
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Tuesday 22nd May (Into the Park)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over the village of Horcajo de Los Montes as the sun rose over the Parc Nacional Cabaneros. Mr. Kite sat on the terrace drank coffee and looked out over a spectacular view.
A few hours later Mr. Kite rode down the CM-4017 into the park. To cut a long story short it was quiet. Hardly a car was seen. two griffon vulture flew over. Sardinian warblers flitted in the scrub and a host of nightingales sang their hearts out.
Eventually Mr. Kite retuned to The Joint for a tipple of Mahou Classica in the coll evening air and watch a sparrowhawk being hassled by swallows. Cheeers from Cabaneros.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window over the village of Horcajo de Los Montes as the sun rose over the Parc Nacional Cabaneros. Mr. Kite sat on the terrace drank coffee and looked out over a spectacular view.
A few hours later Mr. Kite rode down the CM-4017 into the park. To cut a long story short it was quiet. Hardly a car was seen. two griffon vulture flew over. Sardinian warblers flitted in the scrub and a host of nightingales sang their hearts out.
Eventually Mr. Kite retuned to The Joint for a tipple of Mahou Classica in the coll evening air and watch a sparrowhawk being hassled by swallows. Cheeers from Cabaneros.
Monday 21st May (Off Road in Spain in The Joint)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sky and tree tops where golden orioles sang. Today Mr. Kite was on the move to Horcajo de Los Montes on the edge of the Parque National de Cabaneros; but first he had to travel there along the Spanish roads.
First part of the trip was into Guadalupe to visit a church and buy some castanettes and a loaf of bread followed by a drive down a windy road stopping to talk to some English motor-cyclists and watch black storks and griffon vultures; all very pleasant.
Then it was down a five mile track to join the main road. This track made The Joint rattle and shake and bump and other funny noises. Avoiding pot-holes, trees and overhangs The Joint arrived at the main road in one piece. Then a few miles down the main road before turning off on the 'tourist route' with the spectacular scenery. The first part was a track with pot-holes that would engulf The Joint but Mr. Kite carefully avoided them. With four miles of the eighteen completed M.r Kite was contemplating turning back as the road became non-existent. Just before giving up Mr. Kite noticed a lorry in the far distance. Things looked hopeful. Men were fixing the road. So the track became a sticky narrow lane of new tar surface. The Joint then increased in speed and the trip continued. Then just before a village the road ended with a large trench.
Now Mr. Kite was surprised that the road should suddenly end. Not to worry. Then some Spaniards pointed down a mud track around the outside of a field. So Mr. Kite and The Joint traveled across country joining another dirt track before reaching a pot-holed road. This road went through a village with gaps just big enough for The Joint. Carefully avoiding flower pots, dogs, cars, pot-holes, dead donkey and Spaniards Mr. Kite drove through the village without incident reaching the far side.
Now here the road became a track then a series of off-road pistes full of holes. With eight miles showing on The Sat-nav Mr. Kite pressed on as the road crumbled away. A few miles down the road the track narrowed over a dam that was just wide enough for The Joint. Just across the dam the road improved slightly then Mr. Kite saw a lorry and workers; the road was being repaired.
So eventually Mr. Kite and His Lady with The Joint intact rreached Horcajo de Los Montes and a campsite that looked out of the national park. After such stress Mr. Kite enjoyed a few tipples of Mahou Classica as he watched azure-winged magpies. Later in the eveneing a scop's owl brightened up a dark night. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sky and tree tops where golden orioles sang. Today Mr. Kite was on the move to Horcajo de Los Montes on the edge of the Parque National de Cabaneros; but first he had to travel there along the Spanish roads.
First part of the trip was into Guadalupe to visit a church and buy some castanettes and a loaf of bread followed by a drive down a windy road stopping to talk to some English motor-cyclists and watch black storks and griffon vultures; all very pleasant.
Then it was down a five mile track to join the main road. This track made The Joint rattle and shake and bump and other funny noises. Avoiding pot-holes, trees and overhangs The Joint arrived at the main road in one piece. Then a few miles down the main road before turning off on the 'tourist route' with the spectacular scenery. The first part was a track with pot-holes that would engulf The Joint but Mr. Kite carefully avoided them. With four miles of the eighteen completed M.r Kite was contemplating turning back as the road became non-existent. Just before giving up Mr. Kite noticed a lorry in the far distance. Things looked hopeful. Men were fixing the road. So the track became a sticky narrow lane of new tar surface. The Joint then increased in speed and the trip continued. Then just before a village the road ended with a large trench.
Now Mr. Kite was surprised that the road should suddenly end. Not to worry. Then some Spaniards pointed down a mud track around the outside of a field. So Mr. Kite and The Joint traveled across country joining another dirt track before reaching a pot-holed road. This road went through a village with gaps just big enough for The Joint. Carefully avoiding flower pots, dogs, cars, pot-holes, dead donkey and Spaniards Mr. Kite drove through the village without incident reaching the far side.
Now here the road became a track then a series of off-road pistes full of holes. With eight miles showing on The Sat-nav Mr. Kite pressed on as the road crumbled away. A few miles down the road the track narrowed over a dam that was just wide enough for The Joint. Just across the dam the road improved slightly then Mr. Kite saw a lorry and workers; the road was being repaired.
So eventually Mr. Kite and His Lady with The Joint intact rreached Horcajo de Los Montes and a campsite that looked out of the national park. After such stress Mr. Kite enjoyed a few tipples of Mahou Classica as he watched azure-winged magpies. Later in the eveneing a scop's owl brightened up a dark night. Cheers.
Sunday 20 May 2012
Sunday 2oth May (A Cool Day in Guadalupe)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a line of trees. As usual the dawn chorus was the golden oriole.
Full of energy Mr. Kite jumped on his Dawes Galaxy and headed to Ermita del Humilladero. As he climbed the hill Mr. Kite noticed the big black clouds that surrounded him and the approaching rain. Not wishing to be soaked and wet his new bicycle Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a cup of tea. Then the rain started.
However some sunshine appeared and Mr. Kite went for a walk to The Viaduct passing a new corpse of an Egyptian mongoose. Blackcaps sang in the bushes and two griffon vultures flew overhead. When Mr. Kite stopped to watch the Spanish sparrow colony he was joined by a green woodpecker that gave a short drum on the eucalyptus tree before heading off.
In a bush a Spanish version of a chiffchaff sat with a more yellowish breast that could not match the numerous yellow serins that fluttered about. The warming air brought out the eagles. The booted ones flew low and were easily identified but higher up four other large eagles were watched. Their height and speed made identification difficult but Mr. Kite view is that one was probably bonelli’s and another a golden eagle. However disappointing it is not to be positive their aerial displays were impressive as the sped across the sky and dived out of view.
So Mr. Kite enjoyed a casual stroll and stopped to inspect a fig tree on his return.
Later in the afternoon Mr. Kite went for a short stroll along the camino stopping to watch a sardinian warbler. This little bird was flitting in a bush 'ticking' merrily. With more clouds approaching Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a Tetley tea. Cheers.
Saturday 19 May 2012
Saturday 19th May (A Different Day)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the line of trees where at least ten black male blackbirds were enjoying a breakfast of worms.
Being a vegetarian Mr. Kite had a breakfast of coffee and cereals before setting out on a short walk. With clouds and spots of rain Mr. Kite continued his trek passing the corpses of a deer, two frogs and a colourful horseshoe whip snake.
In the a large eucalyptus tree a flock of Spanish sparrows were nesting. The sound of the sparrows and the strong smell of the eucalyptus oil was Mediterranean.
Passing the tree and following Camino 116 Mr. Kite listened to warblers, robins and blackcaps stopping to spot them. Soon a more shrilling quieter sound was heard and Mr. Kite located the small brown bird walking up the trunk of a tree. Now trunks, trees and a ‘tserrrrrh’ meant treecreeper; not any old treecreeper but a short-toed treecreeper.
Mr. Kite looked carefully at this bird to notice the differences but without a comparator it was impossible. The bird moved up and around the trunk before disappearing out of sight. In the shrubs and bushes the birds sang and a bright yellow serin brightened up the place before the rain started and Mr. Kite want back to The Joint.
More thunder storms kept Mr. Kite in The Joint for the rest of the day but he did watch blackbirds, Spanish sparrows, azure-winged magpies with the golden oriole playing the background music.
At four o’clock it was time for a tipple of Mahou Classica. Cheers.
Friday 18 May 2012
Friday 18th May (The Sights and Sound of Guadalupe)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the dark trees as a scop’s owl had woke him up. Bleep, bleep, bleep called the scops as it desperately sought a partner. Mr. Kite thought that this must be the only scop’s in the area.
Soon the darkness turned to light and it was now time for the golden oriole to sing ‘o-ri-ole’ in a soft fluty whistle.
In the warm sunshine and clear sky Mr. Kite cycled three miles to a viewing point just outside Guadalupe near Ermita del Humilladero. A booted eagle and short-toed eagle flew past. Then it was time to cycle two more miles along a track near Las Villuercas.
A few hours watching the sky resulted in more booted, short-toed and a fast moving bonelli’s eagle. The bonelli’s was quite light underneath. A few black kites appeared.
In the heat Mr. Kite then returned to the campsite without hardly pedaling the bicycle. Later in the afternoon Mr. Kite and His Lady went on a nature walk under the viaduct and to a picnic area by the stream. Overhead two honey buzzards circled showing their distinction head shape and lighter wing patterns. Around a grey wagtail paddled in the water as cetti’s warblers, blackcaps and robins sang. In the back ground hoopoes, nightingales and doves called.
Mr. Kite had a good day watching birds before enjoying a Mahou Classica. Cheers
Thursday 17th May (The Plain in Spain)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a sunny sky. Today Mr. Kite and His Lady were leaving Caceres and going to Guadalupe.
So The Joint was packed and restocked with beer, wine and bread and set forth on the road. Turning off the main road mr. Kite headed towards Santa Marta de Magasca. Tinted blue rollers sat on the electicity pylons, red-legged partridge ran along the road and the sky was full of griffon vultures.
Passing Santa Marta the road was bumpy but this was the plains of Spain. Then a large bird passed in front of The Joint. This christmas sized turkey landed on the grass and wandered into a hollow. So Mr. Kite stop The Joint and set up The Superscope and scanned the area for an hour before giving up on the great bustard.. But plenty of white storks were watched as flock of spanish sparrows flew around.
Mr. Kite drove through Trujillo to Guadalupe passing over one ladder snake and watching a viperine in a stream.
Soon Mr. Kite was enjoying a Mahou Classica. Cheer to a great bustard
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a sunny sky. Today Mr. Kite and His Lady were leaving Caceres and going to Guadalupe.
So The Joint was packed and restocked with beer, wine and bread and set forth on the road. Turning off the main road mr. Kite headed towards Santa Marta de Magasca. Tinted blue rollers sat on the electicity pylons, red-legged partridge ran along the road and the sky was full of griffon vultures.
Passing Santa Marta the road was bumpy but this was the plains of Spain. Then a large bird passed in front of The Joint. This christmas sized turkey landed on the grass and wandered into a hollow. So Mr. Kite stop The Joint and set up The Superscope and scanned the area for an hour before giving up on the great bustard.. But plenty of white storks were watched as flock of spanish sparrows flew around.
Mr. Kite drove through Trujillo to Guadalupe passing over one ladder snake and watching a viperine in a stream.
Soon Mr. Kite was enjoying a Mahou Classica. Cheer to a great bustard
Wednesday 16 May 2012
Wednesday 16th May (Rollers and Lesser Kestrels)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a tree where an azure-winged magpie was carefully constructing a nesting platform from thin twigs.
At 1100 Mr. Kite set out in the heat to watch rollers. Soon Mr. Kite was watching a pair flying over their nesting site rolling about in the sky. When one landed Mr. Kite could see a colourful bluish body but the heat haze made closer details impossible.
The final part of the trip was to watch lesser kestrels near Valdesalo. On the telegraph poles a number of these smaller and finer kestrels sat. Occasionally they took off with fast flapping wings but soon gave up in the heat.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a cold Leffe Ruby. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a tree where an azure-winged magpie was carefully constructing a nesting platform from thin twigs.
At 1100 Mr. Kite set out in the heat to watch rollers. Soon Mr. Kite was watching a pair flying over their nesting site rolling about in the sky. When one landed Mr. Kite could see a colourful bluish body but the heat haze made closer details impossible.
The final part of the trip was to watch lesser kestrels near Valdesalo. On the telegraph poles a number of these smaller and finer kestrels sat. Occasionally they took off with fast flapping wings but soon gave up in the heat.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a cold Leffe Ruby. Cheers.
Tuesday 15 May 2012
Tuesday 15th May (Another Good Day)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see two of everything. Adjusting his glasses mr. Kite realised that he had drank too much the night before.
Never mind by noon Mr. Kite was cycling north of Caceres towards a river. Stopping at ria Guadiloba Mr. Kite watched European pond terrapins. moorhens and mallards. The temperature was rising as Mr. Kite glided along the road stopping at a viewing point overlooking the river. Black kites, red kites and a chattering of jackdaws were soon spotted and woodchat shrike.
House martins flew through the air chasing insects before they were joined by alpine swifts. Larger than the usual swifts these well bellied birds raced around the sky. Egyptian vultures flew by before an dashing eagle appeared. Not booted or short-toed this impressive fast flying bird was bonelli's eagle. With a pale tail, yellow legs and dark trailing edge on the wings this birds circled quickly before gaining height in the hot air and then gliding quickly over the hill.
Well what could follow that. Mr. Kite cycled back to Caceres stopping for a full half hour to study a short-toed eagle perched on a pylon. With ruffled feathers and a white front this bird with a fabulous yellow eye watched the world go by as Mr. Kite watched it.
After a great day out Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Leffe Ruby. Cheers to all those eagles of the extremadura.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see two of everything. Adjusting his glasses mr. Kite realised that he had drank too much the night before.
Never mind by noon Mr. Kite was cycling north of Caceres towards a river. Stopping at ria Guadiloba Mr. Kite watched European pond terrapins. moorhens and mallards. The temperature was rising as Mr. Kite glided along the road stopping at a viewing point overlooking the river. Black kites, red kites and a chattering of jackdaws were soon spotted and woodchat shrike.
House martins flew through the air chasing insects before they were joined by alpine swifts. Larger than the usual swifts these well bellied birds raced around the sky. Egyptian vultures flew by before an dashing eagle appeared. Not booted or short-toed this impressive fast flying bird was bonelli's eagle. With a pale tail, yellow legs and dark trailing edge on the wings this birds circled quickly before gaining height in the hot air and then gliding quickly over the hill.
Well what could follow that. Mr. Kite cycled back to Caceres stopping for a full half hour to study a short-toed eagle perched on a pylon. With ruffled feathers and a white front this bird with a fabulous yellow eye watched the world go by as Mr. Kite watched it.
After a great day out Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Leffe Ruby. Cheers to all those eagles of the extremadura.
Monday 14 May 2012
Monday 14th May (One Leveret Bites the Dust)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a clear sunny Spanish blue sky. A hoopoe called and a nightingale could be heard singing.
Mr. Kite set off for Casa de Casceres down an undulating road. Thekla larks, crested larks, bee-eaters and eagles were watched on the plain in Spain. A tour of the town was followed by a visit to a church where the nuns were mopping the floor.
Then it was to a local pond where all types of gaggling geese waddled about in the dirty water and mallards, coots and moorhens joined in.
Returning to Casceres Mr. Kite stopped to watch a booted eagle sitting on a rock watching a white stork. The white stork picked up a leveret. The leveret did not like the white stork picking it up and it struggled and kicked and made noises. One of the parents of the leveret also did not like the white stork handling it's offspring and repeatedly ran at the bird and 'rabbit punching' it. For two minutes the leveret struggled to release itself from the large red bill of the stork as the parent ran and butted the bird from all directions.
Now the white stork seemed to want 'liebre Espana' as a treat and would not release the tasty morsel. To tenderise the hare the stork kept pummeling it on the ground. When the leveret stopped moving the white stork swallowed it. Yum. Then it flew away and the hare ran away with one less mouth to feed.
From Casceres Mr. Kite followed the ex 390 for five miles stopping at rio Guadiloba to watch European pond terrapins and a black-winged stilt. Hundred of terrapins swam around or lounged in the sun.
Further along the road Mr. Kite watch griffon vultures feeding on a carcass. On the ground these large birds were a great sight as others circled, dropped down their legs and popped in for a feed.
At the end of the afternoon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Negra Modelo. Cheers to that leveret that made a tasty meal.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a clear sunny Spanish blue sky. A hoopoe called and a nightingale could be heard singing.
Mr. Kite set off for Casa de Casceres down an undulating road. Thekla larks, crested larks, bee-eaters and eagles were watched on the plain in Spain. A tour of the town was followed by a visit to a church where the nuns were mopping the floor.
Then it was to a local pond where all types of gaggling geese waddled about in the dirty water and mallards, coots and moorhens joined in.
Returning to Casceres Mr. Kite stopped to watch a booted eagle sitting on a rock watching a white stork. The white stork picked up a leveret. The leveret did not like the white stork picking it up and it struggled and kicked and made noises. One of the parents of the leveret also did not like the white stork handling it's offspring and repeatedly ran at the bird and 'rabbit punching' it. For two minutes the leveret struggled to release itself from the large red bill of the stork as the parent ran and butted the bird from all directions.
Now the white stork seemed to want 'liebre Espana' as a treat and would not release the tasty morsel. To tenderise the hare the stork kept pummeling it on the ground. When the leveret stopped moving the white stork swallowed it. Yum. Then it flew away and the hare ran away with one less mouth to feed.
From Casceres Mr. Kite followed the ex 390 for five miles stopping at rio Guadiloba to watch European pond terrapins and a black-winged stilt. Hundred of terrapins swam around or lounged in the sun.
Further along the road Mr. Kite watch griffon vultures feeding on a carcass. On the ground these large birds were a great sight as others circled, dropped down their legs and popped in for a feed.
At the end of the afternoon Mr. Kite returned to The Joint for a tipple of Negra Modelo. Cheers to that leveret that made a tasty meal.
Sunday 13th May (Not too Many Birds but lots of Heat)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a cork oak to see an azure-winged magpie. On the ground two crested larks strutted along with their crests pointing up.
Today Mr. Kite was going 'roller watching' before the Spanish Grand Prix. To cut a long story short the views he had were not worth mentioning because the birds were too far away.
On his return trip to The Joint Mr. Kite passed two landmarks. The first was that he had cycled one thousand miles this years. At this point in the road a few years ago Mr. Kite and The Joint collided with a Ladder Snake. Luckily The Joint was not injured but the poor old snake was.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint put on his shirt and went to the bar to watch the Grand Prix with The Spaniards.
Late in the afternoon Mr. Kite cycled to the Plaza de Toros and the nearby viewing point looking north from Casceres. In the warm air vultures and eagle glided, circled and soared over the plain.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and enjoyed a tipple of 1906 Reserva Especial. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a cork oak to see an azure-winged magpie. On the ground two crested larks strutted along with their crests pointing up.
Today Mr. Kite was going 'roller watching' before the Spanish Grand Prix. To cut a long story short the views he had were not worth mentioning because the birds were too far away.
On his return trip to The Joint Mr. Kite passed two landmarks. The first was that he had cycled one thousand miles this years. At this point in the road a few years ago Mr. Kite and The Joint collided with a Ladder Snake. Luckily The Joint was not injured but the poor old snake was.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint put on his shirt and went to the bar to watch the Grand Prix with The Spaniards.
Late in the afternoon Mr. Kite cycled to the Plaza de Toros and the nearby viewing point looking north from Casceres. In the warm air vultures and eagle glided, circled and soared over the plain.
Mr. Kite returned to The Joint and enjoyed a tipple of 1906 Reserva Especial. Cheers.
Saturday 12 May 2012
Saturday 12th May (Not Many Birds but a Number of Reptiles)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see a crested lark walking on the path.
Later in the morning Mr. Kite cycled down the ex100 for a few miles stopping on a bridge over a small river. Three warblers could be heard; cetti's fan-tailed and reed. Only the cetti's was spotted. But in the water viperines were have a morning of swimming, climbing trees and sitting on rocks. The odd adder appeared with a ladder snake for good measure.
One group of viperines was sat on by a European pond terrapin but they did not seem to mind. One viperine swam into the water to catch a fish whose progress down the snake could be clearly seen and watched by a passing crayfish.
In the heat Mr. Kite made his way into more open spaces looking for 'birds of the plain' but none were found; so that is for next time. In the late afternoon Mr. Kite returned to the camper to enjoy a Negra Modelo. Cheers from Caceres in warm sunny Spain.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see a crested lark walking on the path.
Later in the morning Mr. Kite cycled down the ex100 for a few miles stopping on a bridge over a small river. Three warblers could be heard; cetti's fan-tailed and reed. Only the cetti's was spotted. But in the water viperines were have a morning of swimming, climbing trees and sitting on rocks. The odd adder appeared with a ladder snake for good measure.
One group of viperines was sat on by a European pond terrapin but they did not seem to mind. One viperine swam into the water to catch a fish whose progress down the snake could be clearly seen and watched by a passing crayfish.
In the heat Mr. Kite made his way into more open spaces looking for 'birds of the plain' but none were found; so that is for next time. In the late afternoon Mr. Kite returned to the camper to enjoy a Negra Modelo. Cheers from Caceres in warm sunny Spain.
Friday 11th May (A Last Visit to the Rock)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see three azure-winged magpies sitting in a tree. In the morning sun their azure blue wings were shiny.
Later in the morning Mr. Kite and His Lady went for a final visit to Mirador de la Portilla del Tietar to watch the eagle owl chicks. Within the last day their down was being replaced by feathers and they were walking around the niche taking more interest in the outside world and watching any movement with curiosity.
The pair of spanish imperial eagles made loud noises as they hassled the griffon vultures perched near their nest and flew high and low occasionally stopping to rest on a dead tree where they could be viewed in The Superscope. And mighty impressive they were with their white feathers and massive hooked beak.
It is not just the size of the birds that makes it impressive. A rock bunting sat by the viewing point with a superbly stripped head and buff plumage. For a time this bird was the centre of attention as the papparazi clicked away on their cameras.
A few hours later mr. Kite was in Caceres enjoying a tipple of Maternus Premium Pilsener. Cheers.
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see three azure-winged magpies sitting in a tree. In the morning sun their azure blue wings were shiny.
Later in the morning Mr. Kite and His Lady went for a final visit to Mirador de la Portilla del Tietar to watch the eagle owl chicks. Within the last day their down was being replaced by feathers and they were walking around the niche taking more interest in the outside world and watching any movement with curiosity.
The pair of spanish imperial eagles made loud noises as they hassled the griffon vultures perched near their nest and flew high and low occasionally stopping to rest on a dead tree where they could be viewed in The Superscope. And mighty impressive they were with their white feathers and massive hooked beak.
It is not just the size of the birds that makes it impressive. A rock bunting sat by the viewing point with a superbly stripped head and buff plumage. For a time this bird was the centre of attention as the papparazi clicked away on their cameras.
A few hours later mr. Kite was in Caceres enjoying a tipple of Maternus Premium Pilsener. Cheers.
Thursday 10 May 2012
Thursday 10th May (Too Hot for Mr. Kite and the Birds)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a dawn morning. A scop's owl was sounding off like a faulty car alarm.
A few hours later Mr. Kite was cycling in the Monfrague park. Vultures circled overhead and eagle glided over the hot ground.
To cut a long story short Mr. Kite was searching for warblers and in the heat failed to really identify any. Lots of woodchat shrikes ate the swarms of insects that were enjoying their last hot day on earth.
Mr. Kite watched a Bonelli's eagles nest where what looked like a chick stir but the heat beat everyone.
So in the late afternoon Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Leffe Ruby. Cheers
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a dawn morning. A scop's owl was sounding off like a faulty car alarm.
A few hours later Mr. Kite was cycling in the Monfrague park. Vultures circled overhead and eagle glided over the hot ground.
To cut a long story short Mr. Kite was searching for warblers and in the heat failed to really identify any. Lots of woodchat shrikes ate the swarms of insects that were enjoying their last hot day on earth.
Mr. Kite watched a Bonelli's eagles nest where what looked like a chick stir but the heat beat everyone.
So in the late afternoon Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Leffe Ruby. Cheers
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Wednesday 9th May (Evening Meal with the Birds)
Now Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window on this Spanish morning to see clouds and hear the thrill of the spotless starlings. A leisurely morning ended with a walk along a track by the main road looking at the crested and thekla larks. Very few were seen so the more detailed study was put off for another day. However the corn buntings were in an energetic mood as they flew from bush top to bush top and provided the bird-watching experience.
A few hours gaps appeared in the clouds and the sun shone warming the earth and the air. Slowly the griffon vultures began to glide overhead, the booted eagles soared over the cork oaks. The white stork headed for the meadows to feed and three short-toed eagles hovered high above the ground searching for reptiles.
Mr. Kite kept an eye on the meadows birds and an eye on the sky. Sitting comfortably on a concrete post Mr. Kite identified the birds above him saying, “Grifffon, booted, black kite, red kite, griffon, short-toed, black kite, possible honey buzzard’.
Half an hour later Mr. Kite then said, “Black vulture”, as a larger and more dark shape glided towards him with some straggly feathers on the wing tips. Looking closely Mr. Kite noticed the straighter wings, a completely black underside and two lighter feet showing. Wow the first black vulture of the trip.
With the sun shining and the air warming Mr. Kite returned to The Joint to cook pasta for tea. At seven o’clock Mr. Kite and His Lady sat outside eating pasta and cheese while overhead white storks, booted eagles, short-toed eagles, red kites, black kites and kestrel flew. In the tree by the table a family of azure-winged magpies looked on waiting for a chance to eat pasta and cheese.
With a bottle of Kronenbourg 1664 in his hand Mr. Kite drank a health to the birds of the Extramadura. Cheers.
Wednesday 9th May (Dawn Chorus)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window as the sun was peering over the horizon. Six thousands cuckoos were calling the dawn chorus with the occasional shrill of the spotless starling and ‘hoop, hoop’ of a hoopoe.
The world was waiting to be watched.
So at nine in the morning Mr. Kite set out into Monfrague National Park. Firstly Mr. Kite was going to identify three types of lark. So on the road he stopped to watch crested larks with their lighter colour and more slender shape. A little further on another lark sat singing with a neat stripe above it's eye. This bird sang very fluidly and had a slight crest that it baarely raised. A woodlark was added to the list.
On the slopes in the park Mr. Kite watched very green greenfinches and yellow serins with woodchat shrikes dropping onto insects nearby. A pair of larks caught Mr. Kite's eye. These birds were slightly stocky, darker and a neat darkish tail. Both birds had a white underside and flew into the air before dropping down rapidly into the undergrowth; thekla larks. Mr. Kite now had a target on warblers and wheatears. To cut a long story short neither really appeared in view at a close distance.
Now with vultures, eagles and stoks in the air and Belgians, French, Germans, Danes and the odd Spaniard Mr. Kite noticed linnets. Soon Mr. Kite was cycling past eagle owl chicks and spanish imperial eagles before stopping to watch a golden oriole and a nightingale. A monster of a green lizard crossed the road; thankfully the dragon disappeared into the undergrowth before too long.
In the late afternoon heat Mr. Kite cycled his new cycling machine back to camp stopping to listen to a cetti's warbler on the route. Soon Mr. Kite was enjoying a tipple of Leffe Ruby. Cheers to the Extremadura and the birds.
Tuesday 8 May 2012
Tuesday 8th May (Monfrague)
On Wednesday 2nd May Mr. Kite and His Lady arrived in the Extramadura. The Joint was parked in the camp site and soon the cheeky azure-winged magpies were checking out the new arrivals . Now these colourful characters are a wonderful sight with their black caps. Warm buff bodies and azure blue wings. Their behaviour makes them a delight to watch as they hop, bounce, fight, chase sparrows and peck the morsels from your table or just sit on your saucepan eating your cous cous.
Spotless starling thrilled as they built their nests in the broken roof tiles of the toilet block. House sparrows, goldfinches, blue tits, cukoos, chaffinch, blackbirds, nuthatch and house martins made their appearance on the site.
Overhead booted eagles, black kites and a white stork circled. In the hint of sunshine Mr. Kite put on his walking boots and walked a long a track adjacent to the road where corn buntings and crested lark flew around and called to each other.
In the cloud, gloom and rain Mr. Kite walked around the local area watching blackbirds, stonechats, hoopoes, collared doves, kestrels. Spotted flycatchers, yellowhammers, greenfinch, long tailed tits, swifts, bee-eaters and a common buzzards.
Mr. Kite then looked a little more carefully and found woodchat shrike and a southern grey shrike. In the cork oaks the shrikes were a common sight. Soon an Egyptian vulture took to the air flapping powerfully to take it’s large black and white body off the ground. Rock doves required less effort and the red rumped swallows never seemed to touch the ground as they continually flew around.
Great tits, wood pigeons and tree pipits soon caught Mr. Kites attention before a singing warblers was spotted on a telegraph wire. This yellowy singing warbler was in full song but continually turning to sing in different direction. A melodious warbler was looking for a mate. Overhead a short-toed eagle expended valuable energy looking for food before a dashing little kestrel plummeted from the sky onto a tapas of some kind.
The first sunny morning of the tour was Sunday 6th May and Mr. Kite packed his new bicycle and set off to Miranda de la Tajadilla. The new machine was a joy to ride on the warm Spanish road. To cut a long story short Mr. Kite reached his target and was pleased with the warm sunny air. The water from the dam had stopped leaving pools of water where the fish were stranded. Unluckily for them six grey herons and a great white egret enjoyed the easy pickings before being joined by a black stork. Now this was a stunning sight the black and white stork with the red legs and bill feeding with grey herons and a great white egret. Three large birds at the same table for once; eating the same lunch.
Nearby a little ring plover and pied wagtail picked at food on the edge of the pools where two red deer were gently sipping water. On the cliff opposite a raven was having a hard time with a griffon vulture whilst the crag martins flew backwards and forwards along the cliff face.
In the heat Mr. Kite cycled slowly back to The Joint stopping to look in the scrub land where a subalpine warbler and black-eared wheatear were located. Following a good day out Mr. Kite enjoyed a tipple of Campo Cruz. Cheers.
Monday 7th May (Mirador de la Portilla del Tietar)
Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a cloudy sky. Soon Mr. Kite and His Lady were heading to the Mirador. Passing cormorants, jays and a pair of red-legged partridge they reached the Mirador as the rain started.
Ten minutes later the rain stopped and Mr. Kite and His Lady set up The Superscope facing the cliff on the other side. Soon large brown griffon vultures were being studied with their long necks, shaggy plumage and powerful beaks.
Then it was time to focus on two eagle owl chicks. Now these two fluffy down covered attractions played to the audience at they walked to the edge of the niche and looked out. The occasional peck at each other, a short sleep before their large attentive eyes opened for a further scan of the world outside where they would have to compete. Surrounded by vultures on a cliff their’s is a precarious world.
Soon a pair of Spanish imperial eagles appeared making loud nasal sounds to make their presence known. These large black eagles with hints of white on their back and wings moved the griffon vultures away from their nest by touching them. Aerial combat displays took place as the vultures were pushed from their rocky perch onto one further away. The eagles celebrated with ‘high fives’ as they touched legs in the air and rolled over in flight.
At times the eagles landed on the ground where their powerful bodies could be seen. A great hooked beak looked the part to tear a rabbit to pieces. But that hooked weapon did not stop a black kite continually diving towards any sitting eagle. The eagle had to continually raise it’s head and open it’s beak as the kite swooped time after time after time over the Spanish imperial eagles head. No rest for the wicked. However grand and rare this bird one black kite was not to be subservient to a Spanish imperial eagle.
For more than four hours Mr. Kite and His Lady watch a flying display of Spanish imperial eagles. griffon vultures and black kites. The eagles flew low and high; banked and rolled showing every conceivable feather. The eagle owls continued to show new behaviour and plumage as the turned their back on the audience and moved in the niche.
Of course not everything that was exciting was large and raptorish. A dazzling blue rock thrush sat above the eagle owls showing that he too was worth looking at. A black redstart; not an ordinary black redstart but a giraltarienlfis made an appearance. Black as the ace of spades with two shiny white streaks on it’s body and a tinged blue cap he was a stunner.
So Mr. Kite and His Lady had a great day out in The Monfrague National Park. To celebrate they had a tipple or two of Maternus Premium Pilsener. Cheers from the place where those azure-winged magpies are magical.
Sunday 29th April (Mr. Kite is on Tour in the Rain)
From Thursday 19th April until Friday 27th April Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a pond in La Brenne in the village of Rosnay. Often with a nightingale singing in the ditch behind The Joint and a hoopoe hooping from a nearby tree and a cuckoo flying over. One morning Mr. Kite looked out of the window to see thirty cattle egrets feeding by the pond.
To cut a long story short it rained every day in La Brenne and Mr. Kite got cold feet and wet clothes but he still went cycling, walking and bird-watching. So here are a list of the birds that Mr. Kite watched. Great tit, chaffinch, blackcap, common redstart, cattle egret, black-headed gull, mallard, starling grey heron, pied wagtail, wood pigeon and collared dove.
Soon Mr. Kite was cycling around the area looking over ponds and into woods. On the first complete day in the area Mr. Kite watched the first barn swallows, hoopoe, ring ousel, night heron, nightingale, purple heron, red crested pochard, greenshank, tree pipit and cuckoo.
The more common goldfinch, chiffchaff, tufted duck, house sparrow, blackbird, jackdaw, jay, cormorant common pheasant, skylark, gadwall, coot, little egret, mute swan, teal, great crested grebe, pochard, Canada goose, kestrel, common buzzard, long tailed tits, greenfinch, common redshank, northern pintail,marsh harrier were spotted.
Mr. Kite continued his cycling and walking tour of La Brenne visiting the Maison du Parc and acting like a man on holiday. It was Saturday 21st April before Mr. Kite spotted his first great white egret, northern wheatear, common whitethroat, stonechat, cirl bunting, black-necked grebe and sedge warbler.
Mr. Kite enjoyed the rain as he watched little grebe, magpie, moorhen and mistle thrush.
On Sunday 22nd April Mr. Kite cycled to La Gabriere where more than thirty black terns flew around in a variety of black and white shiny plumage. With so many birds it was interesting to see the variation. Nearby a short-toed eagle hovered and glided before leaving the area. Not a good day for a hungry eagle because the grass snakes were well and truly hiding.
On Tuesday 24th April Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see that swifts had arrived and were joined by house martins.
On Thursday 26th April Mr. Kite completed a circular walk around Rosnay on a showery day where the clouds rolled in and the rain came down but it was a good day. Red deer wandered leisurely in front of Mr. Kite, golden orioles piped a fluting tune, a pair of turtle doves cooed and what looked like a hawfinch made a brief appearance. Hoping to watch the local woodpeckers in action Mr. Kite sat in a few woods watching but only a passing greater spotted woodpecker was a certain.
Mr. Kite enjoyed La Brenne although the cold wet weather was not to his liking. With more than seventy species of birds watched Mr. Kite felt happy as he headed off to sunny sunny Espana.
Sunday 6 May 2012
Monday 30th April (La Brenne)
Sunday 29th April (Mr. Kite is on Tour in the Rain)
From Thursday 19th April until Friday 27th April Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a pond in La Brenne in the village of Rosnay. Often with a nightingale singing in the ditch behind The Joint and a hoopoe hooping from a nearby tree and a cuckoo flying over. One morning Mr. Kite looked out of the window to see thirty cattle egrets feeding by the pond.
To cut a long story short it rained every day in La Brenne and Mr. Kite got cold feet and wet clothes but he still went cycling, walking and bird-watching. So here are a list of the birds that Mr. Kite watched. Great tit, chaffinch, blackcap, common redstart, cattle egret, black-headed gull, mallard, starling grey heron, pied wagtail, wood pigeon and collared dove.
Soon Mr. Kite was cycling around the area looking over ponds and into woods. On the first complete day in the area Mr. Kite watched the first barn swallows, hoopoe, ring ousel, night heron, nightingale, purple heron, red crested pochard, greenshank, tree pipit and cuckoo.
The more common goldfinch, chiffchaff, tufted duck, house sparrow, blackbird, jackdaw, jay, cormorant common pheasant, skylark, gadwall, coot, little egret, mute swan, teal, great crested grebe, pochard, Canada goose, kestrel, common buzzard, long tailed tits, greenfinch, common redshank, northern pintail,marsh harrier were spotted.
Mr. Kite continued his cycling and walking tour of La Brenne visiting the Maison du Parc and acting like a man on holiday. It was Saturday 21st April before Mr. Kite spotted his first great white egret, northern wheatear, common whitethroat, stonechat, cirl bunting, black-necked grebe and sedge warbler.
Mr. Kite enjoyed the rain as he watched little grebe, magpie, moorhen and mistle thrush.
On Sunday 22nd April Mr. Kite cycled to La Gabriere where more than thirty black terns flew around in a variety of black and white shiny plumage. With so many birds it was interesting to see the variation. Nearby a short-toed eagle hovered and glided before leaving the area. Not a good day for a hungry eagle because the grass snakes were well and truly hiding.
On Tuesday 24th April Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see that swifts had arrived and were joined by house martins.
On Thursday 26th April Mr. Kite completed a circular walk around Rosnay on a showery day where the clouds rolled in and the rain came down but it was a good day. Red deer wandered leisurely in front of Mr. Kite, golden orioles piped a fluting tune, a pair of turtle doves cooed and what looked like a hawfinch made a brief appearance. Hoping to watch the local woodpeckers in action Mr. Kite sat in a few woods watching but only a passing greater spotted woodpecker was a certain.
Mr. Kite enjoyed La Brenne although the cold wet weather was not to his liking. With more than seventy species of birds watched Mr. Kite felt happy as he headed off to sunny sunny Espana.
Sunday 29th April (Mr. Kite is on Tour in the Rain)
From Thursday 19th April until Friday 27th April Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window onto a pond in La Brenne in the village of Rosnay. Often with a nightingale singing in the ditch behind The Joint and a hoopoe hooping from a nearby tree and a cuckoo flying over. One morning Mr. Kite looked out of the window to see thirty cattle egrets feeding by the pond.
To cut a long story short it rained every day in La Brenne and Mr. Kite got cold feet and wet clothes but he still went cycling, walking and bird-watching. So here are a list of the birds that Mr. Kite watched. Great tit, chaffinch, blackcap, common redstart, cattle egret, black-headed gull, mallard, starling grey heron, pied wagtail, wood pigeon and collared dove.
Soon Mr. Kite was cycling around the area looking over ponds and into woods. On the first complete day in the area Mr. Kite watched the first barn swallows, hoopoe, ring ousel, night heron, nightingale, purple heron, red crested pochard, greenshank, tree pipit and cuckoo.
The more common goldfinch, chiffchaff, tufted duck, house sparrow, blackbird, jackdaw, jay, cormorant common pheasant, skylark, gadwall, coot, little egret, mute swan, teal, great crested grebe, pochard, Canada goose, kestrel, common buzzard, long tailed tits, greenfinch, common redshank, northern pintail,marsh harrier were spotted.
Mr. Kite continued his cycling and walking tour of La Brenne visiting the Maison du Parc and acting like a man on holiday. It was Saturday 21st April before Mr. Kite spotted his first great white egret, northern wheatear, common whitethroat, stonechat, cirl bunting, black-necked grebe and sedge warbler.
Mr. Kite enjoyed the rain as he watched little grebe, magpie, moorhen and mistle thrush.
On Sunday 22nd April Mr. Kite cycled to La Gabriere where more than thirty black terns flew around in a variety of black and white shiny plumage. With so many birds it was interesting to see the variation. Nearby a short-toed eagle hovered and glided before leaving the area. Not a good day for a hungry eagle because the grass snakes were well and truly hiding.
On Tuesday 24th April Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see that swifts had arrived and were joined by house martins.
On Thursday 26th April Mr. Kite completed a circular walk around Rosnay on a showery day where the clouds rolled in and the rain came down but it was a good day. Red deer wandered leisurely in front of Mr. Kite, golden orioles piped a fluting tune, a pair of turtle doves cooed and what looked like a hawfinch made a brief appearance. Hoping to watch the local woodpeckers in action Mr. Kite sat in a few woods watching but only a passing greater spotted woodpecker was a certain.
Mr. Kite enjoyed La Brenne although the cold wet weather was not to his liking. With more than seventy species of birds watched Mr. Kite felt happy as he headed off to sunny sunny Espana.
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