randombirder

An out-of-season trip to the Manavgat region of southern Turkey was more about satisfying an itch for foreign travel than chasing anything specific that might satisfy a list or two. Walking through Terminal 2 at Heathrow provided the immediate rush of liberty and freedom that had been building during the period of suppressed mobility. The climb out of the easterly runway on a Turkish 777-300ER to Istanbul provided glorious views of the capital. Connecting at Istanbul airport for the short flight south to Antalya walking through grand linear piers of the new airport was very impressive. It was great to be away and to get a taste of something authentic.  Turkish food is absolutely glorious, healthy and with a suppressed economy and favourable exchange rates, this lovely meal cost all of £3. Of course birding was never going to be too far away from the agenda.  The weather however was unexpectedly dire, a mixture of cool cloudy days to a day of torrential rain and thunderstorms o...

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker kept plenty of folk waiting at Santon Downham failing to appear by midday despite being heard calling in the woody area by the railway line.  A fly-through Goshawk was a bonus though and a pair of amorous Woodlark flirted by the railway underpass.  A pair of Stonechat there were less frenzied. Woodlark Other bits and pieces were a Marsh Tit , a couple of Redwing , and the constant calls of flyover Siskin . Heading back towards home, I stopped off at Dernford Farm Reservoir in search of the Siberian Chiffchaff .  Walking adjacent to the railway line opposite the reservoir didn't strike me as prime phyllosc habitat.  Grey clouds started to move in. Heading back on myself,  I followed a narrow stream with a scattering of trees and reed. A  Chiffchaff ( colybita ) sat low on a branch close to the water.  Scanning the area with the rain starting to fall, the Sibe appeared, looking pale and calling b...

We continue to hold onto this glorious weather and oh my lordie it felt glorious today.  Even managed an afternoon kip in the sunshine that felt so comfortably warm, as I awoke, I was surprised to find that I wasn't actually at home. What a day anyway.  It was just supposed to be a long stroll through the forest but the birdlife was really incredible. There was plenty of activity in the woodland, a lot of birdsong including goldcrest and the incessant jangle of siskin always mobile overhead. There were plenty of highlights that started with a dartford warbler scratching away on top of a gorse bush.  There were stonechat everywhere, a couple of pairs getting prepared for the breeding season. A single lesser redpoll called as it paused briefly within a silver birch. We took a route round both sides of the car park at Acres Down.  It yielded much.  At least three woodlark were warming up for Spring.  Not quite in full song, but still enough ...

The first of two visits to the Korketeli Hills and other sites featured in the Gosney Guide for SW Turkey. A little early for species such as White-throated Robin, it was still worth having a look on the outside chance of a keen individual arriving on territory early. What did become apparent was just how out-of-date the guide was. Absolutely no fault of the author, four years is a long time in the development of the road network, particularly the new dual carriageway and connecting routes. The D-635 that leads to the favoured White-throated Robin site is currently closed while road-widening construction takes place. However, a minor road just to the right of where the main carriageway ends winds up the hill to some promising habitat. Parking the car at a random spot, I walked into an area of scattered low pine. There was plenty of bird song and some real interest here. Eastern Black-eared Wheatear were notable, stunning birds as they sang from the treetops. A sin...