Brazil; Itatiba 22.08.2020 - 02.09.2020

  With the end of my Soil Hill updates, as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, comes a new series of updates from slightly more adventurous climes. With Brazil deciding, for some bizarre reason, that it was a good idea to open their borders I made a move to visit Lia, and so will be spending the next two months in Brazil, not travelling, but enjoying some fieldwork in the farm where we used to work. Obviously, although not mandatory in Brazil, I need to quarantine first, and so the first days have been spent in Lia’s parents house doing some work and generally relaxing, but also having a socially distanced daily walk where there have been a few nice bits to see in Lia’s neighborhood.

  The first bird of note was, unbelievably, a lifer for me; White-rumped Swallow. Nothing overly exciting but still a new bird in a year which really did not look like it was going to offer me much in the way of lifers. Other cool birds we have recorded around here are Saphire-spangled Emerald, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, White-crested Tyrannulet, Crested Oropendula, Plush-crested Jay and the usual common species. We have also set a trap every day in the hope that we might catch something, and we did; A really smart Rufous Hornero.

  With my quarantine drawing to a close, it will not be long before I am able to offer more frequent updates due to our work in the farm, a fantastic area of pristine habitat. I already can’t wait.

-Yellow-chinned Spinetail

-Chestnut-vented Conebill

-Eared Dove

-White-rumped Swallow

-Chalk-browed Mockingbird

-White-eyed Parakeet

-Sick's Swift

-Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

-Rufous Hornero

-Creamy-bellied Thrush

-Capybara

Species List:

Itatiba - Lagoa do Jardim Leonor: Brazilian Teal, Picazuro Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, Eared Dove, Smooth-billed Ani, Squirrel Cuckoo, Sick's Swift, Planalto Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Common Gallinule, Southern Lapwing, Wattled Jacana, Anhinga, Neotropic Cormorant, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Great Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Green Ibis, Buff-necked Ibis, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Savanna Hawk, Roadside Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, Toco Toucan, White-barred Piculet, Campo Flicker, Red-legged Seriema, Southern Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet, White-eyed Parakeet, Barred Antshrike, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Rufous Hornero, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Cliff Flycatcher, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, White-crested Tyrannulet, White-rumped Monjita, Masked Water Tyrant, Short-crested Flycatcher, Cattle Tyrant, Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Plush-crested Jay, Blue-and-white Swallow, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, White-rumped Swallow, House Wren, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, House Sparrow, Purple-throated Euphonia, Hooded Siskin, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Crested Oropendola, Variable Oriole, Shiny Cowbird, Hooded Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Palm Tanager, Chestnut-vented Conebill, Saffron Finch, Blue-black Grassquit, Double-collared Seedeater, Bananaquit, Capybara, Gulf Fritillary, Mimosa Yellow, Statira Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Great Southern White,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 21

And so concludes my final week on Soil Hill before I return to Brazil to visit Lia, a trip that will take me away from my patch for nearly the entire autumn. The weather this week varied greatly but mainly consisted of wind and rain, but the occasionally sunny spells. Birdlife on the whole was reasonably good, especially with good numbers of gulls building up in the fields below Soil Hill. On a couple of occasions I took the scope out to sift through them but failed to find the desired Caspian. On my last full day I even took to scoping from the road but only got a half an hour in before a juvenile Buzzard flew low over and sent all the gulls away. Still there were good numbers of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, with the occasional Yellow-legged thrown in for good measure.

On the 15^th the week got off to an excellent start with a juvenile Redstart on Taylor Lane, although it was extremely elusive. On the same day I had a flyover Tree Pipit and a scattering of Willow Warblers. Five Common Snipe flew off the marsh at the bottom of the Hill as well. On the 17^th the Tree Pipit count increased to three, all grounded individuals, with one of the Sedge Warblers also making an appearance. On the 18^th a pair of Raven flew over in very windy conditions that otherwise made birding a serious challenge. The 19^th was a much livelier day with another appearance from last weeks Short-eared Owl, as well as three more Tree Pipits, now two Sedge Warblers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The two Raven reappeared on the 20^th, and they were joined by a flyover Crossbill and the aforementioned Common Buzzard, nicely rounding off my time birding the Hill, which started at the end of March no less.

-Short-eared Owl

-Northern Raven

-Common Buzzard

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Red Crossbill, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 20

  Although not as lively as last week, it was another good week on Soil Hill with a scattering of migrants and another patch and year tick, bringing me up to the landmark 100 for the year at the close of play for the week. The patch tick was one that I have had on the agenda for a while now; Yellow-legged Gull. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the large gulls that have built up in the mown fields as the farmers have been scalping the grass, so I was very pleased when a juvenile flew past me on the 10^th. Initially I was drawn to its pale primary windows, and was pretty pleased after checking other features. I received confirmation from TDJ and GCT so was pretty pleased with that. On the 14^th there were more gulls moving in the afternoon and I picked out two more juveniles flying past with good numbers of Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

  The year-tick was one that I was not expecting due to their apparent scarcity this year, but on the afternoon of the 14^th a Short-eared Owl flew across the hill being closely mobbed by a pair of crows. Initially I did not think too much of it, assuming it was one of the regular local owls, but was soon informed of my mis-identification after putting my photo on Twitter.

  Migrant numbers have fluctuated during the week, with Willow Warblers being the flavor of choice with peak counts of 17 on the 12^th but otherwise no more than 6. A Common Buzzard on the 13^th was a nice species I have not seen for a while. Wheatears peaked at two on the 8^th with a single individual remaining for most of the week. Two Snipe flew over on the same date, 2 Tree Pipit flew over on the 12^th as did a flock of around 20 House Martins. Mistle Thrush numbers arrived in the top fields this week as well, presumably exhausting the supply of worms in the lower fields. My top count was 33 but I get the impression there is more…

-Yellow-legged Gull

-Short-eared Owl

-Common Buzzard

Complete Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Short-eared Owl, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, European Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting,

Spurn Bird Observatory

Having been away from Spurn for some time I knew a visit would be in order at some point, it was just a question of when. And when a Collared Flycatcher, a potential world tick, was found in the morning I decided to head over, after a morning visit to Soil Hill, to arrive at lunchtime to enjoy what turned out to be a fantastic days birding.

I took a few notes on the Collared Flycatcher;

A particularly cryptic individual, were it not caught it would have undoubtedly gone unnoticed.

The bird was trapped and ringed in the morning, and then re-caught slightly later confirming that it had remained present after the initial ringing process. In the hand the white extension through the primary bases and the wing length were diagnostic of Collared Flycatcher as opposed to Pied Flycatcher. Further details on this can be found here; https://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news/post.php?s=2020-08-10-1cy-female-collared-flycatcher-10th-august-2020

Unfortunately, I was not present at the birds capture and as such was restricted to poor field views. This already subtle identification was made trickier by the fact that there were three other Pied Flycatchers trapped during the morning, and at least one of these also lingered during the day. The Collared Flycatcher took up residence in front of the trap, which is where I observed from. There was indeed a ringed Ficedula flycatcher in this area but views were poor making it difficult to determine if this was the Collared Flycatcher. I am happy that this was indeed the Collared Flycatcher for reasons I will elaborate on;

Although there are no obvious features, it was clear that this bird did indeed have white extending down the primary bases but this was not always clear and was by no means extensive as in a typical Collared Flycatcher. However, despite this it extends down the wing appearing to reach the primaries nearer the edge of the wing. Given that in the hand the white on P3 was minimal this would have been impossible to observe in the field, but from the few photos I was able to obtain the bird in front of the trap does appear to show white to at least P5 and gives the impression of having white in P4 as well. The trap bird also had noticeably broad white tips to the coverts, which while not diagnostic, are a good indicator and one of the more easily observable features in the field.

Another key feature of this trap bird is that it was a first-year female, as was the Collared Flycatcher. The pattern of the white on the tertials and the lack of black on the rump are clear in the photos I was able to obtain, clearly show this.

It is interesting that were it not caught this bird would have gone unnoticed and it that field identification is more a factor of matching up the features seen to those observed on the bird while it was in the hand, rather than demonstrating obvious Collared Flycatcher features. Certainly an interesting bird.

--Despite the plumage and biometrics, the bird was DNA analysed and it turned out to be a normal Pied Flycatcher, not even a hybrid. As Martin Garner used to say, your always learning--

While the Flycatcher was certainly educational the supporting cast really stole the show with a molting adult White-winged Tern, a very nice Pectoral Sandpiper, Icterine Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, 2 Spoonbill, Great Egret, 2 Little Stint and an August Redwing that flew across the road in front of me. The Pectoral Sandpiper was the standout being a favorite bird of mine. Absolutely brilliant birding when it just seemed to never end. 

-Pied Flycatcher

-Pectoral Sandpiper

-White-winged Tern

-Icterine Warbler

-Red-backed Shrike

Complete Species List:
Spurn Bird Observatory: Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Common Shelduck, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Little Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Little Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Mew Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, White-winged Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret, Eurasian Spoonbill, Common Kestrel, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Icterine Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Common Starling, Redwing, European Robin, European Pied Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Northern Wheatear, House Sparrow, Western Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Red Crossbill, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 19

I'm gonna revert to my spring style of weekly update because this has been an excellent weeks birding with quite a few highlights, notably two Patch Ticks and a good number of August migrants to make up the supporting cast. After whats felt like a long summer on the Hill the winds of Autumn seem to finally be blowing in...

01st August

Visit from 06.30. Total 39 species observed.

Was a pretty dull and uneventful day, but with one outstanding highlight to really kick August off in style. Whilst birding on Ned Hill Track I heard a distinct call distantly; Green Sandpiper. As I coudn't hear the bird getting closer I began to wonder if it was going to pass me by but then it appeared over the brow of the hill allowing me to grab a few shots before it passed behind the trees on its way south. An excellent patch tick and one of the highlights of the year for me here so far. 

Other notable birds included both Sedge Warblers, a smart juv Stonechat and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler

-Green Sandpiper

02nd August

Visit from 07.00. Total 40 species observed. 

August continued on the strong streak on which it had begun. A cracking Marsh Harrier flew south over Soil Hill, initially strongly but then slowly soaring offering much better views. This is only my third here, though all this year, and first this Autumn. Otherwise there was little else to report. 

-Marsh Harrier

03rd August

Visit from 06.45. Total 40 species observed

There was a small arrival of migrants this morning, notably of Willow Warblers with eleven in the various bushes dotted around the Hill. A Tree Pipit flew over calling, the Grasshopper Warbler was still singing and there were three Stonechat at the bottom of the North Slope, including a spanking adult male. The standout bird was a flyby Great Spotted Woodpecker, capping off a very pleasant morning. 

04th August

Visit from 07.15. Total 36 species observed.

Another steady day with the days Willow Warbler total peaking at 7, with other migrants thin on the ground. A Green Woodpecker was calling from down in Bradshaw and I counted 14 Mistle Thrush in the recently mowed fields, but otherwise little change. 

05th August

Visit from 18.30. Total 33 species observed.

The wind and rain absolutely battered the pennines today, so I waited until the evening for my visit so that I could at least check out the sheltered areas at the bottom of the North Slope. As expected activity was very low, but there were the three Stonechat still present there, as well as a smart male Blackcap feasting on the abundant brambles. 

07th August

Visit from 07.00. Total 46 species observed. 

This will go down as one of the best days birding I have ever enjoyed on Soil Hill. After the wind and rain of the previous day I was unsure what sort of birding I would get, but when the first bird I clapped eyes on was a brilliant patch tick I sensed it could be an awesome morning. 

When I spotted the Pied Flycatcher on the wires next to Taylor Lane my initial thoughts were something along the lines of 'what a weird looking Chaffinch' but I swiftly realised what I was looking, a seriously good grounded migrant. Although it was against the light and generally spent its time atop the Sycamore it had chosen for the day, a few people saw it during the day and I was able to grab a few nice record shots. A fantastic start to the day.

Next I worked my way up to the top, with Willow Warblers clearly having arrived overnight. By the end of my walk I counted 19 individuals (6 Taylor Lane, 8 Summit Bushes, 3 North Slope, 2 Ned Hill Track). The best location was the bushes at the top of the North Slope which had most of the Willow Warblers, plus two grounded Tree Pipits, a Sedge Warbler, Whitethroats and Reed Buntings. Blackcap, Stonechat and the usual Grasshopper Warbler were fine migrant additions on the North Slope. A Great Spotted Woodpecker also took off from the trees at the top of the North Slope, presumably the same bird from a couple of days previous. 

And to cap it all off a Cormorant flew over as I was walking back home. 

-Pied Flycatcher

-Tree Pipit

-Willow Warbler

07th August

Visit from 06.45. Total 43 species observed

Although a comedown from yesterday it was another brilliant mornings birding by Soil Hill standards. Willow Warblers were reduced to 11 today (2 Taylor Lane, 2 Summit, 5 North Slope, 2 Ned Hill Track) with most of the other migrants gone. A Tree Pipit flew south and then U-turned back north, calling loudly, and my first Wheatear of August also arrived today. In addition I saw two Sedge Warblers, which seem to have now set up in the brambles at the top of the North Slope. Three House Martins that flew south were also my first here for a while.

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Marsh Harrier, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Western House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, European Pied Flycatcher, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer, European Rabbit, Eastern Grey Squirrel,