Last year I participated for the first time in the SACRE programme. I was curious to see the differences in my observations with this year. Last year I only did the second of two observations, so I will have to wait until June this year when I complete both trips to study the differences.
As I only have to copy the exact same circumstances for the second observation, today I still had the freedom to choose the starting time. I opted for not setting off too early, 9:15 AM was still a decent time. We are still not having the high temperatures as in June, when birds also choose to come out earlier in the morning.
I observed 30 different species and counted 142 individuals. I am not sure if there were more birds than during my previous observation here or if it is just my ears and eyes that have gained experience.
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| A spectacular Woodchat Shrike |
In the first part of the route, between the trees, I mainly observed Nightingales. There were so many that I even caught a glimpse of one of them and even took some photos, but unfortunately not sharp ones. If my main objective had been to take photos, I am sure I would have managed to get some great shots. But as this is a scientific project, I had to move on.
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| A male Common Linnet |
In the forested part, apart from Nightingale, I observed Greenfinch, Goldfinch, European Serin and Sardinian Warbler. |
| Greenfinch |
The first time ever species of the day was the Whinchat, which I spotted between the shrubs in a semi-open field, after I had left the forested part of my route. It is a migratory species arriving from Africa between the end of April and mid May.
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| A male Whinchat |
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| Male Sardinian Warbler |
Walking through the more open part of the track I spotted a few birds of prey, like Black Kite, Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon. I also ran into an always spectacular Woodchat Shrike, which was willing to pose on different perches and offered me several opportunities to take some of the best photos I have ever taken of this species.
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| Black Kite |
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| Peregrine Falcon |
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| Woodchat Shrike |
Compared to my visit in June last year, there was more green in the fields. Slightly more beautiful photos as a result as well!
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| Crested Lark in flight |
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| Common Swift |
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| Barn Swallow with nesting material |
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| View near the end of my observation route |
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| Amidst the fields |
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| European Serin singing on a fence |
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| Melodious Warbler singing its lungs out |
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| Melodious Warbler |
I started to get a bit worried for not having seen any Stonechat yet, but then I noticed a pair of this beautiful species.
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| Male Stonechat |
All in all a very satisfactory visit this morning. Already looking forward to the next one in June.
Henry.
