Madeiran Firecrest

First to wake, so went outside to have a look around the chalet gardens. First bird I found, and the first bird I positively identified was one of four potential ticks! Madeiran Firecrest. Managed to get a terrible photograph, but the only one of an adult I ever got. All the half decent ones were of juveniles. Got a feeling the same family party may have been lingering around the chalet all week as I kept seeing the same juveniles.

Went on a decent walk along the levada to Camancha and relaxed around the chalet and took a few more photos.

Madeira. No birds!

Arrived early evening in Madeira for a family holiday. Didn’t see a single identifiable bird in the two hours of daylight! Okay, I spent most of the time in the airport and by the time we arrived at our wonderful Mountain chalet at Casas Velleperaizo near Camacha, it was nearly dark. But no FPs at the airport and the few Swifts I saw whilst driving were unidentifiable (though with hindsight they were obviously Plain Swifts).

Swifts

Swift numbers down over last couple of days. I thought as had gone as they couldn’t be heard in the evening, but then there is at least one bird still there. Do they all leave together?

Tonight whilst sitting in the garden, one bird swooped out of the roof and passed me by below head-height. It then joined the other twenty or so and did a screaming pass over the garden. I think they were saying goodbye! Won’t see them now until next summer. Definitely my favourite bird.

Hobby

A single Hobby over the garden just before dusk. Looked half interested in the Swifts but then carried on towards Fowlmere.

Newmarket Races

Got some photos of this ridiculously obliging Kestrel…

As well as some half-decent action shots from the races…

   

Common Swift on the Ground!

Just before dark, a Swift (presumably a young bird, but couldn’t be sure) flew out from the roof (I think), and landed on the grass in the church. Either way, there was a Swift on the ground. Never seen such a thing before. It took off without too much effort (contrary to what some believe is capable of a Common Swift).
The first Painted Lady in the garden this year was found earlier in the day on the Buddleia.

Monty’s Garden Tick

Not mine unfortunately. Was visiting my parents at Syderstone for the last time before they move. Just as we were getting in the car to leave, a bit before eight in the evening, I called a distant Marsh Harrier. I quickly realized my mistake when I noticed the white rump and the narrow wing structure. A Montagu’s Harrier, probably adult female. Took a couple of crap record shots…

 

Earlier in the day we’d walked around Holkham where I failed to find any Creeping Lady’s Tresses.

Leps

Spent the day in the garden doing nothing. Was told by Michelle that it is the first day of Butterfly Conservation’s “Big Butterfly Count”. I happened to note: Large White, Peacock, Small Tortoisehell, and this Old Lady that flew into the conservatory…

Fowlmere and at home

Due to a bad back, I hadn’t been out for ages, so was pleased to go on a very short walk around Fowlmere with Michelle. Saw a couple of Turtle Doves we had nice views of a Field Vole for several minutes.

In the garden, there are well over fifty Swifts screaming around the garden in the evening, and indeed for most of the day. Many are juvenile. Fairly sure that “ours” have fledged, though Swifts do appear to come back in to the roof at various times during the day, though not enough to be actively feeding young; I haven’t actually seen birds coming back in, just heard them when in the house, so don’t know whether they are juveniles or adults. They make quite a racket during the night with constant contact calls and the occasional scream.

The Great Tits fledged and are feeding young around the garden.

Garden Birds

No birding of late, but a lot of time in the garden. Swifts have young in the nest (I think). A family of Greenfinches (from somewhere) visit the feeders occasionally. The Great Tits are busy with a second brood. The adult feeds itself on fat from the feeders before collecting caterpillars from the apple tree.