Diary

Diary of Bird Life in the La Drova Valley

Here is a brief summary of what goes on in “our valley”.  Together with fellow birder Ian, we regularly watch our patch and from now on will use this blog to post brief records of what happens. Full species list can be seen on the La Drova list page.

March 12th

The 11th we saw and heard several Wryneck, the first for 2012, and on the 12th Dave found a Wryneck at the Font which we had good views of and managed a couple of reasonable photos.

Wryneck

Wryneck

 November 28th

Dave and I decided to take a drive to Daimus to look for Audoins Gull and Sandling. When we arrived the weather took a turn for the worst. The river was a torrent and we noticed a strange turtle splashing around in the surf. It turned out to be a European Pond Turtle which had obviously been swept down the river. We decided to take it back to La Drova and let it recover.

November 29th

Michelle was returned to its natural habitat on our local nature reserve near Gandia, non the worse for its ordeal. the European pond turtle is in decline because of the introduction of the American Red-eared slider turtle.

After the release we had a walk round the reserve, a huge number of Coot and Morehen were in residence and also a very tame female Red-crested Pochard.

Female Red-crested Pochard

Others birds at the reserve were Little Grebe, Robin, Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, Chiff Chaff, Great Tit,  Blackbird and Mallard.

November 13th 

Our garden is one of the best places to spend a day bird watching. With views to the mountains and crags of the the La Drova valley, and a list from our garden of 52 species it is not surprising that good photo opportunities occur. Below is a snap of a Sardinian Warbler from our kitchen window.

November 8th
Must be raptor night!  Just before dusk I was working in my office when a movement in the garden caught my eye.  I grabbed the binoculars, which are always on my desk, and watched as a female Sparrowhawk landed in a tall pine right outside my window.  Then 10 minutes later my father-in-law called to say that there was a bird of prey circling over the valley.  Although the light was beginning to fade slightly, I went out onto the terrace and watched as a pair of Peregrines made their way down the valley then over the back of the high cliffs opposite my house.  A lovely end to a beautiful sunny autumn day.

November 2nd
On my morning walk with the dog all was quiet today, except the Blackcaps are still here in good numbers and there seems to have been a sudden population boom of Robins!  There were a few Long Tailed Tits flitting around plus a Short Toed Treecreeper.

November 1st
Ian…went for a walk around the upper reaches of the valley today.  Had a spectacular view of a Peregrine that suddenly emerged from a gully with a small bird in it´s talons.  He then landed in a tree approx 25 metres away from me.  Fantastic!  I also managed another new tick for the valley – Redwing. Also saw Magpie and Song Thrush.

October 30th

Ian… After a few days without any birding I decided to spend the day walking around La Drova, Barx and Les Foies. In the morning there were 80+ Cormorants in formation heading down the valley, an unusual site and a new tick for La Drova. Other birds include a Song Thrush, Jay, Chaffinch, 4 Black Redstart, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Robin, Spotless Starling, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Blackbird and Wren. Les Fois produced some great views of a Firecrest that would not move however close I approached, but decided to fly off as soon as I tried to take its picture. Numerous Black Redstart were present plus good sized flocks of finches. The campsite was awash with Black Redstart and a good number of Chiff Chaff. A walk in the evening produced 4 Rock Bunting and a few Red Legged Partridge also a large group of House Martin flying south. At least 2 Tawny Owls were heard later in the evening before I gave up for the day.


October 28th 2011
Ian….popped down to the village shop and saw 3 Stonechats and a Great Grey Shrike. Only went out for a loaf!

October 27th 2011
The recent influx of Blackcaps show no sign of moving on.  Robins seem much more active too, and we´re still seeing a few Swallows passing through.  Had a 40 minute walk through the valley this evening and enjoyed good views of Firecrest and Crested Tits in the old pine wood plus 3 Rock Buntings perched on a wire fence.  Also had a great view of a solitary male Black Redstart, the usual resident Goldfinches, Serin and Spotless Starlings.  As light was beginning to fade, a female Sparrowhawk flew almost silently into the woods on the Eastern side of the valley.