February wrap-up

With March a few days away I've put together a quick re-cap of the birding I managed in the latter half of February.

I spent the 19th-21st on Malta's sister island of Gozo on a rope access training course. This entailed sitting on a clifftop looking South over the sea for long periods of time which left ample opportunity for birding. House Martins passed in small groups and the first Barn Swallows of the year were seen. Spectacled Warblers churred from the garrigue below us and a male Blue Rock Thrush sang from a disused hunting emplacement.

The team. Gozo. February, 2016

Visiting Salina in the early morning on Wednesday 24th revealed 2 Little Egrets in the pans. Their provenance is unknown due to a nearby free-flying artificial population however. Alongside the still-large Black-headed Gull roost, the 5 Little Stints were still present as were the 3 Common Sandpipers. James Symonds who had arrived earlier also recorded a Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail and Green Sandpiper (a species I have yet to catch up with on Malta). The mix of olives and conifers in Kennedy Park held c40 Black Redstarts, Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaffs, White Wagtails and the usual resident species.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta. Salina. February, 2016

While watching Tree Sparrows in a reliable spot James found a male Subablpine Warbler low in the scrub behind us. I only managed poor views of it noting it's relatively small size, the blue-grey back and head unlike the bicoloured upperparts of the ever-present Sardinian Warbler, and a flash of white outer rectrices. James's good view of the head and breast confirmed an Eastern Subalpine Warbler, the expected species in Malta, and the first record for 2016. After much searching we could not re-find it and no definite calls were heard. The recent taxonomic changes to the Subalpine Warber complex are fascinating and I plan to write a little more about it in the near future.

Later that day while walking amongst the low trees at Rdum tal Madonna we flushed a Hoopoe, my first in Malta and always a fantastic bird to find.

Roll on March!

 

The first signs of migration

The first stirs of Spring 

This week I moved to Qawra, at the eastern end of the St. Paul's Bay conurbation. The longer commute to work is balanced out by being much closer to Salina salt-pans, a site I wrote about in January. I visited twice this week, both in the morning and the evening.

Large numbers of Black-headed Gulls are still present, roosting on the raised banks of the pans. c650 were present on Tuesday 16th, with a handful of Mediterranean Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls and a single Sandwich Tern.

The flock of Little Stints had risen to five with at least two Common Sandpipers still present. Two Kingfishers flew into the small patch of reeds and called.

Not much seemed to have changed on Thursday 18th when I noticed a flock of 16 House Martins circling overhead and heading North, a welcome early migrant to Malta. Single House Martins have been reported over the last couple of weeks and I had seen five over Simar Nature Reserve early the same day.

Chiffchaff numbers are fluctuating and enough new birds are being ringed at the reserves to show they are moving through the island, as must be the Meadow Pipits and other species.

Salina gull roost. February 2016

It's still early but I'm keen to see what the next few weeks will bring, a Great Spotted Cuckoo would do nicely!

Nature Reserves in Malta

Three sites worth a visit

Malta, with its overwhelmingly dense human population and persistent illegal hunting, has very little room for birds. Birdlife Malta manage three nature reserves in the northern half of the country and although small, they are worth visiting. Species common elsewhere in Europe survive here in tiny numbers and demand that you re-evaluate your appreciation for them.

There are of course other great sites for wildlife in Malta and Gozo that I will cover as my time here goes on.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto has a stronghold at Foresta. February 2016

Ghadira Nature Reserve

Ghadira NR, a designated Ramsar site and a Special Area of Conservation, lies just north of Mellieha in Malta. The site comprises of two pools of brackish water surrounded by low tamarisk scrub and patches of reedbed. Islands provide habitat for roosting wetland migrants and Black-winged Stilt and Little Ringed Plover breed in the summer. Two hides overlook the water.

Over the past month the diversity stayed low with my highlights including Black-necked Grebe, Teal, Shelduck, Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Greater Flamingo.

This is also the best site I have found so far for seeing Chameleon.

Ghadira Nature Reserve with two Greater Flamingo in the foreground. February 2016

Is-Simar Nature Reserve

Is-Simar NR lies at the head of St. Paul's Bay in the town of Xemxija in northern Malta. Although tiny, the year-round pools, reedbeds and dense scrub provide crucial habitat for wetland species. The Coot and Little Grebe breed only here in Malta, and Little Bittern has bred in the past. Large numbers of Spanish Sparrow and Starling roost here and Chiffchaff, Western Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, and Sardinian Warbler are common.

I have seen Water Rail, Common Snipe, Teal, Shelduck, Song Thrush, Firecrest and Greenfinch here among more familiar species.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus colybitta at Is-Simar. February 2016

Foresta 2000

Overlooking Ghadira, Foresta 2000 lies on the southern slopes of a ridge that runs east-west across the northern tip of Malta. One of the only areas of semi-mature trees on Malta, it is a result of a very successful reforestation program. A mosaic of native conifers, scrub and rambling farmland has created many niches and sheltered spots for birds. Collared Dove, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart, Robin, Chiffchaff, Western Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola and Meadow Pipit have been common here this month, and it has been reliable for the less common Goldcrest, Blackbird and Song Thrush. My only Corn Bunting was seen in the agricultural area here.

Reforestation at Foresta 2000. February 2016

February arrives in Malta

A slow week for new species 

I have had a busy week conducting research on Yelkouan Shearwaters in the various cliff face colonies of Malta and Gozo. This has meant I have not had much time for birding but still managed some interesting sightings.

On Sunday, January 31st, I spent some time at the reserves at Ghadira and Foresta in the north of Malta. Ghadira was quiet with a single Common Sandpiper and the still-present Curlew being the only species of interest. However a short walk in Foresta produced my first Corn Bunting as well as three Song Thrush and a Blackbird. All of these songbirds are worth commenting on here in Malta, although common at home in the UK. Thrushes are targeted heavily by hunters and the Corn Bunting is suffering the same destruction of adequate farmland habitat as elsewhere.

On Wednesday 3rd I spent a couple of hours before work at Simar reserve in Xemxija. A male Firecrest feeding in the tops of the olive trees was a welcome surprise, a species I have not seen for a few years. Less tied to coniferous trees than the Goldcrest, both species can be seen here in Malta in winter in small numbers.

On Thursday 4th I was back at Ghadira and saw two newly-arrived Greater Flamingo. Uncommon but expected each year in small numbers, these two birds may have become separated from a larger flock during a storm on Wednesday night. Both second-year birds (hatched last year), their plumage is still mostly white, not the warm pink that adults attain. A Shelduck, at least the second individual presently on the island, was feeding nearby.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus. Ghadira, Malta. February 2016. This individual is paler than the one below with less brown on the coverts and remiges, indicating a more progressed moult.

This week I also saw my first Audouin's Gulls, although both times the views were sub-par with no photos to show for it. I noticed a 2cy bird circling around St. Paul's Bay on Monday from my balcony and an adult passed my perch on the cliffs at Rdum Tal-Madonna on Thursday. This is a species I am keen to study more closely and hope to photograph well in the upcoming months.

Lastly, today, Sunday 7th, I visited Simar briefly and saw a Water Rail. One bird was foraging furtively at the edge of the water, only showing for a few seconds. There have been Water Rails at both reserves all winter but until now have proven to be typically hard to see.

Today also marks my first month in Malta with 49 species seen so far.

Salina salt pans: January 24th 2016

A new site and three new species

A report this morning of a Cattle Egret at Salina salt pans prompted me to hop on a bus and explore the area for the first time. Just 10 minutes from where I am based in St.Paul's Bay, the salt pans are overlooked by multi-story buildings on the outskirts of Qawra.

Salina salt pans looking east.

Some of the pans held water and it didn't take long to find the Cattle Egret. After a few minutes it flew off west, hopefully leaving Malta safely (or possibly just heading off to feed in the nearby fields). I have not yet seen the much more common Little Egret in Malta.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. January 2016.

A Shelduck feeding in one of the deeper pans was a nice addition. A few have been reported over the last two weeks from both of the reserves and passing offshore.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. January 2016

The westernmost pan had three Little Stint and one of three Common Sandpiper picking through the mud between rusty cans and semi-submerged plastic bags. 

Little Stint Calidris minuta. January 2016

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. January 2016

Alongside the usual White Wagtails and Spanish Sparrows other birds of note included a large mixed flock of 470 Black-headed Gulls and 20 Mediterranean Gulls with a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls passing over. A scope would have been useful to scan the distant flock.

The end of the pans looking towards Qawra Point

Rdum Tal-Madonna: January 22nd 2016

Wind-chasers in the distance

A late afternoon visit to Rdum Tal-Madonna revealed a high count of 18 Black Redstarts, alongside Meadow Pipits and Western Stonechats in the Garrigue, and Chiffchaffs and Robins in the scrub.

A Golden Plover flew north calling, possibly an escapee as many of this species are held in captivity on Malta

A seawatch turned up the usual Yellow-legged Gulls and Sandwich Terns but the undoubted highlight were the Yelkouan Shearwaters that began to appear in small flocks after 17:00. Although at least 3km away, their size, distinctive flight and counter-shaded plumage were diagnostic.

Their name 'Yelkouan' derives from the Turkish 'wind-chaser', a suitable name for the species although the lack of wind on this occasion kept them from showing off their acrobatic abilities.

Moonrise over the Mediterranean

Small Larids of St.Paul's Bay

Worth a closer look

Strong winds over the weekend has led to large numbers of gulls sheltering in Maltese harbors. I have not yet had a chance to visit the larger gull roosts but St.Paul's Bay has small numbers early in the mornings. Today I took the opportunity to take some photos (in some very overcast conditions) of three members of the Laridae family roosting together.

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus and Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis. Xemxija, Malta. January 2016

By far the most common gull at this time of year is the Black-headed Gull. A non-breeding visitor to Malta like the other two species in the photo, flocks of over 200 birds can be found in sheltered bays around the island. Referred to as a 'two-year' gull, the Black-headed Gull takes two years to reach adult plumage. A 1st-winter individual can be seen on the rightmost end of the metal beam, whilst the others are winter plumage adults with varying amounts of black (actually a chocolate brown) on their heads. The single Mediterranean Gull in the photo is the left-most bird on the same beam, again a 1st-winter individual, although this slightly larger species has three age classes. The Sandwich Tern, a winter plumage adult, is the back-centre bird. 

Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls. Xemxija, Malta. January 2016.

This angle clearly shows the difference in structure between the two smaller gull species. The Mediterranean Gull on the left is longer legged and slightly larger than the Black-headed Gull next to it, with a less rounded head and a stouter bill. This group had individuals representing all the age classes of both species but an opportunity to photograph them decently did not arise. Notice the variation between the two 1s-winter Mediterranean Gulls due to moult timing.

2015 - A Retrospective

A year of travel and fieldwork

After a busy Christmas season and one week into a new job, I'm taking advantage of this stormy weekend to look back over 2015 and pick out some highlights.

The year turned out to be one of the busiest I can remember, here is a quick run-down:

January - Australia. The last of a four month position collecting data on Red-winged Fairy-wrens for Australia National University in WA.
169 species seen.

Red-winged Fairy-wren Malurus elegans.Western Australia 2015

February/March - Thailand. Ten days birding in Phetchaburi Province with Kaeng Krachan Nature Reserve on the Burmese border being the highlight.
229 species.
I then worked in Henan Province, China for Beijing Forestry University on Black-throated and Silver-throated Tits.
100 species.

Red-billed Blue-magpie Urocissa erythroryncha. Henan, China 2015 (photo by Josefina Pehrson).

April - UK

May/June/July - USA. I worked the seabird breeding season on the Farallone Islands, California, for Point Blue Conservation Science.
222 species.

Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata. Farallones, California 2015 (photo by Julia Gulka).

August - UK

September/October/November - Eilat, Israel. Worked as a Ringer in one of Europe's greatest migration hot-spots.
283 species.

Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii. Eilat, Israel 2015

December - UK

A fantastic year filled with great people and birds, let's hope 2016 can live up to it!

Total species seen: 769
Total countries visited: 6
Total continents visited: 4
Total blue whales seen in a single hour: 24! (Farallones, California)

Week One: Birding highlights

A quick review of my first week of birding in Malta

I am taking advantage of the rain sweeping across St.Paul's Bay to look back briefly over the birds I managed to see during my first week in Malta, with the idea of more detailed site and species based blog posts to come in the near future.

With it being winter and Malta being a small island with an overabundance of active hunters, bird diversity is limited at the moment. The ever present Spanish Sparrow is the most common, their winter communal roosts creating unbelievable din. The less common Tree Sparrow can also be found in more rural areas.

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). Majjistral Nature Park. January 2016.

The Sardinian Warbler is a common resident, even found in urban gardens, while the tiny Zitting Cisticola is easily noticed due to its distinctive display flight and call. The Blue Rock Thrush breeds on the cliffs around the island, it's song surprisingly beautiful.

Winter passerine visitors include large numbers of Starling, Chiffchaff, Black Redstart, European Robin and Meadow Pipit, while the odd Blackbird, White Wagtail and Western Stonechat are here in smaller numbers.

I visited both the two wetland nature reserves in Malta over the weekend. Simar produced Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe and Common Snipe while Ghadira was quieter with more Teal and a Common Sandpiper.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). Simar Nature Reserve. January 2016

Multiple short sea-watches revealed Yellow-legged Gull, Black-headed Gull and Sandwich Tern with a single Northern Gannet and a couple of Mediterranean Gulls.

The most interesting sighting to date was an adult Baltic Gull seen from Rdum Tal-Madonna on Thursday evening. Considered a subspecies of Lesser Black-backed Gull by some and a full species by others, Larus (fuscus) fuscus breeds around the Baltic Sea and migrates to Sub-saharan Africa. Having seen these elegant, long winged gulls in Israel last Autumn, it was fantastic to see this declining taxa in Malta.

The only new species for me this week was the Yelkouan Shearwater, a species I will become more familiar with as my work for Birdlife Malta on the LIFE Arcipelagu Garnija project continues.

And finally, a Chameleon.

Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon). Ghadira Nature Reserve. January 2016

To Malta

A fresh start for 2016

I have been in Malta for a week now, settling in to a new job at Birdlife Malta and getting my bearings. Weighing in at a combined 120 square miles, the three small islands that make up the Republic of Malta lie south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea.

Famous for its long human history stretching back over 7000 years (including two of the worlds greatest sieges), its balmy Mediterranean climate and its unfortunate reputation as being home to more hunters and trappers per square mile than any other country, Malta is a place that punches above its weight.

Malta lies south of Sicily, further even then Tunis.

Over the next seven months I will use this blog to post photos, upload trip reports, and generally muse on the state of birds and their conservation in Malta.