Birding and other distractions

The Palheiro Botanical Garden was an enjoyable place to visit today. It is less formerly planted than the Jardim Botanico visited a couple of days ago in Madeira, and consequently we preferred it. Some parts seemed akin to a nature reserve, with some stunning views down to the coastline and Funchal. T he garden is also a site for the endemic Trocaz Pigeon which I had yet to see.  We spent about three hours there, seeing Madeiran Chaffinch, Madeiran Firecrest, Kestrels, and hearing plenty of Blackcaps, still in fine voice even in late June. However, it took nearly two hours to find a Trocaz Pigeon, an adult eventually appearing on a wall quite close to me. It was bigger than I expected, about the same size as a Wood Pigeon. The bird (or another) was later seen nearby in flight. Perez's Frogs were present in many of the ornamental ponds, and Madeiran Wall Lizard were easy to find in many areas. Butterflies included Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood, and a solitary Monarch. Trocaz Pigeon...

A Western Reef Heron was found near Caernarfon last Saturday (6th), a first for Britain no less. Somewhat belatedly we travelled there yesterday, arriving in the area at 9 pm. I'd booked a hotel in Tremadog for the overnight stay. At breakfast this morning news came in that the heron had been seen near Caernarfon castle, a 20 minute drive away. On our arrival the bird was feeding on the far bank of the river and gave excellent views. It was in immaculate plumage, a very smart bird that we watched from the car park with other birders. At times it was seen together with a Little Egret allowing comparative views. After that we drove south to Ganllwyd, a National Trust reserve of wooded hillside alongside the river Gamlan. It was getting late in the season though I was hoping to see a Wood Warbler, and fortunately found a singing male near the car park. Nearby a pair of Redstart showed quite well. By now it was 1 pm so we decided to head back. The drive back via Snowdonia was very scen...

A fairly breezy though dry and bright day. I walked my usual anti-clockwise route near Binney Farm. Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers were singing from the reed beds, and a female Cuckoo was seen well. At Binney reservoir I was pleased to find a pair of Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage. Hopefully they will breed there. Also present were four Pochard, one of the females having seven ducklings. On the marshes were four singing Corn Buntings, two pairs of Stonechat, and a good number of Meadow Pipits.  In amongst the cattle were three Cattle Egret, presumably local breeding birds. It's a sign of the times perhaps that they outnumbered Little Egret, of which only one was seen. There were two each of Buzzard and Marsh Harrier. Cuckoo female  Black-necked Grebes and Pochard with young  Reed Bunting  Avocet and chicks Cattle Egret  Corn Bunting