Partial eclipse of Sun over South West France March 20th 2015

Captured these pics a few minutes ago. They need no further explanation.

Now, we are starting our road trip to the Arctic Circle.

Happy travels!

The salt- pans of Tavira, a close encounter with it's nature.

Early morning, as we walk through the Tavira salt pans towards the sea, bird song fills the fresh morning air. High above, another aeroplane full of tourists descends into Faro airport. The moon is still in the sky. It is low tide, and waders feed out on the exposed mud flats. 

This morning, we are in search of Fiddler Crabs.

This is the area to find the Fiddler Crab, the intertidal zone.

Here is our Fiddler Crab. In southern Portugal, we find their only European foothold (claw hold). From here to Angola in Africa, you can find them. It is also the most abundant crab in the Gambia.

They are reminiscent of vehicles used to explore far-off planets or something from a Mad Max film!
   

It may look like a battlefield, but there is much more to it. The claw is waved to attract the attention of a female, and at the same time, it is a weapon of aggressive intent to potential rivals.

The Ilha de Tavira lies across the Ria Formosa. The tide has turned between us, and the Wading birds will soon return to the salt pans.

A little Tern hunts its prey on the rising tide.

Returning from the salt pans, we stopped to admire wildflowers.

Little Owls inhabit a derelict building.

Plants grow in the shade of some of these buildings, and we found this family of Sardinian Warblers fresh from the nest.

The male bird arrives with food for his three fledglings.

For these fledglings, this is their first day outside the comfort of that nest and the adult male is kept busy feeding and protecting them.

European Bee-eaters are now arriving. Fatigued by their migration, they rest on the warm sand on the margins of the salines.

With the changing tide, Knots find some salines with water to preen and roost.

The tide is nearly high now, and waders flock onto the salines.

Most birds are heading for these mud banks that separate the salt pans.

Knots, Dunlin and Turnstones find resting places to await the next low tide.

Many species are out here, and we see a magnificent male Grey Plover.

Any island will do for Dunlin and Sanderling to rest.

A Curlew Sandpiper arrives looking for the company of others.

Undisturbed, these birds will settle and sleep while awaiting the tide to ebb.

The tide will make little difference to these superb Little Terns. They will hunt in the deeper saltpans and the sea.

Poised, hanging in the air.

Such concentration.

  The prey is sighted, and the Little Tern plummets into the water.

Success! With a quick shake of the wings, it was gone.

Predator and prey.

A Black-winged Stilt shadow dances.

The lengthening shadows beckon; where does the time go when you have a great day out!

Happy Days, indeed!

Birdwatching in the Provence of Alicante Spain.

Many essential wetland sites and shallow lagoons exist throughout the coastline, forming Pais Valencia and Murcia (Albufeira). Today, they have declined hugely,
 due to tourist development and agriculture.
The dunes separate them from the sea, offering a protective barrier.
Southeast of Alicante, we find El Hondo. This enormous area of water (Albufeira) that once stretched from Elche to the sea is still one of Spain's most important wetlands. Although smaller than in the past, it is still an impressive (2387 ha)
The Salinas de Santa Pola are nearby, again a vast area. Because of its size, observing the birds at close range is difficult, but in the southern corner is an area known as El Pinet. This is one of our favourite areas to photograph the region's birds and migrators; it is here that we begin our visit.

A Slender-billed Gull leads three Spoonbills against the grey February sky and distant hills.

Spoonbills synchronised flying!

There are many Spoonbills overwintering at El Pinet.

They fly from one salt pan to another all day long, searching for the excellent food available here.

We can see that many birds are ringed, and this particular bird ringed in France.

Avocets join the Spoonbills.

Avocets arriving on the salt pans.

The Spoonbills and Avocets coming in for a watery landing.

A Slender-billed Gull walks on water!

Another of these handsome Gulls arrives.

One week from Valentine's Day, these two Flamingos form a perfect heart!

The Little Egrets show nuptial plumage, delicate plumes formed by the two elongated nape feathers.

The distinctive yellow toes of the Little Egret.

Little Egret,  just dropping in!

This Little Egret is performing a mating dance in the water, turning circles and calling.

An elusive Water Rail leaves the safety of the salt-tolerant plants that enclose the salt pan fringes and disappears within seconds.

The migrating Black-tailed Godwits are now starting to show their breeding colours.

Another group of Black-tailed Godwits arrive, looking for a safe feeding area on the pans.
\

The perfect peace of early morning at El Hondo.

Just look at those eyes; a Black Necked Grebe stares back at the lens.

White-headed Ducks are an essential species at El Hondo. Some years, 90% of the European population can be found here. The drake with a blue bill.

Female White-headed Duck.

On the South side of El Hondo, you find three hides in an area called Villa Vistabella. I love this area; even if the birds are distant, watching the sky and the changing light is a pleasure.

Early in the morning, walking to the hides, the light is superb on the reeds.

Hundreds of Crag Martins feed on flying insects in the sky above the reeds. The beaks open, ready to snatch the insects as they race through their feeding frenzy.

The very verbal Little Grebes look for food around and under the reeds.

A last look out over El Hondo and the mountains beyond.

Further south and back on the coast are the San Pedro Salines, which are the next place to visit.
This is the Mar Menor area of Murcia, known for its delightful weather, but not today! The wind howls across the Salines. I know a little corner where the birds shelter until the winds abate.
Using the hire car as a hide, I settle down to wait.

 I don't have to wait long; the first Ruff flies in to search for food.

A Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) watches before joining the foragers.

A common Redshank (Tringa totanus) seeks the shelter of my little bay.

Another Spotted Redshank

A juvenile Ruff and a Spotted Redshank.

An arriving Ruff shows a difference in plumage and size.

The Ruff is already showing that the mating season is close. Hopefully, we will see them and capture their lek when we travel to Finland.

Even the young birds have the actions of the lek.

This Ruff quietly searches for food.

Then, the moment is shattered by a testosterone-charged male, and a fight ensues. These contests can be very vicious.



Little Stints keep low profiles during the fracas.

Common Sandpipers come and go undeterred by others in their search for food.

A beautiful sky to end a great day's birdwatching.

Another fantastic day in Nature!