Urban Terns

Docklands, East London… at least 20 Common Terns have now returned to breed on the rafts at East India Dock Basin, a Lea Valley Regional Park reserve in the shadow of the Dome, Canary Wharf and the Docklands Light Railway. This weekend, the females were settling in to their nest scrapes as the males brought fish back from the River Thames and the dock itself. Much courtship and matings were observed on the new rafts as well as several pairs regularly disputing with a Canada Goose sitting on three eggs. Other species around included a pair of Little Ringed Plovers, two pairs of Shelduck, singing Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap, and several Sand Martins.

Pied Pipers

There have been some rumours from a 'group' on one of the social networking sites that the gulls in Aberdeen are big and scary. Having been there at the weekend I'm happy to report the the roof top nesting gulls are of average size and are no scarier than those in St. Ives. More interesting are the Oystercatchers nesting in Old Aberdeen on flat roofs around the university campus builings and halls of residence. Small groups of piping birds were bombing around, a few were gorging on leather jackets in the park, and one nest was found, just visible on a low building. Thanks to Lisa for the gen.

Trandansen

I've been away in Sweden photographing Cranes... a magical experience. More information and a full trip report soon.

Costa de La Luz

I've uploaded a short trip report for the Zahara de los Atunes area in Spain from 2-12 April. I was working down there on an undergraduate field course again. Highlights included Marsh Sandpiper, Purple Swamphen, Roller and Northern Bald Ibis (reintroduced):

http://www.fssbirding.org.uk/costadelaluz2008trip.htm