John Cantelo
@johncantelo.bsky.social
Retired teacher & Kent birder (VP of the KOS) but obsessive about birding Cadiz Province. Editor/author @ Crossbill Guides
Exploring Adventus marshes hoping to find Pin-tailed Sandgrouse for friends from Sandwich Bay Obs. Not hopeful much of the area flooded. Whilst they checked out the far end of the track (as I had earlier), I remained near the start scanning for P-t Sandgrouse 🪶1/2
February 15, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Exploring Adventus marshes hoping to find Pin-tailed Sandgrouse for friends from Sandwich Bay Obs. Not hopeful much of the area flooded. Whilst they checked out the far end of the track (as I had earlier), I remained near the start scanning for P-t Sandgrouse 🪶1/2
Viewing the ghost of Laguna de la Janda reasserting itself was both exhilarating & profoundly saddening. A reminder of the damage that wealth, political power & detachment from the rule of law can do to the environment @amigosdelajanda.bsky.social🪶
February 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Viewing the ghost of Laguna de la Janda reasserting itself was both exhilarating & profoundly saddening. A reminder of the damage that wealth, political power & detachment from the rule of law can do to the environment @amigosdelajanda.bsky.social🪶
I finally managed to explore the huge quarries above Osuna today. The source of stone for the town since Roman times. Vast interior cathedral like space was impressive, but the rather kitch recent monumental carvings (some based on Roman originals?) less so
February 13, 2026 at 10:57 PM
I finally managed to explore the huge quarries above Osuna today. The source of stone for the town since Roman times. Vast interior cathedral like space was impressive, but the rather kitch recent monumental carvings (some based on Roman originals?) less so
Extraordinarily high water levels at Laguna de Medina (Cadiz) today with the boardwalk almost flooded & reedbed drowned. Few birds visible in choppy water & windy conditions. 🤞🏼that high water levels don't again result in colonisation by carp (= outcompete birds)🪶
February 13, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Extraordinarily high water levels at Laguna de Medina (Cadiz) today with the boardwalk almost flooded & reedbed drowned. Few birds visible in choppy water & windy conditions. 🤞🏼that high water levels don't again result in colonisation by carp (= outcompete birds)🪶
Osuna is a stunning, yet somewhat overlooked, architectural gem. Its UNESCO designation isn't a surprise but it is that this only came in 2023. Good local birding too - both bustards & B-b Sandgrouse seen today🪶
February 12, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Osuna is a stunning, yet somewhat overlooked, architectural gem. Its UNESCO designation isn't a surprise but it is that this only came in 2023. Good local birding too - both bustards & B-b Sandgrouse seen today🪶
Driving around the "Osuna triangle" unsuccessfully looking for Great & Little Bustard in drizzle. Poor visibility but 2 Stonecurlew seen. The ford here is usually a trickle and would still be negotiable in a car were it not for several feet of glutinous mud flanking the concrete water course!
February 11, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Driving around the "Osuna triangle" unsuccessfully looking for Great & Little Bustard in drizzle. Poor visibility but 2 Stonecurlew seen. The ford here is usually a trickle and would still be negotiable in a car were it not for several feet of glutinous mud flanking the concrete water course!
As feared the drain at the bottom of the stairs to the roof terrace was blocked & in last week's storm water flowed into the house from under the door - nothing serious, just mop & bucket stuff. However, I'm not complaining as a house here collapsed early AM - sodden & rotten timbers blamed. 1/2
February 9, 2026 at 12:29 PM
As feared the drain at the bottom of the stairs to the roof terrace was blocked & in last week's storm water flowed into the house from under the door - nothing serious, just mop & bucket stuff. However, I'm not complaining as a house here collapsed early AM - sodden & rotten timbers blamed. 1/2
The water mill at Alcala de Guidiana is really living up to its name!
February 8, 2026 at 2:50 PM
The water mill at Alcala de Guidiana is really living up to its name!
My stopover at Hotel Oromana (Alcala de Guidiara) paid dividends in the form of 5 Azure-winged (Iberian) Magpies. The Rio Guidiara here is normally a placid affair but is now a raging torrent, 3x the usual width & overwhelming the old mill buildings.🪶
February 8, 2026 at 2:47 PM
My stopover at Hotel Oromana (Alcala de Guidiara) paid dividends in the form of 5 Azure-winged (Iberian) Magpies. The Rio Guidiara here is normally a placid affair but is now a raging torrent, 3x the usual width & overwhelming the old mill buildings.🪶
A last gasp effort finally produced good views of Trumpeter Finch, previously only heard (not by me!). No photos of the birds but here are some of the atypically verdant Fuerteventura landscape. Our guide has never seen it so green. Trip highlight - last afternoon's displaying Houbaras 🪶
February 7, 2026 at 8:27 PM
A last gasp effort finally produced good views of Trumpeter Finch, previously only heard (not by me!). No photos of the birds but here are some of the atypically verdant Fuerteventura landscape. Our guide has never seen it so green. Trip highlight - last afternoon's displaying Houbaras 🪶
I've left the Canaries & now staying over near Seville in the rather grand Hotel Oromana preferring not to risk the drive south into heavy rain, floods, road slips, etc (see photos) until tomorrow. It helps that there are A-z Magpies in the park that surrounds the hotel 1/2
February 7, 2026 at 7:10 PM
I've left the Canaries & now staying over near Seville in the rather grand Hotel Oromana preferring not to risk the drive south into heavy rain, floods, road slips, etc (see photos) until tomorrow. It helps that there are A-z Magpies in the park that surrounds the hotel 1/2
No bird lifers today but the Atlantic Lizard (Canaries endemic) was new to me. Final highlight 2 displaying Houbaras!
February 6, 2026 at 7:25 PM
No bird lifers today but the Atlantic Lizard (Canaries endemic) was new to me. Final highlight 2 displaying Houbaras!
My last Canarian endemic species of bird, Fuerteventura Chat, was today's highlight. But also had several endemic subspecies (Egyptian Vulture, Kestrel, etc).
February 5, 2026 at 7:12 PM
My last Canarian endemic species of bird, Fuerteventura Chat, was today's highlight. But also had several endemic subspecies (Egyptian Vulture, Kestrel, etc).
Another BoC shot of the very obliging Houbara Bustard on Fuerteventura this afternoon - amazing stuff! 🪶
February 4, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Another BoC shot of the very obliging Houbara Bustard on Fuerteventura this afternoon - amazing stuff! 🪶
Here's one of three Cream-coloured Coursers we saw earlieron Fuerteventura this afternoon 🪶
February 4, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Here's one of three Cream-coloured Coursers we saw earlieron Fuerteventura this afternoon 🪶
Views of Houbara Bustard on Fuerteventura this evening. BoC shots.
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Views of Houbara Bustard on Fuerteventura this evening. BoC shots.
Fuerteventura this evening - why did the Houbara Bustard cross the road? To let me get a photo with my mobile phone obviously!
February 4, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Fuerteventura this evening - why did the Houbara Bustard cross the road? To let me get a photo with my mobile phone obviously!
Tenerife Day 2 - disaster! My Kowa TSN 55A decided to disassemble itself ... 🤬 Tenerife Chaffinch & Blue Chaffinch both ✅ Great volcanic scenery but not a good day 🪶
February 2, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Tenerife Day 2 - disaster! My Kowa TSN 55A decided to disassemble itself ... 🤬 Tenerife Chaffinch & Blue Chaffinch both ✅ Great volcanic scenery but not a good day 🪶
Sunset with Dragon Trees (Tenerife), the end of a good day birding 😀
February 1, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Sunset with Dragon Trees (Tenerife), the end of a good day birding 😀
Tenerife - Record shot of Laurel Pigeon (✅), later I had a flight view of Bolle's Pigeon (✅), many Canaries, Tenerife BlueTit, more Canarian Chiffchaff (still split 😁) and later Tenerife race of European Robin (ought to be split) - mellow Woodlarkish song, smaller red bib & whiter below🪶
February 1, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Tenerife - Record shot of Laurel Pigeon (✅), later I had a flight view of Bolle's Pigeon (✅), many Canaries, Tenerife BlueTit, more Canarian Chiffchaff (still split 😁) and later Tenerife race of European Robin (ought to be split) - mellow Woodlarkish song, smaller red bib & whiter below🪶
The two most striking things about Santa Cruz have been the absence of historic buildings (this church c1500 being an exception) & birds. 1st large "European" town I've visited with no sparrows & 1st coastal one without gulls constantly overhead. Few pigeons & the odd Collared Dove. Few parks too.
February 1, 2026 at 10:11 AM
The two most striking things about Santa Cruz have been the absence of historic buildings (this church c1500 being an exception) & birds. 1st large "European" town I've visited with no sparrows & 1st coastal one without gulls constantly overhead. Few pigeons & the odd Collared Dove. Few parks too.
Heading for my mid-winter jaunt in Cadiz province via the Canaries (Tenerife). Staying over in Santa Cruz. A big town but with an excellent botanic garden with many singing Canarian Chiffchaff. They survived the Avibase toll so a full ✅. Few birds but many Monarchs🪶
January 31, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Heading for my mid-winter jaunt in Cadiz province via the Canaries (Tenerife). Staying over in Santa Cruz. A big town but with an excellent botanic garden with many singing Canarian Chiffchaff. They survived the Avibase toll so a full ✅. Few birds but many Monarchs🪶
Another dusk session at Grove Ferry (Kent) produced 16+ Marsh & 2 Hen Harriers (ad. male & female). Lower numbers than recently perhaps due to extensive management work creating more open water (esp. below the ramp & beyond the Feast Hide). Well done @naturalengland.bsky.social team 🪶
January 24, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Another dusk session at Grove Ferry (Kent) produced 16+ Marsh & 2 Hen Harriers (ad. male & female). Lower numbers than recently perhaps due to extensive management work creating more open water (esp. below the ramp & beyond the Feast Hide). Well done @naturalengland.bsky.social team 🪶
News that my old schoolfriend & birding pal, Phil G. (now resident in Oz), has finally caught up with his nemesis bird, Little Auk, prompts me to post my photo of the last one I saw a few years ago - happily sitting on the roof of Brancaster Golf Club (Norfolk)! 🪶
January 22, 2026 at 10:44 AM
News that my old schoolfriend & birding pal, Phil G. (now resident in Oz), has finally caught up with his nemesis bird, Little Auk, prompts me to post my photo of the last one I saw a few years ago - happily sitting on the roof of Brancaster Golf Club (Norfolk)! 🪶
A new Kent site for me today, the bushes behind the sewage works in Faversham - birding takes you to such salubrious locations. My reward was enjoying good views of the Pallas's Warbler found there a few days ago. Later found a putative Siberian Chiffchaff elsewhere (albeit another sewage works!) 🪶
January 20, 2026 at 4:51 PM
A new Kent site for me today, the bushes behind the sewage works in Faversham - birding takes you to such salubrious locations. My reward was enjoying good views of the Pallas's Warbler found there a few days ago. Later found a putative Siberian Chiffchaff elsewhere (albeit another sewage works!) 🪶