Arroyo Marin near Archidona

Ever active, John and Jenny were able to visit that lovley little birding spot near Archidona, the Arroyo Marin on Tuesday.  As John states in his covering email, "Another nice day - a bit hot for birding - but quality not quantity today..."



Arroyo Marin 7th May 2013

A hot day (30C) but quite a bit of shade luckily.

As we entered the area and unloaded the cameras and binos, a Melodious Warbler, Barn Swallow and a House Martin were seen.

On our drive down to our usual parking spot at the ruin we were serenaded by Nightingales and Blackcaps.  Also seen down the track were Chaffinches, Blabkbirds, House Sparrows and Great Tits.

Nightingale Ruisenor Comun Luscinia megarhynchos (PHOTO: John Wainwwright)

After parking up we walked the upstream path, here we saw Hawfinches, Golden Orioles, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Wrens, Azure-winged Magpies, Red-legged Partridges and Short-toed Treecreepers.   On the return journey a couple of Robins were seen displaying and the grasses were full of Spotless Starlings.  A few Wood Pigeon were about as were Collared Doves, a Green Woodpecker was heard as was a Raven.  In the small bushes we noted Greenfinches and Goldfinches, Serins and yet more Nightingales.

Back to the car for refreshment and then a walk downstream.  Plenty of water about and a lot of debris from the earlier floods - no shortage of nesting material here!   A Rock Bunting was interrupted bathing and a Wryneck was heard over on the opposite bank (still not managed to see one yet this year), one Hoopoe, a few more House Sparrows, Blackcaps and Robins. 

Golden-ringed Dragaonfly Cordulegaster Boltonii (PHOTO: John Wainwwright)

At the first ford we disturbed a Viperine snake, sunning itself on the concrete.  Nothing extra - to what we had already seen - was seen - as we made our way down to the second concrete ford.  It is still impassible except for walkers and possibly cycles as a huge swathe of the bank has been swept away.  A nice find for the day was a Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

Booted Eagle Aguililla Calzada Hieraetus pennatus (PHOTO: John Wainwwright)

On our way out, a Blue Rock Thrush flew from the ruin and as we got close to the exit, two shadows passed over the car bonnet, it was a pair of Booted Eagles - a nice finish to the afternoon.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.