Sunday 1 June 2014

Mountain walking with Liz and Marcus Rootes

Saturday 31 May

I was obviously not the only one out and about birding on the last day of the month.  Whereas I probably got up to about 800 metre at Ventas de Zafarraya, Marcus and Liz Routes really climbed the heights as can be seen from the email I have just received from Marcus.

A few notes on our walk in the Mts.on the 31st May.
 
We start at 1,100 metres,  walking through a pinewood where Chaffinches, Wrens and Robins are singing.  Coal and Crested Tits, Mistle Thrushes and a single Wood Pigeon are seen and heard.
 
Now out of the pinewood at 1,500 mts and a Cuckoo is heard.  Superb view of two Griffon Vultures overhead being mobbed by a dozen Red-billed Choughs.  After a 15 minute breather, Rock Buntings and Woodlarks are noted and a superb view of female Sparrowhawk below.  On our way to 1,750 mts, a Kestrel is seen and a single Tawny Pipit.   Now at the top; several pairs of Black-eared Wheatears appear, several Stonechats with young, Linnets and a number of WhitethroatsThekla Larks and Rock Buntings are common up here.
 
On our return to 1,500 mts a pair of Northern Wheatears make an appearance along with a rare sighting of a female Rock Thrush.   Magnificent !
 
Back at 1,500 mts a Booted Eagle is seen and calling it's mate.  The Woodlarks are still singing, a Sardinian Warbler and Red-legged Partridge are noted.
 
We have noted an extreme lack of Turtle Doves in the Competa area this year; or are they very late arriving.   But surely not this late.
 
Have enjoyed the May E-magazine and look forward to Charca de Suarez in a few weeks.   (*)
 
Marcus and Liz
 
 
(*)  If you are a follower of this blog nut do not/have not received an email with the latest bi-monthly e-magazine Malaga Birds then please do send me an email and I will gladly add your address to the mailing list.       Bob Wright



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

No comments:

Post a Comment