Charca de Suarez Visit Update

Saturday 14 February

As always, no sooner do you publish your group visit report than you discover what you have missed!  late last night I received a report from John wainwright on hos sightings during yesterday's visit to the Charca de Suarez with the Axarquia Bird Group so I can now update and give the latest information.  In addition, Steve Powell has published photographs he took during the visit on the Group's Facebook site ("Axarquia Birds and Wildlife") and i invite readers with a Facebook account to visit the site and apply to join.  take a look at the great shots of both Water Rail and Bluethroat taken yesterday morning by Steve.

Water Rail Rascon Europeo Rallus aquaticus (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

Bluethroat  Ruisenor Pechiazul Luscinia svecica (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

In addition to yesterday's bird record, John also managed to see Black Redstart when he first arrived along with Spotless Starlings and Black-headed Gulls.  Further, John and jenny picked up a single Black-winged Stilt at the new Laguna del Alamo Blanco and a Hoopoe at the Laguna de las Aneas.  And to really ramp up the great sightings, on returning to the first hide overlooking the Laguna del Taraje John and Jenny were in time to see a Great White Egret complete a short circuit above the water before making a temporary landing in the trees at the back of the laguna.  Also noted were a small number of Painted Lady and Small White butterflies.

Little Bustard Sison Comun Tetrax tetrax (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Then for John and Jenny it was a short stop at Padul as they made their way back to Salar.  John's report is as follows:

Padul

We then drove back to home (Salar) calling in at Padul en route.  As we pulled up to the main hide a male Marsh Harrier was spotted as was a Common Kestrel.  On the lake itself only ten Greater Cormorants were seen, but in the bushes and reeds close to the hide a Sardinian Warbler, a Robin and more Chiffchaffs were seen along with yet more Crag Martins and a Barn Swallow above us.

Grey Wagtail Lavandera Cascadena Motacilla cinerea (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Little Grebe Zampullin Comun Tachybaptus ruficollis (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

At one of the culverts two Moorhens were seen and on a small cultivated area Crested Larks, Meadow Pipits, Chaffinches, House and Spanish Sparrows and a Southern Grey Shrike were noted.  Our last birds were Wood Pigeon, Collared Doves and Jackdaws.


It would seem, therefore, that yesterday's total of 38 species has been somewhat increased so I have added the Charca recordings at the end of the list which, to date , I make a final total of 43 species for the day until somebody tells me otherwise.

Purple Swmphen Calamon Porphyrio porphyrio (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

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