No sooner had John and Jenny come down the mountain that Barbara and Derek Etherton along with Micky Smith were driving to the top of the Sierra Loja the following day, Friday 23rd, and finding a whole assortment of birds including at least 35 Ring Ouzels. However, following the sight of at least 20 high-feeding Alpine Swifts a couple of days before whilst walking the Camino del Rey, they were chuffed, and they did also see Choughs, to see at least 100+ feeding low at the top of the mountain.
A whole variety of birds seen as per the list at the end but especially rewarding, as well as the above, were the Northern and Black Wheatears, Alpine Accentors, Blue Rock Thrush, Southern Grey Shrike, female Hen Harrier and Red Kite.
So, in the end a very impressive lit pf 37 species but, as Derek says, despite the wonderful views of the Alpine Accentor it was the Alpine Swifts that made their day.
Birds seen:
Red-legged Partridge, Red Kite, Griffon Vulture, Hen Harrier, Collared Dove, Alpine Swift, Thekla Lark, Wood Lark, Sky Lark, Crag Martin, Alpine Accentor, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Northern Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Southern Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Chough, Jackdaw, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Rock Bunting.
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.
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