Whilst some of us were hanging around the local hospital awaiting our respective appointments, Barbara and Derek Etherton along with Micky Smith were able to do something far more practical as they set out at first light to try and find the elusive Purple Sandpiper that frequently resides near the lighthouse just west of Fuengirola. Derek's report follows:
Yesterday
we had planned a trip to Sierrania de Ronda for the higher altitude
birds, but like so many plans this one had to change beforehand. It
turned out Barbara's results were back at the Medicare Clinic in La Cala
so we decided to hunt for the Purple Sandpiper at El Faro en route.
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| What a beautiful sight awaiting all at the lighthouse (PHOTO: Derek Etherton) |
Picking
up Smithy at Benalmadena we were parked up and walking the sea front as
the sun rose casting it's golden rays on the water, already Turnstones
were busy and joined by a few Sanderling. On the scrub by the side of
the walkway Black Redstart, Meadow Pipit and Serin were busy feeding.
Wishing I had put gloves on, getting soft in my old age, we continued
walking and searching the shore and rocks for the elusive bird. A pair
of Kentish Plovers ran around in the sand and both Grey and White
Wagtails searched for breakfast amongst the stones. Plenty of Black
headed gulls were around but sat up on one of the lamp standards was an
enormous, well in context to the Black-headed Gulls. It was of course a Lesser
Black Backed but with it's very yellow legs and extremely black back
feathers we came to the conclusion it may well have been the 'Baltic'
sub species.
Further along,
and no warmer, Gt Cormorant were busy and a solo Gannet, full adult,
was quite close to the shore. A Little Egret flew in to land on the
rocks to immediately investigate the pools for it's breakfast. A little
further along the more distant rock held the outline of a Whimbrel and
to the side the tell tale iridescent blue of a Kingfisher. No sooner
had the group viewed the Kingfisher when it decided to fly closer to us
and perch on rocks just below us. A charming, beautiful sight and the
early morning sun backlit the orange of the females lower bill. It
stayed for what seemed ages, not bothering to fish but happy just to
pose for us, and it went through my mind that all those cars, lorries
and buses thundering along on the road immediately behind us containing
so many people are probably oblivious to what's on their doorstep!
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| A very accommodating Kingfisher Martin Pescador Alcedo atthis enjoying the early morning sunshine on the rocks at Fuengirola (PHOTO: Derek Etherton) |
The
Whimbrel flew closer for us to have a good look and as we did a solo
Razorbill flew across the bay on a mission! But still no target bird,
so having reached one end of the stretch we hoped for better luck on the
return journey, but as we went to turn our eyes were attracted to a
Turnstone on the lower pathway fighting with what we presumed was it's
breakfast. We watched until it had finished then walked in to see a
'Turnstone Anvil', well knowing of 'Thrush Anvil's' we presumed this
served the same purpose because around this flat rock were several
remains of Sea Urchins from previous meals, cunning little birds they
are.
Walking back we picked up Rock Doves, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Spotless Starling and House Sparrow, but no Purple Sandpiper.
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| Turnstone Vuelvepiedras Comun Arenaria intepres making us of a covenient anvil (PHOTO: Derek Etherton) |
1015hrs
now so back to the car and along to the clinic in La Cala and the good
news of 'all clear' for Barbara, a quick conflab and a drive to Marbella
and up the Ojen road to Refugio Jaunar for some mountain and forest
birds. Bullfinches were the main target but at the start of a year
anything goes as they say, so we set out on the known trail to try to
locate this little charmer. Great Tits seemed to be everywhere and
calling incessantly, a Nuthatch, soon joined by Long Tailed Tits were on
full view very close to us as we negotiated the track. Greenfinches
were heard making their monotonous call and male Blackcap looked
resplendent in the winter sunshine. Serins sung from the tree tops and
several Chaffinches were about, sadly no Brambling among them. We
resorted to 'calling' the Bullfinchs and were rewarded with two males
answering and singing well, however in the dense bramble scrub they were
only heard not seen. Walking on the main forest path we viewed Short-toed Treecreeper [such a long name for a tiny bird], Crossbills, Crested and Blue Tits. Nearer to where the olive plantation starts both
Robin and Wren put in an appearance. We walked to rest on large rocks
in the more open olive grove and soon picked up Song Thrush, Wood
Pigeons,Red-legged Partridge and Sardinian Warbler. Ambling back on the
main walking trail to our parked car a large feeding flock of finches
gave us stunning views of Firecrest and all the woodland tits together.
By
now it was time for visit to the hotel and the Siskins that can be
found here, and pleasingly, today was no exception. Whilst partaking
in a bevy, non alcoholic of course, a Woodpecker was heard busy nearby,
sadly not seen to confirm the species, however the quantity of Siskins
compensated.
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| A pair of the Siskins Lugano Carduelis spinus found at the hotel (PHOTO: Derek Etherton) |
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.
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