Thursday 1 September 2016

Tarifa and La Janda

Wednesday 31 August

Well, I may be confined to quarters to look after Jenny when sh finally gets her discharge papers from the local hospital in Velez Malaga but at least I have lots of friends down in the Tarifa area to report back to me.  But I shall not be best pleased if I start reading about Whinchats, Tawny Pipits and Ruppell's Vultures!

Friends John and Jenny Wainwright have arrived early in order that they can celebrate Jenny's birthday tomorrow (Thursday) so I am expecting something special to have been recorded. Meanwhile, by way of a taster, John has sent me the following report for which I am most grateful.



Tarifa area 31st August 2016

A very hot day with a slight easterly breeze.

On our way down from Salar we saw hundreds of Bee-eaters on the power lines, and further on towards Algeciras we spotted Short-toed, Booted Eagles and Black Kites.

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)
We arrived at Algarobo viewpoint at about 10.30am and the SEO were there as usual.  No sooner had we arrived than a huge flocks of Honey Buzzards, with a few Black Kites were noted.  Following on were small flocks by Griffon Vultures, Common and Alpine Swifts, Crag and House Martins, Red-rumped and Barn Swallows.  Bee-eaters were noted but only a couple were actually seen, in the bushes around the viewing point.  Sardinian Warblers were also seen and a Chaffinch.

We left at about midday to book into our hotel, whereupon the "parking" was a kilometer walk from the hotel, that is if you could find a space!!  Regardless - after a small rest - we went back to the Algorobo viewpoint and continued watching the masses of the AM visit bird list - go by.  We did get a few different species, ie. Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli´s Eagle and Red Kite.

Raptors galore overhead!  (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)  Now you try and identify a few!
The cloud had disappeared now and the sky was a vivid blue with very little action except for more hirundines already logged moving through.  Off to La Janda tomorrow (Thurs1/9) and hope for a few different species here.  Sorry only two photos (Jenny´s) but birds were really high today!!!

Thanks John and I wait with baited breath.  And let I forget, happy birthday for tomorrow Jenny.


LATE NEWS

Looking for new birding excitement next summer?  Mick Richardson has just informed me that he has a couple of spare places on his next Pyrenees adventure so if you are looking for a first Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor and a few other specials then watch this space as I add more information over the next few days. 

Bob


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

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