Monday 17 October
Back to the apartments we were once again able to visit the natural lake below the 17th green of th golf course. Water levels were only slightly down but lots of cover for the wintering and resident birds, including the free-breeding wild
Muscovey Ducks which seemed to have had a great breeding season.
 |
| Muscovey Duck Cairina moschata |
On arrival a couple of
Purple Swamphens were walking the edge of the green before returning to the water where there were very many
Mallards along with a plentiful supply of
Teal and
Gadwall and
Shoveler. Also lots of
Coots and
Moorhens plus
Little Egrets and
Herons. Both
Snipe and
Redshank were recorded but the majority of waders were
Black-tailed Godwits.
 |
| Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio |
With the light dimming and the sky starting to take on a red glow, we looked behind us in time to see a lone hawking
Black-shouldered Kite which proved very popular to all present. then it was on the artificial lake at the back which is used as a water supply where we found many duck, mainly
Shoveler,
Mallard and
Gadwall but also both
Common and
Red-crested Pochard. However, the prize sighting was the quartet of resting
Wigeon rather than the main flock of
Muscovey Ducks.
 |
| Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus looking for its last meal of the day |
A
White Wagtail and
Hoopoe visited the neighbouring green and
Wood Pigeon,
Collared Dove and Magpie were seen overhead. As was the visiting
Marsh Harrier which was soon shown the door on three occasions by the flock of
Black-tailed Godwits that spilled out of the lake into the air to haste its departure.
 |
| Grey Heron Ardea cinerea as night approaches |
 |
| Mixed ducks at sunset including Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina and Gadwall Anas strepera plus the Muscovey Ducks Cairina moschata |
 |
| A closer look reveals the Wigeon Anas penelope (top centre) |
Birds seen:
Muscovey Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Little Egret, Heron, Black-shouldered Kite, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, White Wagtail, Magpie
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.
No comments:
Post a Comment