Las Norias and Rio Andarax - Wednesday 11th January
A recce to the Almanzora by
Val and John confirmed the lack of many birds, so having been to Cabo
de Gata recently, our only reasonable option was to head to Las Norias,
the far side of Roquetas. Gilly and I picked up Carolyn from the Overa
Hotel junction and made our way to Jct 420 where we met up with John,
Alan and Kevin. After a coffee and chat we made our way to the first
causeway, seeing a power line full of Cattle Egret on the way. There
were loads of Crag Martin skimming low over the water. Small numbers of
Chiffchaff were feeding in the shrubs. A Cormorant flew over to meet up
with other perched on posts down the far end of the lake. A Yellow-legged Gull was seen down there as well. On the water there was a small
raft of Shoveler. I spotted some Gadwall. Also seen were Great Crested and Black Necked Grebe, Red Crested Pochard, Coot and Mallard. John
found a Grey Heron and Kevin spotted a Common Sandpiper and Little
Grebe. A Stonechat appeared as we drove off.
Moving
to the second stop we found the parking area on the rough land was full
of old tyres and refuse. The water level on this lake was high. We'd
lost the rocky beach good for waders. As well as more Red Crested
Pochard, I found 3 White Headed Duck. Alan checked out the wasteland and
saw a Meadow Pipit.
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| Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We then drove round to the second causeway. A Robin was by the track. Visibility was still poor due to reed growth. I
spotted a Marsh Harrier flying over. Saw a Magpie and Gilly heard a
Blackbird. Walking along the road towards the Plastic Recycling plant I
found a Grey Heron standing on a dumped block of plastic refuse. I then
spotted a single adult Night Heron roosting in a large shrub. Kevin
found our only Moorhen of the day!
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| Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Normally
from here we'd visit Roquetas, but as the Steppe Grey Shrike was still
at the Rio Andarax estuary the other side of Almeria I decided we'd take
a chance and go there. On the way we stopped for a coffee, adding a
Black Redstart to the list. We then checked out the area where I'd
previously seen the shrike but without success. We did see Crested Lark,
Greenfinch, Serin and Stonechat. Out to sea we found Sandwich Tern,
Lesser Black Backed, Black Headed and Mediterranean Gulls.
Being
fed up with the rubbish at both locations, Gilly, Carolyn and I
picked up about 40 glass bottles and put them in the correct recycling
bin. Every little helps!
36 species for the day. Good weather, company but not so good birding. Regards, Dave
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.
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