Whilst I managed a little over thirty minutes checking out conditions at Zapata whilst awaiting jenny's return flight from the UK, Dave and his hardy crew were up north, well east I suppose, in the far reaches of Andalucia. I thought it was cold in Malaga with a temperature of 8C at 1 pm but as can be seen in Dave's report some place can reach depths that no sun-lover should ever contemplate! For me, not so much the feeding Crag Martins over what was a gentle ford but now a raging torrent but rather the lovely female Marsh Harrier that drifted over opposite the airport's boundary fence and quickly followed by a magnificent and handsome male. A local breeding pair?
Wednesday 18th January: Rambla de Almanzora & Vera
We're
hardened birders up here in north-east Andalusia! Was 3 degrees in a
fresh wind going to put us off? Never....but a close run thing! We were
meeting at the ford in the Rambla de Almanzora. Reports had suggested
that birding wasn't that great due to pipe-laying works. Gilly and I
motored in from the Desert Springs end. Most of the usual pools had
disappeared. On the ones that were left we managed to see Green and
Common Sandpiper and some Mallard. Also saw Goldfinch, White Wagtail,
Magpie and Moorhen. At the ford we had another Green Sandpiper. We met
up with John, Alan, Les, Rod, Colin, Val, Trevor & Ann. We were all
suitably attired for the freeze! A male Black Redstart flitted between
the cars for shelter. Walking up towards the sewage works we saw both
Northern and Spotless Starling, Grey Heron, Blackbird, Hoopoe, Robin,
Iberian Shrike, Serin and Chiffchaff. Black Headed Gulls flew by and
a male Kestrel was seen to catch prey and fly off.
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| The motley crew of birders - and not one wearing shorts! (PHOTO: Gilly Elliott-Binns) |
An
executive decision was then made to warm up at the Villaricos cafe.
Suitably refreshed we moved to the beach. The sea was quite rough. A few
Cormorant were on the harbour rocks. A Turnstone and a Sanderling
flew by and a Sandwich Tern was diving for fish. Alan then spotted a
single Razorbill in the harbour entrance. Quite difficult to see as it
only spent a second or two on the surface before diving again. We then
walked over to the estuary where Les was the only one to see a
Kingfisher shoot fast and low back behind us. A group of mainly Black
Headed Gulls took flight on our arrival. Les clocked at least one
Mediterranean Gull amongst them. Also seen were Little Egret, Coot,
Dunlin, Kentish Plover and Little Grebe. I spotted a Great Crested
Grebe just offshore. An island of resting seabirds included Audouin's and Mediterranean Gulls and Sandwich Terns. John located a distant
Gannet, confirmed by Alan. Walking back towards the vehicles I found a
Grey Plover, some Sanderling and Kentish Plover on the rocky isthmus.
As we were leaving Les saw a Black Necked Grebe on the sea.
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| Male Common Teal Anas crecca (PHOTO: Gilly Elliott-Binns) |
We
then convoyed to the dual carriageway overlooking the pools opposite
the Consum Supermarket behind Vera Playa. The water had returned. Crag
Martins were flying above the shrubs. We found Black Winged Stilt, Teal
and Shoveler. Alan spotted a Grey Wagtail. A White Headed Duck was also
seen. Gilly and I left before a male Marsh Harrier appeared.
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| Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus (PHOTO: Gilly Elliott-Binns) |
John and Alan checked out the laguna by the Millionaire's Bar and added Lesser Black Backed Gull and Water Pipit.
Considering
the cold weather and the works on the rambla a species total of 51
ain't bad! Thank you to John for being in charge this week. John, Alan and I are sharing the leadership of the group from now on. Photos by
Gilly.
I'm off to El Fondo this Saturday with more of the group. Snow is possibly on the cards! Regards, Dave
Sounds as if some birders are determined to make the most of El Fondo whilst the possibility of a rarity or two still exist.
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.
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