Another interesting day's birding by David and his Arboleas Birding Group, this time up into the hills of the Sierra de Maria. There certainly seem to lots of Spotted Flycatchers showing at the moment, no doubt migrating individuals joining the local populations. Add on also the migrating Pied Flycatchers and there are very many to be found at the moment but, no doubt, all will be gone within the next fortnight or so.
Sierra de Maria - Wednesday 20th September
Today
the group head for one of our favourite places, the Sierra de Maria. I
picked up Richard and Steve and made our way via Velez Rubio and Velez
Blanco. As we passed the garage between the two we were " in the zone!"
I spotted our first bird, a Kestrel flying off a pylon. Richard closely
followed with a Southern Grey Shrike, but nothing else noteworthy on
our journey to Maria town. Barrie and Beryl were already at the cafe.
We were soon joined by John, Mary and Adrian. After the usual coffee
and chat we headed towards the chapel. As we were approaching the car
park, a bird flew out of a tree to the left and quickly returned from
whence it came. Although in the shade now, the Spotted Flycatcher posed
beautifully. Once we'd parked up we managed to see it again. A male
Stonechat showed well. We were joined by Jacky at this point. There was a
lot of bird activity on the far side of the field by the water deposit.
We saw Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and Crossbill coming down to drink. Barrie
found a Rock Bunting. We made our way towards the water trough. The
Spotted Flycatcher was caught having a bath. We were surprised to hear a
Great Spotted Woodpecker firstly drumming and then calling. Sure
enough, it flew over. The water trough was a hive of activity. We added
Cirl Bunting, Blackbird, Robin and some overflying Bee-eaters. Richard
meanwhile had made his way towards the Botanical Gardens seeing a
juvenile Goldfinch on the way. Barrie and I spotted a Sardinian
Warbler.
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| Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
At the
gardens, Richard had already seen Blue, Coal and Crested Tit. Mary
heard and spotted a Firecrest. Leaving Richard and Adrian there (and
Mary doing the lower walk in the opposite direction) we wandered along the
forest path. I heard a distant Raven. We also heard and then saw a
Jay. An incredible flock of 30+ Mistle Thrush flew over. We met up with
Mary, who'd also seen Long-tailed Tit. Richard and Adrian had added
Serin to the list. Barrie and I found a young Subalpine Warbler. A
Crag Martin was also spotted.
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| Sonechat Saxicola torquatus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
convoyed along to the farm buildings. John identified Barn and Red -rumped Swallows. Barrie was first to spot the 3 Griffon Vultures coming
out of the sun.
Moving
to the farmyard water trough, our first birds were a pair of Carrion
Crow. Steve spotted some LBJs flying to our right. I picked them up, but
saw beyond them at a distance were 3 Alpine Swifts circling high up.
Luckily the others followed the direction of my binoculars to find them
as well. Steve spotted another Spotted Flycatcher. I found a Crested
Lark atop a form building and someone (John?) found a female Northern
Wheatear. We saw some more of the later on the way down to the hamlet.
Here there were more Crested Lark, Short-toed Lark and about half a
dozen Yellow Wagtails. Barrie heard a Corn Bunting. John may have
glimpsed a Booted Eagle before it dropped at a distance behind the farm
buildings never to be seen again.
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| Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
then retraced our steps to the La Piza forest cafe to enjoy our lunch
watching Crossbill, Great and Coal Tit, Jay and Chaffinch coming
down to drink. Long-tailed Tits were having a bath in some shallow water
behind us. A Mistle Thrush appeared and Richard spotted some
overflying Griffon Vultures. Jacky had seen about 9 of them doing the
high walk. Barrie found a Blackcap to complete our days list. A
respectable 41 species. Good weather, birding and company. What more
could you ask for! 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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