Looks like Dave has found a new site to visit with his Arboleas Birding Group and, as he reports, it promises well for the future. Is it me or do I sense that there are more Siskins about this winter than in recent years?
Embalse de Negratin, Baza - Wednesday 31st January
Checking
the weather forecast for Baza last week for today's trip, it didn't
look good at all, but as the week past, the forecast improved. Today
there was a chance of a shower, but as it turned out, we had no
precipitation, no wind and even some sunshine. I was also sceptical
about how much we'd see. Well, you decide!
I
picked up Richard and we were followed from Arboleas by Paul and
Neville. As we came off the A92N autovia west of Baza we headed towards
Zujar in fog....not looking good! It soon cleared. On the outskirts of
the small town we turned left at the second roundabout and immediately
in front and above us was unbelievably a stunning male Hen Harrier! What
a start! Had we peaked too soon? We carried on to the Los Chaparros
cafe next to the Cepsa garage about a couple of kilometres shy of the
Embalse de Negratin dam. Here we met up with David, Myrtle, Trevor, Ann,
Phil, Jen and Adrian, so quite a turnout. After a refreshing cuppa we
made our way to the car park this side of the dam. Didn't see much from
there. Paul spotted some overflying Goldfinch. Moving to the top of the
dam, a scan found one Great Crested Grebe and some Cormorants. Phil also
found a pair of Yellow-legged Gulls. Looking over into the valley
produced a Blackbird. We then went in convoy down to the carpark at the
base of the dam, seeing some Rock Dove on the way. As I parked I saw 3
Hoopoe flying off. We walked back towards the cliff face. A male Blue
Rock Thrush showed well. Also seen were Black Redstart, Sardinian
Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Paul spotted a Grey Wagtail in the
brook.
 |
| Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo with Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Returning to the cars we drove, parked and birdwatched at
various stop-offs e acar Olivar. At the first I saw some
Siskin. The others all had Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and
Greenfinch. Richard spotted a Long-tailed Tit. Also added were Linnet
and Great Tit. At one stop Richard had disappeared only to re-appear
having seen a Dipper in the wide brook. Paul thought he'd seen a Short-toed Treecreeper. Luckily it showed itself nearby. Ann saw a Common
Buzzard disappear over the ridge and Phil found a distant Black
Wheatear. The journey back to the cafe produced Collared Dove, Southern
Grey Shrike and House Sparrow.
 |
| Male Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Okay, the birding will be better in a few months time, but I think we did well! Ended
with 29 species. Still can't believe the vision of the Hen Harrier!
Pity I was driving and with vehicles behind me! Always the way!
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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