Las Norias & Roquetas de Mar: Thursday 17th May
When
I checked the weather forecast for the Almeria area today, it stated
sunny with clouds! It may have been at 20.000ft, but on the ground we
were constantly harassed by showers, sometimes heavy! Here is my soggy
report:-
I picked
up Paul & Reyna from Arboleas and drove down to the Repsol Services
at junction 420, just beyond the Roquetas de Mar turn-off. It had
started to shower as we approached Almeria. We met up with John, Les
& Barrie. After a cup of coffee we made our separate ways to the Las
Norias lake. From the first causeway we saw a good selection of
hirundines, but in small numbers. Common Swift, Barn Swallow, Red Rumped
Swallow & House Martin. On the choppy water, as there was a bit of
wind with the precipitation, we managed to see Great Crested Grebe and
Red Crested Pochard, some with ducklings. A Turtle Dove perched briefly
on the power line. A Gull Billed Tern flew over. We didn't linger as we
were getting slightly drenched.
At
the next stop, after clambering over the dumped rubbish, we found some
Gadwall, Coot & Moorhen plus Blackbird, White Wagtail &
Greenfinch.
On the
smaller pool at the opposite end to the plastic recycling plant, Les
spotted an adult Night Heron & a Kestrel. Moving along the road to
the little bridge, John saw a Ringed Plover, Avocet, Black Winged Stilt
& a Grey Heron.
It
was decided a coffee in a dry cafe should be next on the agenda, so we
stopped in San Augustin village on our way to the Roquetas salinas lake
area. Suitably refreshed, but still damp, we convoyed along the
tarmacked track towards the lighthouse. The causeway was littered with
resting Black Winged Stilts. Greater Flamingos were feeding oblivious to
the heavy downpour. A Whiskered Tern was seen. We heard a Great Reed
Warbler as we used our vehicles as hides. Mosquitoes invaded through the
open windows...oh joy! Paul spotted a Glossy Ibis and I found some
Little Grebe. A Purple Swamphen showed briefly. Also seen were Redshank, Gull Billed & Little Tern.
Moving
to the next causeway, we were treated to only a slight shower, but mud
underfoot, but there were Kentish Plover & Black Winged Stilt on it.
A Yellow Wagtail appeared. A Common Pochard flew over & I found
some White Headed Duck. A Little Egret was seen. As we headed back to
the vehicles we saw Zitting Cisticola and a pair of Sardinian Warblers.
We
drove to the small pool near the hotels. A male Common Pochard was
guarding the feeding area with some Mallard. We then drove up the main
track. Collared Pratincoles were lining the edges of the track,
reluctant to take to the wing. Posed well. but didn't look happy at all.
There must've been at least 25 of them. Despite the rain we had had a reasonable day with over 40 species.
Regards, Dave
Mummy Red Crested Pochard & duckling
Male Common Pochard
One unhappy Collared Pratincole
And another one!
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