Good to know that whilst I am back for a fortnight in the UK Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group are still exploring some of the best sites in Andalucia. And look what I am missing; Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Wryneck, Sparrowhawk and Pintail to name but a handful. Which ever way you look at it, 70 species is a cracking total for a day's birding so I must hurry up and get back to Spain,.
Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales:Wednesday 3rd October
After
a week away working in Almeria, it was good to be back home. Today Alec and I were heading for Cabo de Gata. On the way we stopped in Retamar
where some new friends, Sue and David, had come across a Wryneck last
weekend. Sure enough, not one, but two Wryneck were feeding on the
ground. A Spotted Flycatcher was feeding from a nearby branch. Also seen
were House Sparrow , Collared Dove and Blackbird.
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| Wryneck Jynx torquilla (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
then headed for the Pujaire cafe where we met up with now slightly
envious Les, Alan, John and Kevin! On the way the "formers" had seen
Kestrel, Iberian Grey Shrike, Thekla Lark and Jackdaw. After a coffee
we made for the first hide. As usual there were numerous Greater
Flamingo and Slender-billed Gulls. Near the rocky causeway were some
Black-tailed Godwit. Kevin found an Eurasian Curlew and some Black -winged Stilt near to the distant second hide. We also had Little Egret,
Ringed and Kentish Plover, Avocet, Redshank and the now long staying
Oystercatcher which was on the causeway. Near it was a Yellow-legged
Gull and a juvenile Gull-billed Tern. Barn Swallows and later Red-rumped
Swallows were passing through. On the savannah fencing I found a
Northern Wheatear and a Greenfinch. Nearby was a Sardinian Warbler and Stonechat. I then spotted a female Sparrowhawk climbing and then
stooping downwards, but obviously failing to secure breakfast. It gained
height again to be joined by a male.
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| Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber with accompanying Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
moved onto the second hide from which we saw large groups of Avocet
amongst the Greater Flamingos. A Marsh Harrier flew by. Also seen were a
Grey Heron and some Shelduck, found by John. I heard a distant Raven
and sure enough, on our way to the public hide there were a pair near
the road.
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| Raven Corvus corax (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
then convoyed to the Rambla Morales, Les and co seeing a Kestrel on
the way. There were numerous Coot at the estuary end, but no waders.
Overhead Barn Swallows, House and Sand Martins flocked. I then spotted
a Booted Eagle. Later a dark phase individual flew over us causing a
bit of identity confusion till we saw its back patterning!
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| Female Pintail Anas acuta (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Les
found a pair of Whinchat. Someone else (or Les) found a Great White
Egret. On the water we had White-headed Duck, Shoveler, Teal, Common
Pochard and a female Pintail plus a Moorhen and Little Grebe. As we
returned to the vehicles we saw about 4 Yellow Wagtails by the estuary
and a Black-tailed Godwit. Les, Alan and John had a Black-eared
Wheatear on the journey to our lunchtime cafe. Kevin plumped for a swim
instead!
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| Whinchat Saxicola rubetra (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Predictably
we returned to the Wryneck site on the way home. Unfortunately for Les,
Alan and John there was no sign, but the Spotted Flycatcher performed
well. We added Serin and Goldfinch. Les found Olivacious Warbler, Black
Redstart and Robin. We could hear the Monk Parakeets. A Hoopoe
completed the list.
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| Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
A great days birding in good company. 70 species in total !
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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