Guadalhorce, Malaga Visit

27 December 2018

An additional report from John with many thanks.

Guadlahorce 27th December 2018


A fresh start, but warmed up later.


As we approached the reserve Jackdaws, Monk Parakeets, House Sparrows, Spotless Starlings and White Wagtails were noted. Looking over the reserve from the footpath we saw Cormorants and Grey Herons, while on the footpath several female Black Redstarts were seen. At the first viewing area, Jenny spotted a Bluethroat in the weeds, but this didn´t stay long. Moving along the track Chiffchaffs were in good numbers, then an Osprey and two Booted Eagles were seen in the orange dome area, as was a Common Kestrel. At the bridge the usual Rock Doves were logged as was a Grey Heron, a Common Coot and a Robin.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

At the Casilla hide the main bird was the Common Pochard, with a few Mallard and Little Grebe, while in the same area Blackbirds, Goldfinches, two Kingfishers, Robin, Cetti´s Warbler, Common Kestrel and Song Thrush were noted.

So along to the Viejo hide where just prior to this we spotted a male and female Teal, here we were informed there was a Spotted Redshank, this was just in front of the hide, then two Hoopooes flew over. Also here we logged Redshank, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit, then a Common Sandpiper flew into one of the small muddy areas. A Moorhen appeared from the rear of one of the islands and a Cetti´s Warbler was heard. A Yellow-legged Gull and a female Marsh Harrier was then seen flying at the far end of the laguna. 

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

At the old Rio Viejo a small number of Black-winged Stilts were at the back of the water while in the front of the water a group of Sanderlings were feeding. Another Redshank was seen here while in the bushes and grassy areas we noted Chiffchaffs, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Crested Larks, Hoopoes, Sardinian Warblers, and above us another Common Kestrel was hovering.

At the sea viewing area eight juvenile Gannets were on the sea, while a very distant dark bird turned out to be a Giant Skua which was identified only when it took of as a helicopter came over putting up large numbers of Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls. A Sandwich Tern was seen sat on one of the small fishing buoys, a Ringed Plover flew across the front of the hide, and a Little Egret was seen on the estuary wall to our left.

On the return journey three Booted Eagles - one a dark-phased bird - came overhead and two Common Kestrels were hunting over the waste ground. 

Dark morph Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

A long trek round to the Escondida hide where seven Teal were put out of hiding by a passing female Marsh Harrier. More Little Grebes and a Moorhen here, while a Kingfisher flashed across the laguna into one of the channels. Chiffchaff, Stonechats and a Blackbird were noted here also.
Round then to the Laguna Grande where we picked up Shelduck, Pochard, female Pintails, Teal, Mallard, juvenile Flamingos, hundreds of Cormorants (in amongst these a Booted Eagle was spotted roosting) Shovelers, Greenshank, Redshank, two Black-tailed Godwits, a large group of twenty or so Black-necked Grebes, Black-winged Stilts, three Dunlin and a Ringed Plover, while amongst the Spotless Starlings several Common Starlings were seen and a Common Buzzard was noted in the "nest box" tree. 

Greenshank Tringa nebularia (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

 
John Wainwright