The Sierras above Nerja

Thursday 7 February

Lovely warm sunny day as we discovered that the grown-ups' adventure playground near Marbella was only open at  week-ends, I took Jenny and brother-in-law Chris up to Maro so that we could explore a  little of the track up into the Sierra Tajeda from near the Maro caves.  Lots of calling/singing birds as we parked the car but the bright sunshine and the birds taking advantage of the high tree cover made recognition very difficult.  But we did quickly manage Collared Dove, Blackbird, Chaffinch and Chiffchaff.  Many tits heard but not seen.

Male Chaffinch Pinzon Vulgar Fringilla coelebs

A stop after about a km produced not only a sighting of both Stonechat and Blackcap by Chris and Jenny but also a the head-only sight of a young male Ibex on the rocks below.  Once at the picnic area, 5km from the bottom, all would have been perfect had not the local forestry gang been busy cutting and trimming.  Nevertheless, we quickly found more Chaffinches and then the first Great Tits plus a couple of Robin.  Chris found a Long-tailed Tit, just the one, I had a pair of foraging Crested Tits quickly followed by a couple of Coal Tit.

Coal Tit Carbonero Garrapinos Parus ater

Yet another few Chiffchaff and as I slipped behind a tree for the obvious reason I cam across a Wood Lark on the ground in front of me.  Who cares how you finish the morning and although few species seen I did record three new sightings for the year.  All the common tits other than Blue Tit which we heard singing upon arrival.

Birds seen:
Collared Dove, Wood Lark, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch.

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