Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra

Friday 17 May

Bright sunny start to the day but very windy as I set off for the Laguna Dulce near Campillos,  Upon arrival very choppy water and mainly Coots to be seen.  A closer look revealed a few Little Grebe and a Gull-billed Tern swooped over the water.  Whilst also watching the local Goldfinch, House Sparrows and Spotless Starlings I also noted the Barn Swallows feeding off insects low over the road. Time to get the scope organised and look beyond the small flocks of Flamingo on either side of the water where I found Mallard, Black-necked Grebe, a couple of Black-winged Stilts and a number of Black-necked Grebe.  I even managed to find a number of White-headed Duck and a larger number of Great Crested Grebe.  But, on the whole, most disappointing so I took myself round to the track at the back of the laguna.

Lapwing Avefria Europea Vanellus vanellus

What an immediate difference.  A female Montagu's Harrier as I made my way down the track then close views of Lapwing and a Glossy Ibis.  On the shore a few Kentish Plover and on the water not only Gadwall but a male Shoveler.  In addition to the many Gull-billed a Whiskered Tern also put in an appearance.

Glossy Ibis Morito Comun Plegadis falcinellus

Crested Larks on the track and almost to the turn to the old ruins a rather lovely Short-toed Lark presented itself.  Once up beyond the farm in to the olive grove I picked up a couple of Red-legged Partridge and Hoopoe along with a pair of Serin.  A Blackbird flew across the  track and then back to the water.  A Marsh Harrier to my left quartering the reeds and to my right a rather lovely male Montagu's Harrier working the fields.  Approaching the junction I was busy looking at the Collared Doves on the roof when a Turtle Dove took off from below and flew across in front of the car.

Corn Buntings on the hedge tops, Common Swifts above and Jackdaws to finish the session.  Time to drive over to Fuente de Piedra and at the big farm (the short-cut track to Laguna Dulce on the left is now open) a Bee-eater on the wires.  On the way I recorded Crested Lark and Hoopoe.

Bee-eater Abejaruco Europeo Merops apiaster

Serins and Goldfinches as I arrived at the Visitors Centre than on round to the laguenta having noted the thousands of Flamingo on the main water.  Both the entry field and scrapes to the right had now completely dried out so nothing to see apart from the wandering resident Jackdaws.

Flamingos Flamenco Comun Phoenicopterus roseus behind Laguna Dulce

Once settled in the hide in addition to more Flamingo and Coots I also had a good number pf Common Pochard as well as a few Red-crested Pochard.  At least three White-headed Ducks on site along with Mallard and Black-winged Stilt but it took a long time and much searching to eventually find a Moorhen.

Common Pochard Porron Europeo Aythya ferina with Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis in front

Over the water we had Barn Swallow, House Martin and Common Swift plus the occasional Gull-billed Tern and a number of Black-headed Gulls.  I was a little surprised to find the Black-necked Grebes.  Below the hide House Sparrow and a Greenfinch and top of the distant chimney the White Stork was feeding its young.

Black-necked Grebe Zampullin Cuellinegro Podiceps nigricollis

So, an early finish and drive up to my first overnight stop at Pedrera in readiness for tomorrow's visit to Osuna.


Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Rock Dove, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Short-toed Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

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