Charca de Suarez

Sunday 26 January

 A very enjoyable morning's birding at the Charca de Suarez, Motril in the welcome company of my birding friend, George Lamb from nearby La Heradura.  Following the recent days of storm and tempest it was lovely to be in very welcome cal,, blue skies and sunny weather, even if at first a little on the cool side.  well past mid-morning when the light breeze arrived but in the sunshine lovely and war.  Even better, upon arrival and entering "Turtle Dove Alley" I was greeted by expected Collared Doves and House Sparrows but within ten metres the track off to the right was flooded and being utilised by a dozen Mallard and a single Green Sandpiper.  Moving on to the far end I found my first flock of Common Waxbill and take a right turn, rather than left, I fund another good-sized flock along with a quartet of Red Avadavats.

Common Waxbill Pico de Coral Estrilda astrid

Time to turn round and make my way t the entrance to the reserve recording the first trio of a half-dozen Blackbirds that there to be seen during the morning, a few White Wagtails and  the first Black Redstart. More Collared Doves in the trees an then on to the Laguna del Taraje which as very full following the recent trains.  Indeed, all the water levels were very high and yet, perhaps surprisingly, the paths themselves not as muddy as might have been expected.  A number of Mallard along with Shoveler and a quartet of Red-knobbed Coots plus some very quarrelsome Moorhen.

Chiffchaff Mosquitero Comun Phylloscopus collybita

Arriving at the Laguna Del Alamo Blanco the lone White Stork was once more in situ along with a resting Heron perches atop the bare stick.  In the background a number of Mallard plus a handful of Shoveler and a pair of Gadwall.  Two pairs of Teal drifted into sight and then a single Purple Swamphen put in an appearance.  The first Chiffchaff were recorded and a Cetti's Warbler was singing away behind us.

Purple Swamphen Calemon Porphyrio porphyrio

Waling to the large hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas we stopped to both admire and photograph the feeding Common Waxbills and, at the same time, also found both Great Tit and Blackcap.  Once in the hide  we counted seven Cormorant but only the single Little Grebe.  Loads of Common Coots and more Mallards and Shovelers.  Another Heron was found away to our left and just the single Yellow-legged Gull on the water.  Above the ware a score of more feeding Crag Martins and then a close White Wagtail as well as more Red-knobbed Coots.  Away to the back we found a female Marsh Harrier drifting left and to the far right at the back of the water about eight Common Pochard.

Cormorant Cormorant Grande Phalacrocorax carbo with resting friends -you identity all three!

Moving on to the northern hide overlooking the Laguna del Trebol we were not to be disappointed by finding the resident Bluethroat along with a Grey Wagtail and a dozen or more Chiffchaffs.  Not so much the Robin that came to feed in the same area but the sudden appearance of a male Kestrel suddenly dropping down to take a Chiffchaff as his luncheon - but, on this occasion, without success.

Bluethroat Ruisenor Pechiazul Luscinia svecica

Nothing else to add until we reached the last hide overlooking the Laguna del Lirio where we found just the one Ferruginous Duck along with a pair of Mallard and a quartet of Red-knobbed Coots along with a Serin at the far end of the water.

Ferruginous Duck Porran Pardo Aythya nyroca

leaving the site for a quick coffee we could but not notice the large, circling flock of mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  A most enjoyable morning and many thanks to George for his welcome company.  Safe journey back to Blighty a the week-end and look forward to your return in March.

Grey Wagtail Lavandera Cascadena Motacilla cinerea

Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, White Stork, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Green Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Crag Martin, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Robin, Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, House Sparrow, Common Waxbill, Red Avadavat, Serin.

More Photos:

Crag Martin Avion Roquero Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Robin Petirrojo Europeo Erithacus rubecula

The dancing Purple Swamphen Calemon Porphyrio porphyrio

Our resident White Stork Ciguena Blanca Ciconia ciconia

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