Algarrobo Costa

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

 Tuesday 8 December

Off once again up the Rio Algarrobo and this morning very dark and windy as I set off through the first spinney.. Both Black Redstart and Collared Doves as I started my walk followed by a couple of Monk Parakeets and then very quiet until reaching the more open space where I had a Kestrel above me followed by a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a few Spotless Starlings away to my left.  Not sure whether it was a Bank Holiday today but there certainly seemed far more walkers along the path and even met four dog walkers approaching and not one of them wearing a mask, not even loosely hanging round their respective necks.  Perhaps it is because they are walking a dog that keeps the virus away!!!

Record shot of male Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

Approaching the Sports Hall a few birds at last with a good-sized flock of Mediterranean Gulls making their way to the coast along with about a score of Crag Martins.  A single Cattle Egret flew away upstream and then I was up and under the motorway to stop near the entrance to the Experimental Station. A number of House Sparrows in the hedge and a couple of White Wagtails below.  Above the hidden pool scores more Mediterranean Gulls along with lots of feeding Crag Martins.

Even more Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

However, as on my last visit here, it was the little green area at the far end of the hidden pool that produced the goods.  Among the resting Spotless Starlings a number of Common Starlings and on the ground a trio of Meadow Pipits.  A Linnet flew over the fence to the grassy land at the back where, upon looking, I also found Greenfinches and a male Stonechat.  A couple of feeding Goldfinch before continuing on upstream and over the ford.  This area produced more Black Redstarts and a male Blackbird and, on the return journey a couple of Serin on the small grassy field.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

All very quiet on the return journey as I kept my eyes open for a twentieth specie but the sewage works only provided another three Cattle Egrets.  Back over the river and approaching the end of the enclosed barbeque area and a couple of Chiffchaff feeding on the ground.  But then, once in the open tree space, an additional species with the finding of a Hoopoe.  And sitting atop the very last tree on the walk, screeching its head off, a solitary Monk Parakeet wishing me "Bon voyage!"

By the time I reached home the clouds were still very threatening but at least the wind had greatly eased back.

Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus

Birds seen:

Cattle Egret,  Kestrel, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crag Martin, Meadow Pipit, White wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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