Las Campinuelas

 Thursday 24 June

Still hanging around waiting for a phone call but decided to pop over to nearby Las Campinuelas to see if anything was about.  With the temperature just reaching 30C and a blazing hot sun in a clear blue sky I decided to restrict myself to a short, thirty minute walk from my usual parking spot to the holding pool at the spring and then return on the opposite side of the road.  Far too hot and uncomfortable for birding (even the birds must have thought the same!).

Goldfinch Jilguero Carduelis carduelis

A good number of both House Sparrows and Goldfinches about and the outward walk also produced a couple of Crested Lark, Blackbird and a solitary Greenfinch.  A single Spotted Flycatcher on a low twig was a pleasant surprise as I crossed the road to commence the return walk  .More Goldfinches on the return leg plus almost a dozen Serin and a small group of Spotless Starlings.  A couple of Barn Swallows above and Collared Doves on the wires.  Finally, maybe up to a dozen Bee-eaters feeding above their chosen nesting bank.

Collared Doves Tortola Turca Streptopelia decaocto

Birds seen:

Collared Dove, Crested Lark, Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Serin Verdecillo Serinus serinus 

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 23 June

Lovely weather for the last Arboleas Bird Group visit of the season even if fewer species than Dave and company might have expected.  Even so, four species of tern in a grand total of 29 was no mean feat.  Also, I like the reference to the two Iberian Grey Shrikes.  Now time for a break and look forward to joining the group should they be returning to Cabo de Gata in September/October.  Thanks for the many reports Dave.

Cabo de Gata   -   Wednesday 23rd June

For our last organised trip before our two month summer break, I decided we'd go to Cabo de Gata.  I picked up Berni in the village and headed to Los Gallardos where we collected Juda.  I then drove down the A7/E15 to junction 467 where our bird list began.  We spotted Collared Dove, Spotless Starling and an Iberian Grey Shrike by the time we reached the first hide. Kevin, Trevor and Neville were already there. They had already logged Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Shelduck, Yellow-legged Gull and Barn Swallow.  As I was catching up on the paperwork, Kevin spotted a pair of Raven apparently scavenging the remains of a dead bird on the far bank.  Also seen were Common Swift and House Martin.  I found a Gull-billed Tern on the rocky causeway standing on a rock.  Kevin stated he was looking at a tern on a post.  Sure enough, not 5 metres to the right, was a Whiskered Tern.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

 We had a refreshment break in Cabo village and made our way to the second hide.  A brief seawatch produced nothing!

We trudged our way to the hide.  A pair of Gull-billed Terns did a nice fly past.  I spotted some Little Terns quartering the water.  There was a small flock of feeding Slender-billed Gulls just in front of the causeway gap.  In the gap itself I spotted six sleeping Spoonbill.  Kevin, who was checking out the bay to the right, added another two Spoonbill who were feeding.  Also there were two Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron and a Little Egret.  I found a distant Iberian Grey Shrike on a bush.  We scanned the savannah for Stone Curlews without success.

Moving on to the public hide, we again saw an Iberian Grey Shrike, this time on a power line.  Kevin found a Shelduck and Juda a second.  I locked on to a tern flying towards us, our fourth tern species of the day, a Common Tern.

We then followed the track to the church, but only saw a couple of Thekla Larks.  A trip to the lighthouse produced Yellow-legged Gulls and lots of tourists!  On the way back, Berni spotted a Black Wheatear.

As it was getting quite hot we had an early lunch.  On the way back to the motorway we added a Jackdaw.

We saw 29 species.  A lovely days birding in good company.

We wish Richard Hiron's wife Pat a successful knee replacement surgery and everybody a good, safe and healthy summer.   Regards, Dave

Due to hazy conditions and the birds keeping their distance, only one photo today!

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Ventas de Zafarraya and its Hinterland

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

 Monday 21 June

Up at the mirador on the old railway line at Ventas de Zafarraya by 9.15 to walk  the track before it got too hot.  As an added bonus, only one car and a couple of cyclists during the 80 minutes I was on site. Exiting the car I was immediately welcomed by a couple of Goldfinch and as I approached the old tunnel the first handful of a score or more feeding Crag Martins.  A female Kestrel landed atop a rock above me and at my turning point I also saw a male of the species.  I heard before I saw the Choughs and then only the occasional short appearance despite the almost continuous calling.

Passing Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

The tunnel area turned up trumps with a lovely male Black Redstart just before entering and on returning to daylight I turned round and found a female Cirl Bunting on the rocks above said tunnel.  Then the first of a number of Back Wheatears put in an appearance and, as usual, not the easiest of birds to capture on camera.  Also at the tunnel exit a lone House Sparrow and then a House Martin flew past taking the rock edge rather than making use of the tunnel as it headed towards the mirador.

Record shot of Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura

Next up the first of a handful of Sardinian Warblers and then a juvenile Stonechat before finding an adult male.  The male Serin made a lovely sight as it posed on a tall grass whilst  five Spotless Starlings were resting on the high wires to my right.  The silhouette high atop the cliff turned out to be the first Red-legged Partridge of the day as a noisy Blackbird moved away below me.   The next clifftop species was the first of two Rock Sparrows and on the track as I made my way back to the tunnel a pair of foraging Linnets.  Exiting the tunnel I spent some time watching both Crag Martins and Choughs and was very pleasantly surprised by the passing of two Alpine Swifts.

Juvenile Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Once back and ignoring the half-dozen Rock Doves and the local House Sparrows and House Martins I set off for the growing fields at the far end of the village and then round the back to take the rock clockwise circuit.  But first a short stop at the irrigation pond where I was delighted to find not just the local Mallards but a couple of Turtle Dove, White Wagtail, Ringed Plover and and a trio of Linnet.  Barn Swallows were feeding over the water and a Collared Dove was both calling and showing behind me. Crested Larks were seen on both the ride to the pond and back to the main road.

Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur

The drive along the road towards the old ruined road leading up to Salar produced numerous Common Swifts plus a couple of (Common) Magpie and the first of the Iberian Magpies to be seen on the upcoming circuit.  What a delightful ride this was.  Two Little Owls, and I suspect the first was a well-grown juvenile, followed by a Hawfinch.  I stopped to take particular note of this "large" bird on the fence which I was presuming would be a Woodchat Shrike but looking far too bulky and the wrong "ginger" colour on the head.  No wonder when I got my bins on the bird and discovered its true identity but, unfortunately, it flew just as I was levelling the camera for a quick record shot through the windscreen.

Possible juvenile Little Owl Athene noctua

Then a more mature looking Little Owl

But did I find my target bird for the morning?  I thought that this track would be the most likely to [produce a Northern Wheatear, the Little Owls and Hawfinch were a bonus, but just the one wheatear which I presumed to be a Black-eared Wheatear.  Very strange colouring and looking almost too white below and that unusual head marking suggesting it might in act be a Northern Wheatear but, as confirmed by my friend Mick Richardson, definitely an odd-looking Black-eared Wheatear.

Record shot of  Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica

A little further on i stopped to watcha Red-legged Partridge with six chicks and no sooner under way than, less then 100 metres further on, another Red-legged Partridge with newly hatched youngsters.  My last bird in this area was a Chaffinch.  Travelling back a Hoopoe crossed the road in front of me as I reached Trapiche and, of course, I was welcome home by the resident Monk Parakeets!

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa with 6 chicks (above) and second family below

Birds seen:

Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel, Ringed Plover, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Monk Parakeet, Little Owl, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Black Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Iberian Magpie, Magpie, Chough, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch, Linnet, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting

Feeding Linnets Carduelis cannabina

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Charca de Suarez

Saturday 19 June

Having to visit both the Velez de Benaudalla apartment and my electrical supplier in Motril this morning I decided to go early so that I could spend a couple of hours at the Charca de Suarez.  And very worthwhile, too, it proved.  Taking the wrong farming road approaching "Turtle Dove Alley" I was "over the moon" to find a trio of Hoopoe, four Turtle Doves, Barn Swallow, Serin and Blackbird and once back on the correct connecting road also added Spotless Starling, Common Waxbill, Common Swift and Crested Lark.

Mother Moorhen Gallineta Comun Gallinula chloropus with her two chicks

Entering the reserve itself straight to the Laguna del Taraje where mainly Mallards along with a couple of Moorhen, Common Coot and a single Little Grebe.  House Martins overhead as I headed for the Laduga del Alamo Blanco and, surprise, surprise, the White Stork is still alive and kicking, well not actually kicking but legs below rather than above, and a few more Mallard. 

White Stork Cignuela Blanca Ciconia ciconia

A small group of Common Waxbill were feeding on the grass seeds and at he back a quartet of Little Egret along with a lone Glossy Ibis.  A pair of Moorhen drifted right to left and passed a Purple Swamphen travelling ion the opposite direction.

Glossy Ibis Morito Comun Plegadis falcinellus feeding with Little Egret Egretta garzetta

On towards the Laguna de las Aneas passing Blackcap and Cetti's Warbler, where I duly found very many Common Coot and a good number of Red-knobbed Coot.  More Mallard and a Little Grebe plus single Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  At the very far end to the right a well-concealed Cattle Egret eventually put up its head for identification.  In addition, no shortage of House Sparrows feeding on the grasses in front of the hide.

Red-knobbed Coot Focha Moruna Fulica cristata

Having observed the Turtle Dove in the tree to my left, the dedicated spinney adjacent to the back gate was very productive this morning, first providing Goldfinch, the a pair of Greenfinch followed by a large family of Serin, a single Iberian Chiffchaff and a couple of Spotted Flycatchers.  Nothing new added from either hide overlooking the Laguna del Trebol, just more Coots of both variety, Mallards and another Little Grebe, albeit I did fund both Reed Warbler and Nightingale as I approached the entry track.

Turtle Dove Tortola Europea Streptopelia turtur

Birds seen:

Mallard, Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Hoopoe, Common Swift, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Nightingale, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Iberian Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Common Waxbill, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Mother Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata with two well-grown young

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 17 June 2021

The penultimate visit of the Arboleas Birding Group before the summer recess certainly managed to find a few more good birds to whet the appetite and dream on what might be around come the autumn.  For me, the chance to once more find the local Trumpeter Finches and Dotterel up at Cabo de Gata so I shall certainly be watching Dave's future visits for evidence of same.

Sierra de Maria   -   Wednesday 16th June

For the penultimate trip out before our two month summer break, I decided we'd try and escape the heat and head up into the mountains of the Los Velez natural park at Maria.  Juda came to my house to be picked up.  We then drove to the Overa hotel on the E15/A7 to collect Neville.  En route to Maria we didn't notice any birds.  As we sat outside the Repsol garage cafe in Maria town with Adrian, Peter and Trevor, we saw both House Martins and Common Swifts.  I made the decision to "do" the loop, missing out the Botanical gardens.  A correct decision as it turned out because it began to rain as we made our way to the village.  We noted Woodpigeon and Collared Dove.  I spotted a distant Little Owl perched on a hump on the horizon.  The next bird seen was an Iberian Grey Shrike near the solar panel.  A Red-legged Partridge flew off as we approached.  Nearing the village there was a Northern Wheatear on a ploughed field. 

Little Owl Athene noctua (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

At the village we turned left onto the track and parked up, the rain having stopped.  From there we added Spotless Starling and the first of many perched Corn Buntings.  A dishevelled Northern Wheatear was unusually perched on a leafless shrub.  We carried on, Adrian, Trevor and Peter following behind. We spotted numerous Black-eared Wheatears, Corn Buntings, House Sparrows and Thekla Larks.  Also seen were Linnets.  We then found a pair of Rollers, which showed well but some distance away.  A number of Magpies and Carrion Crows were seen before we found some small flocks of Red-billed Chough.  At the cliff face I spotted a perched Bee-eater.  We could hear both Nightingale and Turtle Dove.  We walked to the far side of the cliff and saw another pair of Bee -eaters and a purring Turtle Dove.  As I walked back to the truck, Juda thought she saw a distant Griffon Vulture.  Carrying on we had flybys of Serin, Hoopoe, Sardinian Warbler and Rock Sparrow.  A Little Owl showed well from its roadside perch.

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

 A presumed Lesser Kestrel flew by as we were nearing their breeding hamlet.  A confirmed sighting of one there. At the water trough we saw more Serin and another Northern Wheatear.

Dishevelled Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We adjourned to the La Piza forest cafe for lunch.  The bird feeders attracted Crested, Blue and Coal Tit.  A Jay also took some nuts and bread. Chaffinches and a Blackbird made an appearance.  On the way out we saw a Mistle Thrush.  Juda spotted the plume of 20+ Griffon Vultures riding the air currents as we approached Maria town.

Crested Tit Parus cristatus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended up with 35 species.  A good days birding in muggy conditions!

Regards, Dave

Jay Garrulus glandarius (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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Charca de Suarez

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus

Tuesday 8 June

Just over five months (3 January) since my last visit to the Charca de Suarez on the western outskirts of Motril resulting from first the Covid travel restriction and then restricted access to the site in May once the provincial borders were opened.  It may have only been a short two evening hours on my way back to Mezquitilla from Velez de Benaudalla but, nevertheless, still a great pleasure to enjoy this lovely site.

Driving down "Turtle Dove Alley" is now an absolute disgrace with the ever increasing fly-tipping which has reduced this once fabulous birding site to a an absolute night mare as you try and avoid all the potential dangerous hazards that have spread onto the road itself.  Not surprisingly, not a bird in sight! One suspects that the birds have moved further south-west tot he area neighbour the connecting road (Camino Patria) that passes the end of Turtle Dove Alley.  Future visits will see me take a turn right after exiting the roundabout beneath the N340 and then left to take in the neighbouring fields before re-joining the main road just beyond the petrol station having passes the rear of the reserve.  In my case, this last part of the above road passes the House Martin "hotel" where the breeding colony is still active with, no doubt, most of the inhabitants making use of the reserve for their daily feeding sorties.  Nearby, in addition to those seen within the reserve itself, no shortage of House Sparrows and also a couple of Collared Doves.

No sooner inside the reserve and heading for the bamboo hide overlooking the Laguna del Taraje and my ears were being blasted by the high volume singing Nightingales.  The first of many Blackbirds crossed the path in front of me and once in the hide just a single Little Grebe and Red-knobbed Coot plus a score of Mallards. Searching the water and edges I eventually found a couple of Moorhen along with a pair of Common Coot with a couple of chicks.  In the scrub below me to the left a Cetti's Warbler and all the time the continuous song of a Turtle Dove which appeared to be directly overhead.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Little to be seen from the bottom hide so over to the large hide overlooking the Laguna del Alamo Blanco where, immediately in front of the hide, rested a juvenile Night Heron on the perching post.  The sun was in the right direction but, evidently, this youngster preferred to warm its back so necessary to get a head shot meant moving to the side which brought both obstructions and the wrong lighting.  A single Black-winged Stilt rested at the back of the water whilst overhead there regular feeding passes by a few Barn Swallows and the ever-present House Martins.

Juvenile Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Approaching the Laguna de las Anas I could hear singing Reed Warblers and above a trio of Common Swifts and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  The water itself was full of mainly Mallards in a range of eclipse plumages along with the Common Coots and the odd Red-knobbed Coot.  Just the single Cormorant but also a few more Moorhens.  No sooner had I found a distant Purple Swamphen at the far left-hand of the pool than a male Little Bittern flew across the water from left to right - but seen by all present.  Closer to the hide, a visiting male White-headed Duck was happy to pose just off the island and have his photograph taken.

Male White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala

The visit to the northern hide overlooking the Laguna del Trebol produced more Mallards and a a handful of Red-knobbed Coots including chicks and then it was round to the southern end where the hide made a great vantage point for watching the male Little Bittern successfully searching for his supper.  

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

With time just about u only time for a cursory check of the Laguna del Lireo, more Red-knobbed Coots, and then off towards the road at the back of Turtle Dove Alley where I noted more Collared Doves but also found a small flock of Common Waxbill including  one individual that refused to leave the road until it had well and truly taken onboard sufficient grit.  A pair of Spotless Starlings nearby and it was time to head off home.

Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild

Birds seen:

Mallard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Bittern, Night Heron, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Nightingale, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Common Waxbill.

This is the way a hungry Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus catches his dragon-fly dinner!

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Algarrobo Costa

Thursday 3 June

the warm weather is with us which brings disturbed sleep so up and out on my river walk by 7.30 and just one earl morning dog-walker seen.  The deciduous trees are now in dense leafage so more a question of listening and looking for movement to try and fix with binoculars.  Early feeding Pallid Swifts above the local apartment blacks as I start my walk and within minutes very many Collared Doves and the local, raucous Monk Parakeets.  The first of four Spotted Flycatchers put in an appearance along with a single Great Tit.

Spotted Flycatcher papamoscas Gris Muscicapa striata

Moving through the more open trees I noted Blackbirds and a trio of Wood Pigeon up in the old, bare tree. A couple of Spotless Starlings on the wires and then a few low-feeding House Martins.  Having noted the pair of Goldfinch I was soon entertained by the arrival of low-feeding Barn Swallows.

This Wood Pigeon Paloma Torcaz Columba palumbus is still away with the fairies!

Approaching the lower weir a Hoopoe was seen on the far side of the river and then I was into the House Sparrow territory. No sooner had I seen my first Serin than I was under the motorway and I suspect that there are at least two nest as a quartet of feeding Crag Martins were recorded.  many more feeding Barn Swallows before reaching the upper ford before turning round to retrace my steps.  A Greenfinch was spotted on the fires and a further quartet when I reached the lane outside the sewage works.  In the meantime, a single Red-rumped Swallow was flying upstream as I approached the football ground and on the top of a pylon beyond the plastic greenhouses a couple of Rock Doves.  The final bird of the morning was a White Wagtail walking along the top of a plastic greenhouse, presumably looking for a means of entry!

Distant record shot of Serin Verdecillo Serinus serinus

Bird seen:

Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe. Pallid Swift, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Blackbird, Great Tit, Spotted Flycatcher, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

A pair pf loving Collared Doves Totola Turca Streptopelia decaocto

One of very many Monk Parakeets Cotorra Argentina Myiopsitta monachus

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 2 June

Whist I am kept busy sorting out both our forthcoming trip back to the UK and, at the same time, going through all the hassle of preparing for a move into Granada province, friend Dave Elliott-Binns and his Arboleas Birding Group were out once again on their weekly birding trip, this time to a favourite site of mine at Cabo de Gata.

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Cabo de Gata  -  Wednesday 2nd June

As there was going to be only one other confirmed attendance by Kevin, I headed alone at stupid o'clock down the A7/E15.  The weather was dull, grey and overcast.  As I passed through Retamar Sur I logged the usual suspects...Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Spotless Starling.  I arrived early for our meeting at the first hide, but didn't birdwatch as I didn't want to spoil our later visit.  A Jackdaw did fly past.  Kevin duly arrived and we headed off in my truck towards the rear of the reserve.  A Raven flew along the beach and a Thekla Lark was sat upon one of the wooden posts.  Kevin spotted numerous Common Swifts near the salt works.  We got to the village at the end of the beach and turned onto the rear track.  It was mostly okay, but there were some muddy puddles to negotiate after the recent rains. First bird was a Blackbird. 

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

On the first salina there were Avocet and a number of gull species....Slender-billed, Audouin's, Yellow-legged and at least one immature Lesser Black-backed Gull.  We headed up the side of the hill for a good overview, seeing Thekla Larks en route.  The weather had cleared by now.  I spotted our first Shelduck of the day.  Returning to the track we added Kentish Plover.  There were at least four Grey Plover by the water.  We also saw loads of Shelduck, Black-winged Stilts and a passing Red-rumped Swallow.  We were thrilled to see a Spectacled Warbler.  A small number of Barn Swallow flew by.  It was great to see a couple of Gull-billed Terns quartering the savannah.  As we joined the tarmac, Kevin saw a White Wagtail and I found a Greenfinch.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We got back to the first hide with about half an hour to spare if anyone turned up unexpectedly.  We scanned the scene in front of us.  Greater Flamingos, of course, but there were also three Spoonbill at the far end of the rocky causeway.  Also there were half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits feeding nearby.  A Yellow Wagtail showed well. I spotted a resting Little Tern.  We were very happy to see John arriving.  He said he needed some birding relaxation during the stressful period of sorting out all the leaving problems.  En route by the BP garage he'd seen two flocks of Stone Curlew, totalling about 35 birds, fly across the road in front of him.  He also saw a Kestrel.  Kevin then spotted a Stone Curlew beyond the far bank.

After a reviving cuppa in Cabo village, we made for the second hide.  Parking by the beach, a scan over the sea produced 4 Cory's Shearwaters heading south.  We walked towards the hide, John spotting a Crested Lark.  From the hide we saw more of the same, but notably flocks of Little Tern and singles of Gull-billed Terns.  John then found a Woodchat Shrike on one of the bigger shrubs.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

The middle hide gave us a Ringed Plover plus a quartet of Yellow Wagtails and some Kentish Plovers.

We moved to the public hide. John did well to spot 4 Whiskered Tern on the right hand rocks.

We exited via the church track with nothing seen.  As it was a bit early for lunch, we adjourned to Cabo village for a drink before we all headed home.  I saw a Bee Eater as I drove through the short cut.

We ended up with 35 species. Great to see John, but sad we had to say our goodbyes again!  Lovely day in good company.  Regards, Dave

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta with Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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