 |
| Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa |
Wednesday 11 May
Away in the dark so that I could make an early start
climbing up the Sierra Loja in search
of both Rock Thrush and the three local wheatears. Arriving in time to take the
track up from the service station on the A92 at 7.50 I was immediately surrounded
by House Sparrows and then a Sardinian Warbler crossed the entry
track. The first stop at the lower
picnic site produced numerous Serins
along with a few Wood Pigeon and
many Barn Swallows. Passing Blackbirds and Chaffinches I soon arrived at the main quarry, nearly driving over
the first two of very many to be seen Red-legged
Partridges during the morning. An
early Rock Bunting and male Blue Rock Thrush suggested, I hoped, that
I might have a productive morning.
So up the track passing Crested Lark and Stonechat until
I reached the tree line and the first Choughs
and Jackdaws. Now it was the Thekla Larks that put in a appearance
along with the first and only Northern
Wheatear. A small flock of Spotless Starlings before arriving at
the electricity sub-station where I encountered a Raven.
 |
| Record shot of Stonechat Saxicola torquatus |
All relatively quiet for the next half-hour and
nothing to see at the Charca Negra
albeit the pools were very full. It may
have been suggesting a temperature of 16C but the strong cold wind did its best
to convince you that it was much colder and keep the body warmer zipped up! Stopping at the Fossil Cave I was able to watch the local Crag Martins making use of the site and perched on the very top above
then a single, male Black-eared Wheatear;
what a lovely sight. On the grass to my
right a pair of foraging Linnets and
above me a passing male Kestrel.
 |
| Linnet Carduelis cannabina |
The cliff face just beyond was to prove very
productive. First a couple of Black Wheatear quickly followed by Blue Rock Thrush and a handful of Rock Sparrows. A lone Griffon Vulture drifted away above me
and then, after much searching, I finally found a female Rock Thrush. Probably the
same bird but it seemed intent on dropping from the cliff top to somewhere lower
down and then reappearing; probably either nest building or awaiting the return
of her partner.
Much time was spent on the top and before returning
the Charca Negra so that I could also explore the northerly track but before arriving
found a single Woodchat Shrike atop
the cliffs. As I finally decided, after
well over three hours that it was time to head back to the service station to
use the facilities before moving on, I picked up a female Black Redstart and back at the bottom of the mountain a handful of Rock Doves plus a couple of Collared Doves. The visit was certainly noted for some lovely
sightings of Black-eared Wheatears
and no shortage of Rock Buntings
today.
 |
| Distant shot of the Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator |
Having eaten most of my picnic lunch I made my way via
the A92 to the Cacin Valley area where,
upon arrival at the extensive growing fields I wished to explore, soon added Collared Dove, House Sparrows and Barn
Swallows. Driving through the olive
groves I picked up a quartet of Magpies
and a single Corn Bunting.
There followed maybe twenty miles (32 km) of farm
tracks which produced the occasional birds including Buzzard, Spotless Starlings,
Crested Larks and even the occasional
Wood Pigeon. Back on the “proper” country lane I soon saw
a Hoopoe fly across and then it was time
to drive through El Turro and down to
the Cacin reservoir. Lots of Chaffinches about and even a Golden Oriole calling when I reached
the bridge on the bend at the bottom.
 |
| Buzzard Buteo buteo through the car windscreen |
On the water itself a number of both Mallard and Pochard along with Coots
and a pair of Black-winged Stilt. A Marsh Harrier quartered along the far
side of the water. My final sightings as
I headed away from the area were an Iberian
Grey Shrike and a single Bee-eater. Back home at 3.15 and ready for a late
siesta!
 |
| A "cock of the rock" Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa |
Birds seen:
Mallard, Pochard, Red-legged Partridge, Griffon
Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Black-winged Stilt, Coot, Rock Dove,
Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Crag
Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear,
Black Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Golden
Oriole, Woodchat Shrike, Iberian Grey Shrike, Magpie, Jackdaw, Chough, Raven,
Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Linnet, Rock
Bunting, Corn Bunting.
 |
| Still some snow on top of the sierras |
No comments:
Post a Comment