Thursday 11 May

No Internet upon receipt of Dave's latest report on the great activities of his Arboleas Birding Group so here we are in Dublin.  Wet does not begin to describe the local weather so Jenny and I have taken the local train to the southern end of the line at Greystones.  Lots of Shags and more on the cliffs as we followed the scenic route.  Dave, meanwhile, seems to have had a great visit to his favourite site in Almeria and certainly recorded some great birds, so well down all those present.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 10th May 2023

Today we returned to my favourite birding spot in the area, Sierra de Maria. I drove Paul, Kath and Juda from my house towards Maria town.  On the way we logged a lovely male Woodchat Shrike, House Sparrow, Common Swift, Woodpigeon and Hoopoe.  Today's meeting point was the La Piza forest cafe so I could fill up the bird feeders.  Getting out of the car we immediately heard a Turtle Dove but couldn't find it.  A Cirl Bunting was having a bath in the pool.  Whilst having a coffee we saw Jays, Collared Doves and Chaffinches.  We were joined by Alan and Trevor who'd seen Griffon Vultures en route.  Kevin had seen the birds we'd seen, but also a Serin and Spotless Starling.  Michael, Karen, Peter 2 ( who added a White Wagtail), Peter 3 and Sarah completed the team for today.  A Golden Oriole was singing in a tree very close to us but we never saw it. A Crested & Great Tit came to the nuts.

Cirl Bunting (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Due to the mobility of some members I decided to do "the Loop" today.  Alan led off with the convoy following.  Going through the forest section a Turtle Dove flew across their path.  We saw a Thekla Lark and a flash of a Calandra Lark as it whizzed past the car.  Kevin added a Carrion Crow. 

At the stopping point before the village we had a bit of a scan.  We saw Barn Swallow, Black-eared Wheatear, Goldfinch and Corn Bunting.  Moving on with me leading, we came across a number of Rock Sparrows on a farm building.  We added Magpie, another Woodchat Shrike, Jackdaw and Linnet. As we approached the cliff face we saw two large black birds on the top.  As we got out to check I spotted a flight of 6 Black Bellied Sandgrouse flying away to our left and behind us.  Alan, Trevor and Kevin had also seen them about a kilometre back.  Two seen on the ground and 8 flying.  Think this is the third time we've seen sandgrouse at Sierra Maria.  The previous two times were on the plain.  They'd also seen a Booted Eagle.  Peter 2 had heard an Iberian Green Woodpecker.  Alan confirmed a female Stonechat I'd seen en route.  I spotted a pair of Red-legged Partridge.  The black birds turned out to be Raven.  They were buzzed by a Kestrel as they flew off.  At least one "yellow billed" juvenile Red Billed Chough was seen.  We saw a Black Wheatear high up on the ridge.  We walked to the far side of the cliff.  We saw the Black Wheatear again.  A Nightingale started singing.  We managed fleeting glimpses of it.  Juda spotted a high flying Griffon Vulture directly above us.  Alan found a Spotted Flycatcher. and Kevin added a Blackbird.

Jay (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We carried on. The occupants of my car were the only ones to see the Great Spotted Cuckoo as it flew low across our path.  We missed the Bee-eater seen by Karen and Michael and also missed the Short-toed Lark seen by Alan and Trevor.

Rock Sparrow (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We met up at the hamlet.  We were concerned about the lack of Lesser Kestrels.  Eventually Alan spotted a male who flew off to join a distant female.  An adult Red-billed Chough made an appearance. Peter 2 left for home.

Crested Tit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We didn't add anything at the water trough so we headed back to the La Piza forest cafe for lunch. Eating while watching at the same time, Paul added a Blue Tit.  Crossbills were using a puddle on top of the football game table to drink water.

Crossbills (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

What another good days birding in great company we had!  We ended up with49 species.  Thank you to Kath for being my secretary again.

Regards

Dave

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.