Cabo de Gata and Rambla Morales

 Wednesday 29 November

I note that Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group are back in my favourite Almeria birding site, Cabo de Gata; lucky people as I walk along the Solent shore at Warsash on Southampton Water in cold, cloudy weather, albeit the sun shining on the outward walk. A good selection of species seen and especially envious that I no longer see such birds as Iberian Grey Shrike and White-headed Duck.  You certainly need to enjoy these birds whilst they are around to be actually seen.

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 29th November

Gilly and I set off early and headed south towards Cabo de Gata.  Our list began as we came off the motorway.  By the time we'd passed through Pujaire we'd logged Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Magpie and both Spotless and Northern Starlings.

Kevin had already arrived at the first hide having spent the night in the campervan.  He'd seen a pair of Hoopoes near the tower.  From the hide he'd added Greater Flamingo, Redshank, Mallard, Dunlin, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Yellow-legged and Slender Billed Gulls.  He kindly made us a cup of coffee...top man! 

Greater Flamingos with a few Slender-billed Gulls (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

He spotted an Iberian Grey Shrike.  We scanned the water in front of us and saw what Kevin had seen. Gilly added a Kentish Plover.  We saw the first of many Stonechats.  I saw a Sardinian Warbler.  We were joined by Peter, Trevor and Val. Gilly found a distant raptor perched on a shrub.  We ummed and ah'd for a long time.  I thought it was a male Kestrel.  Unfortunately no one saw it fly off to confirm the identity. Whatever it was. it put 6 Eurasian Curlew to flight from the savannah.  Gilly logged a Chiffchaff.  A Grey Heron flew over.

Iberian Grey Shrike (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We had a coffee in the village then made our way to the beach opposite the second hide, checking for dotterel on the way without success.  Out to sea I spotted three adult Gannets.  As we walked over to the hide we saw Thekla Larks and some Greenfinch.  A flight of 4 Golden Plover flew over.  We didn't see any Stone Curlews on the savannah.  I did spot a single Barn Swallow.

We moved along to the public hide.  Kevin scanned the rocky causeway on the right and saw Shelduck, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls.  I spotted a flock of flying Shoveler and a raft of Black-necked Grebes. Kevin found a Sanderling.  Gilly saw a Cormorant and Ringed Plover.  We departed via the church track seeing more Stonechats, Thekla Larks and Greenfinch.

The raft of Black-necked Grebes (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Peter headed off to Nijar whilst we made our way along the beachside track towards the Rambla Morales. 

We saw more Greenfinches and Stonechats.  At the estuary I spotted 5 Little Grebes and a Coot.  We walked towards the hump.  We saw a number of Greater Flamingos.  Near to them was a mixed raft of Common Pochard, Shoveler and White-headed Ducks.  From the hump I added a Moorhen and a Black-tailed Godwit. Trevor found some Dunlin.  We then departed, seeing a White Wagtail going through the short cut.

(From the top) Shoveler, Pochard and White-headed Ducks (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We saw 43 species in total.  A good days birding in good company.  Weather was hot & sunny, but was a bit chilly to start with.

Regards,

Dave

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