Thursday 23 November
Whilst, with Jenny, I have been on a cruise to the Mediterranean Sea including stops at Cadiz, Malaga and Cartagena, Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group are once more out and about in the Almeria area following the former's return to Spain after having spent a few wet weeks back with relatives in the UK! Indeed, upon arriving back in Southampton this morning after our twelve days, we were greeted with the news that there had been almost continuous rain whilst we were away - but today has been dry! Great day out for Dave and the Group and added a couple of my photos re all the reported Red-billed Choughs on view!
Sierra de Maria - Wednesday 22nd November
Gilly and I have finally dried out after 5 weeks in the UK. Due to the weather we had no chance to do any birding whilst there. Our first trip out with the group was to the Sierra de Maria....yes, we means both Gilly and I. Richard and Juda met us outside our house and I drove us all using Richard's car. The weather was clear and sunny, but as we climbed towards the mountains the temperature was dropping. Travelling from Velez Blanco towards Maria town I spotted five Griffon Vultures quite low on our left. I also added a Song Thrush perched on a roadside tree.
We arrived at the meeting place, the La Piza forest cafe. The last signs of frost on the fallen leaves was still visible. Richard saw a Jay as we walked towards the cafe. I saw a Collared Dove. Some Crossbills and House Sparrows were drinking from the man made puddle. I'd brought natural peanuts to fill the bird feeders. Richard had mistakenly got salted peanuts which we couldn't use. Remember someone had put Bombay Mix in the feeders. That had gone only to be replaced by American hard gums. Some very strange people in this avian world. We were joined by Alan, Val and Trevor. As we drank our hot, refreshing coffee we observed the first birds enjoying the nuts. Gilly saw a Chaffinch, Richard, a Robin. A Long -tailed Tit arrived, spotted by Gilly and I added a Great Tit before we headed off to "do" the loop.
We led with Alan & co following behind. We saw nothing in the forest area. Once we entered the open fields we spotted Carrion Crows, Corn Buntings and Spotless Starlings. As we approached the village we added some Stonechats to the list. We stopped for a scan. Not seeing anything of interest we carried on along the track. We saw small flocks of Linnets and more Stonechats and Corn Buntings. Gilly added a Magpie and I observed some Woodpigeons. We spotted a bird sitting on a rock not 10 metres from the track. A male Merlin took off and eventually perched on a distant rock. Alan and co were way behind so didn't see it. Luckily I was able to point it out to them once they'd caught up. Moving on we saw a covey of Red-legged Partridge.
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| Red-billed Chough (PHOTO: Bob Wright) |
We were again way ahead of Alan when we got to the cliff face. As we got out Gilly spotted a raptor fly a very short distance into a nearby shrub. We thought it might be a Sparrowhawk, but when we next saw it flying low and fast across the valley we realised it was a female Peregrine Falcon. After Alan and co had arrived Val heard and then spotted a pair of Red-billed Chough. We walked to the far side of the cliff but didn't see anything further. We carried on, seeing a perched Kestrel. Near the airstrip we encountered a mixed flock of small birds which included Linnets, Thekla Larks, White Wagtails and at least one Meadow Pipit. Later on we added Northern Wheatears and a charm of Goldfinches. Near the cave house village I spotted a male Blue Rock Thrush atop an electricity pylon. Also seen were another pair of Red-billed Chough, a Magpie and a Little Owl seen by Richard. Alan and co also saw one. As we approached the hamlet there were two more, one on a roof, the second on a pile of rocks. I spotted some distant Griffon Vultures. As we watched the numbers increased to about 25. We continued to watch them as we drove along the plain. I spotted a Raven amongst them. We carried onto the water trough area. A Mistle Thrush flew off as we parked up. Alan found a tree with a few Rock Sparrows thereon.
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| Red-billed Choughs at Zafarraya (PHOTO: Bob Wright) |
We made our way back to the La PIaza forest cafe for lunch. As we ate we added both Crested and Coal Tit to our list. It was a great days birding in good company and weather! Trevor correctly guessed the number of species seen as 35.
Sending our best wishes to Mike, Kath, David and Myrtle.
Sorry, no photos today. I forgot the camera! Duh!
Regards,
Dave
Sorry to see that Dave is finally catching up with me and adding a few "senior moments." On the other hand, I regularly leave the camera behind so that I can see more exciting birds!
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