Wednesday 31 January
On a miserable drizzly end to the day just what I needed Dave, a little bi of humour. Which one is the raven - the one looking towards the Crow. Very droll indeed! Nevertheless, great report and just goes to show what happens when you reverse the order of journey! Lots of great sights and any number, that might have produced the one species to take me up to the round ton for the month and start of year. Almost guaranteed to see a Pheasant tomorrow!
Sierra de Maria - Wednesday 31st January
Richard came round to my house and I drove his car towards the Sierra de Maria, picking up Peter from the Overa hotel on the way. Driving along the Murcia to Granada motorway we could see the Los Velez mountain peaks were covered in clouds. The only birds we saw before reaching the La Piza forest cafe were Woodpigeon, Spotless Starling and House Sparrow. Upon arrival I reloaded the feeders with peanuts. Richard saw a Crossbill. We were joined by Trevor, Val, Kevin, David and Myrtle. Below the feeders where a large number of peanuts had fallen we saw Robin, Blackbird, House Sparrow and Chaffinch. I spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the branches just behind where Kevin was sitting. It was joined by a number of Long Tailed Tits. The feeders brought in Blue, Great, Crested and Coal Tits.
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| Long-tailed Tit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Kevin came up with the radical idea that we should do the loop in the opposite direction. So we headed down the plain, stopping at the water trough first. We saw Carrion Crows, Goldfinches, a large number of Rock Sparrows, some Mistle Thrushes and Crested Larks. Val added a White Wagtail whilst Kevin logged a Corn Bunting.
We moved onto the hamlet. The Lesser Kestrels have not arrived yet. Trevor pointed out a Raven. Kevin had a search for Little Owls around the buildings without success. A Black Redstart was seen.
We left there and headed towards the cave house village. Going in the opposite direction was really strange. It was like a totally different birding experience. You see things that you have never seen from driving the other way. I found a pair of Red-billed Chough. Near the goat/sheep farm, we saw Collared Dove and Magpies. Passing the firefighters airstrip we saw a tractor ploughing in the distance creating a large dust plume. We began to see White Wagtails. I estimated there were hundreds, but Val thought in the thousands. There was also a large group of Linnets. We missed a possible Lapwing seen by Myrtle.
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| Who is looking at who?!!!! (PHOTOS: David Elliott-Binns) |
As we approached the cliff face a raptor flew by. A dark morph Booted Eagle. Trevor and Val had seen some Red-legged Partridges. We also saw a flock of Jackdaws, some Carrion Crows and a pair of Red-billed Choughs. Carrying on I added a Sardinian Warbler and then spotted an Iberian Grey Shrike. Richard found a female Kestrel which was joined by its mate.
We stopped by the village. En route Val had found a sitting Griffon Vulture. Trevor saw a Calandra Lark. As we left I spotted a Stonechat.
We returned to the La Piza cafe. Whilst I was devouring some delicious lamb chops Richard added a Jay. We were joined by a thirsty Red Squirrel.
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| (Dark) Red Squirrel (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Although the weather was overcast to start with, by the end the sun was out. We ended with 37 species.
A great day out in good company.
Last week a video was taken by Richard's cleaner of a Black-winged Kite near Albox. Not a rarity for you in the west who visit La Janda but for us easterners it certainly is! Hope the video downloads ok. First time I've tried it on here.
Sending our best wishes to Tom Senior, Les and Linda's son who's been very poorly in hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Regards,
Dave
Sorry Dave, computer refused to upload the video!
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