Cabo de Gata

Wednesday 7 February

Looks like Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group had a great visit to Cabo de Gata and in lovely sunshine.  Meanwhile, this week I am down n Somerset for a dance week but have gone AWOL to explore the various sites on the Somerset Levels - and with much cold and cloudy weather including heavy rain showers.  Lots of new and exciting birds including both Green-winged and Baikal Teal so more to come once that blog is completed, hopefully by tomorrow,  In theory back home Friday but probably go back to Warsash tomorrow afternoon to give more to prepare for our flight o Valencia on Monday.

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 7th February

On a nice sunny day, albeit a tad chilly, I picked up Peter from the Overa Hotel and headed south towards Cabo de Gata. vComing off the motorway we saw pairs of Jackdaws on the power lines. Getting towards Retamar we added Collared Dove, Spotless Starling, Thekla Lark, House Sparrow and Magpie.

We were first to arrive at the first hide.  The first bird I spotted was a female Kestrel on a pylon.  There were hundreds of Greater Flamingos scattered all over the salinas.  To our left in the little bay were a pair of Mallard and some Redshank.  On the right hand side beyond the rocky causeway we saw Slender-billed Gulls, Black-winged Stilts and a Yellow-legged Gull.  By this time we had been joined by Trevor, Val and her Swiss friend, Michelle.  A Sardinian Warbler chuttered away in the shrubs.  I then spotted a bird flying in our direction over the opposite savannah.  It was being mobbed by a couple of smaller birds.  Ah, I thought, a raptor.  But no, it swung to the right showing us its long downward curling bill.  An Eurasian Curlew.  Never seen or heard of birds mobbing the species.  We saw the first of many Stonechats.  Also seen were two Black-tailed Godwits.

Male Stonechat (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We adjourned to the Cabo village cafe for a coffee break.  Suitably refreshed we headed to the second hide.  From the beach a brief seawatch I spotted an adult and an immature Gannet.  As we walked to the hide, both Michelle and Trevor found different Stonechats.  A savannah scan didn't reveal any Stone Curlews sunbathing... 24c, Kevin, not like in the Cairngorms!  On the opposite bank I found three Spoonbills.  A flight of three Shelducks flew by.  On the distant causeway I found a line of wing drying Cormorants.  There was a steady stream of Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading towards the public hide.

We followed them there.  They were standing on the right hand side rocky causeway.  Surveying the salina in front of us we only added Avocets to the list.  A Thekla Lark showed well on the gravelly bank. A  rabbit was sunbathing.    The drive along the track to the church only produced a Greenfinch.

Spoonbills (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We made our way towards the Rambla Morales using the beachside track.  Saw a flight of Cormorants. There were a number of people hanging around the estuary, so no birds there.  As we walked towards the hump we saw Chiffchaffs flitting in the reeds.  We heard Cetti's Warblers.  Through the sparse reeds we saw some Greater Flamingos with a raft of White-headed Ducks, a first for new birder, Michelle. There was a plethora of birds visible from the hump.  Apart from the Cormorants and Greater Flamingos there were numerous small waders.  Dunlin, Sanderling, Little Stints, Kentish and Ringed Plovers.  There were a couple of pairs of Shoveler and some Mallard, Coots and Moorhens.  We saw both Little and Black-necked Grebes. A single Audouin's Gull was seen.  We headed back to the cars. En route back to the motorway Peter and I saw Red-legged Partridge and White Wagtail.  We saw a total of 40 species. Lovely weather and great company.

Thekla Lark (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Encouraging news from Les.  His son Tom's health is improving.  Sending our best wishes to him, Kath and all the Groves family.

Regards

Dave

Sunbathing Rabbit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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.