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| Red-knobbed Coot (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
El Fondo, near Elche
Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd February
My birding mate, Paul, arrived at Alicante airport around 4pm so we headed straight for the El Fondo bird reserve information centre. On the road up to the gate we saw Spotless and Northern Starling and Collared Doves. As we drove into the quite full carpark we added a Stonechat. The rangers had been busy, cutting down the reeds, so we had a good view across the shallow waters with patches of reed stubble. These areas were being used by Coot, Moorhen and Black-winged Stilts to feed on as were three Purple Swamphens. I spotted a reasonably close Snipe having a rest. Further out there were numerous Shoveler. Above us there were a large number of Crag Martins. White Wagtails were chasing flying midges. We walked towards the Information Centre adding House Sparrow to the list. We saw the first of many Chiffchaffs flitting in the reeds. Scanning the shallow water area from this angle we saw three more Purple Swamphens and added Teal.
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| Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We moved over to the enclosed pool by the picnic seating area. Paul was first to spot a Red-knobbed Coot. There were two there, but unfortunately no sign of any Marbled Duck. We walked upon the raised wooden walkway seeing more Red-knobbed Coot, common Coots, Moorhens and Black-winged Stilts. Another two Swamphens were seen. We also had a Little Grebe and heard a Cetti's Warbler.
We made our way towards the first hide. We were given a good view, albeit a brief one, of a first winter Bluethroat. At the hide we added Greater Flamingo and Shelduck.
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| Red-knobbed Coot (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We returned via the raised wooden walkway seeing a Grey Heron and a female Black Redstart to finish off.
We saw 23 species. We'd booked a holiday chalet at the nearby Alannia campsite for an overnight stop.
Lovely andclean but a tad chilly.
We were up with the larks in the morning, glad to get a mug of tea down us. For info, don't book an included breakfast as they serve from 9am and we had to leave at 8am to get to El Fondo's North Gate by opening time of 8.30. Being so close we were there by 8.15. I had a chat with a couple of the local birders I'd met before. Although they hadn't been there last week, someone had reported seeing a Spotted Eagle. I asked about "Tonn", the original satellite tagged Spotted Eagle from Estonia who'd been migrating here for many years for the winter. I was shocked and very angry when they told me Tonn had been shot and killed by a local farmer a few years ago. I hope they got the bas***rd!
The ranger arrived and let us in. As Paul is disabled we are allowed to use the car. Normally you have to park by the gate and walk. We'd already seen Marsh Harrier and Cormorant flying over. As we drove down towards the far elevated viewing platform we saw Moorhen, Coot and a Grey Heron by the trackside channel. We parked up and walked the short distance to the hide. As we passed the end of the reeds we came into view of three Great White Egrets, perched on the wooden walkway's hand rail.
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| Distant resting Marsh Harrier (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Apart from Chiffchaffs, Coots, Moorhens and House Sparrows we saw very little there except numerous quartering Marsh Harriers. We walked towards the next hide seeing Mallard, Northern Starling and Great Tit. Sadly it wasn't a Spotted Eagle that flew over, but a Booted one! From the hide we had a good view of a large expanse of shallow water. There were hundreds of Shoveler swimming there. It took us some time to spot some Shelduck, Common Pochard and a pair of Red-crested Pochard. We also saw Little Grebe, Stonechat, White Wagtails, Chiffchaffs and heard Cetti's Warbler. We found a distant Marsh Harrier perched on a post.
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| Snipe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
It was about this time that Paul realised he'd left his hearing aids in the chalet. We managed to find the ranger who met us at the exit gate. Whilst waiting for her we added Goldfinch, Magpie, Robin and Sardinian Warbler. Luckily we retrieved the hearing aids okay.
We ended up with 24 species for this mornings birding. As Paul had never seen a Long-eared Owl, I'd been in contact with my friends near Lorca. They confirmed there were three there. We popped in and had good, but fleeting views of them. Unfortunately I was not able to get any photos this time!
A great couple of bird outings. A good start to his holiday!
Regards
Dave
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