Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Friday 23 February

A second report from the Arboleas Birding Group and I am still to write up about my (limited) birding adventure whilst out in Spain these past nine days.  I must admit I quite miss seeing the regular Griffon Vultures and even a Red-legged Partridge has now become a once a year experience, if I'm lucky.  But I do get to see scores of Carrion Crows which were never on my local Malaga birding list!   Always good to see a range of tits, especially my favourite, the Long-tailed Tit and in that sense, usually regular sightings back in Hampshire.  Also, Iassume you managed to miss the expected snow - which is promised this week-end for much of Britain and as far south as the Midlands!

Sierra de Maria  -  Friday 23rd February

The weather forecast said there was to be 35km winds and a tad chilly so I dressed for the occasion.  I drove Richard in his car towards Maria town.  The only bird we saw was a Woodpigeon.  Passing through the town Richard spotted both Northern and Spotless Starlings plus a House Sparrow.  We arrived at the La Piza forest loaded with peanuts and mealworms.  Richard saw a Jay and Chaffinch.  The feeders were empty.  We filled them up, ordered our coffees and observed who came to visit. First it was a Coal Tit, then Long-tailed Tits and finally Great Tits.  Richard found a Mistle Thrush.  We were joined by Trevor and Phil who'd seen some Griffon Vultures nearby.  After a quick coffee we headed out onto the loop.

Red-legged Partridge (PHOTO: David Binns-Elliott)

We saw some Chaffinch as we passed through the pine woods.  A Raven flew low through the trees.  A Griffon Vulture was flying low to avoid the high winds.  Also seen were Carrion Crows and Crested Larks.

Griffon Vulture (PHOTO: David Binns-Elliott)

We stopped briefly by the village, but carried on as the outside temperature was 6degC with a lower wind chill.  En route to the cliff face we added Goldfinch, Magpie and a pair of Red -billed Chough.   As we approached the cliff face I could see Griffon Vultures perched on the top and sides.  We think there were at least 8 of them.  They eventually flew off low to our left.  There were a number of Rock/Stock doves flying around plus a pair of Carrion Crows.  Carrying on we found 4 Red-legged Partridge in an adjacent ploughed field.  

(Another on on top) Griffon Vulture (PHOTO: David Binns-Elliott)

As we made our way to the hamlet we added a Serin and also saw small numbers of Griffon Vultures.  There was nothing at the hamlet, I glimpsed a Little Owl on the plain.  We returned to the La Piza cafe for an early lunch.  We added Crossbill and Blue Tit.  A Jay made an appearance as did Collared Doves and House Sparrows.  

We said our goodbyes and headed back towards Maria.  About half way there we saw a small plume of vultures to our left.  I thought one of them wasn't the assumed Griffon Vulture.  I stopped and checked them out.  It was a Black Vulture!  The first I've seen here. You could see its pale head, making it an adult.  I knew they had some a bit further north. Unfortunately Trevor and Phil had driven off in front of us and were nowhere in sight.

We ended up with 25 species and glad the cars had good heating systems! A great day in good company.

Regards

Dave

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