Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

Wednesday 20 March

Interesting morning for Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group  which, in the end, turned out to be quite productive.  How long ago since I saw a quintet of Little Stints and yet to see my first Little Ringed Plover of Barn Swallow back in the south of the UK. I might need to pop over to nearby Hayling Island to see how the breeding colony of hundreds of Mediterranean Gulls are settling down to bring back happy memories of my twenty years in Malaga province!

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 20th March

Being on my own and having to use my truck as the comfortable car was in for service and ITV, I headed out early to go to the Rambla de Almanzora.  I joined it just past the Desert Springs golf complex.  At the first weir the pool held a Moorhen and a Mallard.  A Yellow-legged Gull and a Cattle Egret flew by.  Further along I stopped opposite any of the shallow pools that looked interesting.  I found Green and Wood Sandpipers on one with Little Ringed Plovers.  Also seen were Yellow Wagtail and Water Pipit. There were a few Black-winged Stilts and numerous Shovelers.  I passed the ford, passing the reed bed when a Hoopoe and Magpie flew by.  I made my way to the Consum dual carriageway where I picked up Phil and Sue.  They had seen Barn Swallow and Common Swift.  En route to the parking area we added Jackdaw and Collared Dove (a posh pigeon!)  Whilst the others arrived we saw Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff and Phil got a Serin.  We were joined by Richard, Peter 1 & 2, Trevor, Kevin and Troy.  The latter two did the sewage works walk, but didn't add to the list.

We made our way to the beach.  There were a couple of Cormorants on the harbour rocks.  Peter 2 found some Spotless Starlings on the tower.  Phil added a Sandwich Tern. I spotted a pod of 3 or 4 Dolphins which were lovely to see.

Little Ringed Plover (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved to the far side of the estuary. The number of birds was very disappointing.  We had a Coot and a Little Egret.  Richard and Peter 1 saw a Kestrel as we left.

We adjourned to the Tiburon cafe in Villaricos village.  Suitably refreshed, we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  Phil immediately found 5 Little Stints and a Kentish Plover where the Moorhens hang out.  The usual Greater Flamingos were there together with Shovelers, Little Grebes and a few Common Pochard.  Richard added a Blackbird.  I drove the truck to the far side of the hump.  Phil and Sue walked and saw a Sardinian Warbler.  Kevin spotted about a dozen Shelduck resting on the opposite water line.  Phil found a Ruff.  There was a raft of about 15 Mediterranean Gulls on the water.  Peter 1 had a glimpse of a Marsh Harrier before it landed in the far reeds. 

Five Little Stints (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved round to the end viewing platform opposite the Aguaparc.  There were a few White-headed Ducks.  I spotted a Red-crested Pochard resting in the reed line.  A Marsh Harrier gained height at the far end of the salina and then headed off towards the Almanzora estuary.

We ended with 41 species.  Lovely weather and company. 

Hope David Green feels better soon.

Regards

Dave

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