Dave and the Arboleas Birding Group at Sierra de Maria

Sierra de Maria  -  Tuesday 23rd April

Paul, Juda and myself headed towards Maria from Arboleas.  It was not particularly warm as it was cloudy.  As we passed Velez Blanco we drove into mist/low clouds.  It was not looking good.  Trevor in his car was in front of us.  I was considering turning back.  As we drove out of Maria town, the mist disappeared and we were in sunshine albeit a tad chilly (5c) and still some clouds.  We arrived at the La Piza forest cafe having only seen a Woodpigeon.  Juda and Paul sat at one of the solid tables in front of the bird feeders as Trevor and I went to order the coffee.  We missed the Great Spotted Woodpecker but did manage to see the Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinch, Jay and the Collared Dove the others had seen in our absence.  As we drank our coffee we added Crested Tit and House Sparrow.  As we walked back to the cars, Paul spotted a Griffon Vulture flying over.

Crested Tit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We commenced to do the loop.  Very few birds were seen.  Only Crested Lark to start with.  We then had good but fleeting views of perched Calandra Lark and Black-eared Wheatear before they flew away. We also had Magpie and Corn Bunting.  Trevor and Juda, who was now a passenger in his car, added a Linnet.  We stopped on the track just before the Canada Canepla village.  We saw two more Corn Buntings and some Barn Swallows. 

I scanned further along the track and could see a number of circling Griffon Vultures.  We headed in their direction.  We saw 6 Griffons as well as Spotless Starling, Goldfinch and Hoopoe.  At the farm buildings we saw both Carrion Crow and Red-billed Chough . As we passed the reeded area we heard a Cetti's Warbler.

We parked up at the cliff face.  Trevor spotted a Black Wheatear.  We could hear 2 or 3 three singing Nightingales in the large hedge, but, as hard as we looked, we couldn't see them.  We carried on.  I stopped near a large plume of 20 odd soaring Griffon Vultures.  In amongst them was a Carrion Crow and a Red-billed Chough.

Griffon Vulture in flight (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved on a few hundred yards when I spotted two Griffons on the ground.  We next came upon the goat farm.  There were 4 Griffon Vultures on the ground pecking at the skeletal remains of a goat.  I managed a few photos before they took off.

Griffon Vulture feasting on goat (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Griffon Vultures on the ground (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We carried on to the hamlet.  Was concerned that the Lesser Kestrels had not returned.  Along the plain, two Calandra Larks nearly became my bonnet ornaments as they chased each other.  At the water trough area we added Rock Sparrow.  Paul spotted a Whinchat on the water deposito fence.  Nice one!

We returned to the La Piza forest cafe for a snack lunch.  We could hear the yaffle of an Iberian Green Woodpecker.  Having ordered, we sat down apart from Paul who headed off to the loo.  He missed the Hawfinch that came for a brief wash at the end of a running hose.  Luckily for him the Hawfinch returned for rinse down.  Crossbills were coming down for a drink, as did a Serin.

We ended up with 31 species. Everyone agreed it was a cracking day!

Hawfinch having a bath (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Regards

Dave

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.