Saturday 27 April

Apologies to readers of Dave's reports on the activities of the Arboleas Birding Group but I have just returned from a cruise to the Canary Islands and back so now in the process of catching up.  But I have already read and enjoyed Dave's reports (2) so hope, likewise, that you all do the same.  The following is from last week and then I will copy separately this week's report.

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 17th April

Paul and I picked up Neville from Los Gallardos and headed south on the A7/E15 towards Almeria. The further south we went, the better the weather looked, but as we came off the motorway, although it was sunny we could see the trees were swaying in the wind.  En route to the first hide on the Cabo de Gata bird reserve we logged Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow and Collared Dove.

Kevin, Trevor, Val and newbies, Andy and Debs were in the hide checking out some terns.  Our first Gull-billed Terns of the year!  A great start.  Looking in front of us, it was quite noticeable how much the water level had dropped.  Kevin had been in his campervan overnight.  He'd already seen Avocet, Greater Flamingo, Shelduck, Kentish and Ringed Plover, Redshank, Yellow-legged and Audouin's Gulls, Dunlin, Turnstone and Mallard.  A scan with the scope picked up most of the list.  I did find some Slender-billed Gulls.  Also seen were Black-winged Stilts, Curlew Sandpipers and House Martins.  I found a distant Greenfinch.

The low water at Cabo de Gata (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

After coffee and tostadas in a local cafe we made our way to the beach opposite the second hide. Unusually a Little Egret was flying up and down the shoreline.  At the hide, Kevin found some more.  I spotted two Spoonbills feeding along the far shore.  We also saw a Grey Heron and a Thekla Lark. Most of the birds were sheltering from the wind.

The public hide provided views of Avocet, Black-headed Gulls, Shelduck, Yellow Wagtail and a solitary Cormorant.  Unimpressed, we headed to the Rambla Morales apart from Kevin who headed home who, after reading this, might've regretted his decision!

White Headed Ducks, Black Winged Stilt and Common Pochard (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We travelled slowly along the beachside track hoping to catch sight of the recently reported Dotterels and the Cream Coloured Courser.  Alas no, but we did find a pair of Stone Curlews.  A Common Swift flew over and as we got out of the vehicles a couple of Sand Martins were seen.  We headed for the hump.  A Goldfinch flew past us.  From the hump we had good views of White-headed Ducks, Common Pochard and Black Winged Stilts.  There were a number of Greater Flamingos present.

Greater Flamingos and a Common Pochard (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suddenly a Great White Egret took off, trying without success to fly inland.  Made a flight shot much easier!  On the water we added Coot and Little Grebe.  I scanned the savannah behind us and found a Northern Wheatear and an Iberian Grey Shrike.  Three wheatears were eventually seen.  As we walked back, Nevelle shouted, "What are those?" There were two Collared Pratincoles playing in the wind over the far side. The last bird was a Magpie en route to the motorway.

Great White Egret (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

A great day's birding in good company. 43 Species in all.

Dave

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