Cabo de Gata & Ramble Morales

 Wednesday 29 May

Once again Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group were at my favourite Almeria site, Cabo de Gata.  Whilst the group may not have seen as many species at they expected, nevertheless, good weather and company and at lest they can see white-headed Ducks and Iberian Grey Shrikes, unlike me back in Blighty!

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales Wednesday 29th May

I was in the truck when I picked up Peter from La Alfoquia and Juda from Los Gallardos.  The weather was sunny with a slight refreshing breeze.  Our count started as we came off the motorway near to Retamar Sur.  We clocked Magpie, Jackdaw, Collared Dove, Bee-eater, House Sparrow, House Martin and a Juda spotted Blackbird before we passed through Pujaire.  Alan and Trevor were already at the first hide when we arrived.  There were far more Greater Flamingos present than our last visit.  Alan and Trevor had already seen Avocet, Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt, Redshank, Kentish Plover and Grey Plover.  We were joined by Kevin.  A Red-rumped Swallow flew by.  Also seen were Mallard, Thekla Lark and Spotless Starling.  Kevin found more than one Iberian Grey Shike on the fences to our right. Some Common Swifts flew by as did a Sardinian Warbler.  A scan by Alan to the far right shoreline produced some Ruff and a Ringed Plover . The final bird seen from the first hide was a Yellow-legged Gull.

Greater Flamingos (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

After a coffee at the village cafe we headed to the beach opposite the second hide.  There was nothing out to sea.  As we walked past the shrubs, Trevor spotted a pair of Greenfinch.  From the hide we saw more of the same.  Greater Flamingos, Yellow-legged Gulls and Shelducks.

At the public hide, the same as before plus some Avocets.  Interestingly we saw three Gull-billed Terns fly in over one of the islands.  A pair of Ringed Plovers went mental and harassed the terns as they flew over as if they were raptors.  Do Gull-billed Terns take chicks or eggs?

Kevin left as he had an appointment in Almeria.  We convoyed towards the Rambla Morales.  Juda spotted a White Wagtail near the first beach cafe.  Due to walking tourists there was nothing at the estuary  end.  There were more Greater Flamingos.  On the far reed line sand beach there were some Common Pochard.  A walker caused panic amongst the Flamingos and some resting Slender-billed and Black-headed Gulls. 

Black-necked Grebe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

A glamorous Black-necked Grebe glided by.  Alan found a Turnstone opposite.  Next he found some White-headed Ducks down the far end.  A flotilla of 10 Sheldducklings came into view.  En route back through the greenhouses Juda, Peter and I added some Barn Swallows.

Row of ten Shelduckling (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Lovely outing in good company.  The birding could've been better.  We saw 34 species.

Regards

Dave

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