Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 1 May

Fabulous day's birding by the Arboleas Birding Group and especially that bonus of the Eagle Owl at the end.  Lots of great birds seen and reminded me of my great birding morning in the New Forest yesterday where I recorded four new species for the year; Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hobby, Cuckoo and Sand Martin.  So, two hirundines now seen but no sign yet of a House Martin, perhaps you could send a few over!  Certainly not a bad morning when you get to both Night and Squacco Herons not to mention Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, White-headed Duck and that handsome Ruff.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 1st May 2024

On Paul's last day, we picked up Juda from the La Alfoquia garage and headed to Villaricos.  I'd told everybody to meet at the beach due to the destruction of the shrubs and vegetation on the rambla.  As we were approaching the river bridge, I got a call from Kevin.  He was at the ford and had got Night Herons there.  We'd already seen Blackbird and Magpie as we reached the parking area.  Sure enough from our raised viewing point Kevin pointed out two Night Herons.  One, an adult, the other a juvenile with a captured eel in its mouth.  The latter, having been disturbed by a Grey Heron, moved to a good location.  I got my camera, but disaster....dead battery!  Fortunately Kevin had an identical camera with a spare battery.  The day was saved! 

Immature Night Heron with m'eel...sorry! (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Also seen were Moorhen, Little Ringed Plover and Black-winged Stilt.  A flight of 5 Glossy Ibis came into land. Prior to our arrival Kevin had also seen Woodpigeon, Little Egret, Turnstone and Yellow-legged Gull.  I drove down to the beach to collect Peter, who'd also seen a Turnstone and redirect him to the ford.  As I did so Trevor arrived as well.  We returned to the ford where we all saw the Night Herons and Glossy Ibises.  We added Common Swift and Collared Dove before we made for the estuary.  Kevin and Trevor walked up to the sewage farm where they added Woodchat Shrike, Goldfinch, Little Grebe, White Wagtail and Spotless Starling.  They heard a Cetti's Warbler.  On the embankment overlooking the estuary we heard a Nightingale.  We were joined by Peter 2.  Paul found both Ringed Plover and Audouin's Gull. I had a Kentish Plover . Later on Jacky was here and saw Oystercatcher and Whimbrel.

Glossy Ibis (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

After an enjoyable coffee break we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa overlooking the Salar shallow waters.  Apart from the usual Moorhens and Greater Flamingos I spotted a near "ginger" wader.  Once I'd got the scope on it I saw it was a Ruff in near breeding plumage. (Photo later showed it was ringed)  Wow!  

Ringed Ruff (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Then was then a shout from Juda who'd found a White Stork.  It later took off and gave us a flypast . Kevin spotted a Cormorant. and some Common Pochard.  Also seen were Little Grebes, Avocets, Coots, Black-winged Stilts, Mallards and Shelducks.  We were joined by Jacky.  There were lots of House Martins flying around but only a few Barn Swallows.  I added a flying Spoonbill which landed in the water.  A flight of 5 Redshank flew in.  I then saw a Squacco Heron fly in, which conveniently landed on top of some shrubs in front of us. Kevin added a White-headed Duck.

Squacco Heron (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved round to the elevated viewing platform opposite the Aquaparc.  Paul immediately saw a Purple Swamphen in the reeds to the left.  The only other new birds were 3 male Red-crested Pochards with a female who was corralling numerous fledglings. A Glossy Ibis flew in.

What a spiffing mornings birdwatching we had!  44 species in total. 

Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Last week I bumped into one of our group and asked if the Eagle Owls had returned to near his house. They had, so Paul and I visited his house which looks onto a cliff face.  The scope was already trained on an area where we could see an adult and two of the three chicks ( we reckoned about 35 days old). What a wonderful sight!  Thank you to our hosts!

Eagle Owl - fluffy chicks to the right (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We are glad to hear that Les Senior's son Tom's health has significantly improved.

Regards

Dave

Flying White Stork (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Spoonbill (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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.