El Fondo, Elche

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Wednesday 9 October

A leisurely drive south from Lliria, Valencia brought us to the El Fondo reserve at Crevillent near Elche by  3.30 where I could spend almost two hours wandering around the site. Still pleasantly warm and calm albeit on the cloudy side but very ow om water other than the two main lagoons near the Visitors Centre. The pons at the back of the VC was just about completely dry and very little water in the boardwalk area with much exposed mud, etc.  On the other hand, the low water level, and especially in the ditches, seemed to provide a real feasting opportunity for the scores of Little Egrets present on site which must have amounted to well over an hundred individuals.  The same could also be said of the Glossy Ibis flock.  Every time a couple of score or more took flight there seemed to be still the same number left resting and feeding.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Back to the start. A number of Collared Doves as we approached the entrance drive and once in the car park a Common Waxbill moved out of the bush immediately on front of the car.  Beyond the boundary fence, the water at the back held a number of Glossy Ibis, a juvenile Flamingo and a Little Egret.  Moving to the  Visitors Centre many visitors making use of the picnic tables but no problem reaching the screen to check the pond beyond.  Now completely dry with just a few small puddles but a number of feeding Red-knobbed Coots, a couple of Purple Swamphen and a similar number of Moorhen. So off to the boardwalk accompanied by calling Cetti's Warblers.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Once on the boardwalk only limited, low water levels and a the back to my left scores of resting Glossy Ibis. a Heron at the very back along with  handful of Little Egret and then the first sighting of a pair of Black-winged Stilt. A lone eclipse plumaged Marbled Duck made a brief appearance towards the back of the water before I rounded the first bend and came across the foraging Red-knobbed and Common Coots along with a number of Purple Swamphens and a few Moorhen.  Many more Little Egrets and a handful of young Flamingos also on show.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Reaching the end of the boardwalk many more Little Egrets spread near and far and then off the first hide on the left.  Not a lot to be seen other than a handful of Mallard and a lone male Shoveler with a few Common Coot towards the back of the water.  Another small flock of Glossy Ibis passed overhead and looking up the narrow channel as I crossed I noticed not only Little Egrets actually on the banks and down in the water but also a large flock resting atop the bank in the distance.

One f the larger gatherings of Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Moving across to the hide on the right overlooking the main lagoon (see photo at top) only about a score of distant Flamingos to the far left along with a resting Heron.  Immediately in front of me at the back a small group of eleven resting Spoonbill and immediately in front of me a handful of Black-winged Stilt.  A handful of Black-headed Gulls to my right and then a lone Little Grebe moved across to the reeds on my left.

Resting Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia

Making my way back to the VC by the same route the Marbled Duck was no longer to be seen but a single Teal had now arrived.  Still lots of Glossy Ibis and Little Egret plus a Cetti's Warbler on the fence to my left which quickly move away to nearby bushes.  To my right a Green Sandpiper made a hasty departure and so back to the car.  Sitting in the car updating my records I looked at the water beyond the fence in front of me and, with the use of the binoculars, found a well concealed pair of Marbled Ducks.

Teal Anas crecca

Leaving the car par  a flock of about thirty Spotless Starlings were on the wires to the left and at the end of the approach road a small number of Barn Swallows in the sky above us.  Also at the junction with the main road a handful of Cattle Egrets at the edge of the field to the left plus a few more that had crossed to the field on the opposite side of the car.  A very short drive to our nearby Hostal Imperial for the night and as we moved away not only more Collared Doves on the wires but a resting Hoopoe.

El Fondo, the main lagoon

Birds seen:

Mallard, Shoveler, Marbled Duck, Teal, Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Waxbill, Spotless Starling.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Juvenile Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Distant Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Heron Ardea cinerea (right and above) with Little Egret

Flight of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porohyrio

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

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