Cabo de Gata

 Wednesday 4 December

As promised a few minutes  ago, this morning's report from Dave and is Arboleas Birding Group comes hot on the heals of last week's account so time to enjoy both rather than sitting out of the sun as I prepare to leave the warm weather behind and head back to a dull and damp UK!  Ans whilst at my favourite Almeria site, Cabo de Gata, you managed to find some Trumpeter Finches but, presumably, no Dotterel hanging around and waiting to be seen by the group.  Meanwhile, seems a shame not to show a photo of the Trumpeter Finch so have added a couple I took at Cabo de Gata a few years ago.

Cabo de Gata  -  Wednesday 4th December 2024

Paul, Pat and myself drove down towards Cabo de Gata being followed by my near neighbours, Seamu, Linda and their well behaved dog, Lottie.  The first birds we saw were Collared Doves, Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows in Retamar.  Paul added a Magpie and Seamus and Linda a White Wagtail before we got to the 1st hide where Alan and Trevor were already on the birds.  Alan had seen a pair of Ruff, a Black-tailed Godwit, an Iberian Grey Shrike and a Stonechat.  I quickly found Greater Flamingos and a feeding raft of Slender-billed Gulls.  There was a Little Egret and a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls on the causeway together with some Black-winged Stilts.  Kevin arrived and pointed out some distant Spoonbill.  A Black Redstart was on the power line behind us.  Also there, spotted by Trevor, was a Kestrel.  A flight of about 7 small waders flew in.  After much discussion, Alan and I went for Curlew Sandpipers, a rare winter sighting!  We did have a Dunlin nearby to make the comparison.  Kevin heard a Blackbird.  He'd also seen a Jackdaw by the Guardia Civil tower.

After a cup of coffee in Cabo village we headed for the 2nd hide.  Due to my bad back and hips I stayed by the vehicles and did a sea and savannah watch.  Out to sea, quite close in, a pair of adult Gannet flew by.  On the savannah I had Stonechats, a Kestrel and a Chiffchaff.  The others didn't fair very well.  They had closer views of the Spoonbill.  Also seen were Iberian Grey Shrike and Stonechats.

Driving on towards the public hide, a Cormorant flew over.  Just by the track to the hide I spotted a pair of Trumpeter Finch on the wooden fence.  Coming to an abrupt halt, most saw them before they flew off.  We walked to the hide.  Kevin had seen some Greenfinch earlier.  From the hide we spotted Shelduck, Shoveler and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Also seen were Avocet, Redshank (Kevin) and Black-headed Gulls.  Kevin also found a line of Black-necked Grebes he'd seen earlier.  Alan added a Kentish Plover and a Little Stint.  We departed via the church track seeing a Goldfinch, some Greenfinches and Thekla Larks.

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

We made our way towards Rambla Morales.  The beachside track was blocked by civil works.  There was a diversion via the sand beach.  We were not going to risk getting bogged down so that was the end of our birding day.

We ended up with 38 species.  Sorry, still no photos.  Great days birding in good company.  Weather was sunny with a few clouds. A  bit windy.  Sending best wishes to Val & Peter 2 who both had sick notes today!

Regards

Dave

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