Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

Wednesday 29 January 

Sounds like a great morning's birding by Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group and especially impressed with the number of White-headed Ducks seen.  An early Little Ringed Plover suggests that Summer, never mind Spring, is on its way.  Probably at least another three months before I see my first LRP of the year.  Back here in the UK we still have all our winter visitors albeit yet to see either Redwing or Fieldfare this Winter.  And no nearby sightings of brambling so, perhaps, plenty of food back home.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 29th January

Having survived the high winds over the past few days, (Albox recorded a 116km gust, the highest in Spain!) I headed to the Rambla de Almanzora. I joined at the usual place, just past the Desert Springs golf complex.  The first weir and about a kilometre beyond were dry  I then came across some large pools.  First bird seen was a Green Sandpiper, followed by Black-winged Stilts and the first of many Teal.  White Wagtails were flitting about.  A Stonechat perched on a thistle.  A large flock of Jackdaws flew over.  Further pools supported Mallard, Moorhens and lots of Teal.  The final pool contained many Mallard and a few Gadwall.  On the edge were some Little Ringed Plovers.  A Magpie flew by.

I reached the dry ford and backtracked up the rambla to the newly formed pool.  More Teal, Black-winged Stilts together with a Snipe, Kentish Plover and Common Sandpiper.  I made my way to the parking area to await the others.  There I added Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Spotless Starling, Blackbird and Blackcap.  Kevin arrived.  He'd also seen a Woodpigeon.  We added Chiffchaff and a flying Kestrel together with some prey in its talons.

Teal (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

A Guardia Civil Helicopter started to circle the area.  Sadly an elderly Spanish man ha s recently gone missing.  The helicopter then landed on the rough land between us and the main road. The pilot got out and relieved himself.  When one has to go, one has to go!  He returned to the chopper and took off. Later we saw Civil Protection personnel with civilian volunteers doing land searches.

Once Trevor had arrived we moved to the beach.  Kevin eyed a Cormorant on the harbour rocks.  He then spotted some Sandwich Terns.  On the rocks I saw Turnstones and a Whimbrel.  An adult Gannet passed close to shore closely followed by a Little Egret.  We drove over to the estuary.  There we added Black-headed Gulls, Coot and Grey Herons.  Lots of Cormorants swimming around.  Kevin then spotted a red billed juvenile Spoonbill.  We adjourned to Villaricos village for a coffee.  We were joined by House Sparrows!

Juvenile Spoonbill (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We then made our way to the dual carriageway overlooking the shallow water behind Vera Playa. Trevor found some Shelduck as well as numerous Shoveler.  We counted 10 Greater Flamingos.  Small number of Crag Martins were flying around.  I then spotted a fast walking Water Rail.  Kevin added Little Grebe.  Trevor found a Snipe.

Snipe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Seeing lots of sitting gulls on the sandy spit we made our way to the first elevated viewing point. Amongst the numerous Black-headed Gulls we found 3 Mediterranean Gulls.  There were also 3 Common Pochard resting there.  I found a Black-necked Grebe on the water.

I departed to the Iceland supermarket as Kevin and Trevor went to the other elevated platform.  There they added 50 White-headed Ducks.

Gadwall (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

A great days birding with the two other amigos!  44 species in total.  Was a bit chilly to start with.

Regards

Dave

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