Monday 24 February

Sorry for the delay in publishing the latest report from the Arboleas Birding Group but Jenny and I have been on a very cold and frosty cruise up into the Baltic.  Not all bad news though as managed to take the monthly total over the hundred as a result of seen sea birds including Fulmar, Puffin, Black Guillemot and Shag.  And certainly no shortage of Hooded Crows in the towns we visited!  Even managed to see a couple of Red Kite on the drive up the A3 from Portsmouth to the M25 and then on to Tilbury. Lots of good birds seen last week but no Iberian Shrike and soon the Woodchats will be returning.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 19th February

Nigel kindly picked Seamus and I up. ,We headed for the Rambla de Almanzora.  As we were in Nigel's snazzy car we went straight to the car park above the ford.  We saw Woodpigeon and the first of many Chiffchaffs.  Seamus spotted a pair of Mallards flying over.  We were joined by Richard, Peters 1 and 2 and Trevor.  A squawking Yellow-legged Gull alerted us to its presence as it harassed a flying Grey Heron.  Richard found a Black Redstart on a power line.  Later a Woodpigeon and a Hoopoe alighted on the same power line.  A Magpie was also seen.

We moved round to the beach.  Trevor spotted a pair of Cormorant and two Little Egrets on the harbour rocks.  I found a pair of Ringed Plovers on another set of rocks.  Out to sea I saw an Adult Gannet.  A pair of Audouin's Gulls rested on some rocks.  On a patch of seaweed I saw some Turnstone and Kentish Plovers.  Some House Sparrows were on the tower.  As we headed towards the estuary a pair of Collared Doves flew into a tree.  The estuary was very birdless.  We saw a Coot and some Goldfinches.

After a refreshing cuppa at the Tiberon cafe, we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  Seamus found the first of numerous Moorhen and Shovelers by the dozen.  

Shoveler (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Peter 2 reeled off Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Shelduck and Little Grebe.  Peter 1 added Greater Flamingo, one of about 10.  Trevor found some Crag Martins . Peter 2 & Seamus spotted a Snipe.  Peter 2 then spotted a distant soaring Marsh Harrier.  Nigel added a Sardinian Warbler.

Greater Flamingos (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We convoyed round to the elevated platform opposite the Aquaparc.  Peter 2 found a pair of Black-necked Grebes near the far reed line.  Also there was a Purple Swamphen. On the water Trevor found some Common Pochard.  Also there was a raft of Black-headed Gulls and a couple of White-headed Ducks.  Two Mediterranean Gulls flew over.

Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

They completed our 36 species list.  Lovely relaxing day with good mates.

Regards

Dave

White-headed Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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