Rambla Almanzora & Vera Playa

Wednesday 19 March 

It looks as if the Arboleas Birding Group finally found some sun for their visit to the Rabla Almanzora and Vera Playa!  Obviously worth the wait having found Kentish Plovers and Little Stints not to mention the Red-crested Pochard and Iberian Grey Shrike.  All the mention of barn Swallows, House martins and Little Ringed Plovers suggest that, at last, thy may also be on their way to dear old Blighty; I'll have to keep my eyes peeled these coming days.  Also pleasing to note that the group continues to prosper with new members and long may it do so.  Good luck and best wishes to all.

Rambla Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 19th March

After many days of rain it was nice to get out and about.  Nigel picked me up from home and Seamus and Linda, near neighbours, followed us down to the ford parking area overlooking the Rambla de Almanzora.  There had obviously been a torrent of water down the rambla as the ford was a muddy mess and much of the rambla vegetation had been up rooted.  Kevin's motorvan was there but he was out.  As we waited we saw Magpie, Goldfinch and Woodpigeon.  By the ford we could see both Green and Common Sandpiper as well as a White Wagtail.  We were joined by a plethora of members.  Richard and Peter 1, Peter and Linda 2, Phil with new members, John and Stella and Trevor.  We saw Spotless Starling and a smart male Serin.  Kevin arrived back from his wanderings.  He'd seen Barn Swallow, Shoveler, Crag Martin, Moorhen, Ringed Plover and Mallard.  Nigel found an Iberian Grey Shrike on a distant power line.  A few Barn Swallows flew by.  A Little Ringed Plover was also seen.

Kevin had been down the beach road and said it had deep gullies across the entrance so we headed to the far side of the estuary.  En route we saw a Collared Dove and a Yellow-legged Gull.  The end of the estuary had been breached by the rain torrent so small waves were entering the brackish waters.  Linda 2 spotted the first of three Sandwich Terns seen.  Peter 2 added a Cormorant.  Birthday boy, Kevin, spotted Audouin's Gull, Little Egret, Sanderling and a Gannet out to sea.  Nigel added a Black-headed Gull.  I had a Redshank whilst Kevin added Kentish Plover and Dunlin.  Peter 1 saw a Grey Heron.  We were joined by Val.

Kentish Plovers and Little Stint (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

As we had a cuppa in Villaricos village we were joined by some House Sparrows.  We convoyed to the dual carriageway which overlooks the shallow waters opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  We saw Kentish Plover with some Little Stints.  House and Crag Martins together with some Barn Swallows were flying in front of us.  Also seen were Greater Flamingos, Shelducks, Black-winged Stilts, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Common Pochard.  Four Grey Herons flew over us.  Nigel found a White-headed Duck while I found a Red-crested Pochard.  Linda 1 saw a Chiffchaff.  Kevin found a Wigeon.

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

We moved to the pool opposite the Aquaparc.  There were White-headed Ducks, Shoveler, Mallard, Common and Red-crested Pochard, Coot and Moorhen so nothing new to the list.  Peter 2 & Linda 2 saw our final bird, a Kestrel.

Male Red-crested Pochard and White-headed Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended with 42 species seen.  Great to be out in the sun with good company.

Sending our best wishes to Juda and Les, hoping they improve their health soon.

Regards

Dave

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