Wednesday 28 May
Looks like Dave had a long day yesterday with Stefaan and Eli and ended up "all birded out" so many thanks and appreciation to Barrie and Alan for leading the Arboleas Birding Group's visit to the Sierra de Maria. And my word they seem to have found some good birds as well as the heat after the recent poorer weather. Back in Blighty having had our long, hot spell, a few damp days but the hot(ter) weather seems to be returning once again.
As Dave was all birdied-out after his guiding yesterday, Barrie and I arranged for the group to meet for a trip around The Loop. The group comprised Nigel, Seamus and Linda, Peter 1, Richard, Kevin, Trevor, Barrie and Beryl, and me. We met at La Piza cafe-bar and, when I arrived with Trevor, several species had been seen, either on the journey in or at La Piza itself. These included Jackdaw, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Jay, House Sparrow and Wood Pigeon. Barrie had also heard a Firecrest. While we finished our coffees, a Blue and a Crested Tit put in an appearance.
As a point of interest, Kevin had spent the previous night 'up the road', a few kilometres going west, at Manantial de Fuencaliente. He recorded Golden Oriole, Nightingale and Corn Bunting singing. He also saw a pair of Lesser Kestrel, at the farm buildings where we normally see them, as he journeyed to La Piza.
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| Golden Oriole (PHOTO: RN Wright) |
We set off on The Loop and, as usual, the stretch through the wooded section near the start produced nothing visible although Barrie did record the calls/songs of Chaffinch and another species that I didn't note (was it Great Tit?) using the Merlin app on his phone. Further along we saw Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Rock Sparrow, Linnet and many Corn Buntings and Crested Larks. A Mallard in flight was seen as well as a couple of Magpies. Then, perched on a low bush, perhaps rather unusually, I spotted a Roller which, in the perfect light and direction of the sun, showed that species' brilliant colours. It flew off a short distance but everyone was able to see it. A single Turtle Dove was briefly seen and Greenfinch, Red-billed Chough, Zitting Cisticola, and Reed Warbler (heard only) added. Near The Cliff Face a Nightingale was heard, Kevin saw a Black Wheatear before it disappeared from view. It may have been Linda who first spotted a Griffon Vulture soaring high above, the first of several seen during the day. On the way back to the cars, a pale morph Booted Eagle gave good views and Nigel and others saw a second one before we left.
Quite a bit further along near the airfield, two Ravens were circling using the thermal upcurrents. Goldfinch was added and Richard saw a Spotted Flycatcher.
We returned to La Piza, seeing only one Lesser Kestrel at the farm buildings on the way but also another Roller in the fruit trees newly planted on the plain. We had lunch and I noticed just the head of a bunting as it stood in the shallow concrete drinking pool. As it flew up Barrie saw the yellowish tinge on the underside - a Cirl Bunting.
After lunch, Barrie and Beryl, Trevor and I decided to visit the botanical garden. We parked by the chapel and within minutes Barrie had logged Serin, Common Cuckoo and heard and then seen a Western Subalpine Warbler, closely followed by a Western Olivaceous Warbler, aka Isabelline Warbler, perched high in a tree from whence it started singing as well. We had a brief look around the gardens and heard a Western Bonelli's Warbler, our final bird of the day.
Fort-two species seen during a very hot morning and early afternoon, up to 30 degC. Thanks to all for contributing to a very pleasant day.
Alan
NOTE: "Merlin" is a fee app available for either Android or iPhone. There are a few errors but now probably in excess of 90% accurate. Indeed, speculation suggest that most errors are down to wrong identification by the individual recoded. Back in the UK on organised birding trips with HOS (Hampshire ornithological Society), I find that over half, and growing on each subsequent visit, of members are using their Merlin to identify bird song. If like me and age is taking its toll on your hearing, I use merlin to inform me what is about and then search out the individual, only recording birds that I have then actually heard and identified. For example, an early morning visit to a specific spot in the New Forest to locate Common Redstart today resulted in a final tally of 11 species but my Merlin also recorded a further 8 species! A great help to birders especially when the trees are in full leaf.
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