San Fernando, Cadiz

Monday 28 July

Back in Spain – at last! Our 10-day cruise via Sardinia to the Adriatic and returning via Sicily once more had brought us back to Spain and its southern port of Cadiz in Andalusia.  Our first stop during a non-stop provision of calm weather and clear blue skies with very warm to hot temperatures had been in Cartagena where we managed to record Pallid Swifts and both Black Redstart and Spotted flycatcher, even a pair of Monk Parakeets, and here we were in search of what should be an easy sighting for the year list, Spotless Starlings.

One if the few pools at Salinas los Tres Amigos, San Fernando

Leaving Jenny to explore the city, I took a local bus across the water to the southern end of neighbouring San Fernando to visit the abandoned Salinas of Los Tres Amigos. Unfortunately, I still had a thirty minute walk from the nearest bus stop and, as one might imagine, no shade once out on the footpath across the edge of the abandoned Salinas.  But making my way to the salinas no shortage of Barn Swallows and even more Pallid Swifts. A lone White Wagtail passed by and the ever present company of House Sparrows.  Lots of Feral Pigeons (Rock Doves) about but also both a few Collared Doves and a single Woodpigeon.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Once on the Salinas proper signs of dried white beds but still the few isolated stretches of water and ere long a Flamingo flew over and at the back of a large pool four more feeding Flamingos. On a neighbouring pool I found a resting single Yellow-legged Gull (there were scores on or above the water at the cruise port).  Continuing southwards I came across a pair of Goldfinch and then, at the river with the tide almost completely out, I was able to find a group of waders feeding in a nearby pool.  About a dozen Black-tailed Godwits but also nearby a couple of Avocet and a Black-winged Stilt.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

A couple of Oystercatchers on the return walk which came as a surprise but at least confirmed my hearing of same and then, approaching the end, I finally found my Spotless Starlings as a score flew over a recently ploughed field.  As an added bonus, a male Kestrel flew by in the opposite direction.

Salinas los Tres Amigos, San Fernando showing both Black-winged Stilt and Black-tailed Godwit

Now, as we cruise northwards along the Portuguese coast towards our final stop at La Coruna on Wednesday, I can but hope that a local park might produce either/or a Sardinian Warbler and/or a Serin to add to the small Spanish list this year.  Who knows, maybe another local warbler or even a Rose-ringed Parakeet.  We shall see – and so will you as I suspect this report will not be published until I am back home in Warsash on Friday morning.

PS:

But then I was able to purchase an SD transfer gizmo so can now give a brief addition relating to today's visit to La Coruna!

Resting Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis at the historic Torre de Hercules, La Coruna

Disembarking alongside the town, many Rock Doves, Woodpigeons and House Sparrows foraging on the recently cut lawns.  Then a bus ride out to the oldest working Roman lighthouse, Torre del Hercules, and many Yellow-legged Gulls overhead and on the shore line.  Walking the path through the meadow to the cliff path, first a Goldfinch then a Linnet before adding a Stonechat.  Overhead not just soaring and gliding Yellow-legged Gulls but also a hovering Kestrel.  Upon reaching the cliff edge and overlooking the rock outcrops, many resting gulls but also a couple of Shag.

Birds seen:

Flamingo, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow-legged Gull, Pallid Swift, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, White Wagtail, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.

La Coruna Birds:

Shag, Kestrel, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Distant Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis on the salina

Salinas los Tres Amigos

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