Wednesday 21 January
Well what a day the Arboleas Birding Group had at may favourite Almerian site with all those lovely Trumpeter Finches along with Iberian Grey Shrike. Great new and I trust at least one will be around when I visit on 20 February! A bit windy you say, so be pleased with yourselves as not only cold but wet and very windy back in the UK when I made my, to be abandoned, visit to Farlington Marshes, near Portsmouth this morning. Finally gave up and returned home - but not before catching up with the visiting White-fronted Goose. Perhaps I'll try again at the weekend when the weather promises to be a little better with some warmth (all very relative when compared with you out in Spain)
Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 21st January
A cool, chilly day. Bit windy, but clear blue skies. I picked up Nigel in the truck and headed south on the A7/E15. Near Sorbas the northbound was closed with a major lorry accident. I made our way to the first hide only seeing some Collared Doves as we passed through Retamar Sur. The water level was quite high. We scanned the salina in front of the hide. Greater Flamingo, 5 Spoonbill on the rocky causeway, Black-winged Stilt, Mallard and Little Egret. Nigel spotted a Redshank and Slender-billed Gull whilst I added Black-tailed Godwits. We were joined by Trevor and Kevin. Kevin soon picked out Dunlin and Greenshank. Trevor found an Iberian Grey Shrike on the power line behind us. Kevin had already seen Jackdaw, House Sparrow and Spotless Starling. A Yellow-legged Gull flew by. Numerous Chiffchaff were flitting around the shrubs.
We adjourned for coffee in Cabo village then headed along the beachside track towards Rambla Morales. I'm very happy to report that all the infrastructure work has finished. The track had been levelled and laid with compacted gravel so the going was good. The last 50 metres prior to the parking area reverted to a soft sand layer on top but passable. There were a few dog walkers around but they didn't seem to faze the small Coot, Moorhen and Sanderling flock at the estuary's end. I found a Gannet out to sea. Nigel spotted a Shoveler. Kevin added a Shelduck. Also seen were Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Chiffchaff and Stonechat. A Cetti's Warbler was heard. Disappointed...was hoping for more!
We drove to the beach opposite the second hide. I decided I'd forego the walk to the hide and drive slowly along the roadside track to see if I could spot any Dotterel. The lads headed to the hide and I commenced my slow drive. I first added a Black Redstart, then a small flock of Greenfinch. In the next area I spotted more finches on the ground. At least 15 Trumpeter Finches. I stopped the truck, rang Nigel with the news and waited some 15 minutes for them to come up behind me. The Trumpeter Finches were still there but a bit further away. Seen by all, a lifer for Nigel.
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Trumpter Finches (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)
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At the second hide they had seen Grey Heron, Little Grebe and heard a Sardinian Warbler.
I carried on to the public hide. I parked in the usual place. Recent rains had left a puddle nearby. Trumpeter Finches were arriving in good numbers to drink . Kevin counted at least 35. Never seen so many at one time. One was later seen on a photograph with a leg ring. The observations from the hide were disappointing. Dunlin, Avocet, Greater Flamingo, Shelduck and Cormorant. Kevin had visited earlier in the morning and had seen Lesser Black-backed Gull and a pair of Black-necked Grebe.
We ended up with 37 species. Bit disappointed but seeing all the Trumpeter Finches overshadowed that feeling.
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| Trumpter Finches (PHOTO: Nigel white) |
Motorway still closed so diverted onto a windy A road!
Best wishes to Jane, Carole, Peter 1, Seamus and anyone else with this dreaded lurgy!
Regards
Dave
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