Wednesday 14 January
So, it was a "tad chilly" at 5C for you whereas this morning I had low lying mist over the water and the temperature gradually rising from -1 to +3C at Fishlake Meadows in Romsey! But at least we were all out and about but very few birds for me in the UK whereas, despite the cold, you managed to find a number of birds I am yet to see this month or even this year - apart for my three week visit commencing mid-February. Who knows, perhaps this year I'll find a local Little Owl. So a good, if somewhat chilly, start to the birding New Year and I wish all the members of the Arboleas Birding Group all the very best and lots of happy, successful outings in 2026.
Sierra de Maria - Wednesday 14th January
Happy New Year to you all!
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| "'Twas a tad chilly!" |
On a cool morning Nigel picked me up from home and we drove to Sierra de Maria. The peaks were covered in snow. The temperature was 5c ! Between Velez Blanco and the La Piza forest cafe we only saw one Carrion Crow and a Chaffinch. The cafe was closed to customers as they were doing a deep clean after their Christmas and New Year's break. The bird feeders had been empty since the 15th December! Unsurprisingly, there were no birds around. I filled the feeders. We were joined by Kevin, Trevor, Carolyn and Steve........oh and an Iberian Red Squirrel!
Thirsty and cold we commenced the loop. By the farm building we saw Spotless Starlings. Next a Magpie followed by three Calandra Larks on a display flight. We stopped at our usual place just by the village. There was a small flock of Corn Buntings on a small tree. Also seen were Goldfinches. We carried on along the track. We saw some large mixed flocks of Linnet, Goldfinches and Rock Sparrows. A pair of Hoopoe flew over. We had singles of Woodpigeon and Red-legged Partridge. The cliff face was deserted. A small bird silhouetted up on the opposite rocks wasn't identified. At the farm buildings we added House Sparrows. Along the fence beside the airstrip Nigel and I saw a Greenfinch with some Linnets. Passing through the cave house village Collared Doves were seen. Some White Wagtails were feeding behind a tractor and plough. At the hamlet, the Little Owl was in its usual place on top of the barn. The plain was devoid of birdlife. The goat trough area produced Thekla Lark. I spotted a hovering Kestrel.
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| Little Owl (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We returned to La Piza where the local birds had rediscovered the full bird feeders. We saw Great, Crested and Blue Tits. Nigel spotted a male Crossbill. We adjourned to our old haunt at the Repsol Garage cafe for coffees and tostadas. On the way back to Velez Blanco we came across about 12 Griffon Vultures heading off to feed somewhere.
We ended up with 25 species. Despite the cool temperature we had a good days birding in good company.
Best wishes to Richard, Carole, Peter 1 and Seamus. Hope you all feel better soon.
Dave
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