Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 6 May

What a fabulous day's biding for the Arboleas Birding Group.  Some many great species seen; Woodchat Shrike, Bee-eater, Whinchat, etc and all supported by some absolutely gorgeous photographs.  Well done everyone and you probably had the same number of species as I did whilst visiting the Pennington and Normandy Marshes on the south coast of the New Forest below Lymington and immediately opposite the Isle of Wight.  My specials probably included the Little, Common and Sandwich Terns plus a range of warblers and male Common Redstart.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 6th May

Nigel, being back in good health, picked myself and Michelle up in Arboleas and we headed north in glorious sunshine and some clouds towards the Sierra de Maria.  Passing our bird count starting point in Velez Blanco we logged House Martin, Red-rumped Swallow and Serin before entering Maria town. Here we added Collared Dove, Common Swift and Spotless Starling.  Before we got to the La Piza forest cafe we'd also seen Goldfinch. 

The bird feeders were replenished with peanuts and seeds.  As we drank our coffee we were delighted to see Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal and Great Tit having breakfast.  We were joined by Steve, Carolyn, Jenny, Ab, Phil and Carol.

We commenced the loop . It was great to see a pair of Rock Bunting as we drove through the forest section.  Once into the field section we spotted Raven, Crested Lark, Magpie and Calandra Lark.  We stopped at our usual place below the village.  Barn Swallows were quartering the meadow in front of us. Steve and Carolyn found a Little Egret.  I found a distant Woodchat Shrike on some reeds, my first of the year.  Also seen were Linnet and the first of many Corn Buntings.

Corn Bunting (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We carried on along the track seeing more Goldfinch, Linnets and Corn Buntings.  We added Red-billed Chough and Carrion Crow before spotting a magnificent, very obliging male Whinchat!  A Moorhen made an appearance by the reeds.  As we passed some shrubbery we heard at least two Nightingales singing away.  Behind us, Jenny and Ab were lucky enough to see them.  Also seen was a Woodpigeon. 

As we approached the cliff face, I could see a "lump" sitting on its crest.  A perched Griffon Vulture.  We stopped a distance away so the others could catch up and see the spectacle.  A Black Wheatear was also on the crest, a suitable distance away  from his enormous cousin!  Steve and Carolyn had seen a Red-legged Partridge.  The cliff face was "alive" with Rock Sparrows.  I spotted a Stock Dove.  Nigel, I think, found a spiral of 7 Griffon Vultures.

Male Whinchat (PHOTO: Nigel White)

Moving on, we approached the airstrip where I saw a Short-toed Lark, showing off its brown crown.  A Thekla Lark was on the fence.  Above us a Carrion Crow was harassing a large Raven with five other Ravens circling round.   As we drove through the two villages we saw Bee-eaters on the power lines.  Jenny and Ab also saw a Spotted Flycatcher.  En route to the hamlet we added Hoopoe and White Wagtail.

Bee-eater (PHOTO: Nigel White)

On the roof of the barn we saw a female Lesser Kestrel.  I missed the nearby Little Owl seen by Steve and Carolyn.  Three or four Lesser Kestrels were seen.  We managed to get Carol to see a pair of Red-billed Chough which had eluded her earlier.

Female Lesser Kestrel (PHOTO: Nigel White)

As "someone" was peckish, I got Nigel to head for the La Piza forest cafe.  Whilst eating our lunch we added Blackbird, Crested and Blue Tit. Carol found a Short-toed Treecreeper.  Also seen were Jay, Collared Dove, Chaffinch, Great and Coal Tit.  The Great Spotted Woodpecker returned for a snack.

What a great day.  46 species seen.  Great company as usual!

Dave

Griffon Vulture (PHOTO: Nigel White)

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