Charca de Suarez

Common Waxbill pico de Coral Estrilda astrild

Sunday 16 June

A little cloud but still warm as I made my way to Charca de Suarez for a morning visit with friend Derek Etherton.  Steve and Elena Powell also attended but somehow manage to miss us as they, presumably followed out track but about 400m in arrears.  Eventually met up when we all retired back to my house for roast lunch prepared by Jenny.

Whilst it might be true to say that there were no too many birds on view, it is easy to take for granted the number of Red-knobbed Coots, Purple Swamphen and a rather lovely Purple Heron.  Approaching the site the drive along "Turtle Dove Alley" produced both Collared Dove and a couple of Bee-eaters followed by Zitting Cisticola and the usual House Sparrows and Spotless Starlings.  We even had a Hoopoe on the wires moving down the concrete track and a second was recorded after leaving the site to make our way back to the motorway.

Entering the reserve a couple of Backbirds and many Nightingales, including youngsters still being fed by parents, along with rather vociferous Reed and Cetti's Warblers.  The Laguna del Taraje was rather quiet with a couple of Common Coot and Moorhen with well-grown youngsters as well as a couple of Mallard families.  And all the time the continuous calling of Turtle Doves, a lovely sound to behold.  A Grey Heron flew over and then a very brief appearance by our first Purple Swamphen of the morning.

Black-winged Stilt Ciguenuela Comun Himantopus himantopus

Moving on to the Laguna del Alamo Blanco even less activity - at first.  Yes, the resident White Stork was back on site along with two pairs of Black-winged Stilts.

The resident White Stork Ciguena Blanca Ciconia ciconia

A high and distant Booted Eagle flew over in front of us and then we found the single Little Ringed Plover at the back of the water.  All that activity and almost missed the Water Vole that suddenly swam out and back into the reeds.  More Common Swifts, Barn Swallows and House Martins feeding above the water.  Then movement in the flowering grasses towards the back revealed a small flock of feeding Common Waxbill.  What busy little birds these are, never really still for long periods.

Distant record shot of the Little Ringed Plover Chorlitejo Chico Charadrius dubius

The Laguna de las Anas held very many Common Coot and a couple of Little Grebe along with  maybe a score of Mallard.  A second Grey Heron flew in to settle on the island in front of the hide where we also had good numbers of Moorhen.  Just the one Black-headed Gull on site.

A stop to watch the active Spotted Flycatchers before reaching the Laguna del Trebol where we found all our Red-knobbed Coots along with a well-concealed Purple Heron.  Now we also had Pallid Swifts flying over the water.

Purple Heron Garza Imperial Ardea purpurea

Continuing on round a re-visit to the first water produced nothing extra whereas the Laguna del Alamo Blanco now had a trio of Black-rumped Waxbill feeding on the grasses along with their Common Waxbill cousins.  Finally, as we made our way back to the gate, lovely to see a fly past by a Sparrowhawk, our second raptor of the morning.



Birds seen:
Mallard, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Purple heron, White Stork, Booted Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Nightingale, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Common Waxbill, Black-rumped waxbill..
 

More of the Waxbills, both Common Estrilda astrild and Black-Rumped Astrild de Lomo Negro Estrilda troglodytes

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

El Fondo with the Arboleas Birding Group

Saturday 15 June

There's no keeping these Arboleas Bird Group members on home turf as once more Dave and company made there up to Elche, near Alicante and that lovely El Fondo reserve.  Some great birds seen but fancy arriving after a four hour (?) drive and finding the gates locked!

El Fondo, Elche  -  Saturday 15th June

Richard came round to mine at 5.15hrs. We picked up Paul and Reyna, then John from the Overa Hotel off the autovia.

We stopped off at Cox Service Station for a coffee and tostada.  There wasn't really time to go to the football field area, so we went straight to the north gate.  Whilst we waited there, John spotted an Iberian Grey Shrike on a distant tree.  We heard both Stone Curlew and Sardinian Warbler.  Richard was first to see a flying Grey Heron and Reyna spotted a Roller flying into the eucalyptus trees next to where we were parked.  I heard, then spotted, a high flying Collared Pratincole.  John added Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Black-winged Stilt, but his triumph was a Little Owl on some nearby power lines.  Also seen were Barn and Red-rumped Swallow, Cattle Egret, Bee-eater, Glossy Ibis and Blackbird and we hadn't even got into the reserve yet!

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

As time went by we realised that no one was coming to open the gate, so we headed for the Information Centre.  John and I walked to the main building.  The place was all locked up, but we still had access to the hides and walkway.  We added a female Shoveler and Zitting Cisticola as we headed back to the others.  In the shallow waters adjacent to the car park we saw Glossy Ibis.  Richard had seen a passing Squacco Heron.  John found some Marbled Duck as well as Coot. Richard spotted a Greenfinch.  We walked to the enclosed pool by the Centre.  Two Marbled Duck flew out as we arrived.  There were a number of Red-knobbed Coot therein, none with ID collars on. There was another Glossy Ibis in there and some Mallard. 

Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We then wandered along the raised wooden walkway.  Above us there were numerous flights of Glossy Ibis plus some Night Heron and Collared Pratincoles.  John spotted the first of a number of Whiskered Tern.  They were joined later by a pair of Gull-billed Terns.  Paul managed to spot a Reed Warbler, whilst a Great Reed Warbler later nearly showed well!  It was lovely to see two or three Mediterranean Gulls fly past in full breeding plumage.  A noisy Little Ringed Plover was seen.  We then spotted some Purple Swamphens.  Remember from my last El Fondo report there had been a fight between one and Moorhens.....Well it was still carrying on today!  Again the Swamphen lost! 

Also seen were Little Grebe, Little Egret and Common Pochard.

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved on to the furthest hide next.  There were lots of Little Terns and Avocets with the odd Slender-billed Gull and Shelduck.  At the hide closer to the walkway we added Great Crested Grebe and a Little Bittern.  Some low flying Marbled Duck were also seen.  An immature Gull-billed Tern initially caused identification problems! 

Little Terns Sterna albifrons (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Walking back towards the vehicles, we added House Martin and Crested Lark.  Richard, who was unable to do the longer walk, had seen a couple of Little Bitterns as well.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Despite not gaining entry to the main part of the reserve we saw 47 species.  I think we'd only had about 8 more otherwise.  Surprisingly, the commonest bird today was the Glossy Ibis!  Lovely day's birding in good company.  Getting back home I checked my phone log.  There had been an unknown call yesterday that may have been from the Reserve.  I'm still glad we came, saw and conquered!

Regards, Dave

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Guadalhorce, Malaga

Thursday 13 June

On site at the Guadalhorce in Malaga just before 8.30 in the hope that the birding might be relatively comfortable before the heat really set in, as it did by mid-morning when I made an early exit to call in at the airport re tickets so only about two and a half hours on site for my almost 40 species.

Arriving I immediately saw both Jackdaws and Collared Doves and the walk to the footbridge produced a pair of Sardinian Warblers.  Crossing the footbridge plenty of House Martins in the air and a few Barn Swallows.  To my right the first Spotless Starlings of the morning and then the first Common Swifts feeding quite low.  Once over the bridge a movement to my left revealed a Zitting Cisticola and, approaching the first hide a handful of House Martins.

Once at the Laguna Casillas only the one Mallard seen and a similar count of Little Grebe.  On the other hand over a score of Black-winged Stilts with at least sight nests counted.  To add to the list, about five or more Coot and a single Moorhen.  Reed Warblers were seen and heard all around me and then a Cetti's Warbler perched on a bare branch for a few seconds.

Crested Lark Cogujada Comun Galerida cristata

On to the Wader Pool and a single Grey Heron and four Little Egret to add to yet more Black-winged Stilts. A Kestrel flew over and up returning to the pool I also added a pair of Crested Lark and a couple of Little Ringed Plover.  A passing Blackbird and a couple of Goldfinch also improved the sightings at this articular water.

Flock of resting Audouin's Gulls Gaviota de Audouin Larus audouinii

My walk to the Rio Viejo (Old River) produced a Greenfinch before checking out the water where yet more Black-winged Stilts and numerous House Martin and Common Swift were seen. A Kentish Plover was found hiding on the parched beach as a result of the evaporating water but, at the far end, a large gathering of gulls.  Using the scope the  great majority were identified as Audouin's Gulls, some compete with rings on their legs, but a small number of Slender-billed Gulls.  In with the gulls I could quickly identify a few Little Tern and then the scope zoomed in on a Common Tern and, on checking a general view of the flock on camera, I even discovered a Sandwich Tern.

Common Tern Charran Comun Sterna hirundo to the far left

Back then by the same route and on to the Laguna Escondida where as soon as I arrived a Kingfisher dashed across the water in front of me.  A few Coot and Mallard along with a trio or Little Grebe whilst towards the back a handful of White-headed Duck and maybe as many as a quartet of Pochard.  On the dead tree to my left  a couple of Bee-eaters which were later joined by a third before the arrival of a male Kestrel.

One of three Bee-eaters Abejaruco Europea Merops apiaster

Finally to the main hide overlooking the Laguna Grande where all but two of the gulls were Slender-billed, the others being Black-headed Gulls.  No Acocets but a few more Black-winged Stilts and just the one Kentish Plover.  Also present, apart from Collared Doves, House Sparrow, Spotless Starlings and a constant stream of feeding House Martins over the water, a total of eleven Greater Flamingo.

Five of the Greater Flamingo Flamenco Comun Phoenicopterus roseus on Laguna Grande

With sun now well and truly beating down I decided to call it a day and head off home as I walked back towards the footbridge I stopped to watch a House Sparrow come to rest on a small perch and discovered my first Monk parakeet of the morning - and not a single sound from this normally raucous species.

Birds seen:
Mallard, Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Common Tern, Little Tern, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Swift, Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.
 

Record shot of the Sandwich Tern Charran patinegro Sterna sandvicensis

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Wednesday 12 June



The sun is still shining, and much less windy today, so good to see that Dave and Arboleas Birding Group are out and about.  It certainly seems like an interesting time as can be seen from the following report.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa:Wednesday 12th June

So it was back to our local patch today.  I drove Richard in his car ad picked up Peter on our way to the Rambla de Almanzora, near Villaricos.  We came off the main road and slowly drove along the rambla's embankment checking for birdlife.  There were numerous House Martins and Barn Swallows hawking over the reeds.  Richard spotted a Moorhen.  We also added Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Magpie and Spotless Starling before we reached the ford.  We waited for the others to arrive, seeing Iberian Grey Shrike, Red Rumped Swallow and Common Swift.  We could hear a Stone Curlew screaming to our left.  Shortly after Jacky had arrived she found a Greenfinch in a nearby tree.  John saw a Bee-eater upon arrival and had seen a Kestrel near the Consum Supermarket.  We were joined by Trevor, Paul, Reyna and Mary.  Due to Richard's slow walking, he and Peter had already headed towards the sewage works.  We followed on, seeing Little Ringed Plover, Black Winged Stilt and Mallard.  Jacky confirmed John's possible sighting of a Turtle Dove.  She also spotted a Reed Warbler whilst the rest of us only heard them.  We also saw Hoopoe, White Wagtail, Blackbird and Goldfinch.  Richard and Paul had also seen a Sparrowhawk and Thekla Lark. The big pool only had Mallard, Little Ringed Plover and Black Winged Stilt around the edges. I spotted some distant Jackdaw before we returned to the vehicles and headed to Villaricos village for a coffee.

Iberian Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

As we arrived John checked into the harbour and saw a Sandwich Tern.   Suitably refreshed and having been joined by Kevin, we made for the beach.  What with a choppy sea and the start of "grockle" season; there were no birds on the harbour rocks, so we made our way to the estuary. Jacky, I think, spotted an Iberian Grey Shrike on a tree.  Two Grey Heron flew over the reeds.  Paul found some White-headed Duck, but Jacky spotted what appeared to be a white-knobbed, Red-knobbed Coot.  As you'll see in my photograph, the red outer skin appears to have peeled off.  For a change I managed to find the Purple Swamphen before anyone else.  John had an Audouin's Gull, Jacky,

a Zitting Cisticola and everybody saw the Common Pochard.  We made our way to the beach.  There were no birds on the shoreline or rocks again because of sunbathers and walkers.  Paul was scanning the sea and did well to find a Cory's Shearwater.  I think most people manged to get the odd glimpse as it rose above the horizon from the wave troughs.  As we were heading towards the vehicles, Richard found some flying Little Egrets.

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata with "white-knobs" (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We convoyed our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa, seeing a Kestrel on the way.  There were numerous Black-winged Stilt, some with leggy chicks. Some Kentish Plover were seen.  I then found a Glossy Ibis, which, surprisingly was a first for Jacky. Near it were Little Egret and a Slender-billed Gull.  John spotted a tern, which turned out to be Gull-billed.  Also seen was a Black-headed Gull and a Little Grebe.  Moving further along, John added a Whiskered Tern.

Leggy young Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We then made our way to the platform opposite the AcuaPark car park.  As in the previous pools, much of the surface was covered in blanket weed.  Here we had Common Pochard with ducklings, Little Grebe, Little Egret, White Wagtail and a Great Crested Grebe seen by Richard.  The star was a flying Little Bittern, spotted by Paul, which disappeared rapidly into the reeds.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta atop the blanket weed (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended up with 46 species. Good birding in good company!

Regards, Dave

 

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Sierra Loja

Tuesday 11 June

Although still windy, a beautiful clear, blue sky and lovely sunshine as jenny and I made our way over to the Sierra Loja via Zafarraya.  Great to see both Pallid and Common Swifts low over the apartment blocks as we left home and soon added a range of common bird such as Goldfinch and Blackbird.  Working our way towards Loja we also managed to add Black Wheatear, Corn Bunting, Wood Pigeon and, approaching our destination, a lovely female Montagu's Harrier at its regular breeding ground.

After a short coffee break we made our way up the well-known track towards the summit of the Sierra Loja starting with House Martins and soon adding Chaffinches before reaching the main quarry.  No sign of the Eagle Owls but we did find Crag Martins and then on through the wooded slopes adding Black Wheatear, Azure-winged Magpie and Serin.  No sooner had we driven above the tree line that we saw our first Chough and Jackdaw and also the first Blue Rock Thrush of the morning.  Continuing on upwards we soon added both Crested and Thekla Larks and then our first Northern Wheatear.  Unlike my last visit, there seemed to be more Northern than Black-eared Wheatears.

Black-eared Wheatear Collalba Rubia Oenanthe hispanica

A stop to check-out birds moving in the nearby small bushes on the rocky ground found, in addition to Thekla Larks, a female Black Redstart and another Northrn Wheatear before our first Black-eared Wheatear.  Then another surprise as we found our first Subalpine Warbler closely followed by a second.  Stonechats were recorded and then the sight of our first Red-legged Partridge of the morning with many more to follow.  By now we were recording numerous Linnets and then, approaching the electricity sub-station, at last my first Little Owl for the year; what a long time in coming.

Little Owl Mochuelo Comun Athene noctua

Then it was on the small pools above the Charca de Negra farm and time for our picnic.  As we approached a Raven flew over and one out of the car more Linnets and Goldfinches to be seen drinking at the pool's edge.  A look up was in time to see a magnificent soaring Golden Eagle, what a sight.  On round towards the "Fossil cave" and, as informed by friend John Wainwright, we duly found a lovely male Rock Thrush.  Continuing on we added a couple of Rock Bunting and on our return journey picked up a female Rock Thrush with a beak full of small worms for her growing brood.

Record shot of female Rock Thrush Roquero Rojo Monticola saxatilis through the windscreen

Returning to the Charca de Negra pools we had a lovely surprise in finding John and Pauline Horton.  having exchanged news and comments, noted the Rock Sparrows in with the still present Linnets and Goldfinches, we moved on down and withing twenty metres saw the Buzzard that was resting on the fence just before the sheep pen.  A turn to the right and drive up to the windmills found no further Rock Thrushes but on our way back a lovely view of a Bonelli's Eagle and then a stop near an enclosed spinney to look at the Blackbirds, Stonechats and a preening Hoopoe, our fourth of the day.

Distant Hoopoe Abubilla Upupa epops

S on down the mountain and our journey home, this time via Salar and the "repaired" road down to Venta de Zafarraya passing a pair of Magpies on the way.  All in all, a very enjoyable morning and lovely to see Jenny out birding again.

Birds seen:
Red-legged Partridge, Golden Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Bonelli's Eagle, Buzzard, Kestrel, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Subalpine Warbler, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch, Linnet, Rock Bunting, Corn Bunting.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Charca de Suarez

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

Sunday 9 June

Another lovely sunny day so able to spend a few hours up at the Charca de Suarez near Motril.  Not a lot of birds about and very strange not to see the resident White Stork but still some lovely sightings.  On the other hand, a short pre-visit trip up to the picnic site at Velez de Benaudalla was an almost complete waste of time with as early as 9am picnickers already arriving along with a group of at dozen older (18-22) lads who already had car doors open so the the "music" could blast out.  Not much chance of a Chaffinch nevermind the local Spotted Flycatchers, potential Golden Oriole and the Dipper, if still breeding at its traditional site.  So, picking up a Black Redstart on the track back if was straight off down to the Charca and taking the "Turtle Dove " Alley route which produced Common Swift, Kestrel, Zitting Cisticola and a large number of Spotless Starlings.

Look carefully and wyou will find the singing Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

Once at the Charca,  good views of the local Blackbirds and the House Martins and Barn Swallows were up and around.  First stop at the Laguna del Taraje produced families of both Mallard and Moorhen along with a pair of Coot and many vociferous Nightingales and Reed Warblers.  A lone Purple Swamphen put in a very brief appearance and after hearing the calls I was joined by a pair of Turtle Doves but too many branches in the way to try and get a photo.  Then the first of the morning's Cetti's Warblers started off with a great blasting of sound very close to hand.

Mummy Mallard Anade Azulon Anas platyrhynchos with 2 of her off-spring

So on to the Laguna del Alamo Blanco which was very quiet by usual standards.  A pair of Black-winged Stilt and a handful of mallard until I spotted the small flock of very active feeding waxbills, on this occasion mainly Black-rumped but still a few Common Waxbill.  A Heron flew over followed by a few Common Swift and the occasional House Martin and Barn Swallow.  Then a single Snipe put in an appearance at the far end of the water.

Lots of Red-knobbed Coot Focha Moruna Fulica cristata

More life at the larger Laguna de las Aneas but mainly Common Coot and Mallard though the result of this year's breeding did also produce a few Red-knobbed Coot.  A very close Little Grebe was surely a bird of the year judging by its diminutive size albeit in what looked like perfect adult plumage. 

Little Grebe Zampullin Comun Tachybaptus ruficollis

However, I did also note that our visiting Spoonbill was still at the reserve and even found the resting Heron.

Grey Heron Garza Real Ardea cinerea

A stop at the small spinney produced the first Spotted Flycatcher of the morning along with a quite handsome Serin.

A rather shy Serin Verdecillo Serinua serinus hiding away in te foliage

Spotted Flycatcher Papamoscas Gris Muscicapa striata

Waking down toth Laguna del Trebol I had the occasional Yellow-legged Gull fly past overhead and at this water, again very quiet, just a few Red-knobbed Coot and a White Wagtail.  A number of House Sparrows looking over this water from the far side and good to see that Red-knobbed Coot number 290 is still with us as a long-surviving breeding bird.  Not sure, but this individual must be at least seven or eight years old.  A Little Egret dropped in and promptly lost itself behind the reeds and there were certainly many Collared Doves about.  A handful of Goldfinch and then strange to see a beautifully-plumaged Rock Dove feeding on the grass at the side of the track as I made may way back to the gate; no intention of flying away so letting his beauty be appreciated by all.

Finally, driving back along Turtle Dove Alley a small party of Red-rumped Swallows and a single Great Tit.  And just when I thought I was finished for the day, whilst having a drink with Steve and Elena back in Frigiliana a lovely male Hoopoe drifted past the terrace.

Coukld it be that the Little Grebes are thinking about a second brood?

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Our visiting Spoonbill Espatula Comun Platalea leucorodia

Birds seen:
Mallard, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Nightingale, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Common Waxbill, Black-rumped Waxbill, Serin, Goldfinch.

Still many Terrapins Mauremys leprosa to be seen

But you have to search for the resident Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 5 June

A windy day here so not surprised to see that Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group  seem to be blown away up at Cabo de Gata.  It certainly seems far removed form his El Fondo visit last Saturday nevermind the recent Morocco visit.

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 5th June

Kindly Paul was press-ganged into driving myself, Reyna, Stan and new lady, Claire in his 4x4.  Five up in mine makes it too cosy in the rear!  We met up with John, Barrie and Trevor at the Pujaire cafe and were shortly joined by Abe and Jenny.  We'd seen Kestrel, House Martin, Bee Eater and Jackdaw after the motorway, but we were trumped by Barrie and John's sighting of a Peregrine Falcon near junction 471....only a bit away from the specified bird logging area!

After a coffee we made our way to the first hide where we were joined by Karen and Michael who'd dropped Michael's brother off at the airport.

On the rocky causeway sat a Grey Heron.  There were small groups of Avocet sheltering from the predicted high winds.  I counted 81 Greater Flamingos on that first expanse of water.  Little Terns were diving for fish.  Also seen were Mallard, Shelduck, Yellow-legged Gull and Kentish Plover. Barrie spotted both Black-winged Stilt and a Greenshank.  He then added a flying Oystercatcher and a Little Ringed Plover.  John, who wasn't hunkered down in the hide(!), added Audouin's Gull and Common Swift.  We also saw Black-headed Gull and Thekla Lark.

Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus sheltering from the wind (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We then drove to the second hide.  Here there was even less shelter and the waves were crashing onto the beach.  Trevor spotted a Greenfinch, whilst Barrie found an Iberian Grey Shrike atop the hide. Once inside he then found 2 Spoonbill and some Slender-billed Gulls in the pond to the right.  A Barn Swallow flew by.  As we were leaving Paul saw a Black Tern.

In the public hide we only added a Yellow Wagtail.  It was generally agreed a coffee was required, so we stopped in a Fish Restaurant.  Peering out the window, Barrie spotted something flying low over the water.  We all went outside and had reasonably good, but fleeting views of some passing Cory's Shearwaters! 

We saw more when we went up to the lighthouse.  There was a steady stream....a pair would pass every few minutes or so.  Barrie then spotted one, then another Alpine Swift.  Trevor later found a Raven.  Paul and I saw a Sardinian Warbler flying across the road.

White water below the lighthouse (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

On the way to the Rambla Morales a number of Sandwich Terns were seen out to sea.  I'm sure the wind speed had increased as we egressed the vehicles.  We were definitely being sand-blasted now! Barrie spotted two pairs of White-headed Ducks.  We walked down to the "hump" which gave us views over the reed tops.  There were more White-headed Ducks.  I spotted two Shoveler.  Also seen were Coot and Moorhen.  John found a Little Grebe and Abe spotted a Purple Swamphen.  Barrie was first to hear, then see a Zitting Cisticola.  As we tacked back towards the vehicles a single Gull-billed Tern was observed by John.  The final bird for the list was a juvenile Gannet spotted by Paul.

Windswept birders on Rambla Morales's "hump" (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Despite the wind, we had a great day in lovely international company.. Claire, French. Abe and Jenny, Dutch and Rena from the Philippines. 

Regards,

Dave

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information