Rambla de Morales and Cabo de Gata

 Wednesday 1 April

All happening this week with a double-dose of birding for Kevin plus the dessert adventure and having to be rescued from the sand as his motor home worked its way ever lower into the soft, yellow stuff.  Some people get all the excitement!

And what birds seen over the two days by the Arboleas Birding Group.  Particularly liked the sighting of the Garganey and Bee-eaters plus the Nightingales.  Most of our winter waders seem to have already moved north but still many hangig around in Andalucia; must be the sunny weather!

A bit different this week due to unforeseen circumstances!

Part one is Kevin's report from Rambla de Morales last evening :-

Rambla de Morales  -  Tuesday 31st March

Cabo de Gata  -  Wednesday 1st April

Rambla Morales and the Lay-by, late afternoon/evening 31 March 2026

I drove down and parked near the Cabo de Gata campsite in order to walk in to Rambla Morales from the inland direction, a plan which unfortunately involved walking directly towards the sun.  House Sparrow, Collared Dove and Crested Lark were the first birds, then I heard a very odd call and had a close view of a Rose-ringed Parakeet in a tree no more than five yards away before it flew off.

Once I got sight of the water there was more to see: Shoveler, Greater Flamingo, White-headed Duck and a stunning pair of breeding-plumage Black-necked Grebes.  Merlin told me I was also hearing Thekla Lark . Believe that if you will.  Barn Swallows were flying past, and I soon found Mallard and Moorhen.

A Spanish birder with a camera lens half the size of Norway emerged from the reeds and I asked him if he’d seen anything unusual.  He said: ‘Si, malvasia cabeciblanco, un grupo de cinco, y cerceta carretona’ . I knew the first was White-headed Duck, which I had just seen, but the second name was a mystery . I headed on to the beach end of the pool where there was nothing.  Too many cyclists and walkers.  Semana Santa.  Busy!

I walked back, scanning the pool and found a superb male Garganey.  I even made a labelled field sketch of the diagnostic features, a sketch so amateur I refuse to show it to any of you.  Collins confirmed the ID.  So this was the bird the guy with the long lens had seen.  No sooner was that over than the woman in a large family walking towards me asked what the birds were, pointing to the Flamingos.  I told her and she said: ‘They’re very big, and those necks, just like giraffes.”  She won’t be a wildlife presenter on Spanish TV any time soon, hopefully.

With just a couple of hundred metres to go back to the van over the steppe I wasn’t expecting much more but then, two Nightingales were singing, plus Spotless Starling and Sardinian Warbler.  Finally, icing on the cake, a small group of Bee-eaters went bubbling over.

As I drove out from there, an obliging Wheatear perched on a roadside boulder.  I got to the Lay-by at about 7.30pm.  It was also very busy, with Easter visitors coming and going and using the fixed telescope.  There was a good amount of mud showing, a hopeful sign.  I immediately found Redshank, a very close Grey Plover, Ringed Plovers and Dunlins.  In addition, new species I logged were Slender-billed Gull, Sanderling, Greenshank, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Little Egret, Shelduck, Grey Heron and Spoonbill. 32 species, I think that is.

Kevin part two later!

The following morning Nigel very kindly picked me up from home and we drove down to Cabo de Gata.  We saw Thekla Lark, Red-rumped and Barn Swallow, Woodpigeon, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Blackbird and Magpie as we passed through Retamar Sur and Pujaire.  Kevin was already on the scene as we arrived at the first hide.  We were joined by Trevor, Val and Paul.  Kevin had already logged Yellow-legged and Slender-billed Gulls, Crested Lark, Jackdaw, Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo. Kentish and Ringed Plover.  There were more of the later than previous visits as the water level had dropped and more sandy areas were accessible.  There was a line of 5 Grey Heron across the salina in front of us plus some more by the shrubby causeway.  I spotted a Yellow Wagtail near some Sanderling.  Trevor added a pair of White Wagtails. Kevin found some Shelduck.  His "Steve Austin" hearing aids picked up the overhead call of a Bee Eater as it flew above us.  I found an Oystercatcher.  We adjourned to the village cafe where, whilst we slurped our coffees, I saw a Greenfinch.  Kevin told us about his previous evenings exploits at Rambla de Morales so I decided we'd go there first.......ummmm!?!

We were following Kevin in his motorvan along the beachside track.  We were about 500 metres from the parking area when Kevin came to a stop.  He was up to his axles in soft sand. As much as we pushed, pulled and tugged the spinning wheels dug him deeper in.  As luck would have it, the local council's tractor was cleaning up the beach.  A Cormorant was noted as we waited for his arrival.  He did an excellent job.  Saved the day.  We have previous experiences of cars getting stuck there before, haven't we John & Peter!!

Kevin part two :-

As for this morning, my April Fool’s special trick was to get stuck in the sand on the beach track to Rambla Morales, as Dave has probably recounted.  A big thank you to the rest of the group who didn’t abandon me, especially Dave, Nigel and Trevor who tried pushing, and also to the driver of the beach tractor who finally hauled the 2.2-tonne campervan on to solid ground. I won’t be doing that again.

Kevin's motorvan being recovered!

Time was moving on so I decided we'd had enough excitement for the day so we headed home.

Kevin logged 32 species last evening. We had 25 today. Great weather, birding and company. We will see Val and Paul in November when they return from their French summer.

Dave

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Ruddy Shelduck in the Neighbourhood

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

Sunday 29 March 

Following and excellent day yesterday in Winchester attending the AGM of the Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) with a range of excellent speakers including the ever optimistic and very well respected Roy Dennis, time to see if the Ruddy Shelduck being reported just outside Titchfield was still present.  Eventually found Ranvilles Lane and made a trip down and back without any success, other than the resident Woodpigeons, Carrion Crows and Magpies.  Ah well, Back home and perhaps stop at the canal as I pass by, given any room in the car park.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

Not 100 yards back on the road and looked to my left and saw the Ruddy Shelduck in the field just beyond a farm gate.  No traffic on the man road so a quick turn and parked in the very wide entrance to the gate.  There was the bird, along with the Egyptian Goose family of parents and nine well-grown goslings, not 50 metres away.  

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca Adult (left) with 2 goslings

Time for photos before heading home to do the processing with a smile on my face for the very profitable ten minutes.  But I must make some sort of adjustment to the camera settings as all look very light and needed an extreme adjustment to both clarity and dark to get a reasonable presentation when shooting "Manual."

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Ruddy shelduck, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

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Hamble River, Warsash

Thursday 26 March

The wind has died down to  gentle breeze compared with yesterday and the sun is shining bright in a mainly blue sky, albeit still on the cool side.  So, time for a ate morning walk up the Hamble river to the conservation area and back but not a lot f bird life about in terms of species.  Two score Black-headed Gulls and a Mute Swan gently drifting down the river towards the Solent along with signs that the winter visitors are gradually migrating back to their breeding grounds with only 27 Brent Geese and 9 Wigeon along with a couple of Teal and just the one Grey Plover.  But there was still a small flock of 20 Black-tailed Godwits.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa in almost full summer plumage

Moving on up stream I came across four Shelduck, two Curlew and eight Redshanks plus a couple of Little Egrets.  Despite al the Black-headed, only three Herring Gulls on show. Three Woodpigeons and Carrion Crows and a Jackdaw along with three resting Canada Geese in the garden behind Bunny Meadow as I made my way back and even a lone Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon).   

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gul, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Curlew Numenius arquata

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (left)

Wigeon Anas penelope

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

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Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

 Wednesday 25 March

Sounds like a great day's birding by the Arboleas Birding Group with lots of good sightings.  How I wish I could still see Squacco and Night Herons but back in local patch in the UK I have to accept the long-staying six Glossy Ibis.  They've been here in Titchfield for the past two years and I am sure they must be breeding locally.  Yet to see any summer hirundines or Swift so, judging by Dave's report, hopefully the birds are on their way north once again.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 25th March

Having arrived back from the UK yesterday, it was great that Nigel volunteered to drive Peter 1 and myself to the Rambla de Almanzora.  We got to the parking area above the "ford" having spotted Magpie and Mallard en route. Kevin's campervan was there, but he had wandered up towards the sewage farm.  John and Stella had also arrived.  We set up our scopes overlooking the rambla.  We added House Sparrow and Goldfinch before Kevin returned.  His list was extensive :- Wood and Common Sandpiper, Yellow and White Wagtail, Kentish and Little Ringed Plover, Barn and Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff, Black-winged Stilt, Little Stint, Dunlin, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Woodpigeon, and Spotless Starling!  We were joined by Peter 2.  John & Stella added Blackbird and two overflying Grey Herons.  En route to the beach they also saw a pair of Hoopoe.

The sea conditions were a lot calmer than our previous visit.  There was a group of Audouin's Gulls on the beach together with some Black-headed and Yellow-legged gulls.  A Cormorant was on the harbour rock.  A Common Swift flew over.  We moved round to the far side of the estuary.  The sun was in our eyes but Nigel managed to spot a Squacco Heron.  I found a Greenshank.  A Moorhen was seen as well as more Grey Herons.  A Kestrel flew over the rambla.

Squacco Heron (PHOTO: Nigel White)

After a cup of coffee in Villaricos village, having been joined by Trevor, we headed for the dual carriageway opposite the Consum overlooking the shallow pools.  As usual there were lots of Moorhen below us.  In the deeper water Kevin spotted Common Pochard and Avocets.  Some of the Shelduck seemed to be on nests.  Also seen were Coot, Little Grebe, Greater Flamingos, Black-winged Stilt, House Martins and Mallard.  We were joined by Jacky.  I spotted a small warbler in a shrub below us. Just seeing its body it was either a Dartford or Subalpine Warbler.  Luckily it moved to show its head with a white moustache...Subalpine!  Jacky heard a Zitting Cistacola before we moved beyond the hump.  Here Kevin added a Redshank.  I spotted three Night Herons perched on a dead shrub on the far side.  Both Kevin and Jacky saw White-headed Ducks.

Night Heron (PHOTO: Nigel White)

Peter 2 headed home as we moved round to the elevated platform opposite the Aquaparc.  More White-headed Ducks and Common Pochards were seen.  I spotted a Purple Swamphen in the far reeds.  It obligingly went for a swim!  Jacky heard a Great Tit.  I added Red-crested Pochard.  Before we left Jacky saw a Greenfinch.  As we were leaving Val turned up.  We added Collared Dove and Jackdaw en route to the motorway. 

Purple Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

In total we saw 49 species.  Still a lot of migrants to arrive!  A great day out with good friends.  Wishing John and Stella a safe trip back to the UK.  Hope John feels better soon.  Also hope Peter 1's health improves soon.

Dave 

Mallard (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Audouin's Gulls (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Grey Heron (PHOTO: Nigel White)

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Warsash and Solent Shore

Wednesday 25 March 

It may have been broken cloud and a sun shining through but there was a very strong, cold wind blowing in from the north. Needless to say uncomfortable walking south and very tiring on the return journey from along the Warsash shore down to the Spit and then on to the meandering Pool before returning.

Upon reaching the slipway a couple of Black-headed Gulls along with 23 Black-tailed Godwits and 26 Brent Geese with six Redshank close by.  Before reaching the navigation pier I had also added a Carrion Crow and Curlew plus a further eleven Brent Geese with 68 more on the other side of the pier.  Also present here a trio of Herring Gulls.  Across the water resting on the head of the Spit a single Cormorant with a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls.  On the Solent side of the spit a flock of forty plus Oystercatchers.

Great Back-backed Gull Larus marinus

Moving on down to the Scrape a Robin in the nearby spinney but only another dozen or so Black-headed Gulls on the water.  But I did record a pair of Linnets as I approached and then, once at the end of the gorse section at the Meandering Pool, a Skylark took off from the grass in front of me.

Skylark Alauda arvensis

The return journey was very straight forward if difficult against the strong wing but managed to locate the three Mallards foraging in the adjacent canal and the Little Egret on the small navigation pond followed by a lone Woodpigeon and a pair of Starlings on the beach as I returned to the village. The final sighting was that of Mallard leading her five ducklings through the yacht enclosure down towards the water.

Birds seen:

Brent Goose, Wigeon, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Robin, Carrion Crow, Starling, Linnet.

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Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 24 March 2023

In Dave's absence, Kevin Borman kindly produced the following report confirming that the Arboleas Birding Group had a most successful and enjoyable visit to the Sierra de Marie last week.  I wonder what they will find come tomorrow?

Sierra de Maria: Wednesday 18th March

I stayed over in the campervan at my usual spot by the picnic site on the western edge of María village. Over an early morning mug of tea I had a very promising start to the day with Goldfinch, Crested Lark, European Starling, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Rock Sparrow and Chaffinch.

A brief stop at the old ‘Aduana’ ruins produced four more species, all of which were seen later so I will record them there. I arrived at la Piza at about 9am and, having invested heavily in a kilo of bird food, I partly filled several of the feeders. First bird seen here was a Long-tailed Tit. I was soon joined by Phil, John and Stella, and Trevor. It was also good to welcome Valerie back for the first time in a while, and meet her new partner Paul. Val reported Wood Pigeon. Last but not least, Peter S arrived and upstaged my birdseed efforts with a magnificent triple feeder containing fat balls, peanuts and seeds, which he proceeded to hang prominently to the astonishment of the local birds (probably).

Over coffee Phil was particularly on the ball and found at least some of the following: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Crossbill and Crested Tit. John added Serin. We talked about Richard and the shock we had at hearing of his passing. It seemed strange that he wasn’t sitting there amongst us in one of his favourite birding spots.

We then headed for ‘The Loop’ in a convoy of three cars. Seen en route were several Griffon Vultures, Calandra Lark and a couple of Carrion Crows. At our usual stop at Cañada de Cañeplas we were treated to superb and prolonged views of both Short-toed Eagle and Marsh Harrier. Corn Buntings were also seen here. On the next stretch I was in Peter S’s car and was impressed to see that he has the same skill as Dave, the ability to drive and see birds at the same time including, on this occasion, a Magpie chasing a Great-Spotted Cuckoo, followed soon after by a Hoopoe. As we approached ‘The Crag’ there was a lot of water in the reedy stream on the left. Mallard and Red-legged Partridge were logged along here. At the crag I saw a Kestrel and Phil, I think, was first to see a Black Wheatear on the skyline.

Great Spotted Cuckoo (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

By the airstrip we saw Linnets. A somewhat gruesome and large item on the road brought the comment from Peter: “One of my former hobbies was roadkill!” He got out, briefly inspected the hefty skull with scraps of hide and what may have been the remnants of legs (I didn’t look too closely) and pronounced: “Wild boar!”

At ‘the hamlet’ on the Granada/ Almería provincial border, we were delighted to see Red-billed Choughs and three Lesser Kestrels. Further along the road, at the water trough, there was a huge flock of sheep/goats, and a brief look as we passed produced nothing new. Back at La Piza, over more coffee and lunch for some, we found nothing new until, just as I was about to leave, I heard both Iberian Green Woodpecker and Greater-spotted Woodpecker. I went back to the others, who confirmed both.

I later received an email from Nigel who, with Peter W, had arrived late after a (happily successful) session at the bank. They had also done the circuit and been at the cafe and their list added Short-toed Treecreeper and Siskin to the tally.

An excellent morning in good company with some outstanding sightings. 35 species in total. Next week, Villaricos, says Trevor, who knows about these things. No doubt Dave will confirm in due course.

Kevin 18.03.26

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Titchfield Haven Shore and Canal

Sunday 22 March

Lovey sunny start to the day and reasonably warm and little breeze as I headed off to the shore at Titchfield Haven for an hour before returning to Titchfield Canal.  Upon arrival lots of Black-headed Gulls on the lake from the observation platform along with six Mute Swans and a similar number of Gadwall.  To the far left bot h a Redshank and a Shoveler whilst, from the road bridge, I found a single Great Crested Grebe with its recently caught morning breakfast. beyond the fence in the reserve proper a good number of Avocets along with both Teal and Wigeon then the Shovelers close to a resting group of Oystercatchers  handful of Canada Geese.  In the neighbouring bushes Dunnock, Blackbird and Robin.

Drake Gadwall Anas strepera

Next on to the harbour where, apart from a few Mallards, there was a collection of over 80 Turnstones, most resting in he shade of a stranded yacht on the mud.

A few of the Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Continuing on to the shore proper with the tide well out, a massed huddle of Sanderling resting at the water's edge and totalling just about an hundred.  A little further out a lone drake mallard and well out on the Solent a singe Common Scoter.  Returning to the car I checked the lake once more and noted 8 Shoveler along with both Coot and Lapwing.

The huddled mas of resting Sanderling Calidris alba

So back to Titchfield Canal by 10.20 where finding a parking place was proving most difficult with so many visitors, all seemingly on a dog walk.  Having succeeded, I first took a walk upstream past the stables and found all the usuals including Woodpigeon, Magpie and Carrion Crow along with a handful of Mallards and both Blue and Great Tits.  But sign of the Glossy Ibis.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collubita

Collecting the scope from the car I then proceeded down the canal path to the trees at Posbrook Food before returning.  No sooner under way than both Blackbird and Robin plus the first pf many Chiffchaffs to be seen and heard.  A Nuthatch visited the tall tree behind the pumping station and a small flock of Jackdaws flew over.  Once at the Barn Owl field a pair of Stock Doves at the Barn Owl nesting site. next a passing Buzzard alighted in the trees behind me and, after recording the nearby Wren, checked Bridge Street Flood where I noted many Wigeon, Gadwall, Canada Geese and Teal before finding a handful of Shelduck.

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Continuing on down to the bridge and avenue I also added Lapwing and the first of four Herons to be seen during the visit. Also lovely to hear the calls once again of at least four Cetti's Warblers. A pair of Herring Gulls in the field to my left and then, once at Posbrook Floods a single Mute Swan and many Shoveler plus Wigeon and Teal.  More than a handful of Coot present along with a single pair of Tufted Duck and two Little Egrets.  Then, just by chance, fortunate to see the single Glossy Ibis in a gap in the tall grass in front of the water before it disappeared from sight.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Making my way back to the car park, first a Kestrel flying past as I left the avenue and hen stopped to watch a Red Kite being harried by a Herring Gull before it was joined by a second Red Kite and the pair circling above my head.  Off to the far right beyond the water a very continuous calling Green Woodpecker which was then answered from a second individual behind in the trees close to the barn Owl field. Then, with the last sighting being that of a Dunnock I was back at the car at exactly 12 noon.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

An enjoyable morning's birding which resulted in 43 species being recorded.

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Eider, Common Scoter, Great Crested Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Sanderling, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus - Well, that's breakfast taken car of!

Gadwall Anas strepera

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Herring Gull takes on Red Kite Milvus milvus

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

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