El Fondo, Elche

 Sunday 1 March

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

Leaving Malaga to join my son at his home in Lliria, some 24 km north-west of Valencia, I arrived at my overnight stop in Crevillent at 16.45 with still some bright sunshine so went straight to the nearby El Fondo Reserve.  Always a delightful reserve to visit with, as I was soon to confirm, its three "specials" on the shallow pools and with good visibility.

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Approaching the car park I noted the feeding Cattle Egret on a field to my right and then, once in the car park, a number of White Wagtail.  A large flock of Glossy Ibis took off from the water in front of me and soon I was out of the car and looking at the same pool from inside the reserve proper.  Lots of Shoveler along with a number of Teal plus a few more Glossy Ibis and juvenile Flamingo.

Shoveler Anas cypeata

Moving across to the picnic area and the screen overlooking the small lake behind the Visitors Centre I saw many Moorhen and a Marbled Duck sitting atop a nest box.  Mallards to the right and a couple of sleeping Teal.

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

Time to take the boardwalk across the water where I found more Flamingos and many Red-knobbed as well as Common Coots. No shortage of Black-winged Stilts along with all the Chiffchaff feeding in the exposed reeds. Towards the end of the walk I came across a single Glossy Ibis before finding a couple of Purple Swamphen to complete the hoped for trio of sightings.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

More Common and Red-knobbed Coots at the far end along with a single Little Grebe.  A Reed Bunting was also seen in this area.  Moving on to the first hide I found a pair of Common Pochard along with a single White-headed Duck.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Moving across the the second hide overlooking the main laguna, lots of Flamingos plus more Black-winged Stilts and a small number of resting Shelduck on the distant banks.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Making my way back to the car park I also added Blackbird, House Sparrow and Jackdaw and checking the field just beyond the car park now saw that the Cattle Egrets had been joined by scores of Glossy Ibis and a small number of Little Egrets.  Finally, sitting atop a pylon a Collared Dove and a handful of Serin in the grasses below so giving a final total of 27 species in just the one hour before setting off my nearby overnight hostal.

Mainly Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Flamingo, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common  Coot, Red-knobbed Coot,  Black-winged Stilt,  Collared Dove, White Wagtail, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Serin, Reed Bunting.

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Commopn Pochard Aythya ferina

Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Departure of the Glossy Ibis P.falcinellus, Cattle Bubulcus ibis and Little Egrets Egretta garzetta

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world. 

Osuna "Triangle", Sevilla Pprovince

Saturday 28 February

Great Bustards Otis tarda

Up nice and early and, with Derek and Barbara Etherton, off to Osuna to travel the "triangle" in search of Great Bustards and, hopefully, some raptors, etc.  No sooner had we left the motorway to take the nearby country road than we found Spotless Starlings near the factory units then both Blackbird and Song Thrush in the first olive trees.  Ere long we also saw our first Stone Curlew.   Continuing past the olive grove we added Greenfinch, White Wagtail and Crested Lark before coming across a large flock of Spanish Sparrows.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Continuing ion to the first overhead bridge we encountered Collared Dove and Red-legged Partridge and as we drove to the bridge apex a Raven flew away. From our scoped observations from the bridge we saw a Buzzard to the right and on the other side of the rail track a resting Hoopoe.  Both Great Tit and Blackcap were also seen below us but the main attraction was the distant score of Great Bustards resting/feeding on the ploughed fields away to our right.  Much time spent looking at these magnificent birds as they moved about either individually or in small groups but, given the distance, photographs very much just for the record. Before leaving to follow the farm track, finding a pair of Calandra Larks,  we also recorded both Woodpigeon and a Marsh Harrier.

Calandra Lark Melanocorpha calandra

Calling at a local farm site we managed to see a trio of passing Stone Curlew along with a good number of Barn Swallows.  Chaffinches in the trees to our right and then a Black-winged Kite took to the skies from a nearby small tree.  A little further on along the farm road we came across a Red Kite on the field adjacent to the road and then noted a Common Starling amongst the resident Spotless Starlings.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Stopping atop the next rail bridge a Common Kestrel was seen hovering and then a couple of Red-rumped Swallows.  Amazingly, we then saw a passage of 113 Black Kites, presumably newly arrived back from their winter quarters.  Time to move on and just before reaching Lantejuela we came across Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler and Serin before seeing a good number of Lesser Kestrels in the old ruins just of the road.

leaving Lantejuela where the pool, seen from the roadside fence, produced Coot, White-headed Duck, Mallard, Cetti's Warbler and Corn Bunting we headed for the Laguna Ballestera.  Approaching the water we stopped to observe a gorgeous male Hen Harrier and a lone White Stork before finding we could not pass the laguna as the farm track was under water.  Having stopped we admired the Flamingos along with a few Shelduck and many resting Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls on the water. 

Making our way back to the main road to Osuna we made a short stop opposite the Laguna Calderon to note the many Flamingos, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, Coot, Crested Lark and Marsh Harrier and also saw a female Hen Harrier.  Continuing on to Osuna we took the cross-country road back to Campillos rather than the motorway and just beyond El Saucejo came across a pair of Little Owl sitting on a stone wall at the roadside.  Approaching Campillos we also noted House Sparrow and Spotless Starling to end the day with 46 species.  Fabulous day in fabulous company.

Male Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Flamingo, White Stork, Black-winged Kite, Red Kite, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier,  Griffon Vulture, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Coot, Great Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull,  Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Little Owl, Hoopoe, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, White wagtail, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Great Tit, Raven, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Linnet, Corn Bunting.

Distant shots of the Great Bustards from the rail bridge:

Great Bustards Otis tarda

 For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world. 

Guadalhorce, Malaga

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

 Friday 27 February

Friday saw we three down a the Guadalhorce reserve in Malaga.  Lovely weather and a lovely range of birds finally totalling 55 species for the long morning. As we made our start from the road up to the river bank Blackbird, Collared Dove. House Sparrow and Hoopoe noted.  Walking towards the river bridge a handful of Monk Parakeets flew over then both Robin and Stonechat on the bank. The first Sardinian Warbler as we approached and crossing the bridge noted a quartet of Mallard on the water below followed by Jackdaws near the road bridge and a passing Cormorant.  From the bridge we also saw a number of Barn Swallows and House Martins plus even a pair of Red-rumped Swallows.

Shovelers Anas clypeata with Marbled Ducks M. angustirostris (above)

Fist to the Laguna Grande hide where we could see the enlarged area having been opened up at both ends.  To our left many resting Cattle Egrets and Cormorants with a number of Shoveler sheltering beneath the tress plus alone juvenile Flamingo and a pair of Marbled Duck.  A Heron towards the far end and on the open water both Little and Black-necked Grebes.  Blackcaps, Woodpigeon and Rock Dove in the surrounding area then the first Zitting Cisticola and Great Tit. 

Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo and Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis

Out on the water a group of Flamingos off to the right and more Shoveler and Mallard at the back of the laguna.  Then a small number of Shelduck on the near end of the island in front of the hide along with a sleeping Snipe and a Common Sandpiper which the flew off to our right.  But just the one Little Egret on show.  However, feeding next to a lone Flamingo on the island off to the right a single Glossy Ibis. The nearby bushes and small trees held a number of Chiffchaff plus at least two Cetti's Warblers.

Gloss Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (middle)

Moving on to the Laguna Escondida hide we found our White-headed Ducks along with a few Common Pochard. Coots and Little Grebe at the back of the water and amongst the handful of Flamingo in a sandy beach area a Green Sandpiper.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Arriving at the Laguna Casillas we added Greenfinch and more Common Pochard and arriving at the Wader Pool lots of Black-winged Stilts plus a single Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and a handful of Goldfinches on the bank below the hide.

Common Pochard Aythya ferina

The Old River has been radically altered since my last visit with the creation of an island in the middle offering scope for the waders where we found Redshank, a single Ruff and then a lone Black-tailed Godwit of the far side.  More Shoveler and Mallard plus another Heron.  Also present a single Avocet and a dozen resting Sanderling.  

Sanderling Calidris alba with Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

A short stop at the sea watch produced very many Black-headed Gulls on the sea and a Crested Lark on the beach.  Making our way back to the start and the car we came across both a number of Serin plus a male Kestrel and, of course, all the birds seen on the outward journey so producing a final tally of 56 species for the morning.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Common Pochard, Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Serin.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo with company

Juvenile Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world. 

Fuente Piedra and Campillos

Thursday 26 February

ay 1 in Malaga Province and a trip over to Fuente de Piedra, home of thirty plus thousand Flamingos. Everywhere you looked on the main laguna hundreds, if not thousands, of Flamingos.  But this was for later as we started at the flooded field on our left as we entered the site.  Plenty of Black-winged Stilts and Chiffchaffs at the edges with a closer study producing Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, and Coot.  Then, at the back of the water, both Common and Spotted Redshank.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Also resting on the water many Black-headed Gulls.  Overhead, scores of Barn Swallows plus a few House Martins before noting our first Red-rumped Swallow.  Off to the other side of the road a pair of Crested Larks and a handful of House Sparrows and, atop the high chimney, the nesting White Storks surrounded by a number of Rock Doves.  Finally, before taking a walk the long way round to the board walk, a lone Greenshank and a handful of White Wagtails. 

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

A Collared Dove was seen near the small spinney towards the entry point and at the far side of the green opposite the water a handsome male Iberian Yellow Wagtail.  Overhead we watched a flock, numbered in hundreds, of Cranes looking as if they were on their way back to their breeding areas in northern Europe.  Continuing our walk along the back of the site next to the harrowed filed holding the Jackdaw nesting tower, a Snipe and a number of Stonechats.  Leaving the Flamingos until later we made our way to take the reverse crossing of the boardwalk with a number of calling Cetti’s Warblers and found a distant Cattle Egret.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Reaching the homeward side of  the boardwalk and following the water’s edge towards the mirador we first found a Black Redstart and Greenfinches before coming across the small party of Spanish Sparrows and more Chiffchaffs.  Then I followed a slightly larger bird into the trees in front and finally managed to find the individual behind a branch close to the trunk and pleased to confirm a Wryneck.  Making our way up to the mirador we added a Goldfinch and a departing Hoopoe.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

From the mirador we were able to look down on the thousands of resting Flamingos and also noted a passing Lesser Black-backed Gull.  A couple of Great Tits below us and checking the pool below found a t least four Little Grebe plus a small number of Teal.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Time to move round to the Lagunetta at the back of the Visitors Centre where no close Flamingos but lots of Shoveler and a number of teal plus a few White-headed Ducks.  A handful of Shelduck were then found along with both Common and Red-crested Pochards.  Not too many Coot but a number of both Little and Black-necked Grebes on the water.  Also seen a pair of Gadwall and lots of Moorhens.

Record shot of male Iberian Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae

Just the one Buzzard but a quartet of Lesser Kestrels was a good sight and then we added Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Chaffinch and Blackbird. Not only a handful of Linnet and a Common Kestrel but finally, before leaving the site, we managed to add an Iberian Grey Shrike.

Iberian Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis

Our next stop was the Laguna Dulce near Campillos which was very full with water and no shore for waders to utilise.  Lots of Coot and White-headed Ducks before finding the Shoveler flock and a number of Great Crested Grebes. Mainly Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls resting on the water and on the far side scores of Flamingos.  On the edges both Teal and Mallard before finding a couple of Gadwall.  Just when we thought we had seen everything, first a Red-crested Pochard then a Little Grebe plus both Blackbird and Lapwing.

White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala 

Still light so via Campillos itself we made our way to the Laguna Capaceti on the other side of the town. Lots of Barn Swallows over the water and on the water itself a number of Flamingos on the far side.  Nearer to us more Shoveler and a few Red-crested Pochard. A little later we also found Common Pochard and a couple of Little Grebe. Nearer to us Great Tit and Goldfinches plus a handful of White Wagtails.  The final bird at the laguna was a Gadwall.

Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus

Making our way home we also added a stop below the high cliffs of Penarrubia and noted the many circling Griffon Vultures.  Also seen were Crag Martins and a gorgeous Peregrine Falcon plus just the one Common Kestrel.  In the nearby trees both Blackcap and Chiffchaff and looking at the water below us we were in time to see the passing Heron. And so ended a perfect birding day with the sight of 68 species.

Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Great crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, White Stork, Flamingo, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Griffon Vulture, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Crane, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Crested Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler,  Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Iberian Grey Shrike, Magpie, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet. 

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala 

Some of the thousands of Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.