Sierra Loja & Embalse Bermejales

Now that the new site is up and running I have received a couple of short reports from John and Jenny Wainwright to bring me up to date with what I have been missing out here whilst away in the very cold UK.  Many thanks John.


Sierra Loja  8th December 2012

A bright day; 16C down below but only 5C up top.

Very little to see until the cliff section where we saw Blackbird, Rock Bunting, Robin, Stonechat, Goldfinches, Thekla Larks, a single Dartford Warbler, Red-legged Partridges and Black Redstart.  Again, not a lot of bird movement except the odd Black Redstart and Thekla Lark until we reached the large catchment area, where we saw good numbers of Mistle Thrushes, Rock Buntings and great views of a juvenile Sparrowhawk as it cruised the hillside hoping to flush a meal out.  No sign of Ring Ousels yet!!

The ponds (Charca de Negro) were surrounded by people so we moved on to the fossil cave area where we picked up a Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, a large flock of Meadow Pipits and Linnets.  On the way down a small flock of Jackdaws, a few Collared Doves, a Wood Pigeon and some Spotless Starlings.


Bermejales  11th December 2012

Quite a warm day in the sun, chilly out of it.

We had a busy morning so we decided to pop over to the Bermejales embalse - close to Alhama de Granada.  We took the route through Morelada and then the back road past the Cacin dam.  Water level was quite high here, hence no waders, but, we did get Pochard, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, White Wagtails, Magpie, Azure-winged Magpies and a few Corn Buntings.

Bonelli's Eagles Aguila-azor Perdicera Hieraelus fasciatus (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

We then took the "rough road" that runs parallel to the Cacin Gorge and here we saw Rock Sparrows, Goldfinches, Rock Buntings, Mistle Thrushes, Corn Buntings and a Sardinian Warbler.  A pair of Bonelli´s Eagles soaring above the gorge was spotted by Jenny.

At the embalse - which is very low considering the rain we have had - we spotted  several White Wagtails, Crossbills, Azure-winged Magpies, Wood Pigeon, Chiffchaffs, Great Tits and a Crested Lark.  A Short-toed Treecreeper was heard on my walk here.

On the drive back we saw four Common Buzzards, Spotless Starlings, Collared Doves and a Blackbird.

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