Huetor Tajar with the Wainwrights

I  am beginning to think that John and Jenny wainwright now something that I do not; bad weather must be expected and they are making the most of the present dry and sunny period to get in as much birding as possible.  Reading their latest report, it is good to see that the Little Bustards are still about, certainly stops the Stone Curlews getting lonely!

Huetor Tajar  2nd January 2013

Bright but a cold wind.

At the side of the ajo factory we found the Stone Curlews, about ten or so of them, then across to the stream.  Here we crossed at the ford and parked on the embankment, where we found Crested Larks, Stonechats and Lapwings.  As we were watching the latter four Little Bustards flew across the stream, round in a loop and back to where they had come from.  Over in the distance a ringtail Hen Harrier was quartering an irrigation ditch.

Grey Wagtail Lavandera Cascadena Motacilla cinerea (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

In the stream we located a Green Sandpiper, Linnets, White Wagtails, Black Redstart and House Sparrow.  Further along the stream we found a second Green Sandpiper, a Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaffs, Goldfinches, Azure-winged Magpies, a Blackbird and Chaffinches.

Brambling Pinzon real Fringilla montifringilla (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

We doubled back and located a flock of some seventy Little Bustards (they must have dropped in whilst we were turning round at the poplars), a Sparrowhawk was seen after lifting off the flock of Lapwings we had spotted earlier.  Instead of crossing the ford we continued in the direction of La Fabrika - along side the stream, here at a small barn we found Serin, Red-legged Partridges, Chaffinches, more Chiffchaffs, White Wagtails and about a dozen or more Bramblings.


Where to tomorrow John and Jenny?

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