For those of you, like me, who enjoy reading about David and his Arboleas Bird Group up on the other side of Almeria you will, I would imagine, be beginning to think what has become of this band of nomadic birders as they wander the wastes and wilds of Almeria Province. With Andy Paterson in New Zealand, I think he actually arrives this week-end, unles you are actually on David's mailing list you may have missed the past two outings so, in Andy's absence, I have great pleasure in bringing you all the latest news from Dave. Indeed, if I play my cards right I might even be able to continue top provide readers with the latest updates whilst I, too, am down in NZ. At the moment back in the UK prior to departure and suffering the wet, wet, wet followed by the white stuff!
Two great reports and, as far as I know, all photographs by Dave unless Gilly has once again got her hands on the camera!
Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales - Wednesday 29th January 2014
The weather
forecast on the TV was predicting rain coming in from the west as 16 of
us hardy birdwatchers drank coffee in Pujaire before heading for the
first hide on the Cabo de Gata nature reserve. We already had 6 species
in the bag, the most notable being a Southern Grey Shrike spotted by
Phil. It was cloudy & a bit windy. There were at least 3 large rafts
of Black Necked Grebes to be seen, each containing between 40-50 birds.
To the left in the more sheltered bay was a small group of Black Tailed
Godwit and a Redshank . Paul later spotted a Greenshank there as well.
On the narrow rocky causeway numerous birds were hunkered down
sheltering from the wind. An Audouin's Gull, Dunlin, Grey Plover,
Kentish & Ringed Plover, a pair of Avocet and some more Godwit, one
of which Gilly noted was different and was identified as a Bar Tailed.
Checking the water edges I came across a single Spoonbill near some
Little Egret. On the wildfowl front we saw Shelduck & Mallard, then
Kevin spotted a single Brent Goose, a remarkable find so far south!
We then drove to
the second hide, parking up adjacent to the beach. Considerably windier
here with good sized waves crashing on to the beach. We disturbed a
group of maybe 25 Eurasian Curlew on the savannah. I noted at least one
Whimbrel amongst them as they landed on the beach. Out to sea a couple
of Gannet were seen as were small flypasts of Balearic Shearwater.
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| Brent Goose Branta bernicla (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
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| Sanderling Calidris alba (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Lesser Black Backed Gulls patrolled up & down. I was hoping the
Brent Goose was still close to the hide, but it had moved away so was
only able to get a "record" shot. A Slender Billed Gull was swimming in
the ditch to our right. On the scrubland there was very little to be
seen, just Sardinian Warbler, House Sparrow, Serin & Stonechat.
Gilly counted 290 Greater Flamingos.
We moved on to
the public hide. Colin spotted some Linnet. More Serin were seen and a
Thekla Lark. Nothing new was added to the list from the hide. As we left
some Greenfinch flew over. We headed for Cabo de Gata village for a
coffee, noting Sanderling and a passing Cormorant.
Wind increasing
now as we drove along the beach track towards the Rambla de Morales. As
we parked a low flying Greater Flamingo struggled against the wind. At
the beach end of the brackish lake, numerous Sanderling were feeding
together with a few Kentish Plovers. Above the reeds we saw Crag
Martins. We added White Headed Duck to the day list. As Gilly was
feeling increasingly unwell with an overnight hacking cough I decided
enough was enough and left. I suspect the others followed shortly
afterwards. We returned via the campsite route adding Common Pochard
& Shoveler on the water & a pair of Cattle Egret near the
visitors centre.
44 species for the day, the bright star being the Brent Goose. The weather god was also kind considering the forecast.
Dave
Rambla de Almanzora & Vera - Wednesday 22nd January 2014
I travelled
on my own to the Rambla de Almanzora as Gilly had a Christmas Lunch to
go to.....yeah, don't go there! There, above the "ford", I met up with
13 other members and two guests of Les & Lynn's, Eileen &
Dolores...see, I did remember your names! It was good to see returning
holiday makers Phil & Sue again. Checking on the birds in the pools
opposite, we saw Black Winged Stilt, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Green
Sandpiper, Ringed Plover & Little Stint. Also seen were Black Headed
Gull, White Wagtail, Moorhen, Chiffchaff & Crested Lark. We then
walked up towards the desalination plant. Brian spotted the first Snipe
of the day. A Southern Grey Shrike showed well on the power line
crossing the rambla whilst a Kestrel perched in a similar position but
further away. I spotted a Meadow Pipit and a Grey Wagtail was also seen.
Lagging behind, Phil was lucky enough to spot his first ever
Bluethroat, but it disappear into the shrubbery never to be seen again.
Near to the weir I added a Water Pipit & Les spotted a Dunlin with a
pair of Little Stint.
After our usual
coffee break in Villaricos village we headed for the beach. On the
harbour rocks were a couple of Audouin's Gulls, Cormorants, a Yellow
Legged Gull, a Grey Heron and later a Little Egret.
The rocks closer to
us eventually revealed a Kentish Plover & a Turnstone. Out to sea at
least 4 Black Necked Grebes were seen. We then walked over to the
estuary. More Grey Herons were seen. Also Coot, Little Grebe and distant
but good views of at least two Kingfishers. A female Marsh Harrier came
over, putting the flock of Black Headed Gulls to flight. A Sanderling
was also seen. The walk back to the vehicles along the beach added Grey
Plover, Sandwich Tern, Lesser Black Backed Gull and a well spotted
Mediterranean Gull sitting out to sea by sharp eyed Les.
We then convoyed
to the dual carriageway above the pools at Vera. We saw more Teal and
at least two female Red Crested Pochard. In the pool opposite the Consum
supermarket we added Common Pochard & White Headed Duck. A Cetti's
Warbler was heard. The star was an Adult Booted Eagle soaring above us. A
large number of Crag Martins were feeding over the reeds & water.
We met up with Colin Harrison, who lives nearby. Interested in birds,
especially photography, so hopefully he'll join us on our trips.
Ended up with 51
species for the day. Good to be back on my local patch. On a personal
note, had to take Gilly to A&E last Thursday. Her heart kept missing
a beat. She's been put on beta-blockers and has an appointment with the
cardiologist in February.........which reminds me.........I had my
annual heart check up in an Almeria hospital
yesterday...all ok....but on the way down the E15, between the prison
& Almeria Airport, 8am, Eagle Owl flew across in front of us.
Cardiologist wondered why my blood pressure was slightly up....that
could explain it!
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| Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
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| Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Dave
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