Return of the Nightingale

Tuesday 24 March

Just had a quick email from friend Derek Etherton who has managed to locate his first Nightingale of the year on a very short visit to the Rio Guadalhorce at Zapata, just at the back of Malaga airport.  I suspect that offering to take taking Barbara to the dentist was just a lowly ruse to get in a little birding whilst the sun was shining.  (All fell flat though when the heavy rains arrived as he was leaving!)

On the other hand, a good show of small birds sen in a very  short period as can be seen from Derek's report:

Nightingale Ruisenor Comun Luscinia megarhynchos

Took B to the dentist this morning in Fuengirola and we decided to pop into Zapata on the way home to see what havoc the rain had caused.  Well not too bad except I was glad of a 4x4 in a couple of places.  Too much water for the crossing to be used by cars so not much disturbance for the birds.  Plenty of Little Ringed Plovers, very 'active' too!  Leaving we came across dozens of hirundae, House and Sand Martins, Barn and at long, long last Red-rumped Swallows!!!!  A Common Swift and a dozen or so Yellow [Blue-headed] Wagtails plus a good view of our first Nightingale of the season.  Then the rain threatened and within a short time it started.



It seems I need to go down to the Rio Velez and see if any Nightingales have turned up my local patch.  Just goes to show what even twenty minutes or so can produce if you take the opportunity to look.




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