Monday 24 October 2016

Costa Esuri, Ayamonte

Monday 17 October

Back to the apartments we were once again able to visit the natural lake below the 17th green of th golf course.  Water levels were only slightly down but lots of cover for the wintering and resident birds, including the free-breeding wild Muscovey Ducks which seemed to have had a great breeding season.

Muscovey Duck Cairina moschata
On arrival a couple of Purple Swamphens were walking the edge of the green before returning to the water where there were very many Mallards along with a plentiful supply of Teal and Gadwall and Shoveler.  Also lots of Coots and Moorhens plus Little Egrets and Herons.  Both Snipe and Redshank were recorded but the majority of waders were Black-tailed Godwits.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio


With the light dimming and the sky starting to take on a red glow, we looked behind us in time to see a lone hawking Black-shouldered Kite which proved very popular to all present.  then it was on the artificial lake at the back which is used as a water supply where we found many duck, mainly Shoveler, Mallard and Gadwall but also both Common and Red-crested Pochard.  However, the prize sighting was the quartet of resting Wigeon rather than the main flock of Muscovey Ducks.


Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus looking for its last meal of the day

A White Wagtail and Hoopoe visited the neighbouring green and Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and Magpie were seen overhead.  As was the visiting Marsh Harrier which was soon shown the door on three occasions by the flock of Black-tailed Godwits that spilled out of the lake into the air to haste its departure.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea as night approaches
Mixed ducks at sunset including Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina and Gadwall Anas strepera plus the Muscovey Ducks Cairina moschata
A closer look reveals the Wigeon Anas penelope (top centre)
Birds seen:
Muscovey Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Little Egret, Heron, Black-shouldered Kite, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, White Wagtail, Magpie


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

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