Now safely back in Spain and all ready for the autumn birding rush -both literally and figuratively. As I prepare for the coming week-end down to Tarifa to enjoy the autumn raptor migration, my friend David Elliott Binns and his Arboleas Birding Group held their first meet of the autumn season with a visit to Cabo de Gata and it seems there are birds o be seen - and water in the salinas. One question answered, the Pied Flycatchers are on their way south so, hopefully, one for me to see come the week-end.
Cabo de Gata and Rambla Morales
Wednesday 6th September
This
was our first official trip out after the summer break. I'd like to
formally welcome Frans and Marga, a Dutch couple, to the group. Today
we were heading to Cabo de Gata. John picked me up at Los Gallardos and
we headed down to Pujaire. Having left the motorway, we were "in the
zone"! We first saw some Jackdaw. They seem to be flocking now. I saw at
least 75 together near my house this morning. John and I saw the
usual common species on the way to the cafe, the best being an Iberian
Grey Shrike. Having got there early, we were on our second coffee when
Barrie joined us. Jan was just getting up in their motorhome. We were
soon joined by Frans and Marga. Suitably refreshed we headed towards
the first hide, John and I were some way ahead of the others. As we
came round the bend after leaving the houses, there was a female
Montagu's Harrier just to our left. It flew over the car and headed
north. Sadly the others behind missed it!
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| Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquara (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
There
was plenty of water in the lake before us. There were plenty of Slender-billed Gulls on the water and more resting with Black-headed Gulls on
the causeway. John also found some Mediterranean Gulls there as well.
All of us were distracted by some terns sat there. What with the heat
haze and glare we had problems identifying them. One showed definite
signs of being a Black Tern, but the others were Little Terns as
confirmed later at the second hide when we saw them fishing. Meanwhile
there were lots of Little Egret and a single Great White Egret, seen by
Barrie, on the waters edge. John found 4 Eurasian Curlew over to the
right. Also seen was a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper and some Black-winged Stilt. Barrie saw a Little Grebe and the only ducks around were
Mallard. Many Greater Flamingo of course!
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| White Storks in the sky Ciconia ciconia (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
moved on to the second hide. I was the first to get there. I
immediately found two groups of White Stork on the far side of the
salinas. The first group contained 11 individuals, the second 35 +.
There were obviously more unseen as later they all took off. There must
have been 70+ circling east over the Michelin Tyre testing area and
beyond. I've seen the odd one or two in our area, so 70 is
unprecedented! To the right of these two groups I spotted two Raven
sitting on fence posts. Frans found a female Sardinian Warbler in the
shrubs in front of us. It was joined by a Spectacled Warbler. Frans also
heard what he thought was an Olivacious Warbler to the right. We also
added Crested Lark and Avocet.
 |
| Raven Corvus corax (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
convoyed to the public hide. As well as the numerous Avocet and
Greater Flamingos, there was a good splattering of Black-necked Grebes
and a few Redshank. A Eurasian Curlew was on one of the islands. John
meanwhile was checking out the right hand salina where the rocky
causeway is. He found Dunlin and some Ringed Plover plus many Sandwich
Tern and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. I found an obliging female
Northern Wheatear on the power line above the enclosure. The two Ravens
were now perched atop a closer pylon as was a Kestrel. As we were about
to leave, John spotted a Pied Flycatcher hunting from a fence. Above us
was a Skylark.
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| Female Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
were joined by Jan at the Cabo village beach-side cafe where we had
lunch. Still lots of sunbathers so the only birds we saw was a resting
Sandwich Tern on a buoy and a passing flight of Barn Swallow. We then
headed towards the brackish lake at Rambla Morales. I spotted a White
Wagtail near the beach end and a Cattle Egret a bit further down. A
Moorhen was seen as was a Grey Heron. There was a swimming raft of Black-headed Gulls and a good number of Greater Flamingo. From the sandy
mound further along we saw 2 males and a single female White-headed
Duck. Amongst the Mallard John found some Shoveler and Frans a female
Teal. I spotted our only Coot of the day! A larger wader flew off which I
later identified as a Ruff. We said our goodbyes. We added Red-rumped
Swallow on the way to the motorway.
A
good day in good company. 45 species in all. I apologise in advance for
the photographs! What with the heat haze, distance, sun glare and
poor operating I really only got record shots!
Regards, Dave
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.
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