Charca de Suarez

Sunday 24 September 

A dozen members of the Axarquia Bird Group at the Charca de Suarez this morning along with a few guests in very clear and warm weather.  As soon as I turned into "Turtle Dove Alley" at 8.50 with my brother-in-law Chris Sprinks we had a Sparrowhawk pass over and alongside the car before noting both Collared Doves and House Sparrows. A couple of Crested Larks on the road and then a small flock of Serin before our first female Red Avadavat.

Red Avadavat Bengali Rojo Amandava amandava in full breeding plumage

Then it was round the corner to the Charca and straight to the Laguna de Taraje where we met up with Barrie and Jan Avis plus Lindsay Pheasant and Micky Smith.  What a forty-minute period this was to be.  Forget the single Mallard as we encountered a quartet of Purple Swamphen then the feeding Bluethroat.  As we  were watching the latter a Water Rail decided to cross right in front of the bird and continued to make sporadic appearances.  If this was not enough, a Little Crake ventured out of the reeds and was promptly seen on its way by a second Water Rail.  A Little Egret flew over and then the long-staying White Stork walked by at the back of the water. Moorhens began to appear and then a single Green Sandpiper came to visit.  Meanwhile, we had been joined by John and Jenny Wainwright along with John and Lyn Ross and friends.  This seemed to be an open invitation for hardly had we got the bird in our bins than we started to have an almost mass input pf both Red Avadavats and Common Wasbills.  Finally, both a Raven and a Cormorant flew over before a White Wagtail landed in front and we made our departure.

Recod shots of our Water Rail Rascon Europeo Rallus aquaticus in the deep shade

The new hide at the far end of this pool usually produces nothing but on this occasion we had many Moorhens along with a Green Sandpiper.  Micky was sure that he had seen a Jack Snipe skulking on the edge of the reds on the opposite and and then the appearance  of a small mystery wader which lead to many blurred photographs as we looked into the sun and all sorts of suggestions to identity before we, I think unanimously, settled on a juvenile Dunlin.  The first Barn Swallows were seen overhead as, after a very brief stop at the Laguna del Alamo Blanco, which only produced a few Mallard and Moorhen, we mad our way to the main hide.

Juvenile Dunlin Correlimos Comun Calidris alpina that had us all puzzled in the bright sunshine

Having seen our first European Tree Frogs Hyla arborea of the morning we soon settled into the hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas and the sun full in our faces.  Lots of Coots and Moorhens and another couple of Purple Swamhens.  Two Herons perched in a tree and a further individual on the far side of the water as the Barn Swallows overhead accompanied by the occasional Sand Martin.  Even a couple of Black-headed Gulls headed in for a rest.  Searching the ducks, in addition to the Mallards we found both Common Pochard and at least a quartet of Ferruginous Ducks.  On the island a quartet of resting Little Egrets along with a pair of juvenile Flamingos.  Not just Coots on the water but also a small number of Little Grebes and then the first Kingfisher flashed over.

Ferruginous Duck Porron Pardo Aythya nyroca

Walking towards the Laguna del Trebol we picked up both Spotted and Pied Flycatcher and on the far side there were three Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon resting quietly for all to see who knew where to look!  On the water itself a number of Red-knobbed Coot, mainly without collars, along with Common Coot and Moorhen.  Also on this part of the track we had a visit from a lone Hoopoe that seemed happy to escort us towards the Laguna del Lirio where nothing new was to be found.

Hoopoe Abubilla Upupa epops

So back to our starting point at the Laguna del Taraje for a final visit before departing home.  We were joined by John and Jenny plus Micky and Lindsay and had some more very close views of the Red Avadavats along with Bluethroat, Serin and Chiffchaff.  A Cetti's Warbler picked its way through the undergrowth but no further sightings of either the Little Crake or Water Rail.

Red-knobbed Coot Focha Moruna Fulica cristata

Also seen by others, inlcuding John and Jenny, during the morning were Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Red-rumped Swallow.

Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleo (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Birds seen:
Mallard, Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, White Stork, Flamingo, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Little Crake, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Dunlin, Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Hoopoe,Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, White Wagtail, Bluethroat, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Raven, House Sparrow, Common Waxbill, Red Avadavat, Serin.

Record shot of the Bluethroat Ruisenor Comun Luscinia svecica

Green Sandpiper Andarrios Grande Tringa ochropus

Little Egret Garceta Comun Egretta garzetta

A couple of the Purple Swamphens Calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyrio

Tree Frog Hyla arborea

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