Thursday 15 February
Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group have een out and again this week, that's twice in two days! me too, as I shall also be out for the next four days as I enjoy Bonanza, Donana and the Odiel with friends.
Sierra de Maria - Thursday 15th February
We
were lucky enough to have an extra trip this week as Lily wanted to
show her friend, Maria, the Sierra de Maria! Gilly & I picked them
up at the Overa hotel, Jct 547 E15/A7 and headed for Maria town. There,
after a coffee at the garage, we met up with Brian & Mary at the
chapel. The weather was fine & sunny. We saw Chaffinch, Blue Tit and
Blackbird in and around the tall poplar trees. I spotted a female Blue
Rock Thrush flying away. Moving up towards the Botanical Gardens we
found a flock of Serin and I spotted a Cirl Bunting. At the Information
Centre, the female ranger advised us many schoolchildren were due at
around midday. It was now hot so Gilly & I shed our anoraks. In the
lower gardens we saw 2-3 Short Toed Treecreepers, but not a lot else.
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| Can you spot the Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla? (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
heard Crested Tit & Jay. There were patches of snow covering the
lower path, but was not dangerous with care. It was our intention to do
the middle path, but with extra altitude there would be more snow and
also time was running out before the vociferous hoard was due to arrive!
We added Coal Tit & Brian found a Stonechat. We left the gardens as
two coaches arrived at the chapel car park. Just then we spotted some
Griffon Vultures above the mountain ridge. Eventually about 15 were in a
plume. We walked back to the cars as 50 odd loud kids headed up the
hill.
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| Sunny, but snow under foot (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
On the trip
down to the farm buildings a Raven flew over the road. At the buildings
we had Crested Lark, White Wagtail, Goldfinch and a few Crossbill. I
spotted a Mistle Thrush on the ploughed field. Moving on to the water
trough, we parked up, using the car as a hide. Saw Black Redstart &
Northern Wheatear as we arrived. Had good views of Linnet, Serin and one
or two Crossbill drinking. Driving along the plain we had more Linnet
& Crested Lark. We found a Corn Bunting plus a Little Owl on rock
piles. At the hamlet we added Rock Dove & Sparrow. There were two
Little Owls on the way back plus a Kestrel.
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| Crossbill Loxia curvirostra (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
then had lunch at the La Piza forest cafe. Kindly the staff advised us
of the impending arrival of the kids! We saw Chaffinch & Crossbill
there as well as a Mistle Thrush drinking from the fuente. We left as 4
coaches arrived!
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| Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We ended up with 28 species. Weather was wonderful. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.
Regards, Dave
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| Male Linnet Carduelis cannabina (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
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| Little Owl Athene noctua (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information
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