I see my friend Dave has once again travelled north to visit the El Fondo reserve near Elche. As always plenty f good birds to be seen and just a shame that I live so far away; even Dave and friends have a long journey to arrive on time for the early, controlled, admission. And look at the great birds seen; possible Greater Bittern, Marbled Duck, Savi's and Great Reed Warbler, Roller, Bee-eater, etc.
El Fondo, Elche - Saturday 26th May
Another very early start to get to El Fondo, near Elche in time for the opening of the North Gate at the bird reserve.
Gilly
& I picked up Paul and Reyna and drove to the Cox service station
cafe where we met up with John, Barrie, Trevor, Ann, Phil and Jen.
After a cup of coffee we headed to the football pitch area for a quick
bird before opening time. Gilly spotted a Pallid Swift. A number of
paired up Jackdaws were perched on buildings or dead palm trunks. A
Roller showed well. We had fly overs by Black-headed and Yellow-legged
Gulls, Grey Heron, Kestrel and Cattle Egret. We saw a distant Iberian
Grey Shrike and heard Zitting Cisticola, Great Reed and Sardinian
Warbler. Barrie and Gilly spotted an Alpine Swift amongst some Common
Swifts. A Crested Lark was seen as we made our way to the gate having
already notched up 20 species in about 20 minutes!
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| Roller Coracias garrulus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Gordon,
a local birder, was already there and kindly pointed out some Tree
Sparrows on the pump house. Barrie did well to hear a Savi's Warbler and
someone else heard an Iberian Green Woodpecker. We also saw Little
Egret, Night Heron and Black-winged Stilt before Michael, today's
ranger, let us in. We drove slowly down to the far, elevated platform.
Paul spotted a Common Buzzard. On the way we heard Reed and Cetti's
Warbler. Barrie and John had a possible Bittern flying over the reeds.
Once up on the platform a scan of the water to our front revealed Great
Crested and Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Common Pochard, Black-winged
Stilt, Greater Flamingo and Avocet. Short flights of Little Bitterns
was numerous. Barrie was first to spot a Purple Heron. Squacco Herons
were commoner. A family of Red-rumped Swallows were near the little
building. We saw Whiskered, Gull Billed Terns and I spotted a possible
Little Tern.
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| Red-rumped Swallows Hirundo daurica (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
John found some Shelduck. The occasional Glossy Ibis flew
past. Gilly, Paul, Reyna and I went to the smaller second hide where
we added Shoveler and Black-necked Grebe. The others followed us in
shifts due to the size of the hide. We briefly returned to the elevated
platform and saw a Hoopoe. Trevor and Phil spotted a Squacco Heron
perched on reeds beyond the small canal. It posed beautifully.
 |
| Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Some
of us then walked, others drove to the next hide. An Osprey flew past.
Walking further along we saw both Bee-eater and Goldfinch. Gilly
spotted a Serin. John had an Audouin's Gull. From the final elevated
platform, where space is at a premium, Barrie who had the scope found a
small group of waders...Dunlin, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Kentishand Ringed Plover. A male Marsh Harrier was seen followed shortly
after by a female. Barrie and John spotted a Booted Eagle. We also
found a Spotted Flycatcher at the top of a dead leafless tree.
We
then convoyed to the information centre. Paul saw a White Wagtail.
Gilly found two Glossy Ibis in the shallow pool adjacent to the car
park plus a Marbled Duck as well. Numerous Great Reed Warblers were
seen. In the enclosed pool by the centre were three Red-knobbed Coot and
some eclipsed Mallard. Barrie spotted some Red-crested Pochard sleeping
along the reed edge. Moving on to the raised wooden walkway we checked
for the recently sighted female Goldeneye to no avail, but did see more
Marbled Duck and a couple of Collared Pratincole. A Slender-billed
Gull flew close by. The further hides only produced more Coot, Mallard and Shelduck plus a confirmed Little Tern. Avocets with fluffy chicks
was the highlight. As we left the Information centre, our final tick was
a Woodchat Shrike in a power line.
We had a lovely day. Ended up with a very respectable 71 species. Good company as well.
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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