A wonderful day out in Cabo de Gata by the Arboleas Birding Group and evidence that the Honey Buzzards are still making their way south. I thought migration started a little earlier this year and yet here we are in mid-September and still the raptors keep coming in good numbers. Some excellent birds seen and it just goes to show what a birding hot spot Cabo de Gata can be at almost any time of the year.
Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales: Wednesday 19th September
Well
folks, what a good day we had! Us Arboleas lot, me driving Alec
followed by Mike, Diane and Richard behind in their 4x4 left a little
bit earlier than usual so we could check out the Dotterel spot once
more. We arrived at the north end of the Cabo de Gata reserve and duly
had a look around. No Dotterels seen, but we started our day list with
Greenfinch, Thekla Lark, Hoopoe and Barn Swallow.
We
headed for the Pujaire cafe where Barrie & Beryl were waiting for
us. We were joined by Kevin, Troy and new member, Peter.
After a cup of
coffee we made our way to the first hide. First thing I noticed was that
the single Oystercatcher was still here, but Kevin had seen 6 Spoonbill
at the other end of the rocky causeway. Apart from the usual plethora
of Greater Flamingos, there were in the wader department, Kentish and
Ringed Plover, Black Winged Stilt, Black Tailed Godwit and Redshank.
There were lots of Slender Billed Gulls plus a few Mallard. Barrie
spotted a Little Grebe and an Iberian Grey Shrike. Troy then found a
Kestrel but trumped her sighting with a Honey Buzzard head south against
the wind direction. Eventually we saw 11 of them. Kevin then spotted
some Eurasian Curlew, 6 in all. Behind them on the savannah, Barrie had a
fleeting view of a flying Stone Curlew. Richard spotted what turned out
to be a Glossy Ibis. A Grey Heron flew over.
Moving
on to the beach opposite the second hide. The sea was as flat as a tack
so everything was on view. Around the various fishing vessels were at
least a thousand gulls, but too far out to give a definite ID. However,
amongst them were smaller black looking birds, some occasionally flying.
Balearic Shearwaters! We walked to the hide and were pleased to see two
juvenile Woodchat Shrikes plus another Iberian Grey Shrike. Suddenly a
flock of large black birds took to the air on the far side of the
salina. 15 Black Stork accompanied by two smaller Glossy Ibis. They
headed towards the lighthouse but soon returned as the wind was against
them. No chance of reaching North Africa today. Richard was first to
notice a yellowish warbler in a shrub in front of the hide. A Melodious
Warbler. A tired looking juvenile Barn Swallow posed well on the fence.
 |
| Juvenile Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Moving
onto the public hide, the first birds we spotted was a pair of Northern
Wheatear on a fence who were joined by some Thekla Larks. Just beyond
the wire gates to the right of the hide was a Spotted Flycatcher first
seen by Diane, I believe. In the water to the right were some Avocet and a Redshank. Amongst the gulls on the rocky causeway were some
Sandwich Terns. On the left hand side the shallow waters brought in the
smaller waders. Dunlin, Kentish and Ringed Plover and later Barrie
found a Little Stint. He also found a large raft of Black-necked Grebes
and some Shelduck. I found a Greenshank on one of the islands.
 |
| Spotted Flycather Muscipapa striata (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We
then made our way to the Rambla Morales. I was leading the convoy along
the beachside track. As I was failing to get a photo of one of the half
dozen Yellow Wagtails, Barrie behind me in his car spotted a Marsh
Harrier. A Short-toed Lark species flew over. Arriving at the car park,
Keven found a Greenshank at the estuary end with some Coot. There were
hundreds of Sand Martins flying around. We heard Cetti's Warblers as we
walked to the "hump". On the far side of the water were at least 6 White-headed Duck plus two or three very young ducklings. There was also a
female Teal and Shoveler with some Mallard. Barrie spotted a Reed
Warbler and some distant Magpie. Another Glossy Ibis was seen.
Barrie's Marsh Harrier was seen near the desalination plant and a female
flew over the opposite reeds. We could hear a helicopter high above. If
I hadn't been scanning the sky for it, I'd have never seen the first 4
Honey Buzzards heading south. Then more kept coming. In total we counted
23 and a Kestrel. Feeling well pleased we retreated to the Cabo beach
side cafe for lunch. I only had a coke before having to leave for a
meeting. After their lunch Barrie and Beryl drove up to the lighthouse
where they saw 12 Honey Buzzards heading south plus two Booted Eagles
circling. Incredibly on their way back they counted a further 68 Honey
Buzzards over Pujaire!
We ended with 55 species in total, but what a cracking days birding in great company. The weather gods were kind to us 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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