Friday 14 September
| Looks like Dave did nor get enough birding in yesterday as he was back out again this morning to make the trip down to Cabo de Gata, a place I have yet to visit at this time of the year. Whist I would certainly have enjoyed the birding I am certainly not so sure about all the hiking up and down the steep hills - even to see the selection of raptors. For me, I am placing my money on seeing Dotterel on their return journey next February/March when I , probably, next visit Cabo de Gata. |
Cabo de Gata - Friday 14th September 2018
Today
I made a private visit to Cabo de Gata to combine birdwatching and
keeping fit. I left home before dawn and it was my intention to try and
find the newly arrived Dotterels as reported last week. I went to the
likely sites. There were numerous Common Swifts and Barn Swallows
flying over but alas no sign of the Dotterels. They could easily have
been there, but the area was festooned with flowering Sea Daffodils! I
then checked out the savannah near the public hide with the same result (minus the flowers!). Barrie had seen some Trumpeter Finches nearby
recently, so I followed the track beside the chain-link fence towards
the church. I saw a female Stonechat and a female Black Eared Wheatear
plus Greenfinch, Thekla Lark and Collared Dove.
 |
| Female Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hisanica (PHOTO: Dave Elliott-Binns) |
I
made my way down to the far end of the reserve and navigated the track
round the rear. Recent rains made it muddy and wet in places. There
was a small group of Audouin's Gulls at rest. Slender-billed Gulls were
feeding in the salinas. Waders included Kentish and Ringed Plover,
Black-winged Stilt, Redshank, Avocet and a few Curlew Sandpipers. Some
Shovelers had arrived to join the resident Mallards and Shelducks. As I
reached the hedge beside the planted field a young Sparrowhawk flew in
10 metre stints as I "pushed" him/her towards the end. It then circled
behind the truck grimly hanging on to its deceased prey.
 |
| Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (PHOTO: Dave Elliott-Binns) |
I
then drove towards the lighthouse. I turned left towards the steep hill
heading towards San Jose. I parked at the bottom of the hill and
commenced the walk upwards.
 |
View from half way up the hill. Truck bottom right!
(PHOTO: Dave Elliott-Binns) |
An Iberian Grey Shrike was perched on a
power line as I left the truck. There only other birds I saw on the
ascent was a covey of Red-legged Partridge, a Black Wheatear and a
Sardinian Warbler. Once at the peak I walked down the other side
probably for about 2 kilometres. About half way down I saw a bird of
prey high above me, stationary in the easterly wind. A Black Kite. Next I
saw a pair of high flying Raven. After elevenses of a banana and
drink, I began the second ascent of the day. After seeing a female Blue
Rock Thrush flying across the valley, things began to get exciting.
Looking up I saw 3 adult Booted Eagles. Below them was a
Peregrine Falcon gliding north. Minutes later there were 4 Honey
Buzzards being harassed by, presumably, a second Peregrine. The
excitement may have been short, but it was very sweet! I completed the
ascent followed by the descent to the truck. As I drove back towards the
lighthouse road, I saw another female Black-eared Wheatear.
 |
| Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura (PHOTO: Dave Elliott-Binns) |
29 species in all, but some crackers in there. Back to Cabo on Wednesday next with the group, weather permitting! Lovely day. Fitness regime going well. Lost 16kg so far.
Regards, Dave
 |
| Black Kite Milvus migrans in silhouette (PHOTO: Dave Elliott-Binns) |
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information
No comments:
Post a Comment