Hardly recovered from Wednesday's day post than Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group took the long journey up to El Fondo for the very early visit to the closed reserve. It must have been very frustrating after many hours driving to be confronted with driving restrictions upon arrival - but at least it finally got rid of the surplus fat built up be eating all that turkey, goose, duck and chicken; no wonder we have a shortage of birdlife! But I see no mention of Marbled Duck, where have they all gone?
El Fondo, Elche - Saturday 5th January
It
was very cold at 05.30hrs as I waited at the Overa hotel to be picked
up by Alan, John and Val to be conveyed to the El Fondo Bird Reserve
near Elche. Mike, Diane and Richard followed in Mike's car. We headed
initially to the Cox Service Station for a coffee and tostada.
Suitably refreshed we made our way to the North gate entrance. We were
first in the ever-growing queue. As we waited for the first barrier to
be lifted, we managed to see Little and Cattle Egret, squadrons of
Cormorants, a single Glossy Ibis and some Marsh Harriers. We saw the
first of 100's if not 1,000's of Chiffchaff. The first barrier was
lifted we drove down to the 2nd gate, seeing Snipe and Lapwing on the
way. We were let through by the ranger, telling us we had to park up and
walk from thereon. As it is about a mile and a half (almost 3km) to the far end
this cuts our 3 hour birdwatching window down another hour. A decision
difficult to understand. Fortunately the ranger agreed that Mike could
drive down due to Richard's mobility problems.
We all met up at the first elevated hide, a good half mile walk! First birds noted were Black-necked Grebes. We then spotted a gull/tern flitting over the surface. After much discussion (and Diane going back to their car to get their Collins!) it was confirmed to be a 1st winter Little Gull. To the right I found a huge flock of flying Glossy Ibis. There were huge numbers of wildfowl....Teal, Common Pochard, Shoveler and Shelduck. Alan found some Gadwall. Also seen were Black-winged Stilt, Little Grebe, Coot, White Wagtail and a Kestrel. I spotted a Common Buzzard flying by. We heard Cetti's Warbler.
Mike, Diane and Richard had already left to go down to the far elevated hide. As space is limited, I began to walk to the 2nd hide down. On the way I saw an Osprey flying to the left of where Alan, John and Val were. They didn't see it as another birder had found a Spotted Eagle on a distant palm tree.
At the 2nd hide I
added Red-crested Pochard. Outside whilst fiddling with my camera which
was playing up, I was met by Val. She'd seen a Robin and Black
Redstart on the way down. Meeting up with Alan and John, they had also
seen Dunlin, Kentish Plover and Ferruginous Duck. I hastily returned to
the first hide, where the other birder pointed out the Spotted Eagle
for me. We met up with Richard, Mike and Diane at the third hide. They
didn't see much from the 4th hide. Moorhen and Great Crested Grebe.
Sharp eyed Richard spotted a Kingfisher. Alan found a Water Pipit. We
moved to the 4th elevated hide. As already stated, not much on the
water, but Alan did find a distant Great White Egret and a Grey Heron.
Also seen were Crag Martins, Blackbird and Stonechat.
I alone
wandered to the small 5th hide. Nothing much here either, only Coot and Grey Heron. On the walk back I managed to get a shot of Alan's
Great White Egret in flight. Whilst away I'd missed a Purple Swamphen
sighting. As it was approaching 10.45 hrs we needed to head back the
mile and a half to the exit gate. On the way we spotted a Sparrowhawk
and "my" Osprey flying back over. Alan also found a Booted Eagle. Mike,
Diane and Richard obviously got back first. Diane had spotted a
Little Bittern in the water-filled channel to their left. It flew off as
we arrived, but very obligingly returned to what must be a favourite
feeding point some 10 minutes later.
We all met up at the first elevated hide, a good half mile walk! First birds noted were Black-necked Grebes. We then spotted a gull/tern flitting over the surface. After much discussion (and Diane going back to their car to get their Collins!) it was confirmed to be a 1st winter Little Gull. To the right I found a huge flock of flying Glossy Ibis. There were huge numbers of wildfowl....Teal, Common Pochard, Shoveler and Shelduck. Alan found some Gadwall. Also seen were Black-winged Stilt, Little Grebe, Coot, White Wagtail and a Kestrel. I spotted a Common Buzzard flying by. We heard Cetti's Warbler.
Mike, Diane and Richard had already left to go down to the far elevated hide. As space is limited, I began to walk to the 2nd hide down. On the way I saw an Osprey flying to the left of where Alan, John and Val were. They didn't see it as another birder had found a Spotted Eagle on a distant palm tree.
Distant Spotted Eagle Aguila pomarina (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Over-flying Great White Egret Egretta alba (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Having
been released by the warden we drove to the Information Centre. We in
the leading car saw what we thought was a Little Owl on an abandoned
building. Richard in Mike's car thought it was an eagle. When we passed
over an hour later the bird had predictably gone, so who knows who was
right!
Once parked
up we checked out the first pool. A Purple Swamphen was showing well.
Alan found a Common Sandpiper and I spotted a Bluethroat. Also seen were
Snipe, a Black Wheatear, Coot and Black-winged Stilt. Despite a large
King's Day eve picnic going on in the area overlooking the Information
Centre pool, there were still a few Red-knobbed Coot to be seen. Our
final bird on the list happened to be a House Sparrow spotted by Alan!
Walking along the raised wooden walkway, I spotted another Bluethroat
which gave good but distant views. The far hides were very
disappointing. Only Coots basically, but the last hide did produce
another Bluethroat.
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
All
in all a very successful day. 56 species in total in glorious weather.
Great company and a good work-out with all the walking!
Regards,
Dave
More photos from El Fondo - all by David Elliott-Binns
Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
White Wagtail Motacilla alba (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (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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