Sierra Tejeda area around Robledal

Wednesday 16 January

John and Jenny Wainwright managed to get up to the woods at El Robledal in the Sierra Tejeda and seem to have found all the specials for this site except, perhaps, Short-toed Treecreeper and Jay - and also no mention of Red-legged Partridge which seems most unusual.  But, nevertheless, lots of lovely sightings.



Robedal area 16th January

A fresh morning but warmed up later.

Rock Bunting Emberiza cia (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

As we left the village of Salar, Collared Doves and Spotless Starlings were noted, along the power lines Mistle Thrushes were in good numbers as were Woodpigeons.  As we neared the first picnic sight a male Sparrowhawk left its pine tree perch and a Common Kestrel was seen.  It was very quiet on the way to Alcazar site, here the usual Crossbills were seen as were Nuthatches, Crested Tits, Coal Tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker.  Walking part of the Botanical route we spotted more Crested Tits, then Blackcaps, Blackbirds, Chaffinches and yet more Crossbills.
Leaving Alcazar towards Vinuela, Rock Buntings and Chaffinches were seen feeding on the banks as was a Robin, while above them in the firs Blue, Coal and Great Tits were logged.

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

We then cut across country to Las Palomas laguna, where we found Mallard, Common Pochard, Little Grebe and Common Coot.

Leaving  Alhama de Granada, we took the old Zafaraya road where we noted Corn Buntings, Crested Larks, Mistle Thrushes and a Sardinian Warbler.  As we reached the top of the hill a female Hen Harrier took off from the field and continued quartering the fields to our left.  In the trees that line the bulldozered rutted track, Chaffinches, Robins and Serins were spotted.  Regaining the Salar road Common Kestrels, Black Redstarts and Jackdaws were noted.

Female Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Thanks John and quite a few birds in your report that I have yet to see this year.  Ignoring our stay in Germany for the first week of the year, I am yet still to see a corvid but, no doubt, there will be plenty of Jackdaws at Fuente de Piedra on Saturday and maybe a Raven will drift over.  Be good (to see) if there are any Lesser Flamingos on site at the moment.

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