Lovely to receive an email from friends Eric and pat Lyon who now reside in Torre del Mar. Whilst they are able to get out of the house for a short period each day to walk the dog, Jago and they are also fortunate to overlook one of the small areas of wilderness relatively close to the local Axarquia hospital. I was amazed to read about some of the birds reported on Eric's email and it just goes to show what is out there if you take the time to look. Many thanks, Eric for the information.
Birding in central Torre del Mar: Thursday 2 April
In "Birding in central Torre del Mar" Eric describes the local habitat in front of his home as an island of about 150 x 30 yards of colouful "weeds" and a mix of trees - false peppers, palms, yellow-flowered "somethings," at the moment bare white poplar types, adelfas, etc. At right angles to the house there is a bigger piece of land, much the same, and then another two that are cut grass and palm trees. So lots of seed-eaters, wintering Chiffchaff, Robin, Black Redstarts and now migrants. A few hirundines, just Barn Swallows and Swifts so far, but nesting Black Redstart, Sardinian Warbler and Blackcap.
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| Robin Erithacus rubecula (PHOTO: Bob Wright) |
Living in the middle of Torre del Mar you would not expect to see much. We have a scrappy bit of land in front of the house so it’s nice to sit on the terrace and watch birds 20+ yards away.
We have loads of Serin, Goldfinches and Blackbirds, a few Black Redstart and Blackcap Also a pair of Sardinian Warbler, wandering Hoopoe but wintering Chiffchaff now gone but replaced by a Willow Warblers.
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| Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala (PHOTO: Bob Wright) |
Gulls and resident Kestrel, Monk Parakeets and Collared Doves float around every day. Recent days have turned up Woodchat Shrike and yesterday a male Common Redstart looking very smart. Helps pass the time.
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| Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (PHOTO: Bob Wright) |
The latest sightings today were a Nightingale feeding on the ground and a pair of Woodchat Shrikes - but all moved on by a dog walker.
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information
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