Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris |
Tuesday 8 December
Off once again up the Rio Algarrobo and this morning very dark and windy as I set off through the first spinney.. Both Black Redstart and Collared Doves as I started my walk followed by a couple of Monk Parakeets and then very quiet until reaching the more open space where I had a Kestrel above me followed by a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a few Spotless Starlings away to my left. Not sure whether it was a Bank Holiday today but there certainly seemed far more walkers along the path and even met four dog walkers approaching and not one of them wearing a mask, not even loosely hanging round their respective necks. Perhaps it is because they are walking a dog that keeps the virus away!!!
Record shot of male Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros |
Approaching the Sports Hall a few birds at last with a good-sized flock of Mediterranean Gulls making their way to the coast along with about a score of Crag Martins. A single Cattle Egret flew away upstream and then I was up and under the motorway to stop near the entrance to the Experimental Station. A number of House Sparrows in the hedge and a couple of White Wagtails below. Above the hidden pool scores more Mediterranean Gulls along with lots of feeding Crag Martins.
Even more Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris |
However, as on my last visit here, it was the little green area at the far end of the hidden pool that produced the goods. Among the resting Spotless Starlings a number of Common Starlings and on the ground a trio of Meadow Pipits. A Linnet flew over the fence to the grassy land at the back where, upon looking, I also found Greenfinches and a male Stonechat. A couple of feeding Goldfinch before continuing on upstream and over the ford. This area produced more Black Redstarts and a male Blackbird and, on the return journey a couple of Serin on the small grassy field.
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis |
All very quiet on the return journey as I kept my eyes open for a twentieth specie but the sewage works only provided another three Cattle Egrets. Back over the river and approaching the end of the enclosed barbeque area and a couple of Chiffchaff feeding on the ground. But then, once in the open tree space, an additional species with the finding of a Hoopoe. And sitting atop the very last tree on the walk, screeching its head off, a solitary Monk Parakeet wishing me "Bon voyage!"
By the time I reached home the clouds were still very threatening but at least the wind had greatly eased back.
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus |
Birds seen:
Cattle Egret, Kestrel, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crag Martin, Meadow Pipit, White wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.
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