Rio Algarrobo

 Monday 8 March

A new week and the weather looks better already so out and on my river walk up the Rio Algarrobo by 8.45. All generally quiet with few individual on show or calling.  Lots of Blackbirds, Greenfinches, Serins and Goldfinches which are, presumably, either holding or establishing their breeding territories for the coming months.  Meanwhile, near the top of the mature Eucalyptus tree to the right a couple of Wood Pigeon.  Not a single Monk Parakeet until I got back to the start when I was deafened by the arrival of a flock of 16.

Male Blackbird Mirlo Comun Turdus merula

Working my upstream many Collared Dove sightings but barely half the number usually recorded.  An early Black Redstart followed by a single White Wagtail and then I was in the main territory that I find the small finches; plenty on show.  A couple of Great Tit and at the Sports Hall my first of the resident House Sparrows.  A Meadow Pipit put in an appearance on the grass just beyond the ford to quickly away for me to get a photograph.  

Male Great Tit Carbonero Comun Parus major

Once under the motorway and in the vicinity of the hidden reservoir a few Spotless Starlings recorded and a Green Sandpiper made a high and hasty departure but was later seen again back in the river near said underpass.  A couple of Hoopoes were observed on the far side in addition to the call of another individual further upstream. Also seen in this area more Black Redstarts and another Meadow Pipit.

Hoopoe Abubilla Upupa epops

Making my way back a male Kestrel flew past and the detour to take me past the local sewage works revealed once more that a Cattle Egret was back on site.  The only gulls seen, a quartet of Lesser Black-backs, were gradually winding their way down tors the shore. Then it was the noisy Monk Parakeets before home and a welcome cup of coffee.

Greenfinch Verderon Comun Carduelis chloris

Birds seen:

Cattle Egret, Kestrel, Green Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Great Tit, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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