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| Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala |
Sunday 16 May
The start of another very warm, clear and sunny day so off for my walk up the the nearby Rio Algarrobo before 9 am and its gets too hot; also before the massed dog-walkers take to the paths and let their dogs run free, whether it be along the path or actual river bed. And the decision certainly paid off with 23 species recorded in just over the hour and back whist still comfortable in the increasing warmth.
Entering the wooded play area at the start I was greeted by House Sparrow, Collared Dove and Monk Parakeet. Ere the visit was finished I had seen a score of Collared Doves and a dozen Monk Parakeets. No sooner had I moved into the more open trees I had the first of a dozen Blackbirds and numerous calling Goldfinches which duly presented themselves. A pair of Blackcap were bust feeding and then, what a lovely surprise, a diminutive Western Olivaceous Warbler, Isabelline if you prefer, foraging in the leaves immediately above me.
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| Female Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla |
Continuing on up the wooded path I was aware of the local Pallid Swifts from the nearby apartment blacks feeding above and then stopped to admire a Spotted Flycatcher doing what these birds do. Before long they were joined, at a lower level, by a good number of both Barn Swallows and House Martins. At the top of the large bare tree a single Wood Pigeon and a further two recorded on the return journey. Before reaching the ford I also added my first of a quartet of Serin and this next stretch of the riverbed held the only water; a number of small, clear puddles that held a visiting Common Sandpiper. Once at the motorway no more water anywhere upstream but I did find a resting female Kestrel under the motorway atop one of the supports.
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| Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata |
Once at the far end of the "hidden pool" I found my fist Sardinian Warbler and a second Spotted Flycatcher. Over the irrigation pool a handful of Common Swifts and a departing Lesser Black-backed Gull. More hirundines and then the start of the return journey. Back under the motorway one of the breeding Crag Martins had returned to the site and on the opposite side a Rock Dove atop an electricity pylon. A few Greenfinches and Goldfinches at the back near the sewage works having, as is my way, taken the diversion and once back to the open trees near the end of the trail a pair of Hoopoes. A most satisfying and leisurely walk.
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| Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos |
Birds seen:
Kestrel, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Olivaceous Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch. Goldfinch.
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