Charca de Suarez

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

 Thursday 28 October

 Having sorted tyre pressures in preparation for the long journey north next Monday at a tyre workshop on the Motril end of the Camino Patria. I moved back along the lane in search of the feeding finches.  Ere long a large number of Common Waxbill so continued on to turn the car to both take advantage of having the sun behind me and a closer contact with the birds upon my return.  Whilst turning the car I could not but help notice the handful of resting Cattel Egrets in a grassy field to my left.

Once back on site a few minutes later immediately a number of Goldfinch and a White Wagtail working the damp patch to my left.  A Kestrel drifted away on my right and then the sight of the small flock of feeding Tree Sparrows. Also in the vicinity both Stonechat and a few House Sparrows.  But right in front of in full display a couple of Black-rumped Waxbill.  Meanwhile, sitting atop a concrete post, a lone Cattle Egret and not sure, judging by the photo, whether it was using the post as a look-out or toilet facility!

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Then minutes later on the adjacent Charca de Suarez reserve for a shortened ninety minute visit.  No sooner inside the gate and a number of feeding Chiffchaff noted.  Straight to the Laguna del Taraje where I found a long-resting Little Egret busily preening and a skulking Purple Swamphen working its way round the left-hand edge of the water.  Just the single Coot, a couple of Moorhen and a handful of Mallard before both a female and eclipse Shoveler hove into sight.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Missing out the next two hides I walked straight to the main hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas where I found many, but not so many as last week, Common along with a good supply of Red-knobbed Coot. No shortage of Mallard but Gadwall, Pochard and Shoveler numbers seemed lower.  However, no shortage of Moorhen but only a couple of Little Grebes recorded.  A few Herons at the back and just the one immature Night Heron eventually found resting in a tree at the far end.  In addition to a dozen resting Cormorant there were both Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls but mainly the former.

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Nothing new to add at the Laguna del Trebol but walking the track from the norther to southern hide I found both Chiffchaff and a single Willow Warbler along with Robin, Cetti’s Warbler, Blackbird and Blackcap.

As I was about to leave the Laguna del Lirio I was pleasantly surprised to see the arrival of a Kingfisher. Them, leaving to make my way back to the exit and car, a Collared Dove in front of me and once standing outside the reserve I could see the large number of arriving Crag Martin and Spotless Starling above the apartment blocks that were, presumably, going to roost nearby for the night.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

 Birds seen:

Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Crag Martin, White Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotless Starling, Common Waxbill, Black-rumped Waxbill, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch,

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Shoveler Anas clypeata moulting into breeding plumage

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