Wednesday 6 October
Possibly the last chance to visit nearby Las Campinuelas before moving up to Velez de Benaudalla whilst Jenny was meeting up with her keep-fit group in Torre del Mar so straight to the "muck heap" where, unfortunately, a fresh load of manure had been delivered and the farmer was using his tractor to create neat piles. On, therefore, up the slope to check-out the site favoured by the recent sightings of the Dotterel. Lots of Crested Larks about along with a Stonechat but no sign of the Dotterel, probably now moved on. Walking along the back of the site a flock of Spotless Starlings moving off to the south and a small number of foraging House Sparrows.
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| Greenfinches Carduelis chloris |
Continuing on towards the former olive grove I picked up a handful of Greenfinches and a charm of at least 30 Goldfinches. Back to the parked car seeing many more Crested Larks and the farmer having finished his work returned to the muck heap to see who was taking advantage of the new delivery. Yet more Crested Larks but also a rather lovely Northern Wheatear.
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| Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe |
Whilst in the area took a drive up a winding track to the top of the hill and came across a pair of Hoopoes that were happy to remain on the ground not five metres away. Returning, the Hoopoes were still in place and this time less than three metres away and on my side of the car.
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| Hoopoe Upupa epops |
Next it was back in the car and a drive up to the Camino Algarrobo at the top of Las Campinuelas to see what, if anything, might be making use of the natural spring and rotting pomegranates. First a couple of Sardinian Warblers then a Blackbird flew away right immediately followed by a Black Redstart disappearing left. A number of House Sparrows were working the pomegranate tress before I disturbed a Collared Dove that flew away up the slope from me. But another flash of a red under-tail and eventually I managed to get a good sighting of the Common Redstart both in the tree and on the ground below me. Final, in addition to a number of Blackbirds, a male Blackcap.
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| Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus |
Birds seen:
Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.
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| Hoopoe Upupa epops |
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| Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe |
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