Wednesday 25 May
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0M19Lgj5tlUHsRaUxODSv-6qvdwtKDt0o900Tcmq5KAOu_U1J_lpENqqYqDOATMWU_K5NrP3kanb8JD81aKXlobyVwQcrhi0359sDqhD6tLVbJBzhTCbfUveYg53qfdVHS_iS5_42CPlEnH6-0yTh9lcoffUyRZq47OouT70JziZbVqN956jNuix7g/w640-h148/MarbledDuck052591%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris |
Amazing the species that you can see in less than an hour. Working my way from Alicante airport having dropped Jenny off for her return flight to Bournemouth I headed for nearby Elche and my overnight accommodation before driving back to Velez de Benaudalla. With the hostal being so close to the El Fondo reserve I decided to call in on the way and by 5,watching the overhead Common Swifts as I set off for the boardwalk at the back of the Visitors Centre. A Robin as I left the car park and a couple of Glossy Ibis flew in from behind me.
Once on the boardwalk and overlooking the first pool to my left I immediately noticed the small flock of Glossy Ibis at the back and for the rest of the visit there was a continuous movement of these strange birds and at least thirty individuals noted. Also present at the back a pair of Black-winged Stilts and both similar numbers of Mallard and Common Pochard.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8gjbLfBGaQ6GvOvDTlGdax-nDUq9DhjY8QDBG5uyEkZN7RPQlQ62CekTHctolthVVuztzgyc4greBZu7kGbcKYc-MxDIkcMwM4N-rCTSsrnjf-A_c2LZ-X28X1HjQLrj6-tc3LJNALZiZNUd4OQlgE4iP7d4g5MZjvymNrftqbd0FQiQ2K9moWb1wQ/w400-h224/GlossyIbis052590%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus |
But even closer to me the first sighting of Marbled Duck as a pair swam close by. Looking towards the centre and back of the water I counted a further dozen and, in total, at least fifteen present on the reserve. To my right a first Common Coot to add to the trio of Red-knobbed Coots seen. Also present a couple of Great White Egrets and at least four Little Egrets, Leaving the boardwalk near the reed bed a number of Reed Warblers were calling as I mad may way to the nearby hide overlooking the next pool.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LlHFglMA4kHOWp9DYtjtBg2-WMYTskIjKJew6ZqllUIRzMo913qLgld4YBfZyihn6plrda0PuLaU9XMyMxjHXoqJ_fOf0X4Wv-2rny9dXK3croE5istD5n4mcHTHm8rOdxAbUxg9NST_9fFj4yjWTei7PdEqP84E5EHkToKhdo4YX0Ej-AwZ-s-aWA/w400-h300/MarbledDuck052588%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris |
Once ensconced in the hide a dozen r more Flamingos away to my left and nearer to me a Little Grebe. On my right a pair of Shelduck with a second pair and their ducklings at the back of the water. However, on the island in front a good number of resting Avocets and more Shelduck. To add a little variety, a Red-crested Pochard was also in their midst on the water.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia_y2BX6iLWJLjs3ZGcJk6ER0APnq6xT11Xg3qwdvRXn_kiJMiJ91G2g5h3B08xdqgnrIlcMY5oE7hBaNFePsHDz-WfCR5vaiklg4DU1pE4nl8R9aJDQeGDebL9L1_chcYcIKDBWFfDjd6NwPma7XAUhLXeiyN9WKuzJvlbAOnFClV7Np7jdg20dHqQ/w640-h384/Shelduck052597%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta and Shelduck Tadorna tadorna but note the Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina |
Making my way back to the car park by t e same route I quickly added a Cetti's Warbler and once at the Visitors Centre a check on the small pool behind added not only a further pair of Marbled Duck and Moorhen but a Purple Swamphen complete with just a single chick. House Sparrows were present and above me the Common Swifts were feeding lower than upon my arrival.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa-xUvNwlbC1lQmxiZXP7BuaabRyrAiaqK7XQFNfYWcGlz0WfQ8xQjIqaywvX_uduPH4jS-AZqdDUunv--lHbDulRjXMM1X88jiDYE87aTAcx3s-WIDTg1cAJYGmq_1Eo2V4gFRZgzPfnN6jkCSiOmwUkHFEhoiXc0q1AOVG1fodMmJvGhSN7bLVrUA/w400-h300/PurpleSwamphen052505%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio with single chick |
Into the car and a drive to the far end of the reserve before turning towards the direction of my hostal and I added both Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove along with Blackbird, Serin and Bee-eater but the best sighting was that of a single Melodious Warbler at the side of the road on a small bush. So, less than an hour and thirty species recorded.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5WQIPicRWSaJIKv4hpxyldhJfQroef_F-zM4f2FBI0T22XFiizxzafZVSy-9EQmZQ8vmP6baY8xFB_TZeACaipnailQZpXZMDb5ZpxOUxUxHyfYNxKT1E2wM3XF-TTEtLhg6i2y4-o25AYlCEZNJmPTElvo5M2RAgFde_5PwfengAGBl4StMiuU1ww/w400-h300/BreeEater052581%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Bee-eater Merops apiaster |
Birds seen:
Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Marbled Duck, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Flamingo, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Bee-eater, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Melodious Warbler, House Sparrow, Serin.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G60Syen3QgUYhtlgR5GSU4O090mZDHLVQ6Aby2_-6G7If0ZaMdyaULR00AKYKOMvogkskQLiKXFxxowoDLVrYJE8vHKzHcjfiBbc-HZegLohE8xoo7we0f3o9YpN8GAhgmmXHO1jZHovkWXmzmTs6fa3oesayCjWkeyeH0uKTavIddHj7Widcj3qrw/w400-h300/RedKnobbedCoot052594%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata |
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Little Egret Egretta garzetta but note the Great White Egret Ardea alba above |
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Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris with Shoveler Anas clypeata |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O6AdemKERfQhIxy5mG0BVh5OyHY-VfK_dfqG5-hIWhrDnMwa1YxE5pnjn4NBKPr1XJWedgt46waV5zPC6gLj3Xnhb_mbnPArraLUA_J0KLnJtmkmsyXu9XFtjdvotjGW7SuJ597TQ4dR6_DUzCByOcQiQ9WOsfnLhOcnHawVIdirIfUWTuZfNuCZHw/w400-h300/MarbledDuck052584%20(1%20of%201).jpg) |
Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris |
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