Rio Velez, Torre del Mar

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

 Tuesday 10 May

With just over an hour to occupy myself whilst Jenny met up with a friend in Torre del Mar I took myself off down to the Rio Velez and straight to the hide overlooking the newly-created lagoon to replace the meadow in front of said hide.  Approaching the hide I recorded House Sparrow, Blackbird, Spotless Starling and Serin.  Once settle inside very apparent that the water is either being quickly evaporated or slowly draining way as level were down almost a foot since last week’s visit.  Nevertheless, still plenty of waders to be seen starting with the Ringed Plover and Dunlin immediately on front of me.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Checking the greater area, I recorded a Greenshank almost opposite me behind the island and a second at the far end to my right.  Common Redshanks were readily available and still at least half-a-dozen Dunlin on site. With both Pallid Swifts and a handful of House Martins feeding above the water I next picked up a pair of Black-winged Stilts. It was lovely to find a single Sanderling but upon visiting the beach far end of the lagoon I also note another couple more in summer plumage. Also at the far end a dozen Black-headed Gulls, more Dunlin and even a couple of Common Sandpipers.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Looking back up the river there were a few Mallards on show along with a quartet of Moorhen. Continuing on to walk back along the far side of the river I came across a pair of Collared Doves and there was no shortage of calling Reed Warblers along with the occasional Nightingale. A male Sardinian Warbler dashed across the path from bush to bush and a lone Barn Swallow glided past me overhead.  Finally, as seems to be happening a lot these past few days, a Spotted Flycatcher put in an appearance and a Mallard on the upper river brought up 22 species in a bare hour.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Birds seen:

Mallard, Moorhen, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Greenshank, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Collared Dove, Pallid Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Nightingale, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher,  Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin

Sleeping Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Summer plumage Sanderling Calidris alba

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