Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

 Wednesday 1 February

So everybody out birding in the first day of the month and the first House Martin of the year already back in Andalucia thanks o the sharp-eyed members of the Arboleas Birding Group.  Lots of familiar friends recorded on the list and my special of the day was an American Wigeon on Somerset Levels at the Shapwick Heath reserve.  Set off for Santander this Friday evening for ten days with son in Valencia so how many Spanish birds can I record in the short time?  No doubt I'll be able to compare when I see the Arboleas report for next week.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa  Wednesday 1st February

It was a cold morning when I set off from home, thinking how stupid I was to be wearing shorts!  I picked Juda up from the La Alfoquia petrol station as there's major roadworks on the E15/A7 southbound.  We made our way to the ramble de Almanzora, joining it at the Desert Springs golf complex end.  There was actually a small amount of water present albeit only large puddles which hadn't attracted any birds.  A couple of Magpies flew over and some Starling flocks were seen.  Getting nearer to the ford crossing I found a group of 4 Teal on a larger puddle.  The ford pond didn't have any birds that I could see but I did hear a Cetti's Warbler.  Juda saw a Moorhen to the right.

Peter, Richard, Kevin, Val and Trevor joined us as did a new member, Peter S.  Richard had seen a Black Redstart and a Yellow-l Legged Gull.  A group of Shoveler flew into the ford.  Also seen were Woodpigeon and White Wagtail.  As we were about to leave for the beach Richard saw a Stonechat.

Val had already arrived at the beach and had logged Mediterranean Gull, Turnstone, Sanderling and Cormorant.  Some House Sparrows were flitting about.  Kevin and I were searching out to sea in an attempt to see a Gannet.  I said, " We need John here to find one".  Within seconds I found one.  How eyrie is that?

We drove round to the far side of the estuary.  The sun was a problem, but we managed to see Mallard, 4 Shelduck, Little Egret and Black Headed Gull.  Kevin found some Sandwich Terns and an Audouin's Gull on the beach.  Peter S saw a Little Grebe while the other Peter logged a Grey Heron.  Also seen were Chiffchaff and Little Stint.

After a refreshing coffee in Villaricos village where Kevin added a Collared Dove, we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  In the water shrub area to the right I counted 42 Moorhen.  We could see a number of Greater Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts, Shovelers and the odd Teal.  There were numerous Crag Martins flying around.  Both Kevin and I thought we'd glimpsed a House Martin which we confirmed later on.  Also seen were Shelduck, Coot, Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers and 5 Little Stints.  Kevin then found a pair of Ruff (or should that be a Ruff and a Reeve?)

Common Coot (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved round to the elevated viewing platform opposite the Acuaparc.  Lots of Black-headed Gulls interspersed with a few Mediterranean Gulls.  Lots of Coot.  Trevor spotted the Western Swamphen in the opposite reed line.

Western Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Thankfully the weather warmed up for my cold knees.  We ended with 39 species.  Thank you all for attending, making it a good day.

Regards, Dave

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