Black-eared Wheatear (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

 Wednesday 14 June

Now back from my three weeks in Spain including a week in the high Pyrenees and still trying to catch up on writing the respective blogs.  Still have to sort the photos but the first page is posted and most of the writing is completed.  And then Dave's latest report of the activities of his Arboleas Birding Group arrives so another excuse to stop my work and do something else.  I trust you all enjoy the read, whether were you were in attendance or not.  The report tells of some great sightings and most envious that of the 180 species I recorded during my visit I did not see a Golden Eagle- but we did record both Spanish Imperial Eagle and a number of close Lammergeiers!

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 14th June

After 2 weeks in the UK, I was keen to get back birdwatching on my own patch.  Our friend's daughter, Sarah, is staying with us so I gave her the choice of Cabo de Gata or the Sierra de Maria.  She chose the latter for which all of us on today's trip are truly grateful.

We picked Juda up from La Alfoquia and headed towards Los Velez's.  Our first bird on the list was a male Black Redstart near Velez Blanco.  Passing through Maria town we added Collared Dove, House Sparrow and House Martin.

Jay with Collared Dove (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

On a fence outside one of the jamon warehouses sat a Rock Sparrow.  We parked up at the La Piza forest cafe.  We were joined by Alan, Trevor, Peter and Richard.  Richard had seen a Golden Eagle on the way.  Whilst having coffee we saw Jay, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tit, Blackbird and Serin.   Sarah spotted a Short-toed Tree-creeper, but the star arrival was a Great Spotted Woodpecker (eating some bread) first seen by Alan.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

I decided we would do the loop.  I led in my car, followed by Richard and Peter with Alan and Trevor. Alan had bought his walkie talkies so we had contact.  We saw Crested Lark, Corn Buntings, Magpie and Carrion Crow.  I also had a Lesser Short-toed Lark.  We stopped just by the village.  Alan scanned the rolling hills for any of the reported Little Bustards but didn't find any.  Meanwhile we had logged Spotless Starlings, Woodpigeon and Barn Swallows.  Alan located a Booted Eagle flying overhead. Shortly later a low flying Griffon Vulture flew over surrounded by Common Swifts.

Booted Eagle (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

We moved off.  We added Goldfinch, more Rock Sparrows, Bee-eaters, Black-eared Wheatears and a Roller.  Richard and Peter had good views of one entering and leaving a nest box.  Alan saw a pair of Mallard. (There were a number of large pools left over from the recent downpours).  Near some reeds beds I heard a Reed Warbler.  We found a flock of 50+ Red-billed Chough around some farm buildings. Sarah found a Hoopoe.  We heard a Turtle Dove.  We moved on to the cliff face.  As I said to Sarah we normally see Black Wheatears, one appeared.  She found a resting Rock Dove.  Alan then spotted a Short-toed Eagle flying overhead.  Nightingales were vociferously singing from the shrubs.  Carrying on we saw more Black-eared Wheatears and Bee-eaters.  Sarah added a Kestrel. 

Rock Sparrow (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

I spotted the sight of the day.  A low flying adult Golden Eagle being harassed by a Raven. I could even see the "golden" head.  As we passed through the cave house village there were two Red-billed Chough on the power line.

Red-billed Chough (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

There was nothing of interest at the hamlet.  En route to the water trough a message from Alan came over the walkie talkie but we couldn't understand it.  We saw that he'd stopped.  It turned out he'd seen a Short-toed Lark plus some Linnets.  Apart from Barn Swallows at the trough we didn't add to the list. 

At the La Piza forest cafe we added Crossbill, Crested Tit and Bonelli's Warbler to the mornings list.

We ended up with 46 species.  A really great day in good company.  Highlights were seeing the Golden Eagle being harassed by the Raven and the 4 Short-toed species...the eagle, the tree-creeper and the two larks!

Regards,

Dave

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