Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

24 January 

It turned out to be a good day's birding for Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group and especially the excitement of watching the female Marsh Harrier seeking out her morning breakfast but, no doubt, the Coot had other thoughts!  Lots of good sightings and lovely to see the photos taken by both Peter and Steve.  Seeing some of the sea species reminded me that I have yet to record bot Gannet and sandwich Tern this year but, hopefully, the latter will soon be spotted cruising the Southampton Water in search of a meal.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 24th January 

Perched female Marsh Harrier (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

To start the day...at 03.15hrs!  Gilly and I were woken by the sound of an Eagle Owl buhoo'ing (and a sort of cackle) not 20m from our bedroom terrace on our next door neighbour's roof.  One of our cats shot in at speed when we opened the door!  Not a bad addition to my garden list!

I picked Juda up from La Alfoquia in the car and headed towards Villaricos. En route we saw two large flocks of Cattle Egret.  There must've been at least 100 in total.

As I was in the car and didn't want to wreck it along the rambla embankment, we came into the ford from the sea side only seeing a magpie perched on the reeds. The ford pond, the only bit of water, contained some Mallards, a Moorhen and some Chiffchaffs were flitting about the surrounding reeds.

As we waited for the others to arrive we saw some Woodpigeon and some Collared Doves.  Kevin arrived first.  He'd spent the night in his campervan.  A trip up the rambla had produced Common Sandpiper, Iberian Grey Shrike and Spotless Starling.  Peter arrived next followed by Carolyn and Steve.  Peter and Kevin were going to do the walk to the sewage works whilst the rest of us went to the beach.

Greater Flamingos (Photoshopped) (PHOTO: Peter)

At the beach, the flattened area must have accommodated at least 50 campervans, but there was no one on the beach.  Trevor found a sunbathing Cormorant.  Also seen was a Little Egret and a Black-headed Gull.  Steve spotted a Black Redstart (and a House Sparrow!).  We moved round to the far side of the estuary.  As we drove along the embankment, two Crag Martins flew over.  At the turning circle the sun was in our eyes which didn't help.  About 50 Cormorants flew into the end of the estuary where a shoal of fish was obviously attracting them.  Out to sea I found a couple of Gannet and a Sandwich Tern.  A pair of Ringed Plover were flying around in a noisy display flight . I found some Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Grebe, Coot and a Thekla Lark.  We were joined by Kevin, Peter and Val who'd met up with them. They only saw Shoveler and White Wagtail as there were workers at the sewage plant.  Kevin scanned the scene below us and added Dunlin and Kentish Plover.

Little Grebe (PHOTO: Peter)

We adjourned for a coffee (and tostada for some) at the Spanish bar near Villaricos centre as our normal cafes were shut.

Greater Flamingos on the laguna (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suitably refreshed we convoyed to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  Stopping before the hump, we saw the  right hand shallow waters contained the Moorhens. There were quite a number of Greater Flamingos.  Also seen were some Avocet, Shoveler, a Teal, Black -winged Stilts and Shelduck. Carolyn had only just mentioned Marsh Harriers when a female appeared over the opposite bank.  It quartered over the shrubland before settling down, her head only showing. She took off again and failed to keep hold of a swimming Coot before perching on a leafless shrub.

We moved to the other side of the hump, adding a Green Sandpiper on the waters edge.  We heard a Cetti's Warbler. Checking the roofs of the duplexes behind us, I saw a flying Black Wheatear.  Kevin added a Stonechat.

Marsh Harrier missing out on her Coot breakfast! (PHOTO: Steve)

Seeing the sand spit was devoid of bird life, Juda and I headed to Iceland (shop!) and Val, Carolyn and Steve headed home.  Kevin and Peter stopped off at the elevated viewing platform opposite the Aguaparc.  The saw 40+ White-headed Ducks, a Grey Heron and some Common Pochard.

It was great days birding in good weather and company.  Sadly we didn't see a Great Spotted Cuckoo which have now arrived from Africa.  We ended up with 41 species.

For information, there is an association which has connections with the "Consum" lagunas.  Kevin has kindly taken a photo of their notice. You can follow them on Facebook.

Kevin's photo of sign

Regards

Dave

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.