Wednesday 6 March

Good to see Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group out and about and a good bay's birding with many interesting species. Stand-outs to me would appear to be the Iberian Grey Shrike and the Audouin's Gull but, there again, I am still waiting to see my first Sandwich Tern of the year back in the south of England.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 6th March

With the boss being away in the UK, I left early to head towards our local birdwatching spot, the rambla de Almanzora.  Thankfully the high winds had at last passed.  It was sunny but a bit chilly.  Not quite shorts weather yet!  I joined the rambla just passed the Desert Springs complex.  I stopped overlooking the first concrete weir.  There was a pair of Teal and a Mallard on the muddy water.  A White Wagtail was on the water's edge.  Moving further along I scanned each shallow pond. I soon had Shoveler, Little Ringed Plover, Black-winged Stilt and Dunlin in the bag.  Also seen were Black Redstart, a Serin and an Iberian Grey Shrike posing well on the power line.  At the ford I only saw a Mallard and a Moorhen.

I parked up and waited for the others to arrive.  I noted Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Magpie.  I was joined by Richard and Peter, the former soon seeing some Spotless Starlings.  We were joined by Trevor, Phil(2), Phil and Sue and Kevin.  As there were workers at the Sewage works we decided to skip the walk and head to the beach.  As we were getting into our cars we heard a calling Eurasian Curlew. En route Richard saw 3 Barn Swallows.

Iberian Grey Shrike (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

At the beach Phil (2) tried to claim the Cormorant on the harbour side rocks, but I'd already seen it! There were a couple of Audouin's Gulls present as well as a Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gull.  Sue was first to spot a Gannet out to sea.  A flight of 5 birds flew by. I spotted three Balearic Shearwaters heading west.  Sue added a Sandwich Tern and then a Kingfisher on one of the rocks.  I found a Turnstone.

Audouin's Gull (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved on to the far side of the estuary apart from Kevin who checked out the near side.  En route I saw a Crested Lark.  On the water's edge we saw Ring Plovers.  There was a sheltering group of Dunlin on the beach. A charm of Goldfinches flew by.  Kevin joined us.  He'd seen the same us but also Kentish Plover and Coot. 

We adjourned to the Tiburon cafe in Villaricos. We were joined by House Sparrows.  Richard added a House Martin.

We convoyed our way to the salinas opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa, seeing a Blackbird on the way.  The Phils and Sue saw a Kestrel.  There was the usual plethora of Moorhens feeding on the right hand mud flat.  They were joined by a Little Stint.  Scanning the shallow waters in front and below us we added Greater Flamingo, Shelduck, loads of Shoveler, Avocet and Three Ruff. Also seen were Chiffchaffs, Little Grebe, Common Pochard and Redshank.  Sue added a Sardinian Warbler.  There were numerous Mediterranean Gulls on the water.  Trevor spotted a Stonechat.  Some Teal were seen.

White-headed Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved on to the hide opposite the Aguaparc.  Kevin had Purple Swamphen, White-headed Duck and Black-necked Grebe before I was out of the car.  Also seen was a pair of Red-crested Pochards. Phil(1) spotted a flying Yellow Wagtail which eventually gave goodish views in an area of sparse reeds. We said our goodbyes as Kevin stayed on talking to a Spanish birder.  He had good views of a Marsh Harrier. 

Male Red-crested Pochard (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended up with a respectable 54 species for a mornings bird watching.  Good weather and great company.

Little Grebe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

From Kevin :- Also, for Sue and anyone else interested, here's the link to the

Andalucian Bird Society: https://www.andaluciabirdsociety.org/

Regards

Dave

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