Sierra de Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 3 April

Some good birds seen today by Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group.  I particularly like d the Woodchat Shrike, Iberian Grey Shrike and Black-eared Wheatear, all birds I am unlikely to see back here in the UK.  The, of course, you have the Griffon Vulture, Rock Sparrow, Hoopoe and Calandra Lark, all birds which bring happy memories of my years in Spain - and with the Arboleas Birding Group.

Sierra de Maria  -  Wednesday 3rd April

Paul & I left home at 8 o'clock and headed to the Los Velez nature reserve armed with fully loaded large bird feeders kindly donated by Jacky Reaney.  Having passed the bird list starting point just outside Velez Blanco, the scorer wasn't troubled much as we only saw Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and House Sparrow before we arrived at the La Piza forest cafe, the trouble may have been the grey mist that enveloped us!  As we parked up, right in front of us was a Siskin and a Goldfinch feeding on a tree's new seeds.  As we  attached the new feeders to nearby trees, Paul got a Great Tit.  As we drank our coffees and waited for the others to arrive we saw the "complete" set of Tits. Blue, Coal, Long-tailed, Crested and Paul's Great Tit. We also had some Jays and Chaffinches.  Richard, Peters (1 & 2) and Trevor joined us.  Peter 2 had seen a Spotless Starling en route.

Siskin (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We commenced the loop.  The mist was not all gone, but the sun was breaking through.  As we headed to the village we saw Carrion Crows, Crested Larks, Magpies and an Iberian Grey Shrike.  We had a short stop by the village as it was a tad cold.  Paul spotted a Barn Swallow.  We carried on.  Next on the list were some Black-eared Wheatears and a couple of Rock Sparrows on a fence.  We saw a number of Woodchat Shrikes and a pair of Hoopoe.  As I disembarked from the car I heard a Red-legged Partridge. The others in the two following cars had actually seen some.  We walked to the far side of the cliff, but didn't see anything....apart from the sun!

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

Moving on, I spotted a single Griffon Vulture.  Some Thekla Larks were on the airstrip fence.  Two Kestrels were on separate pylons.  I added a Linnet before we reached the hamlet.  No sign of the Lesser Kestrels yet.  Along the plain, a Calandra Lark flew by.  The only bird we saw at the sheep's water trough was a single Barn Swallow resting on the fence round the deposito.  As we headed for our lunch break at La Piza, I added a pair of Mistle Thrush.  As we ate our lunch we saw most of what we'd seen earlier, but added Crossbill and Serin.

Crested Tit (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We ended up with 31 species.  An enjoyable day in good company.

Phil and Sue have now reached the 100 species seen at the Consum salinas, Vera Playa.  They have seen an amazing sight of a Common Kestrel taking a Red-rumped Swallow out of the air.  A photo of the aftermath is attached.

Phil & Sue's Kestrel with a poor Red-rumped Swallow!

Was gardening in one of "my" villas last evening.  Found a semi decomposed male Blackcap.  Paul noticed it was ringed.  A Natural History Museum, London, SW7 ring.  I've reported it.  Will let you know when and where it was ringed when they get back to me!

Regards

Dave

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