26 March 2025
Another great day's birding with the Arboleas Birding Group resulting in 41 species including many "specials" such as both Iberian Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, Spotted Redshank, Slender-billed and Audouin's Gulls and, of course, that stunning male Montagu's Harrier. Jacky's Wryneck and Kevin's list from the evening visit to the Rambla Morales the previous evening also very impressive.
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| Spotted Redshank (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Cabo de Gata - Wednesday 26th March
I was billy no mates today...more later...so I headed off early in the truck to do the rear track of the Cabo de Gata bird reserve. I arrived at about 0800hrs having seen Collared Dove and a Barn Swallow as I passed through Retamar Sur. I added Spotless Starling and Jackdaw as I drove past the Guardia Civil tower. I commenced the journey along the rear track. After recent rains it was muddy in some parts with large puddles. The first salina was empty of birds, but after that there were numerous individuals and flocks. Greater Flamingos, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Redshank, Dunlin and Sanderling. There must have been at least 100 Shelduck in various flocks. Next came Little Stint, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Black-winged Stilts plus some Slender-billed Gulls. Sardinian Warbler and a Zitting Cistacola were added to the list. Also seen were Thekla Lark, Corn Bunting, Common Swift in good numbers followed by both Iberian Grey and& Woodchat Shrikes. So far I'd seen 25 species! A very good start.
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| Woodchat Shrike (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
I made my way to the first hide where I was met by Trevor, Phil, John and Stella. Phil spotted a Mallard as Kevin arrived. He'd seen many birds I had but also Greenfinch, Yellow-legged and Audouin's Gulls and Yellow Wagtail, Black-necked Grebe and Cormorant at the public hide. I found some Spoonbill and a Little Egret. Phil then said,
" There's a bird of prey over there!" Good eyesight but not so good on directions! We eventually found it. A stunning male Montagu's Harrier. ( I'd seen a female over our lemon groves a few days ago). I found a Kestrel on a distant pylon. John spotted a Black-tailed Godwit.
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| Impressed with this photo of a Kentish Plover! (Photo: David Elliott-Binns) |
We adjourned for a coffee in the Cabo village cafe. Suitably refreshed we made our way to the second hide beach. There was nothing to be seen birdwise out to sea but there was a Spanish aircraft carrier anchored out there. Kevin scanned the steppes for Stone Curlews without luck. More or the same Spoonbills were seen. An immature Audouin's Gull flew by as did some Goldfinch. On our way back I heard the sound of spring! Up above us was our first flock of about 10 Bee Eaters! Wow! The public hide produced 3 Black-necked Grebes, a Yellow Wagtail and Barnsley Penguins ( Cormorants! ) We parted company. Safe journeys to Phil, John and Stella on their return to the UK. I added a Magpie as I drove through the plastic greenhouse shortcut, making the days total to be 41 species. Great to see more migrants passing through or arriving. Jacky was thrilled to see a Wryneck on her local patch north of Albox the other day!
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| Iberian Grey Shrike (Photo: David Elliott-Binns) |
Best wishes to Nigel and Juda who are both under the weather. Wishing them both a speedy recovery.
Kevin visited the Rambla Morales last evening. He walked there from the campsite end.
Here is his list :-
Here's my Rambla Morales list from last night, between about 5.30 and 7pm: Sardinian Warbler, Crested Lark, House Martin (quite a few), Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow (quite a few, my first of the year), Swifts (lots, also my first of the year in this area), White-headed Duck (maybe 25 in total), Mallard, Greater Flamingo (60), Moorhen, Pochard, Shoveler, Shelduck, Avocet, Coot, Yellow Wagtail, Sanderling (18), Kentish Plover, Black-necked Grebe (just 1), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Hoopoe, Collared Dove, Blackbird, House Sparrow.
Thank you, Kevin. I must see if I can drive there from that end as it would obviously be worth it!
Dave
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