Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

Woodchat Shrike (PHOTO: Gill Elliott-Binns)

Thursday 24 April

Well, not only back to "normal" for the Arboleas Birding Group but making sure that Gilly attended also drew the crowds and birds! And what fabulous photos Gilly; well done!

Marbled Duck, Woodchat Shrike and both Squacco and Night Heron, no wonder everyone must have been happy.  For me, I was on a week's cruise to Honfleur, France followed by St Mary's in the Scilly Isles and finally a very wet Cohb for Cork in Ireland.  But I did get to see many Gannets and whilst in the Scilly Isles, Puffins, Shags, Razorbill and Fulmar but, perhaps best of all and a great surprise to many locals when I reported in, a pair of Red-billed Choughs on St Mary's itself.  Now that's a species I did not expect to see this year.  But, still very pleased to read of such a good turn out for your visit to the Rambla de Almanzora and Vera Playa.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 23rd April

After two weeks of enforced absence it was good to be back!  Richard picked Gilly and I up from home and we headed to the Almanzora rambla, joining just past the Desert Springs golf complex.  To begin with there was no water to be seen, but we did see Magpie and a pair of Bee-eaters.  Next came Woodpigeon and Spotless Starlings before we came across lots of shallow pools.  All seem to have at least one pair of Black-winged Stilt thereon and some Mallard.  Also seen were Coot and Moorhen, Goldfinch and White Wagtail.  Gilly found a Little Grebe.  A few Little Ringed Plovers were seen before we saw a Woodchat Shrike perched in a shrub.  Gilly added a Shelduck.  Also seen were Red-rumped and Barn Swallow, House Sparrow, Sardinian Warbler and  Iberian Grey Shrike.

Shelduck (PHOTO: Gill Elliott-Binns)

At the parking area above the ford we met up with Ab, Jenni, Trevor and Alan.  Richard was first to spot a Marsh Harrier heading up the rambla.  Nothing new was seen so we made our way to the beach. The sea was as flat as a tack so we could've seen any swimming birds with ease.  Unfortunately there was none!  There was a single Cormorant on the harbour rocks.  A Yellow-legged Gull flew past as did a House Sparrow.  A Turnstone was also seen on one of the rocks.  Gilly heard then later saw a Zitting Cistacola.  Trevor found a Spotless Starling on the tower.  A pair of Common Swift flew by as did some Audouin's Gulls.  Alan spotted a Sandwich Tern.

Squacco Heron (PHOTO: Gill Elliott-Binns)

We drove round to the far side of the estuary.  We heard Reed Warblers and Nightingales calling from the reeds.  Gilly then spotted a Squacco Heron just below us.  She also added a Grey Heron.  We were joined by Val.  (Yes, Peter, I handed over the envelope!)  I found a Little Egret and was first to spot an immature Night Heron which flew over a few times before settling in the reeds.  Alan added a Kentish Plover.  We adjourned to the Tiburon cafe in Villaricos for coffee.

Kentish Plover (PHOTO: Gill Elliott-Binns)

We convoyed down to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum Supermarket behind Vera Playa  where we came across Jacky.  There were the usual Greater Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts, Moorhens and Coots.  We added Common Pochard and Shoveler.  Jacky found an Avocet.  Some Redshanks were seen.  I found a single Spoonbill and a Black-headed Gull.  Gilly then found a Purple Heron.  Alan saw some Red-crested Pochard.  A Whiskered Tern was quartering over the water.  A White-headed Duck was seen before Jacky found the birds of the day...a pair of Marbled Duck.  Also seen were Blackbird, Greenfinch, Serin and numerous House Martins.  Beyond the hump, Alan added a Common Sandpiper. Kevin, Troy and two friends unexpectedly joined us.

Marbled Ducks (PHOTO: Gill Elliott-Binns)

We moved round to the elevated platform opposite the Aguaparc.  Jacky found a Black-necked Grebe.  I spotted an adult Night Heron in the reeds.

Well, what a great day we had!  Very good birds, weather and company.  A total of 53 species seen or heard.

Best wishes to Juda, Nigel, Seamus, Linda and Peter 2.  Hope you all get better soon.

Regards

Dave

Photos by Gilly

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