Wednesday 21 May

What a day, White-rumped Swift!  Just a shame unable to get a photo of the bird.  But not just this special bird but lot of other good spots by the members of the Arboleas Birding Group. As for Kevin's visit last week, I can see this becoming somewhat of a personal challenge as to who can do better!  

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 21st May

After Kevin's solo trip to the Rambla de Almanzora and Vera Playa last week I decided we'd return there, not that I'm a competitive birder! (Ha, ha!)  I got picked up by Nigel and we made our way to the "ford".  We'd only seen a Barn Swallow before Kevin arrived.  He'd already popped to the river estuary and logged Grey Heron, Nightingale, Zitting Cistacola, Magpie, Collared Dove and Spotless Starling. Next to arrive was excellent birder, Barrie and his wife Beryl.  He soon added Common Swift, Goldfinch, Bee-eater, House Martin and heard Reed Warbler.  We were joined by Peter 1, Trevor, Peter 2 and wife, Linda.  Barrie saw a flying Hoopoe and Kevin found a distant Iberian Grey Shrike on a power line.  Barrie next spotted two flying Cattle Egrets and Peter 1 a House Sparrow.  Peter 2 had seen a Night Heron near Desert Springs on the way in.

Goldfinch (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved on to the beach.  The only birds we saw were House Martins, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows.  Nothing on the rocks or out to sea.  We convoyed round to the far side of the estuary where Kevin had been earlier.  His Grey Heron was still there.  Kevin found a number of Turnstone on the beach. Two pairs of Kentish Plovers were fighting it out on the estuary shoreline.  A Cetti's Warbler was heard.  Kevin found a Ringed Plover and Barrie, a Sanderling.  We adjourned for a drinks break in Villaricos village, well needed as the weather was warming up.  Hardly a cloud in the sky.

Little Bittern (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We drove round to the dual carriageway, overlooking the shallow pools opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  We were joined by Jacky.  Peter 2 found a pair of Avocet with long legged fluffy chicks.  On/in the water were Greater Flamingos, Common Pochard, Mallard, Shelduck and White-headed Duck.  Barrie found a single sleeping Spoonbill.  Also seen were Little Grebe, Red Crested Pochard and Black-winged Stilt.  Was very happy that Trevor found a perched male Little Bittern.  Alan logged a Jackdaw.  Jacky had seen a Kestrel, Greenfinch and Serin prior to our arrival and then added a Sardinian Warbler.  Amazingly, we only saw two Coot and one or two Moorhen.

I found a Little Egret.  A single Redshank flew in.

Sleeping Spoonbill (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved round to the far elevated viewing platform (not used due to very high reeds!) opposite the Aguaparc.  Barrie and Jacky got there first and incredibly found a White-rumped Swift amongst the Commons!  Sadly, despite much scanning into the skies it wasn't seen by the rest of us!  A Great Crested Grebe was a good find.  Also seen were Blackbird, White Wagtail and Black-necked Grebe.  The surface was beginning to get covered in blanket weed.  Jacky found not one but two Purple Swamphens to complete the day's list.   Sorry, Kevin....50 species seen, but we had a lot more eyes on the job!  Great day in good company.  White-rumped Swift...great spot and record round here.  Only seen them in Extremadura before.

Regards

Dave

Great Crested Grebe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Avocet (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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