El Fondo, Elche

Red-knobbed Coot (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

 Friday 6 June

Never miss an opportunity if requested to drive north to Alicante!  Friend Dave Elliott-Binns certainly took the opportunity and then called in a that fabulous reserve El Fondo near Elche.  And it looks like he'll be having a repeat visit next week!  You can always guarantee Red-knobbed Coots and most often both Purple Swamphen and Marbled Duck but, apparently, not the former on this occasion so expect that to be rectified next week. Always good to find both Whiskered and Gull-billed terns and the Squacco Heron, perhaps my favourite heron species, was also a bonus. Now certainly looking forward to what Dave is going to record next week.

EL Fondo, Elche  -  Friday 6th June

I was not that upset having to drive up to Alicante airport to collect a friend's son.  It was a decent time so it gave me the opportunity to drop into EL Fondo Bird Reserve.  I came off the A7/E15 at the Crevillant Estacion exit and made my way towards the reserves information centre.  As I approached the near empty carpark a Gull-billed Tern flew over, followed by a pair of Glossy Ibis, the first of many sightings.  I parked up facing the shallow pool for a thermos tea.  Although the reeds caused some obstruction I saw Cattle Egret, Greater Flamingo, more Glossy Ibis, Coot and Mallard.  I glimpsed the wings and rear end of a low flying Purple Heron.  As I walked towards the information centre a Hoopoe with a full beak flew over.  Opposite the centre is a low hedge which gives you views of the previously mentioned pool from a different angle.  I heard both Cetti's and Great Reed Warblers calling from the reeds.  There were more Glossy Ibis, Coots and Greater Flamingos.  The only new birds were Black-winged Stilts and House Sparrows.

Great Reed Warbler (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

I moved to the back of the covered picnic area adjacent to the centre where there are viewing apertures onto a relatively small enclosed pool.  Disappointing first scan as there were lots of reeds and no apparent birds.  However, to my left at the far end was a bird nesting box for ducks.  Low and behold a Marbled Duck sat on top with another's face visible through the hole!  Nearby I found a single Red-knobbed Coot.  I then walked onto the refurbished wooden walkway.  Apart from more Glossy Ibises and Greater Flamingos I found a solitary Great White Egret, a few Little Egrets, Slender-billed Gulls, Red-knobbed Coots and another Marbled Duck.  Heading towards the elevated covered platform with some benches some Black-headed Gulls and Collared Pratincoles flew over.  Directly below the walkway were some Red-knobbed Coots with young, not 1.5 metres from me.  In the centre of the shallow pool was a Squacco Heron.  

Squacco Heron (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Whiskered Terns were flying back and forth.  A Little Grebe with young was seen.  A Purple Swamphen swam from one reed bed to another.  A number of Great Reed Warblers were seen flying.  Also seen were Grey Heron and Moorhen. I made the decision to stay at this birding hotspot in the shade with seating and a cool breeze!  A Marbled Duck (ringed) sat on a very small Island not 5 metres from the walkway.  A Little Bittern was seen flying between reed beds.  Also seen was my only Barn Swallow of the day.  I was joined by three non birding lads with their picnic so I headed back to the car.  En route back to the motorway I added a Collared Dove and a Roller on that power line behind the palm trees.

Marbled Duck (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

A cracking hour and a half's birding.  32 species seen!  I shall be back next week delivering some friends to the airport so it would be rude not to pop back to the reserve again.  Although I say it myself, some cracking photos today!

Regards

Dave

Glossy Ibis (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Slender-billed Gull (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Whiskered Tern (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Great White Egret (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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