Sierra Maria with the Arboleas Birding Group

Thursday 25 September 

"Cooler weather" must be relative as I am in the Ardennes for a week with friend Marieke.  Today it is damp, cloudy and wet but apart from the maximum temperature of 7C what is there to complain about!  Sparrowhawk and many Black Redstarts but on Tuesday up close with both Nutcracker and Black Woodpecker.  See my blog plus photo attached at end.

But, of course, no Griffon Vultures nor Crested Tit, Rock Bunting and Pied Flycatcher, never mind the potential dark phase Booted Eagle!  Seems to me you and the Arboleas Birding Group had a very good day.

Nutcracker (PHOTO: Bob Wright)

Sierra de Maria  -  Thursday 25th September

Another trip to our favourite birding destination...the Sierra de Maria.  Richard drove round to mine and I drove from there.  From Velez Blanco to Maria we only saw a Magpie and some Woodpigeon.  In the town we added House Sparrow and Spotless Starling.  En route to the La Piza forest cafe I spotted some Greenfinch.  We arrived at the cafe and commenced to refill the bird feeders with peanuts and mealworms.  We were joined by Nigel, Kevin, Trevor, Barrie and Beryl. 

Jay (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

After a slow start the birds began to take advantage of the free breakfast.  We saw Great, Coal, Long-tailed and Crested Tits, a couple of Jays, Chaffinches, a Robin, some thirsty Crossbill and a Serin. Barrie was first to see a Rock Bunting, but the most interesting bird was a Pied Flycatcher in transitional plumage taking a bath!

Rock Bunting (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Having finished our coffees we began the loop.  Seeing the odd Jay, we then came across a plume of 12 Griffon Vultures.  Richard and I only added a Crested Lark, but Barrie behind us added Barn Swallow and Goldfinch.  The stop outside the village didn't add to the list so we carried on along the track seeing small flocks of Goldfinch.  Adding Collared Dove, we came across another Griffon Vulture plume.  Barrie noticed there were two smaller raptors above them.  A lot of discussions about the identification.  We plumped for dark phase Booted Eagles.  Collins seemed to agree!

Further along we came across a few Rock Sparrows on the trackside fence.  At the ruined building with the chimney stack I spotted a Little Owl.  Moving on we added a female Kestrel, Stonechat and a Raven.  Barrie saw a Carrion Crow.  The cliff face was devoid of bird life.  Barrie saw 2 Ravens and Nigel, a Magpie.  Carrying on we found our first Northern Wheatears of the autumn on the straight before the airstrip.  We added nothing else to the list till we parked up at the water trough. 

Little Owl (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

A White Wagtail, a flock of Linnet amongst the Rock Sparrows and Goldfinch.  Barrie then identified a female Common Redstart.  As some of us were getting hungry we adjourned to the La Piza cafe.  We saw the same as earlier but added Blue Tit and Nuthatch.  The Rock Bunting returned as well.

A great day birding in cooler weather, good company and ending with 34 species on the list.

Regards

Dave

Nuthatch (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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