Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

19 November 2025

Dave's back home and the Arboleas Birding Group are out and about once again save for the "sick and injured."  Get well soon again Richard and the two Peters.  And a good morning's total with 47 species and especially the Iberian Grey Shrike as also are marsh harrier, Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher.  As for the mechanical Chinese invasion presently taking place in Dave's absence, I drive an electric MG and brother-in-law, Chris purchased a new BYD hybrid in September.  Looks and feels huge once inside - and I was sitting in the back with the lady wife!

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 19th November

It's great to be back home.  Thank you to Kevin for holding the reins in my absence.  

In glorious sunshine, but a tad chilly, Nigel drove me down to the Rambla de Almanzora in his new car. A BYD...very nice!  We actually didn't see anything en route to the parking area above the ford.  Kevin's motorvan was already there.  Kevin was out walking.  We were joined by Steve and Carolyn in their new MG car!  Has the group won the lottery and not told me!  We logged Spotless Starling, Blackbird, Black Redstart, Sardinian Warbler and an Iberian Grey Shrike on a telegraph pole.  A Whinchat was a good find.  Also seen were Great Tit, Stonechat, Chiffchaff and a Magpie.  A Cetti's Warbler was heard. By this time we had been joined by Trevor, Seamus and Linda.  Kevin had already returned from his wanderings, going beyond the sewage works.  His comprehensive list included White Wagtail, Green and Common Sandpipers, Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Teal, Kentish Plover, Shoveler, Moorhen, Little Grebe and Robin.

Iberian Grey Shrike (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved on to the beach, Nigel spotting a Kestrel as we came off the main road.  Apart from Kevin, whose vehicle couldn't get under the height restriction barrier, we parked on the beach.  There was a Little Egret on one of the harbour side rocks.  Kevin arrived by foot and had seen some Cormorants.  I then spotted a Grey Wagtail on one of the rocky islands.  Small numbers of both Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gulls were seen.  After a search I eventually spotted a couple of Gannets out near the tuna fish farm.  Carolyn and Trevor both spotted the Kentish Plover on the shore line.  Nigel added a pair of Sandwich Terns.

We drove round to the estuary.  First birds seen were a pair of Coots and a Little Egret (See photo). Linda found a Grey Heron perch on top of one of the rambla shrubs.  I added a Redshank and Kevin, a Greenshank.  A charm of Goldfinch flew over.  Nigel found a Ringed Plover.  We adjourned for coffee in Villaricos village where we were joined by House Sparrows.

Little Egret (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

As most of you know, we each donate a euro to the charity pot.  This year the donations are going to the Wetlands Restoration project Guadalquivir Donana.  I had received an email to inform me of the passing of one of our visiting members, Bill Dickinson.  In it his wife Jennifer had asked for any donations be forwarded to the same charity.  This year's donation will be sent to them in his memory.

We drove down to the dual carriageway overlooking the shallow pools opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  We spotted some Woodpigeon en route.  There had apparently been much there recently.  There were lots of Moorhen and Greater Flamingos.  Also saw Coot, Shelduck and Black-winged Stilts.  Carolyn then found a Marsh Harrier flying near the Aguaparc.  Kevin added a Spotted Flycatcher.  Also seen were Stonechat.  We moved on to the elevated viewing platform opposite the Aguaparc.  It was good to see some White-headed Ducks.  I added a Black-necked Grebe and a Common Pochard.  Nigel found some Red-crested Pochard.  People who were quick enough saw the rapid to'ing and fro'ing of a Kingfisher!

A great days birding in good company.  We ended up with 47 species.

On our sick list week are Peters 1 & 2 and Richard.  We wish them all a speedy recovery

regards

Dave

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