Villaricos & Vera Playa with the Arboleas Birding Group

Friday 12 December

My word the Arboleas Birding Group sound as if they had a fabulous birding morning producing 54 species!  Good to note the sightings of both Iberian Grey Shrike and Purple Swamphen. (How do headless Swamphens even manage to breed?)  It always amazes me that Cattle Egrets, unlike Little Egrets, are taking so long to colonise the UK, especially in the south, albeit I do record individuals each year down on the Hampshire coast.  Sad news received from Barrie this Wednesday telling me about Jan's unexpected death but pleased to report to all that Jenny and I will drive over to Folkstone for Wednesday's funeral.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa; Wednesday 10th December

Nigel picked up myself, Richard and Paul from my house.  He drove down to the parking area above the "ford" overlooking the Rambla de Almanzora, seeing some Woodpigeon en route.  Kevin was already there having stayed overnight in his motorvan.  We had a scan around.  Paul saw a distant Cormorant over the sea.  A Black Redstart was flitting around. I heard a Cetti's Warbler.  Nigel found a flock of Spotless Starlings and I added a Northern Starling.  Kevin, Nigel and Paul walked up towards the sewage works.  Richard and I added Magpie, White Wagtail, Collared Dove, Iberian Grey Shrike and a Sardinian Warbler.  A pair of Cattle Egrets flew past.  The wanderers returned.  They had added Mallard, Shoveler, Chiffchaff, a Subalpine Warbler and a Grey Wagtail spotted by Paul, Black-necked Grebe, Teal, Greater Flamingo, Moorhen, Robin, Little Egret and Ringed Plover.  Nigel added Little Grebe and Green Sandpiper.  Kevin saw a Common Sandpiper.  We were joined by Trevor, Michael, Karen and Mollie, their dog. 

  We headed for the beach.  On the rocks were a pair of Cormorants, three Sandwich Terns and later some Sanderling.  Out to sea I found a Gannet and a Yellow-legged Gull.  We moved round to the estuary.  Immediately we saw Coot and a couple of Grey Heron.  Kevin added some Dunlin and a Kingfisher which spent some time in the hover.  A flight of Goldfinch flew over.  Kevin heard a Great Tit.  Also seen were Black-headed Gulls, House Sparrows and a Kestrel.  A Stonechat was seen when we were en route to a well deserved cup of coffee.

Sandwich Terns (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

  Suitably refreshed, we made our way to the dual carriageway above the shallow waters opposite the Consum Supermarket behind Vera Playa.   Jacky was waiting for us . She had seen a Barn Swallow flying with the numerous Crag Martins.  Paul glimpsed a Water Rail with the numerous feeding Moorhens.  Nigel spotted an Avocet.  Also seen were Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler and Teal.  Paul added a Wren, a rare find here!  We went past the hump, Jacky adding a Snipe.  Kevin spotted both Common Pochard and White-headed Duck.  There were some Mediterranean Gulls intermingled with some Greater Flamingos.   Our first Black-winged Stilts of the day were seen.  Lots of Chiffchaff flitting around the shrubs. Michael & Karen (and Mollie) left us here.  Very sad that they are returning to the UK.  Hopefully they will be back in a few years time.

At the pool opposite the Aquaparc Nigel added our final bird, a Purple Swamphen.  Also seen were White-headed Ducks, Black-headed Gulls, Black-necked and Little Grebes and Greater Flamingos.  And a Ladder snake on the ramp below the "bridge"!!

Ladder Snake (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

What a great final trip for 2025! 54 species seen.   Great company.

(With its head tucked in) looks like a
Headless Purple Swamphen (PHOTO:David Elliott-Binns)

Sending best wishes to both Peters for continuing recovery.  I heard from Barrie Avis, now back in the UK.  Sadly his wife, Jan, has passed away.  I'm sure you'll join me in sending our sincere condolences.

Kevin, unofficial treasurer, has counted our donations to the Andalucian Bird Society Donana fund. €270 in memory of Bill Dickinson.  Thank you all for your support.

Merry Christmas and good birding in 2026!

Dave

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