Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

 Wednesday 11 March

Shame the Arboleas Birding Group missed out on the Trumpeter Finch which, along with a Dartford Warbler were my "birds of the day" when I visited Cabo de Gata with Dave on Saturday 21 February on my way to Malaga and more birding.  But I did dip on the Kentish Plover, a bird not likely to be seen back in the UK.  Shame I might not be back to see the  result of the local improvements with the fencing, restored hides and a working public telescope to encourage more birders.

Cabo de Gata  -  Wednesday 11th March

     Nigel kindly picked me up from home and we headed south on the A7/E15 with the sun shining.  We came off at the Retamar turn.  I saw a Thekla Lark on a power line.  Driving through Retamar we added Spotless Starling, Collared Dove, a high flying Yellow-legged Gull, Barn Swallow, House Sparrow and Blackbird.  Kevin was already at the first hide's layby.  He'd already seen Cormorant, Jackdaw, Avocet, Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Shelduck, Little Egret, Slender-billed Gull and Magpie.  The water level was very high.  There were work signs and red/ white tape beside the hide.   A man was working on the public telescope.   Apparently €1 million has been allocated to a project to replace the fencing round the whole of the reserve, create new islands and refurbish/replace the hides.  We were joined by Trevor, John, Stella and Phil 2.  A Sardinian Warbler flew across the scrubland.   We then had a small influx of Pallid Swifts flying around and above us.  Nigel then located the Spoonbills asleep in their usual area near the small island.  Kevin added a Ringed Plover.

Avocet (PHOTO: Nigel White)

     After a reviving cup of coffee in the village cafe, we headed to the second hide.  I stayed with the vehicles and had a very unsuccessful seawatch.  I only saw a distant pair of Yellow-legged Gulls.  At the hide, John spotted some Black-necked Grebes.  Park rangers were already replacing some of the fencing!

Greater Flamingos and Slender-billed Gulls (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

     We carried on to the public hide.  No Trumpeter Finches unfortunately but did see some Greenfinch. Kevin checked out the rocky causeway to the right and saw Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls.  There were also numerous Shelduck and Greater Flamingos.  A Corn Bunting was perched on a shrub in the compound . About a further dozen Black-necked Grebes were seen.  Phil spotted some skulking Kentish Plovers on one of the islands.  A Little Stint was also on the island in front of us.  The first Yellow Wagtail of the year appeared behind it.  A Kestrel was perched on a post just to the right of the hide.  We said our goodbyes.  A slightly disappointing total of 31 species with the White Wagtail I logged going through the plastic greenhouses!  Great company as usual.

Dave

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