Fuente Piedra and Campillos

Thursday 26 February

ay 1 in Malaga Province and a trip over to Fuente de Piedra, home of thirty plus thousand Flamingos. Everywhere you looked on the main laguna hundreds, if not thousands, of Flamingos.  But this was for later as we started at the flooded field on our left as we entered the site.  Plenty of Black-winged Stilts and Chiffchaffs at the edges with a closer study producing Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, and Coot.  Then, at the back of the water, both Common and Spotted Redshank.  

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Also resting on the water many Black-headed Gulls.  Overhead, scores of Barn Swallows plus a few House Martins before noting our first Red-rumped Swallow.  Off to the other side of the road a pair of Crested Larks and a handful of House Sparrows and, atop the high chimney, the nesting White Storks surrounded by a number of Rock Doves.  Finally, before taking a walk the long way round to the board walk, a lone Greenshank and a handful of White Wagtails. 

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

A Collared Dove was seen near the small spinney towards the entry point and at the far side of the green opposite the water a handsome male Iberian Yellow Wagtail.  Overhead we watched a flock, numbered in hundreds, of Cranes looking as if they were on their way back to their breeding areas in northern Europe.  Continuing our walk along the back of the site next to the harrowed filed holding the Jackdaw nesting tower, a Snipe and a number of Stonechats.  Leaving the Flamingos until later we made our way to take the reverse crossing of the boardwalk with a number of calling Cetti’s Warblers and found a distant Cattle Egret.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Reaching the homeward side of  the boardwalk and following the water’s edge towards the mirador we first found a Black Redstart and Greenfinches before coming across the small party of Spanish Sparrows and more Chiffchaffs.  Then I followed a slightly larger bird into the trees in front and finally managed to find the individual behind a branch close to the trunk and pleased to confirm a Wryneck.  Making our way up to the mirador we added a Goldfinch and a departing Hoopoe.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

From the mirador we were able to look down on the thousands of resting Flamingos and also noted a passing Lesser Black-backed Gull.  A couple of Great Tits below us and checking the pool below found a t least four Little Grebe plus a small number of Teal.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Time to move round to the Lagunetta at the back of the Visitors Centre where no close Flamingos but lots of Shoveler and a number of teal plus a few White-headed Ducks.  A handful of Shelduck were then found along with both Common and Red-crested Pochards.  Not too many Coot but a number of both Little and Black-necked Grebes on the water.  Also seen a pair of Gadwall and lots of Moorhens.

Record shot of male Iberian Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae

Just the one Buzzard but a quartet of Lesser Kestrels was a good sight and then we added Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Chaffinch and Blackbird. Not only a handful of Linnet and a Common Kestrel but finally, before leaving the site, we managed to add an Iberian Grey Shrike.

Iberian Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis

Our next stop was the Laguna Dulce near Campillos which was very full with water and no shore for waders to utilise.  Lots of Coot and White-headed Ducks before finding the Shoveler flock and a number of Great Crested Grebes. Mainly Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls resting on the water and on the far side scores of Flamingos.  On the edges both Teal and Mallard before finding a couple of Gadwall.  Just when we thought we had seen everything, first a Red-crested Pochard then a Little Grebe plus both Blackbird and Lapwing.

White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala 

Still light so via Campillos itself we made our way to the Laguna Capaceti on the other side of the town. Lots of Barn Swallows over the water and on the water itself a number of Flamingos on the far side.  Nearer to us more Shoveler and a few Red-crested Pochard. A little later we also found Common Pochard and a couple of Little Grebe. Nearer to us Great Tit and Goldfinches plus a handful of White Wagtails.  The final bird at the laguna was a Gadwall.

Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus

Making our way home we also added a stop below the high cliffs of Penarrubia and noted the many circling Griffon Vultures.  Also seen were Crag Martins and a gorgeous Peregrine Falcon plus just the one Common Kestrel.  In the nearby trees both Blackcap and Chiffchaff and looking at the water below us we were in time to see the passing Heron. And so ended a perfect birding day with the sight of 68 species.

Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Great crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, White Stork, Flamingo, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Griffon Vulture, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Crane, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Crested Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler,  Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Iberian Grey Shrike, Magpie, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet. 

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala 

Some of the thousands of Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus

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