Guadalhorce, Malaga

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

 Friday 27 February

Friday saw we three down a the Guadalhorce reserve in Malaga.  Lovely weather and a lovely range of birds finally totalling 55 species for the long morning. As we made our start from the road up to the river bank Blackbird, Collared Dove. House Sparrow and Hoopoe noted.  Walking towards the river bridge a handful of Monk Parakeets flew over then both Robin and Stonechat on the bank. The first Sardinian Warbler as we approached and crossing the bridge noted a quartet of Mallard on the water below followed by Jackdaws near the road bridge and a passing Cormorant.  From the bridge we also saw a number of Barn Swallows and House Martins plus even a pair of Red-rumped Swallows.

Shovelers Anas clypeata with Marbled Ducks M. angustirostris (above)

Fist to the Laguna Grande hide where we could see the enlarged area having been opened up at both ends.  To our left many resting Cattle Egrets and Cormorants with a number of Shoveler sheltering beneath the tress plus alone juvenile Flamingo and a pair of Marbled Duck.  A Heron towards the far end and on the open water both Little and Black-necked Grebes.  Blackcaps, Woodpigeon and Rock Dove in the surrounding area then the first Zitting Cisticola and Great Tit. 

Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo and Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis

Out on the water a group of Flamingos off to the right and more Shoveler and Mallard at the back of the laguna.  Then a small number of Shelduck on the near end of the island in front of the hide along with a sleeping Snipe and a Common Sandpiper which the flew off to our right.  But just the one Little Egret on show.  However, feeding next to a lone Flamingo on the island off to the right a single Glossy Ibis. The nearby bushes and small trees held a number of Chiffchaff plus at least two Cetti's Warblers.

Gloss Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (middle)

Moving on to the Laguna Escondida hide we found our White-headed Ducks along with a few Common Pochard. Coots and Little Grebe at the back of the water and amongst the handful of Flamingo in a sandy beach area a Green Sandpiper.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Arriving at the Laguna Casillas we added Greenfinch and more Common Pochard and arriving at the Wader Pool lots of Black-winged Stilts plus a single Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and a handful of Goldfinches on the bank below the hide.

Common Pochard Aythya ferina

The Old River has been radically altered since my last visit with the creation of an island in the middle offering scope for the waders where we found Redshank, a single Ruff and then a lone Black-tailed Godwit of the far side.  More Shoveler and Mallard plus another Heron.  Also present a single Avocet and a dozen resting Sanderling.  

Sanderling Calidris alba with Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

A short stop at the sea watch produced very many Black-headed Gulls on the sea and a Crested Lark on the beach.  Making our way back to the start and the car we came across both a number of Serin plus a male Kestrel and, of course, all the birds seen on the outward journey so producing a final tally of 56 species for the morning.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Common Pochard, Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Serin.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo with company

Juvenile Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

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