Wednesday 29 April
The Arboleas Birding Group led by my friend David Elliott-Binns were back at my favourite Almeria site today, Cabo de Gata. Seemed somewhat strange to read about the small number of Flamingos on show but at least they did find a great spot with the Caspian Tern, never mind the Gull-billed Terns and both an Iberian Shrike and a Sone Curlew. Lucky them; I'm most envious.
Cabo de Gata - Wednesday 29 April
With Nigel having the dreaded lurgy, I drove round and picked up holidaying birder Michelle and Peter (1) and headed south on the motorway in grey overcast weather conditions. We came off at the Retamar Sur exit, seeing a Magpie before we hit town. We saw Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Spotless Starling. A pair of Mallard flew over and Michelle added two Yellow-legged Gulls on a lamppost. We reached the first hide. As Nigel had informed me a few days ago, the water levels were down but OK. Not many birds. Only saw probably 70 Greater Flamingos, down on the usual 400+ hopefully meaning the remainder were somewhere like Fuente de Piedra nesting. The rocky causeway exhibited a Common Tern and a Yellow-legged Gull. We were joined by Trevor, Kevin, Troy and their two friends, Phil and Carol. Michelle spotted a Black-winged Stilt. The first of many Gull-billed Terns for the day flew over, followed by a Stone Curlew. Steve and Carolyn arrived. I found some Shelduck, Avocets and a passing Barn Swallow. Kevin added some distant Slender-billed Gulls and a Ringed Plover. We adjourned for a coffee and a tostada for some in the village cafe.
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| Painted Lady Butterfly (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Suitably refreshed, we made for the beach opposite the second hide. Steve found a Gannet. Michelle, Peter and I made our way to the village to check out the salinas for gulls, but there were no birds in sight but a Painted Lady butterfly showed well. The others walked towards the second hide but it was closed for works. Hence they got to the public hide before us. Kevin had already found a Caspian Tern on the right hand salina with Audouin's Gulls. They also had Dunlin and Kentish Plover. I added a Grey Plover and Thekla Lark before Kevin spotted a Curlew Sandpiper. Carol found a Yellow Wagtail. Troy spotted a Sardinian Warbler. Michelle, Peter and I headed home, picking up Jackdaw and Common Swift through the greenhouse shortcut. The others ventured to the lighthouse where they added Cormorant, Corn Bunting and an Iberian Grey Shrike.
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| Record shot of the Caspian Tern (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
32 species in total. Numbers down but some good birds seen. Great to see so many Gull-billed Terns, the Common Tern and of course the bird of the day, the Caspian Tern!
Great company as usual Regards
Dave
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