Monday 18 May
Whilst the Arboleas Birding Group were enjoying their visit to the Rambla de Almanzora and Vera Playa last Wednesday, Jenny and I were enjoying a week's break on the Isle of Man with my birding restricted to access by steam train, tram or bus but, nevertheless, I managed to record 43 species including new sightings of the year of Gannet, Black Guillemot, Hooded Crow, Red-billed Chough and Shag as well as Cuckoo, Eider and Short-eared Owl. On the other hand, we did not see your great sightings of Squacco Heron, Nightingale, Red-rumped Swallow, Audouin's Gull and Red-crested Pochard. So good sighting all round by the look of things.
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| The motley crew of the Arboleas Birding Group! (Kevin Borman) |
Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 13th May
Another lovely summer's day, sun, clouds and a bit of wind. Nigel picked me and Peter (1) up. We headed for our local coastline at Villaricos. We actually didn't see any recordable birds before arriving at the ford (dry and covered in vegetation). Ab was already there. He'd logged House Sparrow, House Martin, Spotless Starling, Goldfinch, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon and Barn Swallow. As we listened to some Nightingales singing from the shrubs below us a male Mallard flew over. We were joined by Kevin who'd done the sewage works walk. He'd also seen Magpie, Zitting Cistacola, Blackbird, Serin, Little Ringed Plover, and Little Grebe. He stated there was ongoing works in that area which had been detrimental to the bird's habitat. We were joined by Trevor, Steve and Carolyn. Some Red-rumped Swallows flew over. Kevin added a Common Swift. A Kestrel was found by Nigel.
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| Red-crested Pochard (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
We headed for the beach where Kevin could actually park with us as he wasn't in his campervan! Unfortunately there were no birds at all to be seen on the harbourside rocks. A few House Sparrows flew by. As we were leaving Steve and Carolyn saw a distant Gannet by the fish farms.
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| Spoonbill (L) with Greater Flamingo (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Kevin went to this side of the estuary as the rest of us drove round to the far side. A Grey Heron flew off as we arrived. Steve and Carolyn spotted a Kingfisher. They also added some Audouin's Gulls on the sand spit. A Little and Sandwich Tern were fishing close to the shoreline. Kevin joined us, but had only seen a Coot that added to our list.
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| Fledgling Coot...their mother loves them! (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
After a cuppa at the Tiburon cafe in Villaricos we drove down to the dual carriageway overlooking the shallow pools opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa. Trevor got there first and was very surprised to see a Red-billed Chough having a drink before flying off. The sightings came rushing in. Black-winged Stilt, Avocet (with fluffy chick), Moorhen, Little Grebe, Mallard, and Greater Flamingo. Kevin was spotter of the day, seeing a single Spoonbill, Kentish Plover, Shelduck, Ruff, Glossy Ibis and Black-necked Grebe. He also heard a Greenfinch.
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| Avocet (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
I contributed with a Ringed Plover. Nigel found a rear facing sleeping wader. As luck would have it, Barrie and Beryl appeared, having flown into Almeria that morning. Barrie confirmed the bird was a Green Sandpiper. Ab found another Kestrel. (It was about this time I had a text from Jenny, Ab's wife, to say she was having a cup of coffee at their house watching 3 Golden Orioles! Grrrrh!!)
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| Squacco Heron...just WOW!! (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
We drove round to the elevated viewing platform opposite the Aguaparc. A lot of the water was covered in blanket weed. I found some Red-crested Pochard on the water. A White Wagtail was feeding on top of the weed. Barrie heard a Reed Warbler. We then saw two Squacco Herons. A great sight! A snake slithered across the blanket weed.
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| Snake on the blanket weed (Photo: Nigel White) |
45 bird species seen. A great morning of birding in great company! Wishing Ab and Jenny a safe trip home.
regards
Dave
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| Kneeling Greater Flamingos (centre) (Photo: Kevin Borman) |
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