Wednesday 24 June
Good to see the Arboleas Birding Group well represented on the last visit of the season at relatively nearby Sierra de Maria. Not only a delightful report full of great birds but, yet again, some supburb illustrations from both Dave and Nigel. For me, reading the report back in the UK, that standouts must surely be the Short-toed Lark, Roller and Bee-eater. But there again, you also managed to record Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Hoopoe, Crested Tit and many Rock Sparrows, the birds seemed to be just coming and coming. All very frustrated as I passed last week whist walking the marshes at RSPB Pagham and then express delivery in the yellow van with the flashing blue lights to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester itself. 50 hours lying on a bed before allowed home and now have an irregular heart bear that needs monitoring so welcome to my new life of daily betablockers and blood thinners. Naturally, until sorted unable to drive. That's the good news as I was not happy why my back was in such pain that I got myself over to Portsmouth on Friday for both an x-ray and CT scan and it turns out I broke my back when falling off the back of the bench I chose to rest upon. More pills, more pain but I think all now seems to be on the mend as (at last) a quiet night last night but it could still be weeks before able to get out and about.
Sierra de Maria - Wednesday 24th June
Chauffeur Nigel picked myself and Peter (1) up and we headed north towards the Sierra de Maria. After passing Velez Blanco the bird count started. By the time we'd got to Maria town we had seen House Martin, Common Swift and Collared Dove. In the town we added Spotless Starling and House Sparrow.
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| Hoopoe (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We reached the La Piza forest cafe where the staff had kept the nut feeders supplied. We added our peanuts to the feeders. A waiter was filling the pool with water. They are well trained now! We were joined by Carolyn and her mother, Ros. It's been 10 years since she last came out with us having returned to the UK. Also with us was Trevor. We saw at least 4 Jays, Chaffinch, Great, Coal and Crested Tits. An Iberian Red Squirrel paid the pool a visit. I spotted a Long-tailed Tit using the flowing water of the fuente.
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| Red Squirrel (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
For a change I travelled with Trevor, Peter with Nigel and Carolyn with her Mum. Commencing the loop, a Jay flew across in front of us in the forest section. Various unidentified LBJs also crossed our path. Crossing the fields we saw a couple of Magpies and some Crested Larks. Near the village we added some Corn Buntings. Stopping below the village we only added some Barn Swallows.
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| Jay (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We carried on along the track (Lots of road graders and rollers in evidence....hope they are going to tarmac the middle section!) I spotted a large pale bird sat atop a tree. As we approached a Short-toed Eagle took flight. Further along we saw a single Bee-eater, then Trevor spotted a distant Grey Heron. There was still no sign of Rollers at the farm nest box, but we were thrilled to find one on a traffic sign. After chalking off some Woodpigeon, us in the front caught sight of a flight of 6 Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Unfortunately an articulated low loader was coming the other way. The sandgrouse disappeared behind a cloud of dust!
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| Bee-eater with large breakfast (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
We arrived at the cliff face. I glimpsed a pair of Black Wheatears shooting round the far side. Distantly, above the face we saw about 6 circling Griffon Vultures. Another Roller appeared. (Confirmed as Ros's new favourite bird!). The cliff face was alive with the sounds and sights of Rock Sparrows. We walked to the far side. Was glad to see the Black Wheatears there. We heard a Nightingale..."Merlin" heard a lot more! Nigel added a Goldfinch. Moving on I spotted a Black-eared Wheatear. Just past the first farm buildings a small obliging flock of Short-toed Larks stood on the road. (A first for Trevor). Near the airfield a Carrion Crow flew by. On the power lines going through the cave house village there were many Bee-eaters and a Hoopoe.
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| Short-toed Lark (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
The hamlet produced some Lesser Kestrels and another Roller sat on a TV aerial. As it was getting hotter we adjourned to the La Piza Forest cafe, not adding any additional birds from the mornings visit.
We ended up with 31 species. A brilliant days birding in great company to end our bird trips for the summer!
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| Roller (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
Sending best wishes to all our members especially Les, Michael and Peter (2) who called in sick today.
We're back in September! Have a great summer everyone!
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| Juvenile Griffon Vulture (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
Regards
Dave
P.S. Congratulations to Nigel White for having two of his photographs chosen for the Walk For Life 2027 calendar!
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