Rambla de Almanzora and vera Playa

Wednesday 23 September

Good to see the Arboleas Birding Group back into birding with a vengeance and recording almost fifty species.  But not just any old species, with some excellent sightings as will be seen below.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa: Wednesday 23rd September

Green Sandpiper (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

It was my turn to be "Billy no mates" but only on the journey to the Rambla de Almanzora.  It gave me a chance to check out the upper rambla before getting to the ford.  I joined the rambla just past the Desert Springs golf complex.  The rambla was dry so only saw small flocks of Woodpigeon and Cattle Egrets.  Once I got to an area containing pools, puddles and flooded vehicle tracks this improved no end. Hundreds of Barn Swallows flying around.  In the water there were Mallard, Green Sandpipers, Black-winged Stilts, Ringed Plovers and a couple of female Shoveler.  Small birds included Chiffchaff and a couple of Yellow Wagtails.  There was no water at the ford.

Yellow Wagtail (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

As I waited for the others to arrive I logged Collared Dove, Blackbird, Magpie , Spotless Starling, Red-rumped Swallows amongst their Barn cousins and House Sparrow.  I was joined by Barrie and Beryl. He was first to hear a Cetti's Warbler.  He spotted a Kestrel on a distant pylon and a passing House Martin.  After Mike and Keirsten arrived we headed for the beach.

Barrie soon added Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull and White Wagtail, followed by Turnstone and Yellow-legged Gull.  I spotted a small hovering bird above the shore line.  A Kingfisher!  The sun made it difficult to identify a sitting tern on the harbour rocks.  Eventually we agreed it was a Common Tern. Trevor saw a Spotless Starling on the tower.

We moved round to the far side of the estuary where we were joined by Steve and Carolyn.  Coot, Moorhen, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover were seen.  Probably the same Common Tern was seen with .3 Sandwich Terns.  Barrie added Crested Lark, Greenfinch and a juvenile Greater Flamingo.  Another (or the same?) Kingfisher was seen.  We adjourned for coffee.

Ringed Plover (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Suitably refreshed, we made our way to the dual carriageway overlooking the shallow waters opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  Barrie had soon spotted some Sanderling and Kentish Plover.  I added a Squacco Heron as it made a short flight above the shrubs.  We heard then saw some Bee-eaters heading south.  Barrie picked out two Great White Egrets, a Shelduck and Wood Sandpiper. Also seen were Little Egret and Little Grebe.  

Wood Sandpiper (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Keirsten found two Glossy Ibis on a small island.  Barrie added an Iberian Grey Shrike.  As we left a Marsh Harrier appeared.

Glossy Ibis (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

At the pond the blanket had thankfully nearly gone.  We saw Coot, Moorhen, another Kingfisher and Greater Flamingo.  Barrie spotted the Purple Swamphen in the far reed line.

A great days birding in good company. 47 species seen.

Dave

Great White Egrets (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

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