Wednesday 30 September
It's all excitement when out with the Arboleas Birding Group. Not just quality birds but all sort of mal-functioning activity! It also sounds as if the UK weather this morning was better than Almeria in glorious sunshine and the temperature reaching into the upper twenties. Just as well I had driven into the New Forest to visit the Solent shore south of Lymington where I managed to see and photograph the visiting Semipalmated Sandpiper in amongst the Dunlin. Meant I completed the double having also recorded the visiting Lapland Bunting no more than a couple of hundred yards away from the front door on the lower Hamble River.
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| Black Wheatear (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
Sierra De Maria - Wednesday 30th September
First of all a late report....Barrie and Beryl were at the estuary at Villaricos a day or two after our visit. In a large flock of resting Sandwich terns was an Elegant Tern! Not jealous at all.
Nigel picked me up and we headed towards the Sierra de Maria. It was birdless until we were near to Maria Town when I spotted a couple of flying Griffon Vultures. In the town we added Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, and Collared Dove. Kevin was already at the La Piza forest cafe. He'd already logged Chaffinch, White Wagtail, Crossbill and Blue Tit on his meanderings prior to his arrival. Nigel quickly spotted a Jay. We filled the empty bird feeders. Soon a couple of Great Tits appeared...as did Wendy, James, Carolyn, Steve, Trevor , Barrie and Beryl! Barrie picked out Long-tailed Tit and Woodlark.
After a cup of coffee we commenced the loop. Nigel and I only saw Woodpigeon and Crested Lark whilst Barrie added Crested Tit, Calandra and Skylark. At the village stop a number of Corn Buntings and House Sparrows were perched on the shrubs. I spotted a passing Barn Swallow.
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| Crested Tits (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
Carrying on along the track Nigel and I saw 3 Northern Wheatears, a large flock of Goldfinch, a few Magpies and some Carrion Crows. It was about this time when Nigel spotted 8-10 Ibex moving up the hillside to our right...a first for Wendy and James following behind us. Moving on I spotted some birds in the road...Red-legged Partridge. As we watched more and more appeared totalling at least 30 before scurrying away. Stopping at the cliff face Barrie said he'd also seen Stonechat and Linnet. Kevin had gear problems with his vehicle (only 3rd gear!!). He dropped off Trevor to travel with us and headed off. A search of the cliff only produced Black Wheatear. Travelling on we came across a huge flock of Red-billed Chough..at least 100! Nigel spotted a bird on the runway fence. A Whinchat...first winter?
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| Whinchat (PHOTO: Nigel White) |
Along the road we unfortunately came across Kevin. He was unable to climb the hill out of the village so would have to call a grua! There was nothing we could do to assist him...at least he could make himself a cup of tea!
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| Ibex (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
En route to the hamlet Nigel and I added a Hoopoe . Wendy, James and Barrie had all seen a Kestrel. Barrie also saw a Griffon Vulture, Greenfinch and Sardinian Warbler whilst Wendy and James saw a Booted Eagle. Steve and Carolyn saw an Egret, species unknown. We headed for the trough, but the Sheep/ Goats were in residence. Barrie saw a White Wagtail. Wendy, James, Carolyn and Steve headed home whilst the few left headed for La Piza. Barrie added a Rock Sparrow en route and a Robin at the cafe before he and Beryl headed home, leaving Nigel, Trevor and I to enjoy our lunch. A few more birds had discovered the nuts. Great Tits, Crested Tits and Chaffinches.
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| 8-legged Ibex! (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns) |
A good days birding in cooler weather. Heard from Kevin much later to say he and the vehicle were on the grua!
Regards,
Dave
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