Bermejales with John and Jenny Wainwright

Thursday 18 December

Immature Golden Eagle Aguila Real Aquila chrysaetos

Freshly back from our short cruise from Malaga taking in Barcelona, Casablanca (and, yes, we did go to "Rick's Café" and have a drink and, no, we did not always have Paris and Sam was not at the empty piano), Madeira and Lanzarote before returning yesterday morning to Malaga.  What did we see in birding terms?  Not a lot really once you discount the hordes of Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls at most ports along with resident House Sparrows, Spotless Starlings and Feral Pigeons.  We did record Kestrel, Zitting Cisticola and lots of Blackbirds and even had a good view of an adult Gannet at sea and a possible Great Skua but very little else.  On the other hand, the good news was that I managed to get within a metre of an immature Golden Eagle!  The bad news, in birding terms, was the individual was sitting on its handler's arm at the Madeira Christmas market!!  However, it does mean that I now have a close up of the bird.

So back home to see what has been happening in our absence; no rain that was for sure.  But then an email from John Wainwright cheered me up with all the birds that I could once again look forward to seeing - hopefully starting tomorrow at the Axarquia Bird Group's visit to Fuente de Piedra.


Bermejales  17th December 2013

A bright day but warm, clouding over fast in the afternoon.

Needing some exercise and bored of the doing my crossword puzzles, I thought a picnic at the nearby Embalse Bermejales (close to Alhama de Granada) wouldn´t be too strenuous.
As we were leaving our village a Buzzard was seen atop one of the pylons close to the petrol station, also in this area were Azure-winged Magpies, Crested Larks, Collared Doves, Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows.

Meadow Pipits Bisbita Pratense Anthus pratensis (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

  



The road to the embalse via Morelada gained us a Lesser Kestrel, Common Magpies, a Southern Grey Shrike, Jackdaws and a few Corn Buntings.
After parking up a small walk was had along the embalse water line, where I put up Serins, White Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and three Mistle Thrushes.
Further along where a strip of land juts into the embalse I watched a flock of Goldfinches and Greenfinches bathing at the edge of the water accompanied by the plentiful White Wagtails. In the small firs here I saw five Sardinian Warblers, two Robins, a Blackbird, several Woodpigeons, Great Tits and a small flock of Crossbills passed noisily overhead.

Dark-phase Red Squirrel (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

Joining Jenny back at the car, where she was busy photographing a distant dark-phase Red Squirrel, she had seen Linnets, Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaff in the small orange coloured bushes lining the waters edge opposite her. also in this area we saw Black Redstarts, Blue Tit and a Great Tit.
Whilst we were having a cup of tea a Kingfisher flew into a bare bush at the waters edge, but disappeared as fast without a photo being taken.
A flash of white across the water and a Common Sandpiper came to rest on a branch just off shore some hundred metres away.

 



Mistle Thrush  Zorzal Charlo Turdus viscivorus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)


We then decided to go back the Cacin valley route. Lots more Mistle Thrushes, Sardinian Warblers, Serins, Long-tailed Tits and more Goldfinches, were seen in the hedgerows and we had great views of a Bonelli´s Eagle as it came out of the gorge and disappeared amid the olive groves. At the Roman bridge a Blue Rock Thrush was spotted as were Chaffinches and a male Blackcap.

At the dam the waters were exceptionally high and all we found were Shovelers, Mallard, Common Coots and more White Wagtails.

Back at Morelada as we joined the A92 autovia, on the small laguna we saw Little Egrets and in the fields to the front were a few Lapwings.  As we pulled off the autovia for Salar and home a Common Kestrel sat on a telegraph pole at the T-junction.

Nothing out of the norm, bar possibly the Bonelli´s Eagle, but a good day in the fresh air all the same.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.   

What a start to December!

Friday 6 December

That's it, our time is up and in a  couple of hours we will be off top the airport for the return journey to Malaga and home.  But not without some great birding in the first five days, mainly at Rutland Water on Wednesday morning but also from our eldest son's dining room window where we were able to see both Coal Tits and visiting Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Record shot of a Water Rail Rallus aquaticus at Rutland Water

Wednesday, on the very calm and clear day before yesterday's big country-wide storms was fabulous and I ended up with all the tits apart from Bearded along with two woodpeckers and, I think, fourteen species of duck including Long-tailed, Smew, Scaup and Goosander.  Just as enjoyable was have a very clear view of a happy feeding Water Rail out in the open ditch not twenty metres away.  Just a shame that it was in shadow and the very low sun was immediately behind the bird but, nevertheless, I did manage the record shot.

Travelling back from Southampton to Stamford in the dark meant no Red Kites and/or Buzzards on the way and not a single raptor was seen on Wednesday.  But who knows; we may well record all three on the drive down the A1, A16 and M11 to Stansted to put the record straight.

A full, illustrated, report can be found on my alternative blog by CLICKING HERE.

Lagauna Dulce today

Thursday 5 December

Yesterday Granada province, the next day Malaga.  It certainly seems as if John and Jenny Wainwright have got the right idea whilst the weather remains reasonably calm fr following an initial birding outing to nearby Huetor Tajar yesterday today, Wednesday, saw them at the Campillos lake of Laguna Dulce for a couple of hours, so very little walking requited t make the hide and enjoy the birds of both water and surrounding reeds and vegetation.  What next; an email tomorrow about a third successive day's birding to the mountains?

Laguna Dulce 4th December 2013

A sunny day but dark clouds looming, though no rain fell.

As we were in Antequera, we decided to pop along to Laguna Dulce for a couple of hours.  It was beautiful sunshine albeit rather cold in the shade, although on the horizon some very dark clouds were building up.  A Black-shouldered Kite was found on a pylon close to the Sierra Yegas/Piedra turn off; also Collared Doves, Spotless Starlings, a Common Kestrel and Common Buzzard were seen in that area.

Tufted Duck  Aythya fuligula on Laguna Dulce (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Jenny´s first sighting from the hide was of a couple of male Tufted Ducks - don´t often see these up here.  The birds were in amongst Pochard, Common Coots, Black-necked Grebes, White-headed Duck and a few Mallard.

Scoping the far reeds I found Red-crested Pochard, Gadwalls, Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls, Shovelers and Little Grebes.  In the bushes to our immediate front a Willow Warbler (singing), Chiffchaff, Chaffinches, two Blackbirds, Cetti´s Warbler and three Corn Buntings.

Three Marsh Harriers were then spotted - one female and two juveniles - the latter causing the Coots to scatter as they made mock attacks on them.  A few White Wagtails were seen, as well as Goldfinches, House Sparrows, a male Blackcap, two Robins and two male Black Redstarts.

On our return journey the Black-shouldered Kite was still about as was the Common Buzzard (but in a different location).  Three Southern Grey Shrikes on the telephone wires and as we passed the new high speed railway bridge at Antequera a huge flock of some fifty or so Jackdaws flew across the face of the cliffs.

Goodbye to the Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula on Laguna Dulce (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Good to see you have lost none of our observational skills, John and, I must admit, I was more than surprised to read that you actually picked up a singing Willow Warbler.  What was that doing here rather than with his cousins down south of the Sahara enjoying the warm sunshine and accompanying insect life?  I know we have experienced the first snow in Yorkshire and the wind, following a clear and calm day yesterday has more than picked up in readiness for some really bad, cold weather but you guys must still be enjoying some sort of "Indian Summer" so please make sure you save some for Jenny and I to enjoy!

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information. 

Huetor Tajar with John Wainwright

Thursday 5 December

They tell me that you can't keep a good man down and that certainly sounds right as far as John Wainwright is concerned.  The Internet connection has finally been restored sop I am able to catch up with what is actually going on in the outside world.  Great to see a couple of reports from John who has evidently found himself a driver (car not computer!) to get himself back amongst his birds.  It may not be the summit of a freezing Sierra Loja but at the base in nearby Huetor Tajar the attraction and stimulation was to get the latest information on the return of the hordes of Little Bustards.  Read on for John's account and then I can publish his second expedition as part of his recovery progress.  All being well, John and Jenny, I will get to meet up with you both in January.

Huetor Tajar  3rd December 2013

A warm, bright and windless day.

I am getting restless after four weeks convalescing, so Jenny decided to take me over to Huetor
Tajar to look for the Little Bustards.  We found them with no real problem although there were only
thirty or so of them at this moment in time - too distant for any good photos though.  A few Lapwings here also Meadow Pipits, Black Redstarts and House Sparrows.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

The stream has dried out -  bar a couple of very small pools here and there - but we still found
Goldfinches, House Sparrows, Spotless Starlings, Serins and Crested Larks along the banks.
Several Azure-winged Magpies were seen, as was a Common Magpie - feeding among a huge flock
of feral pigeons.  A Common Kestrel hunted over the far fields and a Grey Heron was seen stalking
the ditches.

No sign of the Bramblings - in the poplar tree area as of yet although plenty of Chaffinches about.
Lots of White Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were following a tractor discing the fields and yet more
Black Redstarts.  A Blackbird was spotted also.  At the ajo factory we found several Stone Curlews, more Lapwings ( no sign of the Golden Plovers yet) and another Grey Heron.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

On the way back home along the back road to Salar we found two Thekla Larks, Lapwings, a Robin, a flock of Mistle Thrushes, another Blackbird, some Chiffchaffs and a large flock of Jackdaws.  On the road into Salar a Common Kestrel, Collared Doves, Wood Pigeons and more Azure-winged Magpies and atop a telegraph pole next to the petrol station a Little Owl was spotted.

Thanks for all the information John and something for me to look forward to upon returning home.

Away in the UK at Rutland Water

Thursday 28 November

still no rain and yesterday, Wednesday, was pleasantly mild with even a little sunshine.  What better to do than spend the morning at Rutland Water with my close friend Ron from, relatively, nearby Wigston in Leicstershire as I found my first Redwings and Fieldfares of the winter along with those specialist birds (!) the Dunnock and Pied Wagtail.  And what an assortment of ducks to be seen.

A full illustrated report is on my LTERNATIVE BLOG, axarquiabirder,AND CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING and can be found by clicking anywhere in the BLOCK or coloured letters.

Not all good news though as upon returning home I not only discovered that the Internet was done but it sounds like a router problem.  The engineer will call next Thursday morning between 7 and 9am.  Just as well as I will be travelling back the following day.  Ah well, at least we have a public library that I can access for a couple of hours of free Internet use and, with the kids at school, no shortage of machines available.

Sierra Loja

Saturday 23 November

Just clearing up odds and ends before I fly back to the UK for a couple of weeks and I receive an email from John Wainwright.  He may be confined to quarters and Steve, Elena and I did not get to the Sierra Loja yesterday but it appears Jenny Wainwright did manage a visit along with John's brother.  It must be John's way to stay in touch with the outside birding world and it certainly appears to make a mark.  Might be a written report to follow which  I can add when I get back to England, but here follows a prime example of what they recorded.  It makes me feel really envious and I hate to think what Steve will say, nevermind think, when he sees the Ring Ouzel shots!

Looks like, from the following report, that Jenny's visit took place on Thursday rather than Friday.

Sierra Loja: 21 November

A very chilly day with a brisk breeze.

As I am still convalescing Jenny and my brother Dave (over from the UK), decided they would pop up the Sierra Loja to see if the Ring Ouzels were in yet.  They called in at the hidden quarry en route and saw Jackdaws, Stonechats and heard Dartford Warbler.  Several Spanish Ibex were seen here also.

The tree line area was very quiet, so onward to the cliff area, where more Jackdaws and a smattering of Choughs were seen.  Also here were Black Redstart, Meadow Pipits and Red-legged Partridges.

As they approached the old marble quarry a Griffon Vulture was seen and then a Bonelli´s Eagle
stuka-dived across the sky and down into the quarry.  A tad further up and their first Thekla Larks were spotted and a couple more Stonechats.

Jenny said that it was really getting cold about now with the temperature gauge showing 3C, but they carried on through the substation valley and over to the ponds.  Both of these ponds were covered in ice and hence the birdlife was non-existent.  So along to the fossil cave area where they picked up three Mistle Thrushes, a single Fieldfare and five Ring Ouzels (three male, two female); several Blackbirds here also.

Retracing their steps and carrying on towards Salar they found more Mistle Thrushes and three Ring Ouzels.  Also in the area were Black Redstarts (all female), House Sparrows and Blackbirds.

As they came back down the mountain to Loja they found a Little Owl.

Chough Chova Piquirroja Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax



Little Owl Mochuelo Comun Athene noctua

Ring Ouzel Mirlo Capiblanco Turdus torquatus (above and below)





A magnificent male Ibex Capra pyrenaica

All above photographs by Jenny Wainwright


Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.

Alcaucin and the Sierra Tejeda

Friday 22 November

With the promise of rain all day, Steve and Elena Powell plus myself cancelled our proposed visit to the Sierra Loja in search of Ring Ouzels.  After all, who wants to be exposed on the top of the mountain in freezing rain and even the possibility of snow?  So, come this morning when I pulled back the curtains I discovered a an almost clear sky and the sun thinking very much about putting his cap back on.  But, of course, it was going to rain, wasn't it?  All my priority jobs done, not long after 11 o'clock and still the sun was shining in an almost clear be sky.  Somewhat chilly when exposed to the cold, strong breeze but, nevertheless, dry.

Crossbill Piquituerto Comun Loxia curvirostra

Enough is enough so putting o an extra layer I took myself off to Alcaucin to drive up the mountain track into the Sierra Tejeda, followed by a quick look in the "Magpie Woods" and the old railway track at Ventas de Zafarraya before returning home less than three hours later.

White Wagtails, Thekla Larks and House Sparrows approaching Los Romanes followed by a few Spotless Starlings and Rock Doves as I started up the mountain track.  Then, at the lower picnic site, there were my all-to-familiar Crossbill families waiting in their usual tree to welcome me back.  A quick walk along the back via the water course provided Great Tit, Rock Bunting and Chaffinches and then it was time to climb higher.  But not before I sought out the slow repeated knocking of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and got a clear, distant sighting and photographs.  Before reaching the end of the track I had also recorded more Rock Buntings and a very shy Robin.  However, at the farm, on the track in front, was a small group of feeding Chaffinches picking up grit and in their midst a couple of male Bramblings.  Time for a photograph and then nothing, the camera control wheel had been rubbed into the "Bulb" position.  Just a fraction of a second to turn it back to "M" and, there rapidly approaching, was the first vehicle I had seen all morning!  So much for getting a photograph despite hanging around for another ten minutes or so; only the Chaffinches returned to the track along with a passing male Blackbird.  That "Murphy" and his law have an awful lot for which to answer!

Great Spotted Woodpecker

A Kestrel was hovering overhead as I drove straight to the Magpie Woods and had soon found both Mistle Thrushes and Black Redstarts.  The lone Dartford Warbler was a rather lovely addition and I also managed to observe both a dozen Azure-winged Magpies and a departing Jay from the side of the road.

Finally, a quick stop at the tunnel on the old railway track duly presented both Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush (it was, after all, too much to expect the Alpine Accentors to still be in the same immediate vicinity of the tunnel entrance) and so back home with the accompanying Collared Doves and Stonechats.  And still the sun shines albeit there is a little more cloud now that the day is rapidly drawing to a close.


Birds seen:
Kestrel, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Thekla Lark, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Dartford Warbler, Great Tit, Azure-winged Magpie, Jay, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Goldfinch, Crossbill, Rock Bunting.

Juvenile Crossbill Piquituerto Comun Loxia curvirostra



Great Spotted Woodpecker Pico Picapinos Dendrocopus major

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.