Laguna Dulce

Thursday 11 June

On the way home from a meeting in Campillos this morning I called in for a few minutes at the nearby Laguna Dulce.  Distinctly colder then the coast with very overcast skies and what appeared to be a threat of rain to follow.  However, it remained dry and then warmed up as I drove down to the coast.

Arriving at the water there was a good number of Flamingoes feeding close to the hide and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers flew of left as we approached.  Lots of resting Mallards, no in their winter eclipse plumage off to the right along with the odd Gadwall and a few Coots.  Also present a handful of Common Pochards on the main water and, to the far left, both Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes.

In front of the hide numerous House Sparrows darting about and, by way of change, a small flock of Corn Buntings.  Not many Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls and just the off Gull-billed Tern feeding near the hide along with a small number of Whiskered Terns at the back of the water.  A single Lesser Kestrel passed over to the right and then more calling from the nearby Reed Warblers including the occasional glimpse of an individual birder.  Just the one Barn Swallow seen over the water but a few Black-winged Stilts located hiding in the vegetation.

Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Flamingo, Lesser Kestrel, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Barn Swallow, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Corn Bunting.


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

Zapata with Barbara & Derek Etherton

Thursday 11 June

hist some of us were on the road for well over an hour to attend a committee meeting of the Andalucia Bird Society,  Derek and Barbara Etherton were able to "pop down the road" to nearby Zapata on the Guadalhorce behind the airport.  Judging by the report, even earlier than I so definitely a case of the early bird and worm, etc!  Derek's report make interesting reading and what a send-off for Barbara; I have a feeling that she will find very few of these birds back in the UK.  Now all I have to do is get my act together so that we can all meet up when we return from pour respective visits to Blighty and look forward to Bonelli's Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Wallcreeper - well, perhaps not the last!

Up early with the lark, well Blackbird, to check out Zapata before Barbara departs for the UK tomorrow.  Down there by 0730hrs and the birds were very active.  A Little Egret, Night Heron and Purple Heron were all feeding in the pools below the weir, sadly soon to move as we disturbed them.  Other Night Herons were flying back from the Guadalhorce poligino feeding grounds and passing over us.  

Investigating the southern area first we had good views of the Tawny Pipit that has been hanging around the area.  Many Little Ringed Plovers were highly active, this being a natural nesting area for the species.  However, I do worry for them with the increased human activity at weekends and the horses and carriages at other times.  However they seem to flourish - who am I to judge! Crested Larks like this part, too, and in the nearby shrubbery Cetti's Warblers were calling, as usual.  By now we had had Night and Purple Heron, the Grey Heron came later, Little and Cattle Egret, just a Squacco Heron for the 6, but sadly not to be.  A Hoopoe flew through and Goldfinches and Greenfinches abounded.  

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius (PHOTO: Derek Etherton)

Heading back north of the weir and walking where the river flows wide in the wet months, the small birds were many.  So many families, Yellow and White Wagtails feeding young as were Serins, House Sparrows, Linnets, Greenfinches and Cetti's warblers.  Common and Pallid Swift were feeding and drinking from the wide, still water area here as were Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, joined by a few House Martins.  Still a few Night Herons were flying over and a couple of Bee-eaters were busy breakfasting.  Coot and Moorhen had young close by and the previously mentioned Grey Heron was close to the motorway bridge. 

Still only 0900hrs, we followed the track to skirt the reeded ditch.  Here Reed Warblers were in full flow and an additional Red-rumped Swallow's nest was noted under the concrete landing light structure [these birds must love bridge builders!].  Plenty of previously seen birds were active in the reeds but a single Red-legged Partridge viewed us from the rocks on the right hand side.  Collared Dove and Spotless Starlings were many but by now it was 1000hrs and desayuno time!  Using the local venta, cafe & pitufo for 2 euros, [last of the big spenders], we sat outside 'serenaded' by nesting Barn Swallows just above us.

Now that's what I call a great way to start the day.  Safe journey Barbara and see you both sometime in mid-July.

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

High in the Sierra Tejeda

Wednesday 10 June

Just received a fascinating report from Marcus and Liz Rootes who live in Competa and enjoy walking in the high sierras.

The Sierra Tejeda.

We started at 1400 mts, walking through a pine forest, already Chaffinch and Robin are singing, two young Sardinian Warblers are seen and then, arriving in the open, a firebreak, Great,Coal and Crested Tits, a Crag Martin, Jay,and Black Redstart are noted.

Ascending slowly, two White Wagtails are following some young ponies gleaning insects at 1600 Metres !

As a group of 10 Ibex are making their way across a ridge, 17 Red-billed Choughs appear. A few Woodlarks are singing as we make our way to 1800 Mts.  A Booted Eagle soars overhead, a single Black-eared Wheatear and Red-legged Partridge are seen.

Arriving at 'La mesa' 3 juvenile Woodchats, a single Northern Wheatear and Whitethroat are noted.  Amongst the sparse, thick bushes, several more pairs of Whitethroat and some very noisy Subalpine Warblers are seen.  Stonechats, Linnets,and Thekla Larks are common up here.  

Coming down again,a Blackbird appears and another Northern Wheatear with two juveniles.  In this vicinity, Rock Thrush and Tawny Pipit are sometimes noted - but not today !

Marcus and Liz Rootes

Wednesday 10 June

And so the show goes on with another new birding day for John and Jenny Wainwright.


Tarifa 10 June  Day 3:  Barbate area
 
Another warm day with a lovely breeze to keep the temperatures down.
 
As we exited the hotel site we saw Blackbirds, Collared Doves, Cattle Egrets, Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows. Turning right along the N340 we were soon at our turn off point at Zahara de las Atunes.

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

At the village of La Zarzuela we spotted a Little Owl sitting on the wires adjacent to a telegraph pole, lots of Cattle Egrets in the fields hereabouts as well.  As we neared Zahara the Army were out in force with huge field guns deployed on the right hand side of the road - but never heard being fired.  We turned off prior to the Rio Barbate into the marismas here, as we accessed the rough track to the right of the marismas, there were several juvenile Collared Pratincoles - sitting on the track itself - waiting for the parents to feed them, which in time they did. 

Juvenile Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (above) with adult below (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Moving on after feed time we parked up at the earliest area we could.  Here there were masses of Collared Pratincoles - flying, feeding and nesting, a few Kentish Plovers here as well as good numbers of Short-toed Larks. Scoping the marismas we found Grey Herons in company with Great White Egrets and Spoonbills, as well as Stone Curlews, Little Terns, Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gulls, Little Egrets and Black-winged Stilts.  A sudden take-off of Collared Pratincoles made a Short-toed Eagle change course and on a fence post a Calandra Lark started singing.

Great White Egret Egretta alba (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

Moving along to Vejer (A314) - to where the Bald Ibis nest sites are we found at least twenty five (including several juveniles) in-situ.  On speaking to the warden there he informed us that the colony itself was now numbering at least eighty individuals as of date - a great success story!   Also here were Raven, Jackdaws and a large Cattle Egret colony at the back of the car park.

Bald Ibis Geroniticus eremita at nest (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

From here we drove round to the Barbate pinewoods - where we had a bite to eat - and at the same time we noted Greenfinches, Goldfinches, House Sparrows, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers - then a walk around in the shady pines, where we found Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Sardinian Warblers, Blackcaps, Crossbills, Chaffinches,a Common Redstart, Short-toed Treecreepers, Great Tit and Coal Tit.

Stone Curlews Burhinus oedionemus (PHOTO: John Wainwright) 

Back to base for a few bevvies and a search for tomorrow's ( Day 4 ) destination - possibly the Ojen Valley area.

Another great day so roll on tomorrow!

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

Tarifa: Day 2 with John & Jenny

More from John and Jenny down in the Tarifa area.


Interesting array of birds but not a Purple Swamphen to be seen. 

Tarifa 9 June: Day 2 La Janda

A warmish start but overcast later.

As I started to pack the car with the picnic, it started to rain, but thankfully it didn´t last very long although it did rain later on in the day.  As we turned off the main road onto the track, we saw Corn Buntings, House sparrows, Collared Doves and Spotless Starlings.  I pulled over to let a horse box go past and two Rollers flew up onto the wires, then four Bee-eaters and behind in the distance a Raven flew past.

Turtle Dove Streptopella turtur (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Plenty of Zitting Cisticolas about as well as Cattle Egrets and Stonechats.  Moving up to the raised embankment we found Serins, Goldfinches, Greenfinches and a few Crested Larks.  Over the fields to our right a good number of Collared Pratincoles, and Yellow-legged Gulls as well as a few White Storks, while in the reed beds Great Reed Warblers and Cettis Warblers were singing their hearts out.  Mallard and their ducklings were about in the canals, as were Moorhens and a very fast Kingfisher.  Flocks of Jackdaws swirled about the field, above us and on the track to our front, while out of the weedy tracksides Serins, Goldfinches, Linnets and Greenfinches  moved forward never letting us get too close to them.

Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis at nest (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

On our left the rice paddies were beginning to appear and on these we found huge numbers of Glossy ibis, a few white Storks, Gull-billed Terns, Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls, Black-winged Stilts, a single Grey Heron (the only one seen throughout the day), and further along in other paddyfields a Grey Wagtail and then several Yellow Wagtails(iberiae) with juveniles. and two Little Ringed Plovers, and above them two Common Kestrels were hovering.  Here we turned right across the bridge and headed for the presa (dam), where we saw Turtle Doves, heard more Bee-eaters, then more Goldfinches and Jackdaws, and in the trees - covering the small stream - there were hundreds upon hundreds of Cattle Egrets (on nests with their young), a few Glossy Ibis and one Little Egret. Nightingales could be heard, but only just, over the noise from the egret colony, and leaving the colony behind Cetti´s Warblers were the next bird heard.  A cock Pheasant strutted out from the right hand side of the track, saw us and scampered across to the left disappearing in the thick undergrowth.  More Turtle Doves were seen here and down by the next bridge as were Spanish Sparrows, a female Marsh Harrier and another two Pheasants.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

So over the second bridge - and heading towards the farm - a perched Buzzard was noted as was our only Black-shouldered Kite of the day.  At the farm itself, we saw more Turtle Doves and Spotless Starlings, and after passing through, a Booted Eagle was seen being harassed by a Common Kestrel.  The field to our right had been ploughed over and the trees all neatly trimmed - but not a bird to be seen.  The fields to our right were not a lot more productive although we did get a few Red-legged Partridges and watched the farmer himself trying to get two fighting bullocks from one field to another by throwing stones at them - he must have succeeded as they were 
gone on the way back.

Joining the inner road from Fascinas towards Benalup we found a small party of Spoonbills, a couple of squabbling Moorhens, Red-rumped Swallows, a Coot, more Glossy Ibis, then a Black Kite sailed over us, as did two very high Griffon Vultures and three White Storks and a Short-toed Eagle.

Spoonbills Platulaea leucorodia  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Tracing our route back nothing other than what we had already seen, but as we turned right to gain the main road again a Squacco Heron and a Calandra Lark were noted.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Having an early day today - even though we had been out seven hours, but some good, different birds for the trip ticklist.  I believe it is Zahara and Barbate tomorrow, so plenty of insect repellent.


What a fabulous day; can't wait to read the next instalment.

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

Tarifa AND Extremadura

Tuesday 9 June

Yes, you guessed, John and Jenny Wainwright are off on another birding expedition once again and I am feeling most jealous, especially coupled with the report I have just received from Pat and Eric Lyon regarding their few days up north in Exremadura (see end).  Between the two couples they seem to have recorded just about every iconic bird that you would wish to see out here in southern Spain.

Tarifa 8 June: Day 1

A very warm day with breezes at Tarifa

We started from home at about nine o'clock to join the autovia en route seeing Collared Doves, Spotless Starlings, House Sparrows and Blackbird.

We thought it would be cheaper taking the "piage autovia" as previous journeys had only cost us eleven euros from start to finish. A major mistake; the charges were up, due to tourism I was told, and were exorbitant, being nineteen euros and a few cents.  Anyhow, regardless of this it was a rather mundane journey down, as our usual coffee stop at km190 was closed and we had to go a good while until we found one.  But, while we were here we did catch a glance of a large raptor,         though too far for any id. 

Griffon Vultures Buitre Leonardo Gyps fulvus  at nest site (PHOTO: John & Jenny Wainwright)

As we left Tarifa for the hotel, wWe stopped in at km99.1 the Algorroba viewpoint.  We realised that we wouldn't get the numbers of birds coming across here as the major migration has finished.  We did however get hundreds of Griffon Vultures, two Lesser Kestrels, a Common Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and a couple of Black Kites.  In the trees and bushes we found Nightingales, Blackcaps, Sardinian Warbler, Goldfinches and Chiffchaffs, while above the Common Swifts were wheeling along with a few House Martins and Barn Swallows. 

After settling into the hotel we moved on to Bolonia.  Here we picked up White-rumped, Little and a few Common Swifts, also Blue Rock Thrush, more Griffon Vultures and one very shy Egyptian       Vulture which showed for about thirty seconds.  In the trees and bushes we found House Sparrows,   Sardinian Warblers, Goldfinches and Cirl Buntings.  Along at the beach we saw Yellow-legged and  Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  As we pulled into the site a Nuthatch was heard calling.

So back to the hotel for a few well earned beers.

Cirl Bunting Escribano Soteno Emberiza cirlus (PHOTO: John & Jenny Wainwright)

Extremadura with Pat and Eric Lyon

Just to let you know the birding was first class last week.  First day on our long walk (6 hrs!!) over fabulous heath and moorland awash with wild flowers and Ortolan Buntings, Dunnocks, Bluethroats - yes, three together in the bins !! - Black-eared and Northern Wheatears.  As we climbed onwards and upwards we saw Golden Eagle, Griffon - Egyptian - Black Vultures, Sparrowhawk, Hobby  and Merlin - and a great view of the Short Toed Eagle with a snake dangling !  Red and Black kites too of course.  

We came across a herd of Cabras - I counted 40 - and then just a little bit further a herd of about 12 males - their horns were very big - Jago likes to chase but we had him on the lead.

Second day, another high walk to the Laguna Grande fed by belting ice.  We had the Rufus-tailed Rock Thrush, as well as Blue Rock Thrush, and a Water Pipit,  As well as the other heathland birds already mentioned, on the way down we saw a couple with long lens cameras pointed towards the river and underneath an overhang we had a Dipper!  Just brilliant.  The couple were Dutch and keen birders having already been into Monfrague etc.






Third day walking the heath we had Tree Pipit, Spectacle and, Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat, Pied Flycatcher, Siskin, Citril Finch and Cuckoo.  At the end of our walking days we always had our cool beer at a camping bar alongside a river and under pine trees so of course we got a lot of woodland birds; best view ever of Short-toed Treecreeper, right in front of us,   






On the journey back we had the Black-shouldered Kite and the Hen Harriers, Bee-eaters - but sadly no Rollers.


Over the three days birding we had 78 species - well thrilled.






A good trip and the varied fauna and the birding made it memorable.  A long drive though.


Anyway, just had to do a bit of bragging !!









Good for you Pat and Eric.  You will certainly be encouraging others to follow in your footpaths! And the same can be said of John and Jenny as they start to unveil the wonders of Cadiz province.















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

Rio Velez, Torre del Mar

Monday 1 June

First day of the month and jenny needing a lift into Torre del Mar so what better way to start the birding month than take an hour's stroll down the Rio Velez.  Starting above the old railway bridge I was quickly greeted by both Blackbirds and Collared Doves and no sooner under way and there were regular sightings of Barn Swallows accompanied by continuous singing from the Nightingales below.  The real joy of this first stretch was to find a handsome Grey Wagtail arrive to feed in the clear, shallow water below.  A couple of the local Rock Doves put in appearance and then a small party of Serins.

The lovely Grey Wagtail Lavandera Cascadena Motacilla cinerea

Once beyond the road bridges on the track leading down tot he beach it was very evident how overgrown the riverbed had become; lots of lush, green shrubs and grasses so no real view of the riverbed for much of the time.  Similarly, the bamboo at the side of the track had put on a lot of growth so, often, no view at all of the riverbed.


No shortage of House Sparrows as Blackbirds continued to move back and forth across the river and then the arrival of a small flock of Spotless Starlings.  The Nightingales were still singing but also the occasional view of both Greenfinch and Goldfinch plus more Serins.  A Yellow Wagtail of the Iberian sub-species caught my eye to the left of the path as it searched the neighbouring field's new growth whilst overhead, in addition to the few Barn Swallows, a small number of Common Swifts were feeding.

Finally, I was joined by both singing Cetti's and Reed Warblers and the arrival of a small number of House Martins.  The last bird of the morning before setting off to collect Jenny was a Moorhen which finally came out from cover to swim across the narrow stretch of water below.


Birds seen:
Moorhen, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Nightingale, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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