Still searching for number 250

Early morning Stonechat Tarabilla Comun Saxicola torquatus

Tuesday 22 December


Really running out of time now as I try and find that elusive new species that will take my annual Spanish total to the magic (for me) 250 mark.  Yesterday I was up early and off in the dark so that I arrived, still with headlights on, in the fields above the Cacin valley in the hope of finding a Black-bellied Sandgrouse.  An hour spent in the cold morning searching without vain so that was one target bird missed.  Strange, and a first, when you think that the first bird seen during the day as a Southern Grey Shrike and I was see at least three others before returning home including the afternoon sighting up on the Sierra Loja.  I set out with four potential birds that might take me to the 250 mark; Brambling on fields near Huetor Tajar and, just maybe, a Redwing or Fieldfare up on top of the Sierra Loja.  I had been warned by Mick Richardson that whilst the local weather was turning much colder it was still probably not cold enough to bring in a possible wintering jack Snipe and he proved to be quite right.  Similarly, no Bramblings which was not surprising given the fact that there were also very few Chaffinches about and up on the Sierra Loja the berry harvest seemed to have been exhausted much earlier than last year so the only thrushes seen were an in individual male Blackbird and a Mistle Thrush.  That leaves a week to find any of the above plus a Hawfinch (no luck at Arroyo Marin last Sunday), a Tufted Duck (Where is there any fresh water?) or even a possible Common Scoter off the coast.

A lovely Kestrel Cernicalo Vulgar Falco tinnunculus catching the early morning sunshine

But there were other birds to be seen.  Apart form the early Southern Grey Shrike, the field area produced a small charm of Goldfinches and White Wagtails along with a Greenfinch, Kestrel basking in the early morning sunshine and a Hoopoe.  As I left the area not only did I pick up Crested Lark, Wood Pigeon and Collared Doves but also a good number of Jackdaws mixing with a lock of at least 50 Common Starlings, making a mockery of the handful of Spotless Starlings seen just round the corner!

The uncommon, for Spain, Common Starling Estornino Pinto Sturnus vulgaris

Then it was on to Huertor Tajar and a walk along the path at the far side of the town.  No sooner had I started and I almost tripped over the very close Bluethroat.  Again, this was to be the first of a quintet seen in the next hour or so but, as so often happens, I was carrying the tripod and scope rather than the camera.  No shortage of Black Redstarts, White Wagtails, House Sparrows and Stonechats but then I started to pick up a wider selection including a rather lovely Grey Wagtail, a single Meadow Pipit, the first of the Lapwings and a small flock of Tree Sparrows.  Onwards and then able to scope the wintering Stone Curlews who seemed to be lined up against a black water pipe.  One long line of Stone Curlews having a morning nap and it did strike me as if they were keeping themselves warm as the sun heated the, presumably, water in said pipe.  I estimated, including the sleeping birds on the sandy soil, to be about two hundred individuals present.

One of 200 sleepy Stone Curlews Alcaravan Comun Burhinus oedicnemus

A drive around the area produced a large flock of Lapwings and in the river a single Snipe along with yet another Bluethroat along with Chiffchaffs and Blackbirds.  A Cetti's Warbler was calling from cover and a walk to check out last year's Jack Snipe habitat found another Bluethroat and a Kingfisher at the small pool.  The final port of call was the Cacin river site which produced numerous Chiffchaffs, White Wagtails and then both a number of Meadow Pipits and fewer Water Pipits.  A number of Azure-winged Magpies were feeding in the area and Blackcaps and Sardinian Warblers were in the trees and hedges at the far end followed by a couple of Chaffinches as I searched in vain for the unsettled Little Bustards.  I ended up taking another look at the Stone Curlews form the opposite side and not the best for photographs given the sun's position.

A Rock Bunting Escribano Montesino Emberiza cia getting his feathers ruffled!

With the only chance of reaching the magic 250 being the wintering thrushes I made my way up the Sierra Loja with just the two stops; one to check out the main quarry where was still no sign of the breeding Eagle Owl (another species that I have missed this year) and then for a break fr lunch at the Charco del Negro.  All very quiet here as the mountain in general as apart from the Little Owl as I approached the electricity sub-station.  It took a long time to find the first Red-legged Partridge and at the top the only thrushes to be seen were, as reported earlier, the single Blackbird and Mistle Thrush.  I did find ore Stonechats and Black Redstarts and it was lovely to have a handful of Rock Buntings posing in the bush top to my left.  On the other hand, I did add a single Black Wheatear and a handful of Rock Sparrows to the day's list which just managed to reach the forty mark.  Finally, as the sun decided it was time to think about easing back for another day, a rather obliging Southern Grey Shrike posed, it seemed, indefinitely to my left enabling to take a few photographs.

Southern Grey Shrike Alcaudon Real Lanius meridionalis

Birds seen:
Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel, Stone Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Black Whatear, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush,  Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff,  Southern Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Jackdaw, Common Starling, Spotless Starling. House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Rock Bunting.

Other birds seen:

Kingfisher Martin Pescador Comun Alcedo atthis

Linnet Pardillo Comun Carduelis cannabina

Little Owl Mochuelo Comun Athene Noctua

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

In search of number 250

Sunday 20 December

The weather fine calm and the promise of more sun so I drove over to the Arroyo Marin near Archidona in the hope of finding a Hawfinch which would bring my 2015 Spanish species total up to my magic number of 250.  But, sadly. it was not to be.  Spotless Starlings, Collared Dove and White Wagtail as I entered the track down the arroyo and then the first of many Blackbirds seen during the couple of hours that I was present.  Next both Blue and Great Tits along with a regular supply of Robins but still not the target bird.  And the, nicely posed at the top of a bare tree what looked like the silhouette of the Hawfinch.  Camera up and firing away to make sure that I had a record followed by the use of my bins and a look at the taken photos to confirm that, rather than the target bird, it was a Crossbill.

Male Crossbill Piquituerto Comon Loxia curvirostra

Ah well, onwards and upwards as I walked both directions from the footbridge and added a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  On the other hand, a rather pleasant surprise at the far end of the track as I followed a pair of Chaffinches with my bins as they paused on a small bush opposite the car and revealed something else lurking within.  The Chaffinches were soon up and away but my mystery bird gradually exited from the centre of the thick bust to reveal itself as a rather lovely "Jenny" Wren.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Pico Picapinos  Dendrocopos major

My return journey took me via Salar where I was able to call in and see John and Jenny Wainwright to wish them festive greetings and, more importantly, check how Jenny was recovering following her car episode last week.  Unlike James Bond, jenny was both shaken and stirred but with John's care and attention I think she will be fine soon and out and about again ticking off those birds.  Also added as I crossed the arable fields approaching the "MagpieWoods" near Ventas de Zafarraya were both Magpies, Common and Azure-winged, a Tree Sparrow, small flock of Linnets, Stonechats and at least a quartet of Mistle Thrushes.  Lots of Chaffinches about but again, alas, no sign of any accompanying Brambling.  That just leaves ten days to find my "missing" bird; will I or won't I succeed before the year's end?
 
Birds seen:
Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, White Wagtail, Wren. Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Linnet, Crossbill.

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

Axarquia Bird Group visit to Fuente de Piedra

Thursday 17 December

First we counted a hundred, then another hundred and finally over 800 Cranes Grus grus

The last meeting of the year for the Axarquia Bird Group and just the nine of us at Fuente de Piedra in search of the wintering Cranes.  A lovely calm and sunny day, somewhat cool when we met in the Visitors car park  at 9.30 but becoming increasingly warmer as the morning progressed.  I have never seen Fuente as dry as it was today and, other than the barely damp area on the main laguna (as was!) and just one very small, shallow area of water which held the 200+ Flamingos, one could have been forgiven for thinking that we were visiting the "Badlands" of Arizona so dry and barren looked the site. But despite the arid conditions we managed to record almost 50 species before most of us retired to the village for a (disappointing) menu del dia - and even then he had a White Stork drift immediately overhead as we sat outside n our shirts sleeves, just a week short of Christmas Day.


Arriving with Jenny, and putting up a Hoopoe that was feeding alongside the entrance road, just after Mick Richardson we were immediately greeted by an overflying Raven whilst on the field housing the "Kestrel Tower" a large roost of Lesser Black-backed Gulls was observed along with the feeding Jackdaws and Lapwings. Soon we were joined by both Marcus and Liz Rootes along with Steve and Elena Powell and we made our way up to the mirador in front of the Visitors Centre where we had the exposed dry expanse of nothing in front of us.  As stated above, the Flamingos were on a large group to the left and also nearby a similar number of Black-headed Gulls.  Also present just a few Mallard and a dozen or so Shelduck making the most of what little water was present. Below us the constant movement of a few passerines including Robin, Sardinian Warbler and Blackcap plus the first of the Black Restarts and Stonechats.  Chiffchaffs above us in the trees and just the suspicion that there might even have also been a Firecrest and then Jenny returned form her wander round the back having found both Goldfinches and Serins.


Both the latter were found as we made our way round to the laguneta having now been joined by Eric and Pat Lyon and here we did find a good depth of water with the accompanying Little Grebes, Mallards, Shovelers, Pochards and Teal.  Even a couple of Snipe feeding at the edge of the largest island and a number of Coots and Moorhens.  Above and around us the constant movement of Jackdaws, Spotless Starlings and the local Rock Doves.

Walking back along the lower level and over the causeway before reaching our cars we recorded numerous Blackbird, Greenfinches, Corn Buntings and White Wagtails along with more Black Redstarts and Stonechats.  Cetti's Warblers had been heard so we were now ready to start our circuit of the laguna.  In addition, we also managed to find a pair of Great Tits and Spanish Sparrows and whereas Mick and a couple also managed to see the only Marsh Harrier of the morning, most of us pondered over the pair of very distant resting large raptors that were almost certainly Golden Eagles rather than Spanish Imperials.


Both a Kestrel and a handful of Red-legged Partridges before stopping just short of the Mirador de Cantarrannas produced a rather lovely Black-shouldered Kite and a Buzzard.  Not just a few Thekla Larks in the field to our right but a flypast of a small flock of Sky Larks which had left a handful of Calandra Larks behind them on the other side of the road.  The stop to look out from the mirador itself only served to confirm how arid was the laguna albeit the sun on the damp area did produce a most beautiful reflection of Fuente de Piedra.  And then , to the far right,the sight of our first Cranes as a flight of about a dozen birds could just be made out in the far distance.  So where were the Cranes?

Moving on to the back of the laguna we certainly found our target birds with at least 800 individual Cranes feeding on the harrowed fields to our right.  What a magnificent sight, especially when individuals took to the air; always a wonderful sight.

Cranes Grus grus spread out in rows as above were a sight to see at the rear of the Fuente de Piedra laguna

And so on round to complete the circuit but without finding any Stone Curlews.  We did have more Corn Buntings, Black Redstarts and a second Black-shouldered Kite along with Thekla Larks and a Kestrel.  A single Cormorant flew away from us and, as already mentioned, we finished the day with the White Stork flying over the village itself.  What a lovely day day with lovely company and a very peaceful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year to all the members of the Axarquia Bird Group and readers.


Birds seen:
Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Cormorant, White Stork, Flamingo, Black-shouldered Kite, Golden Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Crane, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Calandra Lark, Thekla Lark, Sky Lark, White Wagtail, Robin, Back Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Jackdaw, raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting.

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

Guadalhorce, Malaga

Monday 14 December

Off to Malaga this morning to change the address on my car tax and what a wasted journey that proved to be!  So, with a little time to spare and the sun trying to shine on a very calm day I came home via a couple of hours down at the Guadalhorce where, first of all, I checked out the lower end of the western canal where the water was now running freely into the sea and the sea itself for any sign of gulls etc.  Then it was back to the main entrance where I spent just under an hour taking in the main Laguna Grande before walking back with a short deviation to the Laguna Escondida.

Approaching the river mouth I had a number of Spotless Starlings and the occasional Blackbird and then a small flock of Serin feeding on the bank.  A friendly Monk Parakeet came to feed on seeds almost at my feet whilst the rest of his motley crew screamed and dashed around overhead.  Cetti's Warblers were calling and a Sardinian Warbler dashed for cover into a nearby bush.  Below me a single female Black Redstart was foraging away whilst a solitary Heron rested on the opposite bank.  At this point very few House Sparrows and just a couple of Crag Martins feeding overhead.  Out at sea the  occasional Cormorant and distant Lesser Back-backed Gulls with a few Black-headed Gulls nearer the port.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Crossing the footbridge I noticed that a few of the resident Rock Doves were roosting in their usual place under the motorway bridge and a Moorhen crossed the river.  A couple of good-sized charms of Goldfinches were feeding on the abundant seeds in the nearby meadow.  The it was on to the Laguna Grande passing a small number of Shoveler in the river approach plus a considerable number of feeding Goldfinch.  Strange to see a small roost of Collared Doves at the base of a distant tree and then to the hide itself to observe the laguna.   Certainly no shortage of Cormorants with over seventy in residence along with about a dozen Heron.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

On the water a few Mallard and Shoveler but also a couple of White-headed Ducks along with about a dozen Coots.  At the far side many Little Grebes and a trio of Black-necked Grebes whilst in the tall trees at the back I found both a Marsh Harrier and a Booted Eagle.  However, much closer and to my left a second Booted Eagle posed very  well.  Below me a Chiffchaff was well occupied and a good number of Crag Martins were feeding above the water.  Once the Marsh Harrier had taken to the air over the far side of the laguna she disturbed the, till then, hidden waders so revealing a Redshank and a a quartet of Marsh Sandpipers which took shelter on the small, distant island to the right.

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

Walking to the Escondida I had a White Wagtail for company on the track and looking back at the man water I could see that there were now two Marsh Harriers in the air, a magnificent female and juvenile.  Arriving at the small laguna most of the birds were at the far end including a large number of Gadwall and a handful of Teal.  More Moorhens and Coots but just the one pair of Mallards.  A male Stonechat posed in a bush to my left and more Goldfinches arrived to feed in the nearby weeds.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Job done and time to get home and as I left the hide and looked up i was in time to see the local Osprey returning to the main laguna.  The last bird recorded was a single Robin as I approached the track back down to the road and my car.

Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Moorhen, Coot, Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Crag Martin, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cettis Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch

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

Charca de Suarez

Sunday 13 December

A very busy week ahead of me today promising to be the best day in the coming week I took off for a couple of hours at the Charca de Suarez in Motril where David Jefferson and Mick Richardson had record a Spotted Crake yesterday.  Approaching I had Spotless Starlings and Collared Doves along with a large number of Cattle Egrets following the tractor as it ploughed a roadside field.   A few Rock Doves put in an appearance and a lone Hoopoe sat in the road and refused to move until I was within a whisker, or feather, f it.  Presumably joining in the festive spirit and playing "Chicken!"

White Wagtail Motacilla alba

Leaving the new laguna till the end I headed straight to the Laguna del Teraje where I soon found scores of Chiffchaff and a couple of Kingfishers.  Also present were many White Wagtails, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard.  Whilst a Stonechat posed in the opposite reeds, Blackbirds flew across and there was the constant calling of Cetti's Warblers. A couple of Crag Martins dropped down to feed over the water and then a single Little Grebe.

Scores of Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita to be seen everywhere

Moving on to the main hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas, passing a female Black Redstart on the way,  I was soon aware of the large number of Crag Martins present and in addition to the Mallards this water produced both Shoveler and Pochard plus a single Ferruginous Duck.  Lots of Coots and Moorhens but just the one Purple Swamphen.  Little Grebes a plenty along with about a dozen Cormorant and one Grey Heron.  Again, more Chffchaffs and White Wagtails.

One of the two Snipe Gallinago gallinago on show at the Charca de Suarez

A quick visit to the Laguna del Trebol produced more of the same but also Red-knobbed Coot and a female Reed Bunting before I head back seeing both Robin and Great Tit towards the new hide overlooking the Laguna del Alamo Blanco where the reed growth looked very lush.  Here the resident ducks numbered a dozen Teal along with a couple of Snipe.  Very few small birds but I did pick up a Zitting Cisiticola.  A single Little Egret dropped in for a few minutes before departing across the reserve and a Yellow-legged Gull made its noisy way overhead.

A fine pair of Teal Anas crecca

My homeward journey took me down "Turtle Dove Alley" where, much to my surprise, I found a Wryneck along with House Sparrows and Goldfinches.   Finally, in a detour to the reserve at Padul where my woodside trail took me to the lake, I managed to record more Mallard, Shoveler and Cormorant before coming across a Southern Grey Shrike and Kestrel.

The Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis on sentinal duty

Birds seen:
Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Rock Dove, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Crag Martin, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldinch, Reed Bunting.

Another gorgeous Little Egret  Egretta garzetta

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

Sierra south of Ronda

Saturday 12 December

On airport duty so unable to attend this month's Andalucia Bird Society field visit to the Serrania de Ronda but was able to meet up with members afterwards when I attended the committee meeting in Juancar, the "Blue Village" in the middle of no-where.

A rather lovely, if lonely, Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Having dropped my son off at Malaga for his return flight to Bristol I made my way, passing a Cormorant flying into the Guadalhorce, to the Parador in the hope of seeing the one remaining Superb Starling named "Pepe" by the locals.  White Wagtails, Monk Parakeets, Collared Doves and Spotless Starlings but no Pepe.  I later learnt that he died back in July so our only site, as far as I know, in Europe to see this beautiful bird is now gone.  Carrying on along the coast my next stop was the lighthouse at Fuengirola where, all being well, I might pick up the Purple Sandpiper.  Again, out of luck but this time I added about a dozen Turnstones, a handful of Sanderling, single Black Redstart and Ringed Plover and a very small flock of Serin.  There was also a single Little Egret feeding in the shallows and a trio of Audouin's Gulls resting on a large rock just off the shore.  Out at sea, but relatively close to the shoreline, both a Lesser Black-backed Gull and adult Gannet passed eastwards.

Turnstone Arenaria intrpres with Sanderling Calidris alba

My final stop was up in the mountains above Ojen at the Refugio de  Jaunar where I hopped to find my third target bird of the day, the Bullfinch.  Again, much searching during which I saw Blackbird, Robin and Great Tit but the Bullfinch was proving most elusive until I heard two individuals whilst walking the valley trail.  The only thing I can say is that one out of three is better than none out of three - just!

Sanderling Calidris alba

Passing a Raven as I climbed higher and higher and then, just a couple of kilometres away from my destination at Juancar, I cam across a few of the members checking out a high peak and neighbouring fields where, I too, recorded Griffon Vulture, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Choughs and Thekla Lark, before continuing onwards to the village where I also picked up a Blue Tit and , needless to say, a number of House Sparrows.  On the other hand, not best pleased to hear that during the morning the group had found Brambling, Hawfinch, Redwing and Fieldfare, all four of which could have been added to my year list!

If you fish in the surf it can make a mess of your hair!

Birds seen:
Gannet, Cormorant, Little Egret,Griffon Vulture, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Turnstone, Audouin's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chough, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Bullfinch.

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

Barbate and La Janda

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

Wednesday 9 December

Whether it was the thought of Lesser Crested Terns at Los Lances or the possibility of catching up with the visiting lesser Spotted Eagle at La Janda whilst the dry weather continued I do not know but certainly Derek and Barbara Etherton decided to make the most of the opportunity and took themselves off down to Cadiz Province on Sunday rather than stay at home and enjoy the holiday-making Spaniards as they enjoyed Constitution day.  They even managed to get a room at their favourite hotel and then enjoyed a second visit to La Janda on Monday morning having enjoyed the birds of Barbate on the Sunday.  And judging by Derek's report that follows they certainly had some very good birds if not the two I identified above.  Bur then again, who can argue against half a century of Stone Curlews, hundreds of Cranes, loads of Common Kestrels and those delightful Marsh and Hen Harriers found at La Janda?  All the photographs are by and courtesy of Derek Etherton

Sunday & Monday, 6 & 7 December: Tarifa area, Cadiz including Barbate and La Janda

Leaving early on Sunday we clocked up Little Owl, Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Blackbird, White Wagtail & Sparrowhawk whilst travelling on the motorway.  First stop was at Apollo 11 for coffee before heading to Barbate, a favourite place for us.  A handful of Auduoin's Gulls were joined by a single Yellow Legged, plenty of Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Kentish Plover were busy feeding, mixed among them were Redshank and Black Winged Stilt.  A couple of Cormorants lurked with Grey Heron across the first pool along with a solitary Greenshank.  Crag Martins, Meadow pipits, Spotless Starlings, House & Spanish Sparrows joined Crested & Lesser Short Toed Larks feeding on the ground.

Moving up a little Mallard, Little and Cattle Egret, a group of 6 Spoonbill were spied and panning the 'scope round a Kingfisher was found.  A little further up the Stone Curlews were located closer to the bank than normal, and in greater numbers, 53 counted by us bur probably more camouflaged.  On the waters edge a couple of Grey Plovers and a single Curlew Sandpiper were in the same 'scope view as the Stone Curlews.  A distance away a couple of Griffon Vultures were wheeling around and then, from nowhere, an Osprey appeared, but stayed down the far end from us.  

What a lot of Stone Curlews Burhinus oedicnemus to be seen at Barbate

Lunching half way along the track we were to view a solo Barn Swallow, Linnets, Serins, Goldfinches and a Sardinian Warbler, the Corn Bunting turned up later.  Of course several Stonechats were posing in their normal manner.

Very little new was to be spied at the top end except for Calandra Larks in the nearby fields and so we drove back down to move onto the bridge area.  En route back down a Raven and a couple of Lesser Black Backed Gulls had arrived along with 3 Bald Ibis.  Deciding to go via the horse and cow fields on the way back to the road we counted a total of 9 of this 'ugly' bird - well their mothers must love them.

Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis

At bridge area we added Curlew, a smashing Marsh Sandpiper and some more Grey Plovers, other than that it was just more Kentish and Ringed Plovers.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

So around to La Janda and driving in the 'back' way.  Plenty of Marsh Harriers, male & female, hundreds of Common Crane, more Corn Buntings and Stonechats.  Dozens, yes dozens, of Common Kestrel and of course White Storks.  It took a good hour to record our first Hen Harrier, female, and even longer for a male.  No sign of a Black Winged [or shouldered if you like] Kite but plenty of Egrets, Cattle, Little and a couple of Great White.  Both Pheasant & Red Legged Partridge were on the track, some Zitting Cisticolas braved the windy conditions. A Robin viewed and 'ticked' at us whilst we watched Jackdaws and Wood Pigeons.

Many feeding opportunities for the Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis

Driving out past the rice field stubble we saw several more Harriers, countless White Storks, Cranes, Cattle Egrets and Grey Herons, but the funniest was watching, by accident, some Purple Swamphens with their bottoms and legs up and busy feeding in the stubble.

When a White Stork Ciconia ciconia needs to stretch, it has to stretch

So back to the hotel to be greeted with a Tawny Owl calling outside our room.

Female Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Day 2 dawned and our plan after breakfast was to bird La Janda the normal way and exit at Benalup, travel the A2226 to the Jerez - Algeciras road.  But first of all we called into Los Lances to see what was about. Auduoin's Gulls, Sandwich Terns, a solitary Greater Flamingo and a Curlew were close to the hide.  Many Sanderling and Ringed Plover scampered about and another Grey Plover lurked in the reeds in front of the hide.  Each side of the boardwalk had Goldfinch, House and the odd Spanish Sparrow.  Meadow pipits, Crested Larks and Chiffchaffs were plenty.  

Plenty of Common Cranes Grus grus at La Janda

Driving on to La Janda they were busy ploughing the field to the left of the track, much to the delight of several hundred Cattle Egret following the tractor and the many, literally hundreds of Sparrows mainly Spanish, the Serins, Corn Buntings and Linnets were also not to be outdone.  A little further down Jackdaws, Lapwings, White Storks and Common Cranes kept a little distance from the ploughing activity.  A couple of Common Buzzards were noticeable engaged in arguments with Marsh Harriers.  Most of yesterdays birds were present but we managed to add a single Green Sandpiper, and a close Marsh Sandpiper amongst the draining fields. Past the 'smelly' farm with the usual close by Red Legged Partridge and Pheasant we viewed a male & female Hen harrier busy searching the fields.  Further on past the farm 2 Little Owls were found a fair distance from the track but looking stunning in the morning sunlight.   Even further on we found the first of 2 Black Winged Kites that performed for us, even managing a distant photo of one.  Plenty of Common Kestrels here along with more Jackdaws, a single Raven and Moorhens in the wet fields.  The little water on the left produced Purple Swamphen and Spoonbills and an odd Coot.

Can you spot the pair of Little Owls Athene noctua?

I forgot the lovely view of the Water Pipit at Barbate, I'll put it down to being age related!

Still some Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia to be found at Barbate

Sounds like a fabulous week-end and then back home in time to find all the shops shut on the morrow and the day looking more like a Sunday as the local bank holiday continued!

A very small group of the hundreds of White Storks Ciconia ciconia at La Janda along with a few Grey Herons Ardea cinerea feeding on the recently harvested rice crop

 

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