Rio Velez, Totte del Mar

Monday 28 December

Not particularly early arriving at the Rio Velez on the western outskirts of Torre del Mar and parking in my usual place below the road bridge at the start of the track down to the sea.  As usual, greeted by both the resident Rock Doves and Moorhens along with numerous Goldfinches and Chiffchaffs hopping around the larger trees.  Then a meet with Nigel Smith, a long-distant member of the Axarquia Bird Group from Barnsley (and avid Sheffield United supported.  Well, someone has to show some pity for the poor old "Blades.") and presently holidaying in Nerja till the end of the week.  On his way home having arrived by day break, Nigel had recorded loads of Mediterranean Gull, the departure of the Cattle Egret roost and even seen a Wryneck, Kingfisher and Hoopoe so he was well-pleased.  Whilst we had a short chat a flock of about 80 Sky Larks was wheeling above the field being ploughed and more Chiffchaffs were busy feeding in he track-side hedges and bushes.  t the same time there was a constant calling from the local Cetti's Warblers and the first of a few Zitting Cisticolas flew over the track.

Zitting Cisticola Buitron Cisticola juncidis

And on the field to my left just the one, solitary Cattle Egret.  Amazing given that there were at least 200 roosting in the nearby reed-beds overnight.  Perhaps it brings to mind the alternative saying that it is the late bird that catches the worm!  Obviously, this chappy had had a lie-in recovering from a bad hang-over (New Year come early) or a night on the tiles and was the last to get up and get away and, in so doing, discovered the tractor ploughing the nearby field to reveal all sorts of edible goodies!

Departures made I carried on down tot he hide with its now restricted view but at least, unlike my last visit, I could actually see something of the river.  All that I saw from the hide were a number of Serins,Goldfinches and a Stonechat.  So back to the car with, now, the sun behind me and I managed to find a pair of skulking Mallards.  Then it was back to the hide in the car so that I could walk down to the beach.  Fortunately, not too many people about and I was able to pick up a Heron, Little Egret and a handful of Coots.  A number of White Wagtails and Moorhens were feeding/foraging around the rubbish deposited in the middle of the lagoon with a single Little Grebe just beyond and on the beach a single Sanderling and Kentish Plover.  Out at sea, resting on the calm waters, a number of Mediterranean, Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Mediterranean Gull gaviota Cabecinegra Larus melanocephalus

Making my way back to the hide I then recorded the only Monk Parakeet of the morning and spent no inconsiderable time scoping the distant feeding Crag Martins in the hope that I,too, might find the individual Barn Swallow previously seen by Nigel.  No such luck.  More Serins, Goldfinches, a Robin and House Sparrow plus very handsome male Back Redstart.  Also, well concealed in the vegetation nearer the river, at least a score or more of Mallards were taking their rest.

Green Sandpiper Andarrios Grande Tringa ochropus

Rather than drive straight back to Mezquitilla, I diverted under the bridge and lightly upstream to check out the clearer water.  Sitting quietly in the car under the trees I was able to watch the flock of bathing Spotless Starlings and then realised that they had been joined by a couple of their Norther or Common Starling cousins, obviously down here rather than be anywhere near the storms and tempests of north-west England!  Plenty of feeding White Wagtails near the water and Chiffchaffs in the trees immediately in front of me.  It was whilst watching the latter that I managed to see the Wryneck but, sadly, it just would not come out from the far side of the leaf-strewn branches.  Similarly, whist watching the Starlings of both varieties I saw the Green Sandpiper dash upstream and then reappear and wait to be photographed.  Also present was a single Meadow Pipit and a quartet of Sanderling who had obviously decide that this was to be the stretch of rive on which they would feed until further notice.  Another male Black Redstart before finally heading off home.

Two of the quartet of Sanderling Correlimos Tridactilo Calidris canutus at the Rio Velez

Birds seen:
Mallard, Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Green Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Monk Parakeet, Wryneck, Sky Lark, Crag Martin, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Zisticola, Chiffchaff, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch.

A couple of Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris (above) mixing with Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor (below)

Bathing time with a single Common Starling Estornino Pinto Sturnus vulgaris to the left

The ever-present Little Egret Garceta Comun Egretta garzetta

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

Christmas

25 December

 A very peaceful and joyous

Christmas to all readers

Bob Wright, family and friends

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.