Valencia to Santander via Gallocanta

Common Crane Grus grus

 Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 February

Time to start out on the long drive back home, leaving our son in Lliria to tale the road into Valencia and then north-west from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic coast in Santander where our ferry back to Portsmouth awaited us. Given that most of he journey would be completed on the Tuesday, our lunch break was calculated to have us near the Laguna de Gallocanta where, all being well, we would encounter some Cranes.  And indeed it did!

Another cool and cloudy start to the day as we said goodbye to the local Collared Doves, Magpies and our friendly male Black Redstart with no other birds until we were on the A23 from Valencia.  Birds only came occasionally and mainly Magpies and Carrion Crows but not before our first bird on this motorway which was a splendid Iberian Grey Shrike posed atop a small tree next to the carriageway. Having added both Spotless Starling and a Woodpigeon our first raptor was a Buzzard and, not long after, the first Red Kite of the day.  Approaching the turn off to Gallocanta we added a Kestrel and a Raven along with a few Crested Larks.

Overlooking the western end of Laguna Gallocanta

Approaching the laguna itself we first saw hundreds in the sky and then a massed flock of Cranes feeding on the fields to our left.  Our conservative estimate was over 500 individuals and arriving at the Visitors Centre we were informed that the "official" count undertaken two days previously recorded 6,400!  Lots of watching and use of the camera before moving on where we found hundreds more at the other end of the water.  Also at this site more Crested Larks and White Wagtails along with Chaffinch. Leaving the area to resume our journey north-west to our overnight stop at Haro we were delighted to add a pair of Red-legged Partridges.

Hundreds of Cranes Grus grus overhead

North of Zaragosa and crossing the sierras produced both Griffon Vultures and a Booted Eagle as well as more Buzzards.  Naturally, more Collared Doves and a Blackbird as we approached our destination.

The final three hours of our drive to Santander the following morning recorded more Carrion Crows plus a Marsh Harrier and a Kestrel, and then crossing the Ebro both Little Egret and Heron. Whilst awaiting to embark our ferry we saw many Black-headed along  with a dew Yellow-legged Gulls.

And some refused to fly with the masses!

Birds seen:

Red-legged Partridge, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Griffon Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Kestrel, Crane, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Crested Lark, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Iberian Grey Shrike, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Cranes Grus grus less than 30 metres away and quite happy

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Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 15 February

Whilst I was driving the final part of journey from Haro in Rioja province to the ferry port at Santander in cool, cloudy weather, Dave and his Arboleas Birding Group were off south to explore the lovely Cabo de Gata once again.  Sad to see that they has little in return for their journey, especially as we recorded twenty species on the total drive from Valencia to Santander, plus some lovely birds at a short stop at the Laguna de Gallocanta, 50km south-west of Zaragosa. (see separate report).  But, there again, those lovely Trumpeter Finches which managed to escape me last year and which are always a joy to see.  And the Golden Plover must have been a very pleasant addition.  Let's hope for better luck next week and maybe, also, much improved weather!

Trumpeter Finches Bucanetes githagineus

Cabo de Gata & Rambla Morales:

Wednesday 15th February

The initial plan this week was to go to the Sierra de Maria, but checking the weather forecast I saw there was a 65% chance of rain whereas Cabo de Gata had a 20% chance.  Hence I headed south, picking up Juda at Los Gallardos.  There were some spots of rain on the way but nothing to deter us. Coming off the motorway we saw the first birds for the list, a small flock of Jackdaw.  We added Collared Dove, Spotless Starling, Magpie and Yellow-legged Gull before we arrived at the first hide car park. Trevor was already there and Peter S followed us in.

There was a bitterly cold and gusty north easterly wind which stayed with us all morning.  Scanning the water in front of us didn't warm our cockles.  The water level was high so there were no sandy shores or mud flats.  The rocky causeway only contained two Mallard who were later joined by a pair of Yellow-legged Gulls.  I spotted a Grey Heron hunkered down adjacent to an island to our left.  Down the left hand shrub line I found a Black-winged Stilt.  From here we could see no Greater Flamingos.

We adjourned for a refreshing cup of coffee in Cabo village, seeing House Sparrows as we slurped.  We then made our way to the second hide.  A seawatch proved negative.  The walk to the hide, against the wind, also didn't produce any birds.  There was no sign of any Stone Curlews in their usual place to the left.  We saw some more Yellow-legged Gulls and some Thekla Larks.  Far to the right in a distant salina I saw a huddled group of Greater Flamingos.  15 adults and 2 juveniles.  Peter then spotted a large flight of more Greater Flamingos coming in off the sea from the direction of Roquetas.  A check later of the photo I took, there appeared to be about 45 individuals, mostly adults.

We moved on to the public hide where Peter found some Black-winged Stilts and a pair of Shelduck. There was nothing on the track to the church.  As we drove back towards Cabo village I spotted a small flock of Greenfinch.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Just after the start of the beachside track to Rambla Morales, near the cafe, I spotted some Trumpeter Finches flitting about in the low shrubs.  We got out of the vehicles for a better look.  There were about 12.  Out to sea was an adult Gannet quite close in.  Further along we found a group of Spotless Starlings feeding.  With them were 9 Golden Plover.  As I was photographing them a small flock of brown birds landed in front of them.  A check of the picture later revealed some Skylark and another Trumpeter Finch.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

There was nothing at the estuary apart from white foam. Peter spotted a Coot.  At the hump he found a solitary Black-tailed Godwit.  Also seen were some Greater Flamingos and Mallard. 

Flight of Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus

We ended up with 21 species, probably the lowest total we'd seen there.  It was however good to be out and about despite being cold!  Our last highlight was seen as we entered Pujaire village.  An adult Wild Boar standing by the side of the road.  Unfortunately traffic prevented me from stopping for a photocall! 

Regards, Dave

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Marjal dels Moros, Valencia

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Saturday 11 February

Staying in Lliria, ten mike north-west of Valencia, with my youngest son and family so, at last, a chance to explore a local birding site thanks to some great research by my friend Chris Bell back in Worksop.  Only forty-five minutes away, the Marjal dels Moros reserve is huge reedbed with many lagoons and hidden pools on the coast about seven mile north of Valencia.  The day was completely calm albeit lots of white fluffy clouds with occasional blue breaks. so well wrapped up in many layers to keep out the cold.

Marjal dels Moros reserve looking east (away from coast)

No sooner had I arrived and walked through the entrance gap than I was presented with scores of feeding Crag Martins swirling about above me and numerous Chiffchaffs feeding in the reeds to my side. By the end of my 6 1/2 km anti-clockwise walk around the reserve in just under four hours than I had estimated both species to be well into the hundreds.  And once reaching the main pools the number of resting Shoveler topped both with a calculated 160 individuals.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

On the first lagoon I also found both Teal and Mallard along with a quartet of Cormorant. The first of three White Wagtails put in an appearance followed by a Coot. Then, at the back of the water, my first Purple Swamphen fiddling around at the reed base.  I was later to see three more Swamphens and many more Coot.

Mainly Shoveler Anas clypeata with a few Teal Anas crecca

Leaving the water I noticed my first Robin and then at the second lagoon a whole host of ducks.  Mainly Shoveler but also scores of Teal along with about a score of Common and almost as many Red-crested Pochard, a few Mallard and a Gadwall.  Just in front of me a couple of sleeping male White-headed Ducks but before departing more appeared out of the reeds totalling four males and two females.  A Little Grebe was busy feeding and behind me on the scrubland the first of eight Stonechat to be recorded.

Four male and two female White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucosphala

However, this particular hide, the second, remained focused in my mind as the site where, within five metres of the entrance, a female Cirl Bunting landed on the verge immediately in front of me.  With the camera still inside its bag within the rucksack on my back, it was a case of telescope down and bins up to take in its pristine condition; what a gorgeous bird and certainly my "Bird of the Visit."

Meanwhile, a Grey Heron flew over and away to the nearby coast and I moved on to the second hide overlooking this water and found a trio of Black-winged Stilts along with another Purple Swamphen. Way off to the left a Gadwall moved into sight and a Cetti's Warbler let forth with its raucous call.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Continuing on I came across a Zitting Cisticola before the next tower hide overlooking a water that seemed to consist of purely Mallards and a single Purple Swamphen other than the obligatory Crag Martins. But then  change in direction led to a small elevation enabling me to look over the trees and scrub below.  It was here that I saw both the Booted Eagles and Marsh Harrier and a Magpie flew over the area.  As I moved on both a Buzzard and a Kestrel. and then looking down a  another track I was somewhat amazed to see, at about thirty metres, a Kingfisher resting high in a small tree. 

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus

A single Chaffinch moving towards the last big hide where it seemed to be the turn of the Gadwalls to take centre stage.  As I departed a couple of Little Egrets flew in and landed, one in the reeds and the other on the track itself.  Finally, as I gradually made my way back to the car and starting point, a stop at the final hide which produced a couple of Grey Herons and more Teal and Mallards.  Approaching the car I recorded both House Sparrows and Woodpigeon and at the car itself a small charm of five Goldfinches were in the adjacent trees.  And just to finish off the day, as I moved away I noted both Spotless Starlings and a Collared Dove on the wires at the side of the road.

Male and female Teal Anas crecca

Birds seen:

Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Crag Martin, White Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Cirl Bunting.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

Male Gadwall Anas strepera

Female Teal Anas crecca

White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucosphala

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus

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Avalon Marshes, Somerset Levels

 Wednesday 1 February

Glastonbury Tor seen from Ham Wall

A lovely, sunny start to the day as I departed Sand Bay for the Avalon Marshes on the Somerset Levels.  First stop, arriving before 10 o'clock, was the RSPB reserve at Ham Wall. Suitably dressed with boots to cater for the potential muddy tracks was the feeding station which produced both Great and Blue Tits along with Robin, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch and Blackbird. Then off to follow an anti-clockwise circuit of he reserve including all adjacent pools and tracks leading to hides. Starlings and Magpies as I started and at the first watch point immediately recorded Mute Swan and an assorted of ducks including Mallard, Teal, Wigeon plus a couple of Cormorant and a flypast of a small flock of Lapwing.

Blue Tit Parus caerulus

A little further on I stopped at the first hide and screens overlooking the pools on my right.  Most obvious of sightings was the lovely Great White Egret and a visiting Glossy Ibis.  Also present more of the already seen ducks plus both Moorhen and Little Grebe.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Continuing on down to Viewing Point 2 I had a view of many resting Teal and Lapwing whilst in the distance at least four quartering Marsh Harriers including a magnificent distant male. Walking these paths it was obvious that the smaller birds were used to being fed by visitors to the site as every time you stopped within seconds at least one Robin would be as near to you as possible.. Even the Great Tits were visitor friendly and I suspect given the appropriate food the Robins would feed from your hand.  In the nearby trees both a small number of Goldfinch and a handful of Long-tailed Tits. The occasional Dunnock along with Reed Bunting would regularly put in an appearance.

Record shot of distant male Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

In addition to the many Wigeon and Shoveler the final pool also held a number of Pochard. And walking back to the car park I recorded Blackbird and Heron along with a couple of Carrion Crows.

Leaving the site I crossed the road to enter the Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve. A Mute Swan on the canal and reaching the Tower Hide I was bale to get an aerial view of the large pool on my right.  Very many Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Teal plus a number of Mallard. But at this time, no matter how I looked at every Wigeon in sight, I could not find the reported American Wigeon that arrived last week. In the distance more Marsh Harriers and a couple of Carrion Crows. Nearer to me, the charm of 40 Goldfinches had settled into the tree on the other side of the canal.

            Mainly Wigeon Anas penelope with Gadwall A.strepera and Shoveler A.clypeata

Continuing on down to the bridge over the canal I took the track to my left to visit the next two hides.  On the way to the first a Great White Egret was resting in the stream to my right and a number of Mute Swans could be seen further off in the same direction.  By now the sun had gone and the wind grew stronger by the hour but, at least, it remained dry. Nothing extra to be seen so made my way across to the neighbouring hide and was rewarded by a visiting Great Spotted Woodpecker.  Nothing else from that hide so back to the can and across to the small spinney on the other side,  A Blackbird seen as I entered the trees and at least a little temporary shelter from the now strong, cold breeze.

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Time to head back to the car park and seek ventures new coming across a Heron on the way.  Stopping to check the original pool once again, a passing couple of local birders asked if I'd seen the American Wigeon to which I replied in the negative.  They had seen the bird, with scope, from the Tower Hide and directed me towards the dam bank in front.  Evidently this had been where they had first seen the bird last week and were able to point me in the right direction.  The bird was close to the shore and not so far away but well concealed by both vegetation and boulders.  Finally, the green head of the bird was seen and, as I watched, the bird slightly raised its head and turned so presenting the white stripe across the crown to view.  Sadly, very difficult to get a clear photograph of the bird but if you screw your eyes up you can just about make out the head of the American Wigeon in the photograph.  Leaving the site to cross back into the Ham Wall car park I noticed the Jackdaw sitting atop a nearby pole.

American Wigeon Anas americana.   Look immediately right of the male Wigeon Anas penelope and you can just make out the green head almost next to the upright post.

My final, short, visit of the day was to the relatively nearby Catcutt Reserve. Collared Dove, Herring Gull and Kestrel as I approached the site and once parked up a couple of Great White Egrets in the company of a single Little Egret. A walk to the nearest hide produced a Blackbird on the way and outside the building a handful of feeding Long-tailed Tits. Frome the hide a view across the flooded meadow to the single Mute Swan and a flock of 58 Canada Geese.  Further away to my extreme right a trio of Greylag Geese and a Robin as I walked back to the car.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Leaving the site to start my homeward journey a Heron, Buzzard and a large flock of Starlings. Not just a couple of Woodpigeon but in the first farmed field a very large flock of Rooks. A very rewarding day with over 40 species recorded and the weather improving as I journeyed back.

Male Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Wigeon, European Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis

Great Tit Parus major

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Common Pochard Aythya ferina

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

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Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa

 Wednesday 1 February

So everybody out birding in the first day of the month and the first House Martin of the year already back in Andalucia thanks o the sharp-eyed members of the Arboleas Birding Group.  Lots of familiar friends recorded on the list and my special of the day was an American Wigeon on Somerset Levels at the Shapwick Heath reserve.  Set off for Santander this Friday evening for ten days with son in Valencia so how many Spanish birds can I record in the short time?  No doubt I'll be able to compare when I see the Arboleas report for next week.

Rambla de Almanzora & Vera Playa  Wednesday 1st February

It was a cold morning when I set off from home, thinking how stupid I was to be wearing shorts!  I picked Juda up from the La Alfoquia petrol station as there's major roadworks on the E15/A7 southbound.  We made our way to the ramble de Almanzora, joining it at the Desert Springs golf complex end.  There was actually a small amount of water present albeit only large puddles which hadn't attracted any birds.  A couple of Magpies flew over and some Starling flocks were seen.  Getting nearer to the ford crossing I found a group of 4 Teal on a larger puddle.  The ford pond didn't have any birds that I could see but I did hear a Cetti's Warbler.  Juda saw a Moorhen to the right.

Peter, Richard, Kevin, Val and Trevor joined us as did a new member, Peter S.  Richard had seen a Black Redstart and a Yellow-l Legged Gull.  A group of Shoveler flew into the ford.  Also seen were Woodpigeon and White Wagtail.  As we were about to leave for the beach Richard saw a Stonechat.

Val had already arrived at the beach and had logged Mediterranean Gull, Turnstone, Sanderling and Cormorant.  Some House Sparrows were flitting about.  Kevin and I were searching out to sea in an attempt to see a Gannet.  I said, " We need John here to find one".  Within seconds I found one.  How eyrie is that?

We drove round to the far side of the estuary.  The sun was a problem, but we managed to see Mallard, 4 Shelduck, Little Egret and Black Headed Gull.  Kevin found some Sandwich Terns and an Audouin's Gull on the beach.  Peter S saw a Little Grebe while the other Peter logged a Grey Heron.  Also seen were Chiffchaff and Little Stint.

After a refreshing coffee in Villaricos village where Kevin added a Collared Dove, we made our way to the dual carriageway opposite the Consum supermarket behind Vera Playa.  In the water shrub area to the right I counted 42 Moorhen.  We could see a number of Greater Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts, Shovelers and the odd Teal.  There were numerous Crag Martins flying around.  Both Kevin and I thought we'd glimpsed a House Martin which we confirmed later on.  Also seen were Shelduck, Coot, Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers and 5 Little Stints.  Kevin then found a pair of Ruff (or should that be a Ruff and a Reeve?)

Common Coot (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

We moved round to the elevated viewing platform opposite the Acuaparc.  Lots of Black-headed Gulls interspersed with a few Mediterranean Gulls.  Lots of Coot.  Trevor spotted the Western Swamphen in the opposite reed line.

Western Swamphen (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

Thankfully the weather warmed up for my cold knees.  We ended with 39 species.  Thank you all for attending, making it a good day.

Regards, Dave

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Steart Marshes and Sandy Point, Somerset

Tuesday 31 January

Last day of January and it's started dull and damp with some light drizzle and the threat of increasing wind as the day progresses.  Nevertheless I was away by 9 for the drive down the M5 to Bridgwater and then on to the coast to reach the Steart Marshes Reserve, just on an hour later.  At least the rain had stopped and a break in the cloud was most promising as, indeed, the sun came out for an unexpected pleasant morning.  Very much a case of more quality than quantity with a total of only 29 species but what species did I see! 

Steart Marshes with the the construction of the new Hinckley Nuclear Power Station in the background

Magpie, Woodpigeon and Blackbird recorded on the lane immediately outside the reserve's car park and then off to the Quantock Hide.  No sooner had I set off along the track than a pair of Grey Partridge crossed immediately on front of me. In the distance I could see hundreds of waders, Lapwings and Golden Plover, up in the sky having, no doubt been flushed by a passing raptor.  Once in the hide, and in the company of two local birders, the Lapwings and Golden Plover must have totalled at least 500 each, hence a reference to quantity.  

Resting Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Strange to look at these massed resting waders with the construction work of the new Hinkley Point nuclear power station being constructed on the background and, out of interest, one of my companions took it upon himself to count the number of cranes on the building site; 42!

Mainly Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Apart from the above waders the next job was trying to accurately count the 90+ Shelduck.  Duly completed then on with identifying the remaining birds.  Surprisingly few Redshanks but good numbers of both Teal and Shoveler until I found a large flock of Wigeon way off to the back of the lagoon.  Near at hand a lone Heron.  It was whilst all this was going on that all the waders took to the air once more and ere long the culprit was found as a passing Merlin came into sight.

Now where's the Merlin that put up the Lapwing and Golden Plover?

Time to move to the adjacent hide and check a different view of this water.  More Shelduck but at the very back a large resting flock of mixed gulls.  Mainly Herring but also a number of Black-headed and at least two Common Gulls.  And then more excitement as a Peregrine Falcon flew past the hide.

Time to move on and I took my self off to the Mendip Hide overlooking a grassy meadow.  As I moved  towards the hide looking at the Hinkley building site I noticed the quartet of Mute Swans flying low over the site.  Here a quartet of Carrion Crow and then the first Marsh Harrier.  Hardly had the bird moved on than we watched a male Hen Harrier come drifting across the back from left to right.  Meanwhile a single Little Egret was moving across the vegetation to our left. 

Moving on down towards the river to visit the Parrett Hide I recorded a Kestrel in front of me and then was able to see a second Marsh Harrier from within the hide before one of the local birders found an unexpected visitor on the banks of the river; a Bar-headed Goose which, no doubt, had probably escaped from not too distant Slimbridge Wildlife Reserve. Just before departing I watched a couple of Meadow Pipits drop in below the hide.  Then, making my way back to the car park, both Blue Tit and Chaffinch were observed.

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (From the Internet)

As if not content with already recording five raptors I stopped about a mile on from the reserve to change from boots to trainers for driving back to Sand Bay and was rewarded by the visit of a Buzzard.

Arriving back at Sand Bay I continued up the narrow lane to visit Sandy Point.  Making my way up the steep path to the summit I had close views of Robin, Dunnock, Magpie and Carrion Crow.  Once on the summit lovely view looking back across the bay to Sand Bay and by using the the spotting scope I could make out the bird life on the shore below as the receding tide edged further away.  In addition to a number of Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit there was in excess of 100 Shelduck.

Sand Bay and the beach with scores of feeding Shelduck as seen from the summit of Sandy Point

A lone Herring Gull passed overhead as I started my descent and once at the bottom added Great Tit, Wood Pigeon and Blackbird before setting off to Sand Bay and a small number of House Sparrows as I reached the not too distant first house.

Birds seen:

Bar-headed Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Grey Partridge, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

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