Birthday Birding

 Thursday 17 October

Rio Grande below the last over bridge

With the recent rains now passed and a pleasant, warm day what way to better spend your birthday than make a mid-afternoon trip up to the relatively nearby Rio Grande, with water flowing, along with or dear friends Derek and Barbara Etherton and Jenny. No sooner arrived than greeted by Blackbirds, both Grey and White Wagtails along with feeding tits, mainly Long-tailed but also both Blue and Great Tits as we made our way through the trees to the confluence of the rivers Grande and Guadalhorce. Fast running water now over last week's dry river bed but no birds in sight.  Making our way back from the trees to the river itself a pair of Raven and then, perched on a small rock immediately below us a posing Common Sandpiper.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Once under the main road bridge and looking at the wide, flooded river, first a Cattle Egret then quickly followed by both a Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.  A distant Heron with a pair of nearby Lapwing were next on the sightings and then, before crossing through the ford, many more Cattle Egrets and a continuous sighting of more White and a few Grey Wagtails along with a distant Meadow Pipit.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

At this point our first hearing and sighting of both Crested Lark and Sardinian Warbler before a wander further up river beyond the main water supply pipe to Malaga to find a couple of score of resting Mallards.  Having noted a handful of Blackbird the sudden appearance of a female Pied Flycatcher in front of us was a very welcome surprise.  On our return walk back to the car a Jay along with Woodpigeons made an appearance. Then a Kestrel sitting atop a pylon plus a pair of distant raptors that were possibly Booted Eagles.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

The return drive along the track passed the farm then produced a range of small birds plus more Woodpigeon and and a number of Collared Doves at the farm.  A pair of Goldfinches were drinking form a roadside puddle and soon more House Sparrows and a quartet of Greenfinch. Only three Starlings on the pylon top but one was a Common rather than the expected Spotless Starling.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

A second Kestrel the both Sardinian Warbler and a trio of Stonechats to our right as we reached the main road. Now well after 5.30 so we made pour way straight to the mouth of the Guadalhorce in Malaga at the mirador in Guadalmar to check out the sea birds and, hopefully, find one of the recently visiting Lesser Crested Terns that had been seen the past few days. 

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Arriving at 6.05 we were greeted by both Monk Parakeet and Spotless Starlings and once at the mirador Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over head.  A very large resting flock of gulls on the sea towards the port, mainly Black-headed Gulls but, no doubt, had we taken the scope we would have also found a number of Mediterranean Gulls.  off-shore towards the two platforms many fishing Gannets; always a lovely sight to behold.  In addition to the many adults, also a number of brown juveniles accompanied by the foraging gulls.  A number of Sandwich Terns were also seen along with a Cormorant and both Gannet and Sandwich Tern made the occasional sortie towards the shore so giving a closer view.

Gannet Morus bassanus

A Sanderling flew in from the sea and the a pair of Oystercatchers made a return flight on front of us.  Even more surprising was to see a Black-winged Stilt fly in from the sea and come to rest on the busy beach before moving on.  Over thirty minutes gone and no sight of our target bird, nor presumably by the other eight birders below us awaiting a sighting, and Barbara started out on the short walk back to the car.  Within two minutes, right above us, the Lesser Crested Tern arrived showing very well with its yellow beak, forked tail and looking very white to bring huge smiles to both the faces of both Derek and I.  Derek manged to grab Barbara's attention and bring her back but the bird was already moving away right and out to sea before she arrived and I though to lift the camera, so engrossed were we in watching the tern.  But, nevertheless, a great birthday present!

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

So, back to the car and noting another Sanderling in the river and a nearby Sardinian Warbler.  A couple of Collared Doves on the wires as we set off back to Alhauring de la Torre having recorded over 40 species during the afternoon including that magnificent Lesser Crested Tern.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

Birds seen:

Mallard, Gannet, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Black-winged Stilt, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Sanderling, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Crested Lark, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Stonechat, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pied Flycatcher, Jay, Raven, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Male Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Raven Corvus coras

Great Tit Parus major

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Distant record shot of Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

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El Fondo, Elche

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Wednesday 9 October

A leisurely drive south from Lliria, Valencia brought us to the El Fondo reserve at Crevillent near Elche by  3.30 where I could spend almost two hours wandering around the site. Still pleasantly warm and calm albeit on the cloudy side but very ow om water other than the two main lagoons near the Visitors Centre. The pons at the back of the VC was just about completely dry and very little water in the boardwalk area with much exposed mud, etc.  On the other hand, the low water level, and especially in the ditches, seemed to provide a real feasting opportunity for the scores of Little Egrets present on site which must have amounted to well over an hundred individuals.  The same could also be said of the Glossy Ibis flock.  Every time a couple of score or more took flight there seemed to be still the same number left resting and feeding.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Back to the start. A number of Collared Doves as we approached the entrance drive and once in the car park a Common Waxbill moved out of the bush immediately on front of the car.  Beyond the boundary fence, the water at the back held a number of Glossy Ibis, a juvenile Flamingo and a Little Egret.  Moving to the  Visitors Centre many visitors making use of the picnic tables but no problem reaching the screen to check the pond beyond.  Now completely dry with just a few small puddles but a number of feeding Red-knobbed Coots, a couple of Purple Swamphen and a similar number of Moorhen. So off to the boardwalk accompanied by calling Cetti's Warblers.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Once on the boardwalk only limited, low water levels and a the back to my left scores of resting Glossy Ibis. a Heron at the very back along with  handful of Little Egret and then the first sighting of a pair of Black-winged Stilt. A lone eclipse plumaged Marbled Duck made a brief appearance towards the back of the water before I rounded the first bend and came across the foraging Red-knobbed and Common Coots along with a number of Purple Swamphens and a few Moorhen.  Many more Little Egrets and a handful of young Flamingos also on show.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Reaching the end of the boardwalk many more Little Egrets spread near and far and then off the first hide on the left.  Not a lot to be seen other than a handful of Mallard and a lone male Shoveler with a few Common Coot towards the back of the water.  Another small flock of Glossy Ibis passed overhead and looking up the narrow channel as I crossed I noticed not only Little Egrets actually on the banks and down in the water but also a large flock resting atop the bank in the distance.

One f the larger gatherings of Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Moving across to the hide on the right overlooking the main lagoon (see photo at top) only about a score of distant Flamingos to the far left along with a resting Heron.  Immediately in front of me at the back a small group of eleven resting Spoonbill and immediately in front of me a handful of Black-winged Stilt.  A handful of Black-headed Gulls to my right and then a lone Little Grebe moved across to the reeds on my left.

Resting Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia

Making my way back to the VC by the same route the Marbled Duck was no longer to be seen but a single Teal had now arrived.  Still lots of Glossy Ibis and Little Egret plus a Cetti's Warbler on the fence to my left which quickly move away to nearby bushes.  To my right a Green Sandpiper made a hasty departure and so back to the car.  Sitting in the car updating my records I looked at the water beyond the fence in front of me and, with the use of the binoculars, found a well concealed pair of Marbled Ducks.

Teal Anas crecca

Leaving the car par  a flock of about thirty Spotless Starlings were on the wires to the left and at the end of the approach road a small number of Barn Swallows in the sky above us.  Also at the junction with the main road a handful of Cattle Egrets at the edge of the field to the left plus a few more that had crossed to the field on the opposite side of the car.  A very short drive to our nearby Hostal Imperial for the night and as we moved away not only more Collared Doves on the wires but a resting Hoopoe.

El Fondo, the main lagoon

Birds seen:

Mallard, Shoveler, Marbled Duck, Teal, Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Common Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Waxbill, Spotless Starling.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Juvenile Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Distant Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Heron Ardea cinerea (right and above) with Little Egret

Flight of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porohyrio

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

Back in Spain: Marjal dels Morros

Monday 7 October

First view of the Marjal dels Morros

Having spent the past two days in the house, mainly sleeping and trying to shake off a light cold, I was away at daybreak to visit the lovely bird reserve of Marjal dels Morros on the coast just north of Valencia.  Arriving at 8.45 with a hazy sun and lots of cloud, but no wind, so giving me, I hoped, a good number  of enjoyable birding hours.  But it was not to be!  By the time I reached the first viewing point with its high platform the midges were out in force.

Heron Ardea cinerea

From the platform and the high bank as I approached I noted a good number of Coot, along with Mallard and a quintet of Gadwall. On the far side of the water a lone Heron and immediately in front of me a foraging Purple Swamphen.  Behind me a pair of Gadwall moved round the bend to be replaced by a pair of female Shoveler and a single Little Grebe.  

Female Shoveler Anas clypeata

All around me calling Cetti's Warblers and overhead a flock of 300 House Martins preparing to move off. A distant Marsh Harrier moving over the reeds was a welcome sight and then a trio of Flamingos flew over the ater and further into the marsh.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Moving on, accompanied by hordes of midges feasting on all exposed parts of my body, a few Black-headed Gulls moving in off the sea.  Once at the next hide disappointed to see the low water level and just a handful of Mallards present. Over on a small, bare tree towards the shore a Kestrel was resting and looking quite forlorn.  Nearer to me a quartet of Common Waxbill were feeding on the low bushes.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Rather than simply abandon a I made the decision to under the complete anti-clockwise circuit but given the amount of attack from the midges perhaps wished I had simple abandoned ship and gone back to the car!  The next water brought just a few Mallards and nothing else seen until time to turn for home at the three-quarter point of the circuit.  A Little Egret popped up out of the ditch in front of me and the exposed pool here held a number of Teal in addition to the Mallards and another Purple Swamphen.  A Heron flew over.

The second large pool holding the Teal Anas crecca

Making my way along the narrow track alongside the irrigation canal I came across a handful of Woodpigeon and yet a another distant Marsh Harrier.  Even a resting Kestrel to my right. So back at the car and a number of both Spotless Starlings and Collared Doves on the wires plus the expected Feral Pigeons (Rock Doves) and a few House Sparrows.  Just the 23 species for all the blood I shared but at least a couple of new sightings for the year and, at least, I was out and about again.

Disappearing distant Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Birds seen:

Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Waxbill.

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.

Hamble River, Warsash

Tuesday 1 October   

Lovely sunny start to the day and no wind so put off packing car till this afternoon and took a quick walk up the Hamble River to the conservation area and back as the tide neared its peak.  As usual, no camera so lots of birds to be seen at close range and in good light!  As a result, all illustrations are from my records library.

As son as I reached the river, having already noticed the local Robins, a Herring Gull and a handful of Black-tailed Godwits plus both Turnstone and Redshank. Moving along past the ferry landing pontoon, I quickly added the many Black-headed Gulls and found plenty more Black-tailed Godwits and yon the remaining island before completely covered over thirty resting Redwing long with a Curlew and more Black-tailed Godwits.  In a ditch on the land side a single Greenshank.  Strange to find  lone Woodpigeon nearby along with a couple of Little Egrets.  And looking into the river itself the head of a Seal poking out of the water to see what was about.  But was it a Grey or Common (Harbour) Seal?  Judging by the large dog-like head with longish snout I suspect a Grey Seal.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

No sooner had I noticed the Cormorant flying upriver than a single barn swallow also past in the same direction.  Just time to find the lone Great Black-backed Gull amongst the resting Black-headed Gulls than a House Martin flew over and upriver along with a further three Barn Swallows. I continued to find more Black-tailed Godwits making my way up to the conservation area plus a second Curlew and more Turnstone.  And in the distance, close to the water inlet a standing Great White Egret.  Long time since I have seen one on the river.  Also in the mix a pair of Oystercatchers and as a Heron flew over my attention was drawn to the back of the conservation area where I found a further five Herons and more Little Egrets.

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Taking a closer look at the now almost water-filled conservation area there were 36 Wigeon at the back along with many more Redshank and a single Greenshank.  Nearby a group of 16 Teal and on the main path a group of four Carrion Crows.  Making my way back down the river to home a Pied Wagtail flew across the path and in a garden to the right a couple of Roe Deer.  Both Magpie and Starlings were also recorded as I left the river.

Birds seen:

Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling.

For the latest news follow the Axarquia Birds and Wildlife Facebook page for more photos and comments and the opportunity to share with the wider birding world.