British Birding

Wednesday

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

Just back from a visit to our little house in Stamford and managed to get three days birding in despite the atrocious weather.  It may be cold and windy here but t was very cold, windy and with snow back in Lincolnshire.  Although, to be fair, I did manage my birding before the snow arrived and on landing at Stansted early last week it was beautiful sunshine and remained so until I collected the rental car and set off for Stamford!

I had a final count of 71 species over the three days and whilst I did not mange to track down any Waxwings I was more than pl;eased with some of the birds that I did get a close look at including Whooper Swan, Smew (male and females), Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch and Yellowhammer.  In addition, whilst at Rutland Water I am pretty  sure that I got  distant view of both the visiting female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck.  I took very distant record shots but, alas, they are proving very inclusive.

Looking at the accompanying photograph, it reminds me of how we humans also close our eyes when really savouring something absolutely delicious!  Everyone, I suppose, to their own taste.
 
A more detailed, illustrated report has been published on my alternative blog which records birding activities away from Spain.  Those interested can check it out on: http://www.axarquiabirder.blogspot.com or simply CLICK HERE.

Donana and Home

John and Jenny were certainly busy on their last day in the Donna National Park as can be seen from the final instalment forwarded to me by John.  After all the wet and wind, not to mention the attempts to snow me in, I shall be glad to be back in Spain early next week when I, too, can catch up on some birding in more favourable climes.  My British experience will, hopefully, be written up tomorrow as the forecast is for more rain all day!


Donaña Day 5:  8th February 2013

A very pleasant day with hardly any wind.
We headed for Matlascanas beach, on the way we saw Buzzards, Chiffchaff, Common and Azure-winged Magpies, Hoopoe and Marsh Harrier.  We were hoping to pick up a few missing birds from our list,but the beach was full of fishermen and cocklers, still we did manage a distant Gannet and a flock of Black Scoter.

So we headed back for Acebuche:
After refreshments in the cafe, we made our way to the central hide here we saw Moorhen, Mallard, Raven, Stonechat, Southern Grey Shrike, Great Tit, Red Kite, Woodpigeon and Jenny saw an Egyptian Mongoose making its way along the side of the reedbed.

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

We the moved along to the next hide right and on the way saw Dartford Warbler, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, Hoopoe, Serins, Robins and Song Thrush. Nothing from this hide except two Little Grebe and three Mallard, so we headed for the last hide.  As we made our way along the boardwalk we saw Crested Tit, heard a Nuthatch(but couldn´t locate it), and Blackbirds.  As we entered the hide I was bemoaning that we never see Pendulines here and, lo and behold, Jenny finds one on the reedmace and the I find another to the right of the hide.  Also here we saw Chaffinch, Barn Swallow, Purple Swamphen, White Stork and House Sparrows.

We left here and decided to call into La Rocina before starting off for home.  Here we saw more Robins, Serins and Chiffchaff.  From the first hide we saw a Black Kite, harrassing  a female Marsh Harrier which had what looked like a snake in its talons.  We never saw the outcome as they disappeared out of sight over the trees.  Onto the next covered hide and here we saw Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Grey Heron, four Purple Swamphens, Pochard,Spotless Starlings, Shoveler, Stonechats, Southern Grey Shrike, Goldfinch, Short-toed Treecreeper and Cettis Warbler. As we left the hide We located a Greater Spotted Woodpecker busily drumming away and in the same area a family of Long-tailed Tits and another Short-toed Treecreeper.

A very enjoyable visit to this marvellous area, with a total of 109 birds.

Just think, I shall be wandering these places next Sunday!

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

More Donana News

John and Jenny Wainwright continue to enjoy the experience of the Donana National Park (lovely to think that I, too, will be there next week-end along with the Odiel Marshes) and John's account of Days 3 and 4 follows:

Donaña Day 3  Huelva area

Bright sunshine, but the wind is so ferocious.
 
We came off at the 13km marker on the A422 (Matlascanas - Huelva road), this is a good spot for Common Waxbill, our first sightings were of two Purple Swamphens, then Moorhens, Shoveler, Grey Heron, Coot, Little Grebe, Azure-winged and Common Magpies, Cetti´s Warblers, Green Sandpiper, House Sparrows, Linnets and five Common Waxbills.

So onto the Odiel marshes.  The wind was horrendous and several sand-storms were seen over the main road through the marshes, but, we did see -  just prior to the centre - Shoveler, Coot, Gadwalls, Greater Flamingos, five juvenile Sandwich Terns and a Cormorant perched out on old debris, and on the shoreline we saw Yellow-legged Gull, Redshank and Black-headed Gulls.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax caro with a quintet of Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

At the Odiel centre we picked up Whimbrel, Black-necked Grebe, Barn Swallows and Black-tailed Godwit.  Further on in the marshes we came across one of the four Ospreys (that had been seen yesterday), hundreds of Common Redshanks, Little Stints, two Sanderlings, two Ruff, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls and Herring Gulls, Little Ringed Plovers, Greater Flamingos, Turnstones and several Marsh Harriers.  We stopped for a bite to eat and here we saw Meadow Pipits, Greenshanks, Spanish and House Sparrows and as we approached a small stream a Kingfisher flashed past us.  Also in the area we saw Great White, Little and Cattle Egrets.

We then returned to the centre - but they were closed - so we parked overlooking the mudflats here and we found Grey Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits, Black-headed Gulls and amongst them we found two Slender-billed Gulls (photos nowhere near as good as Gerry´s, but shows the contrast).  As we came away from the centre a Sardinian Warbler put in a brief appearance as did several Chiffchaff.  The return journey gave us Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Spotless Starlings, Common Kestrels, Black Redstarts and a ring-tail Hen Harrier surprised us as she flew low across the main road.

Comparison between Black-headed Larus ridibundu and Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

  
I believe that a less windy day would have made quite a difference to total as small birds were at a premium. We are informed that there is a melanistic Little Egret somewhere in the area but couldn´t locate it!!


Donaña Day 4  7th February 2013

A much better day today, sunny with lighter winds.

We went to the centre at El Rocio and the male Spanish Imperial Eagle was in its usual place, and next tree along was a Red Kite.  On the marismas were Shovelers, Spoonbills, Greater Flamingos, Mallard, Greylag Geese, Marsh Harriers, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwits,Coot & Moorhens.  In the small bushes we
found Chiffchaff, House Sparrows, Goldfinches and a few Linnets.

From here we drove over to the Dehesa de Abajo.  Here we found Buzzard, Black-winged Kite, Common Kestrel, Cormorants, Glossy Ibis, Little, Cattle and Great White Egrets, male & female Marsh Harriers,
Jackdaws, Hoopoe, Ravens and Lapwings. On the lake we saw Shoveler, Mallard, Pochard, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Moorhen, Pintail and Ferruginous Duck.  A nice surprise was the Long-tailed duck which gave good views if you could keep up with it´s movements - definitely not photogenic.  Also here were the Tufted Ducks, two Avocets, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked  and Little Grebe.  A single adult Night Heron was seen flying over the lake.  In the reed beds we saw Cetti´s Warbler and Chiffchaff, and in the fields there were Cormorants, Grey Heron and yet more Great White Egrets and the Zitting Cisticola gave us good views as he peeped his way along the hedgerow.

Then back over to the Valverde centre to try to pick up the Great Bittern and the Short-eared  and Long-eared Owls, but alas we dipped out on all three.  Never mind we did see Buzzards, Black-winged Kite, Night Herons, male & female Marsh Harriers, a ring-tail Hen Harrier, two Black Stork as well as masses of White Storks.  A nice sight was a group of seventeen Purple Swamphens all in one huge gathering (I don't know what the technical term for that is!).  In the flooded fields we found Common Cranes, Greylags, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwits.  On the wires and pylons were Common Kestrels, Corn Buntings, Black Redstarts, Stonechats, House Sparrows and Buzzards.  A Dartford Warbler flew across our path and landed on a fence rail, giving us good views of it.

While we were looking for the Great Bittern, a Fox was spotted in the deep undergrowth, and on the banks we found a Common Swallowtail and Bath Whites.  Also, as we were looking for the owls, a Spanish Imperial Eagle was seen.  We stopped at one of the many pumping stations and saw a Kingfisher.

On our return journey we saw countless Robins and Black Redstarts and Southern Grey Shrikes all lined up along the roadside fences, and above us Barn Swallows and House Martins hawked for their evening meals.

A long day but well rewarded. 

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

Donana National Park

As I said a few days ago, a change in weather and everyhing starts to happen.  Whilst John and Jenny Wainwright have driven down to the Donana National Park for a few days birding, Gerry Collins has just returned to Salobrena froma couple of days in Roqueta del mar where he picked up some very lovely Slender-billed Gulls - even if, as Steve would say, at least one was covered in avian bling!  For me, I have just arrived back in England for a week.  I may have landed in sunshine but by the time I collected the car it had completely clouded over and by the A1(M) I had a light drizzle and then a flurry of snow to welcome me back.  However, it did not last and I am now up bright and early, working on Spanish time to maximise the light, and trying to decide whether to make an early start to Frampton Marshes (will there be snow in the Boston area?) or pop down to my local patch at Rutland Water.  We shall see when I eventually get back.

Slender-billed Gulls  Larus genei  (PHOTO: Gerry Collins)

Meanwhile, here follows John's report for his first two days:



Donaña Day 1  Marismas area

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

 A very bright & warm day but chilly and gusty winds every now and then.

En route to Donaña we saw Spotless Starling, lots of Black Kites & one Red Kite, White Storks, Woodpigeon and Common Buzzards.  We had to wait for our cabin to be cleaned, so we ran down to the El Rocio marismas.  A good amount of water about though still enough area for the waders, and here on the muddy verges we found a huge flock of some sixty or more Common Snipe, White Wagtails, Lapwings, two Cattle Egrets (in the grasses) and countless Glossy Ibis and Black-tailed Godwits. Over on the far banks were Greylags and above them over the trees and marsh area, several Marsh Harriers were seen.
On the water we had Spoonbills, Teal, Shovelers, Pintails, Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls, Grey Herons, Common Coots,  Little Egrets and White Storks.  In the reed beds or what is left of them we saw Goldfinches, House Sparrows, Blackcaps, Stonechats,Chiffchaffs, Great Tit and a Magpie. Lots of Barn Swallows about just now as were Spotless Starlings.
After getting settled in the cabin, we drove along to Acebuche, here we had coffee - hoping that a least two coaches of shouting teenagers would hurry up and go in for their lunch.  Our first sighting here was of a Dartford Warbler and another was heard in the bushes to our left, after this we saw Stonechat, Great Tit, more White Storks, Mallard, Azure-winged Magpies, several Barn Swallows and a House Martin, Moorhen, Snipe, Robin, Black Redstart, more Glossy Ibis and a very striking Southern Grey Shrike - with its pinkish blush showing well today.

Then back to Rocina where we were on our own.  Here we saw Little Grebes,  a Marsh Harrier, Little Egrets, Glossy Ibis, Coots and a nice sight was twelve Purple Swamphens in various locations to our front, also here we saw Grey Heron, Pochard and Shovelers. In the trees we spotted Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin,
Serins, Chaffinches and a Cettis Warbler was heard from within the reeds.

Back home for a bite to eat and then back down to the El Rocio marismas.

Not a lot more tonight except Greater Flamingos, three Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Crested Larks, a Greenshank, a Common Kestrel and a Black Stork.  Two perched raptors were seen far across the main marisma but to distant for definite id.  As we parked up two Hoopoes flew out from the trees in front of our cabin.

Great White Egret Egretta alba (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Donaña Day 2... Valverde centre.

Not a bad day, although had a touch of frost last night.
On the way to the centre, we saw Grey Heron, White Storks, Common Buzzards, Corn Buntings, Crested Larks, Chiffchaffs, Little Egret, Meadow Pipits, Barn Swallows were in good numbers today, the inimitable Spotless Starling, a Lesser Kestrel, Marsh Harriers, Common Magpies, Calandra Larks - one of these birds was a pure albino, Zitting Cisticolas were well represented and their song was ever present, Stonechats - on every bush, post and tree, Linnets - not so many of these birds, Goldfinches, hundreds of Cormorants -
sitting in trees, in the fields and in the watercourses, good flocks of Lapwings, one Black Stork, Mallard, a lone Northern Starling, Moorhens, Common Kestrel, a male Hen Harrier and oodles of Glossy Ibis.

Coffee at the centre and we were told of Short-eared Owls being seen, one Long-eared Owl  and a Bittern..but alas for us a big NO!!! ....

But ,whilst we were here we did see Purple Swamphens, Glossy Ibis, two Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochards, Little Grebe, Greater Flamingos, a Great Crested Grebe, Shoveler, Mallard, Common Coot, Moorhen, Greylag Geese, Black-tailed Godwits and Grey Herons.
On the way back - and in the opposite direction - towards Isla Mayor, we picked up, fifteen Purple Swamphens, over twenty Great White Egrets, lots of Little and Cattle Egrets, about thirty Common Cranes (the centre tells us they are in short supply this year as are Greylags), a ring-tail Hen Harrier, Black Redstart, Green Sandpipers and a few Spoonbills. A nice surprise was a tree full of Night Herons (over thirty birds),
and a Sparrowhawk which took flight out of the bushes at the same time as a Common Buzzard.
 

Night Herons Nyeticorax nyeticorax in flight (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

We then went over to the lake close to Isla Mayor, a few people about today - including the Local Police
patrol , here we found Black-neck Grebes, three male Tufted Ducks, a Black-winged Kite, Cetti´s Warblers, Great Crested and Little Grebes, Glossy Ibis, Jackdaws, more Buzzards and Marsh Harriers, Shovelers, Mallard, Pochard, Gadwall, Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gulls, Greater Flamingos, Grey Herons, Spoonbills, White Storks, another ring-tail Hen Harrier, lots of Lapwings in the old rice fields and a
good number of Snipe again today. A Southern Grey Shrike was spotted as we left the lake.

We dropped in at the El Rocio marshes and ascertained the large raptors we saw last night were the Spanish Imperial Eagles - perched in the old bare tree across the marshes, also here we had a good number of House Martins and a Praying Mantis to round it all off!!



 








Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (PHOTO: John Wainwright)







Looks like John and Jenny area enjoying some fabulous birding but the mention of "frost" somewhat cheers me up as I was beginning to think they were in the sunny south whilst I was preparing to enjoy the frozen north!

More Cranes and a White Stork

Common Crane Grulla Comun Grus grus

Sunny but very, very windy and cold with it as with Graham and Sue Knight we visited Laguna Dulce followed by a relatively short stop at Fuente de Piedra.  The outward journey recorded Serin, Goldfinch and Blackbird before coming across the flooded fields at Colonia Santa Anna where there were scores, if not hundreds of Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls with the odd Lesser Black-backed Gull thrown in for good measure.  Add on a number of Lapwing and Black-winged Stilts and we were read for the Dulce and whatever wind it might throw at us.  And it did; right in our faces making it almost impossible to look over the water.  However, the big shock of the day was to have a single White Stork leisurely sail along side us as we approached the site; what was this bird doing here at this time of the year?

The water was very rough but it was easy to pick out the Coots and a large party of Flamingos hunkered down on the far side.  Lots of gulls resting towards the far side and then there were the ducks, mainly Pochard and Shoveler but also Mallard and Gadwall.  Even better, we recorded at least three male and one female Tufted Duck still present but no sign of either White-headed Duck or Red-crested Pochard on this occasion.  A good number of both Little and Black-necked Grebes plus the occasional Great Crested Grebe.

The far side produced a single adult female Marsh Harrier and a few Crag Martins flew over the water.  Better yet, the first Barn Swallow of the year with a couple feeding over the reeds to the right of the hide.  Meanwhile, at the far right amid the small flock of Lapwing we suddenly had at least 150 Golden Plover take to the air.

In the hope that we might get a clearer view of the plovers we drove round to the back of the laguna where, instead, we picked up Crested Lark, Cattle Egret, Whuite Wagtail and over a dozen Jackdaws.  Then it was a handful of House Sparrows and a few more Black-winged Stilts before a gorgeous Marsh Harrier rose not too far away in front of us.

On to Fuente de Piedra via the Mirador de Cantarranas passing a Kestrel atop a pylon but not before a stop at the far (shallow) end of the laguna where the Flamingos rested by their thousand.  Amongst all the nearby Shovelers and a few Mallards we also managed to pick out a couple of Shelduck with another quartering Marsh Harrier and a lone Raven going about his daily business looking for something to nibble on.  The Cranes themselves became visible as we approached the entrance to the car park and, having taken a quick look for photographic reference, we may out way to the viewing point. Loads more Flamingos and a lovely pair of Marsh Harriers including a magnificent male bird plus a pair of Purple Swamphens.  However, another first for the year, our first House Martins with at least a dozen feeding high above the nearby water.  In front of us a true pair of Black Redstarts made sure that they were noticed.

Oh for the wings of a dove?  No way, I'm far more graceful in full flight

Having eased down the road so that we could photograph the Cranes from the car we then moved on and recorded both Corn Bunting and Stonechat before reaching the entrance to the Fuente de Piedra lagoons.  The flooded field to the left of the entrance road held a number of Coots, Black-winged Stilts, Shoveler and Mallard along with the occasional Chiffchaff and when we looked back at this water from the height of the top car park we were also ab;e to pick out a solitary Ruff  and a departing pair of Pintails.

Anybody behind me?

The laguneta held a small number of ducks but at least twenty Little Grebes (must have been the annual convention!) and a lone Snipe whereas the pool to the right of the Visitors Centre, seen from above, held Moorhens and we even managed to find a single Black-tailed Godwit.  But still no Avocets to be seen.  Finally, as we left the reserve, we had a Buzzard bust feeding whilst perched atop a pylon in the field opposite the site.  Considering the very windy conditions, a final tally of 46 species was quite reasonable for the extended morning.

Hang about, son; wait for your mother.

That's it,let's go.  We don't want to be hang about here having our photos taken!

Birds seen:
Shelduck; Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cattle Egret, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Crane, Black-winged Stilt, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Crested Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

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

Osprey and Peregrine but no Short-eared Owl

Thursday
 
A beautiful warm and sunny day with clear blue skies and not a breath of wind in the air.  What better way to spend the day, therefore, than visiting the Gualdalhorce reserve in Malaga.  Arriving just after 10 the day was to be split into two sessions; the morning complete with scope and camera checking out all the pools and sea and after a little more than an hour's break to get something to eat in San Julian I returned via a short stop at the Parador Golf (and what a surprise that turned out to be!) by mid-afternoon to concentrate on camera work in the hope that the wintering Short-eared Owls might put in an appearance.  They did not even though I waited until well after 5.30 before setting off for home.

The morning session started with a welcome from a gorgeous male Black Redstart and a small charm of Goldfinches.  The odd Rock Dove was still present below the motorway bridge but, otherwise, the western river was deserted.  So, on to the eastern arm and the Laguna Casillas where I found a handful of White-headed Ducks, a few Coots, Mallards and a pair of Little Grebe.  Before departing I also managed to locate a pair of Teal and a few Gadwall came out to play along with the first of the Black-winged Stilts.  Behind me, a Zitting Cisticola was busy knocking five-bells out of a seed-head.

Black-winged Stilt Ciguenuela Himantopus himantopus

Moving on down to the Wader Pool I had House Sparrows and Chiffchaffs in the neighbouring bushes and the regular movement of Cormorants between the reserve and their various feeding stations.  The pool itself held a good number of Teal plus a single male Shoveler along with a pair of Gadwall.  Another pair of Little Grebe and about a dozen Black-winged Stilts added to the score.  Waders also included a single Redshank and Greenshank plus a couple of Common Sandpipers and a single Green Sandpiper.  Whilst looking at the Spotless Starlings in the top of the trees at the back of Laguna Grande I noticed the resting Booted Eagle and, returning to the Wader Pool picked up a small movement to my left.  Not this time more Ringed Plovers, the most common wader present, but a Bluethroat looking for food.  And to the other side of the hide a Robin for comparison and a Serin behind me.  Meanwhile, the Booted Eagle had take to the skies and at one point there was a trio of these lovely birds in the same view.  Finally, a single Snipe was spotted and a quartet of screaming Monk Parakeets passed over the hide before I started the walk down to the Sea Watch.

Record shot of Bluethroat Ruisenor Pechiazul Luscinia svecica

The walk to the Sea Watch produces both Crested Larks and Stonechats and on the old river, Rio Viejo, were a number of Black-winged Stilts but mainly Ringed Plovers and a few Kentish Plovers.  Also present were a g]handful of both Sanderlings and Dunlins.  From the Sea Watch therer were a couple of rafts of gulls to be seen, mainly Yellow-legged but also a number of Black-headed Gulls.  However, just beyond the main group was a closely packed group of nine Common Scoter and, before leaving, I also managed to sea a couple of Black-necked Grebes.  On the beach in front of me a lone White Wagtail worked the edges in search of food.

The return walk to the above hides produced first a handful of Meadow Pipits and then another Bluethroat.  In addition to more Stonechats a lone Southern Grey Shrike played the role of sentinel overlooking both water and grass.  Finally, just when I thought I was only to see the one raptor this morning, the wintering Osprey appeared and moved slowly up river.

Then it was on to the Laguna Escondida which produced more White-headd Ducks, indeed there were birds on all waters other than the Wader Pool totalling in number about a dozen males, along with a number of Moorhens and the a Purple Swapmphen paddled across the back of the water before disappearing into the far channel.  In addition to the numerous terrapins that were sunbathing on every available surface, Chiffchaffs moved freely about the trees and shrubs whilst the Cormorants continued there everlasting wanderings back and forth from the main pool.

Hoopoe  Abubilla  Upupa epops

The main pool, Laguna Grande, itself was rather quiet other than the thirty plus Cormorants present along with a couple of Little Grebes and a single Heron.  So, time for a break and as I made my way back towards the footbridge I had first a female Blackbird and finally a Little Egret.  In the distance I could hear both Collared Doves and yet more Monk Parakeets.

Superb Starling Estornino Soberbio Lamprotornis superbus at the Parador

Returning to the Guadalhorce afetr lunch I called first at the Parador and had no sooner entered than I was looking at a number of Collared Doves, Spotless Starlings and Monk Parakeets.  Then a pair of very obliging Hoopoes fed close by as I took numerous photographs.  Just when I was thinking about whether or not the Splendid Starling was still present I suddenly saw the bird.  Almost tame, the starling was happy to wander around the area close to the kiosk giving good photogaphic opportunities.

Distant Peregrine Falcon Halcon Peregrino Falco peregrinus

Back at the Guadalhorce I had a close view of a Cetti's Warbler as I made my way towards the Laguna Grande.  The Booted Eagle had departed but now present was a Buzzard in the same tree and two trees to the right a splendid Peregrine Falcon.  A pair of Black-necked Grebes had arrived plus a single Snipe immediately below the hide along with a couple of White Wagtails.  On the main water a number of Shoveler had appeared plus a couple of Herons and the Cormorants now totalled in excess of forty.  Out towards the sea a large number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were making their way east.

Common Snipe  Agachadiza Comun  Gallinago media

With still an hour to spare before the owls were likely to put in an appearance I decided to spend the time at the Laguna Escondida where at least I could find some shelter from the blazing sun burning my back.  I had, at last, a Kestrel in front of me as I made my way round to a very quiet laguna with now only the occasional Moorhen and the odd White-headed Duck but the, out of the reeds if not the blue, a Water Rail flew out from below me at a low level with steady flight, looking more like a chicken dresses as a Snipe, to land and immediately disappear into the thick undergrowth.  If I had looked away for a split second I would have missed the bird.

Black-necked Grebe Zampullin Cuellinegro  Podiceps nigricollis on the Laguna Grande

And so it was time to take up my watch station for the appearance of the Short-eared Owls.  Chiffchaffs, Stonechats and even Sardinian Warblers but no owls.  So, finally, with a heavy heart I admitted defeat and started off back to the car to make my way home.  No doubt, as I drove over the western channel the Short-eared Owls smiled to themselves and decided that, perhaps, they were hungry and would appear after all!


So you see, there may not have been any Short-eared Owls to be seen but I did record five raptor species excluding the Southern Grey Shrike, a range of waders even if somewhat small in numbers and a brief view of a flying Water Rail in the day's tally of 56 species.


Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Common Scoter, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Osprey, Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Water Rail, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Snipe, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Robin, Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, Superb Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch

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

Bermejales & Cacin Area

Busy, busy time so, first, let me get John and Jenny Wainwright's account published re their visit to Bermejales on Wednesday (yesterday) and then I make a start on my visit today to the Guadalhjorce.  As I said yesterday, now that the weather has changed for the better everyone seems to be out birding.  Even Andy is over at Fuente today so I trust he will have left some good birds for me to see when I pay a visit on Saturday morning!

Meanwhile, as always, Johna and Jenny seem to have a great day's birding.


Bermejales & Cacin area  30th January 2013

A  fairly hot day, although, still pleasantly cool in the shade.  We drove round via Morelda today - mainly to fill-up with diesel.  On the way to Bermejales we saw Common annd Azure-winged
Magpies, three Common Kestrels, Corn Buntings, Chaffinches, two Hoopoe, Spotless Starlings, Collard Doves, Woodpigeons, a Sardinian Warbler and a male Black Redstart. 

Egyptian Goose Ganse de Nilo Alopochen aegyptiaca (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

The embalse was deserted apart from us and after getting Jen settled I went off for my walk - in the direction of the campsite.  The first sighting was of an Egyptian Goose which fly off of the foreshore and splashed down about a hundred metres out - not before I got a photo of it though.  In the conifers to my left I saw Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Chaffinches. Out into the open and several White Wagtails were seen.  As I approached the small point I heard a honking and three more Egyptians Geese flew off the foreshore - going in the direction of the pedalo park - this is the first time I have seen four here, although did see three here in November 2011.

I then crossed the road and set off across country, here I found Goldfinches, a group of four Firecrests (I identified at least one male and one female ) before they flew off.  Blackbirds were in good numbers as were MistleThrushes.  A few Sardinian Warblers, Serins,
Black Redstarts, Chiffchaffs, Chaffinches and Long-tailed Tits were busy feeding in the conifers and eucalyptis and a small flock of Crossbills passed overhead.  As I passed through the trees the noisy "clapping" of Wood Pigeons departing, quietened the other birds singing for a while, then a Short-toed Treecreeper was heard - one was not seen today.

Scorpion Buthus Occitanicus (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

As I walked back down to the embalse I found a small Scorpion (Buthus Occitanicus) under one of many of the rocks in the area and on the water I saw a Cormorant.  After some refreshment I headed off in the direction of the new ayuntamiento building by the dam.  Here I found a Grey Wagtail, Serins, a Coal Tit, Song Thrush and a Robin.  As I was kneeling, taking a photograph of a Pale Cloud Yellow butterfly, two shadows made me look up and there were two Siskins - first time I have found them at the embalse itself.

Pale Cloud Yellow butterfly (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Cacin Valley: return journey.

We branched off - on the way home - and took the quite rough road following the Cacin Gorge.  Our first views were of a male Sparrowhawk, then Chiffchaff, Chaffinches in the company of a Cirl Bunting, Great Tits, Blue Rock Thrush, and another Sardinian Warbler.  In the top of an almond tree we located a Southern Grey Shrike.

At the dam lake we found Pochard, Teal, Cormorants, Grey Herons, Cetti´s Warbler, Wood Pigeon, Grey and White Wagtails, and our first Stonechats of the day.  As we neared Morelada another Blue Rock Thrush was seen.  Several other butterflies were seen today including a Bath White, a Cleopatra and a Small Copper.

Another very enjoyable few hours, in this very productive area.

Another great report John with some wonderful sightings.

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