Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra

Monday 14 October

Stone Curlew Alcaravan Comun Burhinus oedicnemus

Off to Ronda first thing this morning to collect magazines  followed by a stop at both Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra on the return journey.  Leaving the motorway towards Campillos at least thirty Cattle Egrets feeding in the adjacent field which was in the process of being harrowed.  (on the return journey, the tractor had moved to the other side of the road and there was now in excess of forty individuals.)  Next to the egrets a solitary Kestrel kept watch of the process from a neighbouring watering pole whilst, quite unconcerned by the Kestrel's presence, almost an hundred Rock Doves also worked the newly ploughed field.

Leaving Ronda I had a quartet of circling Griffon Vultures above me and then, a little later, arrived at Laguna Dulce to see what was about.  As expected, hundreds of Coot and a very large number of White-headed Ducks plus very many Mallard and  Shoveler, a few Gadwall and a small number of Common Pochard.  Only the occasional Great Crested Grebe noted but plenty of Little Grebes.  However, the dominant grebe on the water was the Black-necked Grebe, most now in full winter plumage, but I was unable to find the winter-plumaged Slavonian Grebe that had been seen by Peter Jones late last week.  A single juvenile Flamingo was feed in close tot he left of the hide and there was a plentiful supply of Moorhens to be seen.  Other birds on the water included both Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls.  To the edge on the far bank a couple of Black-winged Stilts were noted and then both Corn Bunting and Goldfinches flew into the trees behind me whilst a Sardinian Warbler flitted through the reeds.  Before departing, a single adult female Marsh Harrier started to quarter the reeds on the far side and to my right and no sooner was I back on the main road than I had a resting Buzzard on top of one of the now defunct telephone polls.

Approaching Fuente de Piedra it was apparent that, whilst there was till water in main laguna, most of the neighbouring ponds and damp area were now completely dry.  Even the laguneto at the rear of the visitors' Centre was hardly more than a joined-up lair of dark green ponds.  However, the main focus was on the every greatly reduced number of Flamingos to be seen.  Had the birds flown to pastures new (or should that be waters new)?  Whereas on my last visit the Flamingos could be counted in thousands, probably reaching 20,000 or more, now the birds would, probably, be easier to count in hundreds with a final total well short of 2,000.

A few ducks on the main water and the ponds at the back held a few Flamingos but a good-sized mixed flock of ducks, mainly Mallards and Shovelers but also a small number of Teal.  Moorhens were bust feeding and smaller birds included Sardinian Warbler, House Sparrows and Goldfinches.  Just the one Kestrel was recorded but I did find a couple of male Stonechats.

How many of the thirty plus Stone Curlews Burhinus oedicnemus can you count?

I spent a little time with the scope trying to locate any Stone Curlews in the field beyond the causeway, that with the newly-restored tower, and managed to find a single individual.  So, on the way back I walked across the above causeway for a closer look and finally managed to find a couple that were very well concealed on the ground amongst the sods (of earth!).  Walking back to the car I saw about thirty flying in low to the same field from the direction of the laguneto so parked my car just on the side track and had another look with the binoculars.  Yes, there they were So I was eventually able to get a few, hopefully reasonable, distant photographs of the local Stone Curlews.  At the moment the flock would appear to be about thirty to forty strong but, of course, there may be others in the neighbouring fields around the laguna.

A little easier to see the Stone Curlews Burhinus oedicnemus in this picture - but still greatly magnified

Then it was home for a late lunch (again!) and a very pleasant surprise to find a Barn Swallow feeding alongside the road as I approached the Colmenar turning.  My local Thekla Larks were waiting to welcome me back on to the mountain, along with the local goat herd that I had to follow up the track.

Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cattle Egret, Flamingo, Griffon Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Stone Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Thekla lark, Barn Swallow, Stonechat, Sadinian Warbler, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

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

Four days in the Doñana National Park

What a seven-day birding experience!  First it was Steve, Elena and I taking up to three days to explore the eastern bank of the Guadalquivir and John and Jenny Wainwright have just come back from four days on the western bank where they were able to stay in El Rocio and make the most of exploring both the Doñana National Park and that wonderful wader experience known as the Marismas del Odiel (Odiel Marshes to thee and me).  Reading John's report which arrived last night (barely an hour after I had been thinking what has happened to John and Jenny; I have not heard from them for over a week), it was most pleasing to see that the Great White Egrets have returned in good numbers to the area plus a selection of raptors. 

And what about all those Common Redstarts, Northern Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails, not to mention the first report of Robins seen once agin this Autumn. 

Now that John and Jenny have returned safely to their Salar home I shall, no doubt, here more of their sightings when we all meet next Thursday for the Axarquia Bird Group meet at Ventas de Zafarraya.  John's very full report follows:


Four Days in Donana

Jenny decided she would like a short break so we packed up the car and headed for El Rocio and the Doñana National Park. All eight photos are by Jenny.
 

Donaña: Day One. 6th October 2013

Being a Sunday the roads were very quiet and the run down to El Rocio was uneventful.  We did however see - en route- five Buzzards, Wood Pigeons, Spotless Starlings, Rock Pigeons, Raven, House Sparrows, Cattle Egrets, Grey Heron and at the famous dump (prior to Seville at km54) we found over two hundred White Storks.
 

Great White Egret Garceta Grande Egreta alba (left) with Grey Heron Garza Real Ardea cinera illustrating the former's size  (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

After unloading and settling in we took a ride to the SEO visitors centre in El Rocio - the village itself was absolutely packed with visitors - but luckily the centre was empty.  Here we found Black-headed Gulls, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Lapwings, Mallard, Teal, Coots, Moorhens, Little Egrets, one Great White Egret, Grey Herons, Crested Larks, Kestrel and huge numbers of Yellow Wagtails feeding amongst the cattle.   Northern Wheatears were everywhere, along the roadside, on the marismas and all the surrounding fields had a quantity of them.  Good views of the Red Deer were had, browsing among the marsh horses.

The water level in the marismas at El Rocio is very low and a lot of the smaller passerines and waders - which we could see moving about - were unidentifiable due to distance and heat haze.  We did however locate the Spanish Imperial Eagle, which did a fly by, disappeared for a moment then appeared back in its eucalyptus tree some twenty minutes later.  It didn´t stay long here, but gave good views as it soared across the tree line, not to be seen again today.

In the trees surrounding the centre we saw Spotted Flycatcher, House Sparrows, Goldfinches, Redstart, Common and Azure-winged Magpies, Blackbird and yet more Spotless Starlings.
 

Spotted Flycatcher Papamoscas Gris Muscicapa striata (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

We then drove along to the Acebuche reserve, which, like El Rocio is more or less devoid of water. Here we saw more Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher, Robin, Blackbird and a Green Sandpiper.  On the return to the El Rocio a Buzzard was spotted on the roadside fence.

Doñana: Day Two, 7th October 2013.

A very hot day with very little breeze.

We decided to checkout the Laguna del la Mujer this is at km13 on the Matlascanas - Huelva road, as we had other arrangements in the late afternoon.

As we pulled in to the laguna we saw several Spotted Flycatchers, Magpies, Blackbirds, Crested Larks and a Southern Grey Shrike.  At the brick hide we disturbed a large flock of Azure-winged Magpies, several Blackbirds and good numbers of House Sparrows.

Scoping the laguna we found Common Snipe, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, two Purple Swamphens, Coots and Moorhens also a Buzzard was heard mewing but we couldn´t see it.   Cetti´s Warblers were in good voice as were Great Tits and Stonechats.
 

Penduline Tit Pajaro Moscon Remiz pendulinus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

A couple of small LBJs (little brown jobs) flew into the wild olive tree to our front, one of them flew up and out onto an exposed branch..it was a Penduline Tit. the other flew down and was seen feeding on the reed mace.  This was joined by another three birds - I have never seen that number of Pendulines together before.   A flash of colour gave us our first Kingfisher of the day and above him a Cormorant and four Wood Pigeons flew over the factory at the rear of the lake.

In the bushes to our left front a Sardinian Warbler was seen along with some House Sparrows and the Kingfisher flew past again.   The far reeds to our front right was alive with Waxbills - just a pity they were too distant for photos.

A scratching call from the brambles gave us a Reed Warbler and another family of Stonechats were seen.  Three Magpies flew across the lake in the direction of the factory then a Lesser Kestrel.

On arriving back at the camp site we had a little drive around the local bye-ways, here we found Crested Larks, Cattle Egrets, Greater Flamingos, Green Sandpiper, Red-legged Partridges, Stonechats, hundreds and hundreds of Yellow Wagtails, Northern Wheatears and, in a culvert, a Little Owl.

In the smallish pools we found Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Spoonbills, Coots, Mallard and Gadwall while above a couple of Marsh Harriers patrolled the marshes.

The small wild olive trees held Common Redstarts, Willow Warblers, Zitting Cisticola and Spotted Flycatchers, whilst the power lines had six Lesser Kestrels and two Black-shouldered Kites.
Back home to rest as tomorrow is the Odiel Marshes.

Doñana: Day 3, 8th October 2013  Odiel Marshes

A really hot day today no breeze whatsoever at the coast.

The approach to Huelva was quite encouraging, yielding Ravens, Magpies, Southern Grey Shrikes, Azure-winged Magpies, Collared Doves, Black-headed Gulls and Common Kestrels.
 

Sanderling Correlimos Tridactilo Claidris alba (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

On the approach road to the marshes, we pulled into a turning that should have taken us down to the shoreline but this had been closed of for works.   Still, the small pool at the entrance to the site was very productive.  Here we saw Little Egret, Spanish Sparrows, House Sparrows, Black-tailed Godwits, Grey Heron, a juvenile Greater Flamingo, Moorhens, Mallard, Shovelers and Zitting Cisticola.  

Redshank Archibebe Comun Tringa tetanus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

We then moved on to the Visitors' Centre, where, in the surrounding bushes, we saw Sardinian Warblers, Stonechats and Goldfinches.  On the estuary mudflats we found Whimbrel, Ringed Plovers, Cormorant, Dunlin, Sanderlings, Redshanks and a couple of Curlew Sandpipers.   

Oystercatcher Ostrero Euroasiatico Haematopus ostralegus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

We drove along to the extreme of Punto Umbria, and in doing so found several juvenile and two adult Sandwich Terns, juvenile Common Terns, Turnstones, a single Curlew, Oystercatchers, Grey Plovers (one male still in full summer plumage), Mediterranean Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged Gulls, Northern Wheatears, Crested Larks, Magpies, Southern Grey Shrike, Lapwings, Little Stints, Greenshank, Common and Green Sandpipers, a lone Great White Egret in company with a Grey Heron, seven White Storks, lots of Little Egrets, Hoopoe, Common Buzzard, Spoonbills, scores of Whimbrel, Greater Flamingos and an Osprey.

Turnstone Vuelvepiedras Comun Arenaria interpres (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the Valverde Centre and Isla Mayor area.


Doñana: Day 4,  9th October 2013  Valverde Centre and Laguna Abajo

Another very hot day with little cloud .

As the Laguna del Abajo is on the way round to the centre we decided to look at that first but on the way we there we saw Spotless Starlings, Common Magpies, Collared Doves, Sardinian Warblers, Wood Pigeons, Stonechats, Goldfinches, two Ravens and Azure-winged Magpies.  In the fields a small flock of Meadow Pipits were seen, as well as a Buzzard, a late Woodchat Shrike, Crested Larks, Hoopoe, Zitting Cisticolas, a White Wagtail and a Black-shouldered Kite.

As we arrived we could see the masses of White Storks circling above the laguna, and looking across to the far bank they were everywhere; in the trees, on the banks, in the water and on the islets in the laguna.  I estimated a good eight hundred to a thousand birds in total.  Among the storks were Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingos, Spoonbills, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Black-winged Stilts.  On the smaller exposed areas of mud we saw Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Lapwings and a total of thirty-four Common Snipe.

In the distance a female Marsh Harrier was being mobbed by three Jackdaws and a Cormorant flew past them.   Another Marsh Harrier came low over the reeds and put up the Common Coots and Moorhens along with Green Sandpipers and Greenshanks.

A Zitting Cisticola flew up onto the power lines above us but was chased away by a Black-headed Weaver (Ploceus melanocephalus).  Whilst this chase was continuing, three Barn Swallows passed by and a large shadow passing over us gave us two Black Storks.

Lots of Goldfinches and House Sparrows here and a couple of Cetti´s Warblers were singing.

We decided to go along to the hides at the laguna and as we set off a Fox (Vulpes vulpes) - with a very strange colouring of almost silver grey with black and brown mottling - got half way across the road, saw us and high-tailed it back into the ditch to our right.  As we entered the driveway to the Laguna the fox was seen again heading across the meadows in the direction of the water.  The car park was chained off today so we turned back and headed for the Valverde Centre.

En route to the Valverde Centre the prominent bird was the Grey Heron and the Little Egret, interspersed with a few Great White Egrets.  Only three more Buzzards were seen as well as Black Kites, Marsh Harriers and a single Red Kite.  In the small bushes lining the track there were Willow Warblers, Common Redstarts, Cetti´s Warblers, Stonechats, Goldfinches, Spotted Flycatchers, Zitting Cisticolas, a few Spanish Sparrows along with some House Sparrows and a lone Pied Flycatcher.  On the track itself were Crested Larks and Yellow Wagtails.



Zitting Cisticola Buitron Cisticola juncidis (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)


Up at the old pumping station a Cormorant was seen fishing in the canal and two Squacco Herons took off from the left bank along with Grey Herons, White Storks, a Great White Egret and three Mallard.

Along the power lines we saw good numbers of Lesser Kestrels and a Booted Eagle was spotted on the top of one of these poles.  A few Black-headed Gulls were flying up and down the canals and a male Marsh Harrier flew out of the same as we passed by.

Lots of Northern Wheatears about but only a few Yellow Wagtails on this part of the track.  A few more Glossy Ibis passed overhead and landed in a distant pool where we could see Greater Flamingos.  There were ducks here but too far for any positive id.

The centre was devoid of movement except for thousands of dragonflies.  But a very distressing sight was the dead Barn Owl which was trapped under the wire netting that was holding the thatch to the centres roof in place.  This was the second dead bird found on this roof in three days and, as when we pointed the bird out to the girl at the reception desk, she just shrugged her shoulders and walked back to her seat - so much for bird conservation here.

We drove out of the Centre and turned left along to the flood pool on the road junction.  Here we found Spoonbills, Greater Flamingos, several Redshanks, Black-winged Stilts, Lapwings, Avocets, Ringed Plovers, Common and Green Sandpipers and White Wagtails.   We then continued along the no through road and here we found hundreds of Yellow Wagtails (one poor unfortunate bird being pounced on by a Lesser Kestrel), also more Northern Wheatears, a Whinchat and another female Marsh Harrier.
Back on the track leading out of the reserve we found a Short-toed Eagle and four Griffon Vultures and in some small brackish pools we saw Greenshanks, Green Sandpipers, a Wood Sandpiper and a Common Snipe.

Further down the track in the large ponds by the new "works" we saw Great Crested Grebe and its juvenile, three Little Grebes, Ringed Plover, Black-winged Stilts, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and two Black-headed Gulls.  On a track between us and a cotton field, Jenny spotted an Egyptian Mongoose, which, on seeing us darted back into the cotton.  A few Cattle Egrets down this end, a Red Kite and two more Griffon Vultures plus our first and only Red-legged Partridges of the trip.

Two more Ravens, a Buzzard, a Blackbird and three more Yellow Wagtails were seen as we gained the main El Rocio road back to our cabin.

Home tomorrow.. Thursday  
Doñana:  10th October 2013  Home Trip

Bright in El Rocio but clouded over on way home.

On the way home from El Rocio we saw Common Kestrel, five Griffon Vultures, Ravens, Marsh Harrier, Stonechats, one Whinchat, Crested Larks, Zitting Cisticola, Collared Doves, Northern Wheatears, a Black Kite, Black-headed Gulls, White Stork, Cattle Egret, Spotless Starlings, Magpies, House Sparrows, a Buzzard, Azure-winged Magpies and Yellow Wagtails.

A very enjoyable break and some great birds.


What a tremendous report John with some absolutely fabulous birds recorded.

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

Charca de Suarez and Pintail

Thursday 10 October

Rather longer than expected undertaking some maintenance in Velez de Benaudalla so just a bare sixty minutes at the Charca de Suarez reserve on the western outskirts of Motril as we made our way back to Casa Collado.  As we entered "Turtle Dove Alley" (all the Turtle Doves seem now to have departed for more southern climes) we were greeted by a single Moorhen in the drain and a watchful Kestrel.  Driving down the concrete alley there were lots of House Sparrows feeding on and near the road along with a small number of Serin.

Little Egret Garceta Comun Egretta garzetta

Jenny off for a coffee at a local hotel as I walked round to the main hide, first encountering a number of male Blackbirds and then a single Spotted Flycatcher.  The first pool, Laguna del Taraje, held a few Mallards and Coots but little else seen until I reached the main Laguna de las Aneas.  I got the distinct impression that Coot numbers were very much down but still plenty to be seen along with the usual Moorhens.  A lot of Cormorants had arrive and a count of seventeen suggested that this might be a roosting site at the present time.  Only a handful of Little Egrets and just the single Cattle Egret along with a trio of Grey Herons.  Little Grebes had to be searched for and, eventually, a total of a score or more were counted.

The solitary female Pintail Anade Rabudo Anas acuta on the Lagunade las Aneas

Ducks consisted of mainly Mallards in the foreground but perseverance produced about a dozen Shovelers at the back of the water along with a pair of Teal.  However, pride of place must go to the single female Pintail which, whilst being relatively close to the main hide, was feeding in the shadow of a very low sun as the available light quickly receded.  The only other birds recorded on the water were a couple of dozen Black-headed Gulls.


Whilst the walk to the neighbouring Laguna del Trebol produced nothing new, just a single Little Egret and Little Grebe, a handful of Moorhens and a dozen Coots, I did get out of the hide in time to see the female Marsh Harrier drift over the waters and away to the east.  Just a shame that the Pintail, as mentioned above, was not found until my return to the main hide by which time it was almost time to depart before closing and only limited light available.  On the other hand, whilst Mano prepared to lock up I did manage a quick thirty second visit to the Laguna del Lirio and there was my first Purple Swamphen casually wandering along the back of the water in the shade of the reeds.

Record shot of distant Purple Swamphen Calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyria

Birds seen:
Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Grebe, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin.

Footnote: Given the time of day, perhaps not the best time to experiment with the Canon IS 70-300 f1.4 to 5.6 zoom lens.

 

 

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

Three days in Cadiz & Sevilla Provinces

Day 1:  Friday 4 October

Stonechat  Tarabilla Comun  Saxicola torquatus

 

Up and down to Torre del Mar where I met up with Steve and Elena Powell for the start of our birding tour to the west of the region taking in Tarifa, Los lances beach and La Janda followed by La Janda, Bonanza and then the Brazo del Este on the Saturday and finally the Osuna "circuit" in Sevilla Province on the Sunday morning.  In addition, we also made a stop at both the Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra on the drive back to lake Vinuela.  Perfect weather with hardly a breeze over the three days and clear blue skies on the first day (if anything a little too hot on the Saturday!) plus a sunny but becoming cloudy Sunday.  The weather forecast had been very accurate.

A very high Short-toed Eagle Culubrera Europea Circaetus gallicus

Approaching Algeciras we had already seen Kestrel, White Stork and both common dove so it was straight up to the El Algorrobo raptor viewpoint with blue skies, no wind at 10.30 and the hope of something spectacular.  Unfortunately, we seemed to have picked  on something of a "quiet day" with relatively few birds passing through and those that did were, on the whole, very high.  Thank goodness we had both Crested Lark and Blackcap as we entered the site.  There were a number of Barn Swallows but then the first raptors, mainly Griffin Vultures but also Short-toed Eagles, the occasional late Honey Buzzard and a couple of Booted Eagles.  Meanwhile, a Sardinian Warbler was playing around in the nearby bushes along with a Pied Flycatcher.  Finally, a small flock of Black Storks passed over and we decided to move across to the other side of the sierra and check out the Cazalla viewpoint.  Not much better here and we were also more exposed to the slight breeze.  However, we did pick up more Griffins and Short-toed Eagles plus a Sparrowhawk and the first of the many Common Kestrels that were to be seen in the three days.  In addition, we arrived in time for a hirundine movement which consisted of mainly House Martins and a few Barn Swallows but also at least a handful of Red-rumped Swallows.  A single and late Alpine Swift was recorded and then much time was spent photographing a very obliging Willow Warbler that was busily fattening itself up for the crossing over to Africa.

Willow Warbler  Mosquitero Musical  Phylloscopus trochilus

Time to move on so first a stop at the Los Lances beach where the tide was very much out and, with such little breeze, no wind-surfers to obstruct the birding.  Little Egrets and Grey Herons were quickly spotted along with a score or more of Sandwich Terns resting on the posts in the shallow water in to the right.  The field approaching the hide was full of Yellow Wagtails, mainly of the Flava iberiae (Blue-headed) sub-species abut also a few Flava flavisima, presumably on their way back from Britain.  Also seen were Norther Wheatear and Stonechats.  On the water on sand banks themselves were a number of Black-headed Gulls and also many Audouin's Gulls along with a single juvenile Flamingo (possibly the same bird that was present two weeks ago during the ABS visit to the area).  A single Grey Plover wandered the edges and we also saw Sanderling, Ringed Plover, a Ruff and a small number of Black-tailed Godwits.  Returning to the car we had a couple of Zitting Cisticolas on the track along with Stonechats, House Sparrows and Spotless Starlings.

Zitting Cisticola  Buitron  Cisticola juncidis

Our final site for the day before retuning to the area for our first overnight stop was La Janda.  Very little to be seen until we reached the canal and then it was much too quiet until we reached the large "pond" on the bend opposite the bridge over the canal.  Yes, we had recorded a number of both Cattle and Little Egrets, plus White Storks and Grey Herons but, until this point, no raptors other than a single Common Kestrel.  We even had a solitary Cormorant take off from the drainage channel next to the rice fields.  However, the pond turned up trumps with over 150 Glossy Ibis, many Black-winged Stilts, a number of Coot and about a dozen Shoveler.  A Cetti's Warbler was happily singing away below us.  Over the water and nearby rice fields we finally found our raptors with a quartet of quartering Marsh Harriers, more Common Kestrels and three Lesser Kestrels.  Behind us the track, field and trees were packed with Wood Pigeons, probably totalling between two and three thousand individuals. A Peregrine Falcon lifting off from one of the irrigation bars put most into the sky and then we had the wheeling spectacle above and around us that one comes to expect with pre-roosting Starlings or moving Knot flocks on the British east coast.  Jackdaws were on the pylons, and scores more were to be seen at the "smelly farm", along with numerous small charms of Goldfinches.  Just as we set off towards the smelly farm we had an immature Golden Eagle pass over and then we were amongst the Red-legged Partridge and a single Pheasant.

Part of the flock of over 200 Glossy Ibis  Morito Comun Ciconia nigra in La Janda

Rather than make a return drive to the pool, we continued on towards Benalup and had a lovely view of a Whinchat not far beyond the farm but would the little rascal pose long enough for a photograph?  of course it would not.  But we did see a couple of Buzzards and then, at the roadside river where the water level was higher than we had expected, a single Green Sandpiper followed by a quartet of Snipe.  Leaving Benlup we arrived at the main road near Vejer de Frontera so decided to call in at the local golf course where we not only saw our second Hoopoe and first Chaffinches but also found a handful of Bald Ibis, every individual covered, as Steve would say, in bling of an assortment of varying materials and colours. 

Bald Ibis Ibis Eremita Geronticus eremita complete with an assortment of identification rings

Travelling via Barbate, where the tide was almost full in, restricted waders to a few Sanderling and Ringed Plovers whilst a Corn Bunting on the journey back to the hotel and a single male Blackbird as we arrived seemed to have concluded our birding for the day - but this was not to be!  Sitting outside to enjoy our evening meal, about 9pm, Elena notice the large dark birding flying around behind me followed by Steve who also saw it take for the nearby trees but the wretched Red-necked Nightjar refused to return so that I, too, might have a look at this magnificent bird.  Which ever way you look at it this was a tremendous way to finish day with a total of 62 species recorded.

Day 2:  Saturday 5 October

A misty start as we made our way westwards and, as we were away by 9 o'clock, decided we would make a non-stop drive along the main track at La Janda in case anything should be about at this earlier hour.  What we had not bargained for was the low-lying mist.  We may have had our first Buzzard and a couple of Blackbirds early on but La Janda looked as if it might be somewhat of a washout.  Yes, there were lots of Zitting Cisticolas, Stonechats and Corn Buntings as we made our way down the track to the canal but then nothing with no view over the neighbouring rice fields.  White Storks, Cattle and Little Egrets were seen plus the occasional Grey Heron but, to date, only the sight of a Tree Sparrow amongst the small flock of House Sparrows on the entry track had made the journey seem worthwhile.  Cetti's Warblers were calling from the track-side vegetation and we also had numerous Goldfinches, Spotless Starlings, a continuous supply of Crested Larks and a couple of Jackdaws but we were almost at the "pond", as described yesterday, before we got our first real thrill of the morning.  What seemed to be scores, if not an hundred plus, House Sparrows flitting around the side of the track turned out to be almost exclusively Spanish Sparrows.

Spanish Sparrows Gorrion Moruno Passer hispaniolensis in the early morning mist at La Janda

At the pond fewer Glossy Ibis but still good numbers of Mallard, Shoveler, Coot and Black-winged Stilts along with a pair of Teal.  The Marsh Harriers were mainly resting in the rice fields but there were more Grey Herons to be seen along with the Cattle and Little Egrets.  What made this detour all the more worthwhile was the sight of a trio of Black-shouldered Kites that had, presumably, been roosting in a nearby tree on the opposite side of the track.


Leaving La Janda we drove straight over to the Salinas of Bonanza on the eastern bank of the Guadalquivir, recording numerous Flamingos and a single Magpie as we made our way round the outskirts of Cadiz itself as we headed over towards Jerez.  Arriving at the working salinas where the salt was stacked in huge deposits, we first noted the small number of Ringed Plovers, lots of resting Little Egrets and then a single Kingfisher as it dashed past us like the proverbial bolt out of the blue.  It required a drive to the far end of the workings to really get amongst the birds where we found very large numbers of both Flamingos and Avocets.  In addition to the Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls we had a single Caspian Tern and a range of waders that included Redshank (mainly), Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Bar and Black-tailed Godwits along with Coots and Moorhens.  The connecting track at the far end produced both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler along with Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola and Northern Wheatear.  In addition to a small number of White Storks it was a pleasure to watch a circling Black Stork not so far above our heads.


Sandwiches eaten, we made our way eastwards across the provincial border into Sevilla and on to the wonderful Braza del Este.  This is always a good site, even at times like today when the rice had yet to be harvested so that members of the extended heron family were not out in good numbers.  Loads of White Storks to be seen and then, as we started to approach the water pools,  the birds started to be seen; first a couple of Little Grebes and then another Green Sandpiper.  Checking the back of a larger sheet of water we found a pair of Spoonbill in addition to the Little Egrets and Grey Herons whilst, much nearer to us, we were able to watch a feeding Reed Warbler. 

The fabulous Osprey Aguila Pescadora Pandion halaetus waiting for our arrival in the Braza del Este

No sooner had we moved on than we found an Osprey resting on the nearby bank that seemed to take its time gaining height so, yet again, plenty of opportunity to make use of our cameras.  No sooner had it gained some height than it s joined by a Black Stork to give two views for the price of one.  At that moment a Cormorant flew past just to add a little variety!  Meanwhile, on a smaller pool on the opposite side of the track, we not only found more Little Grebes, Mallards, Grey Herons and Little Egrets but also a couple of Purple Swamphens.


Having seen most of the heron family, I indicated that it would be rather lovely to complete the set with Purple Heron, Squacco and Night Herons given that the great White Egrets may not yet have arrived in the area.  No sooner said than don when , looking down a deep drainage channel on the left w found a single "strange" heron.  By the time I had convinced Steve that we were actually looking at a juvenile Purple Heron and taken the necessary photograph, Elena as trying to get our attention to turn our heads to the left where, not ten metres away, was a Squacco Heron sitting on the concrete sill of the pumping station!  We thought we lost the bird when it flew away but then discovered that there were two more in the immediate vicinity so, yet again, more photographic opportunities. 


Was that the end of the excitement as we found the right-hand turn off that would take us back to the main road?  No.  No sooner had we travelled down the track until almost reaching the right-hand band than Steve stopped the car to look at the departing flock of Lapwing.  But was all the noise from the neighbouring tree?  Suddenly Steve was looking into the beady red eye of a Night Heron; not one, but at least a handful.  Closer inspection and movement from the birds resulted in us counting at least forty-one including a number of juveniles.  So much for saying that I needed one Night Heron!  Job done and all the heron family recorded.  But, wait a moment, what was wrong with the female Serin (which we did record later in the day); they are not that yellow below or even that big.  Then the male turned up to confirm our excitement; we had found the local nesting colony, purely by chance, of a large flock of Black-headed Weavers.  The birds were all over the place; in and out of the neighbouring bushes and trees and we managed to identify at least ten nests in the process, presumably, of being woven, from which the birds get their name.  In addition to the "African imports" we also found a couple of Yellow-crowned Bishops so, presumably, these weavers are happy to lived in iced colonies.  Not content with these finds, we had a couple of Snipe on the water below along with a Wood Sandpiper and the second Kingfisher of the day flashed past.

Male Black-headed Weaver Tejedor de la Villa Ploceus melanocephalus

Female Black-headed Weaver Tejedor de la Villa Ploceus melanocephalus

What a happy, active bunch are these sociable Black-headed Weavers

Note the Yellow-crowned Bishop Tejedor Amarillo Euplectes afer to the left of the Black-necked Weaver

Well, what with the numerous Yellow Wagtails (iberiae), White Wagtails and Short-toed Larks on the opposite bank as we mad our way along, not to mention a Sedge Warbler, and we had had a very enjoyable day's birding which totalled some 69 species.  Time to head of towards Osuna and find a hotel for the night.

Short-toed Lark  Terrera Comun  Calandrella brachydactyla

A very pensive Grey Heron Garza Real Ardea cinerea

 Meanwhile, there would appear to be much activity at the Night Heron roost

Adult Night Heron Martinete Comun Nycticorax nycticorax with that gorgeous red eye

A juvenile takes flight compared with his senior as seen below

 

Adult (above) and juvenile (below) Night Herons at rest

Time for some exercise for both adults and juveniles

Day 2:  Sunday 6 October

On the motorway by 9 o'clock for the short trip down to La Puebla de Cazalla from where we would be undertaking a reverse tour of the "Osuna triangle" to try and find the Great Bustards and a range of raptors.  Approaching the turn-off we had numerous Spotless Starlings and Collared Doves plus Cattle Egrets, a single White Stork and a Peregrine Falcon.  A very cursory check overnight suggested that the species count to date was about 92 so a further minimum of eight species required to take us up to the ton.  Arriving at the right-hand turn towards Osuna we had already added a Great Tit when we stopped, overlooking the yet-to-be-completed nearby high-speed rail track, to find a lovely Black-shouldered Kite.  The bird was eventually put up and moved on by a Buzzard, watched over by a pair of Jackdaws. but that only resulted in revealing the first of very many Red-legged Partridges, despite the fact that every hunter in the country seemed to be out with is dogs to shoot everything out of the sky.

Record shot of Black-shouldered Kite  Elanio Comun  Elanus caeruleus

More and more Crested Larks were up and about along with a couple of Corn Bumtings and Hoopoes when we found a single Pied Flycatcher that simply refused to pose long enough to be photographed.  Next it was the turn of more Kestrels and then the first of many Southern Grey Shrikes followed by large numbers of Ravens, thirteen being the largest flock seen.  Then continued a steady, if somewhat slow, recording of birds including many Marsh Harriers, Buzzard, Sardinian Warbler, Northern Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola and Goldfinches until we decided it was time to make our way further east and call in at both the Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra just over the border in Malaga Province.

Southern Grey Shrike Alcaudon Real Lanius meridionalis

Laguna Dulce produced the expected large numbers of Coots and Mallards along with a good number of Shovelers, scores of White-headed Ducks, a few Common Pochard a handful of Gadwall.  All three grebes were present with mainly good numbers of both Little and Black-necked but not quite so many Great Crested Grebes.  Also present were a small number of both Flamingos and Little Egrets and four Marsh Harriers were busy quartering the area. In the picnic area both Chidfchaff and Willow Warbler were recorded and a small flock of about fifteen Lapwings arrive on the seen to the left of the hide.  The only other wader seen was a small group of Black-winged Stilts.

Very little to be seen on the drive round the eastern side of the lake at Fuente de Piedra other than more Zitting Cisticolas and Stonechats along with Crested Larks.  Certainly not the Stone Curlews that we had hoped to find and he Cranes are not expected back until the end of the month at the earliest.  The laguna, other than the thousands of Flamingos, was particularly disappointing and with only one juvenile Flamingo on the laguneta to the rear and a single Green Sandpiper.  A few Mallards and Shovelers along with Black-winged Stilts and a couple of both Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gulls just about summed it all up.  By now I suspect that we were all tired and ready for a break so we decided to call it a day and head back to Lake Vinuela and the end of a very enjoyable three days.  Whilst I was welcomed home by a number of Thekla Larks, Steve and Elena were greeted by some rather lovely Blue Rock Thrushes.

Whilst at the different sites we also managed to see numerous dragonflies and butterflies.  There certainly appeared to be many Lesser and Larger White butterflies along with Swallowtails whilst many of the dragonflies seemed to be either male or female Red-veined Darters or Lesser Emperors.

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui

Male Epaulet Skimmer Orthetrum chrysostigma

Female Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii

So, until Steve and /or Elena tell me otherwise, it looks as if, number wise, we were successful and topped out at three figures with a final count of 106 species for the three days.


Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Bald Ibis, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Black Stork, White Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Honey Buzard, Osprey, Black-shouldered Kite, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Dunlin,  Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Tern, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Red-necked Nighjar, Alpine Swift, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Short-toed lark, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Blue-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail, Whinchat,Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Ziting Cisticola, SedgeWarbler, Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Great Tit, Southern Grey Shrike, Magpie, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting, Black-headed Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop.

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