Embalse Bermejales with John and Jenny

Friday 24 October

Sounds very much as if John and Jenny Wainwright are not having the best of times health wise but you can never keep a good birder down as John and Jenny have forced themselves out and about with a visit to the large Embalse Bermejales just beyond Alhama de Granada.  Get well soon the both of you and we all look forward to seeing you at our next monthly Axarquia Bird Group outing if not before.

Bermejales:  Wednesday 22 October

A warm day with a nice breeze off of the water at times.

The trip over to the Embalse Bermejales was pretty bland just the odd Collared Dove and Spotless Starling
were seen.  So after coffee at the Crux restaurant we parked up and made ourselves comfortable.  I started on my walk heading towards the camp-site, the water is well down today and the small island bush growth is in view for the first time in 5 or 6 years.  First sightings were of two White Wagtails and a Magpie, overhead lots of Crossbills flying to and fro across the  pines and on the shore huge flocks of Linnets flew just ahead of me.  At the point, a male Black Redstart  and a Sardinian Warbler were noted as were more Crossbills.  A few Crested Larks were seen as well as several  Painted Lady butterflies.  The lake was bare all bar a single
Cormorant and two Black-headed Gulls.

Coal Tit  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Across the road and following the path of the stream I found Long-tailed and Coal Tits, Chiffchaffs, Goldfinches, Greenfinches and the inimitable Woodpigeons "clapping" out of the trees letting all and sundry
know someone was about. But apparently it didn´t too much harm as I then saw a Willow Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Short-toed Treecreeper, Serins and another family of Coal Tits.  Out into the open area where the leaves of the small almond trees were being blown willy-nilly by the breeze, but even here I managed to find a male Pied Flycatcher and a Great Tit. Quite a few Magpies in and around this area and as I was searching the area for Scorpions(Buthus occitanicus) of which I found one I also found a Common Toad - I assume it is Common as it had horizontal pupil and green eyes ( Is this correct??).

Common Toad  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Back to join Jenny and our friends, Jenny finding a Little Ringed Plover in my absence, here, after lunch we sat around and did a bit of armchair (or rather deck chair) birding.  Good views of four Firecrests were forthcoming as well as Great, Blue, Long-tailed and Coal Tits, Short-toed Treecreeper, Chaffinches, Chiffchaffs, White Wagtails, Crossbills and Linnets.

Firecrest  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

On the way home as we approached Alhama del Granada two Bonelli´s Eagles were spotted over the olive groves, also Blackbird, Buzzard, Southern Grey Shrike and House Sparrows were also seen in and around this area.  Other butterflies seen were Red Admiral, Spaish Marbled White, Cardinal, Large and Small Whites and Pale Clouded Yellow.

Magpie  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds great John and I liked the photos.

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

Charca de Suarez

Sunday 19 October

Up early and off in the dark to collect Rosie and Ann from their hotel in Torremolinos and then over to the Charca de Suarez reserve in Motril for the morning.  By the time we arrived just before ten the sun was already beating down from the clear blue sky and temperatures starting to soar.  Come departure time at one o'clock there was a slight breeze to compensate for the heat which had by then reached the low thirties.

Male Red Avadavat Bengai Rojo Amandava amandava

Driving towards "Turtle Dove Alley" we had a good sized flock of Spotless Starlings in the fields and at least a score of Collared Doves on the wires.  Stopping as soon as we had entered the concrete alley we had Goldfinches, House Sparrows and a Greenfinch but on this occasion no clear sightings of any Red Avadavats.  A question now of relying upon a sighting once inside the reserve.

No sooner had we entered the main gate than we could hear numerous calling Cetti's Warblers and a male Blackbird flew across the track and into the reserve proper.  At about the same time the first of a number of Cetti's Warblers was actually seen.  Straight down to the new lagoon, Laguna del Alamo Blanco, where we found a single Little Egret, Black-winged Stilt  and a juvenile Flamingo. About  score of ducks which seemed evenly split between Mallards and Teals but also a pair of Shoveler in eclipse plumage.  Just the single Grey Wagtail and a lone White Wagtail foraging on the muddy shires.  As we approached a Snipe took to the skies but we soon found a second individual along with a single Green Sandpiper.

Little Grebe Zampullin Comun Tachybaptus ruficollis on laguna del Taraje

Whilst here we were joined by Barry Avis, I thought that he had driven back to Mercia province last Friday following our Rio Velez meet but, nevertheless, a very welcome surprise, and also Allen and Yvonne Hartley.  Before taking our leave to continue on an anti-clockwise circuit of the reserve to try and keep the sun behind us for as long as possible, we had a very short sighting of a male Sparrowhawk as it dashed parallel low over the reeds to our right and either into the back of the large tree or away behind it out of sight.  It certainly put the birds up into the air and just a shame it could not be found to get even a record shot.  Not the only raptor seen here as we also had a second sighting of a Common Kestrel quartering the area.  In addition to the raptors we also had a number of smaller birds including Chiffchaff and Zitting Cisticola.  However, I suspect that the ladies were more thrilled to actually get some close views of the many Red Aadavats that were darting about here and there but, more often than not, dropping straight down to the base of the reeds to prevent really close inspection.  But we were able to pick out the red males and dull-green females with their bright undersides.

Having come across a few Serins on the walk to the Laguna del Lirio, the water produced a second Grey Wagtail along with a few Coots and Moorhens including a pair of juveniles of the latter.  The female Stonechat that put in an appearance was a welcome sighting but not so much as the Kingfisher that flew in front of the hide, made a brief landing on the dead stick in front and then shot off towards the back of the water where it was quickly followed by a second individual. A pool too soon as we found a single, collar tagged, Red-knobbed Coot on this water which gave us much pleasure as we identified the little red knobs above its white plate and the chance to compare its shape and outline with the nearby Common Coots.

Red-knobbed Coot Focha Motuna Fulica cristata on Laguna del Lirio

Walking towards the Laguna del Trebol we had a pair of Great Tits and having arrived more views of the Red-knobbed Coots.  However, having waited only a few minutes, we were rewarded by the sight of the feeding Bluethroat looking most handsome with its white spot shining from its blue bib, surely an adult male.  Unfortunately, the bird only remained long enough for all three of us to watch and, I must admit, I did not adjust the camera to allow for the shade, hence the enhanced photograph.

Record shot of Bluethroat Ruisenor Pechiazul Luscinia svecica on Laguna del Trebol

The continuing walk round the track to check out the water from the opposite hide produced a single Robin and yet more singing Cetti's Warblers but nothing new to add, albeit we did have a closer view of a Snipe, so on to the main hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas.  Not as many Coots as I expected and only a single Little Egret and two Grey Herons.  However, there were half-a-dozen Cormorants resting on the island immediately in front of the hide.  Having seen the Mallards,  another couple of Shoveler and a handful of Teal we then discovered a trio of Common Pochard, two males and a female.

Record shot of Snipe Agachadiza Comun Gallinago gallinago

Finally, Rosie spotted the target bird as a Purple Swamphen paddled away from the island to the right to climb out and explore the reeds for food.  Almost straight away a second individual repeated the same journey and we then had a pair sharing their dining arrangements.  No gulls to be seen but we did get a fleeting glance of a handful of hirundines pass high overhead.  However, much as I suspect that they were Crag Martins down from the mountains for the winter, the hide's window prevented us being able to get any chance of a better sighting; they were seen and gone!

The feeding Purple Swamphens calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyrio on laguna de las Aneas

We finished the circuit be returning to the original water but not before joining many others to look at, and photograph, the little green frog, Mediterranean Tree Fog Ranita Meridional Hyla meridionalis, that had been found on a reed stem.

Mediterranean Tree Frog Ranita Meridional Hyla meridionalis

Our last stay at the Alamo Blanco produced yet more Red Avadavats and a couple of Ringed Plovers had arrived since our earlier departure along with a female Ruff (Reeve).  Our first Cattle Egret of the morning flew over and was joined by the Little Egret from the water below.  Shame that we were not able to confirm the hirundines as Crag martins as that would have taken the species total for the day to the round 40.  On the other hand, a call at the Malaga Parador on the way home did produce a number of Monk Parakeets so perhaps we could include those.


Birds seen:
Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Flamingo, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Robin, Bluethroat, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Red Avadavat, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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

Laguna Dulce

17 October 2014

I called in a the Laguna Dulce, Campillos on the way back from Ronda and what a disappointment it turned out to be.  Nothing wrong with the weather just no birds so to speak of.  Coot numbers were possibly up to about an hundred but less than a score of White-headed Ducks seen along with a handful of Mallards and a similar number of Gadwall hiding at the rear right-hand bay.   Indeed, the prominent duck would appear to be Shoveler of which there was a score or more.

Northern Shoveler Cuchara Comun Anas clypeata

Yes, i eventually found a pair of Great Crested Grebes and a half-dozen Little Grebes to join the few Black-headed Grebes on the open water.  Just the one adult Flamingo along with a quintet of juveniles.

Greater Flamingo Flamenco Comun Phoenicopterus roseus

Good job I saw a couple of Barn Swallows as I approached the water as there was nothing to be seen at the site itself.  A few Yellow-legged Gulls among the mainly (small) number of Black-headed Gulls.

And to make matters even worse, the locking tab that holds the scope tight on the release plate chose this moment to break so leaving me with a virtually redundant scope! What a life we birders keep.

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

Axarquia Bird Group: Rio Velez, Torre del Mar

Thursday 16 October

A most beautiful clear, calm and sunny morning with nineteen present for this month's Axarquia Bird Group visit to the local Rio Velez in Torre del Mar.  A shame that such a high attendance was met with relatively few birds and, in total, just over forty recorded by the group was a whole.  Olly had travelled down especially from Roquete de Mar in Almeria, setting off in the dark at 6.30, whilst Barrie and Jan Avis from Mercia were at least on their way home from a short break in Portugal.  Gerry Collins and Diane Porter travelled across from Salobrena bringing Nerja member Lesley Laver with them.  Not so far from the east came Steve and Elena Powell from Frigilliana with, freshly-returned after a long break back in the UK, Mary-Ann Murphy.  Also travelling westward were David and Ann Jefferson  from Competa and near-neighbour Patrick Raines from Canillas. Nearer to "home" we had Pat and Eric Lyon from Sayalonga, Dan Wilkinson from Triana, Howard Slade and Jurgen Breuer from Almachar and finally Malcolm Austin and myself from Lake Vinuela.

Grey Heron Garza Real Ardea cinerea

As might well be expected we were greeted by the resident Moorhens and Rock Doves and even had an early White Wagtail in the river below the road bridge.  A couple of Grey Herons flew away and we were to see plenty more during the morning.  However a very brief sighting of a juvenile Night Heron was to be improved upon at the end of the morning when we had two in flight over the track. A couple of Goldfinch but no more till later in the morning but regular sightings of male Blackbirds and a couple of noisy Monk Parakeets.

Walking down the track those a the rear were luck enough to pick up the single Pied Flycatcher and the first of two Kingfishers seen during the morning and away to the far left at the back of the fields was a single Cattle Egret whilst a few Crested Larks put in regular appearances.  The walk was especially noted for the number of Reed Warblers seen in the bushes on and near the river bank which looked a very lush green and completely screened the narrow river itself.  First a departing Green Sandpiper upstream quickly followed by a Common Sandpiper the the small group of Mallards fell into sight.  Other warblers included both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler along with Sardinian Warblers, Zitting Cisticolas and the ever-calling Cetti's Warbler.  in addition, the group also recorded both Stonechat and, on the return walk by Elena, Black Redstart and Robin.

Juvenile Reed Warbler Carricero Comun Acrocephalusscirp aceus trying to convince all that it was either a Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler

The first arrivals at the hide were graced by the presence of a trio of Barn Swallows and then more Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Reed Warblers.  At least seven Grey Herons visible at one point and whilst watching the disturbed Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls some found the soaring Booted Eagle high above.

The same bird photographed by Gerry Collins.  Note the remains of the yellow gape and the pale underside in the top.

Reaching the beach to look up river revealed not only more Moorhens and Common Coots but also the single Red-knobbed Coot that was first seen lat month.  Still wearing its white neck collar or I am sure this bird would have been missed by all.  Then, for the first time in many a year, a walk back along the western side if the river.  passing the gulls' roosting area we found a number of Mediterranean Gulls plus  the first Collared Dove of the morning.  On the muddy scrape in front, not only a few House Sparrows but a single Ringed Plover and a Meadow Pipit.

Red-knobbed Coot Focha Moruna Fulica crisala No. 276 

The final stop was to check out the field of artichokes, always a favourite of wagtails, and, sure enough, we were rewarded by both male and female Blue-headed Wagtails (Iberian race Yellow Wagtails)  and a juvenile White Wagtail.  In the far distance a couple of Jackdaws were seen near the cliff and a small number of Spotless Starlings passed over. And that was just about it save for a single Little Egret that took fright, as well as flight, as we approached the cars and with the eight Mallards were a pair of Shoveler in winter plumage and, finally, Elena managed to pick up a juvenile Bluethroat as she walked back to the car.

Having dispersed, I took Barrie and Jan up to the picnic site above Alcaucin where we were met by a large school party and much noise; what chance of any birds?  However we did have a couple of sightings of departing Jays, a Great Tit and Chaffinch near the "secret" water channel and high over the peak above a couple of Griffon Vultures and a pair of Raven.  On the other hand, re-approaching the top picnic site we first had a pair of Hawfinches, a Nuthatch and then a close view of a single Firecrest.  But no Crossbills seen on this occasion and that is probably a first!  Add on the Thekla Larks as I came back up the mountain to home and it was almost 50 species for the morning.


Birds seen:
Mallard, Shoveler, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Moorhen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Barn Swallow, Blue-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Bluethroat, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Chifchaff, Willow Warbler, Firecrest, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Pied Flycatcher, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch, Hawfinch.

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

Sierra Loja with John and Jenny

Tuesday 7 October

Good to see John and Jenny Wainwright on the road again, especially as it was to their local hot spot at the Sierra Loja, and good bird birds recorded.  And they will shortly be visiting Osuna so, hopefully, plenty of Great Bustards to be seen.


Sierra Loja  6th October

A very pleasant day, with light breezes.  A spur of the moment decision was to take us to our favourite area up in the Sierra Loja´s, and what a great decision that turned out to be.  Just the odd Collared Dove, Spotless Starlings and a Blackbird were seen en route as well as one Barn Swallow, so after coffee at our usual stop , we progressed under the autovia tunnel and into the pines.  Our first sightings was of two Mistle Thrushes - how they stood out with their fresh plumage, then Jenny noted a female Redstart and I another to the right of the thrushes, a Serin and further on up the track a male Great Tit was seen as well as two dark-phase Red Squirrels. 

Northern Wheatear Collalba Gris Oenanthe oenanthe (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

We took the track up to the hidden quarry ( no sign of the Eagle Owl today ), halfway up a Dartford Warbler afforded us splendid views but wouldn´t stay still long enough for a good photo, then a flock of Crossbills were seen entering the trees here.  A Coal Tit was heard but not seen and then another Dartford Warbler was noted by the quarry itself.  A couple of Blackbirds were seen flying across the rock face and above them a few Crag Martins, and on the crest we found three Spanish Ibex and to their right an adult and a juvenile Southern Grey Shrike.  Above them a Common Kestrel was being chased by two Jackdaws and whilst watching these birds a small flock of Linnets passed by.  Only one pair of Stonechats here today and a few Sardinian Warblers and yet another Dartford Warbler was heard down by the old workings.  To finish off here three Chough and a good number of Woodpigeons were also logged.

In the tree areas we found more Crossbills, Mistle Thrushes and Great Tits as well as a Short-toed Treecreeper, a Coal tit and several Chaffinches.  Onward to the first cliff area where we saw a mixed flock of Jackdaws and Chough, as well as two Common Kestrels, a small flock ( or should I say "charm") of Goldfinches and our first Black Redstart of the day.  At the next cliff area were photographing a Southern Grey Shrike, when the Jackdaws that had landed in the cliff face erupted in a huge cloud as a Black Stork came into view, luckily we had the cameras primed and were able to get some record shots of it.

Black Stork Ciguena Negra Ciconia nigra (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

Just after the Black Stork had passed out of sight, Jenny noted a Subalpine Warbler down in the bushes  and as we were watching him a Bonelli´s Eagle flew along the valley bottom and landed on the cliff face, displacing the Jackdaws and Chough that were perched there.  Behind us a family of Red-legged Partridges were feeding and then a pair of Sardinian Warblers started scolding another Southern Grey Shrike that had landed atop "their" bush.  A few Meadow Pipits, Rock Bunting, a family of Thekla Larks were to complete the list here.

Record shot of Spectacled Warbler Curruca Tomillera Sylvia conspicillata (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

Moving on to the marble quarry area we found our first Black Wheatear and our first Northern Wheatear (one of over twenty seen throughout the visit), also more Thekla Larks,  Stonechats, Dartford Warblers, Linnets and Goldfinches, while at the water trough two Rock Sparrows, were seen quenching their thirst.  In the sub-station no Little Owls were located, although more Chough, Common Kestrels, Northern Wheatears, Black Redstarts and Southern Grey Shrike were.

Southern Grey Shrike Alcaudon Real Lanius meridionalis (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

The journey to - and at - the ponds was uneventful only Chough and Goldfinches, there is very little water here although the top pond had a small amount - probably due to the storm last Thursday.  Along to the fossil cave area (not a peep here) but beyond it we did note more Northern Wheatears, two Black Wheatears, male and female Black Redstarts, a Lesser Kestrel,  Rock Sparrows and Rock Buntings.  In the area near Sierra Gorda we found a Spectacled Warbler (this is their normal breeding area here), a Whinchat and yet more Northern Wheatears and Southern Grey Shrikes.  A short note to say that the Autumn Crocus or Meadow Saffron are out in profusion here.

Autumn Crocus or Meadow Saffron Colchicum autumnale  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Our only other bird of note on the return journey was a juvenile Marsh Harrier over the wind turbines.  Lots of Tree Graylings, Large Whites, Cardinals, Speckled Woods and a few small white butterflies that I failed to identify, and one Blue Emperor dragonfly.

Lets hope our visit to Osuna on Thursday is as productive.

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

Charca de Suarez Visit on 1 October

Thursday 2 October

Just received a report form John and Jenny Wainwright re the Axarquia Bird Group's visit to the Charca de Suarez yesterday along with some photographs taken by both.  Interestingly, upon leaving the Charca John and Jenny travelled back to Salar via Padul so were also able to bring me up to speed on what was seen there.  In addition, Gerry Collins also forwarded a couple of shots take at the Charca so all have been combined below to let the rest of the Group and others know what they may have missed.

It looks as if John Wainwright was the only one to get a decent shot of the male Red Avadavat Benali Rojo Amandava amandava

It looks as if a number of us took the opportunity to photograph the very distant Purple Heron in the leafy Willow tree and, in addition, could not retrain ourselves from photographing the "neck-ringed" Red-knobbed Coot.  If you look carefully, in addition to the obvious Red-knobbed Coot taken by John thee is a second individual on the extreme left of the photograph along with the four Common Coots Fulca atra.  Also, check out the leg colours.

A swimming Purple Swamphen Calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyrio on Laguna del Trebol (PHOTO: Gerry Collins)

Red-knobbed Coot Focha Moruna Fulca cristata (PHOTO: Gerry Collins)

John's continuing report:

Red-knobbed Coot Fulca cristata (centre) (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Back to the scrape before leaving the reserve, here we had wonderful views of both male and female Red Avadavats, also a few Sand Martins were about as well (no Red-rumped about as far as I know of).  Up at the entrance and awaiting our departure, I noted a female Stonechat, Greenfinch, two Common Kestrels and a lot more Goldfinches, a Wood Pigeon and some Yellow-legged Gulls.

Juvenile Purple Heron Garza Imperial Ardea purpurea on Laguna de las Aneas (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

A not-so-shy Kingfisher Martin Pescador Alcedo atthis (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

So on to Padul:

As we pulled up at the hide a female Marsh Harrier was seen quartering the reed bed, then perching in one of the many bare trees here.  Only two female Shovelers and three Cormorants were seen here along with a Speckled Wood and "Cabbage White" butterflies.

Whinchat Tarabilla Nortena  Saxicol arubetra (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Also on the reserve we saw Mallard, Cetti´s and Sardinian Warblers, Goldfinches, Chaffinch, quite a few Whinchats,
Greenfinches, Serins, House and Spanish Sparrows, five Northern Wheatears, Common Kestrel, four Yellow Wagtails
and in one of the many small streams here a female Teal and a Moorhen.

A nice end to a good days birding.


If we add John's late sighting it would appear tat the total species for the Charca de Suarez increased to 43  plus a further 7 species at Padul.

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

Axarquia Bird Group visit to Charca de Suarez

Wednesday 1 October

Cormorant Cormoran Grande Phalacrocorax carbo

The second private visit by the Axarquia Bird Group to the Charca de Suarez reserve on the western outskirts in three months and, once again, a marvellous turn out of nineteen embers on a calm cloudy morning with the promise that the clouds would eventually break and the weather become quite warm and humid.  It did.  As always, lovely see our regulars in Bryan Stapley along with Patrick Raines from Canillas de Acebuche, Eric and Pat Lyon from Sayalonga, Marcus and Liz Rootes from Competa, John and Jenny Wainwright from Salar, Gerry Collins and Louise Grey from nearby Salobrena and Malcolm Austin, now back from a year in the UK from just down below me near Lake Vinuela.  Also good to see Pat Shaw from Nerja and lovely that David and Juliet Hird travel all the way west from Benalmadena whilst my friend Olly along with Gordon Barratt travelled westwards from distant Roquetes del Mar.  However, even further east, it was good to see that Barrie and Jan Avis could join us for far distant Murcia, spending last night in their motorhome before they continue on westwards to Portugal.  Once again, lovely company an, indeed, lovely birds seen.

I approached the meeting point outside the reserve by driving down "Turtle Dove Alley" and had hardy entered the narrow road than I had a couple of male and a single female Red Avadavats on the concrete in front of me.  With my camera still shut away on the back seat I only had time to get a last minute shot through the windscreen so, no picture will tell you the rest!  However, once inside the reserve many actually saw the species in and out of the reeds on the new scrape.

Record shot of Red Avadavats Bengali Rojo Amandava amandava through the windscreen

As usual, upon entering and having been greeted by the warden, Manu we seemed to split up with many going straight to the new scrape, others in a clockwise direction to the first hide and even some taking the anti-clockwise circuit.  Bryan and I had hardly time to reach the seat of the hide overlooking the Laguna del Taraje when a Little Bittern "hopped" across the gap in the opposite reeds -but not before we both had a good view.  A few Coots and Moorhens about but then a single Ferruginous Duck appeared and disappeared in to the reeds to our right.  Unfortunately, you cannot see the far end of this water which is now reasonably clear but looking through the new bamboo cane fence we were able to ascertain that at least a dozen Mallards were in residence.  And there was certainly no shortage of calling Cetti's Warblers.

Squacco Heron  Garcilla Cangrejera Ardeola ralloides

Meanwhile, those taking the direct route to the scrape had both Hoopoe and Blackbird on the track whilst, overhead both a female and juvenile Marsh Harrier were to be seen.  Indeed, the adult spent most of the morning around and over the site so, I think, just about everybody get to record "Marsh Harrier" before we departed at 12.30.  Once at the scrape, apart from a small number of Mallards and a single Little Egret there were also waders and wagtails to be recorded.  All, I think, found the single Ruff along with Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Curlew Sandpiper to the front.  Over to the right we had a Redshank and both White and Grey Wagtails to be followed a little later in the morning by a single Iberian  sub-species of Yellow Wagtail (Blue-headed).  On the other hand, the Little Stint was not quite so easy to find as it moved behind one of the small islands.  Overhead a number, but not excessive, of Barn Swallows plus a couple of House Martins and then he first of three sightings of Common Kestrel.

Purple Swamphen Calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyrio

The main hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas was rather empty compared with our usual sightings.  A number of Mallards and a Shoveler right in front of the hide plus an immature Cormorant resting on a stick just off shore.  Also present were a few Coots and Moorhens plus the occasional Little Grebe and a Grey Heron on the nearby island.  To the far left we had a Squacco Heron which duly departed and landed much nearer on the right-hand side of the water.  Before the sole Purple Swamphen put in an appearance to our left, the "cry" went up that thee was a Little Bittern resting in the will ow trees tot the far right, about a couple of metres above the water.  From our end of the hide we had a much clearer view and, I must admit, something looked wrong to me.  Yellow eyes but the bird was as big as a Grey Heron.  Had we actually found a Great Bittern and, if so, we could expect "twitchers" by the coach load within hours of reading our report.  Much debate and looking in Guides and phone apps to get a better identification.  Fortunately, Gerry was able to zoom in on his photographs and, at last, we could confirm that we had an immature Purple Heron.  Lots of head stripes and black edges to the primaries but the bird refused to stretch its neck as it sat huddled up in the tree.  Then it did.  You once again had that skinny neck with a large beak the size of its head; so much so that it gave the snake-like impression where there is no distinctive head shape.  Finally, a handful of Sand Martins put in an appearance low over the water.

Record shot of the juvenile Purple Heron Garza Imperial Ardea purpurea

On to the Laguna del Trebol where we duly found the Red-knobbed Coots.  All the Coots seemed to be resting on the floating platform with a single Red-knobbed at each end.  Scoping helped find a third adult, all waring white collars, and the single, unmarked juvenile Red-knobbed Coot.  Another Purple Swamphen put in an appearance before we continued on our clockwise circuit.  The track leading to this hide had produced a single Common Redstart for John and Jenny Wainwright and further on the fruited fig tree not only held Blackcaps seen by Eric and Pat Lyon plus others but also a pair of Garden Warblers.  Meanwhile, others were seeing Spotted Flycatchers, Goldfinches and Great Tits. As far as I know, the only gulls recorded were the occasional Yellow-legged Gulls as they passed over the site.  Similarly, every water produced at least two fly-pasts with the occasional rest of the lovely Kingfishers to be seen here.

"Neck ringed" Red-knobbed Coot Focha Moruna Fulica cristata on extreme right with Coots Focha Comun Fulca atra

The only surviving Red-knobbed Coot from this year's chicks

Many returned to the scrape to finish their morning at the reserve and whilst some found the Green Sandpiper, Gerry, David, Juliet and I were in time to see the Greenshank take off and away to the back of the pool whilst, right in front of us, we had a visit from yet another male Red Avadavat.  So ended a very enjoyable morning and, returning via Turtle Dove Alley some of us were also able to add a dozen or so Cattle Egrets to give a final species count, subject to receiving contradictory emails, of 40 species for the morning.

A very shy Kingfisher Martin Pescador Alcedo atthis

Birds seen:
Mallard, Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Blue-headed Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Redstart, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Red Avadavat, Goldfinch.

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