Honey Buzzards

Monday 7 September

What's the point of going all the way to Tarifa to see a small number of very high Honey Buzzards when Friends Derek and Barbara Etherton can sit on their relatively local terrace and watch hundreds of Honey Buzzards rise up from the local valley near Malaga airport and then slowly drift past?  Read on.

When it stopped raining went down to the river to see the new Guadalhorce wetlands!  Wow they don't take long, Greenshanks a plenty feeding in the new waters.   At 5pm a mass of Honey Buzzards flew over ahead of the next storm.   We counted 450+ in 30 mins!

Soaring Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus (PHOTO: Derek Etherton)

Guadalhorce Birding; Derek and Friends

Friday 4 September
Looks like I was not the only local bird out in the field this week as can be seen from the email report I have just received from Derek Etherton.  It must be having such a magnificent recorder and spotter in Barbara that lets Derek see all these marvellous birds, a wife beyond birding value.  Now praise such as that should be worth a glass of beer when I arrive at their lovely home on Tuesday!!!

We've also had a couple of trips this week.  Tuesday saw us meeting Mick Smith and recently returned Jerry Laycock at the church in Guadalmar at 0730hrs.  A good day birding with a cool start, but getting pretty warm by 1330hrs when we finished.  A plethora of Kingfishers, 6 in total on different lagunas, made good viewing.  We recorded a grand total of 61 species including, Great Egret, Bar Tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Curlew Sandpipers, Bee-eaters, Black Kite, Sanderling, Dunlin, Avocet, Snipe,  Audoin's, Med and Black Headed Gulls, Little and Sandwich Terns plus Greater Flamingo [on the beach].  We had actually recorded 59 as we walked back over the bridge to return for the cars.  Desperate for a 60 list a search of the scrub between the newly reformed track and the river produced a fine Olivacious Warbler, so 60 it was, but then a Blue Tit by the church made the number odd!

Today, Friday, Barbara and I headed down to Zapata and what a difference a week makes!  Chilly enough at 0645hrs for a light fleece with the feel of Autumn in the air.  Not a Nightjar in sight, first time since they arrived in May and no Iberian Hares either.  No Barn Owl , but that's not too unexpected, it keeps itself very elusive!  Grey and Night Herons were feeding just up from the ford and a Little Bittern became visible as the sky lightened.  Early Common Swift were soon joined by Red-rumped and Barn Swallows plus a few House Martins.  Common Sandpipers and Little Ringed Plovers fed by the ford and the Kingfisher was, as usual, busy feeding.  Heading back to the reed ditch things started to come alive with a mix of Finches, Common Waxbills [100's] heading out to feed.  Short-toed Larks, Blackbirds, Zitting Cisticolas appeared as did a couple of Yellow Wagtails, not so many  as a week ago suggesting many had left on their winter travels.  A fine Northern Wheatear was feeding in the enclosed field. The roosting flock of Cattle Egret is now getting very large and three figure numbers were emerging from further down the reed beds. 

Little Tern Sterna albifrons (PHOTO: Derek Etherton)

Looking upwards a solo Black Kite passed low overhead, a few Honey Buzzards rose from the riverside trees and an Osprey was viewed heading away following the river upstream.  Returning in the now daylight to the ford area we parked and walked.  Pretty quiet compared to seven days ago but a delight was watching four Little Terns hungrily feeding in the shallow river seeming not to care about us.  I tried to photograph them, ha ha, have you ever tried!!  Returning to the car several Linnets, Green and Goldfinches were buzzing around.  Cetti's Warblers were very active, they seem to get a second wind this time of year!  Driving back up the track a large number of Bee-eaters were gathering in a tree, ready for take off I guess.

So back home via Mercadona and then breakfast.

Great birding by Derek and friends and makes me wonder why we bother to spend hours getting down to Tarifa.  More low flying Honey Buzzards seen here than there!  But it will not top us all making the trek south-west in a couple of week's time.

PS:  Yes, I do have some Little Tern photos, see below!

Tarifa and La Janda

Tuesday & Wednesday, 1 & 2 September

Tuesday

You will all have heard of that dreaded saying, "If only you had been here fifteen minutes ago/yesterday.." well, birding friend Bryan Stapley certainly got a double-dose when we arrived at the Algarroba observation station mid-morning on Tuesday1 September.  A couple of hours previously we had left warm, calm and sunny Mezquitilla for the drive down via the motorway to be greeted by a little cloud, still very warm but also with the wind blowing very strongly.  The result?  With the wind having shifted from easterlies to westerlies most of the large migrants were distant and very high.  But, as above, we were also greeted with the "if only" comment that a pair of young Ruppell's Vultures had been over less than fifteen minutes.  Matters were not helped when we were also informed that Sunday had been very bad with nothing moving but yesterday (Monday) the wind changed and everything took off including a total of 15,000 Honey Buzzards heading for Africa!

Entering the site we were greeted by both Stonechat and Barn Swallows but the next hours produced mainly Bee-eaters passing very low around us.  Indeed, this was the  most prolific migrant for both days.  Likewise, there was no shortage of Griffon Vultures.

A good number of Short-toed Eagles Culebrera Europea Circaelus galicus

Once we had adjusted to the slow progress and scattered sightings, mainly very high, we were able to record Alpine Swifts, Short-toed and Booted Eagles but mainly Black Kites.  A single Great Tit crossed the area and including our stay at Cazalla on the Tarifa end of this short range we also added Goldfinch and Collared Dove.  both Common and Lesser Kestrel were added at the latter along with a very close and magnificent Bonelli's Eagle.

White Stork Ciguena Blanca Ciconia ciconia numbers building up at La Janda

With all remaining relatively quiet we upped sticks and headed off to La Janda for the rest of the afternoon.  The track down to the canal produced both Spanish Sparrow and Stonechat along with a small flock of Spotless Starling but the star of the introduction was the beautiful male Montagu's Harrier as we approached the entry track rather than the Zitting Cisticola.  From the bottom we had our first views of the numerous White Storks along with the first Glossy Ibis put up by a passing female Marsh Harrier.  Perhaps the strangest sight though was that, whilst observing the Zitting Cisticola a Green Woodpecker flew undulatingly through my vision.  Now what was that bird doing here?

Zitting Cisticola Buitron Cisticola juncidis

Driving along the canalside we had Mallard, Crested Lark along with small numbers of Goldfinches but also a single Green Sandpiper.  Only the one Grey Heron but no shortage of either Cattle or Little Egrets.  We managed to add a lone Hoopoe and then saw hundreds of Woodpigeons before finding a single Turtle Dove.  Both Pheasants and Jackdaws near the "smelly farm" and then the final drive along the track having re-crossed the bridge,back to the N340 main road produced a handful of Greenfinches, a juvenile Woodchat Shrike, a small feeding flock of Linnets and a single Spoonbill flew over the car and away.  Time to head back towards Algeciras and our over-night stop at Huerta Grand in Petayo but not before a little detour to the local golf club where we eventually found a pair of Bald Ibis and the local flock of Greylag Geese.

Turtle Dove Tortola Europea Streptopelia turtur at La Janda

Wednesday

Waking in the early hours of the morning to visit the bathroom, I then found it difficult to get back to sleep with the local Tawny Owl calling away somewhere close to our cabin.  Still, better than traffic noise!

After a welcome breakfast we were straight off to Algarabbo in the hope of better raptors as there appeared to be a drop in the very strong wind.  Unfortunately, this only seemed to last less than an hour so birds were still very high.   Many of the Griffon Vultures were still just rising from the neighbouring trees where, presumably they had spent the night.  Around us a steady stream of Barn Swallows but large groups of Bee-eaters passing very low.

Very high Booted Eagle Aguililla Calzada Hieraaetus pennatus

A few Short-toed Eagle but at least a dozen or so Booted Eagles including a few dark morphs.  Again, regular sightings of Black Kites and then the first, very high, Honey Buzzards of the morning.  Not large numbers but, eventually, we managed to see a few at lower altitudes albeit still very high unlike previous visits.  A pair of Ravens passed along the wooded slopes and a Common Buzzard was also picked up. Pleasing to see a couple of Egyptian Vultures and, once again, there were a few Alpine Swifts to be recorded.

A couple of calls before once more reaching Cazalla where Goldfinches and House Sparrows were seen and along with most of the raptors seen on arrival we also managed to add a Montagu's Harrier.  Two Black Storks were an added bonus.

Black Stork Ciguena negra Ciconia nigra over Cazalla

Our lunch break was taken on the flats near Tarifa after first visiting Los Lances beach where the tide was well and truly out but did produce a single Grey Heron and a pair of juvenile Flamingos.  Lots of small waders, mainly Sanderling, Little Ringed Plover and a couple of Ringed Plovers along with a trio of Redshank and a handful of Dunlin.  We were also able to add a female Kingfisher as it perched on the fence that ran down to the pool at the right of the hide but no sign of any terns.  Lots of Yellow-legged Gulls  and a small number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and even a fair number of Black-headed Gulls.

Our final hour or so before starting on the long journey back to Mezquitilla was spent at the old wooden hide opposite the main gathering at Cazalla where we duly saw a number of Booted and Short-toed Eagles along with more Black Kites and Griffon Vultures.  But we did also record just the one Common Kestrel.


Birds seen/heard:
Greylag Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Bald Ibis, Grey Heron, White Stork, Back Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Booted Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Kestrel, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Tawny Owl, Alpine Swift, Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Green Woodpecker, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Jackdaw, Raven,  Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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

Charca de Suarez, Motril

Sunday 30 August

Quite cloudy when I collected Steve and Elena Powell for our onward journey to Motril and the Charca de Suarez but no sooner over the Malaga border than the cloud clear to give a warm and sunny morning which seemed to become more humid by the minute.

Spotted Flycatcher Papamoscas Gris Muscicapa striata

Thought about the direct route but, at the last minute, decided i would take our usual diversion along "Turtle Dove Alley" and just as well we did so - even if the camera and bins were in the boot. Welcomed by the usual Collared Doves and a few House Sparrows but we were soon amongst small charms of Goldfinches and then a couple of posing Zitting Cisticolas.  No sooner had we stopped to retrieve said bins and cameras then we spotted a "small" black and white bird resting at the top of a bare bush not fifty metres away from the road.  My immediate thought was that lapwings do not perch to give some idea of size so very much a question of taking to the bins.  Yes, a rather lovely Black-shouldered Kite posing nicely and showing it yellow legs and even giving us the occasional "evil eye" as w tried to get a decent picture.  Obviously a bird moving through and our luck to be in the right place at the right time.  Continuing on we quickly picked a Crested Lark, juvenile Woodchat Shrike and a dozen Cattle Egrets on a distant electricity wire before reaching the reserve entrance.

Black-shouldered Kite Elanio Comun Elanus caeruleus

No sooner through the gate than a pair of Spotted Flycatchers and a very noisy, calling Cetti's Warbler.  Straight to the Laguna del Traraje where a most handsome male Little Bittern was well-exposed and awaiting our arrival.  The bird remained for a considerable time before climbing away through the grasses but not before we had found a second, female, Little Bittern close by.  The odd Mallard, Moorhen and Little Grebe added to the bird life and even a most fleeting glimpse of a Purple Swamphen.  Meanwhile, mainly) Red-rumped Swallows, Barn Swallows and House Martins fed overhead.  A Kingfisher dashed past and a fleeting glimpse of our first Red Avadavat.

Little Bittern Sison Comun Tetrax tetrax with nearby female (below)

Leaving the hide to walk down to the new hide overlooking the Laguna del Alamo Blanco, which is now well-overgrown with rushes and no longer the great wader pool with just a little exposed water at the front, we picked up a trio of juvenile Flamingos and a few scattered Goldfinches.  On the other hand, the track between the two hides was alive with Blackbirds including a feeding party of seven.

The odd Spotless Starling passed over along with more hirundine sightings and then we were at the main hide overlooking the very green Laguna de la Aneas.  But there is definitely a sign of returning bird life with a good number of Moorhens, Coots, Mallards and even a distant Red-knobbed Coot. However, best of all was the little collection at the far right where below the two resting Grey Herons was a couple egrets close together, one Cattle and one Little Egret.  Immediately below the egrets was a n adult Night Heron and with a couple of feet close to the water a juvenile Night Heron.

Juvenile Red-Knobbed Coot Focha Moruna Fulica cristata

Then it was time to concentrate on the small bird, a delightful pair of Red Avadavats that were working the foliage on the small island immediately in front of us.  The male was looking most resplendent in his scarlet chest with those white spots and, one or the other, even managed the ionic fly-past of a small white feather hiding the Red Avadavat carrier hidden behind.  Obviously getting ever closer to the start of their breeding season and, if anything, slightly earlier then the norm.

A very active pair  Red Avadavats bengali Rojo Amandava amandava

Viewed from both hides overlooking the Laguna del Trebol, we had a good number of Common and Red-knobbed Coots including evidence of successful breeding of the latter.  Just the one Little Egret and a family of Little Grebes but also a second Kingfisher sighting.  Overhead, a couple of Common Swifts moved through and our return walk produced a Kestrel to give a final tally of 30 species for the morning.  And we must not forget the lovely Chameleon that Elena spotted near the Laguna del Trebol.

Chameleon Camaleon Comun Chamaeleo chamaeleon

 Birds seen:
Mallard, Little Grebe, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Black-shouldered Kite, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Little Bittern, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spotted Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Red Avadavat, Goldfinch.

 

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

A day in the mountains

Wednesday 26 August

Feeling much better and anxious to once again get out and about, blow away the cobwebs and see some real birds rather than just the monosyllabic Collared Dove on the roof, the occasional foraging House Sparrows and passing Lesser Black-backed Gulls overhead.  So what better way to return to the birding fold than spend a day out with special friends Derek and Barbara Etherton.  The day promised to be a mixture of cloud and sun so should be good albeit in the event it was very cool and cloudy at the start but by early afternoon the cloud had dispersed to leave a very hot and sunny day - and for most of the time we were birding at an altitude well over 600 metres.  Leaving Alhaurin before 9 we made an interesting stop at the Rio Grande before heading off to Ardales for our morning coffee stop.  The it was up and of-road to take the mountain track to Teba.  Looking back, we realised that this birding track had taken us over five hours to complete; wonderful scenery with beautiful vistas and some very good birding including two new, unexpected, birds for the year, indeed Spain. Now, if only I knew the name of this particular sierra.  Sierra Ortegicar suggests Derek.

Arriving at the Rio Grande to the accompaniment of a few House Sparrows and Collared Doves there was very little water and, as Derek stated, far less then a week ago with no water now passing over the ford.  The truncated stream did produce a couple of Little Egrets and a Grey Heron and stopping at the ford we had views of both Green Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover along with the first White Wagtail.  A single Moorhen was paddling around to the rear.  Another Little followed by a Cattle Egret as we drove alongside the river and up to the distant bridge, recording both Crested Lark and a single Spotted Flycatcher, where a little more excitement was to be found.  By now we had a pair of Green Sandpipers down stream whereas on the other side of the bridge a quintet of Mallards sheltered on a small stream of the previous mighty Rio Grande and further up more Little Egrets and another Grey Heron.  The area was a mass of Rock Doves (Feral pigeons), especially on the recently harvested corn field.  We could hear Bee-eaters and the first of a few Spotless Starlings and then more concentrated use of the bins and scope started to produce the smaller birds.  A small party of Long-tailed Tits was moving through the nearby Eucalyptus tree and overhead both Greenfinch and a Chaffinch were recorded.  We may have heard Sardinian Warblers but it was the briefest of views followed by some distinct calling that identified the single Golden Oriole.  On the opposite hilltop a small number of Common Swifts were feeding close to the ground.  In addition, a single Cetti's Warbler was heard.

Then it was back to the main road and half-way back along the track near , probably, the only pool in the area a male Kingfisher was buy searching out hos morning breakfast.  Crossing the dry river and passing more Crested Larks we stopped below the Booted Eagle's nest and, sure enough, there was one adult resting on a branch to our right along side the nest with the youngster busy feeding on the nest itself.  Lovely site, especially when one of the adults decided to take a local flight. leaving the area we had both Blackbird and a Hoopoe to enjoy.

Booted Eagles Aguililla Calzada Hieraaetus pennatus - at nest and in flight

Following the drive up to Ardales and coffee stop, we took the mountain track up into the high sierras.  A stop for the first Griffon Vultures of the day and a calling Jay, we later to hear many more before finally actually seeing a bird, and then an early stop with the ringing sound of passerines soon produced a wide variety of species including all the Tits (Crested, Coal, Long-tailed, Blue and Great), a calling Crossbills, sights of Short-toed Treecreepers and Goldfinch.  naturally, there were Chaffinches to be seen and heard.

The next short stop produced a Subalpine Warbler and then it was time, at about 700 metres, to stop for our picnic lunch.  As the car pulled up in the shade at the side of the road Derek had a Wood Warbler almost in te car before it settle in a nearby larch (?) where we all followed its journey through the tree and then over the car and into the trees on the opposite side of the track. meanwhile, I was look straight ahead at a Southern Grey Shrike sitting proudly on top of a small tree immediately in front of the car.  It gave all three of us great views until it saw the camera slowly rising and decided enough was enough!

And so we continued along the rising track until we over 800 metres up and passing a single Mistle Thrush on the way.  Funny how things turn out.  We had stopped to finally get a look at our first Stonechat of the day on the right, and there were to regular sightings from now on, when looking to my side we had a very yellow bird feeding in the Tamarisk.  Sometimes obscured by branches but so concentrated on its feeding that it was always able to be seen and photographed and it became more and more obvious that we were looking at something different and unexpected.  This was no melodious warbler, at what would have been an excessive height and alien habitat, that we resorted to the "Collins" for clarification.  Yes, no doubt about it, we were looking at an Icterine Warbler which was obviously on passage south and probably pushed slightly off course by last week's strong winds. Bright yellow underneath with the colouring continuing through the vent and to the under-tail feathers.  We even saw what appeared to be a faint, pale shadow at the end of the secondaries but they do not seem to appear in the photographs.

Our Icterine Warbler Zarcero Icterino Hippolais icterina which, within five metres, was larger than a Willow Warbler but had similar coloured markings on the head but so very deep, custard yellow below from throat to the end of its tail.

Our next prolonged stop was on reaching the rocks with many caves on the cliff face.  A Short-toed Eagle was playing the sentinel on the end peak and as we searched we found numerous Crag and House Martins along with both Barn and Red-rumped Swallows.  First a Blue Rock Thrush and then our only Black Wheatear of the day whilst a Spotted Flycatcher played hide-and-seek above us.  A Wood Pigeon drifted over behind is and then we found a number of smaller birds feeding below the scrub.  easily enough to pick out the Serins but what about the other, obvious, warblers?  The female Blackcap was relatively easy to identify in the bushes but the other pair, after much observation through the scope, proved to be a pair of Isabelline Warblers, and very nice too.  having recently seen our only Thekla Lark, the sight of a couple of Black Redstarts completed, possibly, the missing birds that we had yet to see.  And all the while the air was full of feeding a Bee-eaters who seemed to be also enjoying these small trees to enjoy they recently caught prey.  And all the while the solitary Short-toed Eagle perched above on the cliff top watching the activity going on below.

Short-toed Eagle Culebrera Europea Circaetus gallicus 

What a way to end the day and nothing else produced before we finally reached Alhaurin and a very welcome long, cold beverage.  A final total of 54 species so a very worthwhile, for me, welcome back to the land of the birders.  Now where shall I go on Sunday?


Birds seen:
Mallard, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Moorhen, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Isabelline (Western Olivaceous) Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Sub-alpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreper, Golden Oriole, Southern Grey Shrike, Jay, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Crossbill.

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

Misty weather!

Sunday 23 August

You can't win them all!  Received a very short message from John Wainwright on Monday to let me know that he and Jenny had ventured up their local "hot spot" of the Sierra Loja for a day's serious birding only to find that the clouds had descended and were so thick it was all they could do to see the track in front, nevermind birds, bushes and sheet drops off the edge!  Read on see that Cloud was not their only problem and if thy could not see then goodness knows what the hunters were shooting at.

Went up the above yesterday but the cloud came down so thick that it was impossible to see anything at a distance, there were hunters about, so it was a quick up and down. I did see - possible - the last Rock Thrush (juvenile) for this year and Dartford Warbler. It was a tad chilly up there!  At the pond it was 11C.

As John reports, only two birds and one would be a great sight for most and the second a sight worth seeing on its own and a possible lifer.  Now is the time to keep your eyes peeled for these Rock Thrushes as they start to disperse and can often be found on much lower mountain slopes, especially the juveniles.  Think a very large juvenile Woodchat Shrike sitting on a wire.
 

Zapata and the Rio Grande

Saturday 22 August

They are at it again; will they never get a decent night's sleep?  Derek and Barbara Etherton were up early and collecting mutual friends Lindsay Pheasant and Micky Smith for yet another visit to their local patch to take in both the Guadalhorce at Zapata and the Rio Grande.  As with my visit earlier this month, still no sign of the elusive Barn Owl but I am sure that one of us will get another chance soon.  meanwhile, read Derek's report of another wonderful morning's birding and some very good species recorded to make it all the more worthwhile.  Now I wonder what Derek and Barbara will produce for me next week?  Whinchat and Bonelli's Eagle would be very rewarding.

Friday 21 August

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica (PHOTO: Derek Etherton)

The insomniacs meet up with Mick Smith and Lindsay Pheasant yesterday morning in the car park of Lidl's.  We get a lay in now that Autumn seems to be approaching and light does not appear until about 0700hrs.  We drove down the track at Zapata looking for the elusive Barn Owl that has stayed hidden for the last few weeks.  No luck again yesterday but as usual several Red Necked Nightjars were on the track affording superb views in the car headlights.  Several Iberian Hares crossed over together with a few Rabbits.  As the first glimmer of dawn broke and the early Crested Larks started to move a slightly different approach, one B and I tried last week, was suggested.  This entails driving to the weir/ford as daylight breaks [it happens so quickly], stop with the engine off in the middle of the water, and just sit and watch!  It's amazing, as your eye adjusts so much is happening, Common Sandpipers were bathing, 2 Night Herons busy fishing, Grey Herons behind them.  A male Kingfisher landed on the reeds a bare 5 metres. from us.  Little Egrets soon appeared with many of the Cattle variety rising from the roost in the reedbeds behind.  Little Ringed Plovers were plenty and a Green Sandpiper flew in up the river, over the car and landed to feed.  Luckily nobody was coming from the village to cross the water, few do very early, and in the 10 minutes we were there the first glimmers of sunlight were starting to show.  Sufficient for us to move the car 10 metres or so to dry land and get out to walk.  Moving up the side of the river a large flock of finches, Green, Gold and Linnets were joined by 5/6 Turtle Doves feeding in the bone dry scrub.  Viewing them it was thought that there was a Lesser Short-toed Lark among them, but even with the help of a 'scope the bird stayed too well hidden.  Moorhen and Coot were active and a flock of 30+ Mallard flew overhead and several Yellow Legged Gulls wheeled around.  Barbara was scanning the river edge some 400mtrs+ up under the motorway bridge and asked for the 'scope.  Yes, she had found the Little Bittern that seems now to be in residence in this area.  Super views for all for a good 5 minutes until it disappeared back into the reeds.

One of many Short-toed Larks Calandrella brachydactyla (PHOTO: Derek Etherton)

By now it was half past eight and time to move down to the reed beds to find the usual and unusual suspects.  Walking along in the now warming sun several Common Waxbills, Zitting Cisticolas, more Turtle Doves, Barn and Red-Rumped Swallows, Common Swifts, House Martins flew over the reed bed.  Two more Kingfishers were having a game of chase low over the reeds.  We were fortunate enough to see the second Little Bittern of the day fly over the reeds to land quite close by and spend 5 minutes 'chuntering' away.  Walking down to 'Short-toed Lark corner' we were not to be disappointed.  I'm sure these little birds know us now as they seem not to fly away quite so quickly.  Stonechat, House Sparrows, Spotless Starlings and Sardinian Warblers were a plenty. A wander back to the car at Spanish breakfast time had 3 juvenile Red Rumped Swallows perched performing their morning ablutions.

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica at their ablutions (PHOTO: Derek Etherton)

So 39 species in under three hours and a well deserved breakfast for all.  After that it was up to the upper reaches of the Rio Grande where some interesting birds have been found recently.  We soon added Purple Heron, White Wagtails, the family of Booted Eagles we have followed recently and discovered their nest area.  A Grey Wagtail eventually was found and as we scanned the area between the two bridges on the track we found a Lesser Short-toed Lark, lovely 'scope views for all of us.  Many Bee-eaters were wheeling around, gathering perhaps to leave us, amongst them were many House Martins and the adult Booted Eagles were above.  A Golden Oriel was briefly spotted flying up in the eucalyptus trees.  Another Kingfisher was seen fishing away [5 for the morning!] and several Little Ringed Plovers, Green and Common Sandpipers were by the water.

You can never see too many Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica (PHOTO: Derek Etherton)

Returning to the car, two Black Storks glided in low above us to land in the nearby water.  Sadly not to stay long enough for a picture.  Still another ten species added for a morning total of 49.  

By now it was too warm, so home and lunch was the general consensus, a good mornings birding and nice company. 

It sounds like an absolutely fabulous morning and I especially like the thought of the Booted Eagles, Little Bitterns and the fleeting view of the gorgeous Golden Oriole.  Similarly, you can never see too many Red-rumped Swallows.

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