Five days in Huelva Province (5)

Friday 16 October 

Day 5:  Donana National Park


After saying our goodbyes to those who were actually up and about, Derek and Barbara followed our car as we headed back towards Isla Mayor in the hope that there would still be plenty of activity in the harvesting rice field and, just possibly, the chance to see a Purple Heron.  However, despite all the birds seen, it was not to be.

Black Stork Ciconia nigra (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

No sooner on the country road and we were seeing numerous Azure-winged and (Common) Magpies along with Blackbirds, Spotless Starlings and Goldfinches.  No sooner had we recorded both Crested Lark and Corn Bunting than we had our "first real sighting" with a lovely Hen Harrier.  On down the road of a "thousand sleeping policemen" and a pair of Ravens on the pylon and a couple of Serins.  The next surprise, earlier then hoped, was to see a Black-shouldered Kite drifting by the car to be met by a second individual.  Lovely to watch these handsome raptors as they elegantly move through the air.  More sightings of the pair plus both male and female Hen Harriers along with Common Kestrel as we moved on towards the rice fields passing Greenfinch, Blackbird and quite a collection of Common Buzzards on the way.  Just for a change, we even manged to see a Peregrine Falcon, spotted by Barbara and Derek, moving away across the adjoining field.

As we approached the first paddies more marsh harriers and even another hen harrier and then we were amongst the White Storks, Little Egret and Herons with numerous Cattle Egrets following the tractors.  Even a couple of Great White Egrets and at the edges small waders including Black-winged Stilts, Ringed Plover, Green and Common Sandpipers and Lapwings.  A solitary Marsh Sandpiper was an added bonus as were the couple of Black Storks at the back of the field.  Cett's Warblers were singing behind us and there seemed to be a regular movement of other small birds including both Goldfinches and Linnets.  Add on both Reshank and Greenshank along with a handful of Mallards and the variety of species was almost complete.

Adult and juvenile Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (PHOTO: David Hackett)

Stopping by the bridge before the last stretch of road into Isla Mayor we had a feast of small warblers.  There were Stonechats and Crested Larks on the edges and even another Rufous Bushchat but in a Tamerisk at the side of the river, and very near ti the bridge, we manage to find five warblers within five metres of each other and often all in the same view of the bins. 

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Not just both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff but also a pair of Melodious Warblers, Bonelli's Warbler and Fan-tailed Warbler (Zitting Cisticola).  Once the Southern Grey Shrike and a Collared Dove had put in an appearance we moved on recording many more egrets and herons as we drove towards the Cruce venta and the end of our week's birding.  We passed another Black Stork and then, in the distant sky, thousands of silhouetted bird flying in extremely long strings.  They looked like Glossy Ibis from our position but Steve and Elena were about five miles ahead of us and later confirmed that they were Flamingos by the many thousand passing directly overhead.  But we did find a couple of Glossy Ibis in a roadside field.

And then there were thousands of Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus in the air (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

A coffee and tapa and then our respective ways back to Malaga and a Red Kite picked up on the way.  Yet another good morning with a total of 54 species.

Birds seen:
Mallard, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Heron, Black Stork, White Stork, Flamingo, Black-shouldered Kite, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Black-winged Stilt, Lapwing, Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, Whinchat, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Melodious Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Bonelli's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Rufous Bushchat, Southern Grey Shrike, Azure-winged magpie, Magpie, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting.

Black Stork with Little Egrets and Flamingos

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

Five days in Huelva Province (3)

Wednesday 14 October

Day 3: Odiel Marshes

With the breakfast problem now solved (left Barry to collect our breakfast so that we could eat it as a packed lunch) we were able to make an earlier start for the forty minute drive up to the Marismas de Odiel and the prospect of a fabulous day's birding, especially given that low tide was at 11.45 so plenty of mud about.  The second positive about visiting this site is that you do not need to be in a convoy and everyone can do there own thing on the single road that leads down the spit, although most of us spent some considerable time at the Visitors Centre area where there was still low cloud on arrival.

Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

Having recorded Blackbird and Azure-winged Magpies as we arrived along with the very "talkative" Spotlesss Starlings in the car park trees, it was straight to the confluence of the rivers where we immediately found a range of waders including Ringed and Grey Plover, Redshank, Dunlin, Turnstone along with a couple of Whimbrel.  Little Egrets and Herons were also feeding and a couple of Great White Egrets were seen in the grass on the far (inland) bank.  A Kingfisher had found a convenient dead branch in the smaller river to await his next meal and a flock of Cormorants flew over.  Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls were present and as we walked round the back towards the Odiel viewing point we also recorded Robin, Sardinian Warbler, Wood Pigeon and Magpie.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

The Odiel muds produced another Whimbrel and the first Curlew of the day along with both Redshank and Greenshank and then a solitary Sandwich Tern resting on a buoy.  This area also produced a good number of Kentish Plovers before we moved on tho the small pond in front of the salt pile, passing a lovely Southern Grey Shrike on the way, finding more Kentish Plovers along with Redshank and Dunlin plus Coots, Moorhens, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler.  A few Black-tailed Godwits and juvenile Flamingos with the Gulls mainly of the Lesser Black-backed variety.  A Common Sandpiper bobbed away at the front of the pool whilst his cousin, the Green Sandpiper, did likewise at the back.  There were also a number of Black-winged Stilts and then we were off to explore the little spinney behind the Visitors Centre where we found both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff along with Blackcaps and a female Pied Flycatcher.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

As individual cars departed to make their respective ways down the causeway I met up with local guide and ABS member Manu Mojarro who not only told me what was to be seen from the gazebo viewpoint on the opposite side of the road but also a good site for when we take a closer look at the Ayamonte district in the morning.  On arriving I soon found plenty of Dunlin and Curlew Sandpipers along with Little Stint, Grey, Kentish and Ringed Plovers, Redshanks, more Whimbrel and Black-winged Stilts.  However, it was here that I not only found a small group of Bar-tailed Godwits but also a handful of Slender-billed Gulls and the lone Marsh Sandpiper that Manu had mentioned.  In the distance, my first Marsh Harrier of the morning and on the pool behind a pair of Shelduck along with the Avocets and Flamingos.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

Time to move on down to the Juan Carlos park on the other side of the high bridge having noticed many more Flamingos along with Redshanks, Greenshanks and White Stork on the way.  Meanwhile, ahead of me, Stephen and Elena Powell had recorded Little Tern, the first Osprey and a Whitethroat.  A new selection of birds in this area included many Northern Wheatear, Stonechats and Crested Larks along with Zitting Cisticola, Common and Black Redstart, Hoopoe, Whinchats, Corn Bunting, Goldfinch and Spanish Sparrow.  New birds on the water included Spoonbills and we even had another Great White Egret and managed to record Cattle Egret.  John and Jenny managed to pick up a passing Raven and there were many sightings of Robins and Chiffchaffs.  Whilst I was on the other side of the road trying to locate a Linnet, a friendly Meadow Pipit landed at the feet of those other members present!  Bonelli's Warbler was identified along with a pair of rising Sky Larks.  Olly managed to find a Blue Tit and then we all had a good view of our only Spotted Flycatcher of the week.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

Could things get better?  They certainly could.  Chris managed to see a Collared Pratincole sat on the inland beach and we had abut eight Honey Buzzards pass over at the Juan Carlos park.  A feeding Lesser Kestrel was noted along with Common Kestrel.  On our way back to the Visitors Centre Roger and Jean Smith had a Booted Eagle so low it almost flew into the windscreen whereas I had a low-lying Hobby cross in front of me, the second individual seen this week.  Judging by the large numbers of dragonflies about it was, perhaps, no surprise that these lovely falcons were being seen.  John Brooks and party had, meanwhile, been at the gazebo mirador and had recorded a Caspian Tern and feeding Osprey and, I believe, Barrie and Jan Avis had actually watched the bird catch his fish; lucky them.  Across the water, a number of Black-necked Grebes were recorded by John, Gerry Licence and Margot Grinstead.  And so we came to end of our Odiel experience with a late Grey Wagtail and a Wren seen by Barrie.

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia

But the day was not over in birding terms.  Once again many of us returned to the pond at the seventeenth green on the golf course and manager Jaime even managed to find a quartet of golf buggies for our use; what a kind and generous offer.  Not quite so many birds as the previous night but we did have, in addition to the arriving Spoonbill, an overflying Caspian Tern which displayed well in the evening sunshine.  The Snipe and Black-tailed Godwits were still in residence along with the Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard and Mallard.  The single Little Egret and a couple of Grey Herons were joined by the incoming Cattle Egrets and Coot, Moorhen and Purple Swamphens wandered and swam around the edges.  Hoopoes, Stonechats, Melodious Warbler, Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds, Magpies, Crested Larks, Northern Wheatears and White Wagtails were on the land side and even feeding Barn Swallows were noted over the water.  Naturally, the Muscovey Ducks came down to the water as the sun finally began to dip away.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia coming in to land at the 17th green on the golf course

John Wainwright's report for the day is as follows:

A foggy start then a very warm and muggy day.

As we left the complex and headed for the autovia a Brown Hare ran across the road to our front and disappeared into a patch of rough ground.

 Little Egret Egretta garzetta (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

Our first port of call was the small pond where the new cane hide is being built, here we found Shoveler, Black-tailed Godwits, Ringed Plovers, Moorhen and Common Coot - the lack of birds here I can only put down to the workers at the new hide!  Down to the Visitors Centre and looking upstream to the road bridge we saw Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Ringed and Kentish Plovers, Kingfisher and a Redshank.  Whilst downstream of the bridge we found Dunlin, Little Stint, Grey Plovers, Redshank, Greenshank,more Whimbrels, Turnstones, Little Egrets, and more of the already mentioned waders.  A group of Common Cormorants flew over as a passing Sandwich Tern, Black-headed, Yellow-legged Gulls and a Wood Pigeon.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

We then moved off down to the boardwalk through the trees, here we found Southern Grey Shrike, Robin, Sardinian Warbler and a few Spotless Starlings.  We then split from the group along another part of the boardwalk where we saw Pied Flycatchers, another Robin and a few Chiffchaffs. From the hide we located Willow Warblers, several male and female Blackcaps and Cetti´s Warbler.

Moving along to the point we noted at least five Great White Egrets, Oystercatchers, Grey Herons, Little and Cattle Egrets, Curlews, Whimbrels, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and more Yellow-legged Gulls and Black-tailed Godwits.  Parking up we walked over the boardwalks to the beach here we found at least five female and two male Common Redstarts, a Whinchat, Northern Wheatears, Goldfinches, Crested Larks, Hoopoes, Corn Buntings, Black Redstarts, Chiffchaffs, Stonechats and a Peregrine Falcon and as we prepared to leave the reserve a Hobby was seen hawking over the stone pines.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

I see that John also recorded the Hobby and counted five Great White Egrets near the Visitors Centre - and more at the far end of the pool at Juan Carlos.  And most of us also missed the Peregrine Falcon.

And so our three days birding with the Andalucia Bird Society came to an end albeit at least seventeen of us were to stay on for at least another couple of days whilst down in this fabulous birding area.  Until corrected, I think our final tally of species was 124.


Birds seen:
Shelduck, Muscovey Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, White Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Osprey, Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Collared Pratincole, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Little stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Tern, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Sky Lark, Barn swallow, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Melodious Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chidffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Blue Tit, Southern Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

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

Five days in Huelva Province (2)

Tuesday 13 October

Day 2:  Castro Marim, Portugal

What a day and what a variety of birds!  Lindsay and Keith Pheasant arrived late last night and Steve and Elena Powell arrived just as we finished breakfast so a full compliment to cross the Guadiana bridge and enter Portugal for our exploration of Castro Marim.  However, they were too late for the group photograph taken last night as can be seen from the happy faces looking out from the various balconies having taken over all eleven available apartments, thanks to the generosity and work of the Costaluz Apartamentos, Marta Jariod.

20 of the 24-strong party at Costa Esuri, Ayamonte (PHOTO: Marta Jariod)

There had been torrential rain in the early hours of the morning but lovely and sunny for the day and no sign of the forecasted thunderstorms.  Indeed, there was to be more rain for the rest of the week.  Out and over the nearby border crossing and within twenty minutes we were entering the track leading to the Visitors Centre on the western, Portuguese, side of the Rio Guardiana but not before having already recorded Magpie and Red-rumped Swallow whilst at the Golf Club for breakfast.

Stopping regularly as we made our way along the track we had numerous Azure-winged Magpies, Cormorant, Crested, Blackbird, Great Tit and Lesser Short-toed Larks, numerous Stonechats and then our first White Storks.  However, the excitement was on the southern, marsh side of the track where we soon picked up a lovely Dartford Warbler and then a Southern Grey Shrike.  The occasional Zitting Cisticola added to the enjoyment along with both Common and Lesser Kestrel overhead not to mention the regular Marsh Harrier passage.  The small pools held a variety of waders including Black-winged stilt, Common and Green Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank.  Naturally, there were also Grey Herons and Little Egrets to be seen.

Redshanks Tringa totanus

A Sardinian Warbler and even the Bluethroat was not unexpected but it was a little surprising to also record a female Pied Flycatcher in this habitat.  Looking behind us we had the pleasure of watching and listening to the rising Sky Larks (shades of the "Lark Arising") but then the first of a couple of Buzzards.  We think Common but Steve Powell is still studying hard one of his photos with the possibility of either Rough or Long-legged.  (As soon as I get a copy or have it conformed I will pass on the information.)

On tot he Visitors Centre to look at the main salinas where we quickly found a Greenshank followed by both Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper.  No shortage of either Ringed or Kentish Plovers along with Sanderling plus very many Avocets and Black-winged Stilts accompanying the Flamingos.  It was whilst checking out the mixed flock of Black-headed, Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls that we also found five roosting Caspian Terns; a very good sighting for us all.  A solitary Kingfisher dashed across the pool and in so doing led our eyes to the Great White Egrets on the far bank.  It was probably the same logic that led to us discovering the resting Osprey on a dead tree beyond the Visitors Centre.

Next it was down to the salinas near the town itself where we found copious numbers of Kentish and Ringed Plovers along with Redshank, Turnstone and an over-flying Spoonbill. Finally, I must not forget that we also managed to record both a single Black Kite before remembering that the latter site also produced a couple of White Wagtails.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (at rear) with Kentish Plovers Charadrius alexandrinus

John Wainwright kindly provided the following report covering the same day: 

Expected thunderstorms never materialised but had glorious sunshine, instead !!

Today was a visit to the other side of the river in Portugal.  But first breakfast or should I say Brunch as we didn´t get away until 10.30- 11.00.  It was waiting on our victuals that we saw Blackbird, Magpies (a count of 23 was noted), two Azure-winged Magpies, Spotless Starlings, Grey Heron and a Cattle Egret.  Also seen here were House Martins, House Sparrows, Red-rumped Swallows,Stonechat, Sardinian Warblers and a Barn Swallow.

Reaching the reserve we first saw a Common Kestrel, Stonechat, two Spoonbills flew across out front, and in the small wet areas we found Black-winged Stilts,Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits and Little Egrets.  A Southern Grey Shrike was noted sitting on a convenient rooftop and below in the shrubby areas we found Crested Larks, Corn Buntings, Dartford and Sardinian Warblers, more Stonechats, a female Pied Flycatcher and a very brightly coloured Bluethroat.  In the skies above us we spotted a pale phased Common Buzzard, White Storks, Lesser Black-backed, Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls, a couple of female Marsh Harriers and an Osprey.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca  (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Up to the centre which closed as we entered - must be this Portuguese time difference!! - looking out over the marshes we spotted Great White Egret, juvenile Greater Flamingos and a huge flock of Avocets.  The Osprey was seen in a better light here, Caspian Terns and a Mediterranean Gull was pointed out to us, a male and female Marsh Harrier gave us good views as it quartered over a huge red pipeline.  Then some more waders came to light including Little Stints, Dunlin, Redshank and Greenshanks, and a Curlew Sandpiper.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

Moving over to the opposite side of the river, Kentish Plovers, Sanderlings, Little Stints,a Kingfisher, White Wagtail were noted and on the journey home in the marshes prior to Costa Esuri we saw Lesser Short-toed Larks, Northern Wheatears, Robin and a female Pied Flycatcher posed for us on a gatepost.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

We had a small trip into the golf course - arranged by the manager himself - whereupon we were to watch the Egrets come into roost, but what we had here was far more pleasing.  At the first pool we saw Purple Swamphens, Mallard and Moorhen, at the second pool a veritable host of birdlife awaited us in the shape of Black-tailed Godwits, Common Snipe, Purple Swamphens, Moorhens, Common Coots, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Hoopoes, Cattle and Little Egrets, Grey Herons, Chiffchaffs, Zitting Cisticola, Melodious and Cetti´s Warbler, Common and Azure-winged Magpies, Black-winged Stilts, Blackbirds, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Teal and a report of a Collared Praticole caused quite a stir.

Some of the group on arrival at the Seventeenth Green

As can be seen from John's report, before going to dinner we paid a visit to the 17th green.  At dinner last night the Golf  Course Manager, Jaime Riestra introduced himself to me and explained that he had a lovely lake not five minutes away which attracted a very large evening roost.  Would we be interested?  Naturally, I said we would but suggested 6.30 was a better time to visit as we would like to see the birds already there and then the incoming birds.  Not on;y was he more than excited to show us "his" lake, he even provided a couple of golf buggies to assist a coupe of the party who might have experienced a little trouble walking to the green.  How generous (lucky!) could this be.
 

Evening light over the golf course pool

On arrival what a sight greeted our eyes with a wonderful collection of at least 39 species including a number of free-breeding Muscovy Ducks.  These birds had turned up about five years ago and were now breeding successfully in the area around the main pool.  We were also shown a neighbouring pool which, according to Jaime was the main breeding site for the ducks.  On showing us he was amazed to see that his dry pool of a couple of days ago now contained small pools of water as a result of recent rain.  Indeed, on the far bank we counted a quartet of Purple Swamphen whilst a little further away we watched a covey of thirteen Red-legged Partridges wander along the edge of the golf course.  When informed of the number of birds seen from the pool area, including a trio of Spoonbills, Jaime was absolutely amazed.  On return to the Club House for dinner we made sure that Jaime had a copy of the latest Birds of Andalucia quarterly magazine and, the following day, was enrolled as a member.

Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio  in evening light.

Birds seen:

Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Muscovey Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, White Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Osprey, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Collared Pratincole, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Little Stint, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Tern, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sky Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Robin, Bluethroat, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Pied Flycatcher, Southern Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting.

Now what's that bird out there?

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

Five days in Huelva Province

Monday 12 October

Day 1: Dehesa de Abajo, Donana National Park

The big day had finally arrived with the long drive west to meet up with other members of the Andalucia Bird Society taking part on the three-night stay at Cosat Esuri in Ayamonte, just a couple of kilometres short of the Guadiana river and the Portuguese border.  In total we were twenty-four and occupying all eleven apartments owned by Marta Jariod and her Costaluz company.  Indeed, a great big thank you to Marta for all her help and support in arranging this first-class accommodation.

Last minute checks suggested that the outward journey and arrival at the meting point at the Dehesa de Abajo in the far north-eastern corner of the Donana National Park might be fine and sunny but we ought to expect heavy rain on the Tuesday, thunderstorms on the Wednesday and, probably, "iffy" weather on the Wednesday.  Too late now to cancel so a question of hoping for the best. In the even, if was a wet start, for me, from Algarrobo Costa east of Torre del Mar  followed by showers and then warm sunshine by midday when we arrived a the meeting point.  Heavy rain in the night but then four days of lovely warm sunshine albeit with a misty start to most days for about and hour or so.  Our first bonus of the week.  Given that, as a group, we setting out from Marbella, Frigiliana, Salar, Manilva, Malaga, etc I think we had a variety of starting experiences regarding the weather but we all arrived on time, well we would have had all bar four not stopped for a coffee at the nearby Cruce venta!.

No computer with me on this occasion so these following write-ups are being completed upon my return home.  However, I am very fortunate in having a great friend, John wainwright, who managed to complete his account every day and pass on to me so my intention is to use John's account and them supplement with sightings , incidents, etc as they occurred.  John's report will be in blue so it will be a somewhat colourful report.  Again, I have a mixture of photos and this not taken by myself will all be acknowledged.


A dampish trip down although brighter later.

As it was pitch black when we started from Salar (Granada), nothing was noted until we had our breakfast at km 56 (A92).  From here we still had small rewards but did get a small covey of Red-legged Partridges, Spotless Starlings, House Sparrows and a few Cattle Egrets.As we approached the La Crux cafe we spotted Grey Heron, Barn Swallows and a lone Spoonbill.

Greylag Geese Anser anser seen by the early arrivals at the dehesa de Abajo (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

On the way to the Dehesa de Abajo reserve we stopped and looked across the now depleted rice paddies.  Here we found at least 40 Greylag Geese along with Glossy Ibis, Lapwings, Flamingos, Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gulls, Little and Cattle Egrets and a few Goldfinches.  Moving along to the Dehesa lagoon a Crayfish was found wandering along the white line in the road (probably a Cameron supporter not knowing which way to turn - we decided for it and deposited in the hedgerow).  At the lagoon we saw Shovelers, Marbled Ducks, Cormorants, Jackdaws, a single Purple Swamphen, good views of a male Yellow-crowned Bishop, Stonechats, Cetti´s Warblers, Willow Warbler, Goldfinches, Black-winged Stilts, Avocets, White Storks and Little Grebe.  Several Common Snipe were noted flying around the lagoon and overhead but never seemed to want to land. Across from the lagoon a Kingfisher was spotted then a Green Sandpiper, lots of Zitting Cisticolas and a couple of Sardinian Warblers were also seen.  Scoping the distant rice fields I spotted an Osprey and two more Marsh Harriers (one male, one female), lots more Glossy Ibis out there along with copious amounts of gulls.  Hirundines were moving through now consisting of Barn Swallows and House Martins.  Driving the "circular route" to Isla Mayor we located three Great White Egrets and two Black Storks.

Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer at the Dehesa de Abajo - a first for many (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

We had to split from the main group here as Jenny was feeling unwell, so we drove through Villamanrique seeing en-route, Common and Lesser Kestrels and a Northern Wheatear.  Along the A49 (Portugal autovia) at the split to Huelva, we saw a beautiful male Montagu's Harrier along with Azure-winged Magpies and Crested Larks and as we drove up to the apartments three Common Magpies were noted.

Approaching the Dehesa de Abajo pool, which the previous week had been dry but sufficient rain during the following few days to provide food for the hundreds of Flamingos, Avocets and Black-winged Stilts, we had a quintet of Night Herons in the air which a few had previously seen on one of the small gravel pits.  Very few ducks on the water, just a couple of Mallard and a few Shoveler yet also a lovely pair of Marbled Duck to welcome us on the start of our little birding adventure.  There again, no shortage of White Storks, Little Egrets and Grey Herons along with a number of Cattle Egret and a smaller selection of Glossy Ibis, Marsh Harriers and even a Montagu's Harrier.

But it was not just about the main pool of water.  In the neighbouring vegetation we, I think, all eventually saw the Yellow-crowned Bishop that was hopping around in the reeds along with Zitting Cisticola and large flocks of House Sparrows that also contained a number of very white-looking Spanish Sparrows.  Crested Lark and Corn Bunting along with Zitting Cisticola were soon added to the ever-growing list as was, on our way to Isla Mayor a pair of well-showing Lesser Short-toed Larks, a very good sighting that I did not expect until we reached Portugal.  Also present here, there and everywhere were Stonechats and then it was back to the water where we duly recorded Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe.

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens

Never easy trying to observe birds on the road down to Isla Mayor where the Spanish seem to train their future F1 drivers but still plenty of the egret and heron family as already described above other than Night Heron.  However , a short stop did produce more Marsh Harriers and Lesser Kestrels. A longer stop on the far side of the town so that we could scan the rice fields and nearby river proved to be much more fruitful.  Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warbler and a couple of over-flying Spoonbills were a joy to add to the day's list.  A Little Owl was watching us past from its lofty position on the electricity wire whilst overhead we had House Martins and even a small number f Linnets were feeding close by.

At this point John and Jenny Wainwright, as described previously, moved on towards our final destination and John Brooks, Margot Grinstead and Gerry Licence took the opportunity to set off and explore the Donana Park  - but later reported back hat all was very dry and virtually nothing to be observed.  For the remaining participants we moved on the next set of rice fields which were currently being harvested and found scores of both egrets and Grey Herons along with about a score of Great White Egrets.  Catherine even managed to find the only Purple Heron of the week.  In addition to these larger birds we had a good range of waders including Ringed Plover, Redshank, Greenshank, Snipe, Green Sandpiper and Lapwing.

In addition to the numerous (Common) Magpies there were very many Azure-winged Magpies to be seen by all.  Add on the Cormorants, and Blackbirds and the species total was now starting to look very promising.  A couple of cars took an alternative route to the motorway and luck Derek and Barabara Etherton along with Terry and Linda Osborn managed to also record Hobby (what a sighting!), Peregrine Falcon and Sparrowhawk.  Others added Northern Wheatear, Buzzard, Black Kite and Whinchat. Then, of course, we continued to see occasional Kingfishers and, eventually, White Wagtail and Hoopoes.  Finally, we must not forget Serin and both Osprey and Red Kite along with three gull species, Black-headed, Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gull plus a Little Tern.

By my reckoning, we arrived at our Costa Esuri destination with a final count of 72 birds and then were greeted by a trio of Common Swifts to increase the tally by one to 73.

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Mallard, Shoveler, Marbled Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Night Heron,Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Black Stork, White Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Osprey, Red Kite, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Lapwing, Snipe, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Little Tern, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Little Owl, Common Swift, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, White Wagtail, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian WarblerWillow Warbler, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting, Yellow-crowned Bishop.


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

Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra

Sunday 11 October

Left home in the rain (yes, rain!) with broth-in-law, Chris to meet Pieter at Laguna Dulce and collect a supply of Birds of Andalucia, the quarterly magazine of the Andalucia Bird Society, for onward distribution.  Mind you the weather was much better once we gained height on the way towards Antequera.   Dropping down onto the plain I noticed that a start has been made on manoeuvring the new high speed rail bridge across the motorway but probably still a few weeks of work to complete.

Approaching the laguna we had a solitary Southern Grey Shrike on the wires and, after storing the magazines in the car, took a look at the now empty and barren hollow below the hide.  All very quiet apart form a good number of House Sparrows and Chiffchaff in a tree to the right-front of the hide and then we picked up a Marsh Harrier on the far side.  Also in this area were not only a couple of White Wagtails but a handful of "Blue-headed" Yellow (iberiae) Wagtails with the occasional Corn Bunting to offer a little variety.  With large charms of Goldfinches also to be seen we then made our way round to Fuente de Piedra to leave some magazines at the Visitors Centre.

Having had a Raven pass alongside the car,the Mirador de Cantarranas offered very little by way of either water or birds but a little patience resulted in finding a small number of Barn Swallows and House Martins feeding high over the dry lake.  A Buzzard was spotted by Chris as it made its way towards us and then it was on the main laguna.  Either some water is being let into the reserve or the recent rains are beginning to show fruit with a mixture of large damp patches and even some very shallow pools relatively close to the main viewing point.  At least fifty plus Flamingos present along with a large, roosting flock of mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls but I did notice a couple of Black-headed Gulls amongst them.  Indeed, I spent some time using the scope trying to confirm that there was not a lone Lesser Flamingo present.  One individual was very red and appeared slightly smaller, size of the juveniles present, but on raising its neck to full height I cam to the conclusion that it was simply another Greater Flamingo but showing more red than might be expected.

Also in this wet area upon arrival were a couple of Grey Herons and three Little Egrets.  Closer observation revealed a pair of Mallards, a small number of Lapwing and also at least a dozen Ringed Plovers.  The short walk round the back to the Laguneto revealed more Goldfinches, a small number of Greenfinches and a lovely female Pied Flycatcher right in front of us.  Now when will she finally decide that the time has come to say goodbye and head off southwards?  Finally, a Hoopoe disappeared westwards.

Considering the weather, lack of water everywhere and the fact that we had only gone out with the intention of collecting the magazines so that we could be back in time for the start of the Russian Grand-prix, it was not too bad a morning.  I even had chance to fill up with fuel and clean the car in preparation for tomorrow's departure to the Donana, Odiel and Portuguese border before arriving home for the race.  But you can't trust those pesky Russians; TV turned on for the, as usual. 2pm start only discover that they were already on lap31 and Hamilton was in the lead and Rosberg already retired!  Well, you can't have everything.


Birds seen:
Mallard, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Pied Flycatcher, Southern Grey Shrike, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

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

Guadalhorce, Malaga

Saturday 3 October

Arriving later (9.45) than I had intended, I met Andy Paterson who had already arrive at the mouth of the western canal and was on his way back home.  After a short conversation we were joined by a visiting birder from Sheffield who had actually made the discovery the previous lunch time and emailed Andy.  unfortunately, Andy did not receive the message until just before 6 pm but was on site within twenty minutes and the "object of their desire" was still present.  At least Andy managed to get a good photograph well illustrating this very special bird.  Unfortunately, the bird was not present on Saturday morning.  So what had I missed?  Not only a Solitary Sandpiper which, and no reason why it should not be accepted by the Spanish rarities committee, would be only the third such record in the country.

One of many Little Grebes zampullin Comun Tachybaptus ruficollis

All excitement over I decided to have a walk around the reserve  on what was a calm and cloudy morning albeit the sun was trying to break through by mid-day and becoming quite warm.  The air and trees, when the little rascals came to rest, seemed to be alive with flocks of marauding, screaming scoundrels otherwise known as Monk Parakeets.  Cetti's Warblers were also calling all over the site and I could, even from afar, see that many Cormorants had returned to the site.  All the usual birds were seen, even if i small numbers, as I made my way to the Laguna Casillas.  here it was a case of plenty of White-headed Ducks but very little else save the odd Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe.

Male White-headed Duck Malvasia Cabeciblanca Oxyura leucocephala (Note how the bill colour has lost its blue)

Arriving at the Wader Pool there was not a bird to be seen!  Much searching did produce a pair of teal hiding under the tree on the island and then both a Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff were also recorded.  More excitement walking towards the old river, the Rio Viejo, as a heron flew over towards the sea and a Hoopoe crossed the track.  A couple of Blackcaps were feeding in the nearby trees and then I was looking over the very full old river.  And whata sight with a good number of waders and the odd Black-headed Gull.  Lots of Ringed Plovers and Sanderling but also good numbers of Kentish Plover and a bout a dozen Black-winged Stilts.  Finding a couple of Dunlin and a single Curlew Sandpiper then led to me finding the Ruff that landed whilst on the far bank was a Grey Plover and a Common Sandpiper.  In addition, there was a pair of juvenile Flamingos just beginning to show the first signs of pink and, over the land, a Crested Lark and a small number of Greenfinches.

Black-winged Stilt Ciguenuela Comun Himantopus himantopus

Nothing of note towards the sea other than a Kestrel resting on a fence post but far too many fishermen so the beaches empty of birds.  Returning to the Wader Pool some sign of life with the arrival of a Little Egret and a Redshank along with both Coot and Little Grebe.  The Osprey had returned to the feeding post at the back of the main pool and even a Booted Eagle was resting in the adjoining tree.

Osprey Aguila Pescadora Pandion haliaetus

Record shot of a distant Booted Eagle Aguililla calzada Hieraaetus pennatus

The Laguna Escondida added Mallard, Gadwall and Shoveler along with Coots, Moorhens and Little Grebes. A Kingfisher dashed away to the near corner and then I was off to spend the remaining few minutes at the Laguna Grande.  Lots of Grey Herons and Cormorants but the delight was to find a couple of Common Starlings in with their Spotless Starling cousins.  In addition to the Osprey and Booted Eagle, a second Booted Eagle was also present in a neighbouring tree.  Finally, walking back to the bridge, first a Stonechat, then a Goldfinch and finally a Spotted Flycatcher to complete the morning's sightings and a total of 44 species.

Dunlin Correlimos Comun Calidris alpina with a slightly decurved bill

Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Osprey, Booted Eagle, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Now who is this little beasty crossing the track in front of me?  Better known as a Spurge Hawkmoth Hyles euphorbiae

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

More from Charc de Suarez

2 October 2015

Would you not know, get the blog finished early and something was bound to be left out!!  Just a had a lovely email from John Wainwright re his slant on the day so I can now add a few more species to the list.  It looks very much as if our total for the day has now reached 63 species (see additional birds added at end).

(Extracts from John's report)

Charca de Suarez  1st October 2015

A very warm day overall.
Arriving in Salobreña  and after a quick cup of coffee, we parked up along with Liz and Marcus and headed for the beach.  In the small outlet stream here, we found a Squacco Heron feeding, as well as a couple of Grey Wagtails.  More Grey Wagtails were found on the beach and a few House Martins and Barn Swallows were seen overhead, as well as two Black-headed Gulls and a single Yellow-legged Gull.  A Kingfisher was heard but not seen and a few House Sparrows and a Cetti´s Warbler called just as we were heading for the reserve.
Waiting for the reserve to open, I noted a Lesser Kestrel as well as Great Tits, a Short-toed Treecreeper (on the large pine tree), House Martins and Barn Swallows and two Yellow-legged Gulls.   A Grey Heron, Serins, Chiffchaff, Collared Doves and yet again the Cetti´s Warbler insisted on being heard.

Squacco Heron Garcilla Cangrejera Ardeola ralloides (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

...

Two Green Sandpipers flew across the pile and landed somewhere in the far left of the lagoon.

...

Whinchat TarabillaNotena Saxicola rubetra (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

This concluded our visit to Charca de Suarez and now off to Padul lagoon.  As we entered the reserve a Sparrowhawk was seen.  Down at the hide - which was hard to gain entry to as a quince tree had 
grown across the entrance,and the reeds were so high we couldn´t see the lake, but we did get  - in the reedbed - a Zitting Cisticola, Cetti´s and a Sardinian Warbler.  It was very quiet here today and we only saw House Sparrows, a single Southern Grey Shrike, Barn Swallows, a Grey Heron, three Moorhens a few Crested Larks and a surprise Whinchat as we exited for the journey home

Many thanks for the additional information, John.  Please add the following to yesterday's list.

Additional birds seen:
Squacco Heron, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Kestrel, Green Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Grey Wagtail, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Southern Grey Shrike.

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