Osuna, Sevilla Province

Saturday 18 May

A lovely sunny day with a cool breeze first thing but soon warming up for the 18 members of the Andalucia Bird Society on their monthly field meeting.  Our venue today was the narrow lane running alongside the new, disbanded, high speed rail tack-bed and around the  neighbouring fields.   slightly west of Osuna.  Just the main track ares and ignoring the rest of the "triangle" which takes in La Lantejuela.  Probably too late to see both Little and Great Buzzard, as was to prove the case, but in time to find recent arrivals such as Roller and Collared Pratincole.  By the time we split up to return home as a group we had managed to record about 50 species with others seeing Golden Oriole, Little Owl and Bee-eater.  But first, as I started my journey from Pedrera I had no sooner joined the A92 near Aguadulce when I spotted a large black bird to my left near the road.  Assuming it o be a Raven, but lightly smaller, I immediately noticed the long tail with square end rather than typical diamond shape.  Jackdaw?  No, a "proper" shaped head rather than the Jackdaw's blunt "square" and all black.  Back in the UK I would not have given it a second thought as I saw yet another Carrion Crow but then I remembered that there were/are no, or so I thought, Crows in this area.  But nothing else it could be; on its own, not calling and flying like your typical Carrion Crow.  Rare, I must admit but possibly a bird in transit rather than residential.

Arriving first I made a quick sortie along the lane to the first road bridge in the hope of finding the breeding Spectacled Warbler but I was not to be lucky on this occasion.  When I returned about 45 minutes later with the rest of the group still no luck but we did find a Sardinian Warbler.  Meanwhile, I did manage to record House Sparrow, Spotless Starling and Jackdaw around the meeting point plus a couple of Red-legged Partridge and a male Montagu's Harrier.

Setting off in the last of seven cars with friends Roger and Jean Smith with me we soon picked up another Red-legged Partridge along with Common Kestrel and feeding in a recently harvested corn field at least seven Lesser Kestrel.  Then it was up onto the first over-bridge and studying the fields below us we soon added a true pair of Montagu's Harriers along with a female Marsh Harrier.  In addition to the pair of Iberian Grey Shrike skimming over the corn we also found both Short-toed Eagle and a distant pair of Griffon Vultures.  A couple of Red-rumped Swallows were feeding below us along with a larger number of Barn Swallows.

Then it was on down the track and off to the relatively near olive grove in the hope that we might find some skulking Great Bustards.  No such luck but we did pick up both Goldfinch and Corn Bunting and arriving at the edge of the woods we stopped and saw our first Collared Pratincole of the day - and a little later a second individual.  Also in a nearby tree our only sighting of an Iberian sub-species Yellow Wagtail.  The rough field in front of us had feeding Calandra Larks which occasionally popped up to give a view and a rather splendid Sky Lark singing its way skywards.  We had by this time also seen very many Crested Larks.  Another species which was well represented were Ravens; we must have seen at least ten during the day.  It was also in this area that we saw our first Booted Eagle.

Back to the road, turn right over the bridge towards La Lantejuela and make a picnic stop at the entrance to the track that would take us down to the old ruined farm buildings.    Half-way down the road we all stopped to admire more Ravens and about half-a-dozen Alpine Swifts.  Just as we arrived we last three cars stopped to admire the pair of Turtle Doves sitting above us on the wires and we were to have close sightings of at least five more before the end of the day. 

Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur

From or picnic site we could hear a number of Nightingales singing and calling and also saw our first Rollers of the day.  A few Lesser Kestrels were flying around the ruin and Geoff managed to find a distant Little Owl.  Another high Griffon Vulture and then the appearance of five Honey Buzzards which stayed in the area for about five minutes before drifting away.  Whilst here we had a very good look at a white Peacock which was later joined by a "normal" coloured individual.  Who do these belong to, where are they kept, are they living and surviving in the wild on their own?  Questions that, perhaps, somebody else might be able to answer.  Plenty of Spanish Sparrows to be seen before we started off again along the awful, but at least dry, track down to the old farm.  Frank 's car in the lead was the only group to see the Golden Oriole hidden in a small bush as we made the initial left turn.  More Rollers on the way down.

Before reaching the buildings more Red-legged Partridges and then a clear view of a Common Buzzard.  Another Montagu's Harrier was also seen.  Very few Rollers and Lesser Kestrels at the farm and eventually we left to take a different track back to the main road.  Driving well behind the rest of the party I was able to stop, point out an photograph the Short-toed Lark that landed on the side of the track not five metres in front of the car. 

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla

Then it was more Turtle Doves, this time sheltering in the shade under the olive trees.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Finally, it was a drive down the abandoned rail track picking up more Spanish Sparrows and Stonechat before parking on top of the viaduct.  Below us about a dozen Black-winged Stilts and maybe at least a score of Lapwing but mainly the forty plus Glossy Ibis that held our attention. 

A large group of the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Searching found maybe a dozen more Collared Pratincoles before a few Barn Swallows and House Martins flew below the viaduct and a small mixed party of Common and Pallid Swifts flew overhead.  Just the one White Stork feeding its young in the nest build on top of the largest silo and, amongst the herd of fighting bulls, a small number of Cattle Egret.  In addition, Graham's car also saw the pair of Bee-eaters make a temporary rest on the fence to their left before making a rapid departure as other cars followed.  Setting off toward Sevilla  had gone less than a mile when I saw the first of two Black Kites resting on top of pylons.


Birds seen:
Red-legged Partridge, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Honey Buzzard, Griffon Vulture, Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Collared Pratincole, Stone Curlew, Black-winged Stilt, Lapwing, Rock Dove, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Little Owl, Bee-eater, Roller, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Calandra Lark, Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Sky Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Nightingale, Stonechat, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Golden Oriole, Iberian Grey Shrike, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting.

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Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra

Friday 17 May

Bright sunny start to the day but very windy as I set off for the Laguna Dulce near Campillos,  Upon arrival very choppy water and mainly Coots to be seen.  A closer look revealed a few Little Grebe and a Gull-billed Tern swooped over the water.  Whilst also watching the local Goldfinch, House Sparrows and Spotless Starlings I also noted the Barn Swallows feeding off insects low over the road. Time to get the scope organised and look beyond the small flocks of Flamingo on either side of the water where I found Mallard, Black-necked Grebe, a couple of Black-winged Stilts and a number of Black-necked Grebe.  I even managed to find a number of White-headed Duck and a larger number of Great Crested Grebe.  But, on the whole, most disappointing so I took myself round to the track at the back of the laguna.

Lapwing Avefria Europea Vanellus vanellus

What an immediate difference.  A female Montagu's Harrier as I made my way down the track then close views of Lapwing and a Glossy Ibis.  On the shore a few Kentish Plover and on the water not only Gadwall but a male Shoveler.  In addition to the many Gull-billed a Whiskered Tern also put in an appearance.

Glossy Ibis Morito Comun Plegadis falcinellus

Crested Larks on the track and almost to the turn to the old ruins a rather lovely Short-toed Lark presented itself.  Once up beyond the farm in to the olive grove I picked up a couple of Red-legged Partridge and Hoopoe along with a pair of Serin.  A Blackbird flew across the  track and then back to the water.  A Marsh Harrier to my left quartering the reeds and to my right a rather lovely male Montagu's Harrier working the fields.  Approaching the junction I was busy looking at the Collared Doves on the roof when a Turtle Dove took off from below and flew across in front of the car.

Corn Buntings on the hedge tops, Common Swifts above and Jackdaws to finish the session.  Time to drive over to Fuente de Piedra and at the big farm (the short-cut track to Laguna Dulce on the left is now open) a Bee-eater on the wires.  On the way I recorded Crested Lark and Hoopoe.

Bee-eater Abejaruco Europeo Merops apiaster

Serins and Goldfinches as I arrived at the Visitors Centre than on round to the laguenta having noted the thousands of Flamingo on the main water.  Both the entry field and scrapes to the right had now completely dried out so nothing to see apart from the wandering resident Jackdaws.

Flamingos Flamenco Comun Phoenicopterus roseus behind Laguna Dulce

Once settled in the hide in addition to more Flamingo and Coots I also had a good number pf Common Pochard as well as a few Red-crested Pochard.  At least three White-headed Ducks on site along with Mallard and Black-winged Stilt but it took a long time and much searching to eventually find a Moorhen.

Common Pochard Porron Europeo Aythya ferina with Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis in front

Over the water we had Barn Swallow, House Martin and Common Swift plus the occasional Gull-billed Tern and a number of Black-headed Gulls.  I was a little surprised to find the Black-necked Grebes.  Below the hide House Sparrow and a Greenfinch and top of the distant chimney the White Stork was feeding its young.

Black-necked Grebe Zampullin Cuellinegro Podiceps nigricollis

So, an early finish and drive up to my first overnight stop at Pedrera in readiness for tomorrow's visit to Osuna.


Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Rock Dove, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Short-toed Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

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

Montpellier Snake at the Guadalhorce

Thursday 16 May

Do you remember the very large Montpellier Snake Malpolon monspessulanus we saw sunbathing last week  very close to the Laguna Casillas hide at the side of the track?  Well, judging by today's sighting we now seem tp know the reason why.  Picking up the recently shed skin we measured it at a full two metres in length.  And I also took a close-up of the head; amazing the detail.

Guadalhorce & Zapata

Thursday 16 May

Up and away on a bright, clear, warm and sunny morning to Malaga Cruise Port to collect visiting American birder Wade and Carol who had just arrived on the Emerald Princess.  So a very pleasant day's birding at the Guadalhorce followed by an hour at Zapata before it was time to get my guests back to their cruise ship for the final leg to Barcelona before heading straight home to Florida.

Over four hours at the Guadalhorce where we managed to find some good birds having been welcomed by Blackbird and House Martins and especially Collared Doves along with the usual regulars.  As we approached the footbridge we had our first sighting of Red-rumped Swallow and numerous Common Swifts in the air above.  On both sides of the track we could hear many Reed Warblers and coming off the bridge a male Sardinian Warbler.  A Little Egret put in a brief appearance slightly upstream but soon disappeared into the vegetation. So, with Lesser Black-backed Gulls moving overhead, onto the first hide.

Laguna Casillas was not overcrowded with birds but at least nine nests with sitting birds found so Black-winged Stilts are in full swing this breeding season as are the Coots.  Indeed, some Stilts have already led their newly-hatched chicks down to the water's edge on the Laguna Grande.  A pair of Mallard and about ten Common Pochard were also seen.  Then, partly hidden by reed cover, another seven Little Egret.  Now we had regular fly-pasts of Barn Swallow, House Martin and Common Swift.

Little Egrets Garceta Comun Egretta garzetta

Picking up both Serin and marauding Monk Parakeet we made our way to the Wader Pool.  Immediately we found more Black-winged Stilts and two pairs of Kentish Plover.  But there were more Ringed Plovers and at the back of the water three Redshank and a single Greenshank.

In addition, we were able to see three Herons resting in the bare trees to the back of the water and a Green Sandpiper at the far end of the laguna.  This was where we picked up the Black-tailed Godwit coming into breeding plumage that very kindly made its way to the front so that we could have a better view from the hide!

Black-tailed Godwit Aguja Colinegra Limosa limosa

The Rio Viejo (Old River) seem to be alive with small bird as you immediately became aware of the little shapes running about at the water's edge.  Not so much the Black-winged Stilts but the good numbers of both Kentish and Ringed Plover.  The the sight of a Grey Plover.  Whilst we had a handful of Sanderling on the near beach on the far side we found three Dunlin.  A Kestrel flew over us and we than managed to find a single Little Stint.  A brief visit to the Sea Watch produced nothing extra, other than my visitors' ship was still in port, and no shortage of naked bathers making the most of the strong sunshine and warm weather.

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (above) and Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (below)

Returning by the same route we then made our way to the Laguna Escondida. picking up a couple of Crested Larks on the way.  A couple of Little Grebe immediately in front of the hide and a single Coot.  Where were all the birds?  But a little patience and gradually some activity at the far end as first a pair of Gadwall cam out of the reeds followed by a Moorhen.  A brief appearance by a male White-headed Duck but eventually as many as three in sight.

Most of the dozen Flamingo Flamenco Comun Phoenicopterus roseus on the Laguna Grande

Finally, on to the Laguna Grande where we managed to find some lovely sightings.  Eventually a total of 23 Sandwich Terns following the initial sighting of a single Little Tern.  In the centre of the water a round dozen Flamingos and many Black-headed along with two Slender-billed Gulls.  In addition to the Kentish and Ringed Plovers on the scrape below us we had a rather lovely Turnstone.

Turnstone Vuelvepiedras Comun Arenaria interpres

On the nearby island both Black-winged Stilt and Avocet were siting on eggs but also four Stilt chicks foraging around the edges.  The Black-winged Stilts at this time of the year are very aggressive in protecting their nesting sites so they were forever disturbing the smaller waders nearby.  Finally, as we made our way back to the car we found the Nightingales.

Avocet Avoceta Comun Recurvirostra avosetta

Following a coffee stop we made our way past the airport to spend our last hour upstream on the Guadalhorce at Zapata.  House Sparrows and Spotless Starlings as we approached the river and many Barn Swallows feeding low over the track and neighbouring fields.  Mainly House Martins and Barn Swallows feeding over the water and to our left a Moorhen.

A short walk up stream to the small weir soon produced a couple of Little Ringed Plover a pair of blue-headed Yellow Wagtails of the Iberian sub-species.

Little Ringed Plover Chorlitejo Chico Charadrius dubius

A high Short-toed Eagle was spotted by Carol and then it was back to the birds feeding near the weir including Green Sandpiper and Greenshank along with a couple of Redshank and a pair of Black-winged Stilts.

Greenshank Archibebe Claro Tringa nebularia

A Jackdaw flew over the trees on the opposite bank and hen the arrival of another Little Egret.  More Collared Doves about as we made our way to the reed bed and spent some time parked at the top watching the activity below as (mainly) House Sparrows and Goldfinches came to bathe and drink.  But also seen were Spotless Starling, Serin, Crested Larks and, finally, a lone Greenfinch.

Then it was back to the port with ten minutes to spare and a list of well over fifty species for Carol and Wade,



Birds seen:
Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Short-toed Eagle, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Little Stint, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Green sandpiper, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Common Swift, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Nightingale, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Jackdaw, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, 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

Black-wingd Stilt Himantopus himantopus still present

Sunday 12 May

Beautiful, clear, warm and sunny morning here so took a drive over to the Charca de Suarez where I met up with Steve and Elena Powell.  A good selection of birds but all seen relatively quickly and with a very keen breeze blowing decided to exit and come home at the 11.30 opening rather than stay the full morning.  As I turned into "Turtle Dove Alley" I quickly recorded Collared Dove, Spotless Starling, Blackbird and Hoopoe and, at the far end, my first of many House Martins seen during the short morning.

Entering the reserve at 10am there were Turtle Doves calling as we made our way to the Laguna del Taraje which seem occupied by cute Coot families, Mallards and Moorhen.  Very noisy Cetti's Warblers and Nightingales along with both Blackcap and Reed Warbler.  Quite a delight to see a Chiffchaff immediately in front of and much as I would have liked it be be an Iberian I am pretty sure that it was simply a long-staying Common Chifchaff.

Purple Swamphen Calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyrio

Where did that juvenile Glossy Ibis Morito Comun Plegadis falcinellus come from?

Once at the Laguna del Alamo Blanco  we noticed that both the lone Spoonbill and White Stork pair were still present along with a singe Little Heron.  A Grey Heron exposed itself at the back of the water as did a Purple Swamphen that seemed to hang around for ages.  The bird was still present when a small flock of 8 Glossy Ibis flew in.  Also on the water a pair of Back-winged Stilts with both Barn Swallow and House Martin feeding above along with a handful of Common Swift.  Then the very small dark brown "blob" dashing around which finally stopped long enough for me to identify it as an out-of-breeding-season male Red Avadavat.

Mixed Glossy Ibis Morito Comun Plegadis falcinellus group with juvenile below

Turtle Doves continued with their delightful song all morning and on reaching the main hide overlooking the Laguna de las Aneas  apart for a pair of Little Grebe and the nesting Red-knobbed Coots it was mainly Common Coot.  However, we did find another couple of Little Egret and three Grey Heron.  More feeding hirundines and noisy Cetti's Warblers before also adding Common Pochard to the morning's observations.

Little Egret Garceta Comun Egretta garzetta doing its balanxcing act in the stiff breeze

In the small spinney just beyond the hide a lovely male and a few female Serins along wit the first Spotted Flcatcher of the morning.  More Red-knobbed Coots on the Laguna del Trebol and then to the Laguna del Lirio where we, finally, got a good view of one of the many Turtle Doves.  Four more Spotted Flycatchers we made our way towards the gate and driving back down Turtle Dove Alley not so much the wandering Lesser Black-backed Gulls but the addition of Spanish Sparrow to the list for the day.  A final total of 36 species in the 90 minutes.

Spot the Turtle Dove Tortola Europea Streptopelia turtur

Birds seen:
Mallard, Pochard, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Spoonbill, Moorhen, Purple Swamphem, Coot, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Nightingale, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap. Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Red Avadavat, Serin

Mediterranean Tree Frog Hyla meridionalis on the same leaf as last week!

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On the way to Alhama de Granada

Pochard Porron Europeo Aythya ferina

Thursday 9 May

It was a clear, sunny morning so a last minute I decided I would have a leisurely drive over to Alhama de Granada stopping off at various sites that have been productive in the past.  However, by the time I pulled in at the old railway track at Ventas de Zafarraya there was a good cloud cover and much colder in the exposed are with a very keen breeze.  Perhaps for that reason the only bird seen was a Black Wheatear and I was certainly not going to "hang about" but a brisk walk back through the tunnel to the car!  So down through the village past the many House Martins and on to a tour of the growing fields, many freshly planted with salad crops.  House Sparrows and Spotless Starlings along with three pairs of Mallard on the pond plus both Stonechat and Crested Lark near the road before heading off to the "Magpie Woods."

All, again, very quiet but I did see a couple of Corn Bunting and a handful of Wood Pigeon before arriving at the picnic site on the far side of the laguneta above Alhama de Granada.  Leaving the car I was deafened by the noise of the calling Cuckoos and soon picked up both Nuthatch and Chaffinch.  A Spotted Flycatcher caught my eye to the left whilst a Hoopoe made a distant pass.

Very distant Great Spotted Woodpecker Pico Picapinos Dendrocopus major

From the hide I could see Coot, Mallard, Pochard and Moorhen on the water and away to my right in the thin, dead trees a Wood Pigeon resting on top of the tallest with a Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding on the trunk of a neighbouring tree.  Nightingales were singing below me and from the opposite hide near the venta I also saw a Little Grebe and visiting Crag Martins and Barn Swallows. The walk down to the bridge from near the dam produced both Blackbirds and Serin and atop a rock on the hill above a pair of Blue Rock Thrushes.

Male Blue Rock Thrush Roquero Solitario Monticola solitarius

Then it was back down towards the town seeing more House Martins, Common Swift and Collared Dove before taking the country road back towards Ventas de Zafarraya.  Remembering what birding friend George Lamb had told me a few weeks ago, I took the turn on the left and drove over 4km up the wide track and through the woods to the Queseria.  Having found the farm at the very end of the track I studied the local produce on offer and came back with a large piece of semi-cured cheese.  I have a feeling it will not survive till the week-end; sorry Steve!  And even better, as I drove back through the woods towards the road a I had a few Azure-winged Magpies (now called Iberian Magpie?) fly across in front of me.  And back on the coast not a cloud in the sky and the temperature had soared up to 30C.

A mass of Poppies in all the corn fields

Birds seen:
Mallard, Pochard, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Common Swift, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crested Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Nightingale, Black Wheatear, Stonechat, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, Nuthatch, Azure-winged Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Corn Bunting.

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

Guadalhorce and Zapata

Monday 6 May

Collected visiting birders Nigel and Judy Lambert from Melton Mowbray, UK and we were at the Guadalhorce by 9.15 for a morning's birding in very warm and sunny conditions but a stronger breeze than had been anticipated; but definitely short sleeves and shorts!  No sooner had we arrived and we seeing many House Martins, especially at their nesting site under the footbridge, along with the resident Rock Doves below the motorway bridge.  But no red-rumped Swallows seen all morning.  A good number of Common Swifts were feeding higher in the sky and as we reached the end of the bridge looking down to our left we had a good view of of a feeding Spotted Flycatcher.

On to the Laguna Casillas which contained a few Coot and a number of Black-winged Stilts along with a couple of Little Grebe.  To our left a pair of Mallards and a quartet of Common Pochard before we found the single male White-headed Duck.  Both Cetti's Warbler and Nightingale were very vociferous with their songs and hen the arrival of our first Little Egret.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the track, we were able to take a very close look at a basking snake, at least two meters long.  And what about those strange blue eyes?  It has now been confirmed as a Montpellier Snake Malpolon monspessulanus and at about the maximum length for this species.  Literature describes it as a mildly venomous rear-fanged colubrid - so don't stick your finger down its throat!

Basking Montpellier Snake Malpolon monspessulanus at the edge of the track opposite Laguna Casillas

On reaching the Wader Pool we were immediately confronted with not only more Black-winged Stilts but eight Avocet and a handful of Redshank and Ringed Plover.  In addition, we managed to find a pair of Dunlin and a couple of Collared Dove flew over the water.  Not only House Martins but now also Barn Swallows and a check on the "dark shape" in a distant bare tree revealed itself to be our local Osprey.  A great surprise as I thought it would surely have moved on by now.  It did eventually lift off and circle a few times before drifting up river to presumably sort out a mid-morning snack.

Distant Osprey Aguila Pescadora Pandion haliaetus thinking about tiome to go on a fishing expedition

Then, looking behind us, a most handsome male Serin had come to visit, resting on the nearest tree.

Serin Verdecillo Serinus serinus

Quite a lot of waders to be sen on the Rio Viejo (Old River) along with hirundines overhead and passing Collared Doves and Monk Parakeets.  Very good numbers of both Kentish and Ringed Plovers along with a Grey Plover.  Many more Black-winged Stilts and another couple of Avocet.  Lovely to notice the small flock of Sanderling with most now well into their breeding moult.  Whilst we id see a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls the majority of the others were Slender-billed Gulls and hiding amongst them a pair of Sandwich Tern.  Walking back from the Sea Watch we also picked up a rather lovely Woodchat Shrike and, of course, a number of Spotless Starlings.  In addition, Nigel happened to be looking in the right direction when the Red-legged Partridge made its short flight out of the long grass whilst I followed the path of the distant Grey Heron.

Avocets Avoceta Comun Recurvirostra avosetta

The walk back and on to the Laguna Escondida produced a male Sardinian Warbler, female Kestrel and a small number of Goldfinch.  Once ensconced in the hide very little to see at first until the appearance of three White-headed Duck, a couple of Pochard and the same number of Little Grebe.

The Laguna Grande was its usual busy self with a good number of Black-headed and even a handful of Yellow-legged Gulls.  A few more Black-winged Stilts and a nesting pair of Avocet before concentrating on the small waders below the hide.  Just the single Curlew Sandpiper but at least five Dunlin and about a half-dozen Kentish Plover.  Again, more Ringed Plover but no Little Ringed Plovers.  Out on the water itself we had a trio of Flamingo and a pair of resting Shelduck.  And then it was time to return to the car, picking up a male Blackbird on the way, and make our way onwards the airport for a well-deserved lunch break.

Black-winged Stilt chick Ciguenuela Comun Himantopus himantopus  - but will it survive the hungry gulls?

Suitably refreshed we then headed down to Zapata with a first stop at the ford.  Lots of House Martins and Barn Swallows in the air and a small number of Goldfinch and Linnet feeding at the water's edge.  Unfortunately, a couple were messing about near the weir upstream where we would have expected to find our waders so we concentrated on the ford itself.  A Night Heron was happily sitting on a small rock adjacent to the downstream edge of the ford and then a Little Egret came to join him.

Little Egret Garceta Comun Egretta garzetta

Time to cross the ford with the usual stop mid-stream and on up to the bridge to check out the drainage channel.   The back to the ford, stopping to watch a pair of Blue-headed Yellow Wagtails and a Crested Lark, before eventually re-crossing having stopped to take closer looks and photographs of the Night Heron which had now returned to the same position.  Once across the water we turned the car round to watch the arrival of the small birds coming down to drink.  Then, wonders of wonders, not another Blue-headed but a Western Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail Motacila flava thunbergi but before we could photograph a white van trundled by on the blind side and the bird was off down stream.

Night Heron Martinete Comun Nycticorax nycticorax

Seeing that our couple upstream had now moved on we took a short walk in that direction and found another couple of Little Ringed Plovers plus a Blue-headed Wagtail immediately in front of us.  On the far side we found the lone Common sandpiper as a Moorhen paddled away to our left and, finally, the arrival of a Cattle Egret.  A White Wagtail appeared on the opposite bank.

Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail Lavandera Boyera Iberica Motacilla flava iberiae

Common Swifts were now overhead as we made our way back up to the main track and on towards the airport via the Mass reed bed.  Greenfinch, Blackbird and Stonechat were added to our sightings for the day and stopping to watch the avian activity in the wide crossing/gap in the reeds w enjoyed the bathing display of Linnets, Goldfinches, Blackbirds and Spotless Starlings.  Amongst the many House Sparrows we even managed to find a male Spanish Sparrow.  Continuing on we picked up more Blackbirds and Serins and a male Sardinian Warbler on the track whilst the Cetti's Warblers and Nightingales continued to serenade us with their very recognisable renditions.  By the time we returned to the city we had managed to record 53 species.



Birds seen:
Shelduck, Mallard, Pochard, Little Grebe, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Flamingo, Osprey, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Sender-billed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail, Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Nightingale, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.

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