Odiel Marshes (Marismas del Odiel)

Saturday 15 February

Odiel Marshes Visitors Centre for a morning's birding with the Andalucia Bird Society lead by Manu Mojarro.  Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a pair of Raven as we approached the meeting point and then the sight of scores of beautiful Flamingos next to the working salt salinas.  With the tide just about full in we started by walking along to the mirador overlooking the permanent pools after checking out the fresh water pool but not before noting the Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls, Sandwich Terns and a Whinbrel on the rail of the jetty in the visitors' car park.  A couple of Cormorant were flying over the river and at the edge both Whimbrel and Redshank.  Add on Little Egret and it was time to take a closer look at the flamingos.  Lots of Black-winged Stilts and more Redshnak plus a number of Black-tailed Godwits.  At the far right a flock of Dunlin and accompanying Little Stint and then the resting Ringed Plovers plus a pair of Kentish Plover.  Also present a single Caspian Tern and Mediterranean Gull along with a few Turnstone.

Slender-billed Gull Gaviota Picofina Larus genei with Whimbrels ZarapitoTrinador Numenius phaeopus

The pond held Moorhen and Coot plus Mallard, Common and Red-crested Pochard and a good number of Shoveler.  Only the one Little Grebe noted but more Black-winged Stilts and Black-headed Gulls.  However, the best sighting was that of a Sedge Warbler.  Behind me at the back of the Visitors Centre Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Chiffchaff and Hoopoe were also recorded.

Red-crested Pochards Pato Colorado Netta rufina

Once at  the mirador we had closer views of both the Flamingos and many Shelduck. The walk down had already produced a Black-necked Grebe in the channel and a couple of Sardinian Warblers.  No sooner the distant Marsh Harrier then views of a couple of Osprey and a large flock of Bar-tailed Godwits flew over.

Osprey Aguila Pescadora Pandion haliaetus above nesting platform

Other birds noted here were Great White Egret, Grey Plover and Great Crested Grebe.  Working our way back with the tide now receding, both Dunlin and Curlew Sandiper came to feed on the exposed mus and even joined by a Bar-tailed Godwit.  Returning to our cars a Song Thrush flew across the road from the stream to our left.

Emergency escape by Bar-tailed Godwit Aguja Colipinta Limosa lapponica and Dunlin Correlimos Comun Calidris alpina

As we made our way along the spit towards the Juan Carlos park we recorded both Greenshank and a lovely Buzzard.  A White Stork flew over and we also noted both Crested Lark and Goldfinch.  Once in the car park and checking out the mus flats we quickly added a number of both Whimbrel and Curlew and many more Redshank.  A few distant Spoonbill but only the one Grey Heron.  A sea scan produced a Great Skua that landed near a couple of Cormorant resting on a yellow marker buoy and looking at the sand bars of the Odiel a small lock of Slender-billed Gulls as well as more Sandwich Terns and waders such as Redshank, Dunlin and Grey Plover.

Resting Sandwich Terns Charran Patinegro Sterna sandvicensis

Following the conclusion to our visit to the Odiel Marshes, we drove home via the freshwater lake at El Portil.  A very bust water with many Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Coots and a handful of Little Grebes plus a single Great Crested Grebe.  Lots of Red-crested Pochard and a few of both Mallard and Gadwall along with the occasional Moorhen but the star of the site was not the single Magpie but a splendid male Tufted Duck in the middle of the lake immediately in front of us.  The only disappointment was that after returning to the car to collect the camera the bird drifted to our right and was lost behind the tall trees and shrubs at the edge of the water.  Great shame.  However, a wonderful end to a glorious day's birdwatching in the company of over twenty-five members of the ABS and guided by local professional, Manu Mojarro.

Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus with Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus

Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus with Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Ringed Plovers Chorlitejo Grande Charadrius hiaticula

Birds seen:
Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, White Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Great Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Tern, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

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

Osuna and Dehesa de Abaja

Friday 14 February

With the Odiel Marismas scheduled for Saturday I collected neighbouring Dutch birder, Lisette and we were away from Algarrobo Costa by 9 o'clock.  Having refueled both car and body we ready to start exploring the Osuna triangle by 11 and immediately had Barn Swallows followed by both House Sparrow and Spotless Starling before reaching the first turn on to the country lane alongside the active railway track.  No Stone Curlews on this occasion but soon had recorded Black Redstart, Whitethroat, Greenfinch and Stonechat.  Our first raptor was a resting Buzzard and ere long we had seen many plus the first Red Kite of the morning.  Similarly, no shortage of Red-legged Partridges or Spanish Sparrows

Spanish Sparrow  Gorrion Moruno Passer hispaniolensis

Continuing on along the country lane onwards the first high bridge over the abandoned high speed railway track we added both Marsh and Hen Harrier plus a couple of Buzzards before the first Kestrel of the morning. Smaller birds included Crested Lark, Stonechat, Corn Bunting and a pair of Calandra Larks.  A Sky Lark have an aerial display and then the first Iberian Grey Shrike with a pair resting close by.

Iberian Grey Shrikes Alcaudon Real Lamius meridionalis

From the top of the bridge we could view the surrounding fields and eventually found a total of 34 Great Bustards.  Nearby we also recorded Serin, Chiffchaff and a small party of Linnets.  Just when we thought we were not going to find any Black Kites we came across a kettle of over 80 slowly soaring on a thermal.  Before turning left at the upcoming junction we added a number of White Storks and a flock of Jackdaw.

Just four of the over 80 Black Kites Milano Negro Milvus migrans overhead

Making our way back towards the A92 motorway we stopped to check out the distant Embalse del Charco Podrido.  Not just a good number of Flamingo but also Coot, Moorhen, Pochard and Black-headed Gulls.  And as we watched a lone Griffon Vulture drifted across the water.  In addition, it would appear that most the local White Storks were using the water as their preferred resting quarter.

Time to move o towards our final destination down at Punta Umbria just west of Huelva but first a stop at the Dehesa de Abajo to check out the lake.  Or that was the general idea until we got held up for an hour por more trying to navigate our way through the very heavy traffic using the motorway through Sevilla.  But we duly arrived and were rewarded in our now curtailed stay with a fabulous array of ducks and other species

Night Heron Martinete Comun Nycticorax nycticorax and part of the large colony

As might be expected scores of Little Egret and even more White Storks but first a short stop at one of the roadside pools where we were rewared by a colony of at least 60 Night Herons, a single Squacco Heron and a trio of Ferruginous Ducks on the water below.  On the fields opposite scores of Glossy Ibis and a number of Grey Heron along with a couple of Great White Egrets.

Ferruginous Duck Porron Pardo Aythya nyroca

Back on the main laguna hundreds of Flamingos, White Storks and Coots towards the back along with a similar number of gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backed but also no shortage of Black-headed Gulls.  Apart from a number of Mallard and Gadwall there were very many Common and Red-crested Pochard and even more Shoveler.  Having found a few Teal near the first island I then watched a part of a dozen Marbled Teal work their way left and round to the back of the island.  Great!  On the open water both Little and Great Crested Grebe along with a few Moorhen.

Marbled Duck Cerceta Pardilla Marmaronetta angustirstris

Following the Cormorant that flew from the water over my head I then checked out both the verges and further fields on the other side of the road.  A very large distant flock of resting Spoonbill and even a Zitting Cisticola close at hand when I found the female Yellow-crowned Bishop and also added Sardinian Warbler whilst listening to the local Cetti's Warblers.  Finally I added Collared Dove as we departed the site and no sooner under way a couple of Azure-winged Magpies crossed the road and we were welcome at our apartment by a raucous Common Magpie.

A few of the many Red-crested Pochards Pato Colorado Netta rufina

Birds seen:
Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Teal, Marbled Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Red Kite, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Griffon Vulture, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Great Bustard, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Crested Lark, Sky Lark,  Barn Swallow, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Iberian Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Greenfinch, 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

Guadalhorce, Malaga

Tuesday 11 February

There may only have been the three of us for the monthly Axarquia Bird Group visit to the Guadalhorce in Malaga but what we lacked i numbers we more then made up for in the selection of birds seen during the morning, eventually reaching a total of just on 60 species including some excellent sightings from the Sea watch.  And what good company in Mike Kinchington from Marbella and visiting UK birder Dave Kemp from Birmingham.

A number of Collared Doves about as we set off from the track opposite the football field and no shortage of both near and distant Cormorants including  lovey trio in full breeding plumage resting on the nearby river. A first heron of the day along with a lovely male Black Redstart on the opposite bank and, of course, many foraging Chiffchaff.  A handsome male Serin was a pleasure to observe.  Crossing the footbridge the resident Rock Doves were resting below the motorway bridge and a pair of Mallards leisurely made their way across the river.  Above us a pair of Red-rumped Swallows and an occasional House Martin as we made our way to the Laguna Casillas noting a pair of Stonechats , House Sparrows, Goldfinches and a pair of Sardinian Warbler on the way.

Arriving at the pool it seemed quieter than previous and took some time to find a Little Grebe.  However, there were a dozen Pochard and a couple of Mallard as well as about a dozen Coot.  On the opposite bank we were entertained by the activities of a couple of Black Redstarts and many Chiffchaff feeding below us at the water's edge. To the far right a pair of Yellow-legged Gulls which remained in place for an hour or more and then the arrival of a Kestrel complete with breakfast, it looked very much like a Goldfinch,to use the "Booted Eagle tree" as its dining room and a pair of Gadwall paddled out from behind the grasses on the far side.  Just when all seemed relaxed  the arrival of the screaming, marauding Monk Parakeets but at least they were followed by the sighting of the first Crag Martins of the morning.

Greenshank Archibebe Claro Tringa nebularia

At first sight the Wader Pool looked completely deserted with not a single Black-winged Stilt in site.  Closer scrutiny found a handful of Teal under the overhanging tree away to the far right and then a single Little Grebe.  A Buzzard landed in one of the distant dead trees and we also found a number of Spotless Starlings.

Walking towards the Sea Watch with Cetti's Warblers calling loudly below, we found a few Greenfinches and Linnets and Mike and Dave counted at least three Zitting Cisticola. On the river itself, which was at a very high level and covering all the small islands, a group of twenty-two Black-winged Stilts were found on the far side along with a single Greenshank.  The short arm towards the centre also held a trio of Black-winged Stilts and a second Greenshank.  The meadow land to the left produced a couple of Meadow Pipits along with Crested Lark and a handful of White Wagtails and as we continued towards the sea a small flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over.


From the Sea Watch the sea looked perfectly calm with not a bird in sight - at first.  Use of the scope produced a small raft of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a trio o diving gannets.  Dave was first to pick up both the couple of Sandwich Terns and Spoonbill to our left as they approached and flew by and then one of the more experienced wardens who happened also to be present with his scope pointed out where the Osprey had landed on the old pier block to our right and even a couple of distant Common Scoters.  Using my own scope I managed to count a minimum of fifteen Scoters on the water.  No sooner had we seen the single Great Skua pass from left to right than the warden also found and drew our attention to the Balearic Shearwater moving westwards.  (Good job he had a more powerful scope than I!) A Little Egret landed on the rocks to our left and as we set out on our return walk a couple of Barn Swallows put in an appearance.  Far from being a wasted journey, the Sea watch on this occasion proved to be the star hide of the morning.

The walk back to the above hides produced good views of a soaring light morph Booted Eagle and, on reaching the Wader Hide a second, dark morph, Booted Eagle.  We also had a wandering Hoopoe on the meadow, a number of Sardinian Warblers, Goldfinches and Linnets and once back in the hide added a Common Sandpiper. A Great Tit was found on the opposite bank by Mike and then on round to the Laguna Escondida passing a number of Blackbirds and Sardinian Warblers on the way.

The large number of parked Junta cars outside the Laguna Escondida proved that there was no point in spending any time here as water sampling and testing was being undertaken.  However, we were in time to find a few Pochards and five White-headed Ducks at the back of the water.

Shelduck Tarro Blanco Tadorna tadorna but note the Black-necked Grebe  Podiceps nigricollis in the foregound

Our final hour was spent at the main hide overlooking the Laguna Grande and adding to our list of sightings for the morning.  Cormorant numbers totaled over forty and included three Spoonbills sharing their favourite resting island to the left.  Plenty of Collared Doves and Spotless Starlings as we started our scrutiny of the water.  At the centre back at least fifteen Shelduck and probably twice that number of Shoveler. A single Cattle Egret flew away from the pool to our left.  I found a party of six Black-necked Grebes and a further individual away to the right.  (Unbeknown to me at the time, one of the raft of six was actually a visiting Slavonian Grebe.)  We also discovered where all the Black-winged Stilts were this morning by counting a further thirty.  Immediately in front of the hide were a pair of Black-tailed Godwits and a single Sanderling that was later joined by a Common Sandpiper.  A Redshank was found "hiding" among a party of Black-winged Stilts in the long grass at the back of the scrape in front of the hide.

Black-tailed Godwit Aguja Colinegra Limosa limosa

Distant record shot of Osprey Pandion haliaetus

As a Moorhen wandered out to my left a visit to the large pole on the far bank produced the resting Osprey at the top.  No sooner had we seen a passing Booted Eagle over the water than we eventually recorded a Marsh Harrier as a female quartered low over the vegetation on the extreme right.  A Greenshank arrived below us to the left and a large flock of Black-headed Gulls arrived to take rest on the water and, at about this time, Mike and I decided it was time to make our way home after a wonderful morning's birding - and more to come at the end of the week when we each drive down to the Odiel in Huelva.

Birds seen:
Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Common Scoter, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Balearic Shearwater, Gannet, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Great Skua, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Golfinch, Linnet.

Redshank Archibebe Comun Tringa totanus

Redshank with Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Redshank with Black-winged Stilts Ciguenuela Comun Himantopus himantous

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

RSPB Blacktoft Sands with Chris Bell

Saturday 8 February

I had a wonderful report of a day's birding at RSPB Blacktop Sands from my birding pal, Chris Bell this evening.  Looking at his observations makes we ex-pats out here in the south of Spain realise the "common" birds that we no longer expect to see; think all those geese and duck species such as Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, etc.  Then, of course, how often to you see either/both Bullfinch and Dunnock (Hedge Accentor) on a regular basis never mind such rarities as Twite?  Time to sit back, read and enjoy some of those "missing" species and many thanks to Chris for providing a British perspective bird report.


RSPB Blacktoft Sands: Saturday 8 February

Yesterday, for a change, I just about  got my clothing right for my birding outing.  Towards the end of the watching day gloves and hat made things for me more comfortable, but over-trousers and scarf were unnecessary luggage, but then their weigh is next to nothing.  Hope you enjoy this brief report of my enjoyable day, during which I met new people and some  "friends", some of whom I have not seen for a while.  Surprise was Paul Buxton, "Mr Attenborough" who I have never seen anywhere except there.  He directed me to a real Scaup at Attenborough last Wednesday which we failed to re-locate (no scope outing).

Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) Prunella modularis

I made my way to RSPB Blacktoft Sands Saturday hoping that I might see Hen Harrier in the raptor roost.  It was encouraging news to find that a male and 2 ringtail had come in the previous evening.  I viewed from upstairs from 1^st Hide which gives  uninterrupted views over the marshes and beyond the river Ouse and Trent and onto the  Humber from 4 to 5 PM .  It's a big area to view and hard work but whilst I saw at least 5 Marsh Harrier up together no sign of a Hen Harrier.   Had I made the wrong choice of observing hide?  Apparently not, as the report from the furthest east hide, Singleton, where they were up to 20 pairs of eyes, they had also not seen Hen Harrier.  I had heard Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail, and Bearded Reedling ,and also saw (and heard ) about 200 Pink-footed Geese flying south, so I think I made a good hide choice on this occasion.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

My visit had started well as there were up to 100 distant Fieldfare in a field on my way to my usual starting point, the furthest west hide, Ousefleet, where fortunately there were only a handful of people (my visit had coincided with that of a bus full of birders from Rochdale).  Scanning the water which had many waders, some 200 meters away on the furthest side of a small island I picked up what looked like to me a couple of hunkered down Spotted Redshank, and whilst I set up my scope I alerted the other occupants of the hide to the possibility.  It wasn't long before one of the "Spotshank" woke up and extended its head enabling me to confirm my initial identification.   A year tick for me, and it was turn out to be my only one of my day.  The water held several hundred Lapwing, at least 70 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Redshank , 20 Dunlin, Shelduck, with occasionally about 50 Curlew putting in an appearance but were mainly hidden in an adjacent reedbed.  Not a lot of other common wildfowl about which was generally going to be the theme of the day.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

After my picnic lunch over an hour later, on my way to reception for coffee, I found a male and female Stonechat, and possibly a flock of 20 or so Twite. They never put in a better appearance than my initial observation, behaviour call diagnosis so I will be checking reports to see if they are seen better by others.

As I said earlier there was generally a low numbers and species of wildfowl about, and perhaps the best after my start were a few Snipe and a male and female Goldeneye, just over 50 species in total. The Spotshank nudged my year count to 119.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Regards
Chris Bell

Many thanks Chris and as you say, good job Jenny returned to Spain today, Saturday, as the increasing winds and bead weather resulted in many flight cancellations on the following day.

Birds seen:

Cormorant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Kestrel, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Great Black–backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Hedge Accentor, Cetti's Warbler, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Stonechat, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch.

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

Rio Velez, Torre del Mar

Friday 7 February

A little later than anticipated but down at the local Rio Velez, Torre del Mar by 10.20 and a pleasant 80 minutes walking down to the beach and back.  All very quiet with no workers on the fields t my left and the river looking very muddy with some water following last week's heavy rain.  A single Moorhen on the far side a handful of the resident Rock Doves to welcome me.  Within minutes I was seeing many Blackbirds and all males.  A flock of over forty Cormorants were using the tall trees as their day-time roost and a single Heron put in an appearance.

A few of the tree-roosting Cormorants Cormoran Grande Phalacrocorax carbo

Countless Chiffchaffs everywhere and then a fly-over by half a dozen Monk Parakeets.  Very little to see from the hide apart from more Chiffchaff and a few Spotless Starlings in the opposite reeds.  A Hoopoe was busy calling as I walked on down to the beach where I found a large raft of gulls on the open water.  Mainly Black-headed but also a score of Mediterranean and maybe a dozen Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  As I checked out the gulls I had a couple of distant Gannets fly through the scope.  On the river a pair of Shoveler and another eight Mallards to add to the half-dozen already seen.  Walking back the car I recorded a couple of Meadow Pipits in front of the hide and then a trio of Goldfinches plus a single Black Redstart and a pair of Serin.  At the last minute a Cattle Egret took off from the river below the car.

Female Black Redstart Colirrojo Tizon Phoenicurus ochruros

Taking the long way out so that I passed the wood-burner factory I found a further five Cattle Egrets and a quartet of White Wagtails on the field being tilled.  Further on I found more Mallards in the upstream river and a single Kentish Plover and then a pair of Hoopes flew across the river away from me.  A large flock of Spotless Starlings on the wires above me as I made my exit including a four Common Starlings.

Meadow Pipit Bisbita Pratense Anthus pratensis

Birds seen:
Mallard, Shoveler, Gannet, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Kentish Plover, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Crested Lark, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch.

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

Short-eared Owls

Wednesday 5 February

Not every day or month, or even years, that you get to see a Short-eared Owl.  When my pair turned up quite unexpectedly I could not resist firing off the camera in the hope that I might do justice to this lovely winter visitor.  More photos below, mainly of the same bird so I did wonder whether one was a female as it always seemed to be the first to take cover the the more exposed individual always returning to be near the other.

First sighting

Gone, I thought

Back and checking where its partner might be

 

Ah, there you are.

 

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

Gone West - Day Four

Short-eared Owl Buho Campestre Asio flammeus

Wednesday 5 February

last day down west and a morning visit to the Bazo del Este before heading off home with a short call in at Furnte de Pedra immediately after entering Malaga province.  Still clear, bright and sunny, albeit a little cooler than the pat three days, as I left La Algaida not long after 8.  Arriving at Pinzon to start my tour of the the now barren rice fields I was immediately greeted by a number of White Storks and Herons and even a Marsh Harrier was quartering the fields to my right.  Within minutes a resting Buzzard atop a pylon then a couple of Kestrels to be followed by a number of both Crested Larks and Stonechats as I covered the gravel road to the main entrance.along with regular sightings of Collared Doves and Feral Pigeons on the wires.  Stopping to adjust seat belt,prepare camera, etc I had a White Wagtail and a couple of Chiffchaff to my right and more Herons and Cormorants in the muddy field to my left.  With less than a handful of cars seen all morning I seemed to have had this fantastic site almost to myself.

Mainly Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa - before I found the main flock!

Just as I set off at a very slow pace with window right down the fist flock of Glossy Ibis appeared in the sky to my left and a Green Sandpiper flew up out of the ditch.  Rather than travel to the far end of the track I took the first turn on the left noting the large number of Purple Swamphens, Little Egrets and a score or more Black-tailed Godwits on the watery scrape to my left, a Great White Egret to my right and on the grassy field either side of the new track a good number of both White wagtails and Meadow Pipits. A Corn Bunting was sat on the fence near the trees and then a small charm of Goldfinches.  A Marsh Harrier took off and came to land on a nearby brick ruin.

Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta, Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

A continuous supply of Crested Larks and other flight LBJs as  made my way along the track until I came to a large , muddy field being turned over; amazing sight of the tractor with its huge, open metal rear fields so able to cope with the conditions.  I think this machine must do more than plough as the the large rear wheels seemed to be moving at a pace whereas the front wheels rotated at a slower speed and more in keeping with the actual speed of the tractor.  However, all this activity had attracted hundreds of feeding birds.  Especially noted were the hundreds of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls along with a similar number of Glossy Ibis.  And everywhere you looked you could pick out Herons, Little Egrets and even a few Cattle Egrets.

One of over 100 Glossy Ibis Morito Comun Plegadis falcinellus

More and more Glossy Ibis and Lapwing as I left this field behind but all moved away from close proximity as I approached and then, on the  left, drier fields with remaining stubble which contained White Storks and a mass of white in the back.  Bins confirmed the presence of a flock of about 100 Spoonbill.

A few of the Spoonbill Espatula Comun Platalea leucorodia flock

Time to move on an immediately in front a Black Stork flew away to my left.  What a lovely sight and I was to find another four in the following hour.  With a few Spanish Sparrows in the shrubs near the ditch on my left I stopped to identity the hidden shape on top of the pylon and discovered a resting Sparrowhawk, not that it remained resting as I lifted my camera!  Having seen many Marsh Harriers since arriving I was not surprised to see a large brown bird rise from the weeded edge on the left of the track. What did surprise me was that the bird rose no further than two metres into the air then promptly resettled within five metres.  Time to check out this raptor and a I found the bird concealed behind some twigs a pair of large yellow eyes stared back at me.  Short-eared Owl!  As the owl moved off it disturbed a second individual and all that was left was for me to try and get at least one half-decent photo of these two winter visitors.

And then there two Short-eared Owls Buho Campestre Asio flammeus

Off he/she goes again!

Turn round and back to the main track taking another look at all the activity in the ploughed field and finding Short-toed Lark on the track as well as Crested Larks, Meadow Pipits and White Wagtails on the grassy areas with Barn Swallows above.  There were now two Great White Egrets on the small pool at the junction as well as a few Black-winged Stilts, Mallard and Little Egret as I made my way to the first large area of water.

Great White Egret Garceta Grande Egretta alba

How can I possibly describe what lay before me.  I(t was lie a small child let loose in a a sweet shop as I all saw were hundreds and thousands!  Yes, thousand of Black-tailed Godwits and hundreds, many hundreds, of Black-winged Stilts.  Still in the hundreds properly estimated the numbers of  Purple Swamphen and then I found scores of Avocet and another fifty or so Spoonbill.  Searching through the nearer flocks I found a few Ruff and on the more open water a number of Mallard and a dozen Shoveler.  Meanwhile, the Crested Larks were active on the main track and Chiffchaffs worked the shrubs, trees and bushes near the shore.  A larger bird landing in the base of a nearby tree turned out to be a Bluethroat.  Just when I thought I had seen everything, a low-flying Squacco Heron was suddenly in front of me and disappeared into the thick verge.

Always with the waders there were small groups of Purple Swamphens Calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyrio

What a morning.  The remaining pools in the area were a reflection of this first pool and Purple Swamphens seemed to be everywhere.  Lots more Marsh Harriers and Kestrels were seen and, eventually, I even picked up Cetti's Warblers and another Green Sandpiper.  As I left the field and returned to the main road more Collared Doves and still Herons and White Storks, plus another Buzzard resting atop a pylon, as I made my way to nearby Los Palios de Villafranca.  Having found the site of the breeding Laughing Doves I was to be disappointed as today was the day it was decided it would be a great idea to grade the dandy track.  With a tractor up and down no chance of finding the target bird.

Two of very many White Storks Ciguena Blanca Ciconia ciconia

Just over an hour later I was at Fuente de Piedra.  Rather than sun and clear blue skies I now had considerable cloud and a very strong wind.  A stop at thee wet approach field provided a number of Shoveler, Teal and the first Coot of the day.  A handful of Black-winged Stilt and a few Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls along with White Wagtails and a Lapwing accounted for the birds here.  The main laguna was very dull and in poor light so I needed the scope just to find the flocks of Flamingo and no chance of identifying  the recently arrived trio of Lesser Flamingo.  The laguneta was different in that not a single Flamingo was present.  Mainly Shoveler but also Common Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall  and White-headed Duck.  Also on the water Coot and my first Moorhens of the day plus a couple of Little Grebe.  Across the water I could see both Feral Pigeons and Spotless Starlings and, although hunkered well down, I could see that the White Stork had returned to its nest on top of the tall chimney.  Leaving the hide to return to the car for the rest of the journey home I also added a few Goldfinch and the first of a dozen or so Jackdaw whilst on the main laguna away to my right a number of Shelduck and Avocet.  Indeed, the last bird sen as I departed the sight was a Black Redstart.

Distant Marsh Harrier Aguilucho Lagunero Circus aeruginosus

Looking back, not just the very many great birds that I saw at the Brazo del Este but, unlike Fuente de Piedra, not a single Coot or Moorhen.  How weird was that?

More photos:

Purple Swamphens Calamon Comun Porphyrio porphyrio

Why did the Spoonbills Espatula Comun Platalea leucoodia cross the road?  To get away from the knife's edge!

One of many murmerations of Glossy Ibis Morito Comun Plegadis falcinellus

Birds seen: 
Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, Glossy Ibis, Black Stork, White Stork, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Lapwing, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, Short-toed lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, 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