Thursday, 15 July 2021

More Rutland Water

 Wednesday 14 July

Back to Rutland Water and, again, at 6.30 but this time in the evening rather than morning.  After a lovely, bright and sunny day by the time I arrived it was still basically clear but the breeze starting to freshen and, of course, the setting sun not too good for photography depending upon direction. 

Lagoon 2, Rutland Water from the Redshank Hide

Straight to Burley Fishponds passing Pied Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon and Pheasant on the way only to discover that the site is no longer accessible!  Therefore, a little further on to the lane leading down to the water but almost nothing within site on the North Arm other than a Great Crested Grebe and passing Common Tern.

Just a few of the scores of Greylag Geese Anser anser

Back and towards Egleton and the meadows adjacent to the country lane had been recently mowed, so attracting scores of Greylag Geese, a similar number of Rooks, a few Carrion Crow and a couple of Magpie.  Checking the small resting flock of black-headed Gulls at the back I came across what is almost certainly a couple of 2nd winter Common Gulls.  More Greylag Geese round the corner on the next field and on the opposite side of the road a few more Greylag Geese in with at lest an hundred Jackdaw.  I am sure that, in total, there are well over an hundred of of both Greylag Geese and Jackdaw on site.

Rook Corvus frugilegus with Black-headed Larus ridibunda and possible Common Gull Larus canus (see below)

Blurred enlargement of above Common Gull

Once in the car park the first Blackbird of the evening and chance to put the scope on Lagoon 1 from near the Visitors Centre.  No shortage of Mallard along with both Coot and Cormorant plus the odd Mute Swan or two.  Time to move on to the Redshank Hide which duly produced the resident Sand Martins.  The Grebe Hide added Teal but nothing new at the Osprey Hide.  

And so to the Sandpiper Hide overlooking Lagoon 4.  Immediatley more Mallard and very many Mute Swans.  Checking the various islands and waters I soon added Lapwing, lots of Black-headed Gulls but also a few Great Black-backed and a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  There were many mallard but also a small number of Tufted Duck.  Close by was a foraging Greenshank and on the far side a single Common Sandpiper.  The Oystercatcher was also a lovely addition but , bet of all, the well-grown juvenile Avocets along with an adult.  Presumably, the lovely waders bred on site.  Finally, in addition to yet more Greylag Geese this was the water that produced the only Canada Geese of the evening.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

The Shoveler Hide on Lagoon 3 was rather disappointing but mainly as a result of the very high water level.  Apart from more Coot, Mallard and Black-headed Gulls very many Common Tern, a few Lapwing, a single Moorhen and a passing Little Egret overhead.  On the other hand, there were also a couple of swimming Egyptian Geese.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Back to Lagoon 4 and the Plover Hide to check out the northern end of the water but the sun was now very low and almost straight into the hide.  More Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns with young plus a sole Little Grebe and, on approaching the hide, a Heron had flown over.  A brief stop at the Bittern Hide finally produced a couple of Pochard on Lagoon 3.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus with three chicks

Woking my way back to the Visitors Centre a Buzzard took off form the trees to my left and as I approached the Badger Hide I noticed the small bird at the top of the bare branches in front of me.  Whilst trying to take a distant record shot of the Linnet a second individual joined my target before both then moved on.

High, distant shot of Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Having decoded to forego a visit to the Mallard Hide I made my way back to the car and drove through the centre of Egleton village where I recorded both House Sparrow and Barn Swallow.  Finally, as I drove up the hill towards Barnsdale on my way back to Stamford a Collared Dove crossed the road in front of me so taking the evening's total up to 39 species.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Linnet.

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Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Rutland Water

 Tuesday 13 July

Awoke at 8 then discovered it was only 5 o'clock!  Anyway, decided to get up and by 6.30 was over at Rutland Water with just bins and small camera to check out the present situation after being away for eight months.  Dry and cloudy, not particularly cold but very poor light.  As I approached Egleton not just frequent Magpies and Wood Pigeons but the field next to the entrance lane held scores of jackdaws along with very many Greylag and a handful of Egyptian Geese. Also present a good number of Wood Pigeons, many Starlings and a few Carrion Crows.  Continuing on the car park Blackbird, Dunnock and House Sparrow were also recorded.  Considering I was the only one about not a single bird to be seen in either the car park of feeding station.  Mind you, the seed hoppers had not been filled and the vegetation was quite high.

Greylag Anser anser with Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus (left) and Jackdaw Corvus monedula

So on to the Redshank Hide where I soon found many of the Sand Martin breeding colony along with a couple of Coot and a few Mallard.  In addition, both a Gadwall and a handful of Black-headed Gulls.  The Grebe Hide added both Tufted Duck and a small number of Barn Swallows but no further species from the Osprey Hide.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

So to the Sandpiper Hide overlooking Lagoon 4.  This was to be the only water with any wading habitat and, inde4ed, in general the water levels were exceedingly high with many other such sites no longer showing.  More Mallards and lots of Mute Swans plus Little Egret, very many Black-headed Gulls including well-grown juveniles. Then a small number of Teal plus a couple of Green Sandpipers. The first of three Great Crested Grebes was observed and on the far scrapes Lapwings were also noted in addition to a small number of Great Black-backed Gulls. As I left the hide a small flock of Goldfinch was seen in the bushes to my right.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Lagoon 3  from the Shoveler Hide was was exceedingly high with no waders or herons in sight.  Lots of Mallard and a few juvenile Shelduck plus a small number of Pochard.  There would also appear to be a healthy population of Common Tern.  The remaining hides overlooking this lagoon provided nothing new albeit on the way back from the Lapwing Hide I did pick up a Wren as it crossed the path in front of me.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo resting behind Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Back to the main entrance and then over to Mallard Hide overlooking Lagoon 1 from the south.  Lots of Black-headed Gulls and Mallards but also a dozen or more Cormorant.  Having already seen the Great I now found a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and watching a "clean" bird arrive was able to confirm Common Gull.  Also present a small group of Canada Geese.

At least the sky now appearing to lighten and the promise of warmer weather as I made my way round to Lyndon.  But first a very short visit to the bridge over the the Manton Bay entrance where I had a Moorhen make a mad dash below me and the Osprey duly resting on a pole above its nesting site.

Early morning Osprey Pandion haliaetus at rest

Once at the Lyndon Visitors Centre at least the seed hoppers had been filled so they were attracting lots of juvenile Great Tits along with a mix of Blue Tits, Chaffinches and even a moulting, male Reed Bunting.  All but just about done as I made my way back to Stamford but, again, a very short stop overlooking the dam wall produced a handful of Rooks on the field just to the back so giving me a final total of 40 species along with a large number of Greylag accompanied be a handful or so of Canada Geese on the field to the left of the drive down to the dam itself.  And as I write this blog a Red Kite is making lazy circles in the sky above the back garden!

Teal Anas crecca

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Osprey, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow,  Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

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Monday, 12 July 2021

Titchfield Haven, Hampshire

 11 July 2021

Back in the UK and never mind a lower temperature even that wet stuff from above to remind one that we are no longer in Spain!  However, having survived my ten days self-isolation which, believe me, is far worse that the two months of lock down back in March of last year, there was time for a quick early morning visit to the beach adjacent to the Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve on shore of Southampton Water at Hill Head and forget all about the footie.  The tide was out so a further bonus.  Very few birds to see in my brother-in-law's garden other than the resident Dunnock, Robin, Goldfinch and Wood Pigeon plus nearby sightings from the front window and overhead of Blackbird and Black-headed Gull respectively.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Come the big release day first a Wood Pigeon then a trio of Carrion Crows along with a single Collared Dove as I approached the beach road and already I could see the massed gatherings in the pools at the beach end of Titchfield Nature Reserve.  With the car safely parked up overlooking the beach at 7.15 I first checked what might be on the main pool.  Lots of Black-headed Gulls including very mature youngsters of the year and overhead a constant movement of Common Terns which also nest on the provided islands and rafts.  A look along the beach provided more of the dame but also a Moorhen and the many resting Mallards at the mouth of the river Meon. 

Black-head Gull nesting island

Across the road to the viewing point which confirmed the breeding birds but also provided a couple of Coot, a Great Crested Grebe and three Little Egrets.  In addition to the Mallards at the mouth of the river and in the minute harbour, more, especially well-grown juveniles, were to be found on this water. At the far side I also picked out a couple of Common Sandpipers working the edges on the far side.

Even a tray for the Common Terns Sterna hirundo

Continuing on southwards towards the yachting club moorage I could see further Black-headed and a single Herring Gull out at the water's edge.  A Moorhen was also foraging in the same area as was another Little Egret.  With more Common Terns in the air above I made my way back to the car and then on along the front.  In front of me a Pied Wagtail was foraging in the deposited seaweed and then, in the distance , the first of the morning's Oystercatchers.

As I returned towards the car parked almost opposite the viewing point mentioned above a single Turnstone flew in and proceeded to feed immediately below me. 

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Meanwhile, on the exposed mud at my end of the reserve pool, not just yet another Little Egret but also a single Redshank.

Redshank Tringa totanus

No point rushing back to the house so I took a further walk to the fat side of the Meon outlet and found a flock of a dozen Turnstone, some looking as if they were still asleep.  A second Redshank was also recorded along with a departing Lesser Black-backed Gull.  Further out at the edge of the water an Oystercatcher had come to rest on a pole.  A couple of Cormorants were also recorded before I returned to the car and prepared for the return journey to Warsash.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

The shore-side cottages as I turned inland produced a couple of Blackbirds and then a flock of Starling flew over.  Back at the house a Dunnock was on the feeder with a Robin below, surely the wrong-way round!  Twenty-two species in total and now ready for some "proper" birding once I get back to Stamford.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Birds seen:

Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch.

A couple of skulking Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos

Time for this quartet of Turnstone to wake up and see where their pals have gone

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Thursday, 1 July 2021

Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus at the Sepulveda gorge

 Tuesday 29 June

Away Monday lunch-time following morning tests to confirm negative for Covid and packing car to spend our first night in a delightful Country residence (only guests present) on the outskirts of Valdepeñas.  Tuesday saw us heading north and once clear of Madrid into the region of Castilla y Leon where we were able to make a leisurely drive to our final overnight stop in the former Bishop’s palace in the small, isolated village of Guzman.  Included in the following report is the additional journey within the region before crossing into Cantabria and our final destination of Santander where we took the evening ferry to Portsmouth.

No sooner into Castilla y Leon and we were still recording birds from the motorway including Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Rock and Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Spotless Starling.  More “interesting” birds arrived with the sighting of Common Swift, a few more Buzzards and then a trio of Carrion Crow.  No sooner finished smiling and we looked up ahead to see not the expected Griffon Vulture, they came later, but a single Black (Monk) Vulture.  Travelling along deserted country lanes we made our way to the delightful village of Sepulveda in Segovia province where we intended to explore the deep gorges which are well-known for their vulture and eagle species.  First passing a small flock of Bee-eaters resting on the wires we next came across a female Montagu’s Harrier quartering a recently harvested corn field and off to the right a raptor, which given Jenny’s description, suggested it might well have been an immature Golden Eagle.  I only wished, on this out of character busier road with a little traffic, I had been able to stop and check for myself rather than the fleeting glimpse well off, disappearing large raptor.

Sepulveda in Segovia province, Castilla y Leon

Arriving in Sepulveda we first made our way up through the narrow streets to the top of the hillside village recording Pallid Swift, Barn Swallow and House Martin.  From a mirador overlooking the valley below we could see the gorges and calculate the correct route to take for the best observations.  Back down through the village to the main road below and then off to the far side where we were able to find a parking space overlooking the deep gorge below.  Above us soaring Griffon Vultures and even a couple resting on a corner ledge also directly opposite.  Lots of Common Swifts flying around below along with the occasional Crag Martin but not the expected birds, albeit we had only a limited stopping time.  Behind us a female Blackbird was busy delivering food to nestlings somewhere nearby.  As we drove off up to the top of the hill to seek a turning point we had an Iberian Grey Shrike on a wire to the left and then, having turned to retrace our steps to the bottom, we came across the first of at least a handful of Northern Wheatears that we were to see in the next couple of hours.

Our friendly Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus

Having noted that there was a suggested site for Duppont’s Lark not so far away near the track leading to the old hermitage we made our way back up through the village and off to Villaseca.  Unfortunately, we entered the wrong “Villaseca” into the Satnav (should have been Villaseca de Sepulveda) and a good job we did.  Not only more Buzzards and Northern Wheatears but dropping down on the far side of Sepulveda we had a Great Spotted Cuckoo fly across the road immediately in front of us.  Not long after this when I was convinced that we travelling in the wrong direction we stopped and re-checked the Satnav.  Correction made, we then moved on to the correct Villaseca.  All that but no Duppont’s Lark albeit we did find a Black-eared Wheatear on some scrubby, rocky land along with many Crested Lark and a Corn Bunting.

The gorges below Sepulveda

And so on to our booked overnight stop at Guzman.  Again, no hurry so enjoyed wandering along almost deserted country lanes and found a couple of Blue-headed (Iberian) Yellow Wagtails.  Passing through a small, apparently deserted little village we were suddenly confronted by a Red Kite at low level in front of us followed by a male Black Redstart and then a couple of White Wagtails.  As the greenery began to appear after all the corn fields, many recently combined, we came across the occasional Black Kite before finding both Serin and Goldfinch.  Where there was signs of water White Stork would appear in fields or in small kettles above.

A very pleasing day but the Castilla y Leon adventure was not yet over.  Wonderful views form our bedroom window in the Palace of Guzman with the Swifts swarming around the hotel and church opposite but it was being awoken in the early morning by the calling Tawny Owl that made our day, certainly its start.  Once underway by 9 o’clock we soon started counting Buzzards on poles and then entering the small village of Cevico Navero at a very slow speed a Dunnock hopped up onto the crash barrier at the side of the car as if to welcome us to the village, probably no more than a score or more small cottages, as we made our way on towards Cantabria.

Birds seen:

White Stork, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Red Kite, Black Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Bee-eater, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Crested Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Dunnock, Black Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting


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Thursday, 24 June 2021

Las Campinuelas

 Thursday 24 June

Still hanging around waiting for a phone call but decided to pop over to nearby Las Campinuelas to see if anything was about.  With the temperature just reaching 30C and a blazing hot sun in a clear blue sky I decided to restrict myself to a short, thirty minute walk from my usual parking spot to the holding pool at the spring and then return on the opposite side of the road.  Far too hot and uncomfortable for birding (even the birds must have thought the same!).

Goldfinch Jilguero Carduelis carduelis

A good number of both House Sparrows and Goldfinches about and the outward walk also produced a couple of Crested Lark, Blackbird and a solitary Greenfinch.  A single Spotted Flycatcher on a low twig was a pleasant surprise as I crossed the road to commence the return walk  .More Goldfinches on the return leg plus almost a dozen Serin and a small group of Spotless Starlings.  A couple of Barn Swallows above and Collared Doves on the wires.  Finally, maybe up to a dozen Bee-eaters feeding above their chosen nesting bank.

Collared Doves Tortola Turca Streptopelia decaocto

Birds seen:

Collared Dove, Crested Lark, Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Serin Verdecillo Serinus serinus 

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Wednesday, 23 June 2021

Cabo de Gata with the Arboleas Birding Group

Wednesday 23 June

Lovely weather for the last Arboleas Bird Group visit of the season even if fewer species than Dave and company might have expected.  Even so, four species of tern in a grand total of 29 was no mean feat.  Also, I like the reference to the two Iberian Grey Shrikes.  Now time for a break and look forward to joining the group should they be returning to Cabo de Gata in September/October.  Thanks for the many reports Dave.

Cabo de Gata   -   Wednesday 23rd June


For our last organised trip before our two month summer break, I decided we'd go to Cabo de Gata.  I picked up Berni in the village and headed to Los Gallardos where we collected Juda.  I then drove down the A7/E15 to junction 467 where our bird list began.  We spotted Collared Dove, Spotless Starling and an Iberian Grey Shrike by the time we reached the first hide. Kevin, Trevor and Neville were already there. They had already logged Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Shelduck, Yellow-legged Gull and Barn Swallow.  As I was catching up on the paperwork, Kevin spotted a pair of Raven apparently scavenging the remains of a dead bird on the far bank.  Also seen were Common Swift and House Martin.  I found a Gull-billed Tern on the rocky causeway standing on a rock.  Kevin stated he was looking at a tern on a post.  Sure enough, not 5 metres to the right, was a Whiskered Tern.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (PHOTO: David Elliott-Binns)

 
We had a refreshment break in Cabo village and made our way to the second hide.  A brief seawatch produced nothing!

We trudged our way to the hide.  A pair of Gull-billed Terns did a nice fly past.  I spotted some Little Terns quartering the water.  There was a small flock of feeding Slender-billed Gulls just in front of the causeway gap.  In the gap itself I spotted six sleeping Spoonbill.  Kevin, who was checking out the bay to the right, added another two Spoonbill who were feeding.  Also there were two Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron and a Little Egret.  I found a distant Iberian Grey Shrike on a bush.  We scanned the savannah for Stone Curlews without success.

Moving on to the public hide, we again saw an Iberian Grey Shrike, this time on a power line.  Kevin found a Shelduck and Juda a second.  I locked on to a tern flying towards us, our fourth tern species of the day, a Common Tern.

We then followed the track to the church, but only saw a couple of Thekla Larks.  A trip to the lighthouse produced Yellow-legged Gulls and lots of tourists!  On the way back, Berni spotted a Black Wheatear.
As it was getting quite hot we had an early lunch.  On the way back to the motorway we added a Jackdaw.
We saw 29 species.  A lovely days birding in good company.

We wish Richard Hiron's wife Pat a successful knee replacement surgery and everybody a good, safe and healthy summer.   Regards, Dave


Due to hazy conditions and the birds keeping their distance, only one photo today!

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Monday, 21 June 2021

Ventas de Zafarraya and its Hinterland

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

 Monday 21 June

Up at the mirador on the old railway line at Ventas de Zafarraya by 9.15 to walk  the track before it got too hot.  As an added bonus, only one car and a couple of cyclists during the 80 minutes I was on site. Exiting the car I was immediately welcomed by a couple of Goldfinch and as I approached the old tunnel the first handful of a score or more feeding Crag Martins.  A female Kestrel landed atop a rock above me and at my turning point I also saw a male of the species.  I heard before I saw the Choughs and then only the occasional short appearance despite the almost continuous calling.

Passing Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

The tunnel area turned up trumps with a lovely male Black Redstart just before entering and on returning to daylight I turned round and found a female Cirl Bunting on the rocks above said tunnel.  Then the first of a number of Back Wheatears put in an appearance and, as usual, not the easiest of birds to capture on camera.  Also at the tunnel exit a lone House Sparrow and then a House Martin flew past taking the rock edge rather than making use of the tunnel as it headed towards the mirador.

Record shot of Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura

Next up the first of a handful of Sardinian Warblers and then a juvenile Stonechat before finding an adult male.  The male Serin made a lovely sight as it posed on a tall grass whilst  five Spotless Starlings were resting on the high wires to my right.  The silhouette high atop the cliff turned out to be the first Red-legged Partridge of the day as a noisy Blackbird moved away below me.   The next clifftop species was the first of two Rock Sparrows and on the track as I made my way back to the tunnel a pair of foraging Linnets.  Exiting the tunnel I spent some time watching both Crag Martins and Choughs and was very pleasantly surprised by the passing of two Alpine Swifts.

Juvenile Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Once back and ignoring the half-dozen Rock Doves and the local House Sparrows and House Martins I set off for the growing fields at the far end of the village and then round the back to take the rock clockwise circuit.  But first a short stop at the irrigation pond where I was delighted to find not just the local Mallards but a couple of Turtle Dove, White Wagtail, Ringed Plover and and a trio of Linnet.  Barn Swallows were feeding over the water and a Collared Dove was both calling and showing behind me. Crested Larks were seen on both the ride to the pond and back to the main road.

Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur

The drive along the road towards the old ruined road leading up to Salar produced numerous Common Swifts plus a couple of (Common) Magpie and the first of the Iberian Magpies to be seen on the upcoming circuit.  What a delightful ride this was.  Two Little Owls, and I suspect the first was a well-grown juvenile, followed by a Hawfinch.  I stopped to take particular note of this "large" bird on the fence which I was presuming would be a Woodchat Shrike but looking far too bulky and the wrong "ginger" colour on the head.  No wonder when I got my bins on the bird and discovered its true identity but, unfortunately, it flew just as I was levelling the camera for a quick record shot through the windscreen.

Possible juvenile Little Owl Athene noctua

Then a more mature looking Little Owl

But did I find my target bird for the morning?  I thought that this track would be the most likely to [produce a Northern Wheatear, the Little Owls and Hawfinch were a bonus, but just the one wheatear which I presumed to be a Black-eared Wheatear.  Very strange colouring and looking almost too white below and that unusual head marking suggesting it might in act be a Northern Wheatear but, as confirmed by my friend Mick Richardson, definitely an odd-looking Black-eared Wheatear.

Record shot of  Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica

A little further on i stopped to watcha Red-legged Partridge with six chicks and no sooner under way than, less then 100 metres further on, another Red-legged Partridge with newly hatched youngsters.  My last bird in this area was a Chaffinch.  Travelling back a Hoopoe crossed the road in front of me as I reached Trapiche and, of course, I was welcome home by the resident Monk Parakeets!

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa with 6 chicks (above) and second family below

Birds seen:

Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel, Ringed Plover, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Monk Parakeet, Little Owl, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Black Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Iberian Magpie, Magpie, Chough, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch, Linnet, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting

Feeding Linnets Carduelis cannabina

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