15/03 : Bolonia and La Janda

An early start, getting up at 05.15 is not my style nowadays, but I met Ron in Fuengirola on time and we were below the cave and cliff face at Bolonia by 08.45. Boy, was it cold and we saw only Crag Martins going in and out of the cave and a few Griffon Vultures, then a stream of some 100+ Black Kites came over in a long, straggling stream whilst a superb male Blue Rock Thrush flaunted itself and a Wren sang from hiding. Then we heard a Yaffle (Green Woodpecker to you) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming somewhere in the eucalyptus trees, which they aren't supposed to haunt but do. The male Peregrine appeared, flew around gently, spotted something below and went into a wings closed free fall at about mach 5 and we never saw it again. A Short-toed Eagle came and went, as did a single Sparrowhawk. All of this appeared to augur well for the day. To hell with all that 'Beware the Ides of March' stuff!

By now it was 0930 and we decided that coffee was needed but not before I showed Ron the nest site of the Egyptian Vultures, their owners standing around until one, possibly the male, took off and returned with a large stick for the nest whilst his mate had waddled round the back out of sight. We now have irrefutable eveidence that Egyptian Vultures have no idea of the size of a stick when compared with their wingspan as the stupid bird must have brushed end of stick against a large, immobvable object (the cliff face) and dropped it. We hadn't gone on much further before we came across a Common Buzzard sitting on a telegraph post. Unlike most, it did not take flight and disappear for ever but flopped along a few metres to perch on the wire and thus afforded these photos.

After a coffee and a sticky thing (rather nice) at the San José del Valle bar it was on to La Janda, entering by the track down to the drainage canal. And from then on it was all go and eclipsed the already good omens by far. The first stop was just around the corner and scan, scan and scan again. Lapwings, a few White Storks, lots of little things in the fields and some bigger things, these including Calandra and Short-toed Larks as well as a moving flock of some 20 Yellow Wagtails which included both flava and flavissima males - both little beauties. Also, rather surorisingly, a pair of Mistle Thrushes added something different to the alrready great selection.
Somewhere in the distance a Greenshank called a couple of times but we never saw it, nor any other wader. La Janda is stone dry now and unless there is any rain there'll be no rice unless there is sufficient water in the canals. It was whilst we were there that a Purple Heron flopped in and stood there eyeing us suspiciously and occasional Marsh Harrriers - it was the day of the males - made their presence. And then our attention was taken by two rather distant largish plover type birds, observation of which not being helped by heat haze. However, eventually, by the simple process of noting what we could see and elimination of other species, especially Golden and Sociable Plovers, and with the help of 125 or so years of experience between us (honest! aren't we ancient?) we concluded that they were 2 Dotterels - a most welcome observation and best of the day for me.

From there we went slowly along the canal, stopping to laugh at a Purple Boghen wrestling not very successfully with a thick reed stem which must have been a reed stem. It is possible to see the size of the the reed by its left foot in the photo. We managed to get across the bridge and then up and past the smelly farm and a lunch stop. There had been multiple stops to watch raptors, most of them Black Kites but more Marsh Harriers, and narrowly missing a suicidal Hoopoe. From there we went down to the turn for the track to facinas and went down as far as the deer farm, adding more raptors (of which more in a minute) species such as Blackcap,this Stonechat which chose the most difficult spot to perch without doing itself permanent damage, 2 Song Thrushes, Linnets, Goldfinches and Greenfinches, not to mention Serins, Zitting Cisticolas and a single Magpie as well as a few Ravens.

We finished off by returning to the N-340, flushing a flock of ca.60 Lesser Short-toed Larks on the way and then spending half an hour at the mirador del Estrecho for more raptors, many still struggling in in spite of the wind which had risien to at least force 5, and these birds are also included in the raptor list below.
But it was a raptor day without a doubt, much to the delight of Ron and I wasn't displeased myself. So, something I don't often do, a list of the raptors seen, and in list order too!), some of which have already been mentioned: Black-shouldered Kite (1), Black Kite (500-600), Egyptian Vulture (3), Griffon Vulture (90+), Black Vulture (an exceedingly tattered 2CY bird, reckoned by Ron to be the bird of the day for him, as the photo shows), Short-toed Eagle (8+), Marsh Harrier (7+ of which only 2 were female/imms.), Hen Harrier (1 male), Sparrowhawk (ca.4), Common Buzzard (3), Booted Eagle (ca.8), Lesser Kestrel (10+), Kestrel (several) and Peregrine (1 male).

N = 14 species of raptors within a grand total of what I make to be 57 species, a jolly good total and fabulous day's birding with some great views which left us both tired but exceedingly happy.

14/03 : Vélez Rubio - Lorca

20.30: 15/03 : I have only just opened mail for the first time since yesterday lunchtime and after a long day on La Janda which will be written up for tomorrow evening, but as a taster, we saw 17 (yes, seventeen) species of raptors. Sorry for the delay, Dave, and the Goshawk shot came out too blurred to reproduce well. Also, there have been 2 Marsh Sandpipers reported from Fuente de Piedra.

Today eleven of the group descended on Adrians local patch between Velez Rubio and Lorca. After a light breakfast just off junction 6 of the A91 autovia we followed Adrian in convoy, heading ultimately to the Embalse de Puentes. Along the way we managed to see a Raven, Red-legged Partridge, a pair of Southern Grey Shrike and a Thekla Lark. The convoy then came to a stop at the sight of a large raptor on a pylon. A magnificent Short-toed Eagle, our first of the year. We next stopped at some farm buildings where there were Crested Larks and a Black Wheatear. I then spotted a raptor circling above us. A young Goshawk.
The next stop produced a singing Dartford Warbler and distant views of Griffon Vultures over the " Grandmother's Molar" mountain near Velez Blanco. Also seen were Goldfinch, Mistle Thrush, Stonechat and Black Redstart amongst others.

A stop next to the small Velez river, I think, added Moorhen, Barn Swallow, Grey Wagtail and Cetti's Warbler. We then ascended to the top of the reservoirs dam. On the water there were Great Crested Grebes, Pochards and Coots. Cormorants were drying their wings. Two pairs of Red-billed Choughs played in the updraughts, except when some Griffon Vultures flew over. The temptation to harass them at a safe distance was too great to miss!! We had a great view of a Crag Martin taking a butterfly on the wing just above our heads. Also seen was a female Kestrel and a Black-winged Stilt.

We then descended to the pine forest below the dam to have a picnic lunch by the waters edge. We were joined by Chaffinches, Long-tailed Tits and Firecrests.

Gilly had commitments later in the afternoon, so we, together with Phil and Sue, headed home whilst the others went round the other side of the reservoir. They added Great Tit, Little Grebe and both Booted and Golden Eagles to the list. An impressive raptor day! 48 species in all. A great days birding.

07/03 Fuente de Piedra

A terrific morning's birding at Fuente de Piedra with Federico Vallés, omitting the laguna Dulce at Campillos as we had decided to just concentrate on the laguna, and very worthwhile it was. Mind you, it was cool first thing, only 6ºC but bright and sunny with the laguna like a mirror broken by scattered groups and occasional masses of Greater Flamingos, many displaying in strutting groups with necks extended to the heavens whilst a variety of ducks and waders to enliven the morning, plus the passerines we were to later see. So, where to start? I suppose with the waders.

The most numerous wader by far was Little Stint with somewhere between 90 and 100 by our reckoning, these flashing back and forth. There were a few Dunlin, a flock of 19 Curlew Sandpipers and on the flashes by the centre we could hear Snipe grumpling but never saw one, as well as singles of Redshank and Greenshank. Federico was able to get good views of a very obliging Wood Sandpiper (R) which decided to have a bath after feeding, and shortly thereafter a Green Sandpiper, which let itself be seen reasonably well before shooting off and showing us its white rump dispappearing over the horizon. There were several Lapwings hiding quite well in the longer grass. To my mind, there were fewer small plovers than I would have normally expected at this date, especially Little Ringed, although this female was helpful (L). We could only find 2 Avocets, a not very encouraging figure.

There was a goodly assortment of ducks, especially Shovelers, but fewer Teal and Pochard now, and surprisingly low numbers of Mallards. Also in the aquatic birds line there were also Coots and Moorhens. The best duck was, without doubt, a smashing male Garganey which was on the left hand flash as one enters towards the parking and was the only water which we had not looked at and for which we had to thank Antonio Ternero and Juan Oñate for pointing out. They had been to the laguna Dulce and who had seen 4 Ferruginous Ducks and 3 Tufted Ducks there, as well as 29 late Cranes and 24 Little Bustards and at Fuente a skulking Spotted Crake and pointed out the superb male Garganey on the only water we hadn't covered.

We saw three spp. of hirundines, including my first 2 Sand Martins and there were plenty of Barn Swallows but relatively few House Martins. Chiffchaffs appear to be increasing, as I noted for the Guadalhorce last week, as they start to trickle north. We did see 3 or 4 Yellow Wagtails, including a super bright yellow male of the flava face and also 2 or 3 Meadow Pipits. Surprisingly, there were still some Reed Buntings around and Federico caught a glimpse of a male with a largely black head - needless to say, I was looking the other way! He also got this nice shot of a female.

The best of the day was not, however, the Garganey or the Yellow Wags., but the splendid views of 2 Lesser Flamingos. Not just because we saw the two together but could confirm that that are definitely a pair, a male and a female because of the size differences (known to those who care about these things as sexual dimorphism) which can also be seen in their bigger cousins. And not only did they stroll together, side by side - metaphorically holding hands - but displayed, heads left in unison, heads right in unison, all this with the necks and heads held high before they flew off together, watched all the time through our 'scopes. This is only the second time that I have seen Lessers in flight and the wing beat rate is faster than the bigger Greater Flamingos. A very satisfactory observation and Manolo Rendón told me later that they are frequenting the colony in the area of Los Charcones. Is it true love? Will they breed? Stay tuned to the flamingo love channel!

Finally, I recommend the next 2 months in the area around the flashes and the board walk as the waders are starting to move and there could be some good observations and it is worth going further along the track towards La Vicaria too.

07/03 : Las Norias & Roquetas

Dave and co. get first bite fo the cherry tonight as I have just finished downloading and sorting out my photos from this morning at Fuente de Piedra, which may get out online tonight or may not. Please send some water from Las Norias to the Guadalhorce, Dave. WE didn't see a single swift, and not for want of looking. So, here goes.

It was a lovely sunny day as we headed towards Las Norias followed by Colin & Sandra in their car. The problem was the wind. Sure enough as we parked at the first causeway the waters were choppy and the water birds were sheltering on the peripheries. And another thing.... the water level was only 6" (or 15 cms) below the level of the road, an incredible 3-4 feet (or 90-120cms) above its normal level. There was therefore no places for waders to feed. On the left hand side there were small groups of Red-crested Pochards and Coots. Numerous Cormorants could be seen. Above us there were a large contingent of Pallid Swifts together with a few Barn Swallows, Crag Martins and the odd Sand Martin. Colin thought he might've seen a couple of Red-rumped Swallows as well.
In the flooded enclosure behind the building was a pair of Great Crested Grebes, who hopefully won't decide to nest in this vulnerable area. On the wader front we saw a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and Snipe fly over. Also seen were Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall.

To the right of the causeway, looking into the sun, we managed to add Black-necked Grebe, Common Pochards and White-headed Ducks before heading round to the Old Heronry. The bare branches were full of Cormorants. A Cetti's Warbler was heard.

On the flooded "meadow" on the corner before the factory causeway there were two Black Winged Stilts, Moorhens and Dabchick. A Yellow Wagtail was on the pathway briefly before flying off. We parked up. Sandra walked back to the meadow. A shout got the rest of us back there. A Squacco Heron was motionless in the reeds at the back. The water level here the same as at the first causeway. There was no sign of the man made gravel islands. Hopefully they'll be above water by the time the Collared Pratincoles arrive to breed....somehow I doubt it. A check along the reedbeds on the factory side produced two more Squaccos and around 6 Night Herons. Having logged 37 species we travelled to Roquetas.

The same problem of wind over the water here, but we did add Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Marsh Harrier and our only Stonechat of the day. Over the far side the was a huge raft of Red-crested and Common Pochards. We made the walk to the Coot pond and were able to show Colin and Sandra their first Red-knobbed Coot.

Ended up with 42 species for the day. A good day, but spoilt by the weather.

04/03 : Sierra de María

Before going to Dave's account of their trip to Sierra María, news from Málaga includes the first Pallid Swifts seen over the weekend at various sites, 3 Lesser Flamingos and the first Garganeys at Fuente de Piedra and as many as 4 Ferruginous Ducks reported at the laguna Dulce (Campillos). You really must stop giving Gilly and the rest of us nasty shocks, Dave, but we're very glad you're better.

After last Sundays health scare, when my blood pressure shot up to 170/110 & my pulse rate peaked at 170bpm, we (I) decided a walk in the fresh air would help with my recuperation. We headed our way up to the Sierra de Maria in sunny weather, but with a slight breeze. Rod, Linda and Val of the group had been in the area the previous weekend. I'll mention what they observed during this report.

We drove slowly up the approach road to the chapel, birding as we went. Managed to see Serin, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Rock Sparrow. A wander round the chapel and water trough failed to add anything so we walked up to the Botanical Garden. Birds were few and far between on the way along the lower walk, but on the way back we came across a "titmouse" flock. Mostly Coal Tits, but some Blue and Long-tailed also. Also seen were Firecrest and Short-toed Treecreepers. Jays were being very vocal. Also heard a distant Raven. The first crocuses of the spring were poking their heads out of the frosty ground.

We then travelled along the valley, seeing a few Griffon Vultures gliding along the ridges. ( The previous week 300+ were seen at the feeding station near Velez Blanco + a Black Vulture) We stopped for a thermos coffee and were serenaded by a singing Woodlark. Seeing nothing else of importance we headed down onto the plain. We saw a plume of 50+ Griffons, but for a change the Calandra Larks were highly visible, posing on roadside rocks. A large flock of Linnets was noted.

(It was at this point the previous week, our three group members, together with others on a guided tour, saw a small aircraft take off near to the hamlet. After a short distance it plummeted to the ground, bursting into flames. They, together with their guide, who was a First Responder, rushed to the scene, getting there first. It was too late for the two occupants.)

At the hamlet we were pleased to see that six Lesser Kestrels had returned from their winter jaunt. The way back along the plain also produced a Hoopoe and a Little Owl.

We ate a sandwich lunch at the La Piza cafe (opens after Easter) with Crossbills above our heads, waiting to take drink from the fuente (water supply). That was an end to a good days birding. The lack of a Stonechat and Chiffchaff was noted. 35 species in all.

01/03 : Guadalhorce

A nice day weather-wise yesterday morning, which is more than can be said for today after overnight rain and electrics (yes, I'm a day late but there are extenuating circumstances to do with birding), and although it was cool when I entered the ponds the temperature rose pleasantly during the morning.
One of my aims, apart from birding of course, was to see how much more work had been done as yesterday was the last day of the workers who have been slogging away these past months. I have got so say that they have done a a good job overall, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically in parts, but as plant growth is rapid down here the scars will soon heal over. I think that those who visit these coming spring months will find a good chance of seeing more migrating pipits, wagtails (something to which I always look forward), with more chance of shrikes also. There is a variety of vegetation levels which amplifies species and insect range.
A lot, if not all, this work has been carried out because of financing by the Caixa bank as part of their social services programme to help the insertion of those with social integration problems. So, a big thank you to the Caixa and to those who did the work for Medio Ambiente from which we birders will benefit.
There are signs about dogs without leads, in spite of which one illiterate moron had two loose yesterday and was intercepted and bollocked by the indefatigable Antonio Tamayo. The excuse of said moron was that he hadn't seen the signs, in spite of having passed two! And they are amongst us and they breed!
On the negative side, there is a distinct lack of water in the río Viejo as this photo from the río Viejo observatorio (hide) shows and urgent pumping is necessary as I estimate the levels to be of a late July standard. The open spaces are being enjoyed by the Little Ringed Plovers who are busy tuning their hormones but not so good for the othe waders as I saw only 7 Sanderlings, the usual Black-winged Stilts which have not yet achieved total hysteria levels, Kentish Plovers (Estebán, the one who drives the Land Rover truck, told me he had seen a flock of 20+ that morning along the cleared beach and reckons it's going to be a very good year for them), and 2 each of Redshanks and Greenshanks and singles of Avocet, Green Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit.

The duck variety was much as always, Pochards, some remaining Teal, the ubiquitous Mallards, - the males now in their little bachelor clubs whilst the females are incubating, and the White-headeds of which the males are now gaining their blue daffy-duck bills. (I still think they look mentally retarded!) The Cormorant population is definitely down, I only saw one in full breeding plumage, and Grey Herons too seem to have declined in numbers.
There was no Osprey in evidence and only 2 Kestrels along plus a single Booted Eagle, although Ron Appleby had seen 8 the other day up river, 6 together possibly being migrating birds.
As I was alone I wandered at my own not very quick pace and noted a goodly increase in Chiffchaffs and several Hoopoes (2 of which I also had resting in the pine in the garden today, photo R here) and a fall in Black Redstarts although I did see a cracking male later on something and was rewarded with a female Bluethroat coming into the telescope view at the same time.
I also saw 2 Song Thrushes, these probably having come in from Morocco where they have over-wintered, rather like the Redwing that Stephen Daly had seen near Barbate yesterday. I spent some time with Antonio Tamayo and he heard Penduline Tit (I didn't as hearing goes with advancing years, as do other physical attributes - and you can think what you like!) but neither of us saw them.
However, as the virtuous are occasionally rewarded I did turn up a Wryneck which posed nicely for about 30 seconds, a very bonny bird to see and definitely bird of the day for a total of around 47 species, with which I was quite happy.

24/02 : Laguna Dulce + Fuente de Piedra

As hoped for yesterday, although nothing was certain until the evening, Federico and I were off to the laguna Dulce (Campillos) and Fuente de Piedra, starting at the first before 0930. It was a great morning, both weather- and bird-wise. Sunny, little breeze early on although cool, but warmer later but the wind got up. I should point out that this chronicle has only the one photo, which is by Federico, so you will have to trsy and imagine things.

The laguna Dulce was beautiful in the morning sun and the first thing we did was scan for Cranes, as we could hear distant birds. A count of those on tghe deck gave 350 or so but when they took flight in one long string - can one call it a skein? - what with those and the 80 os so left, there must have been around 450 birds in total. These will be on the long flight north very soon, staging at places like Villafafila and in France en route.

We then turned our attention to the water itself which had a fair covering of Coots and at least 30 Black-necked Grebes but no Great Cresteds. As for ducks, there were quite a few, including 18 Red-crested Pochards, some of the more normal European Pochards, a pair of Gadwall, Mallards of course and a handful of White-headed Ducks. The best by a long way was a very nice male Ferruginous Duck which tied for first place with 3 1st winter Little Gulls!
And just in case you might think that the Ferruginous looks a bit odd, with more white on it than it should have as shown in the guides, apart from the white stern, the white on the side is the white of the secondaries.

There were a few Barn Swallows hawking for insects and a single female Reed Bunting - it's been a pretty good winter for these nice little birds. A fat Corn Bunting uttered its squeaky gate call, always a good give away for this species.

On the way round to Fuente de Piedra, we noted a surprising quantity of Blackcaps (I had seen 5 yesterday in my garden) and went straight round to the information centre from where it was easy to pick up the pair of Lesser Flamingos feeding over to the left amongst their larger cousins. These are the birds that have been around for at least 6 weeks but this is the first time that I have seen them together, other times they have been at opposite ends of the lake. Can it be love?

We ran into Ron Appleby and shiortly thereafter into Bob Wright. Ron had been watching a male Bluethroat which we saw later very briefly as it took off to hide for the rest oif the time we were there, and Water Pipit showed briefly before flying off, whilst a Meadow Pipit hung around.

There were lots of waders, the majority being some 38 Little Stints but we couldn't find and Temminck's. These wandered like little clockwork toys along the water's edges amongst the larger waders such as the Avocets and the solitary Redshank, between the 4 feeding Shelducks, even making the 8 Dunlins appear enormous. Amidst all this coming and going, a solitary Greenshank slept on and a Lapwing ignored the lot of 'em.

And to round off an extremely pleasant and profitable morning, a couple of Marsh Harriers, a very distant Common Buzzard and the resident Black-shouldered Kite, always a delight to the eye.