14 January, Arboleas Bird Group

A missive from Dave & Gilly on the Arboleas Bird Group group outing today:

Hi all,
Wow, what a day!! We were a bit apprehensive about the weather, but although the
Sierra Nevada and its foothills had copious amounts of snow on them, the hills around the Embalse de Negratin, Baza, were clear. Bright sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky. More importantly there was hardly any wind that could chill you to the bone.
Unfortunately as usual the reservoir produced very little birdlife, about half a dozen Cormorant, a Great Crested Grebe and some Yellow-legged Gulls. All the activity is below the dam wall in the secluded valley, through which a large stream flows. A Common Buzzard was in the trees and a pair of Raven flew over. Lots of Blackcap and Chiffchaff around the water's edge, together with a Grey Wagtail and a Common Sandpiper. Our key bird, Redwing, were in abundance. Must have seen at least 20. There were also 24 purest looking Rock Doves that you are likely to see on the cliff near the pumping station.
We ended up with a 35 species count. Not brilliant, but it was just great to be out in such good weather!!
Regards, Dave & Gilly