Today 7 members of the Group returned to our favourite local patch, the reserve at Cabo de Gata. We had lovely sunny weather with no wind. At the first hide just after the village of Pujaire we were greeted by a White Stork within 20 yds of us. It caught us all off guard as optics were not ready! As usual the sun was shining against us so identification of the smaller distant waders was difficult. We did however tick off Redshank, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and numerous Slender-billed Gulls.
When we arrived at the second hide opposite the beach we were pleased to observe the sea was as flat as a tack. A flotilla of fishing boats in the distance had hundreds of gulls interested in their scraps. At the hide 5 Curlew flew by. 3 Stone Curlew were sunning themselves on the scrubland and Gilly counted 148 Greater Flamingo. As we returned to the vehicles by the beach a flock of
30+ Mediterranean (= Balearic) Shearwaters flew past quite close in.
At the public hide there were 100's of waders: Dunlin, Avocet, Little Stint, Greenshank, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit and the best of the bunch, a Curlew Sandpiper. A single Black-necked Grebe was noted.
Then all of a sudden a flock of 18 Common Cranes was seen to rise up on the opposite side of the salinas. Gilly managed to get a distant photo. We then went round the rear of the reserve, having seen where they'd landed, hoping to get a better view, but alas they were no where to be seen. The commonest Sylvia warblers were displaying. Seeing 3 male Sardinians next to each other on a fence was unusual and we spotted at least 10 Dartfords. A single silent Zitting Cistacola made an appearance.
Total Species for the day 46. With Spring on the way it can only get better!
Dave & Gilly
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