17 JUne, Arboleas Birding Group at Rambla Morales

Another of the weekly missives from Almería from Dave and Gilly, an act of bravery at this stage of the summer, even when lightened by sea breezes (one hopes) at Rambla Morales. The photos are Dave's, of course.

Anticipating serious heat problems, it was no surprise that group numbers were down this week. We headed south towards Retamar, between Almeria Airport and Cabo de Gata.

Once we'd got to the beach we turned left towards the Ermita Torre Garcia, where we stopped and had a wander. Audouin's Gulls flew past, but there was nothing else of note out to sea. On the scrubland we didn't fair much better with a single Southern Grey Shrike and a few Crested Larks. We then drove in the essential 4x4's along the track towards the Rambla Morales. Small flocks of Lesser Short-toed Larks were seen on the way.

Once at the very green watered lake, Gilly counted 55 Greater Flamingos. Avocets were the most numerous waders, followed by Kentish Plovers and Black-winged Stilts. Two Black-tailed Godwits were still here. (see previous Cabo de Gata report) A single Stone Curlew showed well. On the water about a dozen White-headed Ducks were seen as was a single Slender-billed Gull. Sandwich, Gull-billed and Little Tern were seen. A total of 33 species and we were lucky with the weather as there was a cooling breeze.