On Monday, whilst I was
swanning round El Fondo, Alan made a visit to the Rambla de Almanzora.
He hit the jackpot in the form of a Spotted Crake. With Gilly still in
England, I'd already arranged to make our Wednesday trip to the rambla,
but the weather forecast wasn't that good. It had rained overnight, but
by the time I got there, early to check for the crake, there was a very
slight fine drizzle which was was not a problem. Looking at Alan's
photographic evidence, I guessed ( correctly) that he'd seen it on the
pool by the road crossing.
I checked the area, seeing Little Ringed
Plover, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, Common Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt
and, yes, a Chiffchaff! Val then arrived early. I was happy to point out
to her her first Temminck's Stints. We also saw a Snipe, Black Redstart
and Water Pipit.
Shortly after Alan arrived we moved over to the usual
meeting place where we met up with another 5 members. On the walk
towards the sewage treatment area we added Little Egret, Green
Sandpiper, Hoopoe, Sardinian Warbler and a Little Stint. Alan was the
first to spot a pair of Stone Curlews flying off the rambla into the
fields beyond. We heard a Cetti's Warbler but didn't see anything new
before turning round. I received a lengthy phone call, hence I was
walking alone when a male Black-eared Wheatear flew across in front of
me. We made our way back to the "crake" area, but only added a Redshank
to the list.
Suitably
refreshed from a cup of coffee in Villaricos village we headed for the
beach. The breaking waves were even higher than our previous visit. A
Kentish Plover greeted us from the shoreline. Alan spotted about 5
adult Gannets out to sea. We made our way to the estuary, carefully
avoiding the mud. The place was alive with hirundines. Over 100+ Barn
Swallows together with numerous Red-rumped Swallows, House Martins and the
odd Crag Martin. Also seen was a Swift, probably a Pallid. The water
level was up from before and there not so many Cormorants. We did see
Grey Heron and Coot.
On
the beach I spotted some sitting Audouin's Gulls and a passing Lesser
Black-backed Gull. We walked to the beach, our usual route blocked by a
huge puddle. Alan spotted a pair of Avocets, unusual here. Val spotted
the Slender-billed Gulls. The Whimbrel was still around and it eventually
joined the Kentish Plovers, Turnstones and a one legged Sanderling on
the beach by the vehicles.
We
then made our way to the Vera dual carriageway overlooking the shallow
pools. The Greater Flamingos had departed as had many of the birds. We
saw Shoveler, Teal, Black-winged Stilts, but only added Gadwall to the
day list. At the Consum pools we had to tread very carefully to avoid
claggy mud under foot. We added Common Pochard, White-headed Duck and a
Little Grebe.
48
species in total. A good days birding. Many thanks to Val and Tony
Penny for supplying us with a post birding lunch. We send our best
wishes to Marian, John's wife, who fell and broke her arm earlier this
week.
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