25 March : Las Norias and Roquetas

Things have been moving. I was down at the Guadalhorce briefly on this same midday with David and Ann Jefferson until my knees revolted and I had to cut short or be left there. We did see Redshanks (2), an elegant Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper. There were quite a few Barn Swallows and House Martins, plus a single Red-rumped Swallow that I saw on my slow and painful way out. Aslo, at last, there were some Pallid Swifts and at home in the afternoon there was a small arrival of these and also my first Common Swift. David and Ann spotted a super male Redstart after I'd gone (isn't it always the way?), and while on the subject of the Night Herons seen by Dave & Co., Dave and Ann had seen a flock come in off the sea near Torrox earlier this week and there was another report of a flock from Velez Málaga. T'was about this time of year many moons since that some of us were delighted by a flock of 80+ coming in off the sea at the Guadalhorce.  
 I chose to go down to Las Norias this week after checking the long range weather forecast last week. It predicted sun with clouds. As Richard chauffeured Val and I south on the E15/A7 motorway in pouring rain I was getting very worried! But as we approached Almeria the rain turned to drizzle, then ahead of us we could see brightness and even small patches of blue sky and sun. We met up with Alan, Rod, Colin and Sandra at the Jct 420 service station. After a coffee, with biscuits supplied by Sandra, we made our way to Las Norias. Upon our arrival the sky was full of birds, many eating the millions of midges.

Night herons

I chose to go down to Las Norias this week after checking the long range weather forecast last week. It predicted sun with clouds. As Richard chauffeured Val and I south on the E15/A7 motorway in pouring rain I was getting very worried! But as we approached Almeria the rain turned to drizzle, then ahead of us we could see brightness and even small patches of blue sky and sun. We met up with Alan, Rod, Colin & Sandra at the Jct 420 service station. After a coffee, with biscuits supplied by Sandra, we made our way to Las Norias. Upon our arrival the sky was full of birds, many eating the millions of midges.   

Black-necked Grebe

I first saw a flight of Avocets, then the hundreds of Swifts, mostly Common but a few Pallids as well. There were many Red-rumped Swallows and Barn Swallow. Amongst this lot were some House and Crag Martins. A Zitting Cisticola also displayed above us.  On the water to the left were Black-necked and Little Grebe. The commonest ducks were Red-crested Pochard, but we also saw Gadwall, Mallard and White-headed Duck. Alan spotted a distant Purple Swamphen in the reed line. I spotted a Gull-billed Tern flying towards us. Would've had a great photo but the big camera was in the car. I then spotted some Night Herons flying our way. Ran to the car and got the camera before they ( eventually 26) flew over us. Colin spotted a rarity these days....a Chiffchaff.

We made our way to near the old heronry. Here there is a muddy and rocky spit. Very good for waders. We saw Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Little Stint, Dunlin,

Little Ringed Plover, Black-winged Stilt and a pair of Ruff/Reeve.

tired Pratincole

Suddenly out from behind some discarded plastic sheeting there appeared a Collared Pratincole, our first of the year. Also seen were Shoveler and Teal. Alan identified a couple of Sand Martin amongst the perched Barn Swallow. A Willow Warbler was heard. Two Iberiae Yellow Wagtails were also seen.

We next stopped on the second causeway. A Cattle Egret was seen by some as was a Great White Egret. The reeds here used to be full of Egrets and Herons, but this heronry was deserted. Thought they'd be starting to congregate to nest by now. Two pairs of Great Crested Grebe were on the smaller pool. A female Blackcap made an appearance as did another Marsh Harrier.

On our way for a coffee we added a Kestrel and some Greenfinch to the list. As is now our norm, we turned right to watch birds from the northern side of the salinas on the outskirts of Roquetas. We saw our third Marsh Harrier of the day. As John was not able to be with us today, it was down to me to point out the 6 Spoonbills amongst the many Greater Flamingo. Wildfowl seen included Shelduck, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard and a smart male Pintail. Alan spotted a distant Greenshank whilst I found a Black-tailed Godwit. There were hundreds of Black-winged Stilt. I saw some Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Richard spotted a lone wader. It was identified by Alan as a Wood Sandpiper, a brilliant end to our list.

We saw 58 species. A great days birding and so lucky with the weather!