By the cringe, Dave is really giving the birding some stick (pure jealousy, Dave) and me still incapable of doing much, although things are improving and I hope to get to Fuente de Piedra tomorrow for an hour or so if the knees hold up. It's either that or hara-kiri! Just had a Garden Warbler in the most unusual place, the garden, the first record in 30+ years here I think.
Gilly had a sick note today
(headache) so I left Arboleas, in the drizzle, at 7am giving me time to
swing round the rear of the Cabo de Gata Bird Reserve before meeting up
with other members of the Arboleas Birding Group. There were still a few
rain spots as I took to the track. It was quite rutted and muddy in
places so a 4x4 is advisable. The first two salinas were totally dry
which might confirm the rumours that salt production has ceased. My
first uncommon bird was what I believed to be an Iberian Chiffchaff on
the chainlink fence. I also had a couple of Corn Buntings. Beyond the
hide, there was water so I managed to see numerous Avocets and a Ringed
Plover. At the ternery I was expecting to see Sandwich Tern, but no, I
was pleased to see Gull-billed and Common Terns. I was then given great
views of a male Whinchat fence-hopping in front of the truck.
Male Whinchat
The resident Little Owl on the ruined building was giving me the evil
eye. Nearing the end I spotted two female Montague's Harriers flying
east towards the Michelin test track. Two Stone Curlews and some
Greenfinches were also seen.
I
met up with 5 other members at the Pujaire cafe for coffee before
heading to the first hide where the first bird was a Kestrel. Apart from Avocet
we also saw Black-winged Stilt, Grey Plover, Kentish and Little Ringed
Plovers. A flight of Dunlins landed and I spotted some distant Spoonbills which looked like six individuals. Shelduck were seen. A Red-rumped Swallow
flew past as well as a small stream of Barn Swallows. Some Pallid
Swifts were identified now that the sun was shining. A Hoopoe was
calling from an electricity pylon. Sandra spotted a couple of Woodchat
Shrikes and Alan pointed out an iberiae Yellow Wagtail.
| Little Owl |
We
then motored round to the second hide. Alan spotted a shearwater out to
sea. From size, jizz and colouring we believe it to be a Balearic. Bee-eaters were heard and screaming Common Swifts past by. From the hide we
couldn't see the previously mentioned Spoonbills as they would have been
below the bank in front of us, but I did spot three more in the pool to
our right. Two Grey Herons were observed as well as a Little Egret. A
Corn Bunting was also seen. In the distance towards the church we could
see a mass of seabirds feeding so headed that way to find they had
disappeared. We think they were the dozen or so Gull-billed Terns feeding
over the savannah. Seems to be very good year for them. Only 78 Greater
Flamingos seen.
At
the public hide it was full of teenage girls. As I put my head in I
heard one say, " God, this is boring!" so I decided we'd observe through
the collapsed fencing. There were numerous Curlew Sandpipers, some
turning breeding red. Alan spotted 3 Black-necked Grebes and some Little
Stints. Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Sanderlings were also observed.
Colin also saw a Thekla Lark and a Spotted Flycatcher beside the road.
After
a coffee and snack at the Cabo beach cafe, we made our way to the
Rambla de Morales. There were 4 Audouin's Gulls, 2 Slender-billed Gulls
and some more Gull-billed Terns at the estuary before being disturbed by a
cyclist. The best bird was a Garganey and there were also White-headed Ducks.
Kevin spotted a male Red-crested Pochard. There was hardly any calling
warblers. We eventually heard a Reed Warbler and heard/saw a Zitting
Cisticola. Upon leaving Kevin and I took the rutted track back towards
the campsite. A Green Sandpiper was seen. I also added White Wagtail and Jackdaw.
We totaled 59 species. Lucky with both the weather and the birds. A cracking day.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario