birding the costa

26/01 Not the Guadalhorce again!

2012-01-26T20:51:00.011+01:00

Yes, sad but true as I would have liked ot have gone further afield but with the Reichsfüherin (look it up) away in Madrid there was nobody to take care of the aging spaniel and there ¡s no way she can be left alone all day. So, as Bob, now back from foreign parts and sailing the ocean blue, was going to be down at the ponds with anyone who cared to turn up from his ad hoc Axarquía group, down I trotted.

And was it ever cold with a freezing wind blowing down off the sierra at 0930, although later it would akmost be too warm when I came off at just around 1300 and all those nice little yellow flowers that the Spanish call vinegretas were open although they are an invasive South African species. One needs to dress like a blasted onion and strip off layers as the sun warms the air.
I also saw some of the chaps and girls who had been doing the management work and Bob and co. were suitably happy with what they saw and we all agree that it may well make a big difference to the numbers of wheatears, pipits and other ground feeding passerines which will soon be upon us.
We also ran in to Federico who had not gone back to Cordóba as he had told me last night and who had seen 'good numbers' of Kentish Plovers on the cleared area, although I saw only one or two later on. It was quite a good morning for waders as Little Ringed Plovers have come in quantity and some were making territorial flights and calling. There was also a single Ringed Plover plus a single Redshank and two Greenshanks (heard calling only), several Common Sandpipers and 4 Dunlins, as well as an increase in Black-winged Stilts. The greatest variety together was actually on the rocks against the eastern bank of the eastern arm of the river, with no less than 13 Sanderlings, 4 Turnstones, a single Common Sandpiper and Robin with ambitions.
There were also several Black-necked Grebes on the sea, at least 4 if my counting is correct, plus at least 3 more at the laguna Grande and one at the Escondida. I should add that yesterday afternoon, there was a 1W Great Crested Grebe on the river when I was walking the dog. There was a somewhat paler and brownish Little Grebe, certainly paler than the norm, on the río Viejo. There was nothing outstanding in the way of ducks, the Pintails seen earlier in the week having vanished and all the rest was to be expected, although the little male Teals whose hormones are functioning at full blast and the male Shovelers really are beautiful with the sun on them.

Raptors were represented by a single Buzzard, a very dark and nondescript bird I saw on the way out, Kestrels of course, and 2 Marsh Harriers, one a superb male. Passerines were much as for previous visits, with 5 Skylarks seen and there is still a dearth of Chiffchaffs, although this one obliged very nicely, as did this Crested Lark, a species which normally pushes off p.d.q. at the sight of any sort of lens.
All in all, a very pleasant morning and I have a total of exactly 38 speacies noted down, although Bob probably has some I have missed.

Tomorrow promises rain, which is much needed and at this moment the TV news is forecasting rain for the weekend.

25/01 : coming up to date since God knows when!

2012-01-24T10:56:00.014+01:00

No entries, are you dead? Have you forgotten how to write? What have you been seeing?

All these queries have been levelled since my last entry which, I see, was back in the mists of early January. The truth is that I have been very busy with lots of one thing or another, including getting a new laptop and having that set up (can't do things like that, my chips have self-destructed), so busy that I have few photos and even those haven't been downloaded yet and have also got to be done and edited to make this look relatively picturesque, and really insufficient birding time. So, this blog will be a series of short entries covering several dates, following on from the last one from me which, I see, was on 3rd January, so here goes.

06/01 River Guadalhorce

A very slow walk by the with the dog (there was a competion to see who could be slower which she won) and then a quick look out to sea showed a single Razorbill - it's been a good winter for them in Alborán - and no less than ca.30 Common Scoters, all females and imms., a large number by the standards of recent years. There was also a goiod sized flock of Cormorants doing some communal fishing in the river.

11/01 Torremolinos Standing on the terrace and blethering away on the phone and looking seawards, all at the same time (is thuis multi-tasking?), a single Alpine Swift came in from over the sea from the SW and shot on. This is a very early record but the week before there had been another seen and photographed near Sevilla.

13/01 Guadalhorce reserve
A walk around on my own in the afternoon, largely to see what management work has been done, showed that the huge stretch behind the wire fence, running from the seabird mirador to the western end, has been cleaned up of unwanted bushes and the like, something (amongst many) I have been pestering Medio Ambiente about and now looks good for Kentish Plovers as no longer will it harbour predators. It and the area between the eastern path and the río Viejo which has been given a good short back and sides with a strimmer should be also good for migrants, especially wagtails, pipits and wheatears. The 2 Greenshanks, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper. It has been a good winter for Reed Buntings all over Andalucía but I only saw one. On the other hand, the place, like most of Andalucía, was knee deep in Robins and Black Redstarts, although there has been quite a fall in Chiffchaff numbers. My first Barn Swallow of the year was feeding at the laguna Grande. A total of 36 spp. for the afternoon without really trying too hard.

14/01 Barbate and La Janda Time to visit Stephen Daly, meeting at La Barca from whence he took me on a tour around. This involved first showing me a Bald Ibis, a species I've never really bothered about going to see as (a) I'm not a lister and (b) they were a successful introduction in order to diversify the population, which is justifiable and has been successful. In fact, Stephen had found where they were feeding that week and we watched a flock of 24 birds, most ringed but 2 were not, so I suppose I can count them.

Crossing to La Janda, we saw most of the usual but were rather lacking in harriers, seeing only Marsh, although we also saw 2 Black-shouldered Kites which are always beautiful little things to watch, found the communal roost of 11 Short-eared Owls, watched a pair of young Bonelli's Eagles as well as 3 or 4 Buzzards and a single Sparrowhawk.

It was after lunch (a tapa and an alcohol free beer) that we hadz what was undoubtedly the bird of the day, of not the month. Tootling along the road between Benalup and Sidonia, a falcon came towards us on the right side of the road, a small, slender falcon with long wings, smaller than a Kestrel and with an all grey body and dark underwing (shadowed by the sun). I don't know which of us got the identification by the odd nano second, but there was no doubt about it - a Red-footed Falcon. Stephen had seen and photographed an immature male on 6 January and we were only about 16 kms away. He swung the car round and we carried out a fruitless chase, but of the identification we have no doubt. Incidentally, José Antonio Cortés of SEO-Málaga had seen another immature near the laguna Dulce (Campillos, Málaga) around the time of Stephen's first sighting. Even more interestingly, Stephen's photos showed the bird to be ringed with both the standard metal and a colour ring, which has been identified by an Hungarian birder as being one of his ringed birds!

15/01 Torremolinos
More phone calls and from the terrace no less than 5 Barn Swallows flying determinedly eastwards.

18/01 Guadalhorce
A most pleasant afternoon out with Federico who is now out of dry dock and was itching to get in some birding.
He too was most impressed with the management work being done and even though we saw relatively few birds, apart from the masses of Robins and Black Redstarts and the continuing low numbers of Chiffs, perhaps the best was a small flock of 4 Skylarks. On the laguna Grande a group of Flamingos did what both they and Spoonbills do best when not feeding!

22/01 Fuente de Piedra
Another morning out with Federico, basically in search of Lesser Flamingos but although 2 have been seen daily, the light was againt us and we had no luck. In fact, we started at the laguna Dulce but as we could hardly see the water because of dense fog, the stay was necessarily very brief. We had good numbers of Marsh Harrriers with no less than 9 in view from the mirador at Cantarranas, plus at least 2 more during the morning at other points and a solitary Buzzard. Across the road from Cantarranas there were some 150 Cranes feeding, beautiful things! We had brief views of 3 Southern Grey Shrikes during the morning too. Thiss winter there have not been the numbers of Shovelers that there were last winter and most seemed to be concentrated in the laguneta del Pueblo behind the information centre. There we also saw a few Teal, Pochard and Gadwall and there were 2 Shelducks out on the laguna.

A walk along the path towards La Vicaria allowed us good views of a maximum of 9 Reed Buntings, the most I have ever seen down there, but no Spanish Sparrows. The final brush stroke to the morning was a series of excellent views of a Black-shouldered Kite, both perched and in flight, including hovering and doing its Kestrel imitation.

Not a vast species count, but a very pleasant morning.

11/01/2012 : Ramblas de Henares, Arboleas Group

2012-01-12T12:15:00.007+01:00

I'm glad that Dave has sent this short trip report as I've been rather hosuebound, amongst other things, with the knees in near total self-destruct mode which is hellish painful. Before going on to his report, some bits from myself and further west.

Stephen Daly told me of up to to 3 Peregrines chasing Skylarks on La Janda where there may be as many as 3 female Pallid Harriers, at least 2 juveniles/1st winter birds and the single male is occasionally seen by the fortunate. I have staggered along to the Guadalmar side of mouth of the Guadalhorce where I saw c.30 Common Scoters (all females/imms.) last week and yesterday (12/01) an exceedingly early Alpine Swift, an even earlier bird having been seen last week further west! And this morning, a Short-toed Treecreeper working the trees in the garden. I also have some interesting news about future work/maintenance in the Guadalhorce, but of that more in a future blog. So, all that said, over to Dave.

Where? you may ask, are the Ramblas de Henares. It's Adrian's local patch Puerta Lumbreras side of Vélez Rubio. He very kindly gave us a tour up and down dale. The weather wasn't brilliant. Cloudy and cool which kept the birds sheltering. Normally I'd give details of where we were when we saw various birds, but I had no idea where we were in any of the ramblas. If Adrian wasn't leading us around we'd still be there! So I apologise as this is not good journalism, here is the list of birds we saw :- Spotless Starling, Kestrel, Southern Grey Shrike, Thekla Lark, Rock Bunting, House Sparrow, Serin, Red-legged Partridge, Blackbird, Robin, Magpie, Chaffinch, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Carrion Crow, Corn Bunting (18 in flock), Green Woodpecker (2), Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Black Wheatear, Great Tit, Sardinian Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Stonechat, Moorhen, Song Thrush, Little Owl, Wood Pigeon and we heard Crested Tit. 29 species, a very enjoyable day.

Many thanks to Margaret, Adrian's wife,, for a sumptuous after-birding meal and welcome to Sandra and Colin Hayward to the group.

04/01: Rambla Morales (Almería)

2012-01-04T18:48:00.004+01:00

There were reports on www.rarebirdspain.net (in English and recommendable for those who are interested in the rarer birds) that the Desert Wheatear was still near to the Rambla de Morales, close to Cabo de Gata only a couple of days ago. Even though Gilly snd I will no doubt be seeing quite a few in about three weeks time, I decided to have a group visit down there. Having picked up Val, we met Brian and Mary in Retamer. We had a little walk round the Torregarcia where the bird had initially been sighted before Christmas. We did see Stonechats, Greenfinches, Serins, Dartford and Sardinian Warblers, Southern Grey Shrike and a Hoopoe. Out to sea were an Audouin's and Yellow-legged Gulls. On the beach were some Turnstones, Sanderlings and Kentish Plovers.

We then drove along the bumpy track towards Morales lake, seeing small groups of Golden Plovers. We noticed some Rangers on the beach looking out to sea at something. Curiosity took hold so we went to investigate. There were about 25 Razorbills. As we were about to leave a flight 6 Balearic Shearwaters flew past, easily seen over the flat sea. We carried on to the lake seeing a feeding group of 7 Cattle Egrets on the steppes.

We immediately saw a Little Stint on the flooded track near to where we parked. Further down was a group of feeding Sanderlings and a small number of Shovelers. Today being part of the Spanish Xmas break there were large numbers of Mountain bikers using the track and then crossing the beach by the lake. There was also a bird photographer in the water using a floating hide, which, to be honest, didn't seem to faze the water birds. He was keeping close to the reeds, photographing the Chiffchaffs. We heard the inevitable Cetti's Warbler.
On the water were Coots, Moorhens, Shovelers, White-headed Ducks, Teal, Black-necked Grebes and a couple of juvenile Greater Flamingos. Above the water Crag Martins were feeding.

37 birds for the day. Alas, no Desert Wheatear. It could've been anywhere on the 10 square kilometres of steppes! Lovely weather once the chill had gone. Great day to be out.

02/01/2012 : La Janda and a note

2012-01-03T17:27:00.011+01:00

At least I've got a good birding start to the New Year and yesterday (02/01, yes, late again) I picked up my old friend Ron Appleby in Fuengirola at 07.40 and we were down at the bar Apolo XI at Tahivilla by 09.40, the bar San José del Valle at the turn-off for Bolonia having apparently closed and heaven knows if it will open again. Coffee taken, the birding started under cloudy skies which hardly bettered and even delivered some rain. This meant no photographs worth showing, but thanks to Stephen Daly of Andalucian Guides, I am able to show three copyrighted shots of the star bird of the day. Remember you can click on them to enlarge them. Many thanks, sunshine!

Basically, our route started coming off the N-340 and going down to the canal and spending an hour at the left-hand corner, then about another hour going alongside the canal before crossing bridge and going very slowly up and past the smelly farm, spending more time going across the top and down towards Facinas under lowering clouds before turning back and spending time on the stretch of land to the west of the smelly farm, this an area where harriers of greater interest than Marsh have been seen. From there, we went out towards the N-340, stopping and spending a good half hour looking over the soggy, if not water ridden, ploughed up and undrained rice fields and from there, after about 15.45, it was homewards for two very satisfied birders.

This going to be a short entry as firstly most of our birding was directed at raptors, basically harriers, and we werejust about overwhelmed by Marsh Harriers, of which I gave up counting when we got to 15 but this total was mostly female and 1st winter birds but there was also a 2nd year male and very nice adult male. All these ocurred all the length of the route with more on the lowr land over the rice fields.We also saw no less than 7 Hen Harriers, 4 of these being beautiful males, all along the route.

The star bird was, as you have probably guessed, was a Pallid Harrier. In fact, Ron thought that he had spotted a female no sooner had we started down to the canal but I didn't get a bead on it and it qasn't until the afternoon that we saw it twice, getting very good views of it and leaving no doubt as to a correct identification. The photos are of the same female that we saw as it has been hanging around for ages. We also saw 3 Buzzards, one a very black bird; 2 enchanting and probably one of the most attractive raptors there is - Black-shouldered Kites; Kestrels of course and, surprise, surprise, a single Black Kite! The zero wind early combined with the low cloud and then rain meant a lack of thermals and so we saw, believe it or not, no vultures nor any of the eagles, a pity as Ron wanted to see Spanish Imperial so we'll just have to go down again some time - oh dear me, I shall just have to force myself!

As to other birds, the last section of rice paddies was full of many tens of Snipe, along with a few Black-necked Stilts, at least 5 very noisey Greenshanks every time a Marsh Harrier went near them and, nice to see as 20 years ago there used to be flocks in the area, 3 Golden Plover but a good number of Lapwings and at least 3 Green Sandpipers and a few more Ringed Plovers. There were Mallards, of course, plus a few Teal and Shovelers. We saw 7, possibly as many as 9, Spoonbills but only 1 Glossy Ibis; lots of Skylarks but surprisingly few Calandra Larks. There were one or two Linnets and similarly low numbers of Reed Buntings, but hordes of Corn Buntings. 2 Ravens seen messing around in the same area as we were watching the Black Kite, a couple of Purple Boghens clambering around in the reeds along the canal. A single Magpie hung around briefly to the east of the smelly farm, an area that they have slowly colonised in the past couple of years and a Mistle Thrush flew across in the same area.
A great day, I don't know how many spp. as I didn't note all the passerines but somewhere around 40, but what quality!

NOTE: Down by the side of the río Guadalhorce this afternoon (03/01) and looking out to sea, a flock of about 30 Common Scoters, most unusual to see so many in recent years.

01/01/2012 : Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T18:38:00.008+01:00

I always reckon that a good way to start the New Year is booze less and get out birding early - that's my point of view. My children say that it's due to advancing years - I hate know-it-all children, especially if they're mine. At least I've not got a hangover so I guess I'm one up one them (had them in my time tho' - beauties - I'm not that pure!).
All that apart, I was going in over the bridge just as the sun was rising and a cold wind blowing down from the sierra, a lazy one, the type that goes through and not round you. I'd already ticked the first birds of the year when I took the dog out while it was still dark at 07.30 - a Blackbird and Black Redstart virtually simultaneously - and the list rapidly grew as I wanted to be home by 11.15 for my annual dose of culture from Vienna. Chiffs and Black Redstarts and Robins, a squadron of Cormorants overhead flying upstream while a pair of a Mallards dabbled in the river, a nice male Greenfinch followed by some Serins and then Goldfinches as I walked across to the eastern arm of the river and then down towards the sea, stopping at the first hide overlooking laguna de la Casilla on which a pair of Pochards were unsuccessfully competing with a Cormorant fishing convention, all other ducks having pushed off as there was no way that they could compete with 90+ big black things.
Going down towards the second hide there was next to nothing except a pair of miserable-looking Stilts so it was onward towards the río Viejo and, at last, some waders. 4 more Stilts, a couple each of Redshanks and Dunlins, a single Ringed Plover. I heard and saw occasional Skylarks, always niceto see but there was something even nicer in sight, and even though the following may appear to be a digression, it is not. As Gabriel Heatter was wont to say at the beginning of his wireless broadcasts (that'll give you a clue, the rest you can look up in Google), 'There's good news tonight.'

Regular readers will know that I have been constant critic of the lack of management within the reserve and I have, in this past year, written twice about the state of the reserve and the needs as I saw them (the second was a repeat and copied to Medio Ambiente in Sevilla) without receiving any reply until this past week. But, as I neared the wider part of the río Viejo it was obvious that there had been a cleaning out and even better, just to the right against the beach behind the wire fencing, they have cleared the scrub and sticks and made it much better for Kentish Plovers, a species which prefers sandy, open spaces, and the vegetation and sticks and branches gave too much cover to predators (rodents and snakes).

In all, at least a third of the length has between that point and the track in from the beach to the laguna Grande has been cleared and one can only hope that more will be cleared. Indeed 2 male Kentish Plovers were already on the cleared area, one in beautiful plumage with his little cinnamon cap, and there were some finches and Skylarks also. There is a whole list of things in the letter and hope to get permission to publish a resumé in a forthcoming blog but at least something has been done and, if the reply I received is to be believed, more will be done, albeit by volunteers.

Now back to the birds. I walked - perhaps staggered might be a better verb - along the edge of the fence and entered by the track to the laguna Grande. It was there that the White-headed Ducks, Teal - the pretty little males obviously feeling the flush of hormones in their systems although the females appeared to have communal headaches, a few Shovelers and the usual Mallards had taken refuge and were sharing the water space with both Little and Black-necked Grebes. A smashing male Marsh Harrier flew over the far side, too distant photograph but nice through the scope, and I later saw a female.

A single Booted Eagle sat on a branch on the tree remains on the far island and on the way out I was to see another which was eminently suitable for photography if only it would stay still. This winter there appear to be few Booted Eagles which is very probably a reflection of the few prey species available, although one I saw when walking with the dog yesterday afternoon had its crop grotesquely full. There were only 2 Kestrels today, one male calling very loudly for a long time as he circled high above the reserve, presumably staking out his territory.

There were remarkably few Little Egrets and Grey Herons, they must have been away up river feeding. More Robins, at one time 3 in view at once and more Black Redstarts as I walked around to the laguna Escondida which has the huge disadvantages of giving you the freezing wind from the sierra directly in the face in the winter and burning the skin off your back in the summer.

However, there was the bird I wanted to see, a Purple Boghen at the far end, busy feeding with one large red foot clamped round a root on which it was pulling furiously, white rear end stuck in the air, while a Moorhen chugged across amongst the Coots. So it was out and homewards to be in time for the concert from Vienna, but not before photographing the photogenic Booted Eagle.

Total 51 spp., not a bad start to the year and tomorrow down to La Janda!

30/12 : Sierra de María

2011-12-31T10:12:00.004+01:00

This from Dave E-B on their last visit of the year will also be my last entry for this year. A big thanks to Dave for his reports from Almería which have done a lot to keep this blog going. By the by, Dave, the red squirrels down here are often rather blackish and when they had some in the Retiro Park in the centre of Madrid some years ago some of them were just about black.
Thank you too for reading this blog, all you unknown readers out there, and I trust you will continue to do so in 2012. So, leaving you with Dave's report of the visit to the Sierra de María with the hardy souls of the Arboleas Birding Group, I wish you all a good new year, good health and enough time to get out birding and enjoy it!

Andy

It's all my fault. I decided it would be a good idea to go to the Sierra de Maria to clear the Christmas cobwebs! I persuaded Brian, Mary, Helen, Adrian, Rod and Linda to join Gilly and myself. As we passed through Velez Rubio the towns temperature gauge displayed zero degrees. Yes, it was at least two degrees colder at Maria, but us here in Eastern Andalusia aren't put off by that! (Bet "they" wouldn't have come if they'd known!) After a warming coffee at the local cafe we headed up to the chapel. A few Jays flew around as did a flock of Woodpigeons. A small number of Crossbills were waiting high in the trees for the water trough to de-ice. Walking up to the botanical garden, still in the shadow of the mountains, we didn't see a lot. I think we only added a Mistle Thrush to the list.

We entered the garden as it opened. The tongue in cheek request for 8 cafés con leche was laughed at by the ranger. We kept to the lower path, frost still on the ground. Saw Great Tit, Chaffinch and a Robin.Things didn't look promising so headed back to the cars. Once we got into sunshine the birds appeared. We saw a small flock of Cirl Buntings and Chaffinches. At the La Piza recreation area we heard a Green Woodpecker hammering its presence and the usual Crossbills were perched above us. An obliging squirrel (are they supposed to be red?) sunned itself. A small flock of Woodlarks flew over.

Down on the plain birds were few and far between. Saw about a dozen Carrion Crows and a large flock of Linnets. At the hamlet managed to see the first Black Redstart of the day and a Thekla Lark. On the way back along the plain saw an obliging Little Owl which the occupants of the other vehicle had seen on the way down. Also a Southern Grey Shrike. As we headed towards Velez Blanco a soaring group of 20 odd Griffon Vultures made the day worth it.

Only 20 species for the day. 2012 beckons. Best wishes and good birding from all of us in the Arboleas Birding Group.

Regards,

Dave & Gilly

PS. Special thanks to Brian & Mary for inviting us all to their Chirivel house for a hot Chilli meal after the days birding.

25 /12 : Fuente de Piedra

2011-12-25T19:00:00.016+01:00

As I am not in to decking halls with boughs of holly and all that sort of thing, and the family wouldn't buy me a boat like this below to go out to watch seabirds, I was out early - crossing with the son as he came in from a night on the tiles - and went birding to Fuente de Piedra and the laguna Dulce (Campilllos) this Yuletide morning, and a jolly sensible decision it was! Mind you, this little Robin found quite a lot to sing about on a well nigh perfect morning with clear skies and no wind!

There were plenty of Greater Flamingos scattered across the lake but I was in search of a Lesser Flamingo and quickly found one and although this is a very long range shot I think that it clearly shows the size and colour differences which make them far easier to pick out usually, unless they are standing behind one of their big cousins!

There were quite a few ducks, indeed the predominant sound was that of Teal chirruping away to each other as well as plenty of Shovelers, although not so many as last year at the same date, and the ubiquitous Mallards and a single Shelduck. When it came to waders the only species to be seen were a few Black-winged Stilts and a single Avocet while amongst the few Lapwings this one had decided to have a bath!

There were, of course, the usual Stonechats, male above female here on the left, but I was very pleased to see this Southern Grey Shrike (right) which has, I see, been rebaptised by a recent best selling guide as Iberian Grey Shrike, although its blessing as a permant name is still a doubtful one. Note the hooked bill and take my word for it that getting nipped by one in the soft flesh between fingers is extremely painful and bloody, as a Great Grey proved when it got me many moons ago and far away when it was being ringed at Spurn in Yorkshire.
I had very brief views of a Water Pipit, very possibly the same bird that Bob and I saw a week since, and the Meadow Pipit (left) was much more obliging.
I saw a couple of Marsh Harriers too at Fuente and around 350 Cranes before making a quick visit to the Laguna Dulce at Campillos to see what was going on there before I ran out of time. Leaving aside the myriad Coots at the laguna, there was a marked paucity of ducks, although some distant Red-crested Pochards showed well through the telescope. More surprising was the number of Marsh Harriers with no less than 5 females and a single juvenile/1st winter bird, plus a distant and very unsatisfactorily brief view of an eagle of some sort before it disappeared over the crest of the hill. And thus homewards, leaving me with brief views of singles of Raven and Black-shouldered Kite over the autovía which made dstopping impossible and which rounded off Christmas morning very nicely and without and mistletoe, holly or ivy.

21/12 : Villaricos/Vera

2011-12-21T16:58:00.011+01:00

In first place, and jumping in before Dave's identical wishes, seasons greeting to all and good birding in the new year.

Leaving Gilly at home to do Xmas cooking, I headed down to the Almanzora Estruary earlier than the appointed time so I could do a bit of a seawatch from the Palmores beach. It turned out to be very fruitful. Close to the beach was a raft of about 25 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Crested one as well. Also there were at least 15 Razorbills. I also saw Sandwich Tern, Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gull.

I then met up with Rod, Brian and Mary at the ford further up the rambla towards Cuevas de Almanzora and we walked towards the town. There were workmen erecting a fence along the track. There were birds however, just past the disturbance. We spotted a Kingfisher flitting about. We flushed a Snipe and Green Sandpiper. We had good views of Greenshank, Water Pipit and Little Ringed Plover. At the irrigation pool there were 4 Pochards, 6 Black-winged Stilts and a Grey Wagtail. 3 Little Stints flew past

Walking back past the vehicles we checked out the rambla on the beach side of the ford. Another Common Sandpiper, a Ringed Plover this time and Mary was good to spot some Teal amongst the vegetation.

We walked along the beach from the Villaricos village end. On the rocks was a Grey Plover, a Dunlin, 6 Audouin's Gulls together with their Yellow-legged cousins and the inevitable Cormorants. Brian spotted a distant Gannet. The walk back to the cars produced a Kentish Plover.
Still work going on the estuary. A digger was dropping huge concrete blocks with floatation bags into the sea to be towed out to be sunk further out. I assume the pipe from the desalination plant will rest on these blocks.Rod and I ended up on the dual carriageway opposite to check out the pools there. Brian and Mary went to the wrong place! They didn't miss much....Shoveler and Little Grebe. At the other pool opposite the acuaparc there were 100s of Chiffchaffs and 12 White-headed Ducks.

47 species for the day. A merry Christmas to you all.
Dave

19/12 : Guadalhorce with Bob

2011-12-20T18:58:00.008+01:00

The title tells it all, doesn't it? A very pleasant morning's birding around the Guadalhorce with Bob, although early on it was cold enough to freeze certain anatomical parts off metal simians (work that out!) but did warm up somewhat later. As a general comment, before starting, it does seem to be a very good winter for Black Redstarts, of which we saw plenty including this stunning male, Blackbirds, Robins too are remarkably visible this winter and, of course, the plentiful Chiffchaffs.

We took the usual route in, straight across the bridge and down the eastern bank to the first hide which overlooks the laguna de la Casilla where, amongst the inevitable Pochards and the White-headed Ducks, which are building up numbers, we found this rather odd-looking Gadwall, the consensus of opinion being that it is a 1st winter male, still moulting. At first the dreaded word 'hybrid' had crossed my mind but thank heavens it wasn't. The view in to the top end of the río Viejo from the second hide wasn't exactly scintillating either, with a few Teal which are always a bonny sight and not a single wader in sight -not even one of those noisey Stilts of which we saw not one all morning.

Further down, where the río Viejo is wider, there were 2 Greenshanks, 2 Dunlins and a single Redshank, not exactly brilliant but better than nothing and later on a small plover, a Little Ringed, I think, shot over us like a bat out of hell near the laguna Escondida. But to go back. Surprise, surprise, there is a gang of workers clearing and burning the brushnear the seawatch mirador in the areas where the Kentish Plovers try to breed. I did suggest that clearing the sticks and branches that give cover to predatory rodents and snakes would also be a good idea, but that remains to be seen and I shall report later. At least something it being done and not only does it benefit the Kentish Plovers as we saw 7 Skylarks there too, which is nearly a record for recent years, and amongst the many Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the sea there were 2 Mediterranean Gulls. It was from this side too that we saw the Osprey sitting on the post in the laguna Grande surrounded by the riff-raff of Cormorants that had vanished by the time we got round there.

We walked back round to the laguna Grande via the Escondida, where no Boghens appeared to be willing to put in an appearance, but did have the pleasure of seeing 3 Meadow Pipits rooting around although getting a decent shot of them is another story.

The laguna Grande was rather more productive with a notable increase in White-headed Ducks with a sleeping flotilla of about 10 of them whilst further out 2 juvenile Flamingos were feeding before flying in closer. There has also been a notable but totally expected increase in wintering Grey Herons.

I haven't got a full list but we must have seen about 40 spp. - Bob will have put one in his blog - and had a very pleasant morning going at our own pace.

15/12 : a morning at Fuente de Piedra

2011-12-17T18:15:00.003+01:00

Getting later all the time writing things up, but the time I spent there, abour 2h.30, was a lot less than Bob will have written up in his Axarquía blog as his group of followers stayed on and went around the lake, whilst all my birding was in the vicinity of the centre. Neither were the birds willing to be photographed, so that makes this blog even shorter and more boring.

So, basically, it came down to a single Lesser Flamingo seen from the mirador (there have been 2 and the other was presumed to be down at the far end of the lake), plus an increase in Greater Flamingos. The only waders were a few rather dejected looking Stilts and 3 Snipe. There were plenty of Shovelers and some lovely Teals, the males giving that absurd and very unduck-like chirruping call.

Passerines gave better play with a distant view of male Yellow Wagtail, but it vanished before I could get the 'scope on it. Whatever race, it's either very late or the mild weather has made it lazy. There were 2 Water Pipits, always a nice little bird to see, and only 1 Meadow Pipit, rather surprisingly. A Reed Bunting was seen, but that's not too unusual there in the winter. I suppose the best passerine was a smashing little adult male Bluethroat (white-spotted form, the red-spots don't migrate or winter this way). We searched fruitlessly for Spanish Sparrows and I at least never saw a single Stone Curlew, while I know that those who stayed on saw disant Cranes (there are around a thousand in the area, I am informed by the reserve office).

And that, as the late Tommy Cooper would have said, is your lot! Next blog will be this coming Monday when Bob and I shall give the Guadalhorce the benefit of our inestimable presence.

14/12: Arboleas Group visits Las Norias

2011-12-14T20:16:00.012+01:00

Once more, Dave and Gilly save the day as I have absolutely nothing to recount about my flying visit to the UK except being 4 hours late due to strong winds,landing with the sleet flying past horizontally, roads like glass, -4ºC and I have started a new book, entitled provisionally, Ten reasons for not visiting the UK in winter! Few birds, especially enjoyable the small party of Blue and Long-tailed Tits whilst walking my sister's canine monsters.
With regard to Dave and Co. seeing Reed Buntings, there are indications of above normal numbers from several areas throughout Andalucía. The record of 3 Common Terns is also unusual, although there are occasional winter records but usually on the Atlantic coast. I suppose it's asking a lot to know what age they were,1st winter or adult birds.
For those who are within striking distance, La Janda is full of raptors and Stephen Daly of Andalucian Guides regales me far too often with tales of what he and the folks he takes around are seeing - Spanish Imperial, Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, up to 3 spp. of harriers including the fabled Pallid and the wonderful little Black-shouldered Kites plus heaven knows what else happens to be around. He knows where they are!

Gilly and I picked up Rod Prout at Antas and headed south to Las Norias. It was a long way but by the end of the day we all considered it was worth it. The weather was again on our side. Sunny with a slight breeze. We got to the first causeway and saw that the water level was very high. I'd told Rod to expect 100s of Shovelers, but sods' law dictated that they were few and far between! To the left there was not a lot. 3 Gadwalls, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebes, Coots and Cormorants. The bushes were alive with Chiffchaffs. Gilly did well to spot some Red-crested Pochards down the far end.

To the right there were far more birds. There were 1,000s of Black-headed Gulls and lots of grebes, now including Black-necked. There were lots more Cormorants. Common Pochards were also seen before we headed round to near the "old" heronry.
I say old because it was now full of Cormorants and only a small amount of the branches were sticking out above the high water. On the track by one of the plastic greenhouses we saw a Meadow Pipit and also some Reed Buntings on the chain link fence. We then spotted a tern sitting on a rock in the middle of the expanse of water. Not being up on winter plumage, apart from Sandwich Terns as they are often seen by the coast, Rod and I concurred that this was a Common Tern. Two others were seen later. How Gilly spotted a Slender-billed Gull in the midst of the Black-headed Gulls, I'll never know. Rod spotted a couple of distant Night Herons perched on some reeds.

We then proceeded to the second causeway, where we saw at least another 10 Night Herons. There were also 6 or more Squacco Herons. This area, I think, will be the "New" heronry, which is ok by me as they were all within camera range! (Robert, am I now reinstated as the official photographer?)

After a reviving cuppa we went to Roquetas lakes. Here we added Marsh Harrier, numerous Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Wren, Serin and a Zitting Cisticola to the list. I then observed a flight of birds approaching us. 12 Glossy Ibises! A lifer for Rod and we managed to see only one Red-knobbed Coot (No.84) in the pond, but that was enough to secure another lifer for him.

44 species for the day, so well satisfied.

07/12 : Arboleas Birding Group

2011-12-08T11:06:00.004+01:00

Dave got this to me just in time as I was having a last look at any e-mails before starting to pack a small case for the trip to the UK later today. The wife has offered to make me an early lunch and drive me to the airport - should I read any significance in to this?

There I was, sitting in front of the computer, in our front room late Tuesday afternoon when I heard a honking sound from outside. Ran out and there above the house was a flight of 34 Common Crane circling above me. That's a good tick for my garden list!!

I travelled on my own down to the Almanzora estuary, as Gilly had other commitments. As I got there early, I went to check out the beach to the right of the rambla. You have access now but it's quite muddy. I checked out to sea, hoping for a Red-breasted Merganser or Razorbill but only logged some gulls and a pair of Gannets.

I got back to the arranged meeting point, the "ford" further up the rambla, and then met up with Dave, Myrtle, Rod, Linda and Val. There was quite a lot of shallow water away from the beach side and from the raised sides of the rambla we had good views below us. On the wader front we had both Little Ringed and Ringed Plover, Green and Common Sandpiper, a Dunlin and a couple of Snipe. Both Little and Cattle Egret were seen. A Kingfisher flashed by ( missed by me....drat!). A Cetti's Warbler was heard, but we did see Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler and Serin. On an irrigation pool was a pair of Black-winged Stilts. As we got back to the vehicles we were joined by Helen and Adrian so we had a short walk in the opposite direction only adding a Robin and a Water Pipit to the list.

Next we went to the beach via the ploughed up flat field. Still not a lot out to sea, only the Gannets. On the rocks were numerous Cormorants and a single Audouin's Gull. Greenshank, Turnstone and Kentish Plover were also seen.

After a reviving cuppa we headed to the pools opposite the Consume supermarket. A lot less there than our previous visit, but did see Grey Heron, Southern Grey Shrike, Shoveler,Teal, Coot and Little Grebe. Access to the end of the pools by the road was blocked by claggy mud so we moved to the pool opposite the Acuaparc. There was much more here. At least 6 White-headed Ducks, Common Pochards and a Black-necked Grebe. A Crag Martin and a Barn Swallow made an appearance.

After lunch on my way home I spotted a Lapwing on some flooded fields at the back of Garrucha, making it a 52 species list for the day. Very acceptable as was the sunny weather!

06/12 : La Janda

2011-12-07T19:25:00.009+01:00

The intention was to have gone down to La Janda last week but physical circumstances intervened, something which is happening too often. So, yesterday morning when I awoke at 05.15 and all parts of the Paterson anatomy seemed to be in the nearest that they can get to fine fettle, the niggle that I hadn't been down there came on. I was on the road before 07.00 and having coffee and a tostada before 09.00 in Tahivilla. And while the morning was clear wheh I left here, it was fairly thick mist at Tahivilla. However, nothing venture, nothing gain (another G &S quote for the cognoscenti), I pressed on to the canal turn and sat and waited.

It was actually rather interesting as the mist slowly started to lift after about 45 minutes and all around I could hear the calls of Cranes - make a good title for a book - 'Cranes in the Mist', perhaps I should patent it? Even by then I had seen a Marsh Harrier, the first of many, a Purple Boghen that wandered across the mud as the canal has been drained. There were Little Egrets and a few White Storks too, plus a Zitting Cisticola and one or two Chiffs. I phoned Stpehn Daly to see if there was anything around, always assuming that the clag would lift as a nebulous sun tried to break through, and he informed that he was on his way down with his elder daughter who is a budding photographer, so therefore I awaited their arrival.

In fact, by the time they arived the mist was starting to burn off and we could see birds. Cranes way over on the right, plenty of 'em, and in the rice fields on the left, now barren and apparently harrowed over, there were lots of Snipe and some Lapwings on both sides. It wasn't until we got nearer to the bridge end of the canal that things started to warm up in a big way, and I must admit I can't remember the order of things. No doubt Stephen will tell me if I'm wrong. First there was a nice male Reed Bunting, in fact there are reports of these coming in from many areas in larger than normal numbers. Virtually at the same time there was a pair of Penduline Tits, elusive little beggars at the best of times. an area with Boghens all over the place, flying, walking and climbing through the reeds. The rice paddies were full of Cattle Egrets, a few Grey Herons playing at being the Hunchback of Notre Dame and a single Great White Egret. Plus, note that today (Wednesday) Stephen found a Bittern sitting in the middle of a paddy!

Then further down a group of 5 Marsh Harriers, yes, five, were flying in erratic circles around a bush and we were pretty sure that there was an owl there, me going for an errant Long-eared and Stephen kept his canny Scots mouth shut. An owl there was, sitting right in the back of the bush, a jolly big one too with wonderful horizontal ear tufts, not vertical,and one baleful orange eye peering round the trunk. An Eagle Owl is a BIG bird, both perched and in flight.

And that, in very rapid succession, was followed by a harrier, a nice and very slender harrier with a bright chestnut body and notable neck and face markings which came through far too rapidly but which made us vacate the cars hurriedly - a juvenile Pallid Harrier, the same one that seems to have been around for several weeks now. Will it and the male which was also seen last week stay and over-winter?

It's at about this point that I've got a bit mixed on the chronology as we also found a very big female Peregrine, almost certainly of one of the northern races, which Stephen initially thought it might be a Lanner, sitting on one of the irrigation booms. I was later to see her hunting and she really was a big girl! Further over a large lump sitting showed itself as a Buzzard (Common) but Javi Elorriaga saw a Long-legged Buzzard and a Rüppell's Vulture leave Spain and cross towards Afric's shores the same day.

We found a distant female Hen Harrier and I was later fortunate to see a male, and there were yet more Marsh Harriers and, of course, the inevitable Kestrels. This was at the same time that we found two distant immature Spanish Imperial Eagles, plus a third bird which may well have been the juv. Golden Eagle I saw further on after Stephen had left.

In the small bird line, there were plenty of Skylarks and Corn Buntings, plus a few Short-toed Larks which should have left our shores by now but which have not read what they are supposed to do and when to migrate.

As noted, Stephen and Lucia had left me earlier and on their way back to the main road, the N-340, saw a pair of Black-shouldered Kites and a pair of Black Storks. So, if you've nothing to do or simply want to escape on, say Christmas Day or start the New Year off with an ornithological bang, you couldn't do much better than have a day down there!

The Red-throated Diver (R) which is a real rarity down here and at least one Razorbill are still frequenting Fuengirola harbour although the former is a bit erratic in appearance. There is a Short-eared Owl down at the Guadalhorce, be there in late afternoon for the chance of a view.

I am off to England for three days to upset my sister and deliver a selection of cover illustrations for the waterproof pelagic seabird book. Will I survive a UK winter? I've not been back there in te winter in 31 years! Do you blame me?

29/11 : Embalse de Puentes

2011-12-01T13:25:00.003+01:00

So, Dave, Gilly and the Arboleas Group breaking new birding ground, which is always something of interest to report.

It was thrilling to be heading off to a new stamping ground, which was suggested by Adrian and Helen. Embalse de Puentes is between Lorca and the Sierra de Maria in the Murcia region, but only about an hour away from us. We met up with them, Brian, Mary, Dave and Myrtle at junction 6 of the A91 motorway. We had Rod in the truck with us. We travelled cross country through almond groves and open fields, interspersed with rundown cortijos. We stopped at various points to check out the birds. We saw Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Serin, Greenfinch, Southern Grey Shrike, both Spotless and Northern Starling, Crested and Great Tits, Corn Bunting and a distant Kestrel. Red-legged Partridge was heard. The leading cars occupants saw a Green (iberian) Woodpecker. There were numerous Thekla/Crested Larks and Dartford Warblers were more numerous than the Sardinians. We saw one or two Stonechats but 100s of Black Redstarts. On one farmhouse we spotted Black Wheatear. Cattle Egret, Mistle Thrush, Jackdaw, Robin and Jay completed our journey's list.

We drove on to the dam at the reservoir. It was fantastic to actually see some birds on the water as compared to the virtually birdless Embalse de Negratin! Lots of Coots, both Little and Great Crested Grebes. About a dozen Cormorants were drying their wings in the blazing sunshine (yes, that's not a typo!). A Crag Martin did a fly past and Rock Doves were on the cliffs by the dam. I managed to spot a Grey Wagtail by the waters edge and a Blue Rock Thrush up on some rocks. Rod unfortunately was some distance away so missed out on this lifer for him. A Mallard and White Wagtail were also seen.

We then headed into a pine wood clearing adjacent to the waters edge next to a reedbed. Cetti's Warbler was heard and Firecrests, Long-tailed Tits and Chiffchaffs were seen. As we ate our packed lunches a flight of about 12 Griffon Vultures circled above us. They were a lifer for Rod. I then spotted another Blue Rock Thrush on the top of a pylon which Rod saw this time.

A wonderful day. Great weather. Ended up with 44 birds. Will be coming back here again!

28/11 : an afternoon at the Guadalhorce

2011-11-29T10:46:00.005+01:00

It's not very often that I go down to the Guadalhorce ponds in the afternoon but after three and half days of my knees in self-destruct mode (which is what cut short my visit which I never bothered writing up as there wasn't a great deal from my point of view) to the Laguna Dulce and Fuente de Piedra last Saturday, they had improved sufficiently to go down yesterday afternoon. If I hadn't gone somewhere, I'd have probably gone bonkers (no comments, please), so off I staggered at my own rather slow pace. hoping to see something reasonably nice and a faint hope that I may latch on to one of the Short-eared Owls that have been seen.

The first thing I saw was a Kingfisher which flashed along the river before I even crossed the bridge and there were Cormorants flying in all directions. I went straight across to the eastern arm and was struck by the large quantities of Chiffchaffs, they were everywhere. Of course, the problem with Chiffs is that they may harbour something a lot rarer in their midst, so always provided that (a) the little devils weren't in deep scrub, (b) flashing from one bush to another or (c) hiding in deep shadow, I tried to check out those that did show reasonably well.

I stopped briefly at the first hide on the eastern bank where this female Pochard had decided that Monday afternoon was a good time for a bath, and she was obviously really enjoying it. None of the other ducks -more Pochards and one or two White-headed Ducks, Coots and a single Moorhen - thought but they sure as hell weren't emulating her!
After the rains the water levels have risen to the extent that there is now shoreline for waders but there were 5 Flamingos and some Teal, Mallard and more Pochards.

I was still checking out the Chiffs that were visible and I had gone on about 50-60m towards the seawatch mirador when I hit gold. One Chiff looked as though it had a white wing bar on the coverts. I lost it and found it again and it had. Just one bar on the coverts. And a good supercilium too. A Yellow-browed Warbler! My second one down here after one that stayed in the garden for four days at the end of October some years since and was twitched by varous friends from the balcony. But this was very active, I saw it, watched and lost it again, found it again and tis went one for three or four minutes, as which point I tried to keep an eye on it and extract the camera from the rucksack, which is when I lost it as it flew across into the tamarisks on the left of the path. I looked, but no joy. But what a bird and definitely the bird of the day, if not the month.

From there I went back round to the laguna Grande, stopping en route at the laguna de la Casilla and the laguna Escondida. In fact, it was this part between the laguna de la Casilla and the laguna Grande which turned out to be the most productive. Cormorants were starting to flight in to the eucalyptus trees and decorate them like macabre Christmas adornments. A pair of Great White Egrets flew in and landed clumsily in the bushes. The Osprey sat on the pole looking extremely like a portly old gentleman who has had a rather large lunch and was contemplating doing a lot of nothing. In the distance there were intermittent views of up to 3 Marsh Harriers, a juvenile, a female and an adult male, all of which were very nice, and a Booted Eagle overflew in direction of the church.
In the laguna Grande itself there was not a lot to see although there were some Teal cirruping away in one corner, a most un-duck-like sort of call, the maleslooking vey smart in the late afternoon sun. Black-necked Grebes have increased somewhat and at one point this kamikaze Little Egret flew straight towards the hide, giving me the chance of a lucky shot. And from then on, with no Short-eared Owls showing, it was time to trudge for home, feeling a lot better for being out and with Chiffs still flitting around as the sun fell behind the Sierra de Mijas - how romantic it all sounds.

23/11 : Cabo de Gata

2011-11-24T09:16:00.007+01:00

Dave and Gilly have returned from their sojourn in an overly warm (all things are relative) England and where would they go? Cabo de Gata, of course, with the Arboleas Group, but not before first visiting a Brambling on a bird table!

Well it's great to be back home after 5 weeks in the UK. Upon our return Brian and Mary from Chirivel contacted us to say they have a Brambling visiting their bird table. Gilly not having seen one and me not having seen one for 38 years or so, we had to go. Sure enough, on Monday we went and after a 40 minute wait the Brambling duly arrived.

Today on our trip to Cabo de Gata we were blessed with good weather, sunny and a light breeze, and four new members, Val and Tony Penny and Rod and Linda Prout. We all met up with Brian, Mary, Adrian, Helen, Dave and Myrtle at the usual cafe in Pujaire. After coffee and introductions we headed for the first hide.
The water level was about right for a change. All the usual suspects were there. Greater Flamingos, Slender-billed Gulls and Avocets, as well as smaller numbers of Redshanks, Greenshanks and Black-tailed Godwits. A group of Eurasian Curlews was spotted on the rolling savanna to the right. Must have seen at least 40 of these during the day.
Land birds included 100s of Stonechats (well, it seemed like it!), Southern Grey Shrike, Sardinian Warbler, Robin, Black Redstart and an obliging Dartford Warbler. A lonely Crag Martin flew passed.

Next we went to the second hide ( the pool opposite the first hide was dry). Here we saw Ringed and Grey Plovers. Myrtle spotted some LBJs in the reeds beside the hide - Reed Buntings, a very good spot. Brian meanwhile had stayed by the vehicles near the beach. Upon our return he reported seeing 2 Razorbills, a Gannet and Lesser Short-toed Lark. A search for all three proved fuitless but we were blessed with a 120 strong Greater Flamingo flypast, a magnificent sight. At the public hide we spotted a pair of Shelducks and a raft of about 40 Black-necked Grebes. All at once the small to medium sized birds took to the air as a Peregrine Falcon swooped from nowhere.

Gilly had decided to stay in the truck. She didn't make herself "Miss Popular" when she announced she'd seen a Trumpeter Finch and had got a photo to prove it!

The group split here as usual. Rod, Linda, Gilly and I headed round the rear of the reserve in the 4x4, whilst the others made for Morales through the campsite. We were greeted by a feeding flock of Cattle Egrets. On the wader front we added Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt to the list. We also saw White Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Zitting Cisticola and some Cirl Buntings drinking on the track's puddles.

The others did well in seeing an over-wintering Barn Swallow, Teal, Shoveler, White-headed Duck, Coot , Moorhen and Little Grebe.

Couldn't have asked for a better home-coming what with the weather, the birds and the company. 58 species in total.

17/11: Guadalhorce

2011-11-18T10:27:00.006+01:00

I hadn't been out for a while, pressure of work (all this about retirement and easing up is rubbish, I seem to accumulate more and more birding stuff) which has repercussions on getting out to see the things. However, what will be hasn't been and yesterday I had planned to go out early with Federico but he called off as he had a heavy cold, so it was either call it off, go out later than planned and a my own pace or not go at all. Naturally, I chose the second and it turned out to be quite a fruitful morning with around 47 spp. seen, including some quite interesting onesalthough the majority were the usual regulars.
Things augured well before I had even crossed the bridge as two Booted Eagles - a dark morph adult and an immature intermediate morph - flew across and landed in the eucalyptus trees, but as usual, in unphotographable positions. Isn't it always the way? Later on I was to see a pale morph bird too, plus a nice little bust-up between 3 male Kestrels, with what must have been the resident male coming in at warp speed like a air-to-air missile to oust the two intruders and screaming its head off as it did so. The following bust-up was short but exciting to watch. Later I saw a single juv. Marsh Harrier but it flew off in the opposite direction.

There were Chiffchaffs feeding everywhere and I also saw and heard two Song Thrushes. At the second hide, in front of the wader pool where there was the first of the dozen or more juvenile Flamingos that were scattered around, some feeding and others, like the bird in the photograph, sleeping peacefully. I ran into Antonio Miguel, the first time I've seen him in ages since the sages(?) of Medio Ambiente didnt renew his contract and the lack of control without his presence is painfully obvious. We naturally caught up to date and after we had parted, me towards the seawatch mirador, he back inland, he rang me to say that there was a Griffon Vulture over the Martin Carpena sports centre. By the by, the name of the sports centre commemorates a local politician murdered in front of his wife and children by an assassin from ETA.

The sea was totally calm and spotted heavily by up to 2.000 gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backs and Black-headed with a few Yellow-legged. By dint ofcareful searching with the 'scope, I found 3 Black-necked Grebes, there were also 5-6 on the laguna Grande, and also 2 female/imm. Common Scoters, my first of the winter. But nary a tern in sight, there has been a huge lack of Common and Sandwich Terns this autumn and there should always be 2 or 3 wintering birds in the area at this date.
Water levels are much higher after the rains and there is consequently less shoreline and islets on the laguna Grande and along the río Viejo and in the wader pool in front of the second hide. All this meant that there was virtually nothing in the waderline, all dozne or so birds being cncentrated in the lower part of the río Viejo as it goes to towards the blind end near the sea. There were half a dozen or so Black-winged Stilts and with them a group of 3 Greenshanks, while on the nearer bank a solitary Ringed Plover. And that was it along that stretch, which was frankly pathetically poor. Later there was some compensation with the presence of a very photographable Snipe in front of the hide at the laguna Grande.
There was the inevitable decoration of Cormorants like morbid Christmas ornaments on the dead / dieing eucalyptus trees but no Osprey and no Black-winged Kite which has been seen on and off over the past fortnight in the same area.
Recently a Merlin has been seen - it shot through at high speed - but Antonio Miguel and I gave little credence to a report of Hobby seen that morning by an English birder. The date is very late as they migrate during Seotember and neither of us have heard of many later ones. There are also, and this is a reliable report, up to 3 Short-eared Owls present. The best time to see these is in the hour before sunset and if we get a nice, clear sky afternoon, I shall go down and try and photograph them.

La Janda

2011-11-01T13:08:00.019+01:00

The idea to go yesterday was aborted when the car decided to play up by not pulling and belching out clouds of black smoke which meant aborting the planned trip to La Janda and instead taking the thing to the local Ford agency with thoughts of the turbo or cylinder head gasket having gone and a huge bill! In fact, a new plastic tube was put in and I was 80€ lighter, which is a hell of a lot less than a new turbo would have cost! Today was, therefore, a go situation (as mission control used to say at Houston) and I've been for a brief morning with Stephen on La Janda, seen 2 juv. Pallid Harriers and returned without any mishap and the car pulling like a train.

I arrived earlyish, by 10, and Stephen was awaiting me so we transferred to his vehicle. Up on to the canal bank and right in to no-man's-land into which he has permission to go. There were quite a lot of Cranes were around, both on the deck already (138 in one group) with at least 170 in the whole area as more flew in and others on the deck further on. I make no apologies for putting in photos of Cranes yet again as they really are superb birds.
There were plenty of Lapwings in the harvested rice fields and finches of several spp., including Chaffinches.
It was in this area too that we saw the first of several Marsh Harriers of which I didn't keep count but did include this rather splendid female but it was Pallid Harriers that we were after and we struck gold very quickly after going back on to the track alongside the rice fields and going north.
The first bird (below R) was sitting and pondering about the meaning of life, which I suppose must include plentiful vole supplies if you're a harrier. The second bird (L) - we actually had two in sight at the same time! -was also meditating, although rather more distant, but we could still see it well enough to see the facial and pattern to be sure of the identification.
However, in view of one or two recent comments about some putative records of Pallid Harriers in western Andalucía, note that Dick Forsman has warned of the possibility of hybrids with Hen Harriers. One must be aware and these links may help:

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=42962#4034e6e11362abac

...and here:

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=42825

From thereone it was all down hill as we went along the track, seeing this juvenile Night Heron, a couple of Purple Boghens and later 2 Great White Egrets/Herons where we had seen one on Saturday, although Stephen tells me that they are now known only as White Egrets, and they certainly dwarf the Cattle Egrets in the photo here. Surprisingly, we saw only 1 Black-winged Kite and a single Buzzard, plus a few Kestrels. There were plenty of Chiffs and a single Willow Warbler, a bit late this bird, and quite a few White Wagtails. And thus, reluctantly it was time for home.

The car went like a bird - pity its best cruising speed is 135km/h, a speed which the little green men regard as illegal - was home for lunch by 14.30 and have since spent a couple of hours since lunch sorting out a few photos and listening to a highy recommendable digitally mastered version (in German) of The Merry Widow with Elizabeth Schwarzkopf and Nicolai Gedda. The other cd in the set is a very nice version of The Land of Smiles. There, you see I'm not the uncultured birding version of Billy Connolly that you thought that I was. So, herewith the story of a super morning's birding along with my thanks to Stephen and to his lovely wife for letting him out!

PS: I am informed that there is a Black-winged Kite at the Guadalhorce and I have had both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in the garden since returning home.

29/10: La Janda

2011-10-30T18:34:00.012+01:00

A free day with the only intention being to go up the canal beside La Janda, cross over the top by the smelly farm (finca de Enmedio or whatever it's called), go on and then back, basically spending the day leisurely searching for raptors and especially the male and juvenile Pallid Harriers that have been there for a while. So, I was down there by 10.15 and the first stop was by the ford on the left hand turn before running alongside the canal.

It was a beautiful morning, with not a breath of wind and warm enough to be in shirt sleeves by 10.30. The rice fields there have been harvested and were full of White Storks and Cattle Egrets whilst I could hear the distant 'talking' of Cranes and then the first 3, later to be followed by 2 more and then a flock of 38 - lovely, and with the distant calls of at least 2 Greenshanks and later 2 separate Green Sandpipers, all the time interspersed with barrages of shotgun fire from all points of the compass. Yes, the hunting season has arrived.

Later in the day we saw a Great White Heron in one of the harvested rice paddies. There were plenty of Lapwings in the fields and at one point a 4 Golden Plovers in a flock of Lapwings. There was movement of flocks of Skylarks all day and the occasional Chaffinch mixed in with the Corn Buntings but very few Calandra Larks, less than a handful. A ccky female Bluethroat bounced along the track in front of me for some metres before disappearing into the scrub where the were plenty of Chiffchaffs to distract the attention. Before I ran (metaphorically) into Rafa García and Manuel Jiménez from Cádiz who had come on the same mission as myself - raptors with a certain preference for the aforementioned harrierIt was along here beside the canal that I saw a small group of rather confused-looking Red-legged Partridges. It was too easy to hear them wondering what the hell was happening and where Pepe and Paqui had gone. Poor little sods, being fed one day and getting blasted to hell and gone the next.

It was a good raptor day and until I left for home at 4.30 - it is a good 2 hour run home for me from the north end of La Janda - we saw 8 spp., although they saw the juvenile Pallid Harrier and a possible female whilst I was with them, but I'm not sure of this latter identification on what I saw. On the other hand we saw lots Marsh Harriers, so many that I lost count but probably in excess of 15, including a nice male. There had been an entry of Hen Harriers and we saw about 6 (it's difficult to discount repeat sightings), all females/juveniles except of a single, very smart male.

Alongside the canal I also saw a large female Peregrine, a really buxom wench, which based on the characteristics of the bird that was at the Guadalhorce and which Dick Forsman kindly diagnosed for us a being of the calidus subspecies from northern Europe. It was along the canal bank too that we saw the first Common Buzzard of the 3 of the day.

For some reason Black-shouldered Kites like the irrigation booms as look out and resting points and it was from alongside the canal that we saw the first 3 of what was probably somewhere 10 or 11 of these lovely little birds, some of which showed well, and later one decided that an over-flying Imperial Eagle was in no-go territory and gave it hell and treated us to a fabulous flying display. The Imperial Eagle ignored it, which must have been very frustrating.

In fact, we saw 3 Imperials, all immature birds, and although most of them flew very high, one decided to drop like a stone on to a Pheasant from the Las Lomas estate (another confused bird), missed it and perched briefly on an electricty post before flying off fast and low to frighten the living daylights out of something else. Other raptors seen included the bog-standard Kestrels that are always present to greater or lesser degree, and singles of Booted and Short-toed Eagles.

There was a huge Wood Pigeon flock of somewhere around 1.200-1.500 birds and another smaller one, all good food for the Peregrine. I also saw a single Stock Dove, a distinct rarity and a good record and one of the vey few I have ever seen down in Andalucía. I must apologise for the poor photos, but most of the time I was shooting against the light or the birds too distant/high. You win some, you lose some.

the state of the Guadalhorce

2011-10-23T11:06:00.014+02:00

Readers will know that I have been very critical of Medio Ambiente - the environmental people - on more than one occasion, and I shall continue to be so.

First, as visitors are aware, very little has been done in the past two years to manage the reserve to maintain a variety of habitats and that there is a continual progression and development of vegetation and any work done has been minimal. Basically, I think that the problem is that the brains (if any) in the office don't appear to understand that this occurs and nor do they understand the difference, which is not a subtle one, between management and maintenance.

I am sure that they will - and indeed have in reply to a critical article in the local newspaper Málaga Hoy- classify any work done as management.

The widening of the tracks with a cutter in September and the current replacement of new posts and fencing on the access from the beach to the laguna Grande and the removal of the old posts and blinds by the hides (you can see what they were like in mid September on the left here) with new, very well cemented posts which will stand up to winter gales and awaiting new sheeting as I write (right), will undoubtedly be classified by them as management, when to me it is maintenance, unless my knowledge of English has suffered a sudden decline.

For thse who are uncertain, let me explain. Here is a photo taken from the seawatch mirador, looking east. This is one of the principal breeding areas for Kentish Plovers along the Málaga coast (185 kms) and two years ago there were 50 pairs, last year 25, this year I doubt if there were 15 and probably less although Medio Ambiente claimed that there was no fall in numbers. Here is where management comes into play. Look at the photo inside the wire (click on it to enlarge) and you can see a vast qanity of small, very dead branches and lumps of wood and quite a lot of encroaching vegetation. Kentish Plovers like lots of open, sandy ground with little cover. Here there is too much cover which can and will harbour rodents and reptiles (both snakes and ocellated lizards) which will happily predate a clutch of eggs, chicks and even a sitting female before devouring the rest. Good management would indicate a large scale vegetation and dead wood clearance. This process could be easly carried out at two other sites within the reserve and is called - wait for it - management!

It remains to be seen what, if anything, they intend to do about snail collectors and hordes of cyclists, none of the latter appearing to know what a bell is to warn of their presence even though some means of warning pedestrians of their presence is a legal requirement. If any of you ever do get hit by a cyclist, get details and denounce to the police - preferably Guardia Civil Seprona on 062 - along with a medical report on the damage to yourself from an Andalucian Health Service (Servicio Andaluz de Salud) clinic. As there are no signs warning cyclists and no effort to control the speeds, a lawyer friend informs me that Medio Ambiente would have subsidiary responsibility for lack of signalling.

What the reserve sorely needs is habitat management and back in the spring I wrote a six page letter to the then provincial director of Medio Ambiente in Málaga, señora Remedios Martel Gómez, and got no reply, which was no surprise. I tried again in September as a result of no reply, copying my previous letter to the new provincial director, señor Francisco Fernández España, and copied everything to Sevilla to the general director señora Rocio Espinosa de la Torre.

To date, one month later, there are no replies, but that simply reflects the arrogance and ill-manners of the administration (and not just Spanish but also British, French, German and so on) who forget that they work for and are accountable to you and me, the tax-payers, and that they are not untouchable. I shall possibly be asking for your cooperation in the course of time.

My Spanish blog will be getting the letters put up in the next two weeks and when I have the time I shall translate the basic points and put them in another Englsh blog and invite you to cooperate and write with your complaints. Please post any relatively civilised comments to the blog, not to me personally, in order that all may see. I shall not post comments saying that Torquemada should be brought back and all this lot should be put up against a wall and receive fast moving lumps of lead.

Am I p******d off? Yes, I b****y well am!

20/10 : Guadalhorce

2011-10-23T09:38:00.010+02:00

On this very wet Sunday morning after a huge thunderstorm which has deposited tons of water and gaily dissipated lots of electricity in the atmosphere - most fetching but the dog wasn't too keen- and with rain still falling which means that I am not going to go to watch the rugby world cup final at a bar in the centre of town (rain makes your hair go all funny!), I thought it best to try and write some bilge about the trip to the ponds last Thursday along with Bob Wright and his followers from the Axarquía birding group which Bob runs.

I was there early and virtually the first bird I saw after parking by the school was an errant Magpie - an unusual bird to see down here to say the least. I started off keeping a list but get distracted and got to around 45 spp. but I know that I have forgotten some things, so this will be about the better ones and leave the more common but no less interesting for all that to one side. I heard autumn firsts in the form of the first 2 Skylarks, and a Song Thrush and saw a Black Redstart plus the start of the continuing influx of Chiffchaffs over the last few days has been notable and there were one or two Blackcaps seen.

Some of us walked along the beach to enter in to the laguna Grande from there. Not that there was anything on the sea, not a tern in sight and these have been in very short supply this autumn, nary a shearwater. On the other hand there was a lateish Northern Wheatear, although birds can been until the end of the month.
The Osprey was present amidst the riff-raff of Cormorants, which included one very white fronted juvenile. A Glossy Ibis made a brief appearance, and, later towards the end of the morning, a buxom female Goshawk also in the eucalyptus. Excitement, of course, as a Gos is a rare bird down on the coast but careful examination with the 'scopes on maximum revealed the presence of short jesses, and later showed as it flew high over our heads on the way out. We saw 3 Marsh Harriers, including an adult male which are always in short supply, in the course of the morning.

Pochards are increasing slowly, as are White-headed Ducks and Teal are also increasing, althugh we saw only one male. There were 3 immature Shelducks on the río Viejo, as well as a few Shovelers.

The best was in the wader line, a family of birds which many will know as being personal favourites, particularly Greenshanks, of which there were 3 alongside a very fine winter plumaged Spotted Redshank and at least 5 Redshanks. In fact, the wader action was all along the ower section of the río Viejo and once we started 'scoping it revealed at least 5 Dunlin and a couple of Little Stints, plus Kentish and Little Ringed Plover and a few Stilts which are hanging on, but without any hysterics, and along with Common Sandpiper and Snipe gave us a decent total of waders when we added the 2 Black-tailed Godwits on the laguna Grande which had been joined by the Spotted Redshank which had flown over for a change of scenery.

A very pleasant morning with somewhere around 50 spp. seen.

No, I'm not dead

2011-10-17T11:48:00.013+02:00

I reckon that's what some of you may have been thinking. Nor have I been in jail or otherwise detained except for getting out for a little birding - far too little for my liking but that in large part has been the fault of my b****y knees which have been doing their 'shall we self-destruct today' act far too often, doing a lot of translation (interesting), writing an article (wich will apear in BIRDWATCH magazine in the uncertain future) and carrying out a long correspondence about Lesser Flamingos in zoos/collections which has meant that a joint project which we were planning has been shot down in flames. So where do I start? I suppose after 26 April, which was when I last posted a personal bit on birding, the rest being Dave's from Almería, so we'll go on from there.

29/09 Guadalhorce: A brief walk down in to the ponds for an hour's escape and a quick look at the big pond where there were Redshanks, Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and all 4 hirundines, with fair numbers of Sand Martins and Red-rumped Swallows. The best birds were undoubtedly the 4 Pintails.

01/10 International Birds Day of BirdLife International : This is actually more a day where one tends to see old friends, talk far too much and bird too little while the great unwashed masses with their too often uncontrolled young (I'd control 'em with a cattle prod given half a chance) 'oooo' and 'ahhh' over the ringers who show off their art when they show them such gems as the Kingfisher. The 2 Black-tailed Godwits from the other day were still there, as were the Avocets and a Common Sandpiper, whilst raptors were represented by a female Marsh Harrier and the Osprey. There was a good westerly movement of Red-rumped Swallows going on, mainly of juvenile birds it seemed. It's amazing how much these have increased in the past 30 years. There were also a few Sand Martins trickling westwards. The best bird was, for me, a rather fine male Whinchat.

02/10 Guadalhorce : Down there yet again and I've not even noted who I was with. Apart from the usual selection of Little Egrets and Grey Herons there was the additional presence of a Great White Heron/Egret (take your pick) which didn't stay around long. However, it was a good morning for waders with 12 spp, all the normal ones (stilts, plovers etc.) plus 2 Ruffs, 3 Greenshanks, 1 Curlew Sand. and 2 Little Stints and Snipe are always nice to see. It was nice to see 4 Teal, although the males are not yet back into breeding plumage. Rather more unusual was the sighting of 5-6 swifts very high up, Pallids I suspect, and there have been quite a lot of late records of these down here in Andalucía and also further north as far as Madrid.

05/10 Los Lances and La Janda : This time I know who I was with, Federico, in the hopes of a good day raptor watching. We started at Los Lances, parking by the petrol station and walking across. It's always best to be early there because of walkers on the sand, often with their dogs running loose, and the birds aren't quite so nervous.
A few Gannets were feeding out over the sea, all juveniles of this year, but we weren't really lucky with gulls, Audouin's always being nice to see but there were no rare terns. Waders were restricted to quite a lot of Sanderlings (how about that for a quantative analysis?) and plovers, mainly Kentish with one or two Ringed, spread out over the sand. What a juv. Flamingo thought it was doing there, I'm not sure.
It was windy, more so than forecast, and this pushed quite a lot of Short-toed Eagles and some Black Kites over us along the line of the beach and a single Sparrowhawk flew past fast and low crosswind, so fast that Federico missed it. The same strong wind kept the passerines down and under cover but we saw a few Yellow Wagtails and a single Northern Wheatear before pushing onwards for much needed coffee and a tostada before gong to La Janda.
La Janda was not as productive as I had hoped that it might be, but you can't win them all, even though this juv. Black Stork (R) gave us hope. and we were to see 10 more. We managed to accumulate quite a decent list of raptors by dint of going along the canal, then across and back down the centre towards Facinas before finishing off the day at Cazalla.
On La Janda we saw a female Marsh Harrier, one of very few seen that day, and a single Montagu's plus another harrier which we saw just after meeting Stephen Daly with a touring group of Swiss birders. This last was distant and I called it as a possible Pallid but eventually left it as a harrier sp.. Fortunately, just after leaving us Stephen had had much better views after also first calling it as a possible Pallid and managed to get a decent photograph which showed it to be a female Hen Harrier. It shows how difficult these can be at long range. And as an extra piece of information, at least 2 Pallid Harriers have been seen recently on La Janda and another in Doñana, plus Dick Forsman, the fount of all raptorial knowledge, says that they are increasing and expanding range westwards, so you never know .... but do try and get a photograph!

The rice had not yet been cut and so there was little in the wader line except a single Green Sandpiper. However, there are large numbers of Glossy Ibis, of which we got reasonable views as they fed in areas where the rice had been harvested, although they hadn't yet touched the length beside the canal. Evening counts at their roost have been in excess of 3.000 birds! There were lots of White Storks around and still a lot of Cattle Egrets. The central track down towards Facinas was much less fruitful than I had hoped for but at least was easily passable, a situation which will rapidly change after 3 drops of rain fall.
We finished off with an hour being wind-blasted at Cazalla and with a lot more Short-toed Eagles, a few Booteds, Black Kites and Honey Buzzards, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures and a single Sparrowhawk.

It was after this day out that things became low with a lot of computer time and looking out of the window in to the garden didn't produce much either, there being two days with single unidentifiable Phylloscopus warblers hiding in the foliage, it's been a poor autumn in the garden for warblers, and a nice Pied Flycatcher on 10/10 and single Chiffchaffs in the garden on 15 and 16/10.

13/10, río Guadalhorce: Slowly walking my aging spaniel down by the river - we're both getting slower, amongst the gulls there was a single 1W Kittiwake, a surprisingly early date and more so as there have been no Atlantic gales to blow them in. This bird was colour ringed, a red one, but distance precluded seeing if there was a code or not and although the bird flew strongly it had difficulties walking.

14/10, La Janda : I was going to meet a friend but his child had had a bad night so he hadn't been released. Therefore I bundled Luna in to the car and we went down alone. She's excellent in the car, just sleeps and never asks when we're going to arrive. There was virtually nothing that attracted interest at Los Lances beach so it was a coffee and then on to La Janda. They still haven't cut the rice along the left side of the canal, although further south and over to the east they have been busy and were busy mashing up the cut areas using this tractor with very wide wheels, creating a beautifully soggy mess on which there were masses of Cattle Egrets feeding.

Further away, there were large numbers of White Storks and Glossy Ibises but once again the blasted wind did just that. There were few raptors overall, with only Marsh Harriers, Kestrels and a single Lesser Kestrel, a few Short-toed Eagles, 2 Booted Eagles and a solitary Buzzard (ordinary common one). There were few Griffon Vultures with this exception, which sat stolidly in the middle of the track down to Facinas and refused to move, even after I drove up to it until it eventually decided to take wing.

In the passerine line, apart from more Yellow Wagtails, all of the flava race as far as males sighted were concerned, there was also a single Whinchat and a single Tree Pipit. More interesting was the presence of quite good numbers of Northern Wheatears, some of which I believe were of the leucorhoa race from Greenland and Iceland. In theory and according to the literature, these can not be separated from our European birds but some of 5-6 them - the most I have ever seen as usually I only see one or two in an autumn - were big, bulky birds, the 2 males of these I saw much better marked on the face and head, more strongly coloured and longer legged, and when I saw the two types together, but not long enough for a photograph, the difference was quite striking. Of the more normal sized type, I saw at least a dozen.

And that, O dearly and best beloved (who wrote that? Kipling?), brings me up to date.

05/10 : Río Almanzora/Vera

2011-10-06T13:02:00.005+02:00

It seems that Dave and his happy band coincide with my outings at the moment, so, as he and Gilly are off for a few weeks to that cold, wind-swept island somewhere up there (points north) from which many of us have escaped, here is his commentary on the Arboleas Group trip yesterday andf after reading his final comment about tin hats on, I think I shall start to sing(?) the famous lead-in song to 'Dad's Army'. (This also gives me until tomorrow to do my blog on this week and my trip down to the Strait and La Janda!)

We met up with Brian and Mary in Arboleas and they followed us down to the rambla of the Rio Almanzora. We joined just passed the entrance to the Desert Springs Golf Complex. Gilly and I saw Southern Grey Shrike, Kestrel, Blackbirds and Blackcaps on our way down to the ford. Brian and Mary did a bit better, seeing Little Owl, a very late Woodchat Shrike and a Green Sandpiper.

At the "ford", where unfortunately there is no water now, we weren't expecting much, but our patience was rewarded with views of Sardinian and Cetti's Warblers, Zitting Cisticolas and overflying Cattle Egret. Gilly spotted a Bluethroat. A fleeting glimpse before it disappeared into the undergrowth. A "big bird" was seen but it annoyingly kept to the sunny side, so we only got a silhouette view. However later, nearer to the coast we got better views of it nd possibly its parents as 2 adults and a juvenile Booted Eagle were seen soaring above us.
At the beach, on the rocks, were some Audouin's Gulls, Little Egrets and Sandwich Terns. As we headed back to the vehicles 3 Cormorents flew over in formation.Near the vehicles was a track. Gilly spotted another possible Bluethroat. As we were trying to relocate it a small bird disappeared into a small shrub actually on the path. The shrub was only a few inches high and about 18" in diameter so we knew we'd see the bird again. Sure enough it appeared again. A pale and black striated warbler. Knew it wasn't a Zitting Cisticola by its appearence and its skulking jizz. In birding circles it isn't, for some reason, good form to carry a bird guide with you, so it wasn't till we got home that it was positively identified as an Aquatic Warbler. The Collins map shows that it is supposed to migrate through our area. A lifer for all of us!

After a reviving coffee in Villaricos we headed along the coast. We first stopped at the shallow ponds near to the Consum supermarket. Water levels were low, but we did manage to see a Ruff, Ringed Plover and a Redshank. At the pool near to the Aquaparc, Gilly and I disturbed a Kingfisher as we drove up. Little Grebes were on the water.

Next we went to the beachside pool at Vera, where Brian and Mary had had good views of a Purple Gallinule the previous week. No luck with that species, but we did add Common Pochard and White-headed Duck to our list. Another Kingfisher was also seen.

What a good days birding! 48 species in all. Gilly is responsible for the photos.....sorry they're not up to my usual standard! (grabbing tin hat as I type this!!)

Best regards,

Dave & Gilly

26/09 : Cabo de Gata

2011-09-27T19:53:00.004+02:00

From Dave E-B and about putting birds out of their stride by going birding on a different day (see the last paragraph!). We both had a good day yesterday!

Birding came early this week to fit in with visiting birders. Brian and Mary brought Richard and Ann and I took Stan, an ex-member returning to Arboleas for a holiday. Arriving in the Cabo de Gata area early, Stan and I stopped off at the "Dotterel" field near the speed camera. Alas there were no Dotterels in sight but we did see Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler and a passing Short-toed Eagle. We then headed to Pujaire to meet up with the others at the cafe. They also had arrived early and were waiting for us!! After reviving coffees we headed for the first hide where there was a Polish birder. He'd been on the reserve since first light (know the feeling from last year!). He reported seeing Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Knot and two Ospreys. Apart from the 100s of Greater Flamingos we spotted Avocet, Little Egret, Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Slender-billed Gull and Spotted Redshank. A Sparrowhawk flew low past us causing pandemonium amongst the smaller birds.

Heading to the second hide, the scrubland to the left was alive with Cattle Egrets. There must have been about 75 on there. On the beach a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls had joined their Yellow-legged cousins for the winter. There was also a solitary Whimbrel wandering around on the sand.. The wind at the hide was bad, making the use of the scopes worthless. We did however note some Cormorants, Shelducks, Shovelers and Little Terns. After a short delay waiting for a coach load of grockles to leave the public hide we resumed our search for birds various, but only added to our list with Sanderling, Kentish Plover and Redshank.

At this point the two groups split up. Stan and I, before heading round the rear of the reserve, did a bit of sea watching (actually having a coffee from a beach-side cafe!). Spotted a pair of Gannets, an Audouin's Gull and at least 2 Cory's Shearwaters. Suitably revived we drove on to the rutted track and were rewarded with good views of Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Willow Warbler, Thekla Lark, Spectacled Warbler, Dunlin and Little Stint.

Meeting up we the others at "Sulky's" restaurent in Retamar ( named after owner's miserable face!) we compared notes. They had gone through the campsite to the Morales water. Amongst other commoner birds they'd seen White-headed Duck, Black-necked Grebe and a distant Osprey ( don't you just hate it when that happens?) They also noted Zitting Cistacola and Cetti's Warbler.

54 species for the day. Coming on a Monday had obviously put the birds out of their routine. Wednesday is their hiding from birders day!

26/09 : Fuente de Piedra

2011-09-27T18:31:00.003+02:00

A brief blog, this, about yesterday morning at Fuente de Piedra with Jorge Garzón. A splendid mornign when all we did during the more than 3 hours there was walk from the car park, round below and up by the mirador, a look at the pantaneta del Pueblo round the back and return by the same route. A shirt-sleeve and shorts morning, not that there'll be too many left, but lots of birds.

For a start off, 17 spp. of waders - not in great numbers but variety is better - and with good views too from the path below the mirador as nearly all were on the flash there. Don't worry, I'm not giving a full and boring list but noteworthy was the fact that we didn't see a single 'shank and singles only of Green and Common Sandpipers. A few Snipe wandering around as though they owned the place, a few Curlew Sands - one still in nearly full breeding plumage, and the same for the Little Stints with one still in mostly breeding plumage and quite incongruous as they wandered around underneath and between the legs of the Flamingos! Talk about the long and the short of it!

Also nice to see was the presence of at least 11 Ruffs and Reeves, some of the Ruffs splendid big chaps and one of an extreme variety with all the body, neck and head white with the white extending to about half way down the mantle - quite a striking bird and I've seen white-ruffed ones on the breeding grounds on Texel and in the polders many years since but never one like this. It is in this shot but between the distance and heat shimmer it gives some idea! As Jorge said, it seems to be my moment for seeing extra-white birds!

Way out on the lake, which still has quite a lot of water, there were 18 Black-tailed Godwits which later moved close in along with a bundle of Avocets . There were the usual Mallard and Shovelers, plus a pair of Teal in the duck line, plus a lot of Moorhens which must have had a great breeding year and the usual Coots.

Around the back at the pantaneta - pond to you - which is drying out and with little water there were 2 Stone Curlews, although a pair of Belgian birders, who later immediately endeared themselves to us by telling us what they thought about twitchers, had seen a flock of about 70 just before we arrived! It was from there that we saw a single Black-shouldered Kite, although the Belgians had seen two! You can't win sometimes but one is always better than none.

As for other bits and pieces, there were 4 spp. of swallows and martins, including a single Sand Martin. There were also goodly numbers of Corn Buntings moving through and we saw a andful of Yellow Wagtails, one a male of the flava or Blue-headed race.

NOTE : It is international bird day (weekend) and the Guadalhorce is open to visitors on Sunday when the S.E.O. will have a stand and there will be ringing demonstrations between 09 and 13h. In years gone by we have often done well, including one morning with no less than 5 Ospreys over-flying.

24/09 : Guadalhorce and an odd bod

2011-09-25T12:45:00.008+02:00

This was going to be written last evening but at that time there was a missing link which will be explained in the fullness of this blog. Federico and I went down around 09.00 and had a gentle and quite fruitful amble around for te next three or hours or so. It was quite notable that in view of the clouds and even a slight shower of rain the previous afternoon there was a remarkable dearth of small migrant passerines but their absence was more than made up for by the presence of this 'odd bod', which seems a suitable place to start, a puzzle.

The 'odd bod' : At this point you should study the photo on the right here and try and decide what it is (guides may be used) and write down the answer. The real answer is at the end of this blog. I should add at this point that neither of had a clue, and even after accessing guides later one we still weren't decided and I had to recur to the real raptor experts, Javier Elorriaga and Dick Forsman.

This large - certainly bigger than a Booted Eagle - and quite spectacularly marked raptor was seen first in the euclayptus and then in the tamarisks behind the río Viejo as seen from the second hide (photo by Federico) but regrettably we never saw the underwing. The eye was dark, by the way.

Now on to the rest of the birding. There aoppears to have been sone slight increase in White-headed Ducks, Pochards and certainly of Teal, of which there were no less than 12 on the río Viejo, whilst there was a female Pintail on the laguna Escondida. The río Viejo, both the wader pool area in front of the second hide and further down, provided most waders, notably a large number of very quiet, resting Little Ringed with a few Ringed scattered in amongst tem, but they really had to be looked for, as did the 3 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little Stints and a single Sanderling. There are few Stilts now, which I suppose is something to be thankful for! On the wader pool there was also a single Black-tailed Godwit and it or another on the laguna Grande, it's very difficult to be certain if there were 2 birds or not, plus a couple of Dunlin and a single Common Sandpiper. There were certainly at least 4 Redshanks and 3 Greenshanks scattered between the two areas and probably a total of 4 Avocets. A total of 11 waders isn't bad but should be better and points up the lack of management work

Both Grey Herons and Cormorants - we saw only one of the latter - appear to be slow on the autumnal increase and we also saw a single Purple Heron. Apart from the 'odd bod' raptor, there was a single Osprey and no less than 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 female, 1 2CY male and an adult male, which was very smart.

Which brings us to the 'odd bod'. Any ideas? All I could think of was an extremely pale Common Buzzard, of which I have seen one or two in my birding career and I could be sure of ruling out a pale Rough-legged Buzzard as they are what the twitchers would class as a 'mega'. Federico thought it might be a pale Long-legged Buzzard which would also have been a pretty rare bird here in Málaga. So, time to consult the experts in the form of Javi Elorriaga of Migres in the Strait and who sees more rare raptors in a year than I have in a life time. and, naturally, the guru of bird of prey identification- Dick Forsman who is the person to consult, apart from being a thoroughly nice person as well.

So off went the two photographs that Federico had digiscoped and this morning I had the replies, identical as to identification, and I shall quote Dick's as he gives the reasons:
This is a juv Honey Buzzard of the white morph. Diagnostic characters are:
- dark "sunglasses" around the eye
- largely yellow bill with just a tiny black tip
- prominent white scaling to upperparts.
Cheers
Dick

Javi (who probably has seen more Honey Buzzards this than any 10 of us put together over a life time) added that he has seenoccasional birds as pale this. So there, problem solved.
Now, tell the truth: How many of you got it right?
This birding is just one big learning curve which seems to get steeper and steeper with experience! Or is the memory failing? By the by, Dick is bringing out a new raptir identification book soon which will make a nice Yuletide present if you believe in that sort of thing, personally I'll just go and buy it for myself!

21/09 : Sierra de María

2011-09-22T21:07:00.005+02:00

The weather is slightly cooler and the Arboleas Group ventured to the heights of the Sierra de María with pretty good results. Don't forget that the Griffon Vulture migration will start very soon and large numbers could turn up along any suitable sierra and it's worthwhile watching carefully for something really good amongst them, like a wandering juvenile Bearded Vulture which is not unknown. I must say, Dave, that I've not seen/heard the old expression 'titmice' for donkeys years, this must be a sign of something, but I suppose it's better than saying 'a full complement of tits' - perhaps I should shut up!

Today we were joined by Brian, Mary, Helen and Adrian on this birding trip to the Sierra de Maria. I've got to say that the weather was perfect. Clear blue skies, sunny and not too hot, even with no breeze.

On the approach to Maria and the chapel we saw very few birds which was a bad sign, but we needn't have worried. On the smallholding between the chapel and the water trough we saw at least 4 Spotted Flycatchers and one Pied Flycatcher. A Chaffinch and some Rock Buntings were taking the waters. A Black Redstart was in the car park. A Cirl Bunting and a Robin were in the shrubs.

The walk round the Botanical Garden was very fruitful.
A steady stream of Griffon Vultures was flying over from the plain towards Velez Blanco. Didn't count them, but I would've thought at least 50 went over. A Short-toed Eagle soared above us and as we we heading back towards the chapel a Booted Eagle was also seen. Back in the pines we saw the full complement of Titmice....Blue, Great, Crested, Coal and Long-tailed Tits. At least 4 Firecrests made an appearance. Also there in some number were Chiffchaffs. The summer warblers had apparently left, but a Sardinian Warbler was seen. I checked out the small flocks of hirundines amongst the vultures. Saw both Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, numerous House Martins, a Crag Martin and, probably a first for Maria, a Sand Martin. Also saw possibly my last Pallid Swift of the summer. Also seen were Short-toed Treecreepers, Jays and Crossbills.

After a short refreshment break at La Piza, where we saw more Crossbills, Brian, Mary, Gilly & myself headed onto the plains. At the farm buildings we added Blue Rock Thrush to the list. At the water trough we had Woodlark and Crested Lark. There were 3-4 Northern Wheatears on the rocky field dividers. At the hamlet there was no sign of any Kestrels, but we did see at least 15-20 Short-toed Larks on a small ploughed area.

Ended up with 40 species for the day. Dave and Myrtle were sorely missed.

comment on warbler at Embalse de Negratín

2011-09-19T12:05:00.003+02:00

Readers will perhas remember that there was a photo, not good by Dave'd admission, of a warbler seen at the embalse de Negratín (published 8 September) which he put down as a Whitethroat but which I thought was more probably an immature Subalpine. In the interests that we all may learn, I have translated and publish the following from Jorge Garzón of Granada:

I also believe that it is a Subalpine Warbler. It is impossible to say if it is a juenile or 1st winter female, but the ochraceous-pinkish tinge of the breast and the hint of reddish on the htroat point to that species. Although it is difficult to see, it appears that the point of the tail feather which can be seen is whitish and in juv. and female Whitethroats never reaches the points, something which this appears to do.

17 September : meeting FOROROA, Tarifa

2011-09-19T10:47:00.009+02:00

For the non-Spanish birders, fororoa is the foro de la red de observadores andaluces, or in English : the forum for Andalusian birders. It was started over a year ago by Paco Chiclana and birders from Sevilla and has achieved a good number of followers from Andalusia and, I understand, from other parts of Spain too who are interested in our observations and doings. This last Saturday we had an open meeting - una quedada - down at Tarifa to watch raptor migration, in which we were far from disappointed, and then an excellent lunch at the Ventorillo del Nene at the entry to Facinas. In total, some 27 of us took part and I have every reason to believe that we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, I know that I did.

We met at 10.00 at the petrol station just north of Tarifa and found that our spies in place informed that Cazalla was probably the best option for raptors and the information was totally accurate. There was an abundance of raptors and a goodly number of birders too, ranging from we of fororoa, through the recorders of the Migres programme, a couple of English birding tours and the usual range of those who were solo or in pairs. There was much bird movement, many birds coming in from the east, some starting to cross and ten returning and often going inland ater an aborted attempt. Although some birds were reasonably low, others were at cosiderable height which did not help photography.

I didn't take any note of numbers by species but outstanding were the numbers of Black Storks with several flocks including one of 70+ birds, plus some White Storks, and in particular the Egyptian Vultures. The previous afternoon, the Cigüeña Negra group from Tarifa had posted that up to then, 999 had been seen and it was quite obvious that by the time we arrived that number had been surpassed quite considerably. Both of these species have increased notably since I first started going down to Tarifa 30 years since.
The quantity of Short-toed Eagles was also notable,as well as smaller numbers of Booted Eagles and Black Kites, with some Honey Buzzards mixed in and a small but continual movement of Sparrowhawks. Of note, but not seen by all as the action was so rapid, was the presence of a Bonelli's Eagle which first had a go at a White Stork, missed and then proceeded to frighten the living daylights out of it by stooping at an adult Egyptian Vulture which dived down frantically for the deck with the Bonelli's after it and thus lived to fly another day.
It really was quite a hectic morning and one of those days when accurate censusing by dedicated counters was damned nearly impossible as there were birds coming from all angles.

There were, as was to be expected, zseveral Griffon Vultures but, on a selfishly purely personal level, the best was the presence of not one but two Rüppell's Vultures after years of missing them by 5 minutes before arriving or after leaving. These birds were notably different as one had its flight feathers in a quite deplorable state (left), whilst the other was much cleaner (below right).

Federico and I made a quick run along the canal side of La Janda before lunch, seeing several tens Lesser Kestrels - there are always good concentrations there at this time of year, plus several young Montagu's Harriers and this harrier on the left, which we believe to be a Montagu's, possibly a female (now confirmed by Javi Elorriaga and Jorge Garzón), and a single Osprey. All these giving us a total of 14 raptor species for the days.

The afternoon could have finished off with a Royal Tern seen from the observatory on the Los Lances beach by David Cuenca and Stephen Daly amongst others, but as time was bashing on Federico and I made steps for home, finally arriving more than 12 hours after departing in the morning.

Finally, although this will be possibly of little use except knowing who to avoid and based on a photo by Federico, a guide to the Homo pajarensis andalucensis present. But joking apart, we would always be interested to hear from and enjoy the participation of non Spanish birders. Remember that a click will enlarge the photo for better identification.

09 September : Guadalhorce

2011-09-11T11:46:00.008+02:00

Yes, late again, unlike good old Bob who gets his out before lunch but I mislaid my notebook and have only just found it, plus downloading and checking out photos (not a good crop, too much heat shimmer, I think) and yesterday morning watching England beat Argentina (World Cup Rugby) by the skin of their combined teeth. But today's the day, so here goes!

I had arranged to meet Bob and Federico down by the church at 09.00 but Federico, ever the early worm, was there long before and already in the reserve as his phone call affirmed as I parked. Bob was on time too, so in we toddled, soon meeting up with Bob, then a Dutch birder Albert Vrielink and Stephen and Elena from Bob's Axarquía group.

It really was a very good morning's birding, with plenty to occupy us, with the weakest link being that of the lack of raptors, seeing only a couple of Kestrels and a Marsh Harrier.

The best of the morning was undoubtedly the variety of waders, mostly seen from the second hide overlooking what is usually called the wader pool on the old course of the río Viejo. I can't say that I saw the Ruff that Bob claims , but that apart I reckon we saw some 14 species, which isn't bad by any standards although they were hardly in great numbers. There were, of course, the usual Stilts and Little Ringed Plovers, plus an increase in Ringed Plovers (or if you prefer it, Great Ringed) and a few Kentish Plovers too, but their numbers have declined drastically. As for the rest, as always it was nice to see the three species of 'shanks, Red, Spotted and Green, as well as Avocets, 2 - possibly 3 -Black-tailed Godwits, 5 or 6 Curlew Sandpipers, a couple Knots and Dunlin and a single Wood Sandpiper. The surprise bird was not its presence, Whimbrel are not unusual, but this one was walking along the path between the sea and the laguna grande and there were a few jokes about it perhaps being a Slender-billed. (Don't panic, Dave, no way that it was!). Here too we saw a juv. Black-necked Grebe with its wonderfully ruby red eye (click on the photo and you'll see what I mean). The area around the wader pond proved to be singularly fruitful as apapart from a single Wryneck, not well seen but sufficiently so to clinch its identification was a a nice bird to see, as was the Great Reed Warbler and the smaller cousin, the Common Reed Warbler, as well as a juvenile Yellow Wagtail.Here too we saw a juv. Little Bittern which showed quite well, as they too have this distressing tendency to dive into the deepest and thickest reedbed there is.

Walking along the beach between the seawatch mirador and the entry to the laguna Grande was pretty sterile apart from not particularly brilliant views of 3 wheatears, the first certainly a male Northern Wheatear, the other 2 too distant for a positive specific identification.

There were more waders at the laguna Grande, apart from another Avocet and a distant Black-tailed Godwit, the pair of Knot were still present and a single Common Sandpiper waggled its butt as it looked for insects whilst an Avocet poked around.

Hirundines were quite well represented with mostly Barn Swallows and House Martins, plus the occasional Sand Martin. Common Swifts and few Pallids were also around. Ducks were few, with White-headeds having started their usual post-breeding dispersal and there were a few Mallards and Pochards.

Obviously this is not the whole list but we also had a selection of gulls, including fleeting limpses of a 1st summer Little Gull by myself just before everything was put up by the Marsh Harrier., there also being a handful of Mediterranean Gulls and only one Audouin's, a few Yellow-leggeds and Lesser Black-backeds amidst a mass of Black-headeds. On the way out, Albert and myself saw a nice Melodious Warbler to make (e. & o.e.) a morning list of some 54 spp, rather less than that of Bob but then I forget to put things down. All I care about is that it was a jolly good morning's birding in very pleasant company, so what more could one wish for?

07 September : Embalse de Negratín

2011-09-08T11:44:00.006+02:00

Dave's weekly offering from Almería along with some of the ARboleas Group comes this week from the embalse de Negratín. By the by, Dave, the photo of what you think may be a Whitethroat looks more like a juv. Subalpine to me, but then it's a well known fact that I am not good with les petits merdes, especually juvenile ones.

We headed north to the Embalse de Negratin, near Baza. At this slightly higher altitude the heat wasn't so bad. From the small carpark adjacent to the dam we could see a few birds. A pair of Black Wheatears on top of the distant cliff face. Both House and Crag Martins were circling above the reservoir outlet. The huge numbers of breeding House Martins had departed south. From the dam itself the water surface was totally devoid of any birdlife. Looking down into the valley below we could hear Cetti's Warbler and the odd Blackbird.

A pair of Stonechats and some Sardinian Warblers were flitting around the bushes. A Common Buzzard flew low over us.

Now down on the valley floor a male Golden Oriole showed itself well. There were at least 4-5 Spotted Flycatchers and the Black Redstarts were in evidence in greater numbers. At the bridge a Green Sandpiper was feeding in the shade. Around the reeds a Chiffchaff was seen. A Cetti's Warbler briefly showed itself. On the rock face we had Rock Sparrow and Rock Bunting. 2-3 Blue Rock Thrushes were seen. Brian spotted a Short-toed Eagle and Mary heard some distant Bee-eaters. On the way back to the vehicles I managed to get a photo of what I believe to be a Whitethroat. Not a bad days birding. A total of 30 species.

06 September: Guadalhorce

2011-09-06T20:18:00.005+02:00

T'was a grey morning when I met up with Alexandra Farrell by the church and didn't look much like improving but it did, and when it did and the sun broke through it was jolly warm. It was the first time that I'd met Alexandra and for some reason which I can't fathom she had wanted to meet me. However, reasons apart, we had a very pleasant morning's birding for over 3 hours. So what was there.

It was nice to see both Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, a single Melodious Warbler and also a couple of Robins, plus a few Zitting Cisticolas, which more or less sums up the total of small items. There were also some 20 Common Swifts moving through, plus all thenormal hirundines - Barn and Red-rumped Swallows (I only saw juvs. of these latter, have the adults gone?), a few House Martins and a single Sand Martin.

High in the heavens, at times only visible through binoculars but clearly audible, a westward movement of Bee-eaters, some of which then returned east. Why? Only a guess but I would imagine that they were disorientated by the cloud cover. (I feel the same before my first coffee of the day.) There was a movement of Grey Herons going on and we saw at least 20, including one scattered group of 13 birds, plus a single unringed juv. Spoonbill. On the other hand there was a huge lack of raptors and a single Kestrel is not much recompense at this time of year.

Thank heavens there were some waders and we had all three 'shanks, Red, Spotted and Green, always a nice sight, plus at least 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 or 3 Common Sandpipers busy waggling their butts and a single Knot, with the usual riff-raff of small plovers and an ever dwindling number of Stilts, plus 3 Little Terns, not the 100+ of the other day.

However the bird of the day was undoubtedly the Water Rail (photo by Alexandra). This bird obviosuly hadn't had its morning coffee or read the rules about skulking (or both) as it came ambling way out in to the open in front of the second hide on the eastern bank and then, with what I can only assume was a massive attack of agorophobia, did what all rails do when they see binoculars/cameras being trained on them - disappear at the greatest speed possible so all credit to Alexandra for getting this flight shot of it before it disappeared, never to be seen again.

31 August : Guadalhorce

2011-09-01T08:44:00.010+02:00

After Birgit had posted yesterday morning that she was going to the Guadalhorce to meet other birders, I rang her and asked if if she minded if I came along as I needed to get out for a while. So, at 16.00 we met at the church, having already seen an immature male Redstart as I had enetered by coming round by the schoool but said bird refused to show itself when we went round, but that's birding. Fortunately it wasn't too hot as there was a breeze as we headed first for the laguna Escondida where a pair of Little Gebes had 3 very young chicks, rather late I would have thought, and thence to the laguna Grande where Birgit was due to meet her contacts and from there we did not move for the next three hours as there was plenty to see.

We had already seen a couple of Little Terns at the laguna Escondida but the first thing that struck us was the huge quantity of them on one of the islets in the laguna Grande. I counted 94 on the deck but as birds were taking off whilst I counted there must have been well in excess of a hundred birds present, plus 2 juvenile Common Terns - one metal ringed - and a single Black Tern. At one point they all flushed, a scare and the reason was a small falcon which I am tolerably certain was a Hobby which flashed across by the eucalyptus trees. There were also a few gulls, mostly Black-headed but with single adults of Mediterranean, Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed.

A pair of Greenshanks dropped in and showed fantastically well in front of the hide whilst a single Redshank, one of four present which later took off together, rather noisily and headed off west, did what most birds do when they realise that someone is trying to photograph them, leg it off at high speed. This resting party of Little Ringed Plovers, most juveniles, did not do and did very little except settle down and sleep, as did a couple of Great Ringed Plovers. Way over there was a single Avocet and a pair of Dunlin and we also saw at least 4 Grey Herons.

From the hide we had brief views of 2 Yellow Wagtails, one a beautiful male of the flava race, identified by use of one of Birgit's photos and there was also a juvenile White Wagtail.
But the star was a Kingfisher which made good use of the stripped branches that Antono Tamayo (gold star Antonio) has put in for their and our convenience. They use them for fishing watch points which in turn allows we birders to see more than an electric blue flash as they pass across in front. These photos are nothing like those which Birgit has in her excellent web but at least gives one an idea.
So, in sum, a very pleasant afternoon's birding with the ever ebullient Birgit and three young ladies who are struggling with the beginning of birding and such joys as the separation and plumage differences of the three small plovers.

31 August : CABO DE GATA

2011-08-31T21:19:00.004+02:00

Well, now that I'm back from the UK and thawed out - why the hellI I go to the UK in August is beyond my comprehension but I did see Dave at the Rutland Bird Fair as well as Stephen Daly and the ubiquitous Bob Wright, and herewith the the first entry since my return, even beating my own visit to the Guadalhorce this afternoon with Birgit which I can now do in peace and tranquility tomorrow. So, fresh from the pen of Dave and Gilly, their day at Cabo de Gata. By the by, Dave, the photo didn't reproduce at all well so I removed it.

Can you believe it? Tomorrow is the 1st September! Doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself..... especially when you're getting older! We enjoyed ourselves today down at Cabo de Gata. Passing through Retamer Sur, on our way to Pujaire to meet up with Dave and Myrtle, Gilly spotted a pair of Rose-ringed Parakeet. After a reviving cup of coffee we headed to the first hide. A Roller was soon on the list together with numerous Red-rumped Swallows, feeding and resting up before continuing their journey south. There was lots to see on the water. Amongst the numerous Greater Flamingos (see count later) were Avocets, Black-winged Stilts and Slender-billed Gulls. I spotted a larger wader to our right, a Whimbrel, clearly showing its crown stripe. Iberian Yellow Wagtails were catching insects in the low scrub in front of us. On the waters edges were Greenshanks and Redshanks. A Hoopoe flew past as did a Sand Martin. Didn't see any House Martins or Swifts today. Think the Bee-eaters may also have migrated south. Then suddenly a mystery was solved as I spotted a Water Rail crossing the water, very close to where I saw a glimpse of a bird last week. On the causeway there were lots of Little Egrets. A short time later a Cattle Egret flew by as did a Turtle Dove. A Southern Grey Shrike was also seen.

The beach was busy with sunbathers and a group of Yellow-legged Gulls. Nothing was seen out to sea. We headed across the scrubland to the second hide. Here Gilly did her Greater Flamingo count with 985 seen from there. I estimate there must have been at least another 1,000 over the rest of the reserve. Also seen were 17 Grey Herons and 3 Shovelers. Numerous Little Terns were diving amongst the feeding Flamingos.

Next we went to the public hide. We added Black-tailed Godwit and Chiffchaffs to our list. There were numerous Sandwich Terns on the causeway to the right. We then split up as Dave's vehicle can't travel round the rear of the reserve. Gilly and I counted 50 Audouin's Gulls resting on the salina. A group of Willow Warblers taunted us along the fences in front of the car. Spotted a raptor sitting on a pylon. Through the scope I could see it was a Peregrine Falcon. Gilly then spotted a low flying raptor. A female Montagu's Harrier with a probable two more in the distance. We also saw a distant hovering Short-toed Eagle. There were less smaller waders round here due to the fact that we weren't the first people using the track. Lots of cyclists had been here before us scaring the waders away.

Even so, a great day. 42 species in total.

14 August : a rapid visit to Laguna Dulce

2011-08-14T12:00:00.005+02:00

Having awoken very early when there were still stars in the sky (not really, it was quite misty but it sounds good) I decided to undertake an early, rapid run to the Laguna Dulce at Campillos after Bob had phoned last evening to tell me that it was wall-to-wall birds and that he had seen a nice male Ferruginous Duck there yesterday afternoon. I also wanted to be on the way back early becase of the traffic which at this moment must be blocking Las Pedrizas and which I experienced last week on the way back from the flamingo ringing.

Needlessto say, no Ferruginous Duck but half the Andalusian population of Coots - you trying to find a Red-knobbed Coot in that lot unless it's under your nose and waving a bright blue flag! There were a lot of Red-crested Pochards which seem to have had a good breeding season, and plenty of other duck spp. with a few Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallards of course, some White-headed Ducks and some Pochards. It was nice too to see a good supply of Black-necked Grebes whilst Swallows, House Martins and the occasional Sand Martin fed over and through the columns of mossies over the reeds on the right looking from the hide.

There was a bit of mud in front of the hide where there were 3 or 4 Little Ringed Plovers - all juvs., one each of Green and Wood Sandpiper, a single Lapwing further over and a single Reed Warbler flitted amongst the reeds right under the observation holes (one can hardly call them windows). There was also a single juv. Purple Boghen. All short and sweet and nothing outstanding but I missed the traffic also!

10 August : Cabo de Gata

2011-08-11T18:19:00.008+02:00

Dave and company have been, like many a good solid British birder, out in the midday sun which can cause mental damage.... as he put down the date as 19 August! Into time travelling now, Dave? 'Cause I think that you'll have been at the Bird Fair on Sunday 19 August.

And I too think that it looks like a Black-eared, Dave. And if Dave will permit, when ring reading note which leg and if reading up or down and the presence of a metal ring on the other leg. Fuente de Piedra birds have rings which read upwards with a horizontal bar just below the top number, for example.

25th May....my god, is it that long since I've been to Cabo de Gata. What with the heat, tourists and the delights of the Sierra de Maria I have no regrets but do feel a little bit guilty! I left Gilly tucked up in bed as I left the house at 0600hrs to get down there at first light. My first surprise at the hide just outside Pujaire was that the water level was quite high, Weather wise there was a bit of a easterly breeze. The was a large group of Avocets feeding in a pack close to the hide. There were 100s of Greater Flamingos, Also seen were Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed and Slender-billed Gull, Little Egret, Redshank and Kentish Plover. Then noticed two largish waders flying to my right towards the grassland. An Eurasian Curlew followed by a smaller "Numenius" species. It was too distant to cause a heart stopping moment, so It went into the notebook as a Whimbrel. No, I really can't afford another weekly survey to check for Slender-billed Curlews! A couple of Greenshanks brought me back to reality.

I next checked the " pool" on the opposite side of the road. No water at all. In fact I drove round it only logging a Southern Grey Shrike. I then headed to the second hide. There were a group of Yellow-legged Gulls on the beach....beating the grockles! Disappointingly I didn't have a single addition to the list at the hide. No resident or migrating warblers seen or heard all day! There were some Sea Daffodils (Pancratium maritimum) in full flower...hope you're impressed, Mary!

Had a bit more luck at the public hide, adding Yellow Wagtail, Little Stint and Sanderling. Little and Sandwich Terns were seen. Huge numbers of Greater Flamingos here. Got to be nearing 1,000 for the day.....escaping the Fuente de Piedra count? There were more round the rear of the reserve, one of which was close enough for me to see the ID number ( black on white) JATT on its right leg. Also round the back were a small flock of 28 Audouin's Gulls, Curlew Sandpipers, Ringed Plovers and Dunlins. A Wheatear posed nicely on a fence. Think it was a Black-eared but checking in Collins it had characteristics of Northern as well. I'm sure someone will prove me an idiot!

All in all a good day. Only 32 species, but 3 mozzy bites.

Dave

6 August : flamingo ringing at Fuente de Piedra.

2011-08-08T12:35:00.033+02:00

This blog is slightly different to the others. In part it is a tribute to my friend Manolo Rendón, director of the laguna de Fuente de Piedra, and who I have had the privilege of knowing for more years than both of us care to remember. It is tribute to his organisation of the ringing of the flamingo chicks since that first, eventful and much more ad hoc affair back in 1986 and in which I had the pleasure of taking part. Talk about 'we few, we happy few, we band of extremely muddy brothers', which still applies and the memories which all those who have taken part over the years must have as this event is one of the greatest birding experiences, even though one may have serious doubts about ones sanity at times. There is the memory of Manolo Fernández-Cruz, dressed in yellow like a canary in that first ringing and the delicate effect of the dark grey mud on his outfit when he went full length. Or 1999, with water up to the navel and waiting in that for two hours, result of which many with cuts on legs got them infected and others, myself included, contracted cystitis which is not funny, especially when one is due to fly northwards in three days! It was also the last time I took part officially as my knees were giving signs of being a lost cause even back then.

Therefore, when Manolo most kindly invited me to take part in this, the 25th anniversary of the first ringing, I thought about, thought about what the knees and back would say, thought 'to hell with 'em' (or similar) and accepted. And I have no reason whatsoever to lament my decision, especally when staggering out, I heard a much muddied young lady of perhaps one third my years comment generally as to how she was going to feel on the morrow (Sunday) and the agreement of all around. I don't know how she felt but I wasn't at my brightest but neither was I as bad as anticipated on Sunday morning. But I digress. Also, all the images are small but by clicking on them they should enlarge without any problems.

On the Friday afternoon what only can be described as the gathering of the clan took place, to register, to see to which group and which task one has been assigned, given the correctly coloured shirt which designates which of the six groups with which one is placed, and then the briefing takes place. This is also a time of reunion, of meeting old friends in the bars afterwards and reminiscing and generally catching up on news. Some of the younger element go on all night and don't sleep. The older members go to a local hotel and try and get in some 3 or 4 hours, I managed nearly 4, before we have to meet the next morning around 04.30 at the bar El Chaqueta at the entrance to the village just off the A-92 autovía where we are supplied with much needed coffee and the well known madalena or bun. Something with which to line the stomach for what is to come.

As I was attached to the command group under Manolo to operate from the forward hide and from where he controlled the various surrounding groups which would drive the chicks towards the gathering pen, we were on our way by 04.40 and by 05.00 we were entering the lake. Along with José Sencianes and Rubén who were official photographers, Gustavo one of the guardas, a lass by name of Virginia and God knows who else, we went forward under the panoply of the universe, a magnificent black sky full of brilliant stars, much better than anything that Swarovski produces, a view not destroyed by city lights and which only those who go into the wilder places are privilged to see. And then the fun started.

Grasping firmly on to the 2m long canes provided, each a thick piece for easy gripping, we followed the prelaid flashing lights in single file, theoretically in silence but with the occasional muffled exclamations and occasionally splash as someone slipped (me, for example). Remember this was all in total darkness using only the ambient light from the stars, walking through water up to knee deep and with an extremely uneven and slippery bottom. Easy it was not and it seemed to take for ever to get through to the forward hide which overlooks the colony and it was from there, still in the darkness, that Manolo would coordinate whilst we waited.

By the by, remember that if you click on the photos they should enlarge.

Slowly the first signs of daylight appeared in the east and with the binoculars it was possible to make out the young flamingos which we could hear now silhouetted against the first reflected light on the water (L above). Then, slowly, we could make out the black figures of slowly moving figures (R above), each grasping a cane to aid in stability - the idea of Birnham wood coming to Dunsinane came to mind, whilst from above us Manolo issued the command orders as to which group should stop, slow, or increase speed. And meanwhile the flamingo chicks in front of us remained quiet until one or two heads were raised as they became aware that something was happening and that they were being surrounded and slowly started moving in the desired direction towards the arms of the corral as they were surrounded (L).
Once the chicks are corralled (R),the beaters go to their respective posts and assigned tasks, the ringing with the big alpha-numeric coded rings that can be read with telescopes and which have provided so much information over the decades, there is taking of biometric measurements and, most necessary, the flamingo carriers themselves (below centre). There are those that take blood and rectal sample for analysis and, regrettably but occasionally necessary, the veterinarians who deal with any injured birds. From there the birds are released (R below) and when all is finally done and all the 600 chicks plus a single adult that decided to run and not fly were ringed there was the release of those surplus birds from the corral (R below) under the control of the man himself, Manolo Rendón (L below).

One more little thing, but useful to flamingo researchers. The French flamingo workers at Tour du Valat, Camargue, have developed a website from where it is possible to find where and in which year a ringed bird received its ring. This is www.flamingoatlas.org and go to the language at the bottom right of the page, this available in French, English and Spanish amongst other languages and is easy to use (I can manage it so I'm certain that you can!).

Details of any ring read should be sent (in Spain) with details of date and site (give the province and in these days of GPS that reference if available) to anillamiento@ebd.csic.es or through
http://anillamiento.ebd.csic.es/ if it is Spanish ringed bird. In the huge fullness of time you should receive a reply with the history of the bird.

04 August : a morning on La Janda

2011-08-05T09:22:00.018+02:00

In view of the the aount of stuff piling up and today being a busy one before shoving off to see friends and the briefing for ringing the flamingos tomorrow, this will be short. Basically I was up early well before dawn on Thursday morn and met Stephen Daly of Andalucian Guides at the Apolo XI (I think) bar at Tahivilla at 09.00. Fortunately there was no problem at Houston and a coffee went down a treat - it usually does at any time between getting up and about 20.00h!
Stephen is like that well known beer that reaches parts that other beers don't and has access to parts of estates on La Janda which are closed off to normal beings, so t'was in there we went, wandering around the rice fields as well as going across to past the granja olorosa (you call what you want, I know what I like!) on the way towards Benalup before coming back part way down the central track towards Facinas before branching off in to the rice paddies again.

Birding was not heavy and we were not inundated with spp. or numbers, nothing like one day last week which saw around 5.000 White Storks and 15.000 Black Kites. Of course, we saw both and we also saw a few Short-toed Eagles - have you ever noticed the predilection these have for electricity pylons? Beats flying around, hovering and looking for reptiles any day! We saw very few Montagu's Harriers and Stephen tells me that most of the eggs/chicks from the southern end have been predated, which makes me think in terms of foxes or genets. Nearly forgot the Hobby which flew over the car near the mirador del Estrecho on the way.

Along the track between the bridge over the canal and going towards the granja olorosa, there are still plenty of Cattle Egrets and, rather nicer, the bundle of European Turtle Doves, proper ones,not those mentally retarded ones that wander around in roads waiting to be run over.
Along the banking by the rice paddies there were a lot, and I mean a lot, of Green Sandpipers - along one stretch alone we reckoned there must have been between 40 and 50 of them, not that they stay still long enough to get a decent view, much less a photo, as there's that sharp little call and a white butt moving away at high speed over the lush green rice. There were some Black-winged Stilts, including these 2 chicks of a family of 4 marching away at high speed, and also a few Little Ringed Plovers, this youngster being extremely obliging. The last species, seen just on the way out was a pair of Short-toed Larks, which are always nice to see.

So, that was a pleasant morning's birding in extremely pleasant company, as always. But all is not finished, and now for the gem of the day.

Up at the north end of La Janda there were two crop sprayers, both piloted by mates of Biggles (if you don't get that reference, I'm not explaining it but look up Capt. W.E. Johns on Google) busily spraying the crops against some vile bug, although I'm not sure that vile bugs might not be a better bet than whatever muck is being sprayed on.
But better still was the sight of three workers, suitably attired in plastic chemical and biological warfare suits, along with face masks and each carrying a different coloured umbrella. We wondered for one moment if we had come upon a modern, avant-garde version of rehearsals for The Mikado with three peculiar little maids from school, but no, they were the markers for each spray flight.

And apropos of absolutely nothing, for those who like to know these things (there's got to be one of you out there), it was a century ago this week that Mr. W.S. Gilbert, the brilliantly cynical and sarcastic librettist of the Savoy Operas died. If you want a laugh, read his letters to The Times on drivers speeding! So, 'a wandering birder I, a thing of shreds and patches ....'

3 August : Sierra de María

2011-08-04T20:20:00.006+02:00

My apologies to Dave and Gilly but I closed down early last night and have just opened up after this morning down at La Janda, which I shall post tomorrow.

It's been three weeks since we took Andy Tongue up to the Sierra de María. Today the usual motley crew of Dave, Myrtle, Brian and Mary were joined by Helen, who's a new near neighbour of today's location and a new member, Adrian, who lives near Helen. Having already seen Common Swift and a Jay on the ascent to the chapel our first big bird was a Short-toed Eagle. A Hoopoe flew over the car park, but not a lot else was seen round the chapel.

We headed up towards the Botanical Gardens seeing one or two Griffon Vultures gliding along the Mountain Ridge. Also seen were 3 Booted Eagles, 2 adults and a juvenile. Round the Information centre one bush contained 5 Subalpine Warblers. Immature Rock Buntings caused some ID problems. Also seen were Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper and Bonelli's Warbler.

The relatively fitter amongst us did the medium walk whilst the walking wounded did the lower walk. The lower group logged Long-tailed Tit and Robin, whilst the medium group saw amongst other birds, Coal Tits. Both groups joined up for the descent where we saw a Melodious Warbler and a Stonechat. Back near the chapel a family group of Woodchat Shrikes were seen.

We then headed to the La Piza cafe for a refreshment break, seeing Crossbill, Great Tit and BlueTit. At this point Brian and Mary headed home to prepare our lunch....are we spoilt or what!!
The rest of us headed down onto the plain. Both Raven and Carrion Crow were spotted as well as a juvenile Southern Grey Shrike. Rock Sparrow were around the water deposits. Down by the hamlet not a single Lesser Kestrel was to be found. There were however numerous Larks on a ploughed bit of ground next to piles of wheat. I suggest both Thekla and Crested were there as well as Short-toed Lark.

40 species in all. A good day's birding in the heat, so a cold lunch and a dip in the pool for some of us at Brian and Mary's was very welcome and appreciated indeed.

Dave & Gilly

1 August, Guadalhorce

2011-08-01T19:11:00.008+02:00

After a July which is best forgotten (excepting the afternoon up at Bob and Jenny's Golden Wedding do), and after a morning working on the penultimate illustration for the waterproof pelagic seabird book, an afternoon out, even in hot sunshine, seemed much needed. It was either that or murder at least two females in the family. So off I hied me to the Guadalhorce, with frankly very little hope in my heart but how mistaken I was going to be, as this brief entry will show.
Not a large total of spp., 34 of which no less than 10 were waders, which gives one a clue. Not that they were in massive numbers by any standard, that was left to the Black-headed and Audouin's Gulls along with a scattering of Med. and adult Lesser Black-backs - yes, early arrivals and at least 8 of them. A single Whiskered Tern on the laguna Grande was the only tern that I saw - and that after walking along the shore too - and it was the very devil to try and get even a half way decent shot.

The best was undoubtedly the waders and virually the first bird I saw when I arrived at the second hide which overlooks the ponds at the río Viejo was this little chap. Regrettably, the photo of this Marsh Sandpiper - always a good species to see and incredibly delicate, like porcelain - was against the light, like that of the Greenshank which it stood next to for a nice comparison shot. The there was a single Redshank and a flight of 5 vey nervous Dunlins which shot in like bullets. There were a couple of Curlew Sands. and a single, rather tatty, Grey Plover in full moult. There was a single Ringed Plover, back from breeding in the high north, and surprisingly only one or two Little Ringeds but still plenty of Kentish. Even the Stilts have given up their annual bout of hysterics even though there was one chick which couldn't have been more than 7 days old.

So, migration has started. I hope to get down to the La Janda area on Wednesday or Thursday and Friday afternoon-Saturday morning I shall be observing the annual flamingo ringing at Fuente de Piedra and so there will be some reports soon.

27 July: Sierra de los Filabres and some comments

2011-07-28T08:30:00.011+02:00

Yes, it has been a long time since the last input but I plead (a) the heat which has put many of us off going out but Dave E-B and the Arboleas Group did venture out (b) it being the generally recognised 'slack'season although migration is now starting, (c) I've been very busy and (d) things at home have been and are very busy, if not pear-shaped and about which I shall say little or now't but (e) will mention something about birders to avoid. So let's start with (a), Dave E-B's report of their visit to the Sierra de los Filabres on 27 July.

And before I forget, would Marie from Vera who wrote through the comments section please get in touch with me at : andy.birds (at) gmail.com

(a) 27 July : Sierra de los Filabres After a couple of weeks break due to family visits and a distinct lack of enthusiasm to burn in the oppressive heat, it was good to get out and about again with four other members of the group. Dave, Myrtle, Gilly and I headed up into the Los Filabres behind the town of Tijola. At the bridge in the valley we met up with Brian and Mary who had thankfully recovered from her recent fall. We'd spotted Common Swift on our way up as well as 100s of House Martins on one of the power lines. A Golden Oriole had been heard prior to our arrival and they'd also seen a Grey Wagtail. Above us there were lots of Crag Martins and Red- rumped Swallows. Up on the ridge we saw Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush. A Kestrel also made a brief appearance.

We ascended to the layby overlooking the valley. Not many birds around. Both Thekla Lark and scruffy-looking Black-eared Wheatears were seen. A Sparrowhawk shot past. We could hear but not see Bee-eaters and similarly another Golden Oriole.

Next we headed to the disused copper mine, seeing a Turtle Dove on the way. Again birds were uncharacteristically hard to find here, but we did add Coal Tit and Black Redstart to the list.

Onward and upward to the Observatory. Here there were numerous Northern Wheatears and large flocks of Linnets. Chaffinch and Serin were also spotted. No sign of any Rock Thrushes.

After lunch at Bacares we headed home. I spotted a large bird of prey on a pylon. It was virtually at eye level as Dave stopped his car. Where was the camera? In the boot! As I slipped my seat belt off the Short Toed Eagle effortlessly glided away into the valley below. Oh well, c'est la vie! (english translation....BO**OCKS!!)

Ended up with a not so good 27 species, but a good time was had by all and that's all that matters.

(b) The 'slack' season. There is now some movement and down in the Strait the first White Storks and Black Kites are moving back over towards Africa. Rare terns seen up at Chipiona (Cádiz) in the past week include Lesser Crested and Roseate and up to 6 spp. of terns at once have been seen and photographed Here there has been a fall in numbers of Common and Pallid Swifts as they're pulling out. Stephen Daly tells of fair numbers of juv. Montagu's Harriers on La Janda, I shall endeavour to get down next week.

(c and d) Pear-shaped. Due to circumstances beyond my control but with which I have total sympathy, the two seabird books which few have been awaiting with bated breath will not be published this year. However, I have found a home for the water-proof pelagic guide and have been busy redrawing and tarting up some of the illustrations, not a lot but it is an amazingly time consuming task and one really does have to be in the mood - and I'm not talkng about artistic sentiments, and between that and other pear-shaped events and going shopping (I hate bloody supermarkets!) and thinking about food and shopping (even worse) the time has been well absorbed and I've still got three sheets to finish redrawing before I go off to the UK in mid August to upset Yorkshire, present pear-shaped circumstances permitting.

(e) Birders to avoid. Last Saturday was the golden wedding anniversary of Bob (he of the Axarquía Group) and his long-suffering wife Jenny. As I understand it is the custom, there was a huge bash and they very kindly invited, without thinking how they might lower the tone, a few of the birders who I mention from time to in this blog.
So, in order that you may learn how to identify us and flee before getting mixed up with us, you will now be able cast your eyes upon the photo and see what we look like! (l-r) Dave Elliott-Binns, Mick Richardson, self, Stephen Daly and Bob Wright himself. Photo by Patricia Daly who did the best of a bad job lot who would be more suitable on the antiques programme 'Going for a song'. As at least three of us like Gilbert and Sullivan, it could be a case of 'a wandering birder I, a thing of threads and patches ....etc.' ! I wish to point out that my lurch is because Bob and myself were supporting Stephen and his mass is greater than mine.

1 July : Guadalhorce

2011-07-01T17:37:00.015+02:00

It was under definitely grey and unwelcoming skies that Federico and myself met at the church at 08.00, not to pray for good birding as the uncharitable may think, but for better car safety. In fact, we didn't really hope for too much given the time of year but we were to be pleasantly surprised, starting with a Spotted Flycatcher within 20m of starting off. By the time we had got to the bridge we had seen the Barn and Red-rumped Swallows and House Martins, and also a single juvenile Nightheron which overflew and by the time we had crossed a Great White Egret had also flown up river. Along the east bank the birding was fairly normal, with a Reed Warbler singing by the laguna de la Casilla and on the water in the front of the first hide there were some White-headed Ducks with a group of 4 males still busy harrassing a poor little female.
From the second hide there was at least mud to be seen and if there's mud there should be waders and there were. A couple of Redshanks and a single Green Sandpiper which was harried off by Stilts, a nice male Blue-headed Wagtail and a few juvs. of this, plus a juv. White Wagtail. But what did surprise us both, both at that hide and further down on the río Viejo was the number of juv. plovers, both Little Ringed and especially Kentish, this latter surprising us because we both had been under the impression that they had suffered a bad breeding season.
Down on the wide part of the río Viejo there was a nice smattering of gulls, especially Audouin's of which we read 8 ring numbers, a few Black-headed and juv. Yellow-legged, but surprisingly no Mediterranean Gulls. It was at this point that it actually managed to rain! Not a lot, but definitely wet enough not to be an illusion, which was when we started back towards first the laguna Escondida en then the laguna Grande.
There was actually little to see apart from a juv. Woodchat Shrike until we got close to the laguna Grande when a biggish bird with a grey back flushed out, flew some 15m down the track in front of us, dived in to a tamarisk and peeped out out at us to reveal itself as a Great Spotted Cuckoo (left). I couldn't get a bead on it with my camera but Federico managed to digiscope it and herewith the evidence.
Also at the laguna and within reasonable distance there was the 1st summer Little Gull (right), now moulting, which has been there for several weeks and also a a few 1st summer Mediterranean Gulls which were joined briefly by an incredibly smart adult still in full breeding plumage (below).

All in all, a surprisingly good morning with a total of 39 spp., although it would have been nice to have had better light for photographic purposes.

29 June, Sierra María

2011-06-30T10:58:00.003+02:00

Dave and Gilly's account of their solitary and fruitful visit to Sierra María (Almería) on 29 June whilst I was at the opposite end of Andalucía.
Gilly and I were on our own on this visit to the Sierra de Maria. The weather was hot & sunny. As we arrived at the chapel we saw an adult Booted Eagle soaring above us. (Heard from a ranger later that there was a nest in the area). The water trough was crowded with 14 Crossbills with a single Cirl Bunting waiting its turn on a fence.

We headed up to the Botanical Garden, seeing a Woodchat Shrike on the way. Near to the "steel" tree, Gilly spotted some Firecrests. My MP3 player got them interested enough for a photo opportunity. The sound of Blue Tit chicks came from a nestbox. The most numerous birds were Bonelli's Warblers. We also saw Short-toed Treecreepers, Great Tits and Goldfinches. A lone Mistle Thrush sang from a pine tree top. Above us at least 25 Griffon Vultures flew over, but that number is nothing to the 200+ seen by Brian and Mary at the feeding station the previous week!! On our walk up and down dale we saw Melodious Warbler, Coal Tit and a high soaring Sparrowhawk. As we returned to the chapel we heard a Golden Oriole.

We made a welcome refreshment stop at La Piza, seeing only Crossbill and Short-toed Treecreeper. We didn't stop at the farm buildings as there were roadworkings going on, so we headed on to the plain, where the lines of field dividing rocks where many larks and wheatearz perch, were being loaded onto a dumper truck for hardcore for the road widening. We did manage to see Northern and Black-eared Wheatears and both Crested and Thekla Larks. At the area by the water deposit we saw Rock Sparrows and 3 Turtle Doves. Around the hamlet 8 Lesser Kestrels were present.

We'd been invited to take lunch with Brian and Mary at their home in Chirivel so headed over the mountain pass, adding a Stonechat to the list. Mary had a fall last week & bruised her hip. We wish her a speedy recovery.

36 species for the day.

29 June, La Janda

2011-06-29T17:43:00.013+02:00

I knew that there was something wrong about today when I awoke at 06.00 and nothing was hurting. That meant (putting it in Victorian style) That Something Ought To Be Done. Which meant going down to La Janda, in spite of knowing that it would be (a) warm and (b) there probably wouldn't be a lot to see as we are in the dead period. And I was right on both counts but I have a couple of interesting points to raise and comments would be welcome.

So, having loaded Luna in the car along with water for her, camera, 'scope and all the usual paraphernalia, we were down at Bolonia with the forlorn hope of seeing both the rare swifts. And did I? Did I hell. Yes,I saw an adult Egyptian Vulture also Griffons and a Blue Rock Thrush and the usual Stonechats. So after half an hour it was on for a quick coffee and on to La Janda.

Currently it looks more like some part of China with the rice paddies and all one needs is lots of little people in funny hats to complete the picture. There are plenty of Stilts and I saw a couple of Green Sandpipers - 1st summer non-breeders or failed adult breeders? - and a single Pratincole but no other waders. A few White Storks were stalking around (joke) and there were a few, not more than half a dozen, Glossy Ibises, both adults and young birds and a couple of Purple Boghens flashing their white butts amongst the greenery. Along the canal there was still one Great Reed Warbler giving full voice in what is also laughingly known as song in its case and also at least 3 Reed Warblers also singing away happily. On the other hand, a single adult Nightheron (Black-crowned if you want be picky) refused to be photographed but showed well in flight but unfortunately trying to photograph on at 30 km/h. has little to recommend it.

But the place was wall to wall - or paddy to paddy if you prefer that - with Cattle Egrets. It didn't matter where you looked, the damned things were everywhere, flying, walking, standing looking daft as only a Cattle Egret can. I have never seen so many in many life and I can't be accused of exaggerating if I claim there were thousands of them around the paddies, and if you think that's overstating the case, then will you accept tens of hundreds? And I found out the reason once I had crossed the bridge at the north end of the canal.

Those who know the area will know that whilst the track is awful (and it hasn't got any better) there is a very productive line of trees on the left side. For some reason that has been taken over by Cattle Egrets and there are nests, more or less densely packed, along a good 600m long strip. And there are Cattle Egrets everywhere along there with adults still in breeding plumage, such as George on the right here. One or two birds are still incubating and there are some quite young birds still in down, with many others which are on the verge of flight. At one point further on, I saw about 500 or so in the tops of the flowering sunflowers. Will they eat unripe, budding sunflower seeds or were they looking for insect life? I don't know.

I feared that the egrets would have driven out the European Turtle Doves as that stretch has always harboured large numbersof this delicate dove and there are undoubtedly less, but there were still quite a few around. It really was very pleasant to stand and listen to their soft cooing, reminding me of areas of East Yorkshire where they were quite common when I were a lad (Yorkshire expression), long before those blasted Collared Doves made their appearance and I remember too seeing my first Collared Dovers, then a major rarity, around 1957 or so. They've even made to the USA and they aren't going to know what's hit them!

The other intersting thing to day was something I saw a year or so ago with Federico, the presence of Black Kites in heavy moult, and I do mean heavy! Without looking back through notebooks, I believe that we saw somewhere around 20, today I saw over 35. Some of them, such as the bird shown here, were in a pretty pathetic state of moult and I presume that these are first summer birds (i.e., birds born last year) undertaking their first full wing moult. One must presume that the birds sitting together are practising to be Christmas decorations. Along this stretch a single Melodious Warbler turned upin the oly bsh in sight before reaching the smelly farm.

By the by, Stephen Daly (bless the little chap) takes issue with me calling it the smelly farm and gives its real name in his blog. I don't care what it real name is in Spanish, Daly, but if you so desire I shall rename it La Granja Olorosa (remember that, dear readers). Past there on the way to Benalup, there was a single Booted Eagle, some very distant Griffon Vultures and 3 Short-toed Eagles, 2 with dark heads and this much lighter headed bird, probably an immature according to recent correspondence in the Spanish avesforum.

By the by, the guru/god of bird of prey identification, Dick Forsman, who is also a thoroughly nice chap to boot, is on the point of bringing out a new guide to raptor identification. I know what I'm going to buy myself for Christmas! Who wants socks and handkerchieves for the 27th time?

22 June : río Almanzora/Vera

2011-06-22T19:06:00.010+02:00

Don't talk about expenses, Dave! My bank account hasn't recovered from the North Carolina trip and won't until at least October, I reckon. And there's me costing out what a spring Thursday-Tuesday weekend's birding in New York would cost! Anyone interested? Central Park and Jamaica Bay around the end of April-beginning of May? Warblers and other migrants and waders.

Having sent an expensive week in the UK, I was glad to get back to some relaxing birdwatching in the company of Gilly and Helen. Sadly Helen is intending to move to the Aguilas area shortly, so she got to chose the destination of her final trip. Hence we headed the short distance to the rambla at the Rio Almanzora. We noted a Green Woodpecker and a Roller on the approach drive. The best bird we saw on the rambla itself was a nicely perched Little Owl. There was no water on the actual ford, but a steady stream making its way uner the road into the reeds and scrubland. Zitting Cisticolas were the most prominent species, but we did hear a Reed Warbler as well. The Policia Local made an appearance and were well impressed with my telescope picking out a family of Woodchat Shrike on a distant power line.

We then headed down towards the beach. The large flat area adjacent to the moorish tower has been ploughed up, we gather, to prevent an influx of gypsies but it wouldn't have pleased nomadic motorhome owners or the local model aeroplane club. There's still vehicle access round the periphery to the beach. A pair of Turtle Doves were churring in the shrubs. On the beach were about 10 Kentish Plovers and there were 3 Audouin's Gulls on the rocky outcrop. A Little Ringed Plover was seen flying, as was a Sand Martin with the numerous Barn Swallows and House Martins.

After a refreshing cup of coffee in the village of Villaricos we headed along the coast to Vera. At the roundabout prior to the Aquaparc we turned right onto the dual carriageway. Coming back on yourself at the first roundabout you get a good view from the parking lane on to the expanse of shallow water below. It seemed to be a haven for breeding Black-winged Stilts and Black-headed Gulls. Examples of both species decided to mob me even though I was a good 50 metres from them.
Gilly spotted a Slender-billed Gull. Not a lot else apart from Coots and Little Egrets.

Going back to the main road we came off at the Aquaparc roundabout onto rough ground to the right which overlooked other parts of the lake.On this section there were 6 Whiskered Terns resting and on the next pool were 3 male White-headed Ducks.

Only 33 species. We wish Helen well in her new house. Her first job is to sort out some good birding spots so the group can descend upon her for the day.

The pictured plant is a Yellow-horned Poppy (Glaucium flavum) on Villaricos beach. For Mary, happy birthday for Friday!!

16.-17 June, summer hath come

2011-06-17T19:26:00.008+02:00

A brief bit on two short mornings out birding, yesterday 16/06 to the Guadalhorce in the morning and today, 17/06, to Fuente de Piedra.

Going in to the Guadalhorce, there were some 60-70 House Martins, mostly young, resting on the beam facing in to the early morning sun. At the Guadalhorce I had the fortune to run into Juan Ramírez and Sergio (whose surname I was never given) and apart from haring about Juan's birding/working trips to Madagascar (which he summarised as being full of nasty biting and stinging insects) and Israel (great birding) there wasn't much to see as we are now in the slack period before the start of autumn migration in another month. I didn't go further than the laguna Grande and the Escondida as my knees are giving me all kinds of hell ever since I came back from the US of A.The stilt chicks are growing up and their parents aren't quite as hysterical as before. There are still flotillas of ducklings are varying ages but basically as well terribly normal except for seeing a Cuckoo on the way out, the only one I've seen this year

I was really rather late in leaving for Fuente de Piedra and instead of being there before 0830, didn't make until at least an hour later having left the fog (yes, FOG, three days worth) behind on the coast. It was hot, there were mosquitos and heat haze, and the lake is beautiful and full of flamingos, of course. Apart from resident and noisey Stilts and always elegant Avocets and a single male Kentish Plover, the surprise on this date was a pair of Islandic race Black-tailed Godwits in breeding plumage, with a notable size difference. Heaven knows if they were 1st summer non-breeding birds late in returning north or failed breeders returning south,I suspect the former. The photo came out badly because of heat haze and light position but it's here for what little it's worth.
What there is a lot of is Gull-billed Terns. I can't remember having seen so many for years, they're all over the shop, and if anyone is any doubt as to what one is like and how to differentiate from Sandwich Tern, just take a visit. Also this year, and must be at least 12 years since the last time, Slender-billed Gulls are breeding way out in the centre of the lake but there are usually a few of these long-nosed, giraffe-necked gulls on the laguneta del Pueblo and this morning I had good views of four of them. Oh yes, and it was hot!

Cape Hatteras : 18 May - 1 June (part 2- other birds and things)

2011-06-12T11:13:00.022+02:00

This is the second part of the Cape Hatteras trip account and inorder to help with orientation, click on the map on the right to
amplify it. Strictly speaking, Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks start just where there is the right angle in the road at the top of the map, a little above where is says something about the Wright Brothers and their first flights at Kitty hawk (a national monument) and contnues for many miles until one arrives at the village of Hatteras in the south, just before the sound which separates the island of Ocracoke. All this is a national reserve with some large beach areas totally closed off to visitors by the National Park Service in order to protect the breeding areas of plovers and terns, and also this year a pair of American Oystercatchers (which I failed to see), much to the annoyance of the off-road 4WD fraternity who believe it is their god-given right to go where they please and who blast their horns at any birders they see, some of whom reply with a single finger salute.

I highly recommend possession of 'Where to watch birds in North Carolina' and the copying of the relevant pages in view of the weight of the book. As I was going to have little free 'not-at-sea' time I decided to concentrate on the southern part from the splendid Pea Island, so good that I visited it thrice, on the Water Association Road to the north of Buxton and also the the salt ponds. I was also later to visit Bodie island and Alligator Swamp on the return to Coinjock and Norfolk but with the thermometer at more than 35ºC and an exceedingly high humidity, to which there were assaults by the combined airforces of mosquitoes and deer flies which take out lumps of flesh, and that in spite of using the highy recommended insecticide Off which was supposed to keep them clear, as well as the hordes of ticks. For the first time in my life I have actually been bitten by ticks, three of the unspeakable little creatures, but none really managed to get a hold and start to have a suck of the Paterson blood. Perhaps the high coffee content in my blood stream kept them at bay? However, the area does harbour Lyme's Disease and other undesirable infections and if one really is bitten and sucked, consultation with a doctor would be advisable, especially if a rash apears around the bite.

I arrived Coinjock at Coinjock the nigt of 17 May and the following morning, 18 May, almost the first bird I saw was this well coloured Barn Swallow (L) whose colouration was very different and cntrasted notably with all the others. There was also a nest at each end of the small motel building (R).
LIke any good birder, I was wandering around with my binoculars and noting down the first species, such as the Purple Martin (L) and the American Robin (R) when a old lady invited me to have an early morning coffee (the best all the trip, they do not know how to make good coffee and Starbuck's is unspeakably bad) with her on her porch. Towmore of her neighbours joined us and they were fascinated by the idea that a Brit. living in Spain should come and see the birds in their area. There is almost a Purple Martin cult, as many homes have a Purple Martin apartment block in the garden, with various sections for this colonial species. This is not quite as altruistic as is sounds, as the Martins undoubtedly take vast number of obnoxious insects.

There too I saw the one and only Eastern Bluebird of the trip but it was very wary and did not allow me to get sufficiently near for a photograph. There were also the first first European Starlings of the trip (big deal!) and also Northern Mockingbirds (R above), enchanting birds, one of which in Hatteras often stated singing at 03.30 in the morning! There to I saw my first ever House Finch (R), a superbly coloured little male, and all of these carrying on life whilst an Osprey (above L) patrolled the river in search of breakfast.
But it was time for me to move south.I stopped briefly at Kitty Hawk and paid $4 to see the monumento to the Wright Brothers,well laid out and full of gawping tourists but time enough to see the first of several Brown-headed Cowbirds (L, photo at Pea Island). My first real programmed stop was at Pea Island with other stops on the way.
Pea Island is a variety of habitats, some open to the public by trails, others totally closed off in the interests of the birds. The water areas, the impoundments, can have their water levels regulated by sluices in the best interests of the migratory waders (water birds to the Americans although some illuminated do call them waders). There is a visitors' centre with ample information,maps and checklists, no less than four Zeiss 85 'scopes for observation from the centre, although cleaning the windows would have helped considerably, and a well marked pathwich leads to a raised platfor from where one can look out over further marshland with saw grass (it was there I saw the only American Bittern of the trip). Indeed, most of the waders and the herons, egrets and so on, I saw there, as well as a decent number of passerines.

The only waders seen outside the Pea Island area where the Whimbrel (American race), Sanderling - these in breeding plumage (R), Killdeer (L) and Piping and Kentish/Snowy Plovers, plus a Grey/Black-bellied Plover and some 50 plus (Red) Knot in a variety of plumages on a sand bar by the sound to the open sea,and not forgetting the 3 Red-necked Phalaropes we saw at least 30 miles out to sea heading northwards. I trust that you have noted the evident bilinguistic aspect of this report here!

In the inundated area, and they are large, of Pea Island there were not just the waders but a oodly selection of herons and egrets. To start with the waders, there were considerable numbers, various hundreds without a doubt, of Semipalmeated Sandpipers (R) and a few Greater Yellowlegs (L), in competition with the Black-necked Stilts (L). There were a few pairs of Semipalmeated Plovers and in the photo (R) the palmeated base to the toes clearly vsible. Another wader seen both there and on the beach was the Willet and there were examples of both the eastern and western races, while along the water's edges on Pea Island and also at the Buxton Salt Ponds there were also a few Dunlin, Least and White-rumped Sandpipers, plus a few Short-billed Dowitchers, with one or two in breeding plumage although I only managed one of this bird still in winter plumage (L).

Waders aside, there was also a good variety of terns at Pea Island. Leaving aside the Arctic and Bridled Terns seen at sea, there no less than 7 more, headed by the enormous Caspian Tern (L) down to the diminutive Least Tern, American version of the Little, with the delightful Royal Tern, Gull-billed, Sandwich, Forster's and Common to make up a respectable total of 9 tern species, which is not bad by anyone's standards.

And if Pea Island was not bad for terns, it was positively good for egrets, herins and the like, with no less than 12 species ranging from the solitary examples of American and Least Bitterns (this their version of our Little Bittern and I had seen neither since Andros in 1971!) and the same went for the Little Blue Heron, with daily observations of these and Great White Egrets (R) and Tricolored Heron, the ubiquous Cattle Egret and a Green Heron, also seen along the Water Association Road, the beautiful Snowy Egret, the giant Great Blue Heron, a single Black-crowned Nightheron which overflew and a few Glossy Ibises which were outnumbered by daily sightings of several White Ibises (L).

Neither must the passerines be overlooked on Pea Island as we both heard and saw the noisey Song Sparrow (L) but only heard an equally noisey Carolina Wren, in spite of being almost on top of it at times. And as ever, the accompanying background noise of the multiple and varied calles of the Red-winged Blackbirds, these wherever one goes on the Outer Banks. On the other hand, the presence of the Rufous-sided Towhees (R) was much more limited.

At Buxton, the road off to the old light on the north side of the village is very fruitful because of a short trail through the woods by the parking space on the right, although knowing the calls would be a huge asset. I visited the tiny British sailors' cemetery with its two headstones, one unknown sailor of the Royal Navy and one from the Merchant Navy and an informative plaque (L). Further on, taking the turn to the camp site or, better parking by the pond on the leftand then walking, take the track to ramp 44 and then a short path through the bushes, although this had been opened out by my last visit. Here one must take care as there are poisonous snakes, including water mocassins, these are highly poisonous.

It was there that I was able to photograph these female King Rail (R), not brilliantly as it was hardly sunrise. There was also a very bonny example of Eastern Meadowlark which showed well in the now risen sun (L). It was in the Salt Pond and on the nearby roped-off beach that a Park Service warden had reported seeing a Red-billed Tropicbird whose nearest nesting grounds are in Puerto Rico whilst we wee there but none that I knew had seen it. What we did see was a nice male Black Scoter with its enormous yellow protuberance on the upper mandible, and as earlier we had seen a female White-winged Scoter near the harbour entrance these weretwo nice and rather unexpected additions to the list. There too were more Least Terns, Gull-billed Terns and various waders, including Short-billed Dowitchers, and several female Black Ducks, each with a flotilla of ducklings although some were somewhat reduced in number.
Before going to the last site I visited I must mention the presence of there spp., two of these the grackles, the Common (above L) and the Boat-tailed with its white eye (above R), this a recent coloniser according to Brian. They too were everywhere and the males of each showed a magnficent irridescence when seen well in sunshine, apart from being quite noisey. Here too I should mention the presence of the Mourning Doves (above centre), also common as they either shuffled nosily along roadsides or sat together on wires and filled the air with the lugubrious call which sounded like mournful lighthouse with the mute on.

The last site I visited and have mentioned earlier is the Water Association Road, it too to the north of Buxton. It is best to go at first light, just after dawn, and to be well versed in the calls - something which I was not. It's not a long walk but can quite easily take an hour with all the necessary stops. It was along there that I saw the Cardinal, there were at least 3 pairs in little more than1 km. and one sp. which is not difficult to confuse! A Northern Flicker tried to demolish a dead tree briefly, the same one in which the Cardinal had perched and displayed and where the pair of Blue Jays, the one shown with its mouth full of nesting material (L), also used. A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (below L) buzzed back and forth a couple of times and perched on the wire to warm up in the morning sun, something which I have seen hummers often do in the Bahamas.
All this is a very long list and I haven't mentioned the Grey Catbirds which were quite common, neither the two species of crow, the American and Fish Crows which were also common. I haven't said anything about the Sand Martin which passed us over 30 miles out to sea and which should have easily reached land, nor about the male Yellow Warbler (R) which landed on the boat at a similar distance, allowed itself to rest a while and be photographed but regrettably took off again. I doubt that it would have reached land.

I have said nothing about the return northwards when I visited Bodie Island - not really worth it - and also the Alligator Swamp to the west of Manteo when the access was restricted because of underground turf fires burning - we had smelled the smoke 35 miles out and 100 miles south one morning - and which was outstanding for a temerature of nearly 40ºC and the enormous biomass of mosquitos and deer flies which made life nearly impossible. The visit was redeemed only by the sighting of a pair of Turkey Vultures (L) and by a male Indigo Bunting. Discrection is better than valour when faced with such adversity.

I have said nothing about the marine mammals, of the Bottle-nosed and Spotted Dolphins and the Pilot Whales and the Sperm Whale (above L). Neither have mentioned the Portuguese Man o'War jellyfish (centre), floating happily along on the 4-5 knots of the Gulf Stream, nor of the turtles, including this splendid Leatherback (R) who kept yawning, obviously bored out of his mind and pondering on the meaning of life.

I had a great time and saw a total of 109 species, according to my notes, which isn't bad considering that 2 days were spent travelling and there were only 3 for land birding, with 10 at sea where the specific variety is rather more limited.

CHECKLIST
Great Northern Dive, Fea’s Petrel, Black-capped Petrel, Cory’s Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Audubon's Shearwater, Wilson’s Storm-petrel, European Storm-petrel, Leach’s Storm-petrel, Madeiran Storm-petrel, White-tailed Tropicbird, Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Great White Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tricoloured Heron, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Nightheron, Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Mute Swan, Mallard, American Black Duck, Gadwall, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Clapper Rail, King Rail, Grey Plover, Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Snowy Plover, Black-necked Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Whimbrel, Turnstone, Sanderling, Knot, Dunlin, White-rumped Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Red-necked Phalarope, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Laughing Gull, American Herring Gull, Glaucous Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Caspian Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Forster’s Tern, Arctic Tern, Least Tern, Bridled Tern, Black Skimmer, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood Peewee, Great. Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Grey Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Towhee, Seaside Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Sparrow, House Finch