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
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