ANOTHER FEW HOURS WELL SPENT

I did go to El Hondo last Saturday morning and it is clear that the birds are arriving with much more song in the air. We had Moustached, Cetti's, Reed and Great Reed Warblers calling all around the main hide. Some of the usual culprits were on view but things are on the move. Montagu's were there, there was a Booted Eagle perched and showing well but only one or two Marsh Harriers to be seen, fortunately, not too many mosquitos. It was a pleasure to talk with a French birder who knew his 'stuff' and to share a common interest with. Likewise, a Spanish family were there with binoculars and cameras showing a lot of interest in the birds. They appreciated viewing some species through our scopes.

This morning I went to El Pinet which is on the border of La Marina and Santa Pola. I find this site to be an excellent one for good vision, closeness of the water and the birds. The islands are fairly close too.

Opposite the car park I saw a Kentish Plover(Chorlitejo Patinegro) with others to be seen easily. Slender-billed Gulls(Gaviota Picofino) were on the water looking clean cut and beautiful with Avocet(Avoceta Común) and Black-winged Stilts(Cigüeñuela Común)feeding around them. However, I had not come to see these but for the terns. The nearest island was home to the Common Terns(Charrán Común) and the other main island was home to Sandwich Terns(Charrán Patinegro). The air was full of them together with numerous Barn Swallows. Two Mediterranean Gulls(Gaviota Cabecinegra) were preening in full view and thus giving an easy view of them for me. I knew that the Collared Pratincoles(Canestera Común) had arrived and they afforded excellent views on the shingle banks but not close enough for the camera.

I was looking at Curlew Sandpipers(Correlinos Zarapatín) when I met Spanish birders from San Sebastián who confirmed my identification of the Curlew Sandpipers.

Next a Yellow Wagtail(Lavandera Boyera or possibly one of the other sub-species passing through and sorry no photo) appeared, flying, feeding and perched. it was a superb yellow underneath with a bluish head and with a greenish back. Striking and beautiful.

On the way home I stopped close to the intersection of the Lemon Tree Road and the Crevillente Road which has always been a very good site for viewing harriers. There was a male Montagu's (Aguilucho Cenizo) flying overhead and showing clearly all the markings. It then flew over the reed beds in good view for about ten minutes. After passing through Los Montesinos and driving along La Marquesa another male Montagu flew over. I think that was a good morning.

I know that I had a much easier morning than the incoming birds who not only had to contend with the vagaries of the natural world but also the guns of the hunters after they have crossed over from Africa. There is a needless slaughter going on where they are shot out of the sky with modern weapons, to be laid out, lined up with a posing hunter so that the world can see what he has achieved. It is difficult to know what to think about people who shoot for pleasure, to show how skillful they are and then to pose for the world to see. If I did what I am thinking of doing it would be called murder!

Photos taken by me on a Canon 40D with at Tamron 18-270 mm Lens.

Avocet, Kentish Plover and Curlew Sandpiper