We were on our way past Clot de Gaveney where we found the three scrapes covered with reeds and with nothing else visible. The second hide gave good views of the water that in parts was covered with algae. Nevertheless, we had good sightings of Pallid Swifts skimming the water with both types of Swallows. We were lucky enough to see a male Little Bittern fly. As we walking out on this sunny morning there was a snake warming up, but it quickly went into the vegetation and disappeared under a stone. Bryan had a very good sight of it and saw the markings. It was well over a meter in length and with a girth the size of a man's forearm. Some snake then and possible a Montpellier or in Spanish a 'Culebra Bastarda' and not one to mess with. It is mildly venomous with back facing fangs and can grow up to 2 metres. They can be feisty. For more information go to iberiannature.com where there are some photographs that will allow you to identify what you have seen although sightings can be brief because they can move fast.
Then we headed for a known site for our first target and within minutes we heard one calling and then one flew right past me. All three of us had very good views of this rarity.
We moved on and found an Audouin's Gull perched on a rock and photographable. (This gull is fairly common on this coast). On the N332, almost opposite, the turning for the 'Playa Las Brisas, we turned in right in the direction of the salinas.
This unmade road has a barrier, but inset, so that there is ample room to park. However, do not leave any property on show and stay within sight of the vehicle. Here a Purple Heron stood in the shallow water.
It later flew presumably having being 'seen off' by a Grey Heron. A Squacco was easily seen. A Yellow Wagtail walked on the weeds and both Little and Whiskered Terns flew
The Salt Tower yielded very little except for Yellow Legged Gulls including one noisy chick with Little Terns flying over.
El Pinet was more productive with Avocets and chicks, Common Terns and with two Sandwich Terns flying past. A Kentish Plover was in its usual place and Collared Pratincoles were also there.
We still had our second target to achieve and so we took the smaller roads leading towards El Hondon. Strangely there was not a great deal to see although Bee-eaters were calling and seen in flight. We took a dirt road and found a habitat that Tree Sparrows seem to prefer. Here there is a large tree and a fence on which they perch. Excellent views once again, but expect to see them mixed in with House Sparrows. Nearby Kestrels- all common - flew and perched and then sitting on a wire was one solitary Roller. We know of other sites where these birds can be seen, but now we were into a hot afternoon and a time to relax and head for home.
In terms of numbers it was poor, but quantity is not everything and the views that we had were very good. The two target birds were achieved for Jim. I had wonderful company and it was a pleasure to be out and about.
No comments:
Post a Comment