An Ample Roller Day

Tuesday 2nd August with a forecast of sun and at least 30 degrees we nevertheless picked Bryan up in Gran Alacant. As Clot de Gaveney was close by we spent a few unsuccessful minutes there before we made an attempt to see a Rufous Bush Chat. However this area did yield a Spotted Flycatcher. We moved on quickly via N332 to the area opposite Las Brisas where this lagoon has quickly become a favourite spot of ours. A Zitting Cisticola immediately flew, calling as it went. A Purple Heron and a Squacco showed well. A Mediterranean Gull flew together with Whiskered Terns. It should start to hold more birds here when the waders continue to arrive.

Our next stop was the Salt Tower that fortunately yielded a flying Spoonbill and nothing much else of interest. We moved on to El Pinet which was much more productive. Common Terns were very evident on the nearest island with both Little and Sandwich Terns seen. We were surprised when a number of Collared Pratincoles took to the air. Two juvenile birds were in close proximity and were photographed. There must have been at least two hundred Pratincoles and in the distance we saw about 80 Glossy Ibis in flight. A Redshank was seen feeding with one Black-tailed Godwit.

We then headed inland towards El Hondo in search of our target bird for the day and for Ian, our guest. Eventually we had numerous sightings of both perched and flying Rollers and they were so good to see in the summer heat. A juvenile Common Kestrel perched to be photographed.

We passed some fields that were in the process of being flooded and these yielded many Cattle Egrets and some Glossy Ibis. At San Felipe Neri water was being introduced into the nearest lagoon. It had a milky appearance and there was not a bird to be seen. The furthest lagoon was bone dry! What is going on? A Common Sandpiper was the only wader to be seen here.

At the rear of the reception centre were some young Red-knobbed Coots, one Marbled Duck amongst the Mallards and Purple Gallinules. Bryan pished a Great Reed warbler, a Yellow Wagtail flew and later a Little Bittern did the same.

Marbled Duck. Photo by Bryan Thomas