I should have done my homework and I didn't. Bryan and I had discussed another visit to Pego Marsh, many times, with the water channels, rivers and rice fields providing good habitats.. We gambled on water being in some fields, at least. Most were dry and others with only a hint of moisture. Never mind, for we always see something, and we wanted to see how the migration is going and It is happening.
We can say that we saw four species migrating with both Barn Swallows - our second sighting only this spring - and a first view of passing House Martins. ( I have still to see them in San Miguel where they nest in very good numbers.). Fortunately our morning improved with three good sightings of Short Toed Eagles especially when one flew directly over head. Surprisingly we spooked a sub-adult Purple Heron which flew off.
We came into the rice growing area from the inland side and then we immediately had five Booted Eagles overhead. We checked each one out hoping that one could have been a Bonelli’s, but there was not one up there. Cetti's called several times and one showed clearly. Always difficult to see, but this time a good view.
Bryan heard Penduline Tits and we managed two clear sightings as they fed in the reeds. Also, and very briefly a Moustached Warbler hopped up and disappeared again.
Serin, Goldfinches and one lone male Chaffinch flew across and Meadow Pipits fed in the margins and as we were leaving Bryan identified a Water Pipit. We saw two Reed Buntings and a lone Robin was flitting in an out of the undergrowth. We tallied up the number of Booted Eagles and that species was ten with five Marsh Harriers seen,
The fields held numerous Little Egrets, groups of Cormorants, and at least three flying groups of 30 Glossy Ibis in each. A small number of Grey Herons and we heard a short squeal from a Water Rail. On four occasions Green Sandpipers flew out of the ditches. White Wagtails were the only wagtails that we saw and we noticed nothing else. There was not one gull to be seen!
This could be a tremendous area for birds, but they need mud and water. I shall have to do my research to see when the rice growers work the fields before I go again.
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