CLOT DE GALVANY

After a very tedious morning we came back from Alicante via Clot de Galvany where our afternoon just got better. There was no water at all in the shallow ‘pools’ but the main pool still had a quantity in it but the area next to the hide seems to be drying out fast. Our highlights were a lone Turtle Dove (Tortola Europea) that flew in for a drink but we had an excellent view and then two Yellow Wagtails ( Lavandera Boyera) skittered about on the mud. There were an amazing number of White Wagtails as welI. In the background were Moorhens (Gallinula Comun) with a Purple Swamp-hen (Calamon Comun) staying for a while. There were two Black-winged Stilts (Ciguennuela Comun) in the foreground with Spotless Starlings (EstorninoNegro) and House Sparrows (Gorrion Comun) splashing around. All the while the air was filled with Goldfinches chatting. We heard one warbler calling (but not identified) and this was surprising as the reeds would provide a good habitat for them. Walking back past the other side of the water, there was a female Mallard, two Little Grebes and then another wonderful surprise a male White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca). All great stuff. On the way out we saw Little Owl, Serin, Sardinian Warbler, Southern Grey Shrike, Green Finch and I heard a Robin singing. There were the ubiquitous Wood Pigeons (Paloma Torcaz) and Collared Doves (Tortola Turca) flying in and around. We were almost back to the car when we saw my favourite birds of summer perched on the fence only a few feet away-two Spotted Flycatchers doing what they do best. The photos below were taken by Michelle Edwards.