COSTA BLANCA BIRD CLUB AT PEGO MARSH

The Costa Blanca Bird Club met yesterday morning at Pego Marsh. It was a grey morning, temperature was in the high twenties, with little wind and very humid. Trepidation was in the air as many came prepared to do battle with the anticipated attacks by mosquitos. There were plenty of other stuff flying but I only got bitten once. Perhaps, others sweated needlessly all togged up.

As the cars were being parked a Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling and the first Yellow Wagtail was seen. Further down the track there were numerous Goldfinches (Jilguero) drinking from a puddle with Serin (Verdicillo), Chaffinch (Pinzon Vulgar) and a Bluethroat (Pechiazul). There were numerous Grey Herons (Garza Real), Little Egret (Garceta Comun) with some Cattle Egrets ( Garcilla Bueyera) showing later amongst the rice fields and so there was plenty of cover.

Two Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental) were soon up and about and on a pylon close to N332 was an Osprey ( Aguila Pescadora). One was later seen with a fish on this same perch.
We carried on and on one of the banks I had the pleasure of seeing in the scope, at one time, a Bluethroat , Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera) and a Tree Sparrow (Gorrion Molinero). Lying in one of the puddles waving its pincers around was an American Crayfish. Fran tried to get it to play but without any success. We saw Common Starling ( but not Spotless. Pete warned us of Kingfisher (Martin Pescador) as it flew overs.

There was a Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico), then a Snipe (Agachadiza Comun) flew up and disappeared again amongst the rice. A Zitting Sisticola (Buitron)flew and perched giving us a good view of it. Our first not-so-obvious young bird was a first winter (Northern) Wheatear (Collalba Gris). Its white eye stripe distinguished it from a Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia)

At the corner where the river flows in there was a Cetti’s calling and somewhere among the reeds we could here Water Rail’s (Rascon Europeo) duetting. At one stage, just before lunch, there were four raptors high in the sky and far away. The opinion could be that one might have been a Bonelli’s Eagle (Aguila-azor Perdicera) with two Marsh Harriers or even Booted (Aguililla Calzada. They were a long way away to know what they really were. Add to these sightings were Stonechat (Tarabilla Comun) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizon)

Lunch was in the lovely village of Forno at The Nautilus which was an enjoyable interlude. It was such a friendly occasion that gave us a time to talk with friends and acquaintances. After sufficient replenishment we were summoned to see what the rest of the afternoon could bring. It was decided that we should try the opposite side of the road from where we had been. This produced an exceptional sight in that we disturbed a juvenile Purple Heron with something in its feet. Apart from a flock of Jackdaws, there was nothing to write home about. The hour was five in the afternoon and so it was decided to end the day.

We had with us the very knowledgeable and friendly Els and Stefan whose identification skills helped us considerably.

Michelle and I stayed locally at Hotel Font Salada which is just off the N332 and situated in the citrus groves with an established charm of its own. It is both rural and modern with a bit of quirkiness thrown in for good measure. The restaurant looks very good although we did not eat there. We would stay there again but the nearest shops are in Oliva.


The following morning was again grey and cloudy with some wind. We retraced our journey of yesterday morning. I had an excellent view of a Little Ringed Plover and later on I watched a perched Bluethroat with a Sardinian in the background while a Cetti’s was calling. Michelle watched a group of Yellow Wagtails but couldn’t get a decent shot of them. We had a glimpse of a flying Kingfisher and that was about it. We spent two relaxed hours and would have stayed longer but it was very quiet. There was not a Water Rail to be heard and so we headed for home.