GOOD FRIDAY turned into just that- birding wise. Elaine, Michelle and I set off for Clot and decided to go via Los Montesinos to see if the Montagu’s Harriers –Aguilucho Cenizo – were flying but then we saw a Booted Eagle – Aguililla Calzada with a Marsh Harrier – Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental also circling around between the two salt lakes.
We arrived at Clot to find the Spanish celebrating Easter ‘en masse’. However the birds did not seem to mind. There was a significant amount of water in the main pool with a steady inflow. Sitting in the hide we had close up views of a Black-tailed Godwit- Aguja Collinegro , Black- winged Stilt – Ciguenuela Común, and Snipe - Agachadiza Común all available for the camera. A Purple Gallinule – Calamón Común appeared from out of the reeds. There was a lot of activity on the mud as both House Martins – Avion Comun and Barn Swallows –Golondrina Común - flew in front of us. Two Linnets – Pardillo Común – sat at the water’s edge with Goldfinch – Jilguero and a Little-ringed Plover –Chorlitejo Chico doing the same. Also there were two White-headed Ducks- Malvasia Cabeciblanca. There were the ubiquitous Moorhens – Gallineta Común and House Sparrows –Gorrion Común but apart from Serin – Verdecillo and Sardinian Warbler – Curruca Cabecinegra there were not many small birds around.
We decided to visit El Pinet on the way home hoping to see Collared Pratincole – Canastera Común but we were unsuccessful but we did see Common Terns – Charran Común - with a large number of Avocet – Avoceta Común. We spotted a Kentish Plover – Chorlitejo Patinegro sitting on one of the islands. On the far side of the pool a Grey Wagtail – Lavandera Cascadena or possibly a male Yellow Wagtail –Lavandera Boyera flew – I will look harder next time! This site requires another visit with more time being allowed for it – hopefully next week.
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