OUT AGAIN.

The winds are, neither, as cold or as strong and the temperatures are rising. Tuesday 26th in the evening I again went out and looked for the Eagle Owl – Buho Real. For a few seconds one flew and disappeared beyond the ridge. I had to wait some time before I heard one call. Torreveija Digital Camera Club were in the same location for their sunset shots across the ‘embalse’. As the light dissipated Stone Curlew – Alcaravan Común screamed their raucous call and flew overhead. In terms of small birds, the numbers were very low as this is the ‘in-between-time’ as the migration increases. It was a wonderful evening to be out with a full moon, some scattered cloud and the bird calls. The photographers did their stuff and again the big one called.

The following morning I had arranged to meet a Norwegian birder, Maj-Lis Strindlund from Oslo to go to El Hondo. On the way around La Mata two Montagu’s Harriers – Aguilucho Cenizo flew over the reeds and we had great views of the male as circled around. On way to objective we saw Cattle Egrets – Garcilla Bueyera in the fields. At the rear of reception we watched Purple Gallinules - Calamón Común with a chick and the Red-crested Coot – Focha Moruria which were all close by. We took the board walk but it was very quiet. A Marsh Harrier- Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental flew far off but another came for us to have much closer views.

On a lagoon there were Great Crested Grebe – Somormujo Lavanco, Little Grebe - Zampullin Común with Red-Crested Pochard - Pato Colorado swimming among them. In the distance on a sandbank were an assortment of gulls that clearly had both Black-headed – Gaviota Reidora and Mediterranean – Gaviota Cabecuriega alongside each other – all good for comparison. Two Fan-tailed warblers – Buitrón flew up together and cavorted in the air for us to watch.

This birding can be very sociable as we met two Irish birders in one of the hides. Later we met other members of The Costa Blanca Bird Club. – it’s good to talk. Sitting in the picnic area Willow Warblers – Mosquitero Musical were very close to us. A Sardinian – Curruca Cabecinegra flew and then Bryan Thomas identified a female Subalpine Warbler – Curraca Carrasqueña and this one really made my day. A male Stonechat - Tarabilla Común perched in full view showing the bright colours in the strong sun. It is always good to be outside in good company.