EDWARDS AND SQUIRES GET UP EARLY

Yesterday morning Mel and I were at San Pedro de Salinas listening to the gulls proclaiming dawn. It was great to be out that early in the coolness hearing the day coming to life. We were soon seeing Yellow Legs flying with Common Terns as well but difficult to spot in that light. We walked to the beach where there were Black-headed Gulls and along the waterline a dozen Turnstones. They were also to be seen in flight and just inland on the salinas later. A couple of Greenfinch were feeding on the edge of the dunes.

We moved back to the car park to see a Kentish Plover, Sanderling with Mallard flying overhead. We walked up to the other hide where we could see Common Tern perched, flying and fishing. In the distance, perched was a solitary Turtle Dove - so pleasing to see and my first of the year. Flamingos, Black-winged Stilt with solitary Greenshank and Redshank were also there but this area was relatively quiet. There was no Spoonbill.

We adjourned for a quick coffee. We then travelled to the canal that was by now overgrown again but it did provide some good cover although making observation difficult. We moved to the corner of this salinas where Mel spotted Kingfisher flying (twice) which was not surprising as this is a regular spot for them. Then Reed Warbler flew. I had a quick glance of a female Little Bittern that disappeared as soon as it arrived. Confusingly a young female Moorhen just showed in the same place! A couple of Slender-bills bobbed on the edge of the reeds.

We moved across the road where we could see at least 10 immature Shelduck on a bank. In front of them there were two Little Grebe and a Greater-crested was to show later. All the time Flamingos, Black-winged Stilt and Avocet were feeding. We had a good view of two chicks of the latter.

We moved on up to the corner of the next salinas where a male Reed Bunting flew more than once. Then, for me a star of the morning, a male Yellow Wagtail perched close by - what a bird so bright and vibrant in colour. Then a male Little Bittern flew from almost under our feet and perched in full view in a small clump of reeds - just brilliant. Scanning the margins I spotted a Bar-tailed Godwit feeding which I did not expect to see but there were others around as well. In the distance we had our first Little Egrets of the day.

I sometimes take the Flamingos for granted as they are always there but you can have some great views when the mature adults fly in showing the black and bright orange/red on the leading wing edges. There were numerous youngsters as well. In this area we had good displays from Little Tern and then we were content to see and identify both Whiskered and Black Terns.

However there were some very noticeable absentees with some of the warblers not showing. We saw one fast flying Wood Pigeon, a couple of Barn Swallows and a solitary Common Swift. It was now hot but on the way back Mel saw a Pied-flycatcher perched on a fence.

I was very happy with all that we had seen but it does require an early visit. I am looking forward to another good morning here and a visit to Sierra de Segura and a visit to RosaBlancabnb once again.