Our usual Saturday morning trip was a wind blown one but nevertheless we took our chances. My bird of the day was the first one I saw even before we got past the barrier. There was five or six birds flying over the reeds and the closest one was a Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental) but I cannot say what the others were. I was hoping that they might be Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo) but I think that they still have to arrive. However as this bunch were flying a male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Palido ) flew directly over head, quite low and giving me an excellent view.
Due to the strong wind we had to be content with what we could see. We moved on to the hide, at water level, looking over the large lagoon. At this time of day the sun was in front of us which made it difficult.
Our list:-
Pochard (Porron Europea) and Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado)
Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco)
Shoveller (Cuchara Comun)
Mallard (Anade Azulon) but not anything more of note.
Grey Heron (Garza Real) and a Great White Egret (Garceta Grande) flew on the edge of the reeds.
It was great to chat with a student from Miguel Hernandez University who was herding a group of visiting students from Mexico and showing them El Hondo. It was so refreshing to talk about conservation with a local who was condemning the hunting and shooting.
However we had terrific views of a male Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanco) battling against and diving around with the wind. Not a great day but we will be there next week and at Tabarca the following Tuesday.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
A single moment when I had a bird book with me in bar brought about an introduction with a local Spanish man. On his small parcel of land hidden by a rise of the land and only five minutes from my home he heard regularly Eagle Owl(Buho Real). Yesterday evening I sat with him (and his dogs) listening at the sounds of the evening. In the meantime we sipped away at Vino Tinto before he lit a fire to cook the meat he had bought. Afterwards with the light fading, with numerous Stone Curlew calling, with Little Owl (Morchuela) answering back, I then heard the big one call very loudly and then up towards the ridge opposite it flew around and then perched. I handed Enrique my glasses and he then saw it too. That surely is the way to spend an evening peacefully, listening and watching. I know there is more to see up there
Sunday, 23 March 2014
El Hondo Natural Park
On Saturday 22nd 2014 we again visited this controlled marshland site.
My specific target for this morning was to obtain more views of Moustached Warblers (Carricerin Real) with at least two flying fast between the islands of reeds. These birds were identified and were very difficult to get a clear facial view, but a keen eyed fellow watcher did. I will spend more time on this species again next week.
Purple Gallinules (Calamon Comun) showed on the reeds - three in one location - and they could be heard calling all morning. An Osprey (Aguilla Pescadora) sat and later flew for us with Booted Eagles (Aguililla Calzada) and Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental) doing the same. A male harrier showed well and flew around and it was good to see its clear markings easily identifying it from the females. Unfortunately there was no Greater Spotted Eagles (Aguila Moteado) on show. Maybe because they have all gone north.
Returning to warblers. Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo)were calling in several locations but damn difficult to see. Two other birds caught my eye and I was able to photograph them. If they are good enough I will ask for confirmation. Fantailed/Zitting Cisticola (Buitron) was heard and flew in two locations. I am sure there were others and I probably missed more than I saw. Butterflies were in short supply with only a few white showing but Mosquitos are now active.
On the elevated hide that looks west we could look out over an expanse of water with Flamingos, Gulls and Terns flying in the distance which was a problem but with water levels rising it could get better. The best thing for me is that they are pumping water in so that last week's dry marsh is now flooded. There were fish slapping about on what was previously dry mud.
Little Egret (Garceta Comun) were all busy and a Great White (Garceta Grande) showed clearly. There were both Grey Heron (Garza Real)and the migratory Blue (Garza Imperial) in attendance. It is always good to see the latter one. Also perched on a reed top was a Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudon Comun) - my first of the year. Strangely there were no Swallows (Golondrina Comun) on view and I have yet to see a Sand Martin (Avion Zapador).
It was good, and it is always beneficial to be with other birders who provide both knowledge and sharp eyes. However the surprise of the day was a Black Kite (Milano Negro) that flew clearly for us and then Michelle saw a male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Comun) cross the road in front of her - that was her one for the day.
Monday, 17 March 2014
PHOTOS FROM LA ZENIA BEACH & SAN PEDRO DEL PINATAR
Saturday, 15 March 2014
El Hondo
Another visit to El Hondo Natural Park on a sunny morning with little wind. Various warblers with Bluethroats calling. Generally speaking quiet but the last 20 minutes made it so worth while. The big one entertained us until we had to go at 12.30. The Greater Spotted Eagle was seen perched in the reed bed and fortunately close. After we had got the scopes on, it flew around us to give us some great views.
Friday, 14 March 2014
IT'S CALLED WRITING
I have been doing that old fashioned thing. It is called writing. On our last trip to England I decided to keep a journal and to write it all in longhand just to see what the result would be.
I was amazed with the amount that I wrote. On occasions I made notes, as opposed to making complete entries, which later became finished articles. I was even able to scribble down a couple of poems which more or less were complete.
On a Monday morning between nine and ten I sat in Ledbury Churchyard with the garden of remembrance in front of me, looking, noting the movements of people and birds and listening to the organist playing behind me. Time to think is important but taking the time to do it is more so. That sixty minutes provided me with the inspiration to write two poems.
Four and half weeks of journal writing have given me ideas that have lasted up to the present day. Some, are still work in progress having been freshly laid down this week. I have produced ten completed poems together with several pages in my memoir. I think that is, a damned good haul!
I would not be satisfied with any of them if it had not been for my friends in Stanza Mar Menor with whom their support and feedback has proved to be invaluable.
I am also encouraged by being a member The Poetry Society in London and by becoming a friend of The Ledbury Poetry Festival. They have helped to create The Poetry Orchard and invited 'apple poems' to be written and submitted. I have five that have passed the test with my peers.
Inspiration comes from many directions, but Herefordshire is apple country and it is part of me. My great grandfather was an expert on cider apples as his obituary tells me but, would it not be good to converse with him?
I have been reminded, that my blog, had been neglected by me and so I plead guilty as charged, but I am now making amends for it.
GET OUT AND SEE
If entries on my blog were not existent then my birding trips have been lacking as well. Things are on the move out there. The migration started weeks ago and has yet to peak and so there should be no opportunities spurned.
Yesterday afternoon, thanks to a chance meeting when having a beer, I spent several hours with Enrique whose family own land nearby. What a wonderful time in an area I would not otherwise have had access to. Several Stone Curlew and Partridge flew from off the fields and there was numerous birds feeding in the uncultivated areas. All flighty and moving fast in the wind.
Amongst the pines there was ample evidence of the (Spanish) Red Squirrel but the beauty of the day was when an Eagle Owl flew from its daytime perch. That is my third such owl site and the dry river bed or 'Ramblas' that it was in has got to be a great site for warblers when they arrive. More visits are required but my next trip will be to El Hondo Natural Park.
I was amazed with the amount that I wrote. On occasions I made notes, as opposed to making complete entries, which later became finished articles. I was even able to scribble down a couple of poems which more or less were complete.
On a Monday morning between nine and ten I sat in Ledbury Churchyard with the garden of remembrance in front of me, looking, noting the movements of people and birds and listening to the organist playing behind me. Time to think is important but taking the time to do it is more so. That sixty minutes provided me with the inspiration to write two poems.
Four and half weeks of journal writing have given me ideas that have lasted up to the present day. Some, are still work in progress having been freshly laid down this week. I have produced ten completed poems together with several pages in my memoir. I think that is, a damned good haul!
I would not be satisfied with any of them if it had not been for my friends in Stanza Mar Menor with whom their support and feedback has proved to be invaluable.
I am also encouraged by being a member The Poetry Society in London and by becoming a friend of The Ledbury Poetry Festival. They have helped to create The Poetry Orchard and invited 'apple poems' to be written and submitted. I have five that have passed the test with my peers.
Inspiration comes from many directions, but Herefordshire is apple country and it is part of me. My great grandfather was an expert on cider apples as his obituary tells me but, would it not be good to converse with him?
I have been reminded, that my blog, had been neglected by me and so I plead guilty as charged, but I am now making amends for it.
GET OUT AND SEE
If entries on my blog were not existent then my birding trips have been lacking as well. Things are on the move out there. The migration started weeks ago and has yet to peak and so there should be no opportunities spurned.
Yesterday afternoon, thanks to a chance meeting when having a beer, I spent several hours with Enrique whose family own land nearby. What a wonderful time in an area I would not otherwise have had access to. Several Stone Curlew and Partridge flew from off the fields and there was numerous birds feeding in the uncultivated areas. All flighty and moving fast in the wind.
Amongst the pines there was ample evidence of the (Spanish) Red Squirrel but the beauty of the day was when an Eagle Owl flew from its daytime perch. That is my third such owl site and the dry river bed or 'Ramblas' that it was in has got to be a great site for warblers when they arrive. More visits are required but my next trip will be to El Hondo Natural Park.
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