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.
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