Costa Blanca Bird Club - Day Four

FINAL DAY - FRIDAY 12th SEPTEMBER.

We over-nighted in Puçol, I suspect with the previous intention of revisiting the site we saw yesterday evening. However since we are experiencing a drought this lagoon was dry and how all wildlife must be suffering in these prolonged high temperatures and still no rain. It was decided to go towards Valencia and Albufera. Unfortunately the 'convoy' became fragmented and most of us did not even see Tancat de Ratlla which is a great shame as Temminick's Stint was there. Some of us then headed for the observation site at Albufera. It was tremendously hot and there was some water, but there was nothing exceptional to see except that small bird list was added to with Blackcap, another Sardinian and a Great Tit.

We are now in possession of a plan of this area which would have been very helpful if we had one to start with. You can also go on line at www.albuferadevalencia.com for more information.
I only wish that I had the foresight to do that.

REFLECTIONS - generally.

Our first few hours were great and we saw many birds on the delta on both days. Some were amazing in that they were firsts for us. I had a good view of a Wood Sandpiper for the first time. The two 'superb' birds was a Pectoral Sandpiper and two White-rumped Sandpipers which will be reported by Malcolm.

The hotel was in a superb location surrounded by rice fields and water and our early morning strolls before breakfast was very good. The rooms were pleasant and comfortable and there was free WIFI. The dining area and bar were both good and I thought that the food was excellent but on the second day four meals had to be returned. This was not acceptable and neither was the giving of a free after dinner drink - in my view a poor apology. However even this should not have happened even though our group had eighteen members.

I would certainly stay there again even though the rooms seemed a little 'tired'. I have to say that our shower was comical although it did the job!

The first two days were good but Thursday and Friday not so.

OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Information needed to be imparted fully as where and how we were to get there. Convoy driving is never that easy and people did get detached.

A Pacific Golden Plover had been located previously and this seemed to be the focus of attention although our group's knowledge was varied. More stopping, observing and waiting would have been preferable to more driving. Some locations were not found and it must be remembered that this is a maze of a place.

Our drive inland on day three was expensive on time, effort and we were all glad to get to Puçol and disappointed to find a dry lagoon.

Clearly after a sustained dry period and continuing hot weather we needed to know where there was water. Obviously the delta rice fields had controlled water supply and so will Pego.

I am decided that there needs to be much more thought as to where a group like this should go and how they can proceed together, in convoy and without having the difficulties that some of us experienced.

We headed for home early having decided that neither Alcoy or Pego were worthwhile on a hot afternoon. I hope that who ever did go found it to be worth the effort.

TECHNOLOGY. It is out there and you can use it on the move not only with a SatNav (it did get us to some places!) and Google Maps and IPads.
When we got home Michelle tapped in the location that we had tried to visit in the morning as she found the name was on the plan.

Try This. Put in birdingalbufera.es and ask to translate the page.

On the left hand side of the page is a plan and on the right a list of locations. If you were to tap on TANCAT de RATLLA You can see where we had tried to go this morning and according to their listings Malcolm's Citrine Wagtail had been seen there. The information is really out there.

I will certainly give more thought to another group expedition as we have done such things on our own or with friends. The upside of taking this trip is that we knew there was some very experienced birders that we could reply upon. So, it is with many thanks, I say 'well done' for everything that was pointed out, scoped on and identified. Also well done to everyone else for their humour, comradeship and company. Thank you to all.