Still in the delta

Costa Blanca Bird Club - Wednesday 10th September - Day Two.

Some were up before the sun and under a grey sky we saw Kingfishers flying and at least three Night Herons. The smaller species were very conspicuous in their absence, but there was one Reed Warbler and others saw a Chiff.
Today was a slower day, but as in often the case there are new ones to be seen. Although we had seen one Caspian Tern we did have four in full view later. At one stage we had about two hundred Glossy Ibis in the sky and then there were twelve Spoonbill that landed near about four Collared Prantincole. We were looking for Red-knobbed Coot, but there was not one in view. Amongst the ducks there were some Gadwell and Red-crested Pochard. This certainly will be an area once the over-wintering wildfowl have arrived from the north. Raptors were in low numbers, but there was the odd kestrel and very good views of Marsh Harriers. We also saw clearly a Booted Eagle.
During lunch we were pleased to see a Spotted Flycatcher and shortly after I had my first un-interrupted view of a Wood Sandpiper. We had both Cetti's and Fan-tailed Warblers calling and flying. Michelle had a good view of a Sedge Warbler which was probably in passage. We saw many of the birds that we had seen yesterday but the new birds for today was counted at twenty-two. On out way to the Delta Hotel we saw a Whimbrel walking along the road which then flew around us and our first Wood Pigeons were seen. In the grounds of the hotel there was a perched female Pied Flycatcher. The above is not an inclusive list, but the total for both days now stands at 84 species. Tomorrow we will start with this local habitat before moving away via a woodland one to try to increase our species count. Then onto Puçol for Marismas, dunes and a closer to the sea environment.