We decided to visit Estepas de Yecla again after our last visit in April. The objective being to search other areas that we had not visited before to be a position to say whether they could be productive for birds. There is a farming area to the west of the steppes that certainly contained birds and we will need to check this area again before being to fully able to decide if it could be worthwhile.
We then took our usual route in, but paying much more attention to side roads not previously travelled. In essence any part of the central part of this valley contains birds of interest for us.
We had not before taken any roads that would lead us towards the ridge on our right. When we did so we found Linnet, Goldfinch, and we were pleased to hear a Sardinian Warbler calling. Then a male Subalpine perched and flew. By this time it was past midday and hot. We thought that this would be more productive early in a morning.
A point to remember is that the time of year is all important. We were there last on 28th April, and in that short period the vegetation had grown resulting in making it almost impossible to see ground feeding birds. We do intend to return. This could be after the corn has been cut, but more likely in September. Another factor to consider is the time of day. We arrived at 8am and left just before 2pm and the temperature went from cool to 35 degrees.
The birds that we did see are:
Bee-eaters. They are always good to see and hear. They are throughout this valley and have a nesting sight nearer Caudette.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Three flew and we later heard others calling.
Blackbirds, frequently calling.
Collared Doves
Choughs (red billed) two of them seen at the end of the ridge towards Caudette.
Corn Buntings seen and heard.
Greater Spotted Cuckoos. They were marvelous to see and hear. Their raucous chattering was very clear when four flew into the same tree as two weeks ago. Two pairs, we supposed, squabbling over territory.
Hoopoe.
Crows. One or two, but no more.
Larks: This is an excellent area for them. Crested were every where calling, perched and flying around. We had great views of Thekla and I noted how different their call is to the Crested ones. Also Calandra were there and flew exposing their white trailing edge on the wings.
However, the greatest show of the larks does belong to the Short-toed who did everything that we wanted them to do and perched for Bryan to takes photographs.
Lesser Kestrels. There were not as numerous as before, but were still evident around the farm buildings. Both Rock Doves and Starlings use this for nesting as well.
Little Owls. Two seen separately.
Magpies. Only occasionally seen.
Mistletoe Thrushes. In the early morning, over the farmland, they showed really well. Their darker markings being distinctive.
Pallid Swifts. Again in the early part of the day flying over cultivated land along with Swallows.
Rock Sparrows feeding on the ground.
Stone Curlew, but only one seen although this does appear to be a habitat for them.
Tree Sparrows, also House Sparrow. Two seen and heard at the same location as Bee-eaters and the two Choughs.
Wheatears. All three species obliged, but with only one Northern. We had some views of Black, but they were less easy to see than the Black-eared. They showed well and we watched a pair for several minutes.
Wood Pigeons.
Woodchat Shrike.
Finally, we talked about doing this area in reverse order so that we enter via A31 near Caudette (we have previously left A31 earlier and travelled through Yecla) and take the roads leading to higher ground and nearer the ridge before proceeding through the valley. This will give us cooler temperatures for this part and to try and understand more what this locale can give us.
Bryan is of the opinion that this could be a 'mega' site for the migration periods.
All photos courtesy of Bryan Thomas.
Great work folks
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