Estepas de Yecla in July

Another early morning saw us heading north from Gran Alacant towards the Estepas de Yecla to again concentrate on this wonderful location. We did anticipate a hot day, but when we arrived at 8am it was only 21 degrees and with a fairly strong breeze. Swallows were flying low through the almond trees, but strangely with no Martins or Swifts to be seen.

We did not expect too much or anything unusual this being the hottest time of the year. However, as we have always seen something good what we did see was very good. We saw three Greater Spotted Cuckoos on the ground, presumably fledglings, being fed by a Magpie. Thus proving the fact of which nest the eggs had been laid. We were able to watch them for about ten minutes as they moved around, but at a distance.

Lesser Kestrels were flying around the farm buildings and over the fields. This drew our attention to other birds and when we focused on one we found, what we thought could have been Peregrine, but was undoubtedly a Hobby. It was never close enough to photograph and we had to make do with some good, but fairly distant sightings of it. This was my third sighting of this species this year and Bryan's first.

Two Golden Eagles had been seen by Bryan on a previous visit, but today we had to make do with a Buzzard.

I have previously mentioned that this is a very good area for Larks with Short-toed showing well together with Crested and some Thekla. We were pleased to see several flocks of Calendra which must have numbered over 200 in total.

Many of the fields of corn had now been cut although further in towards Caudette there were fields still waiting to be harvested. Other fields were being worked with machinery and as such there was a good variety of habitat. I won't list all the birds and again we heard Black-bellied Sandgrouse, and Crows, Jackdaws and Chough flew for us. To finish with, we had good views, of Tree Sparrows.

We intend to do this yet again and next time to enter this valley via Caudette and pay particular attention to that area first.

Another great day out with Bryan Thomas.