A Great Bustard Day

Thursday, 17th September was our first autumnal venture to Lagunas de Petrola, Bonete and Coral Rubio. Primarily it was to see how much water was in the area and to see what birds had arrived. It clearly had a soaking and there was a lot of water. The waders and other water birds were not in great numbers ... yet. Bryan Thomas wanted to ensure that the Bargainbirdingclub members were going to see the best that was available.

We arrived soon after 8am with the temperature at 13 degrees Celsius and with a strongish wind. It may be shorts and T shirts on the Costas, but up there wear suitable clothing and shoes. Later in the day at about 2pm it was 23 degrees, still with a wind and an almost full sun with some clouds.

Prior to arriving at the wetlands we had seen a mixed flock of both House and Tree Sparrows. There were also a good number of Rock Sparrows too. Also Greenfinch, Goldfinchs and Linnets were seen. We checked the Starlings and we eventually could clearly see both the Spotless and European in various locations. In different places we saw three Rock Doves, Collared Doves, Wood Pigeons, numerous Crows and a Jackdaw.

At Petrola where there are extensive wet lands we found;
Black-necked Grebe
Black-tailed Godwits - 5
Black-winged Stilts in good numbers
Common Sandpipers - juveniles - ran around in front of us on the road
Flamingos - in good numbers with numerous adults and some juveniles
Green Sandpiper
Marsh Harriers - two flew around
Yellow Wagtail - just the one here.

Afterwards we investigated some of the 'caminos' and we saw our first Booted Eagle - White Morph - since the Spring, another Marsh Harrier - female, and a total of three Buzzards. Later we saw two separate Common Kestrels.

Crested Larks were around, but not in great numbers although Bryan had previously heard and seen a small flock of Calandras. We saw the occasional Barn Swallow, but no Swifts or Martins.

On our way to Coral Rubio wetlands we searched everywhere for what would be a target bird for many - Great Bustards. They proved to be very difficult until later.

In this area we saw:

Avocet
Black-winged Stilts
Black-necked Grebe
Coots
Dunlin - just the one
Flamingos
Green Sandpiper
Lapwings
Little-ringed Plovers
Mallard
Moorhen
Northern Shoveler
Pochard - Common and Red-crested
Ringed Plovers
Snipe
Yellow Wagtails 5 - presumably on passage.

We would suggest that the approach is made from Coral Rubio as the birds can be seen more easily from there; there is easy parking, there is a fence to screen visitors from the birds and because part of the causeway is under water.

Afterwards we carried on with out search for GB's and had the pleasure of watching right up close a Chiff - our first for moths. Then in the distance Bryan with his keen eyes found two Great Bustards. Okay, they were some distance away, but they are still there. We also scanned every field for Little Bustards, but without any luck. Just to add there were only a few butterflies around and we did have too close-ups of Marble Whites. Not too bad for a between season day with over 40 species.