Tuesday morning was the first time this year that I heard a Great Tit sing in San Miguel. I know that they are known to sing in late winter, but this does seem early?
I had already decided to visit the salinas at San Pedro and this was to be a fairly quiet morning. The water by the car park only held Yellow-legged Gulls with no wader in sight until seven Turnstones flew in. However in the corner by the boardwalk leading to the beach where there were bushes I saw Chiff-chaffs with Sardinian Warblers being very active. Also Serin and Linnets flew. There usually are Kentish Plovers here, but not today. A Black Redstart caught my eye and I needed to check the book for this one as I did think that it was a female, but it appeared a bit drab and the mantle did not seem quite right, and so a first year male? A female Stonechat flew and I needed to look closely as the eye stripe was not that clear. I was hoping that it would be a Whinchat, but had to decide for the former.
There was a very good number of Avocet and Black-necked Grebe in the distance, some Shelduck and a single Godwit. A few Sanderling flew and I only saw one Common Sandpiper. There were the usual Black-winged Stilts and Flamingos and very little else. However spring is on its way and soon there will be much more to see.
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Sunday, 7 February 2016
Parque Naturel El Hondon
Another Saturday morning with the temperature at 5 degrees, a slight wind and in not a good light, but that never matters here as there is always something to see.
I decided to take the right hand boardwalk and within seconds a Kingfisher flew, perched and flew and perched again. Another good view and they are always to be seen in this wetland. There were a flock of White Wagtails and Chiffs were flitting around almost in every bush. Then 'the big one flew - the Spotted Eagle (Moteada) flew from my left towards the line of the trees on the far right. Within a few minutes I heard two loud bangs, probably gun shots, and then it flew to my right into the line of trees along the long road leading from the gate. These sightings were excellent as it flapped unhurriedly away. It is big.
I spent most of the time in the large hide and had a good sighting of a male Penduline Tit. I even managed to view it through binoculars. I knew that Moustached Warblers were an ever present at this site and even by now I could hear a male singing but not yet showing.
Purple Gallinules were easily seen. Little Bitterns called and one flew. A Southern Grey Shrike perched in a tree. It was a peaceful morning with only a small number of watchers. The sun eventually broke through and the temperature rose to a mere 15 degrees. Thus is not a complete list of what can be seen here.
I decided to take the right hand boardwalk and within seconds a Kingfisher flew, perched and flew and perched again. Another good view and they are always to be seen in this wetland. There were a flock of White Wagtails and Chiffs were flitting around almost in every bush. Then 'the big one flew - the Spotted Eagle (Moteada) flew from my left towards the line of the trees on the far right. Within a few minutes I heard two loud bangs, probably gun shots, and then it flew to my right into the line of trees along the long road leading from the gate. These sightings were excellent as it flapped unhurriedly away. It is big.
I spent most of the time in the large hide and had a good sighting of a male Penduline Tit. I even managed to view it through binoculars. I knew that Moustached Warblers were an ever present at this site and even by now I could hear a male singing but not yet showing.
Purple Gallinules were easily seen. Little Bitterns called and one flew. A Southern Grey Shrike perched in a tree. It was a peaceful morning with only a small number of watchers. The sun eventually broke through and the temperature rose to a mere 15 degrees. Thus is not a complete list of what can be seen here.
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