Yecla and Petrola

Yecla in the morning and then onto Petrola before the water evaporates in the summer sun was our plan for today and we stuck to it.

We arrived in the 'estepas' well before 8am with a temperature of only 20 degrees and a strong breeze. It certainly was quiet, but we heard Sandgrouse calling frequently and eventually we saw four Pintail Sandgrouse flying in the distance. We were not out to search for every bird or to list everyone that we had seen, but we decided to see what was actually about. We were surprised to see only a few Calandra Larks and we had good views of both Crested and (Greater) Short-toed and not a lot else.
Greater Short Toed Lark, (Juv)

We travelled through the valley and headed north on A31 to see what waders had arrived in Corral Rubio, Bonéte and Petrola lakes.

We knew that this would be our last chance to check on the water until September at the earliest. Indeed we found some had dried out and others were drying fast. However we did notice 10 Black-tailed Godwits and numerous Gull-billed Terns in the company of Black-headed Gulls. Red-crested Pochard were also seen and in the company of four Gadwall we discovered one Ferruginous Duck. It was some distance away, but the photographs, although not sharp confirmed what it was with its wrap around white under tail. Waders were few, but we did see Lapwing, Kentish Plovers, one Redshank, numerous Black-winged Silts, Avocets, a raft of Coots and Flamingos.


Gull Billed Tern


Furruginous Duck with Gadwall behind

On the route to first wader stop off point and very close to the road were a male and female Great Bustard. The female walked slowly in front of us and the walked away.


Great Bustard

The photograph says it all and it is the closest both of us have been to this species at ground level. What a beautiful bird and it made our day. Later we saw one more in the distance and then we saw four more near an expanse of water.

Apart from the two highlights we did not have an amazing day, but we both came away with more knowledge of the area and the delight in seeing a Great Bustard close up and be able to see all the detail.



All photographs and any contentious identifications are both due to the skill of Bryan Thomas.