North Gate at El Hondo

Saturday morning (17th) Bryan and I had booked into the North Gate of El Hondo to see what was moving, what was still there, what was still to arrive and to check on the water levels. The major pool on the right had a little less water than two weeks ago which meant that the birds were far away. Not good for viewing, at all.

I expected this to be the case and so we head straight down to the large hide. A Blackcap called and Bryan thought that he had heard a Penduline Tit call although it or they remained out of sight.
Also, and maybe, a Melodious was spotted in an Eucalyptus. Reed warblers were heard and seen. The same applied to Kingfishers that were both heard and seen. It was good to see them back in the marsh.

There was very little to be seen on the water from the big hide, but in a reed bed in the foreground was a gathering of Red-rumped Swallows feeding in and around and perching in the reeds. They all took to flight when a Marsh Harrier flew over only to return to the reeds. Eventually they all flew away. Also a Peregrine went past and an Osprey perched. Later a Booted Eagle was spotted.

Ducks were not numerous. There were both Common and Red-Crested Pochards, five White-headed Ducks and a few Mallards.

On the margin in the distance straight out from the hide we watched a Water Rail feeding and in that same shoreline the eagle eyes of Bryan identified a Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers with two Ruff and a Ringed Plover.

High in the sky were Swifts and Bryan located four Alpine ones. I could not get on them.

Squaccos and Little Bitterns called and flew. Water Rail calls were all around us and we heard and saw Purple Gallinules. We need both rain and water and then we should see more.