Yecla

On Friday 7th October Bryan Thomas and myself were in Esteppes de Yecla before the sun had broken through and it was a cool 12 degrees. We had decided again, to check the area out, and not plan another visit until early spring.

We saved a considerable amount of time by avoiding Yecla and took turnoff 171B (A31) signposted Caudette. This took us into the area via the spot where we normally exit from. We were treated to flocks of Goldfinches and then we a watched a mixed flock of about 50 Choughs with a good number of both Spotless Starlings and Jackdaws all feeding together in a field of stubble.

Here we also saw only one Common Kestrel, some Crested Larks and very little else. A few Northern Wheatears did show well, at least three perched Southern Grey Shrikes.



We moved on into the steppes really searching for Sandgrouse and hopefully Bustards. We did have some good views of larks and it was some time before we saw a flock of about two hundred Calandra Larks feeding and then flying. Theklas did not show and neither did we see any Short-toed. We had a terrific view of a Little Owl and eventually we saw four Black-bellied Sandgrouse fly to be followed by another six feeding and flying.

We checked out the Lesser Kestrel site and saw not one of that species.

I have not recorded all that we saw, but overall birds were thin on the ground.

All photographs copyright Bryan Thomas 2016

More Waders at El Hondo

WET GLISTENING MUD - AT LAST
Another morning with Bryan Thomas on Tuesday 4th saw us taking the backroads into San Felipe Neri. We saw very little on the way except Zitting Cisticolas showed very well near the ploughed up football pitch. We wanted to see what the water levels were like around the information centre. The lagoon by there had seen a drop in the level which exposed wet, glistening mud. The birds were making the most of it. I counted at least 30 Glossy Ibis with more than 40 flying over. There were also Little Ringed Plovers, Little Stints and Bryan picked out at least two Teminick's Stints, Curlew Sandpipers, Greenshank and a Snipe flew. There were numerous Little Egrets, a Little Bittern and a Squacco flew in.

As we drove down the track the electric cables were loaded with Swallows and many more were seen flying in. Among the Barn, were Redrumped and House Martins were seen among them. By the time we had left they had gone.

By the gate both Bluethroats and Zitting Cisticolas were easy to seen flitting amongst the bushes and perching.

The Marbled Duck were showing well in the enclosed pond with Coot.

During the course of the morning we saw two Booted Eagles, two Marsh Harriers and several Kestrels.

A check on El Tiempo does indicate there could be some rain in the next ten days and maybe much more afterwards. I hope so.