On the morning of 23rd February I headed towards Gran Alicante to meet Bryan Thomas. It rained, but we knew that it would finish early. With a leaden grey sky we stopped at the lagoons opposite 'Playas de Las Brisas' and we were immediately rewarded by Chiff-chaffs flying near us and with Cetti's Warbler singing loudly and giving us clear views. A Cormorant with good facial colour and white courtship patches showing fished in full view. Slender-billed Gulls were numerous. Little Grebes, Shellduck, Little Egrets, and Grey Heron were seen as well. On a sandbank there were three Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, several Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gulls and with one solitary Audouin's Gull. As we were leaving Bryan spotted a Water Pipit on the edge of a puddle on the opposite side of the road. We later saw more of that species as travelled towards El Hondo.
Next stop was at the Salt Tower where two Turnstones flew and in the poor light there was not that much to see and so we moved on. The lagoons at El Pinet were disappointing. Water levels were high and margins were not existent. Crested Larks called and so did Iberian Green Woodpeckers. A Robin flew. We drove on to the beach and a pair of very sharp eyes picked out a solitary Razorbill.
Eventually I could get a clear view through the scope. Great stuff and first for both of us in Spain. As this was happening four Oystercatchers flew across our vision heading north. Again, another first for us in Spain and we were on a roll!
As we carried on towards El Hondo we scanned the skies for any Hirundines that might be passing through, but apart from an abundance of Crag Martins these were the only ones that we saw. They are always good to see especially as they were just over our heads. On the back road we looked hoping to see the early arrivals of Great-Spotted Cuckoos, but to no avail. In doing so we saw Hoopoes and Southern-Grey Shrikes both into double figures, and a few Serin, Goldfinch and Magpies. A male Blue Rockthrush perched on a roof and then flew down.
Again we heard and had good views of Iberian Green Woodpeckers and one posed long enough for the camera.
Remarkably we had several clear views of Song Thrushes and we watched as one perched on a wire singing away. Spring has already arrived!
It had been a raptor free morning, but we did see both Buzzard and Booted Eagles, but only distant. In one waterlogged field I counted ten Glossy Ibis. Cattle Egrets flew in and there were both Water and Meadow Pipits feeding with White Wagtails. In passing a Green Sandpiper flew and in the reeds a Zitting Cisticola/Fan-tailed Warbler popped up to give us an uninterrupted sighting. We spotted a single Greenfinch. In the distance we could hear the raucous calls of Jackdaws and then four perched. These birds are so underrated.
It was very disappointing at San Felipe Neri. We took the boardwalk, but the water was opaque and there were not that many birds showing. In fact it was almost a wader less morning with one Little Stint only. Common Pochard were on the next water. There were Red-knobbed Coot with the yellow mark on their white foreheads visible. A Purple Gallinule stood close to us resplendent with the bright red parts and the sheen of its plumage. Bryan heard Penduline Tits calling and we saw just one Bluethroat.
Going past the North Gate we saw our first Kestrels of the day. It was now 1pm and we were delighted with what we had seen. The rain had stopped completely by nine and there was only a light breeze and then at about 11o'clock we saw the first glimpse of sun. The temperature had risen from 12 to 22 degrees. It is definitely warming up and things are on the move. Perhaps the same again for next week or something similar and then hopefully Esteppes de Yecla the following week before we we go to Poland on a guided trip with WildPoland. Mosquitos were not evident.
All Photographs by Bryan Thomas Copyright 2017
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