Clot de Galvany & The Mouth of the Segura

The last day of the month saw sun for all the day with the temperature going into the high teens but with a cool breeze. I was at Gran Alicant by 8am and our first visit was to Clot de Galvany. Here we saw clear evidence that the migration was flowing. High up there were some Swifts with Crag Martins operating much lower down. We saw our first Barn Swallows passing through just over our heads. We spotted a Song Thrush in the bushes, a Cetti's called, Chiffs flew and a Robin ran along the path.

There has been a considerable clear up of vegetation and from either hide viewing was very good. We saw Red-crested Pochards, Teal, Shovelers with the usual Moorhens, Coots and Grebe. A Snipe flew and in the reeds Penduline Tits called and three were seen. We had clear views of them and according to Bryan these birds were a first for him in that location. It looks that we should pay more attention to this small reserve.

We then went to our usual spot just down the hill from the Santa Pola turn-off, but it was quiet with the usual only to be seen. This time there were four Lesser-black Backed Gulls and on an adjacent lagoon numerous Slender-billed Gulls too. At the Salt Tower there were Yellow-legged Gulls with the ubiquitous Black-winged Stilts and one Redshank. We moved on to the next pull-in by the large stones and through the scope at some distance we saw Eurasian Wigeon (20), two groups of Great-crested Grebes, eleven Spoonbills and numerous Flamingos. Flying close to the lay-by were two Sand Martins.

We went past El Pinet and instead went to the mouth of the Rio Segura where we intended to scan the sea for both Razorbills and even Scoter. We saw twenty of the former but none of the latter. I counted 150 Black-headed gulls and there were a number of Mediterranean Gulls with two close by on the beach waiting to be photographed. It would have been nice to see one in full breeding plumage, but maybe later on in the year.



A Common Sandpiper moved about the rocks and was photographed.



In the trees there were Chiffs, Serin and we heard and saw Greenfinch. A Grey Heron stood in the middle of the river which shows how shallow it is.

We then headed towards El Hondo and with the intention to locate any flooded field. We did see many White Wagtails, but no other Wags. and Meadow Pipits were feeding too. A Green Sandpiper flew in the usual place. A female Stonechat obligingly perched for a photo and we did see very briefly a male Dartford Warbler and in a second location there were more Penduline Tits. Again we had a singing and flying just over our heads a Fan-tailed/Zitting Cisticola. We conversed with two fellow birders who said that they had seen Red-rumped Swallows.



We had two clear views of Marsh Harriers, and two raptors in the distance with one being a Buzzard. We came back via the camino to Santa Pola and hoping to see more early arrivals, but again no cuckoos.

Another great morning out with Bryan and with photos to prove some of it. Estepas de Yecla next week and that will be my last outing in Spain until April.