It was an early start, but that is the way we do it because we know that it will always pays us back. We turned off the A31 at Bonete and were straight onto our watch point for Bustards by eight thirty, but there were too many plough fields and we quickly moved on.
Dealing with Great Bustards first we had four different sightings as we moved through and then there was a group of six within easy view, with two more nearby and another one flew in. They were all active and with the crops still in the early stages of growth they could clearly be seen. However, possibly enough to conceal Little Bustards which we did not see this time. Six Black Bellied Sandgrouse flew away.
Rock SparrowThe List.
Black Bellied Sandgrouse
Black Eared Wheatear
Corn Bunting
Crows
Goldfinches
Great Reed Warbler, heard
Green Finch
Gull Billed Terns
Gulls, Black Headed and Yellow Legged
House Martin
House Sparrows
Jackdaws
Jay
Larks, four species with Crested and Thekla being easily viewed. Also terrific views of Calandra and Short Toed too.
Lesser Kestrels
Linnets
Little Owl
Marsh Harriers - on different locations two males and a female
Montague's Harrier - male flew across while we were watching Bustards.
Northern Wheatear
Pallid Swifts
Red Billed Choughs
Rock Sparrows
Southern Grey Shrike
Spotless Starlings
Swallows
Whinchat, male
Woodchat Shrikes
Zitting Cisticola, heard
On the Water
Avocet
Black Winged Stilts everywhere
Coot, many
Flamingos
Gadwall, several sightings in different locations of both male and female
Grey Heron
Gull Billed Terns
Iberian Yellow Wagtails
Little Grebe
Mallard
Moorhen
Pochard with both Common and Red Crested easily seen.
Redshanks, two seen on one water.
Shellduck
Shoveler.
Corn BuntingIt took us three hours to arrive at Corral Rubio and all the time we were seeing birds. The temperature by then had risen from single figures to thirteen degrees. The forecasted wind strength was given at fourteen kilometers, but it was stronger than that. Be prepared!
We checked out all areas of water, but waders were not that evident. We heard Yellow Wagtails before we saw them. Then in one small moment we had two yearly firsts. Bryan locked onto a male Whinchat while I saw a Northern Wheatear. Eventually I did manage a view of that elusive Whinchat.
Lagunas de Pétrola was spectacular with thousands of Flamingos clustered in several groups.
Iberian Yellow WagtailHere also were numerous Gull Billed Terns with Black Headed Gulls as well. Also adult and sub- adult Yellow Legged Gulls too. Here we had an outstanding view of a male Iberian Yellow Wagtail. What a stunning bird! The species list here was not high and so we moved on to the next turning and again there was nothing exceptional, but we heard more than one Great Reed Warbler and Bryans sharp ears picked out a Zitting Cisticola. A Marsh Harrier was perched and Grey Heron sat.
It was now past two and so we headed to Estepas de Yecla although we knew that the best hours for viewing had past. We are familiar with this area and so we concentrated on new arrivals for this year. We listened and watched and eventually we had our first views of Woodchat Shrike and then a Black Eared Wheatear perched. However no Black Wheatears showed. Also Sandgrouse remained elusive. A Calandra Lark perched on a nearby rock and was photographed.
Thekla LarkWe were now at the Caudette end and near the farm building where the road turns left to Caudette where we had terrific views of flying and perched Bee eaters. In a field feeding were two Red Billed Choughs providing close and clear views and more Woodchat Shrikes perched. In the far distance Bryan spotted three Raptors and after a magnified viewing one was identified as a Short Toed Eagle. It was very distant, but still a good way to end.
What a day. It was simply great to be out there.
Finally there were notable absentees with no sightings of Great Spotted Cuckoos or Rollers and we had hoped for Warblers too. But there again we will be in the Guadalentin Valley on Monday next.
Woodchat Shrike
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