The whole list for 27th February
Raptors
Booted Eagles
Kestrel
Marsh Harrier
Corvids & Doves
Jackdaws
Collared Doves
Gulls
Slender Billed
Yellow Legged
Black headed
Mediterranean
Sandwich Tern
Ducks
Marbled
Northern Shoveler
Mallard
Red Crested Pochard
Egrets and Herons
Cattle
Great White
Grey
Flamingo
Finches
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Serin
Chiffchaffs
Owl - Little
Penduline Tit - heard
Rails & Crakes
Spotted Crake X 4
Skylarks- about 20 flocking in a field
Sparrows
House
Tree
Spotless Starlings
Swallows & Martins
Barn Swallow
Crag Martins
Sand Martins
House Martins
Thrushes
Bluethroat
Blackbird
Waders etc
Avocet
Black Winged Stilts
Black Tailed Godwits
Coot
Dunlin
Greenshank
Jack Snipe
Moorhen
Purple Gallinule
Snipe
Stone Curlew - heard
Turnstone
Cormorant
Glossy Ibis
Kingfisher
Hoopoe
Warblers
Cetti’s- many heard
Sardinian
White Wagtail
Wednesday, 28 February 2018
Spotted Crakes and Booted Eagles
The penultimate day of February promised no sun, total cloud and rain. It was correct, but we worked on the principle that the rain would not be too heavy. The temperature remained around ten degrees. We drove away from Gran Alicant at 9am and made our way towards San Felipe Neri and Parque Natural de Hondo and we did not stop at our usual places of interest except for the Salt Tower alongside the N 332. On the first margin a Greenshank, and a Turnstone were seen. The usual Yellow Legged Gulls were evident and a Sandwich Tern flew over. Black Tailed Godwits were on another lagoon.
Other birders had told of the presence of Spotted Crakes and those were our intended targets. Previously a male Garganey had been seen, but we did not venture further than the boardwalk. On the journey we saw good activity with the smaller birds. For example, feeding on the ground, were a substantial flock of Chaffinches that also included Goldfinches. Also a flock of twenty Skylarks. Southern Grey Strikes were easily seen and Kestrels flew. A Kingfisher darted across in front of us. We did not expect to see many raptors, but our total of male Booted Eagles was five, all nicely perched and accommodating, for Bryan to photograph. By a farmyard there were 20 Gallinas or Guineafowl that were interesting to watch.
Once in the car park at the Information Centre at Hondo a Bluethroat fed on the edge of the lagoon. It was raining enough to get us wet. We checked the margins as we walked towards the boardwalk. We met two fellow birders and on their advice we soon found two of our target birds and there alongside them was a Jack Snipe. A first for me and the views of the Spotted Crakes were excellent as they fed. It was to get much better. On our return to the car two more Crakes were within a few metres and the photographer got busy again. The Bluethroat still remained. Our our return towards Gran Alicant two more male Booted Eagles posed to be photographed.
We stopped at El Pinet and quickly saw very little apart from the usual occupants. That was enough as the rain continued. We seldom count the number of species seen, but this time we will and it is 55. I think a good total for a wet morning and the product of about four hours of endeavor.
Bryan’ s site is Birding Costa Blanca. birdingcostablanca.blogspot.com.es
Other birders had told of the presence of Spotted Crakes and those were our intended targets. Previously a male Garganey had been seen, but we did not venture further than the boardwalk. On the journey we saw good activity with the smaller birds. For example, feeding on the ground, were a substantial flock of Chaffinches that also included Goldfinches. Also a flock of twenty Skylarks. Southern Grey Strikes were easily seen and Kestrels flew. A Kingfisher darted across in front of us. We did not expect to see many raptors, but our total of male Booted Eagles was five, all nicely perched and accommodating, for Bryan to photograph. By a farmyard there were 20 Gallinas or Guineafowl that were interesting to watch.
Once in the car park at the Information Centre at Hondo a Bluethroat fed on the edge of the lagoon. It was raining enough to get us wet. We checked the margins as we walked towards the boardwalk. We met two fellow birders and on their advice we soon found two of our target birds and there alongside them was a Jack Snipe. A first for me and the views of the Spotted Crakes were excellent as they fed. It was to get much better. On our return to the car two more Crakes were within a few metres and the photographer got busy again. The Bluethroat still remained. Our our return towards Gran Alicant two more male Booted Eagles posed to be photographed.
We stopped at El Pinet and quickly saw very little apart from the usual occupants. That was enough as the rain continued. We seldom count the number of species seen, but this time we will and it is 55. I think a good total for a wet morning and the product of about four hours of endeavor.
Bryan’ s site is Birding Costa Blanca. birdingcostablanca.blogspot.com.es
Friday, 23 February 2018
A novel, The Wife by Alafair Burke
A NOVEL, ‘THE WIFE’, written by New York Times best selling author! ALAFAIR BURKE.
Alafair Burke's new Book, ‘The Wife’ was something different for me to read after the second Solomon Creed. It felt good in the hand and the front cover appealed. Perhaps it is an indication of the times we are in and the events that are thrust upon us in our 24/7, almost inescapable daily news, where this book scores well. What would any self-respecting male - yes there must be some still around - even pick up a book by a woman and with that title. I quickly got to Page 40 and found it different and topical. Added to that, it is the way the characters are portrayed and there are some interesting people who saunter around the fringes of the main players. They made me wonder what their motives were and how bad they could be?
You will get no ‘plot spoiler’ from me. Suffice to say this is much, much, more than a crime novel.
Okay, people die and as I read it, that part became almost a side element, but nevertheless still integral, to the issues that are thrust at us. Yes, intriguingly, both sexes are included! What goes on between them makes it a compelling story. It is expertly told. There are less turns in a jive contest than in here.
How this story was wrapped up has kept me thinking, and also, the consequences of those final chapters. There are good clues on the back sleeve, but you don't really need other people's comments for you can make your own up when you read it.
Alafair Burke's new Book, ‘The Wife’ was something different for me to read after the second Solomon Creed. It felt good in the hand and the front cover appealed. Perhaps it is an indication of the times we are in and the events that are thrust upon us in our 24/7, almost inescapable daily news, where this book scores well. What would any self-respecting male - yes there must be some still around - even pick up a book by a woman and with that title. I quickly got to Page 40 and found it different and topical. Added to that, it is the way the characters are portrayed and there are some interesting people who saunter around the fringes of the main players. They made me wonder what their motives were and how bad they could be?
You will get no ‘plot spoiler’ from me. Suffice to say this is much, much, more than a crime novel.
Okay, people die and as I read it, that part became almost a side element, but nevertheless still integral, to the issues that are thrust at us. Yes, intriguingly, both sexes are included! What goes on between them makes it a compelling story. It is expertly told. There are less turns in a jive contest than in here.
How this story was wrapped up has kept me thinking, and also, the consequences of those final chapters. There are good clues on the back sleeve, but you don't really need other people's comments for you can make your own up when you read it.
Monday, 19 February 2018
Sierra De Espuña
Friday 16th February I collected Bryan about 9am (late for us) to go to Sierra de Espunas. It has just warmed up and the weather has changed to allow Spring to progress.
It is motorway all the way to past Murcia and then follow the big brown signs. We were up the mountain and listening and watching for birds as we went . The temperature was surprising warm at 15 C. We had a couple of short stops on the way up that yielded nothing. We parked outside the information centre and we could hear Crossbill, Coal and Crested Tit, Chaffinch and Woodlark and Bryan’s knowledge did the translation. Our views were limited.
We moved onto a viewing point and on the way two Golden Eagles appeared briefly, but we had good views of them once we had parked. Here there were two Crossbill - either female or juvenile male - and we heard Woodlark again. However this was not our final destination as we wanted to go much higher. Our target was the ‘ice caves’ and the water source by them. It was an interesting twenty minute walk and although it was sunny and the temperature around 15C part of the track had snow and other areas were either crisp or wet. We met other birders/tourists on route and it is good to stop and chat with others as we search for birds
There was bird song and calls all around us amongst the pines. We waited for a while at the caves with not much to make the trip worth while apart from the pleasure of being there out in the mountain air. A Rock Bunting obligingly perched for the photograph and it was in full summer plumage.
A Cole Tit, Robin and Linnet showed well and up the slope there was a cacophony of sound that included the whirring Red Legged Partridges and Chough called frequently. We heard and saw flying Raven with one perched high on a ridge.
We were too late for both Mistle Thrush and Ring Ouzels and I will have to wait to next winter for them.
Wildlife apart, this Sierra and surrounding ones, have a good deal of history which can be viewed on Murcia Today and other sites. There are intact ‘ice houses’ there too and some were constructed in the 1500’s.
It is motorway all the way to past Murcia and then follow the big brown signs. We were up the mountain and listening and watching for birds as we went . The temperature was surprising warm at 15 C. We had a couple of short stops on the way up that yielded nothing. We parked outside the information centre and we could hear Crossbill, Coal and Crested Tit, Chaffinch and Woodlark and Bryan’s knowledge did the translation. Our views were limited.
We moved onto a viewing point and on the way two Golden Eagles appeared briefly, but we had good views of them once we had parked. Here there were two Crossbill - either female or juvenile male - and we heard Woodlark again. However this was not our final destination as we wanted to go much higher. Our target was the ‘ice caves’ and the water source by them. It was an interesting twenty minute walk and although it was sunny and the temperature around 15C part of the track had snow and other areas were either crisp or wet. We met other birders/tourists on route and it is good to stop and chat with others as we search for birds
There was bird song and calls all around us amongst the pines. We waited for a while at the caves with not much to make the trip worth while apart from the pleasure of being there out in the mountain air. A Rock Bunting obligingly perched for the photograph and it was in full summer plumage.
A Cole Tit, Robin and Linnet showed well and up the slope there was a cacophony of sound that included the whirring Red Legged Partridges and Chough called frequently. We heard and saw flying Raven with one perched high on a ridge.
We were too late for both Mistle Thrush and Ring Ouzels and I will have to wait to next winter for them.
Wildlife apart, this Sierra and surrounding ones, have a good deal of history which can be viewed on Murcia Today and other sites. There are intact ‘ice houses’ there too and some were constructed in the 1500’s.
Saturday, 17 February 2018
The Second Solomon Creed - The Boy Who Saw
THE SECOND IN THE TRILOGY
I have re-read ‘the boy who saw’. The front cover proclaims that:
‘only one boy can see the darkness’
‘only one man can save him from it’
It is the second book in the Solomon Creed triology by Simon Toyne and I am impatient for the third and final one to appear.
Having read the first book I became hooked on the character, Solomon Creed, and being amazed, and wondered at, how this extraordinary being came about. He carries the stories, but the writer has also created other essential and interesting characters. Some good and, of course, some bad. If you have read the first story you could expect more of same except Creed has moved continents and the motivations for violence have different origins. It is an enthralling read and there is again, so much detail. It as an absorbing book.
This story is firmly rooted in European history of the last century and also as rooted in political events of even last year. He has created players that want to see the end of liberalism and the rise of more nationalistic ideas. Toyne has treated these subjects with respect and he acknowledges, in his depth of research, the assistance of others. What next will come, I wonder.
I have re-read ‘the boy who saw’. The front cover proclaims that:
‘only one boy can see the darkness’
‘only one man can save him from it’
It is the second book in the Solomon Creed triology by Simon Toyne and I am impatient for the third and final one to appear.
Having read the first book I became hooked on the character, Solomon Creed, and being amazed, and wondered at, how this extraordinary being came about. He carries the stories, but the writer has also created other essential and interesting characters. Some good and, of course, some bad. If you have read the first story you could expect more of same except Creed has moved continents and the motivations for violence have different origins. It is an enthralling read and there is again, so much detail. It as an absorbing book.
This story is firmly rooted in European history of the last century and also as rooted in political events of even last year. He has created players that want to see the end of liberalism and the rise of more nationalistic ideas. Toyne has treated these subjects with respect and he acknowledges, in his depth of research, the assistance of others. What next will come, I wonder.
Monday, 12 February 2018
Day Five.
Here are some shots of the Short-Eared Owls taken on Canon 40D with a 300mm f4 Lens. The light was fading, the sun was going down and the owls were quite long way a way.
Flying high in the distance.
In the bottom right of the photo you can see what is possibly a Common Snipe escaping the Owl
In Flight
Copyright Michelle Edwards 2018
Flying high in the distance.
In the bottom right of the photo you can see what is possibly a Common Snipe escaping the Owl
In Flight
Copyright Michelle Edwards 2018
Friday, 9 February 2018
Day Five - Our Final Day
Tuesday 6th February and our last day. It was 4 degrees with sun, cloud and a cold wind. We were informed that this was their coldest week of the winter. Our plan was simple to take a route to José Valverde Information Centre via Isla Mayor - that was recommended by Laury. We were en route from 8.30 until our arrival at I.C at 3.15pm. In June Bryan had seen a plethora of species here included a host of Black Vultures. This winter there were none on view and not much else.
There were clear views of both female and male Gadwalls and so we had our lunch and moved on.
On route an Egyptian Mongoose dashed across the road in front of the car and one crossed behind. We had two clear views.
We were now in the same location, but earlier, than Day One when we saw our first Owls. We knew the road and likely locations and we were not to be disappointed. In the marsh a herd of Fallow Deer, mainly stags with a couple of hinds looked our way.
Common Cranes were easily seen in both small groups and in one group of 70. White Storks dotted the fields and we also had three clear, but distant Black Storks as well. The verges and fences had numerous birds and I had my first very clear views of both male and female Spanish Sparrows. Corn Buntings and Stonechats were again numerous too.
Soon we saw the Short-Eared Owls and we watched them for more than an hour. They are so beautiful and the photographers were kept busy. They were an unforgettable sight.
While scanning for more Owls Trevor spotted in the distance a Hen Harrier - our first for the trip. We watched it disappear and then we located both a male and a female. After discussion it was decided that the male was a Hen and not a Montagu’s.
At one location near the pumping station we counted over fifty Nigh Herons with some in breeding plumage and others being younger birds.
It was a late drive home, but with no Barn Owl to see on this occasion and we arrived at our accommodation at 8.55 tired but pleased.
Our total now was 132. Obviously we always want to see as many species as possible, but it is quality sightings that matter most to us. And we had plenty of them. Southern Spain is a must for any birder as there are so many to see and in very good numbers. I think we will be back again.
There were clear views of both female and male Gadwalls and so we had our lunch and moved on.
On route an Egyptian Mongoose dashed across the road in front of the car and one crossed behind. We had two clear views.
We were now in the same location, but earlier, than Day One when we saw our first Owls. We knew the road and likely locations and we were not to be disappointed. In the marsh a herd of Fallow Deer, mainly stags with a couple of hinds looked our way.
Common Cranes were easily seen in both small groups and in one group of 70. White Storks dotted the fields and we also had three clear, but distant Black Storks as well. The verges and fences had numerous birds and I had my first very clear views of both male and female Spanish Sparrows. Corn Buntings and Stonechats were again numerous too.
Soon we saw the Short-Eared Owls and we watched them for more than an hour. They are so beautiful and the photographers were kept busy. They were an unforgettable sight.
While scanning for more Owls Trevor spotted in the distance a Hen Harrier - our first for the trip. We watched it disappear and then we located both a male and a female. After discussion it was decided that the male was a Hen and not a Montagu’s.
At one location near the pumping station we counted over fifty Nigh Herons with some in breeding plumage and others being younger birds.
It was a late drive home, but with no Barn Owl to see on this occasion and we arrived at our accommodation at 8.55 tired but pleased.
Our total now was 132. Obviously we always want to see as many species as possible, but it is quality sightings that matter most to us. And we had plenty of them. Southern Spain is a must for any birder as there are so many to see and in very good numbers. I think we will be back again.
Day Four
MONDAY 5th February. We discussed the value in booking a guide for a day. Laury was our ‘in-house’ man as we were staying on his property. We already had three very successful days and we had taken some advice on where to go. We decided that to see more we needed local knowledge and it proved to be a very good decision for we had twenty-three new species on the day.
We left prompt at 9am with a frosted windscreen and our first destination was to a restricted area where Luary had gained permission. The habitats for today changed from pine woodland, through the whole range of coastal ones to farmland late in the afternoon. Crested Tit was more easily heard than seen, but we all saw it and I had a clear view through binoculars. When two were seeing Dartford Warbler the other two were having great views of a Dunnock. It perched in full view in a leafless bush. On the adjacent lagoon there were Gadwall and Wigeon that were both new birds for this trip. One House Martin flew over. Other waders were there too.
The next area was a salt water habitat. Perched in the distance was an Osprey and there was one flying over the port area afterwards. This area was fantastic for the quantity of waders and gulls, but nothing that was new for us. We had terrific and frequent views of both Whimbrels and Curlews again and saw another Grey Plover.
Gulls were plentiful and included out first sightings of both Audouin’s and Slender Bill Gulls.
On the unused salt pans waders were numerous and my target bird and star bird of the day was three excellent sightings of one Marsh Sandpiper. We worked at it as the bird flew several times before Bryan was able to photograph it. This is an area not to be missed there was not only a plethora of birds, but also a rarity too.
Watching a Marsh Sandpiper
We moved on and we saw both Sandwich and Caspian Terns and then a Purple Heron flew to disappear into the marismas.
We again changed habitats and headed towards farmland in search for the Black Shouldered (Winged) Kite. We located two with one perched on a platform and the other one, the male, was flying until it landed with the female and copulation took place. We were to have three more sightings of others.
The farmland area was buzzing with birds that included Spanish Sparrow and a variety of Larks including Sky and Calandra.
It was another full day, guided for this one, and we arrived back home at 7.30 hungry and satisfied with our day. I thought good value for money with no driving for Michelle or for myself with a good variety of birds and excellent views of a Marsh Sandpiper which was a first anywhere for the both of us.
Our guide was Laury Grenon at info@andalucianaturetrips.com
We left prompt at 9am with a frosted windscreen and our first destination was to a restricted area where Luary had gained permission. The habitats for today changed from pine woodland, through the whole range of coastal ones to farmland late in the afternoon. Crested Tit was more easily heard than seen, but we all saw it and I had a clear view through binoculars. When two were seeing Dartford Warbler the other two were having great views of a Dunnock. It perched in full view in a leafless bush. On the adjacent lagoon there were Gadwall and Wigeon that were both new birds for this trip. One House Martin flew over. Other waders were there too.
The next area was a salt water habitat. Perched in the distance was an Osprey and there was one flying over the port area afterwards. This area was fantastic for the quantity of waders and gulls, but nothing that was new for us. We had terrific and frequent views of both Whimbrels and Curlews again and saw another Grey Plover.
Gulls were plentiful and included out first sightings of both Audouin’s and Slender Bill Gulls.
On the unused salt pans waders were numerous and my target bird and star bird of the day was three excellent sightings of one Marsh Sandpiper. We worked at it as the bird flew several times before Bryan was able to photograph it. This is an area not to be missed there was not only a plethora of birds, but also a rarity too.
Watching a Marsh SandpiperWe moved on and we saw both Sandwich and Caspian Terns and then a Purple Heron flew to disappear into the marismas.
We again changed habitats and headed towards farmland in search for the Black Shouldered (Winged) Kite. We located two with one perched on a platform and the other one, the male, was flying until it landed with the female and copulation took place. We were to have three more sightings of others.
The farmland area was buzzing with birds that included Spanish Sparrow and a variety of Larks including Sky and Calandra.
It was another full day, guided for this one, and we arrived back home at 7.30 hungry and satisfied with our day. I thought good value for money with no driving for Michelle or for myself with a good variety of birds and excellent views of a Marsh Sandpiper which was a first anywhere for the both of us.
Our guide was Laury Grenon at info@andalucianaturetrips.com
Day Three
For our Sunday trip on 4th February we decided to go north west of Huelva. Our destination was Ermita de la Virgen De la Peña because this is a site for Alpine Accentors. These are rare birds and usually difficult to find. It had rained overnight and on leaving at 8.30am it was 8 degrees with cloud cover, but the wind made it feel colder. We did have spots of rain in the afternoon and some sunshine at the Ermita.
Our route from Huelva took us west on A49-E1 to junction 105 where we turned north on HU 3401 heading towards Tariquejo and San Bartolomé De la Torre. At the latter town we turned nothing west on A 499 to Villanueva de los Castillejos. Here we turned north still on A 499 until we saw the sign for the Ermita on our right hand side.
We knew that our route would take us through ‘steppe’ country where we could see Great Bustards. It was in the area of Villanueva on A 490 we saw two GB’s fly in the distance. They were only brief views, but another species for the list. We searched the surrounding fields for any more and found Golden Plovers with Lapwings.
We had various stops on route and saw Chaffinch, Buzzards, Blue Tit and Bryan heard a Wood Lark. Also there were about one hundred and fifty White Storks circling high in the distance. There were others on nests. Villanueva was one stop where we had coffee and there was a garage as well.
At the Ermita de la Virgin De la Peña there are panoramic views all around. In fact this is a site that is exceptional and it was special for us. Apart from Blue Rock-thrush, Black Redstarts, House Sparrows, Robin, Blue Tit, with two flying Jays, and a Great Tit called, with White Storks and Griffins overhead which would please most birders the star birds had yet to be seen. Today there were at least seven Alpine Accentors. These showed well feeding on a bank of bare earth, and trees and shrubs. This is a spot they continued to return to. They flicked through the vegetation at the base of a pine. In the car park, only a few metres away from the bank I stood still and they walked to with ten feet of me. There were four here paying only little attention to people. We took our time as our star birder and photographer needed to get the best photograph possible. The Accentors were our 99th bird of the trip. In the car park I spoke to two Spanish guys who told us that around the back of the rocky outcrop was an Eagle Owl site that can be seen from the road at the back. We were unsuccessful.
On a return southwards we saw a small area of water and there was a perched Kingfisher, and House Martins flew over on passage. In the margins a Ringed Plover fed. It does pay to stop and look!
Traveling towards home we headed again to Isla Cristina and this time decided to investigate Playa de Canela. (See Page 51 -Guardiana Estuary of Where To Watch Birds in Southern & Western Spain by Ernest Garcia & Andrew Paterson. The map on this page does give any idea of the distance needed to get there). It is almost a nine day camel ride to get to a view of the marsh. In winter it is empty of visitors and this meant that we could stop anywhere. Here we had our first Curlew and Whimbrel of the trip. They were brilliant views of several birds and comparisons between the species was easily seen. Flying over the harbour was a Sandwich Tern.
Further on into Huelva opposite LYDIA COCINAS and across the single railway track we traveled down a track and in the lagoon we saw about a dozen Shellduck. Twelve Ringed Plovers, Little Stint and Redshank. It was easy birding, but the temperature was dropping with a cold wind blowing. Upon leaving there were over 100 Cattle Egrets in a field. Our next stop was the Shopping Centre signposted Centro Commercial for a beer and a burger. New species for today were eleven with a trip total of 105.
The two photographers had looked enviously at the ‘nightscape’ provided by the Repsol site on our route to our accommodation. The security provided by Prosegur found us and suggested hat we move on and that photographs were not allowed. However, no signage and no one was arrested.
Our route from Huelva took us west on A49-E1 to junction 105 where we turned north on HU 3401 heading towards Tariquejo and San Bartolomé De la Torre. At the latter town we turned nothing west on A 499 to Villanueva de los Castillejos. Here we turned north still on A 499 until we saw the sign for the Ermita on our right hand side.
We knew that our route would take us through ‘steppe’ country where we could see Great Bustards. It was in the area of Villanueva on A 490 we saw two GB’s fly in the distance. They were only brief views, but another species for the list. We searched the surrounding fields for any more and found Golden Plovers with Lapwings.
We had various stops on route and saw Chaffinch, Buzzards, Blue Tit and Bryan heard a Wood Lark. Also there were about one hundred and fifty White Storks circling high in the distance. There were others on nests. Villanueva was one stop where we had coffee and there was a garage as well.
At the Ermita de la Virgin De la Peña there are panoramic views all around. In fact this is a site that is exceptional and it was special for us. Apart from Blue Rock-thrush, Black Redstarts, House Sparrows, Robin, Blue Tit, with two flying Jays, and a Great Tit called, with White Storks and Griffins overhead which would please most birders the star birds had yet to be seen. Today there were at least seven Alpine Accentors. These showed well feeding on a bank of bare earth, and trees and shrubs. This is a spot they continued to return to. They flicked through the vegetation at the base of a pine. In the car park, only a few metres away from the bank I stood still and they walked to with ten feet of me. There were four here paying only little attention to people. We took our time as our star birder and photographer needed to get the best photograph possible. The Accentors were our 99th bird of the trip. In the car park I spoke to two Spanish guys who told us that around the back of the rocky outcrop was an Eagle Owl site that can be seen from the road at the back. We were unsuccessful.
On a return southwards we saw a small area of water and there was a perched Kingfisher, and House Martins flew over on passage. In the margins a Ringed Plover fed. It does pay to stop and look!
Traveling towards home we headed again to Isla Cristina and this time decided to investigate Playa de Canela. (See Page 51 -Guardiana Estuary of Where To Watch Birds in Southern & Western Spain by Ernest Garcia & Andrew Paterson. The map on this page does give any idea of the distance needed to get there). It is almost a nine day camel ride to get to a view of the marsh. In winter it is empty of visitors and this meant that we could stop anywhere. Here we had our first Curlew and Whimbrel of the trip. They were brilliant views of several birds and comparisons between the species was easily seen. Flying over the harbour was a Sandwich Tern.
Further on into Huelva opposite LYDIA COCINAS and across the single railway track we traveled down a track and in the lagoon we saw about a dozen Shellduck. Twelve Ringed Plovers, Little Stint and Redshank. It was easy birding, but the temperature was dropping with a cold wind blowing. Upon leaving there were over 100 Cattle Egrets in a field. Our next stop was the Shopping Centre signposted Centro Commercial for a beer and a burger. New species for today were eleven with a trip total of 105.
The two photographers had looked enviously at the ‘nightscape’ provided by the Repsol site on our route to our accommodation. The security provided by Prosegur found us and suggested hat we move on and that photographs were not allowed. However, no signage and no one was arrested.
Day Two
On Saturday 3rd February was a proper winter’s morning with the temperature at just above freezing and it took several hours before it rose significantly. Yesterday the top temperature was 17 degrees and today was about the same, more or less. For today we decided to venture into Portugal and in the scenic sense it was both very interesting and very different from Doñana. The entry over the Rio Guardiana was spectacular over a magnificent bridge. The landscapes were different and changed as we travelled towards our first destination of Mértola.
The Four Amigos!!!
Bridge to Portugal
We stopped when we were just over the bridge with farmland and marsh either side of us where we saw our first Mallards. Azure Winged Magpies flew in good numbers. They are common birds in many areas. We still birded as we went and at our first roadside stop, on the edge of Pine trees we added to the list a Green Woodpecker and heard a Dartford Warbler. We moved on and then there was one Long Tailed Tit feeding in the tree just above our heads.
The road to Mértola was interesting as the scenery and habitats changed along the way. We saw both species of Magpie, Corn Buntings, Stonechats, Goldfinches, Serin, Chaffinch and Linnet. In a small cluster of houses we heard Sparrows and in a flock Spanish Sparrows were spotted. This particular location seemed very poor, very rural and almost ‘backward’. Some of the villages that we passed through in this area possessed modern, well kept houses but with a mix of poorer properties amongst them. Interestingly to me some of the small field boundaries were cob and I can only assume that the base consisted of stone and they would have been capped to protect the wall part.
Just before the town of Mértola we stopped at the bridge and looked down onto the river. Here we watched Blackcaps and a Kingfisher flew from a perch and disappeared. Mértola is a stone town and the streets are cobbled. We sat in the sun drinking coffee overlooking the river watching Crag Martins flying overhead and Jackdaws too. One Aylesbury duck swam in the river.
Mertola
Leaving Mértola behind we drove towards Pulo de Lobo (Leap of the Wolf). This is a site that Bryan had visited in June and it is spectacular. Where the metaled road ends there is a gate and a cattle grid. The gate is not locked and the road is good. We drove down towards the river to find a weir and beautiful rocks where the water had cut through it. Close to the water Chiffchaffs flew with White Wagtails and then we saw our first Grey Wagtail. A Green Sandpiper was by the weir. Overhead Griffin Vultures circled and we spotted one Black Vulture.
Pulo De Lobo
We had already seen Crested Larks and they were checked out just in case one of them was a Thekla. Bryan identified one through the camera and so we were able to add another new bird to our list. Our first Song Thrush of the trip was seen.
We headed back into Spain and checked out the potential of Isla Cristina. We stopped on the edge of a lagoon that was littered with rubbish and where the hide had been vandalized, but the birds were as follows:
Little Stint
Redshank
Dunlin
Kentish Plover
Sanderling
Black-tailed Godwit
Common Sandpiper
The light was now fading and it signaled the end of this birding day.
Our total of species over two days stood at 94.
The Four Amigos!!!
Bridge to PortugalWe stopped when we were just over the bridge with farmland and marsh either side of us where we saw our first Mallards. Azure Winged Magpies flew in good numbers. They are common birds in many areas. We still birded as we went and at our first roadside stop, on the edge of Pine trees we added to the list a Green Woodpecker and heard a Dartford Warbler. We moved on and then there was one Long Tailed Tit feeding in the tree just above our heads.
The road to Mértola was interesting as the scenery and habitats changed along the way. We saw both species of Magpie, Corn Buntings, Stonechats, Goldfinches, Serin, Chaffinch and Linnet. In a small cluster of houses we heard Sparrows and in a flock Spanish Sparrows were spotted. This particular location seemed very poor, very rural and almost ‘backward’. Some of the villages that we passed through in this area possessed modern, well kept houses but with a mix of poorer properties amongst them. Interestingly to me some of the small field boundaries were cob and I can only assume that the base consisted of stone and they would have been capped to protect the wall part.
Just before the town of Mértola we stopped at the bridge and looked down onto the river. Here we watched Blackcaps and a Kingfisher flew from a perch and disappeared. Mértola is a stone town and the streets are cobbled. We sat in the sun drinking coffee overlooking the river watching Crag Martins flying overhead and Jackdaws too. One Aylesbury duck swam in the river.
MertolaLeaving Mértola behind we drove towards Pulo de Lobo (Leap of the Wolf). This is a site that Bryan had visited in June and it is spectacular. Where the metaled road ends there is a gate and a cattle grid. The gate is not locked and the road is good. We drove down towards the river to find a weir and beautiful rocks where the water had cut through it. Close to the water Chiffchaffs flew with White Wagtails and then we saw our first Grey Wagtail. A Green Sandpiper was by the weir. Overhead Griffin Vultures circled and we spotted one Black Vulture.
Pulo De LoboWe had already seen Crested Larks and they were checked out just in case one of them was a Thekla. Bryan identified one through the camera and so we were able to add another new bird to our list. Our first Song Thrush of the trip was seen.
We headed back into Spain and checked out the potential of Isla Cristina. We stopped on the edge of a lagoon that was littered with rubbish and where the hide had been vandalized, but the birds were as follows:
Little Stint
Redshank
Dunlin
Kentish Plover
Sanderling
Black-tailed Godwit
Common Sandpiper
The light was now fading and it signaled the end of this birding day.
Our total of species over two days stood at 94.
Day One
Friday 2nd February was our first full day. We always ‘go-for-it’ and by 8.30 we had provisioned-up and left Mazagón via A496 towards El Rocio in the north western part of Doñana Parque Natural. On route we stopped In the car park adjacent to a Parador. A Tree Creeper showed in the tree next to us. Walking down to the beach we had good views of many species that included Robin, Stonechat, and Common Chiffchaff. On the beach Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, Sanderling, and a Northern Gannet flew. A Kestrel sunned itself on the cliff. Here we had a total of 18 birds.
The Beach next to The Parador
El Rocío, a city on the edge of a lagoon provides the juxtaposition of white buildings, shops and a well photographed Cathedral and a wetland habitat for waders. The only geese were Greylag. Ducks were not plentiful either but with good views of Teal and Pintail. However on the walkway there were very close species of Bluethroat, Zitting Cisticola, and singing and feeding in the trees were Blackcaps. Spoonbills and Ibis were numerous and Common Snipe, Meadow Pipits and White Wagtails fed in the margins with Lapwings. Shovelers and Black-tailed Godwits were easily seen and in the distance there was a large number of Spoonbills. We left at 3.15pm
El Rocio Church and Lagoon
(On 8th a Lesser Yellowlegs was videoed in El Rocio)
We moved on a tad disappointed with the count, but very pleased with the birds that were clear and close up. We took a circuitous route following the signs towards Jose Valverde Information Centre. It was not a good decision with an excessive amount of driving on un-named, pot-holed and ‘corrugated’ roads. (We now know that we went the long way around). That is not to say we did not see birds because we stopped frequently because of our sharp eyed passengers who seemed to miss nothing. White Storks, flying and on nests were easy to spot. On three separate occasions we had flying Black ones too.
We didn't know it but the best was still to come. We arrived at the Centre just as it closed at 6pm and we took what was another lengthy route. On our left hand side was open farmland, but on the other side it was uncultivated with open areas of grass, scrub and patches of water. As dusk was approaching we had terrific views of hunting Short-Eared Owls. There was at least three and with more birds a little further on, and what a display it was. We watched, using binoculars and scope and the photographer got busy. We were mesmerized by the fly pasts. They are spectacular birds. We also saw Red Deer.
But that was not all, for there was more to come. By a large building (pump house maybe?) we saw clearly a Nigh Heron roost of 19 birds that included adults and juveniles. If that was not enough we had perched, on a post, a Barn Owl. The light was failing fast and a photograph was only just possible.
Although we saw 8 Marsh Harriers in total, about the same number of Common Buzzards and a good number of Kestrels our raptor count did not rise and that was disappointing. We saw one passing hirundine - a Barn Swallow. Our total species count for the day was 72.
It was now dark and the time was 8.30 and since we were again passing El Rocio we decided to eat there. It was a long day, but worth it.
The Beach next to The ParadorEl Rocío, a city on the edge of a lagoon provides the juxtaposition of white buildings, shops and a well photographed Cathedral and a wetland habitat for waders. The only geese were Greylag. Ducks were not plentiful either but with good views of Teal and Pintail. However on the walkway there were very close species of Bluethroat, Zitting Cisticola, and singing and feeding in the trees were Blackcaps. Spoonbills and Ibis were numerous and Common Snipe, Meadow Pipits and White Wagtails fed in the margins with Lapwings. Shovelers and Black-tailed Godwits were easily seen and in the distance there was a large number of Spoonbills. We left at 3.15pm
El Rocio Church and Lagoon
(On 8th a Lesser Yellowlegs was videoed in El Rocio)
We moved on a tad disappointed with the count, but very pleased with the birds that were clear and close up. We took a circuitous route following the signs towards Jose Valverde Information Centre. It was not a good decision with an excessive amount of driving on un-named, pot-holed and ‘corrugated’ roads. (We now know that we went the long way around). That is not to say we did not see birds because we stopped frequently because of our sharp eyed passengers who seemed to miss nothing. White Storks, flying and on nests were easy to spot. On three separate occasions we had flying Black ones too.
We didn't know it but the best was still to come. We arrived at the Centre just as it closed at 6pm and we took what was another lengthy route. On our left hand side was open farmland, but on the other side it was uncultivated with open areas of grass, scrub and patches of water. As dusk was approaching we had terrific views of hunting Short-Eared Owls. There was at least three and with more birds a little further on, and what a display it was. We watched, using binoculars and scope and the photographer got busy. We were mesmerized by the fly pasts. They are spectacular birds. We also saw Red Deer.
But that was not all, for there was more to come. By a large building (pump house maybe?) we saw clearly a Nigh Heron roost of 19 birds that included adults and juveniles. If that was not enough we had perched, on a post, a Barn Owl. The light was failing fast and a photograph was only just possible.
Although we saw 8 Marsh Harriers in total, about the same number of Common Buzzards and a good number of Kestrels our raptor count did not rise and that was disappointing. We saw one passing hirundine - a Barn Swallow. Our total species count for the day was 72.
It was now dark and the time was 8.30 and since we were again passing El Rocio we decided to eat there. It was a long day, but worth it.
Thursday, 8 February 2018
Birding in Southern Spain
FIVE FANTASTIC DAYS OF WILDLIFE
Southern Spain - Friday 2nd to Tuesday 6th February 2018.
The four of us had five long days of birding having travelled from our home destinations on 1st February and returned after out last day. We could have stayed for longer as there are vast areas to travel through and see wildlife. To be fully cognizant of the size of Southern Spain it has to be visited to understand the enormity of it. Some of our journeys undertaken will mention times and distances and one has to be prepared for it. There are towns with facilities, but a full tank of fuel is recommended together with personal provisions.
One of us, Bryan, had some knowledge of the area when he visited in June, 2017 and all of us are used to searching out and finding our way around. However guided days can be advantageous because local knowledge, in my mind, reigns supreme. To be more pointed it is the best choice, in that it saves time, and effort, and the reward of seeing more species speaks for itself. For our first three days we guided ourselves and we had an impressive list by the end of day three, but that was with some advice. We decided to have a guided day because we would know by then what we still needed to see and we knew that a local person would know where to find the target birds. He did know too. The fourth day we were driven by Laury Grenon and taken to areas, including a restricted one, that we would have been unlikely to find for ourselves and we would not have had time to see all the habitats that we covered in that day.
We researched Doñana, but the truth is that we only touched the north-west tip of it at El Rocio
and the Jose Valverde Information Centre. We stayed at Mazagón and birded along the coastal strip. A journey into Portugal was interesting and our other main area was in the Biosphere Reserve of Marismas de Odiel and around the port of Huelva with Laury.
We did not anticipate the low temperatures and on these days it was said to be the coldest part of the winter. There was some rain, mostly sunny, but with one day predominately cloudy and on all days a cold wind blew. Warm clothes and with ones that can keep the wind out should be taken. Wooly hats and gloves too.
My final advice is, if knowledge of the area is limited, your time is at a premium and your knowledge of birds could be better then a search for local guides and to contact them to see what they can offer. There is a restricted area of Doñana Parque Natural where a guide must be taken and is where El Lince (Lynx) can be seen, but be warned it is forbidden to leave the vehicle and that also applied to a small part of our day with Laury.
We always have a map. A 578 Regional España Sur - Andalucía Where 1cm equals 4km. A SatNav is essential and GPS is valuable if accessed when traveling. Laury’s website is very good and can be viewed on http://www.andalucianaturetrips.com and it will point the viewer to Google Maps which are far more detailed than paper ones.
The decision for a winter visit was to see the wildfowl and resident wintering birds. We did see birds going north and the migration has started. Obviously the forthcoming months will reveal others and different results can be achieved. We are anticipating another visit in May!
Southern Spain - Friday 2nd to Tuesday 6th February 2018.
The four of us had five long days of birding having travelled from our home destinations on 1st February and returned after out last day. We could have stayed for longer as there are vast areas to travel through and see wildlife. To be fully cognizant of the size of Southern Spain it has to be visited to understand the enormity of it. Some of our journeys undertaken will mention times and distances and one has to be prepared for it. There are towns with facilities, but a full tank of fuel is recommended together with personal provisions.
One of us, Bryan, had some knowledge of the area when he visited in June, 2017 and all of us are used to searching out and finding our way around. However guided days can be advantageous because local knowledge, in my mind, reigns supreme. To be more pointed it is the best choice, in that it saves time, and effort, and the reward of seeing more species speaks for itself. For our first three days we guided ourselves and we had an impressive list by the end of day three, but that was with some advice. We decided to have a guided day because we would know by then what we still needed to see and we knew that a local person would know where to find the target birds. He did know too. The fourth day we were driven by Laury Grenon and taken to areas, including a restricted one, that we would have been unlikely to find for ourselves and we would not have had time to see all the habitats that we covered in that day.
We researched Doñana, but the truth is that we only touched the north-west tip of it at El Rocio
and the Jose Valverde Information Centre. We stayed at Mazagón and birded along the coastal strip. A journey into Portugal was interesting and our other main area was in the Biosphere Reserve of Marismas de Odiel and around the port of Huelva with Laury.
We did not anticipate the low temperatures and on these days it was said to be the coldest part of the winter. There was some rain, mostly sunny, but with one day predominately cloudy and on all days a cold wind blew. Warm clothes and with ones that can keep the wind out should be taken. Wooly hats and gloves too.
My final advice is, if knowledge of the area is limited, your time is at a premium and your knowledge of birds could be better then a search for local guides and to contact them to see what they can offer. There is a restricted area of Doñana Parque Natural where a guide must be taken and is where El Lince (Lynx) can be seen, but be warned it is forbidden to leave the vehicle and that also applied to a small part of our day with Laury.
We always have a map. A 578 Regional España Sur - Andalucía Where 1cm equals 4km. A SatNav is essential and GPS is valuable if accessed when traveling. Laury’s website is very good and can be viewed on http://www.andalucianaturetrips.com and it will point the viewer to Google Maps which are far more detailed than paper ones.
The decision for a winter visit was to see the wildfowl and resident wintering birds. We did see birds going north and the migration has started. Obviously the forthcoming months will reveal others and different results can be achieved. We are anticipating another visit in May!
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