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