Taking the turn at 75km, south of Hellín, we travelled the area between Agramón and Las Minas, a village that straddles the border between Murcia and Castile La Mancha. Geologically, geographically and with the diverse habitats it was very interesting and not an area that we knew. There are both Almonds and Olive groves, vines, cultivated ground and other areas of scattered bushes and areas of tufted grass.
Within minutes of turning away from A31 we could hear the harsh calls of Great Spotted Cuckoos and we counted four flying around the Almond trees. Magpies were everywhere and we saw them many times throughout the day. We could hear Choughs and had two sightings of them. There is a large agriculture reservoir which hosted Barn Swallows and House Martins. On the water were Little Grebe and Mallard. In the sky other Hirundines were flying northwards and we had one good sighting of a Swift. This spot to be visited again and it can be easily viewed from the road. The smaller birds were easily seen from time to time and sightings of them are to be expected. It just takes time and patience. Soon we found our first water with Rio Mundo, which was flowing but not in great volume. Another good spot for when there are leaves on the trees and on a warmer day. We suspect warblers, orioles and bee-eaters too.
Las Minas certainly is different. The journey was on winding roads with mountains either side and almost a desert terrain. Tufts of grass proliferated. Dereliction was easily found and abandoned cave dwellings too. On the short journey towards Salmerón the Rio Segura runs and it had a decent flow. From the bridge we heard Nightingale, Cetti’s and one or other flew quickly. A Zitting Cisticola flew and a Robin darted across the river several times. Taking a drink was a male Linnet and a male House Sparrow. Another spot to be noted. The fields here seem to be prepared for rice growing as we could see access for water. Calasparra is not that far away and is supposedly famed for the quality of its rice. We just need to know when the fields are going to be prepared so that we could plan another visit.
We decided to visit the Embalse de Cenajo and although the scenery was good birds were absent. We moved quickly on towards Hellín and another target area just east of A31 and headed in the general direction of Jumilla before veering away and re-entering the A31 at 75km.
Larks were present, but not abundant and one did pose to be photographed and the jury still has to decide upon Crested or is it a Thekla?
Definitely Crested Lark.Another posing bird was one of three Black Eared Wheatears and one perched sufficiently long enough for the camera man.
They all looked beautiful even in the hazy light. Woodchat Shrikes have not arrived and we saw only one Southern Grey.
Worryingly we only saw one rabbit. I know that they are bottom of the food chain, but have they been shot to oblivion? When traveling along CM3250 lying on the side of the road was a dog Fox, very dead, but it was a good specimen with a bushy tail. Somewhere there maybe a vixen struggling to feed cubs. It's tough out there.
This was a day to investigate and to discover areas that could have potential, but it was clear to both of us that many summer arrivals had yet to turn up and that Spring was late. It was almost a raptorless day except one female Marsh Harrier flew alongside the road. There was not one bloody Kestrel in sight! Another visit will happen and when the sun has warmed everything up and there will be a visit to explore both rivers further south as well.
All photographs copyright Bryan Thomas 2018
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