On Tuesday 30th we were out at 7am and after yesterday we were targeting two species. Trumpeter Finch and Dupont’s Lark. The day was cloudy with some rain and the wind strong. Not ideal.
We were staying in San José and we retraced our steps of yesterday afternoon to check on The Salinas again. There was less wind this morning and there were birds there. We carried on towards Cabo de Gata, to the lighthouse area and the road beyond. On the way Guardia Civil drove along the beach and as a result about 30 Curlew flew up and settled back down making it the most number of this species we have seen together in Spain.
Before then a Short-Toed Eagle flew up and holding in the wind. We had good views of it as it circled although it was raining and the light was poor. The camera made it a certain ID.
Around the lighthouse we saw easily several Black Wheatears and our tally for the day of this species became at least a dozen. Black Redstart were everywhere, Crested Larks too and Dartford Warblers called and popped up. A Cormorant perched on a rock, Gannets were seen over the water and we had a flypast of Baleárico/Mediterranean Shearwaters.
It was raining steadily as we took the mountain road past the lighthouse. We hoped to get all the way back to San José, but the road was chained off. There are holes to avoid and it is not for the nervous. Yes, we saw birds, but not either of our target birds.
We returned the way we had come and made a thorough search of The Salinas. The problem here is the distance between us and the birds. In the far distance were 7 Spoonbill, two Great White and one Little Egret. A Grey Heron too and also Curlew, but no Whimbrel. Thirty Dunlin flew around, Little Stint, and one Ringed Plover was spotted. The only Ducks were Mallard. This is a very good spot, except for the distance and on another day we could have had a ‘mega’ bird. It's all a matter of luck!
The weather was improving and the decision was made to go inland to the desert area of Tabernas. We had the co-ordinates and we got to the correct spot slap back by the service station just off A92. This is a strange area, but it was cold, rainy, and we had no luck. We looked for the Trumpeters, again with no luck and apart from a Black Wheatear, a Stonechat, two Thekla’s Larks we saw nothing else.
We made the decision to take an alternative route via a mountain road via Turrillas, Lucainena de las Torres. and then through Níjar . Geologically it was interesting and the road is definitely not for the nervous, but we did it. Okay we had more finches and seven Corn Buntings perched in a tree. It could have been much better. We returned to San José, and then it rained with thunder. Who cares it was beer time!
I seldom mention all the birds that we have seen and for this trip I will post Trev’s list and that will cover our days together.
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