A SMALL FLOODED FIELD AND A MUDDY CORNER MADE OUR DAY EVEN BETTER

On Monday 17th December I travelled to Gran Alacant with the temperature around 12 degrees. Bryan and I decided to stay local and visit our usual places and our first stop was in the Salinas opposite the turning for Playa Lisa. The water level on the non-saline side was high and there was nothing of note on it. On the Salinas side there were the usual collection of Gulls with two Lesser Black Backed amongst them.

At the Salt Tower a Spoonbill flew towards us, and around, before settling behind the nearest bank. In the far distance there were a gathering of about 35 with a smaller group of four easily visible. A Redshank called and flew over and two Turnstones flew up. Flamingos had good numbers. The pools opposite the lay-by did contain water, but no birds. A winter plumage Black Headed Gull perched close by. (You can see for yourself in the photo)



At the next pull-in we could easily see the Spoonbills. Little Egrets were numerous and we saw four Great Egrets and over the reeds two Marsh Harriers hunted. A pair of Stonechats were obvious. We carried on to El Pinet and it was disappointing. Against the far bank were a good number of Black Tailed Godwits. We quickly went to the beach in search of wintering seabirds, but all that we saw were Auduoin’s Gulls and Meadow Pipits searched and flew around in the dunes. An Iberian Green Woodpecker called from the pines. A Robin flew across the road.

Auduoin´s Gull

Next we visited the mouth of the Rio Segura. Dartford Warblers called and flew. There were rafts of Gulls with both Black Headed and Mediterranean in very good numbers. Slender Bills were further up the river. Disappointing in some respects with no Kingfishers and nothing more except a lone Jay flew into the pines.

Apart from the flying Spoonbill which was a very good sighting our morning, so far, was not exceptional.

We now headed in the general direction of Santa Águeda and on the way we had a flying male Marsh Harrier and our first Booted Eagle of the day. We counted five Common Kestrels in various locations. There were plenty of small birds around and then we got lucky.

We came upon a flooded field that resembled a lagoon. 75 Glossy Ibis and 50 Cattle Egrets fed.

The photos say it all with a leg ring obvious and readable and what about the colours? This was a great sight and flying in and around were numerous White Wagtails and raucous Jackdaws called from the side. Bryan really got busy here as the Ibis fed close to us and so did several Black Winged Stilts.

Glossy Ibis

Black Winged Stilt

In the corner of the field small birds hopped about and flew in and out of cover. We had to be patient and it was not until our return on passing this field that we had outstanding views of three Water Pipits. And then the camera was busy again.

Water Pipit

A female Black Redstart perched in front of the car. They are beautiful birds. And I can add Chaffinches and Greenfinches to our sightings. And then just one Grey Wagtail flew into a tree and away.

There is now water at Santa Águeda with the scrubby area having pools in it too. We paid attention and there close by was a solitary Temminck’s Stint sharing the mud with a Blue Throat with others of it’s kind flying in an out of the bushes. There is no photo of either of these as Bryan did not have the long lens.

A lone birder drove in, saw us and drove out. I thought there was camaraderie amongst people with the same interests! That’s a pity.

We will never be satisfied, but our opinion of 2018 was that we had some tremendous days and birds seen. And some firsts! We both have several independent trips planned, but together we will be doing more of the same next year. And we will research more and formulate our ideas.

It is so good to be able to share an interest (or even an obsession!) like wildlife.

Today the sun shone from a clear sky and there was only a light wind and hopefully we will get many more of them in 2019. A great morning out. It's so liberating.