On Monday 18th February Bryan and I agreed that Estepas de Yecla could be worth the effort as we had not visited there since November. The weather was good with mostly full sunshine although with some cloud and a gentle but cold wind. This strengthened in the early afternoon and was of no consequence to our enjoyment.
At 9am we listened to and watched numerous flying Mistle and Song Thrushes . They were in and around Olive Trees and we thought they could be on migration as there was a good number of them.
Green Finches in their bright spring colours were easily seen. Goldfinches, Linnets, Chaffinches too with Stonechats perched in full view. We clearly heard a Blackcap calling and a female was observed on the ground. Wood Pigeons were in the wires.
We have visited here many times and this was the least amount of human activity that we have witnessed. The soil had been tilled between the pruned vines, and all cultivatable land had been prepared. Apart from some winter corn showing through the landscape was a quiet light brown seemingly awaiting warming sun and a good soaking. This area is ‘bone-dry’.
As usual we slowly worked the valley and listened, but it was quiet. A few Crested Larks were there and knowing that Calandra Larks are normally in their hundreds we were not disappointed. Nature is on the move and these larks displayed and posed. We were lucky to get a clear view of a Short-toed one and it’s image was captured too.
We were able to confirm that Lesser Kestrels were still there and identified as such. One inspected two of the nest boxes on the wall of the barn. Maybe they will breed here. Two others were seen on the ground.
Several Crows, two Ravens, sixty to eighty Jackdaws, some Magpies, but our Corvid list lacked the usual Red-Billed Choughs.
Common Buzzards were not seen until late in the morning and on hearing them we saw three of them with two displaying. We again saw two as we began to leave this valley. We had great views as they flew overhead and then away, but they were the only large raptors that we saw.
Around the buildings adjacent to the Bodega were a good number of both House Sparrows and Tree Sparrows that were identifiable in the mixed flock. It is a reliable place to find both, but you have to look closely.
We know that things are moving and we had hoped for birds passing through on their way north. Generally, in that respect, it was disappointing particularly as we know that Great Spotted Cuckoos, an early arrival, have been seen. But not today.
We needed to good bird to make our day and there only a few meters away from us were six Black Bellied Sandgrouse feeding in a field. As usual, they soon flew, but with clear views without the need for binoculars.
Absentees were Chough, Eagles, Pipits, Black Wheatears, Hoopoes and even Rock Sparrows today. Only one Southern Grey Shrike appeared, six Little Owls entertained us and Black Redstarts were still around. Spring is almost upon us and with that our summer arrivals will be here, with some staying, and others continuing on. It will happen. We just have to be out there.
Photographs taken by Bryan Thomas should appear soon but in the meantime go to Bryan’s own blog. http://birdingcostablanca.blogspot.com On there you will find some excellent comments regarding his trip to Gambia with the Bargain Birders. Of course there will be some great photos too of birds that are not to be seen in Spain.
No comments:
Post a Comment