En route sharp-eyed Bryan spotted a perched Black Shouldered Kite and a male Blue Rock Thrush as we sped down the AP7.
We spent two hours in and around the Lighthouse area which we searched diligently. We had little to show for our efforts except for several Crested Larks, one Black Eared Wheatear, and a couple of Sardinian Warblers called. House Sparrows flitted around the car park. We were in full sunshine but with a stiff breeze but birds were few. Yellow Legged Gulls flew and Slender Billed as well.
We changed tactics and headed for the beach road where there are dunes along side of the Salinas. We took the Camino, parallel with this road, and starting from the round-a-bout we travelled slowly along and within two hundred meters Michelle spotted a male and female Trumpeter. They soon flew away, but Bryan did get the photo to prove it. Itch well and truly scratched.
Afterwards we saw Two Southern Grey Shrikes and a distant Woodchat perched. One Common Kestrel flew across our front
We returned to the Lighthouse area but by this time it was very windy with too many tourists around. A first year Mediterranean Shag perched on the rocks and that was the only sea bird visible. It was a disappointing return and the Salinas disappointed too. The lagoons yielded only the usual Flamingos, Avocets, but 15-20 Glossy Ibis flew in the distance. We knew Ravens were here and then one flew in full view.
Our accommodation at Camino Viejo del Faro, 65 Almadrama is excellent, two bedrooms, clean, comfortable and cheap at 70€ per night. It is within a few meters of the salt works that is passed on the way to the Lighthouse. We would recommend it.
We again searched where we had seen the T.F. and located a very active warbler which could have been a Wood Warbler. Only fleeting glimpses and no camera shot to prove it either way. We continued to look for it and found a Chiffchaff instead. The Retamar end of the Salinas yielded a Greenshank with 7 Gull Billed Terns close by. It was a disappointing return for both waders and warblers. We expected to see more movement in this migratory period, but we did not.
We feel we have ‘done this area’, cracked the Trumpeter Finches, and we are happy. Would we travel here again? No, but glad that we have done it. In fact our local Salinas are much better than these ones and if it was not for the Finches it would not have been worth the effort. So think hard before making a trip!
We will spend a few more hours tomorrow morning before traveling home. However, we intend to stop at Los Urritas to search for the reported Rose Coloured Starling
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