Higueruela and the plains of Bonete - UPDATE!

WITH ONLY DISTANT VIEWS AND ONE CAMERA SHOT THE THINKING IS THAT THIS IS AN IMMATURE SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE.

Friday 12th April has proved to be more interesting day that I have so far reported. The bird that I saw flying along the ridge and away from view is the subject of discussion, I initially thought that it could have been a Black Kite as we have seen one here before. However, it was a much larger bird and luckily Bryan managed to get one shot of it and that is what we had to work on. When it appeared again we only had distant views of it and when being 'mobbed' by a male Marsh Harrier, the size difference was obvious. Upon inspecting the photograph the feeling seemed to be a Golden Eagle. A decision made but not a convincing one.

The great bit about many birders and when a post is written for all out there to see, the comments can arrive. And this is the case now. Julian Sykes, that we both have know for years, has fortunately commented and this is what he had to say.

Julian says:
This is an interesting bird and I still think it’s a young SIE, the only other thing that it might be is a male Marsh Harrier but I sure it isn’t and you would get so much moult at this time of year with an adult or sub-adult.

SIE tails can look barred in their early years and this is probably a 1st winter going to 1st Summer or 2cy (2nd calendar year). Also the amount of abrasion going on a smaller primary might be missing?

However would be interested in other people’s thoughts on the bird.

Spanish Imperial Eagle??

So the opinion is that it is an immature Spanish Imperial Eagle. If that is correct then this is the first time that we have seen one in this locale. I am happy with that.

Well, thanks for that Julian and maybe some one else can come in with a comment too.

I ommited to mention that we had our first sighting of Gull Billed Terns and in good number. On two occasions they were following a tractor when it was turning the soil. Obviously after the small stuff exposed by the ground being worked. These birds were busy and their calls were loud. It was good to see them again and what other Terns will be arriving soon?

((Julian Sykes is easily found and you can find him - birdwatchingspain.net-julian-sykes. And on Face Book too.)

Thank you for the input.