Michelle and I left San Miguel in the cool of a Friday morning, travelled to Gran Alacant to collect Bryan. Then we headed north along A31 and we were where we wanted to be by 9am. A chill wind, plenty of sun and a low of 7 degrees greeted us.
Bryan had visited the area the week before so we knew our route for the day and our target birds.
We took the Camino in the direction of ‘the pig farm’ knowing that we would finish by ‘station corner’. We decided to re-trace our route and eventually we spent three hours in this area.
It was excellent the first time around and it was even better on the second traverse. Our first hour we saw very clearly fourteen Great Bustards and eight Little Bustards. We have always seen the bigger of the two species, but Little Bustards have been more difficult. This morning having spotted all the birds and knowing where they could still be we went around for the second time. It payed off. Great Bustards were again easily seen and in flight too. However, it was the little ones we really needed to get close to. And we did. We saw them in the distance and gradually worked our way slowly towards them. They were in two groups comprising one male and three females in each. Bryan’s camera was busy and then we were as close as we could get without stressing the birds. That's the benefit of Brian’s skill with his camera and lens. I will let his photographs do the ‘talking’ for me. We felt privileged to be out there and seeing them. Michelle was able to photograph her very first Little Bustard. I think that's success, don't you?
In the same area we saw a flock of Yellow Wagtails, feeding amongst the sheep. We had fun too, as there were Donkeys next to them. The sap was surely rising as two consenting adult donkeys got together and a young one was spooked by a rabbit! This is a great area to bird in with many of the smaller species to be seen including Tree Sparrows.
Calandra Larks filled the air with their song, They were everywhere, flying around, calling and displaying and eventually one sat long enough for the cameraman. A male Northern Wheatear posed too. There are still many absentees.
At the ‘railway station corner’ we all saw a male Merlin fly.
After spending three hours photographing the Bustards we moved on towards Petrola, to the other railway line and the bridge overlooking a large span of water. Here, water birds as usual, but what we wanted to observe were Marsh Harriers. Females flew and males stunned us with their aerial skills. Then a large bird appeared and wondering what it could be, the cameraman with his lens, proved it to be an adult Golden Eagle. Always good to see.
Also another flock of Yellow Wagtails. They were a bit lively, but clearly seen. Could it get any better?
We kept going and moved toward Lagunas de Petrola. We had no aspirations as we knew many wet areas were dry. However, there was one Common Sandpiper, a male and female Kentish Plover, several Black Winged Stilts and in the far distance 200 Flamingos. Not a great return, but something to watch and photograph.
In the large corn growing areas we were lucky enough to witness six flying Great Bustards who then flew back across and landed in a cultivated field. Again super views. Five Kestrels were spotted in a field and their behaviour suggested they were Lesser Kestrels. A clear sighting confirmed it. Several Lapwings called and flew. I love watching them. They have character.
We turned for home taking the road to Montealegre to where there is water. I can say the usual water fowl were present but nothing exceptional. Maybe as the season progresses it will get some migrants in too.
What a great day. I will remember this one for ever! Thank you, World.
No comments:
Post a Comment