What a great day we had after as slow cool start climbing up to the two vantage points of Maigmó. The two white road signs, just off the A7, indicate where we are going to. The lower, La Melonera, is a 2.5k climb and Balcó D’Alacant is 4.5k. Both have excellent views with clear vistas all around and ideal for seeing raptors.
On Friday 5th July, the three of us Bryan, Mark and myself were watching and listening on the lowest slopes even before the sun came up over Montnegre. Maybe we were a little early and our usual viewing of Woodlarks was minimal; they were feeding among the Almond trees and so were Chaffinches that are always nice to see. Two Wood Pigeons perched on the electric cables, Red-Legged Partridges called and so did an Iberian Green Woodpecker. We moved slowly up listening and watching and parked several times where we had sunshine and clear views. It was slow. Mistle Thrushes flew around and as we moved upwards we heard and saw Crossbills. We heard Jays twice before we saw one fly across the road. We located Firecrests too and enjoyed them searching in the foliage.
At a tourist spot there are two small pools of water which we paid attention to. But on our way back down we stopped again and this time we were lucky to see many birds drinking and with one female Sparrow Hawk sitting on the rim. Just a quick look, but enough to recognise it. A place to remember and allow more time on our journey.
Bryan was aware that there were good numbers of Bonelli's Warblers and that they will be found at altitude. We listened and watched these birds in several locations and they were numerous and a joy to watch. Mark was able to photograph them for the first time. He was pleased.
We spent considerable time at each viewing point. We were having terrific views of Pallid Swifts having previously spoken of finding Alpine Swifts. And there they were swooping around and flying not more than 10 meters over our heads. The photographers got busy and Mark and I added these fast fliers to our lifetime lists. It could be that they were feeding young as they had beaks full of food. Maybe there are nests nearby as there were spells when they were not visible.
If that wasn't enough then in the far distance two raptors were spotted. The big lens did the job and Bryan was content to say that one was a Short-toed Eagle and the other one Golden. Okay, distant but nice to see and to know that they are around. We had two other distinct and clear views of Short-toed Eagles although two of the views may have been of the same bird. The third view was when one flew into the top of a pine tree and settled there for a while.
Sometimes we only get fleeting images and that is true when I saw two falcons fly into view and over the ridge not to be seen again. They had to be Peregrine Falcons on the basis of elimination but I cannot be sure.
On route down we turned off onto an un-metalled road and this was new ground for us. It was stoney and easily passable. We came upon a large ruin that I presumed was for ice in past times. Surrounded by pines we listened and sharp ears picked out Long-Tailed Tits and a family of five passed through as Bonelli's Warblers fed in the trees. Earlier we had great views of both Crested and Coal Tits and somewhere out three too was a Great Tit. The only one absent was the little Blue Tit.
If we add to our list Blackbird, Serrín, Greenfinch, and one lone male Black Redstart we had a good number of species. For Mark and myself Alpine Swifts, at last. They are some bird to see with there patches of white, sheer size, long wings, their speed and acrobatics. It was also this year’s first for Bryan.
Eventually time, the strong sun and the heat got to us and we headed down and home thoroughly pleased with our day and for the two photographers to examine their results.
We intend to return to this mountain again, although Mark will have returned to Scotland and we wish him well, but Bryan and I will spend more time next week and to also include Agost. We intend to ‘break more fresh ground’.
Respect the mountain.
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