THE SALINAS, EL PINET & EL HONDO IN ALICANTE PROVINCE, SPAIN
We didn’t expect it to be a ‘mega-bird-day’ and by our standards, it was not. But we saw some great specimens, so read on.
On Friday, 16th August we decided to stay local to see what was happening with our summer residents and what had already arrived from elsewhere. Before dawn, suddenly a Red-necked Nightjar flashed over the road, in front of us.
We saw the sun come up over Santa Pola when we stopped at the lagoons and salinas. It was relatively quiet, but the terns were active with some Little and Whiskered, two Common and a whole tranche of 200 Sandwich were viewed. A Little Bittern called, a large flock of House Sparrows flew and Little Grebes were on the water. We looked for Purple Herons, but only Grey was seen. There was nothing exceptional here.
Flying overhead we saw Swifts, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows together with a few Sand Martins. The latter was very good to see.
We moved on to The Salt Tower and the small area next to it. Flamingos were abundant. Mallards were in good numbers for the first time in a while. A Common Sandpiper and Redshank were viewed distantly. A lone Marsh Harrier flew in the distance.
El Pinet was much better, Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets were numerous. Other waders were Kentish Plover, two Greenshank, Redshank and the Pratincoles are still with us.
We then headed inland and at Pallet Farm Road we located Rollers. They are always good to see and some looked ‘tatty’ as they were moulting. As it was quiet we decided to try Sante Águada. It was bone dry and checking out the sky through 360 degrees, the search, yielded hardly any birds at all. In the same area eagled-eyed, Bryan spotted in the same dead tree a Roller, one Turtle Dove and a Little Owl. Hoopoes obliged too.
During the summer we have seen many Woodchat Shrikes and this species showed well today. They are a very neat bird! The Iberian Southern Grey Shrikes were on the high wires.
The Bee-eaters made our day. We could clearly hear them as they assembled on electric cables, and what a colourful sight they made. I love that noise and it suggests that they will be going south shortly. We had hoped to find a flooded field, but seasonally too early may be, and it appears that we will have to wait for the autumn.
The scrapes in front of the information centre had two metre high growth and others areas looked neglected. We ventured along the boardwalk more in hope than anything and were rewarded with excellent views of Moustached Warblers. Sadly, there was not much to see. Again this area disappointed us. Jackdaws were seen and we had several flypasts of Glossy Ibis with one group of thirty.
The summer season is about to change and there has been a drop from the high temperatures that we have been experiencing, Some birds are already moving. The Pallid Swifts have flown from San Miguel although we still have House Martins.
Summing it all up. That’s a great list without getting stuck in traffic and avoiding rain. But we are never satisfied as we alwaysEE want more and looking for another mega one. So, here’s to the next time!
AND PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO BAN DRIVEN GROUSE SHOOTING
No comments:
Post a Comment