TORRENTIAL RAIN, FLOODS AND THE MIGRATION
Days ago the rain came and drenched the earth and every living thing. The most water seen in decades descended upon the land. A Gota Fria - a cold drop, came and reduced fields to lakes, moved soil and boulders, made roads un-useable and killed. Homes and businesses ruined and livelihoods removed by the storm.
Less than one week afterwards we headed towards Almansa via A 31 not knowing what to expect or see or how far we could go. It was a great day.
This is how it unfolded. Coral Rubio, Bonete and Pedrola we have visited many times only to be disappointed by the low levels of water and with previously wet areas dry. Not so this morning for the lagoons were in good health and many folds in the land were flooded. This is what we wanted to see. The waders now had water!
This is Great Bustard country and, as always, they showed well. Just five to start with, then a group of eight followed a little later by thirteen and then two separate ones from the main bunch. We had splendid views of them walking, resting and flying. What a sight they gave us. I love to see them fly. We never push them and give them distance and the respect these grand birds deserve.
The migration is going on. Barn Swallows were evident and Bee-eaters were flying overhead.
On the water Gadwall, Shoveller, and numerous Mallard were seen. Lapwings too, a couple of Ruff, a small number of Black-tailed Godwits, a single Common Sandpiper was spotted and even two Greenshank. Okay, not an immense list with many species not seen or yet to arrive. We think that this winter could be good.
Smaller birds were Corn Bunting, Rock Sparrow, with occasional Goldfinches and then a large flock of Yellow Wagtails on passage. They helped to make it a great afternoon with superb views. We had clear sightings of Northern Wheatears too.
Common Kestrels with one Lesser male identified, several Buzzards and Marsh Harriers made up the raptor count with not an eagle anywhere to be seen. A rapid flying Peregrine Falcon was an excellent sighting to complete our day.
Our plan for this morning was different from other days that we had travelled towards this area. The Embalse de Almansa received massive amounts of water due to the Gota Fria and the news items that we viewed reminded me of its existence and the signposts I had seen for the Patano de Almansa. It is a massive area lying to the south of the town and between A31 and CM412 (signed Montealegre. We only ‘scratched the surface’ of it and we will return. We like to find new areas.
Friday 20 September 2019
Thursday 5 September 2019
TRUMPETER FINCHES NOT ON THE MOUNTAIN
MONTNEGRE AND MAIGMÓ AGAIN
Another visit to an area that seems rooted in time. Deep ravines and gullies, steep sided and even sheer, with high rocky crags poking up into the sky. Here the landscape is exceptionally different. It needs to be viewed!
We knew it was the end of summer and both Bryan and myself certainly had the feeling we were between seasons. Nevertheless we had a clear objective in mind. So, it was Montnegre again to see if the Trumpeter Finches were around. They were not where they had been previously and although we spent time there, we heard and saw nothing. Have they dispersed for the winter? Maybe even dropping into the valleys or moving away to another location? Never mind we will look again in the spring.
The list for this area has never been huge and there were some noticeable absentees. For example the only Raptor in view was a Marsh Harrier flying high and no Griffin Vultures either.
Today's list is:
Thekla Lark - the camera does not lie! (And not a common sighting for us here)
Crested Lark
Blue Rock Thrush (at least two calling)
Black Wheatear (times three)
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
House sparrows
Red-Legged Partridge
Serin
Spotted Flycatcher - a super view too with a very plain chest and could it be an Balearic/Iberian one?
Iberian Green Woodpecker - call only
Crag Martins filled the air
Bee-eaters flying over and distant
We moved on and checked both river areas with nothing to report except we did hear Chiff-Chaffs, Sardinian Warblers and a Cetti’s too.
Maigmó loomed in front of us and we travelled to the top. On way the usual Crossbills called and flew and a Coal Tit called. It was all very quiet with only a few Magpies about and a Jay screeched.
Some rain had been forecast, but the sun was out and we stood at the top in 27 degrees, The sky was devoid of birds except for the Crag Martins.
We spoke of the absence of a response from any source regarding our reporting of the Spotted Flycatchers. We will pay more attention ‘to my bird of summer’, the Spotted Fly next spring.
These mountains will not beckon us until next spring and we definitely need to find more birds! Thankfully lower temperatures will bring in our over wintering birds. Therefore we will be going inland and once winter has lowered the temperatures then a trek up to see the Ring Ouzels on Sierra de Espuña will happen.
Another visit to an area that seems rooted in time. Deep ravines and gullies, steep sided and even sheer, with high rocky crags poking up into the sky. Here the landscape is exceptionally different. It needs to be viewed!
We knew it was the end of summer and both Bryan and myself certainly had the feeling we were between seasons. Nevertheless we had a clear objective in mind. So, it was Montnegre again to see if the Trumpeter Finches were around. They were not where they had been previously and although we spent time there, we heard and saw nothing. Have they dispersed for the winter? Maybe even dropping into the valleys or moving away to another location? Never mind we will look again in the spring.
The list for this area has never been huge and there were some noticeable absentees. For example the only Raptor in view was a Marsh Harrier flying high and no Griffin Vultures either.
Today's list is:
Thekla Lark - the camera does not lie! (And not a common sighting for us here)
Crested Lark
Blue Rock Thrush (at least two calling)
Black Wheatear (times three)
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
House sparrows
Red-Legged Partridge
Serin
Spotted Flycatcher - a super view too with a very plain chest and could it be an Balearic/Iberian one?
Iberian Green Woodpecker - call only
Crag Martins filled the air
Bee-eaters flying over and distant
We moved on and checked both river areas with nothing to report except we did hear Chiff-Chaffs, Sardinian Warblers and a Cetti’s too.
Maigmó loomed in front of us and we travelled to the top. On way the usual Crossbills called and flew and a Coal Tit called. It was all very quiet with only a few Magpies about and a Jay screeched.
Some rain had been forecast, but the sun was out and we stood at the top in 27 degrees, The sky was devoid of birds except for the Crag Martins.
We spoke of the absence of a response from any source regarding our reporting of the Spotted Flycatchers. We will pay more attention ‘to my bird of summer’, the Spotted Fly next spring.
These mountains will not beckon us until next spring and we definitely need to find more birds! Thankfully lower temperatures will bring in our over wintering birds. Therefore we will be going inland and once winter has lowered the temperatures then a trek up to see the Ring Ouzels on Sierra de Espuña will happen.
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