THE INLAND PLAINS OF SPAIN

Great Bustards, Little Bustards and Golden Eagles

If you are into celebrating with bubbles then I could say that this was ‘a Champagne Birding Day’ and it was.

We changed our intended route to accommodate a friend who lives in Norway and who would like to see Bustards. Bryan and I were fortunate that we reversed our journey and what a terrific day we shared.

Higueruela is a great location to go to and at by the time we had arrived at ‘station corner’ we had watched a dozen Great Bustards and easily viewed one male and two females Little Bustards and also a group of nine females of the same. We were pleased that we had located these birds once more and were confidant that we will see them again.

Bryan spotted a low flying Merlin in the distance. Both species of Sandgrouse were heard first then with a fly past.

We travelled on through the small town of Higueruela and across the plains to where an expanse of water is located near a major railway line. We parked on the bridge to view water fowl and both a male and female Marsh Harrier were flying. However, we were soon distracted by the raucous voices of about thirty Red-Billed Choughs. They continued being noisy and we soon discovered why. Two Golden Eagles were flying above them. We had clear views and the camera chattered away. They flew around and disappeared over the ridge. Then our attention focused on a bird on that same ridge. The two birds flying were a Sub- adult and a 1st year/Juvenile. Sitting on the ridge was 1st Winter/Juvenile that sat and sat and we watched. Then it flew around and right over our heads. I have seen a perched one closer before, but these were stunning views of this magnificent species. Three such birds in the binoculars or scope or in sight at one time. Simply wonderful.

In the same location we had Common Buzzards too and then a Red Kite appeared. This has become one of our favourite spots and we have been lucky here before with a Black Kite on one occasion. And on another day, after discussion, it was confirmed that we saw a Spanish Imperial Eagle and does it get better than that!

We carried on to Lagunas de Petrola to find that this major water was devoid of birds and we reasoned that there has to be a problem with the water. This opinion is supported by an area of ‘run-off’ next to the farm buildings that held the following:
Common Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Two Dunlin
Two Little Stint
Lapwing
Ringed Plover
White Wagtails.
That's a good return for a ‘large puddle’ and suggests that the water there is not tainted.

Water levels are still good and outside Corral Rubio were some waders that included a Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover together with one Yellow Wagtail and several Meadow Pipits. We had hoped for more sightings of Bustards but they were not visible in some of their usual fields.

We returned home via Montealegre and the fresh water lagoon on route only contained Common Coot. We had high expectations for this water and perhaps the hunters have moved the birds on.

What a great day viewing great birds, but the reality is that many birds are endangered every day of the week. Today's news via RaptorPersecution is that a Common Buzzard was found dead with eight lead pellets in its body. Why? Maybe because they can, but it is a crime.

Obviously we saw many small birds and we enjoyed them too. It was a special day and our guest had many firsts. That's what we enjoy doing and Bryan’s photographic skills and his knowledge helps to sum up our day always.