BIRDING ON THE COSTAS

Having checked El Tiempo, Bryan and I, ventured out for our first outing of the year and we were both glad that we did. The results were great and proved that we should keep an eye on things as there is plenty of bird activity going on.

Sun-up was scheduled for just before eight, but with heavy mist it was over an hour before the It fought its way through.

Our first stop, as usual, was opposite Playa Las Brisas and although visibility was still limited Bryan identified, first by call and then with a sighting, an Iberian Chiffchaff. On the water were both Red-headed and Common Pochard, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhens, and near the margins were Little Egrets. Gulls as normal, were Yellow-Legs, Auduoin’s, Slender-Bills and a good number of Black-headed with some in obvious breeding plumage. There was a number of Little Stint too. A Cetti’s Warbler called and so did Blackcap. Waders were in short supply except for the Stints and one solitary Kentish Plover. Mosquitoes were evident too.

We moved onto the Salt Tower and with limited visibility only we had no distant views. Two Cormorants perched on the stone work. We quickly moved on and missed out the next pull off before spending a few moments sea watching at El Pinet. House Sparrows and car park Larks were easily seen and so was the storm damage with part of the restaurant patio destroyed.

The sun shone and we had a clear view of the scrapes. There were many calls and activity was easily spotted. To us, it maybe still winter, but in the bird world spring is already here. Avocets were active and Gulls too. In the distance were a number of Black-tailed Godwits and Flamingoes. The water levels were relatively high and muddy margins few. At least ten Grey Herons posed as sentinels.

With the sun shining fully we moved inland and were rewarded with clear views of perched and flying Hoopoes, and the same for the Iberian Green Woodpeckers. Southern Grey Shrikes were easily heard and were seen in many places. Common Kestrels were viewed copulating giving us a good idea that the breeding season is already with us.



The usual culprits were around as well with Stonechats, Chiffs, Sardinian Warblers and again Cetti’s and Blackcap. We had Goldfinches, Greenfinches and several Chaffinches. There were many species not seen or not yet arrived, but our sightings bode well for future trips.

By this time the sun was hot and the raptors were making good use of the thermals. Marsh Harriers were around for most of the morning. We came across a field of Broad beans with ‘Cabbage’ White Butterflies very active. Here we saw three Pale Morph Booted Eagles flying over head and distant. We even had a Dark Morph too. A Meadow Pipit also flew. And a Great Tit flew in front of us.

At SANTA ÁGUEDA with water still around and with the sun high in the sky we got lucky. The Spotted Eagle (no sat tag evident) flew twice for us in the company of a Booted. A Common Buzzard perched near by and there were several more Marsh Harriers.



In a muddy pool White Wagtails fed, one and only one Water Pipit was spotted and two Common Snipe flew. Several Blackcaps sang, another Chiff and then as were about to leave a Green Sandpiper flew at the same time as a Great White Egret. Male and female Black Redstarts showed well, looking very smart and they will be away to their nesting grounds soon.

On the way home one Glossy Ibis flew over the marsh and there would have been others.

After the rain and warm sunshine the flowers and the grasses all looked good.

If we count in Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons our total hit the forty mark, including our mega bird, the Greater Spotted Eagle.

It was so good to be out there.