On Friday 4th September we went to Clot de Galvany, again, with no better expectations of what we had seen before, but we wanted to see what new birds had arrived. This water wildlife location has been exceptional for us. Today was as good, in many respects, and better in some. And we expect it to be an interesting site throughout the winter months.
THE BIRD NOISE AND THE MASS OF WHITE FEATHERS WAS EYE-CATCHING
Unlike El Hondo it was a mosquito free morning. Our first stop was the ‘dry hide’ and although the water had receded five further metres there was a mass of lagoon in front of us. We had an exceptional hour. We were fully occupied. In the distance a feeding mass of Gulls, Herons and Egrets squawked as they fed. Eventually they came with metres of us.
It was all go and with no birds near by we could see the small fish rippling the water. There's plenty of food here. Kingfishers kept us busy too as they flew around and perched. Maybe ten viewings. One male was seen perched in full and clear view more than once. We felt that we could not have spent a more productive hour. Bragging rights are in order! We don't bother with lists, but today the tally stands at 25 for this hide. See below for the details.
List for the ‘dry hide’.
White Wagtail - Lavandera Blanca
Green & Common Sandpipers - Andarriós Grande & Andarriós Chico
Reed Warbler - Carricero Común
Blackbird - Mirlo Común
Marble Duck - CercetaPardilla
Little & Great-Crested Grebe - Zampullin Común & Somormujo Lavanco
Coot - Focha Común
Moorhen - Gallineta Común
Little Egret - Garceta Común
Grey Heron - Garza Real
Purple Heron - Garza Imperial
Squacco Heron -Garcilla Cangrejera
Black Crowned Night Heron. Martinete Común
Little Bittern - Avetorillo Común
Whiskered Tern - Fumarel Cariblanco
Black-headed Gull - Gaviota Reidora
Southern Grey Shrike - Alcaudón Real Meridional
Green Woodpecker - Pito Real
Cetti’s Warbler - Ruiseñor Bastardo
Mallard - Añade Azulón
Greenfinch - Verderón Común
Goldfinch - Jilguero
Serín - Verdecilo (25)
The large hide with another mass of water gave us our first viewings of 100 plus Northern Shovelers - Cuchara Común and about 10 Green-Winged Teal - Cerceta Común. In the distance was a Common Pochard - Porrón Europea and a White-headed Duck - Malvasia Cabeciblanca We still saw the abundance of Herons and Egrets with some great views of Black Crowned Night Herons - Martinete Común, flying Bitterns and Squaccos. And, maybe our last summer sightings of Purple Herons- Garza Imperial. Also more Kingfishers - Martin Pescador and we expect to see them throughout the winter. To add to our other two species of grebe was again, one Black-necked Grebe - Zampullin Cuelinegro. A Water Rail - Rascón Europeo called twice.
We gave the old hide a quick visit and again Kingfisher. One perched and gave Bryan his easiest shot of the day. Marbled Duck/Teal - Cerceta Pardilla always show well here. There has been a release programme and earlier we saw one that did not have a leg ring which may indicate that it was bred in the wild.
What a cracking morning and I am sure we missed many. The seasons are changing and we will see what we can get. What next? Heavy rain is forecast for next Monday and Tuesday and will have to wait to see what that will bring?
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