YEAR BIRD, REPTILE AND THREE TIGERS

That's not bad for a cool windy morning in and around the farming and marsh area close to El Hondo. We met in Gran Alicant around 8am at 17 degrees and and a strong northerly wind. We did our usual route as we felt we were still ‘between seasons’. The lagoons opposite Playa Las Brisas offered very little except Bryan spotted two Sandwich Terns - Charrán Patinegro The Salt Tower area showed us little close by. ‘The  Stones pull -off gave us a good number of Spoonbills - Espátula Común but distant, a very good number, as usual, of Great Crested Grebes - Sormrmujo Lavanco and again Large White Egrets - Garceta Grande.

We quickly moved onto El Pinet. Some of the fence has been replaced and work is ongoing. Sandwich Terns - again were seen. We were disappointed at first, and with water levels relatively high, muddy areas seemed few. In a corner close to the fence we got really lucky. A few feet of mud and several species were feeding vigorously. Little Stint - Correlomos Menudo , three Dunlins - Correlimos Común, a Ringed Plover - Chorlitejo Grande and two Shanks, a Redshank-  Archibebe Común and a Greenshank -Archibebe Claro. Then with this little group Bryan spotted a Grey Plover - Chorlito Gris.  A first for us this year and that shows our visitors from up-north are around. Great news! Meadow Pipits - Bisbita Común flew up and around in the gusting wind.

We now headed in land aiming to visit Santa Águada which we did. On way the flooded fields of last week contained non of the birds of last week and were in luxuriant growth. In the margins, Serín - Verdecillo , Greenfinch - Verderón Común White Wagtails -Lavandera Blanca and Meadow Pipits once more. We carried on and had great views of a circling male pale morph Booted Eagle - Agililla Calzado. It showed well. 

Then crossing the road our first snake of the year- a two foot plus Western Whip Snake we think. Only a quick look as it disappeared into the vegetation. Butterflies were mostly absent but there was the odd Small White and several Plain Tigers. I think we were lucky to see them in the windy conditions.

Once through the village non of the fields contained that much, but the protected area and pool gave us good views of one Water Pipit - Bisbita Alpino and eventually two Snipe - Agachadiza Común . Firstly obscured in the reeds and then in clear water. The water level here is only in pools and with no new water being pumped in, lets hope for rain. One Glossy Ibis - Morito Común flew over. Where are the others?

We did a second visit of the year to the wetlands near Urbanova and although there was water there it contained nothing that we could see. The shallower lagoons had become dry, but we won't give up on this area as we feel it could come good this winter. In the scrub areas there were thousands of Starlings swirling in the wind and mobbing the Olive Trees. Like any other murmuration it is a spectacle. The photos should prove they are visitors from up north Estornino Europea, but they could have Spotless mixed in (Estornino Negre).

The murmuration added to our pleasure and that little bit of mud at El Pinet really made our day. Now all we want is something really special. We will keep looking.