AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND TO CELEBRATE A BLUE SKY MORNING

On a cool Sunday morning, 8th November we both needed to go out and see what was about. We knew that it was still early for many waders to be with us and, in fact, we are surprised that not more are here. From Gran Alicant we headed straight inland towards San Felipe Neri. We skirted the northern edge of the marsh, El Hondo, and stopped at the entrance to the North Gate.

Blackcaps - Curruca Capirotada were singing from the trees and we managed to get a good view of one male. Sadly, not a lot else.

We moved on, had a rapid walk along the boardwalk and circumnavigated the enclosed pond. There we counted over twenty Marbled Duck/Teal -  Cerceta Pardilla on an island and nothing else of any real note. The water in the surrounding lagoons were murky. What’s going on?

Next stop was Santa Águada. Here we found a flooded field, water in the scrapes and plenty in the small lagoon. Bryan had heard Penduline Tit - Pájaro Moscón here previously and with patience we heard them again. A male perched in view and then two birds flew away. They are there to be heard and seen and it is worth spending time waiting.

We found several flooded fields and though many were still full of water the only occupants were numerous Cattle Egrets. Garcilla Bueyera. Everywhere we went we saw White Wagtails - Lavandera Blanca, the occasional Meadow Pipit - Bisbita Común, a couple of Blue Throats - Pechiazul, and up in the air two Skylarks - Alondra Común. 

I think the event of the morning was two large groups of Glossy Ibis - Morito Común wheeling around in the sky but not merging. It seemed to us that this was a larger bird variation of a ‘murmuration’. It was interesting to see and we do not know if anyone has commented upon this before. We watched two groups that never merged, but entertaining us as they swirled around in the distance.

We did see one lone flying Lapwing - Avefria Europea and it could be a sign of more to come!

The Ibis with the Penduline and the singing Blackcaps had to be our birds of the morning.

On a more negative note - the hunters were out and we heard the guns. I am not anti-hunting as we are the apex predator! But I do not get what they see in it unless it's food for the pot!