It was another morning having a damn good look for the ‘Big One’. We knew where he, Águila Moteado, has been and where he goes frequently. There are lots of places where he is concealed and it is never far from human habitation. Suffice it to say we were again unsuccessful in securing a sighting.
Everything was in our favour with sunshine forecast for all day and with a very light breeze. Our first stop off was for the lagoons just down the slope from the Santa Pola turn-off. It is a favourite place for us and apart from the usual a Reed Bunting - Escribano Palustre popped up feeding amongst the reed heads. It showed well in the early morning sun. A first sighting for me for months. On reflection my bird of the day. At the Salt Tower we saw Spoonbills - Espátula Común close up, perched and flying. There are not normally this close. Four Great White Egrets - Gareceta Grande were easily seen and, as usual two Sandwich Terns - Charrán Patinegro flew and dived for food.
The sea at El Pinet was calm, but yielded nothing. The lagoons gave us good views of both Redshank - Archibebe Común and Spotted - Archibebe Oscura and the photographers got really busy. This is always a good spot not to miss. We tried the mouth of the Rio de Segura and apart from Sanderlings - Correlimos Tridáctilo at the waters edge there was nothing exceptional.
As the sun was now up and temperatures were rising we headed inland and toured both tracks before and after San Felipe Neri. One was a new track for us and it added to our knowledge of the area and the other one we had travelled on our last trip. Somewhere between Tonn has been frequenting. No luck.
We checked out Santa Águada and he wasn't there either. The one of the viewing platforms has been fixed and from there we could see over the reedbeds, This is now Marsh Harrier - Aguilucho Luganero and Booted Eagle - Águila Calzado territory. Everywhere we looked there were these raptors in the sky.
On the way back a sudden stop and in a ditch a single beautiful Snipe - Agachadiza Común. It was Michelle's bird and photo of the day.
I can add many species to what we had seen and reported, and overall it was great to be out and seeing the beautiful. We will do it again. My bird of the day had to be that Reed Bunting.
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