We started at Bryan’s, in Gran Alicant, with a house-ridge perched Black Wheatear - Collalba Negra. One of his garden birds! And a photographed proved it.
We were in two minds whether to have another look at Clot de Galvany and give the ducks a going over, but curiosity prevailed, and we headed for El Pinet. Why? Because it had been declared that a Terek’s Sandpiper - Andarrios del Terek, had been distantly sighted there. Never to be people who only have one target we checked everything possible on way and at the same time intending to establish whether this ‘twitch’ was ever going to be seen.
A weather mention is appropriate because this cold spell will last into March and although species will head towards us our overwintering species should still stick with us. It was a mere 7 degrees as we crossed the salinas and it didn’t get above 18.
These stops were part of our usual route. Down the hill from Santa Pola we went. These lagoons we always inspect and they yielded on the salt workings side;
Med Gulls Gaviota Reidora and some with full hoods
Audouin’s Gulls in good numbers
Yellowlegged Gulls - Gaviota Patiamarila
Slender-billed Gulls - Gaviota Picofina
Kentish Plover -Chorlitejo Patinegro
Greenshank - Archibebe Claro
Not a great result but always worth a stop and the lagoon on the opposite side is a different habitat with the common water birds. We have seen it busier but with no small birds except one Yellow Wagtail - Lavandera Cascadena in a puddle. Always good to see. There was nothing exceptional on the other lagoons and we moved on.
The Salt Tower area gave us some excellent views of close up Flamingoes and photos too. The colors on some were vivid.
The Stones is a must too, but today everything was distant.
Now we were inspecting all the lagoons at El Pinet. The checking started and Bryan got busy.
There was a lot to see.
Both Dunlin and Little Stint - Correlimos Menudo were in a small group and allowed size comparison. We also had frequent flypasts of them. One single Ruff - Combatiente. Also in the very far distance Bryan counted through the scope 200 plus Dunlin - Correlimos Común.
Common Redshank - Archibebe Común too.
Common Redshank
Dunlin
Avocets were everywhere including a resting phalanx of 120 to 150. I’ve not seen that before.
We were able to count 13 Black-tailed Godwits - Abuja Colipinta and a nod to the changing season there was evidence of plumage change.
One Little Egret showed some wonderful plumage and that bird drew Michelle’s attention to where a Water Rail - Rascón Europea emerged and walked slowly around. A first for her and had to be the bird of the day and in plain sight.
I haven’t listed all as a list is boring.
One aspect that both Bryan and I have spoken off is that we always want to help and work with other like minded people. It is great to be out seeing beautiful birds and we will share what we can.
This morning we met another person and we will share our love of wildlife with him. Let’s get Covid out of the way and get at it.
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