IT’S GREAT TO BE OUT THERE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE SOUTHERN BIRDS HAVE BEEN POURING IN.
We have been out and about to see some amazing birds. Some of our regulars can be easily be spotted and they should be lauded too. However, the excitement is in seeing the new arrivals, seeing species for the first time this year and for some seeing something for the first time. It’s a good feeling.
The importance of habitat was reinforced to me today when we visited two locations and both have been amended by humans.
El Recórral at the top of Quesada was our 7.30 stop and we walked up through some fairly natural environment and onto where the amelioration has taken place with wide paths and well sculpted ponds. There we had our first views of the day and they were very good. Perched in the top of a pine tree was a Black-Crowned Night Heron - Martinete Común and not far away two Squacco Herons - Garcilla Cangrejera. They can be viewed here easily and with the footfall this area sees they do not seem to mind passers-by. That’s all good for the photographers. Again we heard Common Cuckoo - Cocu Común calling and perched on the wire. We paid only passing attention to smaller species as we were eager to get to our next spot.
I have already mentioned the importance of habitat and Rio Segura is an important waterway. Yes, it’s been straightened, embankments put all along it and there is considerable extraction along it’s route. However, we had a great time. Nightingales - Ruiseñor Común were numerous and calling from every clump and bush. We had a tremendous constant sighting of one singing male. We constantly heard the turrring of Turtle Doves - Tortola Europea with good views as they perched on wires. We must have seen a dozen at least. Bee-eaters - Abejaruco Común were around too but only distant. Here again we saw another Common Cuckoo. A female Blackcap - Curruca Capirotada hid discreetly in a bush, but clear enough to be viewed and photographed.
One warbler that we have been searching for was in our sights today and that was the Melodious - Zarcero Común and that entertained us and was photographed too. What a star this one was and a first for two of us.
Rio Segura has good habitats along it’s course and around Benejuzar it gave us memorable birds.
We felt we had seen enough for one morning and Michelle and I headed for La Mata. We had a particular target in mind which we did not attain, but there on a fence was my first bird of summer - a Spotted Flycatcher - Papamoscas Gris. They are beautiful little birds and I have written about them before and referred to a sub-species that can be seen.
Again I have not mentioned all our sightings and some photographs will appear here, and on FB and Instagram under Michelle’s monicker.
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