ANOTHER MORNING SPENT SEARCHING BETWEEN SANTA POLA AND QUESADA IN ALICANTE SPAIN
It was the usual, well tried and tested route that took us along the N332, through La Marina and around, but adding not one, but two extra locations into our morning.
Friday, 23rd April was a dry one after the rain although without consistent sun and sometimes a chill wind. The lagoons opposite Playa Lisa were our first stop and for the first time for weeks we had a glimpse of a Zitting Cisticola - Buitrón. There was a number of gulls but nothing exceptional. A Wood Sandpiper - Andarrios Bastardo was in a puddle on the track. We quickly moved on. The Salt Tower was next and in the lagoons opposite were a number of waders. These included a male Ruff - Combatiente and a Reeve - much smaller than the male and picked out by Bryan. Curlew Sandpipers - Correlimos Zarapatin, one Redshank - Archibebe Común, and further along several Black-tailed Godwits - Aguja Colinegra. Two Great-crested Grebes - Somormujo Lavanca swam close by the tower and there was one sighting of a Great White Egret - Garceta Grande and our first Purple Heron - Garza Imperiel of the year flew over. Also Little Terns - Charrancito Común have arrived too.
At The Stones a perched Yellow Wagtail - Lavandera Boyera and it looks like a ‘continental’ bird and the photograph should confirm this as I would not want to string anyone along with inaccurate information. Whichever sub-species it is they are wonderful to see.
El Pinet had good numbers of Common Terns - Charran Común along with the usual birds to be seen here. We met a fellow birder, exchanged news and views and quickly moved on. Our next target area was the high ground covered in pines in view of where we were. This was a new area for us and one that we shall re-visit. Moving inland we saw two Great Spotted Cuckoos - Criala Europea who were around long enough to be photographed. Such great views. Also Bee-eaters - Abejaruco Común nearby. But, even though this is Roller territory there was not one to be seen, yet (Carraca).
Palm Farm Road yielded several Gull-billed Terns - Pagaza Piconegra and another Great Spotted Cuckoo. I have not mentioned every species that we witnessed but Woodchat Shrikes - Alcaudon Común were pristine, perched up and were photographed. Great to see.
Home turf for Gareth is El Recorral at the top side of Quesada. It has been refurbed in recent years with paths and ponds with flowing water. There are areas that are more natural and here we watched a family of Long-tailed Tits - Mito feeding in the pines. I love them. On top of the hill a Common Cuckoo - Cocu Común sat and called. Some of the species we had expected to see were not in view and this could have included a Pied Flycatcher - Papamoscas Cerrojillo. We intend to return.
Sounds like you enjoyed an interesting days birding
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