ESTEPAS DE YECLA HOPING TO SEE THE BIG ONES
On Monday 27th September we went to Estepas de Yecla to see what changes may have happened in the two years since our last visit. The simple answer is not a lot except vehicle traffic was less and we saw no one working in the fields.
It was 10 degrees when we arrived at 8.15am. Our route is always clockwise and that keeps the sun in the right place for the photographers, but this time we spent more time than usual and retraced our steps without doing the full route. That was because we saw some great birds and in good numbers.
Our first sightings were a good number of House Sparrows - Gorrion Comun and Tree Sparrows - Gorrion Molinero mixed in. There were flocks of Goldfinches - Jilguero, Linnets - Pardillo Comun, with Corn Buntings - Triguero and Rock Sparrows - Chillon.
We were hoping for a good showing of Larks but had to make do with some close up examinations of Thekla’s - Cogujada Montesino and having noted all the ‘diagnostics’ we were content with our identification and the photos will prove it. We took our time looking at two perched close by on rocks. Unfortunately there was no convenient Crested Lark - Cogujado Comun available for comparison.
Jackdaws - Grajillo were 80 plus in number and one Chough - Chova Piquirroja was caught on camera with them. Six Northern Wheatears - Collalba Gris counted and one Black Wheatear - Negra was seen on our way home.
We did our usual likely spots and many did not produce, but then a large one was in the sky. A Golden - Aguila Real was high-up and then suddenly it was joined by another large bird. The photos proved it was a Short-toed - Culebrera Europea. A distant view at first and then it flew directly over us in a southerly route accompanied by continuous streams of Barn Swallows - Gondrina Comun with a few Red-rumpers - Golondrina Daurica. Later we spotted another Golden Eagle and we were happy with the ID.
Again up in the sky and ‘hawking’ we watched four Lesser Kestrels - we believe and the photos could prove it later. They were doing what the Lessers usually do. Great aerobatics as they hunted and captured.
Four Buzzards - Busardo Ratonero were seen in twos and several Common Kestrels - Cernicalo Vulgar perched.
Sometimes the laugh is on me. Perception is a strange thing and how could anyone mistake a string of Wood Pigeons on a high wire transform themselves to a field of Common Cranes -Grulla Comun in a distant field. Bryan just could not see them! Too early anyway.
There were many absentees that could arrive as winter approaches and some of the usual that I have not mentioned. The most disappointing ones were the “grouses” although we did get the odd snatch of the Pintail Sandgrouse - Ganga Iberica flight call.
Was it worth the miles? Overall, Yes. We knew we had to work at it and we did. Good eyes, good knowledge and good luck and it is essential for a newby go with someone who knows the locality and who knows what can be found there. Our next visit will not be until winter has set in. We will stay closer to home next time we go out.
This was the first morning, after a total of three months, I traveled to Gran Alacant to meet with Bryan and Mark. I had no perception of what we might see but with the thought it was good to be out there at last. I was slightly reassured that I was in the company of two sharp eyed and trigger happy photographers as you never know what can be out there.
There was not much that was exceptional at Clot de Galvany except if it was your first sight of the main lagoon you would be delighted. We remembered the feeding frenzy of last summer with egrets, herons and gulls in large numbers, but it was nothing like that today. This is an excellent water for wintering water fowl and some have yet to arrive. However amongst the numerous birds on the water:
Shovelers - Cuchara Común and White Headed Ducks - Malvasia Cabeciblanca were plentiful It has been a good breeding season for them
Gadwall - Ánade Friso, both male and female. Eight in total.
Pochard - Porrón Europea.
A kingfisher - Martin Pescador called and flew
Common Snipe - Agachadiza Común Two of them showed that winter will be arriving soon.
Marsh Harrier - Aguilucho Luganero flew distantly.
We decided to check on the lagoons from Santa Pola onto El Pinet.
Opposite Playa Lisa we turned in and amongst the gulls was a Caspian Tern - Pagaza Piquirroja and at least three Lesser Black Backed Gulls - Gaviota Sombría. So this morning Mark recorded his first with the Caspian Tern. It is so pleasing to get a first and I believe only my second. We don't normally get them here. Next time we will check all the gulls out but today we moved on.
The Salt Tower lay- by can be very hit and miss but not today.
Thirty plus Spoonbills - Espátula Común flew close by and I asked the question would they have bred here?
A Turnstone - Vuelvepiedras Común was within metres of us and we counted four. Good views too.
Among the Little Egrets - Garceta Común we saw two Great Whites - Garceta Grande
There was a whole line, and others, of Great Crested Grebe - Somomurjo Lavanco
Then two birds that added to our morning. Bryan spotted a flying Osprey - Águila Pescadora soon joined by another. They circled around, the photographers got busy, and one landed on the posts in the water. The plumage was interesting and the photos when examined could tells us something. I will consider emailing Rutland to see if they have SatTagged birds coming our way. These two could be on way to Africa or they could be with us for the winter or even resident.
A large wader came into view and we considered the possibility of a Whimbrel - Zarapito Trinador but it soon it became a Black Tailed Godwit.- Aguja Colipinta nothing wrong with that!
At El Pinet we exchanged information of sightings with two other birders and we were informed that visits had been made throughout the summer with some good birds seen. It is the first summer we have not birdied through. We had a close view of Greenshank - Archibebe Claro and a Redshank - Archibebe Común was a distant bird. On an island were two pratincole - Canastera Común with some flying Little Terns - Charrancito Común . In the trees were Longtailed Tits - Mito.
Going to the beach with a strong wind coming onto us there were Common Terns -Charran Común. We hoped for Northern Gannets - Alcatraz Atalantico but with no luck. However plenty of swinging tits on the beach that were warming up in the sun. Bryan couldn’t take his off them! The coffee was good too and that was on Mark. A great way to celebrate a first. A bag of Werthers will have to be obtained.
I have not listed all and we still have many to see.
So good to get out and next week we will be out again.
SUPER-POD NO MORE
Chris Packham commented and there is a condemnatory article in The Times today.
It also carries a photo of the harbour water ‘rich’ with the blood of the slaughtered beached Dolphins. It is hideous and it is said that the islanders freezers are already full with recently slaughtered Whales.
There is local condemnation, to be fair, by the islanders but what possesses a significant number of people to herd them into a harbour then kill these beautiful and defenseless creatures I do not know. It is senseless.
I have visited these islands and they are beautiful too. I have friends there and they are lovely people. They have their traditions and they are fiercely proud of their heritage. Some still cling to past customs but in this day of available good food there is no need to eat toxic whale meat.
There was a Grinddadrap when I was there and this is why I wrote this piece.
THE LAST BOAT RIDE
Taking the last boat to Nólsoy
the soothsayer proclaims, will be
a mistake. Heads turn, eyes widen,
What! Why? Today the sea looks kind,
glistens, bounces the sun back, murmurs.
'She that gives, claims the sea toll fee'.
Taking the last boat to Nólsoy
you can see the undertaker's(
grey hat; a misty mantle hides
the tears that descend on Tórshavn
skitters them across to murmur.
'She that gives, claims the sea toll fee'.
Taking the last boat to Nólsoy
you can feel pain, feel the hurt, see
sadness as waves bounce back and forth
echoing the taking of time
laden years as screams drown murmur.
'She that gives, claims the sea toll fee'.
Taking the last boat to Nólsoy
the sea roars, calculates a fee;
there it is, blood in the water,
pharmaceutical cocktails swirl
plastic whirlpools conspire, murmur
'She that gives, claims the sea toll fee'.
Taking the last boat to Nólsoy
see the contempt in man's progress!
'She that gives, claims the sea toll fee'.
John Edwards (C) 2017
A quick trip to Lo Monte to see what was there. The usual suspects were seen from the first hide, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard and Great Crested Grebe.
Michelle went to the second hide and saw Purple Swamphen, Reed Bunting and a family of Long Tailed Tits.
Also seen were two White Headed Ducks and Common Pochard.
