ESTEPAS DE YECLA SEARCHING FOR THE BIG ONES

 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.