Gran Alacant was a mere 12 degrees at 9am and only rising to 18 later on. Our target birds were Common Cranes - Grualla Común and Spotted Eagles - Aguila Moteada. We plotted our course and at around 10.30 we drove past the North Gate of El Hondo, then past the fishing lakes and turned in left by the goal posts. Down the track and on the leafless limbs of a tall tree with a pylon nearby, a raptor. It was distant and we went as near as we could and through the scope we scrutinized it. It was big, we examined the markings of it and consulted Collins. We believe it is a Spotted Eagle - Águila Moteada and we think a sub-adult.
During the course of the morning at least twelve Marsh Harriers - Aguilucho Luganero and our last bird of the day was a low flying male. The sun picked out the details in the plumage and it was beautiful.
We checked out Santa Aguada again mainly to see if the Spotted Eagle could be using the old perching places, but with no luck. There appears to be a resident Green Sandpiper- Andarrios Grande there with Bluethroat - Pechiazul.
We left Santa Aguada and on joining the main road we turned left and immediately right. This is a long straight road with good vistas and then a fly past of ten Common Cranes - Grualla Común. We had great views for five minutes as they flew around, disappearing from sight on one occasion and then right over our heads. The photos will prove it. We were not sure where they went and we heard more calls afterwards.
Further down the Vistabella (and before where there is intensive work) there were flooded fields. There was not much there except 4/5 Wood Sandpipers - Andarrios Bastardo. We were hoping for Lapwings - Avefria Europea with a Sociable Plover - Avefria Sociable. Not a bloody lapwing in sight!
I can add two Booted Eagles - Aguililla Calzada, one of each morph and one being a male. It was no where near a large total. I have not mentioned all species but we got our two targets.
Starlings - Estornino are massing in very large numbers and a murmuration should be worth witnessing.
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