It was a two mammal (mouse and rabbit) Sunday morning with digits in single figures as I headed towards Gran Alicante with one target in mind. That was to nail Brys bogey bird that bloody kite that has bugged him for years. He’s had in his sights but then - more than one person - has pushed too far. We went out more in anticipation than hope as it was Sunday and we knew the shooters would be out and they were. It was a grey morning with a chill and we headed inland towards Palm Farm Road where there had apparently been reports of the elusive Black Winged Kite - Elanio Común.
We did the whole length scanning everywhere in vision. On a usual perching tree were one Common Kestrel - Cernicalo Vulgar (and we saw many) sharing with a Booted Eagle - Águila Calzado and in one of the fields a massive flock of Serin - Verdicillo so good to see in that number. We carried on past the farm - in the nest box a Common Kestel poked its head out. There are some interesting tree shapes here. - went right all the way down to where it was blocked off. The road is in disrepair and starting to be overgrown. We did all the way back to the major road. Vision is restricted here and some of the area looks abandoned.
Crossing the road we took Verada de los Canales and then into Verada de los Valenciano. We took our usual route where we had seen Common Cranes before. In a tree was a Common Kestrel and a Booted. While Bry was checking these two birds I scanned the fields and there was not a Kite but nineteen Common Cranes- Grulla Común. All on the ground at that stage and when I called them Bry was reaching for his camera when all but three took off. He managed some flight shots and we will see them on our blogs. He tracked them and we followed hoping to catch up with them. However two adults and one juvenile - a small family group remained - and these three we found later on. And they will become stars on our blogs. We had really good sightings.
We soon understood why the Cranes took off - we could now count over 20 in flight - when we saw a person with a scope by a building in the same field. I won’t spoil Bry’s spiel but for the record man and vehicle recorded via the camera. Such fun.
Okay I don’t record all so we do see more than I say. I’m not into lists.
We were now well off our known routes and were on a rough road in the lee of Santa Marina Urbanisation and heading towards the N332. Would you believe a flooded field with loads of White Wagtails - Lavendera Blanco, one Greenshank - Archibebe Claro - three Wood Sandpipers - Andarrios Bastardo and in our travels at least three or more Green Sandpipers - Andarrios Grande. One bird we seldom see but only hear and there was a Green Woodpecker - Pico Picapinos clinging to the side of a pole.
However no bloody Kite but those Cranes!
No comments:
Post a Comment