WINTER BIRDING ON THE COSTA AND WINTER WATCH IN DORSET ON BBC
WEDNESDAY 17th JANUARY 2024
I made it out for the first time this year. Just the two of us and having got Bryan on board we did our usual run past the Salinas and then inland.
The lagoons just down the hill from the Santa Pola turn-off yielded a Lesser Black Backed Gull - Gaviota Sombría amongst a mixed bunch of other gulls. There were waders in the far distant. We moved quickly on to the Salt Tower where Slender Billed Gulls - Gaviota Picofina flew and dived around. They are always good to watch. Great Crested Grebes - Somormujo Lavanco but only in small numbers.
Our first ‘star’ bird of the day was a very distant Osprey -Águila Pescadora. I was about to drive onward when a Meadow Pipit - Bisbita Común was in our path. Unperturbed it stayed for the photographer. We had a clear and very close view of it. That makes a change as they are either amongst dirt and vegetation.
The Stones run-off yielded two flying Ospreys and that could be three for the day? What’s going on? We mused could they have over wintered or are they on there way back to the breeding grounds. In the distance and in the usual area were two groups of 20 each Spoonbills - Espátula Común. One male Stonechat - Tarabilla Común perched in clear view.
El Pinet was very quiet. The vegetation has been trimmed on the islands possibly for the nesting terns - that’s something to look forward to. It seemed to be our day for close up views and within feet of us were Black Tailed Godwits - Aguja Colinegra. Three in one group and four others feeding around an island.
We went inland and persevered but although we saw Marsh Harriers- Aguilucho Luganero, a male Booted - Aguililla Calzada, and Common Buzzard- Busardo Ratonero we had no luck with flooded fields and no waders. Santa Aguada was preparing for a fiesta with potted Geraniums lining the streets. Flags and bunting dangling from the house fronts. What a quirky village this is. Although it has been cold the afternoon temperatures rose to 24 degrees. I knew that the wildlife area was not worth a visit so we quickly visited El Hondo. They have removed reeds and the water is starting to flow back in. Good views were our speciality for this day with four Snipe - Agachadizza Común showing their striking plumage clearly in full sun. They are so good to see and will be soon on the move. Just beyond them were a number of Teal - Cerceta Comun and they were good to see. El Hondo can be good but many times we have left exasperated. A Wryneck was reported but we did not see it.
We were now on our way back and we called in at Clot de Galveny. We visited the two near hides hoping to see a Gargeny - Cerceta Carretona but not today. However we were pleased because Northern Shovellers - Cuchara Común were very active, in pairs and displaying and consummation of the pairing took place. Such joy! One Yellow Wagtail - Lavandera Boyera perched right in front of us and was seen off by a White Wagtail - Lavandera Blanca. What a shame but nevertheless two fine birds. I was watching and we checked out all the ducks when a small dark duck swam into view. It was photographed and all the plumage was checked out. It was almost certain to be a female Ferruginous Porrón Pardo. Upon examination of photos and with examining the text books Bryan is certain it is a juvenile female Ferruginous. There are not many around although I have seen three at Lo Monte at different times.
Winter Watch has been great and on last nights show Crested Newts were discussed and it seems they could be breeding earlier than thought. Confirmation can only be by doing more research in the field. Bryan and I have discussed the change in seasons. It is an interesting topic as the natural world starts to move during, what we call, winter.
Quoting e e cummings ‘Spring is like a perhaps hand which comes carefully out of nowhere’.
Here’s to next time.
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