Embalse de Arrocampo Almaraz and Surrounds

Day Four

We were again out before 8am on Friday 13th May and for the first time we had as much blue sky as cloud. After our visit to Monfragüe we guessed it was going to be a more intensive day to be able to add a substantial number of new birds to our overall list.

We decided to go northwards and towards the eastern edge of Parque Natural de Monfragüe. We used the fast A5-E90 to get us birding as soon as possible. We turned off at junction 207 and crossed the Embalse de Arrocampo Almaraz and travelled towards to Serrejón.

Later we went to Saucedilla where we did Ruta Two. There is an information centre in the town and here we found signposted routes that took past several area of water and where hides had been built. They are clearly marked and lead directly from the town itself. The information in Garcia and Patterson seems to be out of date as we could not find the dirt tracks that they mention.

After leaving this particular part of the area we made our way to the other end of the water at Almoraz. The coordinates for the track leading to the water is as follows: N39.82067 - W5.6433.
It is worth going to even in May, but it could be a good location for wintering birds.

Great White Egret

Savi´s Warbler

OUR NEW BIRDS ARE
Common Cuckoo
Coot
Cormorant
Gadwall - one female
Great White Egrets - several
Gull-billed Terns
Kingfisher
Lapwing - just one
Little Bittern
Little Tern
Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Purple Heron
Purple Swamphen/Gallinule.

We had to work hard for these, but we were surprised by seeing a Kingfisher and very surprised to see our first Marsh Harrier, a female, after three full days of birding. We still have to locate a site for Montague's.

This whole area is full of birdsong. We heard other calls and in the reedy areas Bryan heard Savi's Warbler and un-mistakenly Great Reed Warbler several times. We have heard Turtle Doves on occasions, but not yet seen. Cuckoo had been heard before and today we saw one fly. Great Spotted Cuckoo has yet to be seen even though the area has a very good number of Magpies.

Parque Natural Monfragüe

Day Three

On Thursday 12th May we ventured out at 7.45am to find that the weather forecast was wrong - it had stopped raining and the day looked very promising. On walking to the car we were greeted with a Nightingale and a Great Tit singing with both a Buzzard and a Black Kite circling around.

Our destination for the day was Monfragüe National Park. From Trujillo we took EX 208 which is a direct route and an interesting one. The fields are dotted with Oak and the flowers are out giving some gorgeous colours of yellow and blue. The roadside vegetation is beautiful too with an array of greens and with flowers in bloom. We had come for the birds, but the scenery and the time of year just added to our enjoyment. The areas are huge and the expanse of it takes a little bit of getting used too. The most useful advice that I can give is buy a map Regional Espana 576.

Griffon Vulture

Black Vulture

Spanish Imperial Eagle

We had another great day and with Bryan Thomas's knowledge, sharp eyes and ears we were on a winner. There was three other pairs of eyes and ears too we were able to see many things and we had some great moments.

In the car park at the foot of the castle turning we listened and saw:
Azure-winged Magpie
Blue Tit
Chaffinch
Cirl Bunting
Goldfinch
Jay
Nuthatch X2
The above list shows that the birds are all around and they were very tame.

NEW BIRDS
Blackcap
Black- headed Gulls
Black Redstart - both male and female
Black Stork - on nest and flying
Crag Martin
Cirl Bunting
Egyptian Vultures - several sightings flying and perched.
Golden Oriole - heard many times and then two flew across the road
Nuthatch
Peregrine Falcon - flying around a cliff face
Rock Bunting - juvenile & then male showing brilliantly
Robin
Spanish Imperial Eagles - great views in and around the nest site. Could hardly have been better!
Subalpine Warblers - both male and female.
Wren

Plains of Cáceres and Surrounding Areas

Day Two

Wednesday morning on 11th May we left the hotel at 7.45am to make the most of the first part of the day as rain was forecast for the afternoon. We had heavy rain for around twenty minutes and then more heavy rain for all the evening. We arrived back at the hotel at 7.30 after a full days birding and with some new birds for our list and having seen some great places.

We decided to exit Trujillo by EX 351, but only to find the road blocked and so we travelled out along N521. The SatNav told us this did not exist. The new motor way runs almost alongside it and this meant that we could stop anywhere we liked as any other traffic was infrequent. It was a good way to start the day. We then used A58 turning left for La Cumbre on CC572 and then for Ruanes. There we turned right for Botija and headed towards Torremocha. North of here we found a Camino Rural and advertised as the Plains of Cacerés. Here we had a long view of a flying male Great Bustard that landed by two others.

We then headed towards Torreorgaz using CC142 heading towards Embalse de Salor. We passed through many different habitats on roads that sometimes carried only the minimum of traffic. However it is better to find places to park up and at all times keep both eyes on the rear view mirrors when stopped on the road viewing birds. If you follow this route you will see some amazing birds.

Our list of new birds for the day, added to yesterday's 53, is as follows.

Blue Rock-thrush
Blue Tit
Chaffinch
Common Waxbill - two
Common Sandpiper
Egyptian Geese
Fan-tailed Warbler
Great Bustards
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Grey Herons - numerous
House Martin
LARKS - great views of Calandra, and comparison views of Crested and Thekla. In the Steppe area we had views of Lesser Short-toed and (Greater) Short-toed. However not yet 100 per cent on the former and the photographs will be checked, but we did hear the call an LST lark.

Calandra Lark

Lesser Short-Toed Lark

Greater Short-Toed Lark

Little-ringed Plover.
Linnet
Nightingale
Pallid Swifts
Woodchat Shrike
Red Kite
Red-legged Partridge
Red-rumpled Swallows
Sardinian Warbler
Short-toes Eagle
Southern Grey Shrike
Spanish Sparrow.

That is 26 new birds for the day with regular sightings throughout the day of many that we saw on day one. Now it is Monfragüe for the day - rain permitting!

San Miguel to Trujillo.

Day One

On Tuesday 9th May we travelled from our home in San Miguel de Salinas, in Alicante Province, to Extremadura. The journey time was estimated at just 6 hours and 23 minutes. We left at 8am and arrived in heavy rain at 3.30pm at Hotel Peru, in Belén which is just outside Trujillo.

Even though we did spot some birds along the route which included White Storks and both female and male Montague's Harriers the weather was not favorable for either the birds are for seeing them.




We had decided to investigate two sites on the way with one at Lagunas de Rudiera. There is a hotel here alongside a large expanse of water. If the weather had been more favourable we could have investigated more. However it could be an excellent spot for wintering wildfowl. We timed the journey to it and it took three hours. We needed to stop and while in the car park we heard a Nightingale singing, a Jay perched nearby and so did a Mistle Thrush. We had intended to stop at Daimiel which is another 30 minutes away, but the weather was so wet we carried on past. I would like to investigate this site as the reference to it in the books is very good.

As soon as we arrived at Hotel Peru we met up with Bryan and Trevor. Unexpectedly our fortunes changed, the rain stopped and we went out.

There is no need to go too far because this is a place to find and watch birds and I can say it lives up to its reputation. At 5.30pm and until 7.30 all four of us Michelle, Bryan, Trevor and I turned left out of the hotel and moved slowly through Belén looking for Spanish Sparrows and headed out easterly and eventually joined up with road CC 23 and completed the circuit back. This is our list for just a short time. Our information comes courtesy of Where to Watch Birds in Southern and Western Spain by Garcia and Patterson.

Azure-winged Magpies
Barn Swallows
Bee-eaters - showed very well.
Black-winged Stilt.
Black Vultures - 4/5
Blackbird
Blackcap - male
Booted Eagle - pale morph
Buzzard
Cattle Egret
Collared Doves
Common Crow
Black Kites - at least a dozen or more
Corn Buntings - by the bucket full.
Griffin Vultures
Hobby, male and perched
House Sparrows only - Spanish and Tree for another day.
Pallid Swift
Jackdaws
Kestrel
Raven
Serin
Spotless Starling
Stonechat
Larks - Crested and Calandra (hopefully Thekla and Short-toed later)
Lesser Kestrel - female
Little Egret
Little Grebes - one on a nest
Little Owl
Mallard
White Storks
White Wagtail
Wood Pigeons

We had taken full advantage of the break in the weather and looking at the forecast we will be out by 8am in the morning as there is no rain forecast until the middle of the afternoon and then only a smidgeon or so! What will we see tomorrow?

Yecla

Estepes de Yecla which we had first visited in April 2015 and we decided to visit this steppe once again, but with the idea of commencing our day from Caudette as opposed to entering via Yecla. The objective being to view this area in reverse and to expand our search over a wider area. This we did as well as revisiting the 'hot spots'.

We were lucky because soon after leaving Caudette we heard and saw a Mistle Thrush (Torzal Charlo) singing on a pylon and later feeding on the ground. We knew from previous visits that this is a good location for that species.



We moved on unhurriedly and had very good close up views of Calandra, Crested, Short-toed and Tekla Larks.

In one area we were able to be within 5 metres of perched and flying Bee-eaters by remaining in the car and being patient. These were our best views ever and such a pleasure to watch these beautiful birds. While we there we were close enough to see them disgorge the indigestible parts of their prey and with more than one photo to prove it.


On previous occasions we have seen Great Spotted Cuckoos, but today we saw only one.

Lesser Kestels (Cernicalo Primilla) are resident here and the farm buildings where they nest has had the roof repaired and with apertures in the walls blocked up. However there are some roof tiles that have been raised and boxes have been fixed to the walls thus creating nesting sites.



Also resident here are Rock Doves, Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows. It was very good to see that some organization cares and undertakes conservancy.

Towards the latter part of our visit we saw Northern and Black-eared Wheatear, had the joy in seeing one Little Owl and a glimpse of a female Dartford Warbler. Red-billed Choughs are always here and it may be that we have located a nesting site.

Our intention was not to make a list of everything that we saw, but to get close up views of the birds. This we did, but with some noticeable absentees. Whatever, we had another great trip.

Report by Bryan Thomas and John Edwards.

Gran Alacant to El Hondo

At 8am on Friday 22nd April John Edwards and Bryan Thomas left Gran Alicante to investigate any local site that would yield good views of our residents and summer visitors. Our main purpose was to travel towards San Felipe Neri and the area surrounding the Information Centre at El Hondon, but taking plenty of time as we did so. The lagoons next to the Salt Tower yielded very little and we quickly moved on towards El Pinet where we saw a lot of activity. There was a mixed flock of Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper obliging close to us, but very flighty. Mediterranean and Black- headed Gulls were plentiful. Little and Common Terns were easily seen and a Sandwich Tern flew over. Also Whiskered Terns were active. A Kentish Plover and Little Stint were also easily seen. For me the star bird was a perched male Yellow Wagtail showing its spectacular breeding plumage. We quickly moved on and checked the beach area over a coffee and saw nothing except Woodchat Shrikes in the pines.



We would later return to specifically check the islands and to observe them from the unmade road below the urbanizations. We had been told that two Elegant Terns had been seen there, but we were unsuccessful. (See note below). However we did see Collared Pratincole.

We used the farm track on the other side of the N332 and headed towards El Hondon. Here we heard Woodchat Shrikes calling and with good active views of them. Along here we saw three Great Spotted Cuckoos, heard but did not see Bee-eaters and a Common Kestrel flew. In the freshly tilled fruit groves we were fortunate to see three hares running around. They were great to see and yes, they were definitely hares and not large rabbits! We were also fortunate to see a Zitting Cisticola/ Fantail Warbler fly along in front of us.

Although it is still early and not yet that warm we did hope to see Roller. When we arrived at their usual location, where the palms are, and when we were still heading towards the North Gate we got lucky. There was one sitting in the middle of the road and it flew up when a truck came along. Then in a tall dead Palm tree two beautiful Rollers sat to be photographed. It was not one of our closest sightings, but still good. We checked the road leading to the North Gate for Montague Harriers, but there was not one in sight. A Bee-eater flew across the road.



Moving on towards the Information Centre and around the surrounding lagoons we had good views of the following:-

Cattle Egrets
Collared Pratincole on the edge of the lagoons and sitting in a freshly tilled field alongside the entry road.
Common Sandpipers
Coot. - both Common and Red-knobbed.
Curlew Sandpipers
Dunlin
Flamingos
Glossy Ibis
Grey Herons - three flew in the distance.
Gulls - Mediterranean and Black-headed in very good numbers. Also Slender-billed and Yellow Legged.
Great Spotted Cuckoos (three).
Great Reed Warblers called in numbers.
Greenshank
Kentish Plover
Little Bittern
Little Egret
Little Stint
Marbled duck
Pochard - both Common and Red-crested
Purple Swamp Hen/Gallinule
Sardinian Warbler
Shellduck
Spoonbill - only one, but there is believed to be two in this location.
Squacco Herons were easily seen.
Swallows - both Barn and Red-rumped
Swifts - Pallid
Whiskered Terns

We were hoping to see Purple Herons, but if they were there they did not show although we did see Grey Herons flying and also not one Large Egret in sight. I had hoped to see more of the smaller birds, but it was still a very good morning.

Alongside the road into the site a farmer was flooding a field and this had had attracted a large number of Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets, both Black-headed and Med Gulls, and Glossy Ibis, but not anything more of interest which was a shame.

In our travels we also met some like minded people and that is always good.

N.B. Elegant Terns (Thalasseus Elegans) breeds on the western seaboard of the southern USA and Mexico. It winters southwards as far south as Chile and is said to be a rare vagrant in Western Europe. It is similar in appearance and habits to Royal Tern. Sibleys - pages 226/7 - contains good photographs and bill comparisons. It would be a good 'twitch'!

Slimbridge Wetlands Gloucestershire Uk

TWO DAYS AT SLIMBRIDGE.

I am a member of The Wetlands Wildlife Trust and I choose to support them. It pays me back by allowing me to see great wildlife, often very close up.

On a sunny Monday morning with a cold wind keeping the temperatures down to a low of three I started to enjoy myself. A short walk to the South Lake Discovery Hide took us to where we saw:
Avocet
Black-headed Gulls in large numbers
Eighteen Black-tailed Godwits
Cormorants
Goldeneye
Great-crested Grebes
Grey Heron
Lapwing
Oystercatchers
Redshank
Shellduck
Shovelers
Teal
Tufted Duck
Wigeon
Herring Gull
(Also a juvenile gull that I have yet to identify)
And when we returned in the late afternoon a Sparrow Hawk spooked the water birds and flew twice past the hide. In the hides leading to the Holden Tower, on the other side of the reserve, there were some great close up views of Pintail that were looking very elegant. These observation points provided views over the open grassland where we saw several varieties of geese:
Barnacle
Brent
Canada
Greylag
Pink-footed
White-fronted. (The Greenland were still there but too difficult to pick out. Maybe next time.)

Cranes (a single, a pair and three flew by and all giving good views)
And a Peregrine Falcon was see flying over the edge of the estuary.
A Buzzard had been seen too and two Lesser-backed Gulls were in competition with two Crows over a duck carcass. Also I saw Rooks and Jackdaws were everywhere.

At a feeding point there were
Blackbird
Blue Tits
Great Tits
Long tailed Tits
Chaffinches
Dunnocks
Robin
House Sparrows
Collared Doves
Wood Pigeons
Coot
Moorhen

In the pond close to the reception centre there were a variety of ducks, a multitudinous quantity of Mute Swans and four Bewicks that I think are resident. All of the wild ones together with the Hoopers had all flown during last week. Also many other species had gone towards their breeding grounds. I think an early winter visit would be much better.
This morning we walked to the far hides - the furthest being Kingfisher Hide - and saw nothing exceptional. However there was a very busy Rookery with about 45 nests and evidence of nest building. Amongst the Oaks a Greater Spotted Woodpecker was heard and then flew. Robins were very evident and fearless and so good to see close up.
Our new birds here were Wren, Dunlin and one Pied Wagtail with hundreds of Wigeon grazing nearby.
Herring Gulls added another one to the list and that was it for this trip and a total 43.
I have not mentioned anything that I had seen when walking through the enclosures where there were the non-indigenous birds. Another day, warmer weather and with more time to spend these enclosures would be very worthwhile, but I do prefer to see my birds in their wild state.
All sightings can be seen on their web site.