CLOT DE GALVANY AND MORE

Thursday 25th June was forecast to be hot. An overnight low of around 20C and by 10.30 it had reached 30 degrees. Whatever birding we want to do had to be completed early. 

Clot de Galvany has much more of an expanse of water than I have seen before and with two new hides so that viewing can be done in comfort. The large tract of water with reedbeds in the distance is much better viewed through a scope. A member of Costa Blanca Bird Club had seen all nine of our herons and egrets, but we couldn't match that. Both Little Bitterns and Squacco were in good numbers and a Night Heron climbed in the reeds. There was a tremendous showing of Whiskered Terns who surely must be breeding close by. A male Great Crested Grebe with a juvenile swam in the open and Little Grebes were everywhere. Barn Swallows flew all around and close enough to see the white on the tail feathers. So good to see at close quarters.

We are lucky to have two special species and here White Headed Ducks with young were easily watched and also there were Marbled Duck.

At the old hide we had views of most of the usual birds and eventually we watched a Great Reed Warbler climb noisily up a stem. A great view of a bird not always seen. An Iberian Green Woodpecker flew and called.

I have not listed all the birds and only mentioned those of more interest.

Next up was the Carabassi Road in search of Rufous Bushchat where we were again unsuccessful. We then searched for Spotted Flycatchers and we watched one pair. This is a species that we spent time watching last year and photographed the two sub-species. The pair that we did see had clearly streaked chests. We will keep looking. Turtle Doves were fleetingly seen and heard. 

We always want to expand our knowledge and investigate locations that we don't normally visit. That was the case this morning when we travelled through El Altet to check Urbanova. The marsh lies between the coastal road and N332. The city of Alicante and the airport terminal are close by.

We turned into the unmade road that had marsh, scrub, with both dry and wet areas on either side. Lagoons had water being pumped into them. 

Birds were not numerous but we saw Crested Larks, Little Ringed Plovers, Black Winged Stilts, Grey Heron and on one lagoon seven Black Headed Gulls. Southern Grey Shrikes were on the wires. We did not know what to expect and we think that this site could be much better through autumn and into winter. We will go again.

There were many absentees and among them was only the occasional Bee-eater. Where have they gone? Turtle Doves were not that evident either!

Next week we will give it another go.

Photos from Tuesday´s Trip

Bryan has posted on his blog http://birdingcostablanca.blogspot.com about our day out on Tuesday and has included a photograph, taken through the fence, of Slender Billed Gulls and their chicks. An Interesting photograph.

Slender Billed Gull Juvenile, within a few meters of our feet at El Pinet.

Black Tailed Godwit also taken at El Pinet.

European Rollers and Bee-Eaters were seen inland and conveniently perched.

Yellow Wagtail.  My bird of the day!  Freshly washed and looking rough!

Black Headed Gulls and Glossy Ibis were seen in numbers.

All photographs were taken by Bryan Thomas.

ANOTHER BIRDING MORNING ON THE COSTA BLANCA

GRAN ALICANT TO  PARQUE NATURAL, EL FONDO

Unlike Thursday 11th when we headed for the mountains, on Tuesday 16th we stayed local, between Gran Alicant and El Fondo. The temperatures have risen and we knew that our best birding would be prior to mid-day and so it was.

Last year in the pines between the beach and the Carabassi Road we searched and found Spotted Flycatchers and decided that we had seen two subspecies and it was blogged. Today, apart from one brief glimpse, they were not on view and neither was a Bushchat. However, we were pleased to hear and see at least ten Long Tailed Tits. We heard one Turtle Dove call. Just off the rocks a Mediterranean Shag fished giving us close up views. 

We needed to get on and soon we were on the N332. Our first stop was in the pull-off spot by the Salt Tower. There was not a lot to see but on the opposite side of the road Little Terns were abundant and nesting in the dried up lagoon. One Collared Pratincole flew away over the reeds. The usual residents were there with Yellow Legged Gulls being noisy with a few Black Headed ones. Whiskered Terns flew over us.

Quickly moving on to El Pinet we found the parking area cordoned off. The effect was that the breeding gulls felt safer and were nearer to the fencing. On a bank there was a mass of adult Slender Bill Gulls and chicks and we have a photo to prove it. In the water very close by a recently fledged Slender Bill was photographed. Two Black Tailed Godwits in breeding plumage showed well.

At the beach, where the restaurant was preparing to open, there was a gathering of Common Terns out to sea and a Sandwich Tern perched on a buoy. There was not a lot else except House Sparrows.

Moving inland we expected to find both Rollers, (seven in total), and Bee-eaters and we did. They were not that plentiful but still seen with both species perched and flying. We lost count of the number of Little Owls. Southern Grey Shrikes were often around and it was not until later that we found two individual Woodchat Shrikes that are normally more abundant.

Okay we did have target birds, but what we wanted was a flooded field. The corn has been cut , the straw bailed and taken away. As we watched they began to flood the same field and on  our return the water was pouring in. Bodes well for the next few days. There was water in the ditches alongside the road and from one we flushed a Black Crowned Night Heron. In a gateway within feet of the road a Yellow Wagtail was drying itself in the sun and preening. The bird look rough, but that's the reality. One decent sized Lizard scuttled into the undergrowth, but no snakes and I was looking.

In a recently tilled dry field there was a large group of gulls which included Mediterranean ones that we constantly heard calling. With them were Glossy Ibis with many flying around and feeding.

We were heading to Santa Àgueda where we did find a field that had been flooded and on it were Mediterranean Gulls, of both sexes and with young too. Again there was Ibis. Two Grey Herons were in the distance and Cattle Egrets were aplenty.

The lagoon at Santa Águeda contained water and we flushed two Marbled Ducks and a Green Sandpiper. Both Reed and Great Reed Warblers called and remained hidden. Zitting Cisticolas were around us for most of the morning. A Squacco Heron flew out often reeds. 

Ariel combatants of Pallid Swift, House Martin, and both Barn and Red-rumpled Swallows were around but not in vast numbers. Almost home we saw a male Little Bittern.

In passing we saw Linnet, a male Greenfinch perched on a wire and singing, and Goldfinches often went by. We didn't expect to see many raptors and apart from two Kestrels that was it. Again another good day to be out and we did see plenty. But we are never satisfied and we intend to do the same thing again next week. Hopefully more butterflies too.

OUR VISIT TO MONTNEGRE & AND STRIKING IT LUCKY ON MAIGMO

The weather forecast for this current week had not been good. The predicted heavy rain, thunder storms with lightening did occur but many areas were spared some, if not all, of the worst. On Thursday 11th June we left San Miguel de Salinas at 6.15am with a temperature of seventeen degrees, arriving in Gran Alicant by 7am. The sky was clear and with only a light wind. 

We had agreed previously to head for the mountains just north of Alicante. Montnegre being our first objective and with Maigmo later in the morning. From previous visits we knew what either location could give to us. We have objectives in mind for most trips and we concentrate on species and good quality viewing. We always want to see as much as possible, but quantity is not our target. The journey up to the summit of 725 metres above Tibi yielded no surprises. 

Our spot for Trumpeter Finches was our-go-to-place and there within seconds was a superb male. We remained patient and had other sightings too. We observed them feeding, and, flying further up the mountain. They are lovely birds to watch and this is the only location that we have had continued success at. We are amazed that we have received no requests for information bearing in mind we know of ‘organised’ trips to Cabo de Gata! It is a rare bird. 

We had been greeted with Nightingales singing in the ravine below and with both Black Wheatears and Blue Rock Thrushes calling, flying and perched. The Rock Thrushes were more distant with Wheatears much more obliging. There is not a tremendous amount of activity up here, but we heard and saw Serin, Goldfinch and House Sparrows. Sardinian Warblers were busy flying in and out of scrub. On cables a male Greenfinch trilled away. A lone Kestrel perched in the distance. While watching from the roadside Crag Martins flew within a few metres of our heads and Red-rumped Swallows showed well. Further away two large birds appeared over a ridge which were possibly Griffin Vultures. 

On reaching the high spot there was little to see except for Vultures circling and bearing in mind the time in the year we quickly descended through Tibi and across the valley towards Maigmo. Below Tibi near to the river we paused and observed two Spotted Flycatchers, a Cettis called from the river’s vegetation and that was that. Going up to Maigmo we encountered woodland-birds. Coal Tit, luckily Long-tailed and we had great views of a Tree Creeper. They are always good to see here and it is a spot worth remembering. A Chaffinch called and we had a clear view of a male a little later. Crossbills were overhead in the pines. We could have spent more time amongst the trees, but we wanted to get to the summit to see if the Alpine Swifts were on show. They were not although we had Pallid ones flying high. 

At the summit it was windy and it was butterfly time. We just struck it lucky. All three of us became absorbed with something that we had not seen before and in chasing this species down we saw the following: Clouded Yellow Banded Grayling Small White Marbled White Gate Keeper Swallow Tail 

Now to our new-to-us species. The photographers got really busy and viewed two species. The first, LIBELLIODES COCCAJUS or in lay man’s terms ‘the owly sulphur’.  They are of the family ASACALAPHIDEA and sub-family ASCALAPHINAE.  These OWLFLIES mainly inhabit areas of tall grass and sunny rocky slopes up to 1500 metres. This was the right location for them on this Limestone ridge. They are rare and can be seen in France, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland.

DESCRIPTION

 

The adults reach 25 millimetres (0.98 in) of length, with a wingspan of 45–55 millimetres (1.8–2.2 in). [3] The body is black and quite hairy. The eyes are large and bulging; the antennae are long and clubbed. The wings do not have scales and are partly transparent, with bright yellow areas in the first third, dark brown on the external side. An elongated black area is present towards the end of the posterior edge of the wing. The venation is black. The wings are held spread at rest, as in dragonflies. This species is rather similar to Libelloides lacteus. [3] 

The second species that were flying around in the same space and at the same time were THREADED LACE WING (Nemoptera sinuata). 

Great stuff and two for the price of one! We had arrived at the right time because they were flying everywhere with the genders seemingly behaving differently. Some were flying higher with others flying in and around vegetation and settling on a thin stem. This maybe accounted for, as the female, lays eggs on similar vegetable matter. 

Thanks to Bryan for his photos, enquiring mind and research and to the Internet to allow us the information to increase our knowledge. 

It's truly great out there and being able to do this after being incapacitated and locked in with ‘lock-down’. Terrific stuff with a new species and in good company too. Here's to the next time and thank you to the mountains for allowing these species to live.

SPRINGWATCH CHAMPIONS NATURE

In response to comments on tonight's SPRINGWATCH PROGRAMME and I quote say 'NO TO THE MO' and 'LOVE YIUR SCRUB' I had already penned this a few days ago.

MIND CHANGING.

It's like lager or beer really.

REALLY, do you mean, it's taste?

NO, STUPID it's about perception
or habit or learnt behaviour even.
Drink lager? Unless stone cold,It's vile!


I have no idea what you are REALLY
trying to tell me. Surely it's REALLY
a simple matter of choice. Is it not?

Hmmm. I thought this would be EASY,
simple and straightforward, but I will
try and make it easier for YOU.

Your lawn, your grass is neat, lush
and gets a number one cut every
five days. A dose of chemicals
to make it verdant green; to kill the
worms off and, of course, we don't,
do we, like casts and mole hills ‘cos
they are so ugly and, well, earthy!


Why? Well I will tell you why

you MORON, because you like to KILL.

You cut, you kill, you cut, you kill.
You are all ignoramuses blinded
by tradition, culture, habit and the
inability to enjoy the buzz of life
in uncut grass. Go on flog your
mower on EBay and give nature
a chance. You could, couldn't you?

John Edwards (C) 22nd May 2020

THEAKESTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITERS AWARD

The full shortlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2020 is:

My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (Atlantic Books)
Worst Case Scenario by Helen Fitzgerald (Orenda Books)
The Lost Man by Jane Harper (Little, Brown Book Group, Little, Brown)
Joe Country by Mick Herron (John Murray Press)
The Chain by Adrian McKinty (Orion Publishing Group, Orion Fiction)
Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee (VINTAGE, Harvill Secker)

The shortlist was selected by an academy of crime writing authors, agents, editors, reviewers, members of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Programming Committee, representatives from T&R Theakston Ltd, the Express, and WHSmith, alongside a public vote.
The public vote for the winner is now open on  www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com, with the champion set to be revealed in a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday 23 July marking what would have been the opening evening of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
The event – which formed part of Harrogate International Festival Summer Season - was cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 
The winner will receive £3,000 and an engraved oak beer cask, hand-carved by one of Britain’s last coopers from Theakstons Brewery.

How can I argue with this selection of books and authors that are now short listed for this award? From the long list I have read six and started on a seventh book. That one is ‘Nothing Important Happened Today’ by Will Carver. The cover proclaims “Nine suicides. One cult. No leader” and the comment from the Independent “Arguably the most original crime novel published this year”. I am struggling to read it and may even give up on it, but the title, the perceived subject matter and my stubbornness may see it through to the end. However, it is not a ‘must’ read and it has not made it into the final six.

Only two, Jane Harper with ‘The Lost Man’ set in Australia and Abir Mukherjee with ‘Smoke and Ashes’ describing his detective abilities during the British dominance of India. I have read and I enjoyed both immensely and I would recommend them to crime novel enthusiasts. However of the books that I have read recently two stand out high above the other stories.

Eva Dolan and her gripping tale entitled ‘Between Two Evils’ (not even in the long list) and Alex North with ‘The Whisper Man’. The latter, I predicted would be this year's winner. How wrong I was and how could they possibly leave it out of the short list? Perhaps if I read the other four in that list I may change my mind, but I doubt it.

The question for me is how can I vote for anyone else when my ‘winner’ is not there?
.

LONDON & BRISTOL PUBLIC OUTCRY

After the weekend of 6/7th June 2020

BRISTOL
Only a statue
damaged along with Colston’s
old reputation

In the ‘dock’ at last
‘trader man’ swims with dead slaves
no crime in ‘them days’!

Twenty or so years
to discuss sagely, just one
day to tear it down

LONDON
Over-weight, white man
speaks posh against statue dis-
mantlers. It's too late