FRIENDS FROM SUMMERS PAST

Recently we’ve strayed away from our nearby patches of bamboo and visited the low ground below the dam at Embalse de la Pedrera . Here, there were Melodious Warblers flitting around and the harsh sound of Reed Warblers. They were so terrifically annoying because they just did not show. Maybe, next time. The following day we visited La Mata where we had been told that Curlew Sandpipers could be seen at the water’s edge but too far away for a decent camera shot. However, under the Eucalyptus trees in the picnic area, we found my favourite summer bird. Ever since my childhood I have been able to recognize instantly Spotted Flycatchers. The movement caught my eye and then I saw my first one and in the same tree a Woodchat Shrike. I carried on looking up and then a possee of Long-tailed Tits hurried through. I don’t know whether they had been bathing or they had travelled some distance to be there for they did look a bit ‘tatty’ but always great to see. Up with them was the striking yellow and black of a Great Tit. All good birding. Michelle managed to get two good shots and these so small birds are just wonderful to see.

Spotted Flycatchers and Long-Tailed Tits

BIRDS IN FRAME

I am now doing what I said that I would do. That is to concentrate on an area and see what’s there. It has dense pockets of bamboo which are close to the irrigation canal on the outskirts of San Miguel de Salinas. The habitat around it is very mixed with some cultivated ground, the odd almond tree, exposed rock and scrub. It has two distinct advantages in that there is water and plenty of cover. I spent several days being patient and this was rewarded with hearing the constant sound of Nightingales singing but with only the occasional sighting. Then there were the first glimpses of darting warblers. Reed warblers occasionally perched on a waving frond but long enough to get a scope on it. Melodious Warblers (Zarcero Comun) flew down to feed in the bushes not far away from my feet. It does pay to stand still and watch. A male Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra) perched within ten feet of me with Serin (Verdecillo) almost perching to order and Goldfinches (Jilguero) flying and singing. The surrounding habitats do favour both Stone Curlew (Alcaravan Comun) and Green Woodpecker (Pito Real). One evening a Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra) flew along the adjacent canal and then flew back again which gave the best view I have had. However, the stars of this locale are the Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Daurica) who fly just over head and perch within feet of me without any fear. They are so beautiful and at this range you can see their striking reds and finely decorated plumage- they are simply great. Having located where the birds can be seen and photographed we are concentrating on just that but also hope to see other species as well. You can see how good those swallows look at Michelle’s photo. It is superb.

Red-rumped Swallow

AN OLD WALK –REVISITED

I used to walk our dogs just outside the town amongst a varied habitat where I could see wildlife. Recently I have walked that way again but more slowly this time to pay attention to everything that is around me. Summer is most certainly here and with it all the activity associated with warmer weather. There is birdsong, the hirundinidae (swallows etc.) are giving their aerobatical displays and perching male birds are showing off with their song and strikingly coloured plumage. Butterflies give extra colour but they are not alone for there is a lot more flying than those. On the ground I watched lines of ants carrying gathered seeds from a White Rockrose into their nests. It’s activity everywhere I look. I walked on slowly, listening, looking and watching towards the irrigation canal where there is dense stand of bamboo nearby. As I approached it I could see three Red-rumped Swallows flying around and tweeting. They were so low that there was no need for binoculars and then they perched for me to get a better good look. A Green Woodpecker flew and then I spotted a male one taking a drink before, it too, flew off. While all of this was occurring there was Serin, Goldfinch and the wonderful sound of Nightingale-possibly two- singing from somewhere within the bamboo stand. I intend to go here again with chair and scope to see what else is there. Patience, I know, will pay me back and maybe get a glimpse of these songsters.

Audouin´s Gull

Taken at La Zenia Beach on Sunday morning whilst Michelle was running. Taken with a Canon 40D with 300mm Lens

ANOTHER DAY OUT WITH THE COSTA BLANCA BIRD CLUB

Yesterday, Wednesday 18th April we went to the area south of Totana (Murcia), a large flat area with cultivated fields and, fortunately areas that have been left fallow. These lie on the north side of Autovia Totana-Mazarron, the RM3. Here, there is a mixture of vegetation which provides food and shelter for a variety of species. We were lucky to find a Greater Spotted Cuckoo, another, then sat long enough for a scope to be focused on it. As we drove on two of them flew in front of us. Other stars of the day were Spectacled Warblers, Whinchat, both male and female together with as many larks as you would ever want to see. (I will let the experts say which ones). Northern Wheatear and Black Wheat-ear flew around us, as well as Black Bellied Sand Grouse and Stone Curlew. Previously we had seen a yellow wagtail on the edge of a water deposit but our morning was further enhanced with a low flying Golden Eagle-what a treat. We moved on in a northerly direction into Parque Natural de Sierra Espuna where in the pine forest we heard and saw very little but as Mile and Barry were moving on they saw Crossbill. In the area around the restaurant there was very little activity, except for Goldfinch. Mike did see a Sparrow Hawk fly through and as Michelle and I were about to leave he spotted a Firecrest. It does pay not to eat inside and to be patient! We headed for home, leaving the rest of the party in the restaurant but we did see Woodchat Shrike and a white morph Booted Eagle. It was a long day but it is always good to see beautiful things.