Hey it looks like I've not done any birding lately. Its been due to family and friends visiting. I've not been able to get out as much as I would have liked, but I did managed to get out on a few occasions.
It's been full-on, these last few weeks, burning the candle at both ends, as they say, birding, working, and enjoying life
So a quick summary of what's been going on during these last few weeks and the start of the autumn migration
On Friday, 16th August we decided to stay local to see what was happening with our summer residents and what had already arrived from elsewhere. As we set off just before dawn, a Red-necked Nightjar flashed over the road, in front of us.
We saw the sun come up over Santa Pola when we stopped at the lagoons and Salinas. It was relatively quiet, but the terns were active with Little and Whiskered, and Common. A whole tranche of 200 Sandwich plus were viewed. A Little Bittern called, plenty of Little Grebes were on the water. We looked for Purple Herons, but only Grey was seen. There was nothing out of the ordinary.
Flying overhead we saw Swifts, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows together with a few Sand Martins.
We moved on to The Salt Tower and the small area next to it. Flamingos were abundant. Mallards were in good numbers for the first time in a while. A few Common Sandpiper called and few a Redshank was viewed distantly. A lone Marsh Harrier flew in the distance.
Juv Pratincole
El Pinet was much better, Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets were numerous. Other waders were Kentish Plover, and the first returning Greenshank, Redshank, Juv Pratincoles were still in good numbers.
Black-tailed Godwit
Pratincole
We then headed inland and at Pallet Farm Road we re located the European Rollers, good to see but looked ‘tatty’ as they moulting.
European Rollers
As it was quiet we decided to try Sante Águada. It was bone dry even after the intense rain and checking out the sky through 360 degrees, the search, yielded hardly any birds in the air at all, I guess they moved before the rain storm.
In a dead tree a Roller, one Turtle Dove and a Little Owl.
During the summer we have seen many Woodchat Shrikes and this species showed well today. They are a very neat bird! The Iberian Southern Grey Shrikes were perched on the high wires.
The Bee-eaters made our day. We could clearly hear them as they assembled on electric cables, and what a colourful sight they made. I love that noise and it suggests that they will be going south shortly.
Bee-eaters
San Felipe and scrapes in front of the information centre had two-metre-high growth and other areas looked neglected. We ventured along the boardwalk more in hope than anything and were rewarded with excellent views of Moustached Warblers. Sadly, there was not much to see.
The summer season is about to change and there has been a drop from the high temperatures that we have been experiencing
Thank God
Big migration of endless hirundines on the move earlier than the previous year
Maybe because of the torrential rain
Thursday 5th September
Bee-eaters on the moves I've heard them all-day high up and moving south in their hundreds
Ravens around the Santa Pola lighthouse, have successfully bred with at least 2 Juv birds which I've seen on most days
MONTNEGRE AND MAIGMÓ
On Friday, 16th August we decided to stay local to see what was happening with our summer residents and what had already arrived from elsewhere. As we set off just before dawn, a Red-necked Nightjar flashed over the road, in front of us.
We saw the sun come up over Santa Pola when we stopped at the lagoons and Salinas. It was relatively quiet, but the terns were active with Little and Whiskered, and Common. A whole tranche of 200 Sandwich plus were viewed. A Little Bittern called, plenty of Little Grebes were on the water. We looked for Purple Herons, but only Grey was seen. There was nothing out of the ordinary.
Flying overhead we saw Swifts, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows together with a few Sand Martins.
We moved on to The Salt Tower and the small area next to it. Flamingos were abundant. Mallards were in good numbers for the first time in a while. A few Common Sandpiper called and few a Redshank was viewed distantly. A lone Marsh Harrier flew in the distance.
El Pinet was much better, Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets were numerous. Other waders were Kentish Plover, and the first returning Greenshank, Redshank, Juv Pratincoles were still in good numbers.
We then headed inland and at Pallet Farm Road we re located the European Rollers, good to see but looked ‘tatty’ as they moulting.
As it was quiet we decided to try Sante Águada. It was bone dry even after the intense rain and checking out the sky through 360 degrees, the search, yielded hardly any birds in the air at all, I guess they moved before the rain storm.
In a dead tree a Roller, one Turtle Dove and a Little Owl.
During the summer we have seen many Woodchat Shrikes and this species showed well today. They are a very neat bird! The Iberian Southern Grey Shrikes were perched on the high wires.
The Bee-eaters made our day. We could clearly hear them as they assembled on electric cables, and what a colourful sight they made. I love that noise and it suggests that they will be going south shortly.
San Felipe and scrapes in front of the information centre had two-metre-high growth and other areas looked neglected. We ventured along the boardwalk more in hope than anything and were rewarded with excellent views of Moustached Warblers. Sadly, there was not much to see.
The summer season is about to change and there has been a drop from the high temperatures that we have been experiencing
Thank God
Big migration of endless hirundines on the move earlier than the previous year
Maybe because of the torrential rain
Thursday 5th September
Bee-eaters on the moves I've heard them all-day high up and moving south in their hundreds
Ravens around the Santa Pola lighthouse, have successfully bred with at least 2 Juv birds which I've seen on most days
MONTNEGRE AND MAIGMÓ
Another visit to an area that seems rooted in time. Deep ravines and gullies, steep-sided and even sheer, with high rocky crags poking up into the sky. Here the landscape is exceptionally different. It needs to be viewed to be believed.
We knew it was the end of summer and John and I certainly had the feeling we were between seasons. Nevertheless, we had a clear objective in mind. So, it was Montnegre again to see if the Trumpeter Finches were still hanging around.
They were not where they had been previously been seen and although we spent time there, we heard and saw nothing? Have they dispersed for the winter? Maybe even dropping into the bottom of the valleys or moving away to another location? Never mind we will look again at some other time? But to be sure we will be keeping an eye on this area.
The list for this area has never been huge and there were some noticeable absentees. For example, the only Raptor in view was a Marsh Harrier flying high and no Griffin Vultures either.
Today's list is:
Thekla's Lark (And not a common sighting for us here)
Crested Lark
Blue Rock Thrush (at least two callings)
Black Wheatear (times three)
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
House Sparrows
The list for this area has never been huge and there were some noticeable absentees. For example, the only Raptor in view was a Marsh Harrier flying high and no Griffin Vultures either.
Today's list is:
Thekla's Lark (And not a common sighting for us here)
Crested Lark
Blue Rock Thrush (at least two callings)
Black Wheatear (times three)
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
House Sparrows
Rock Sparrows
Red-Legged Partridge
Serin
Spotted Flycatcher - a super view of
Red-Legged Partridge
Serin
Spotted Flycatcher - a super view of
a very plain chest and a more defined head pattern individual could it be a Balearic/Iberian one?
Iberian Green Woodpecker - call only
Crag Martins loads filled the air
Bee-eaters flying over and distant
We moved on and checked both river areas with nothing to report except we did hear Chiff-Chaffs, Sardinian Warblers and a Cetti’s too.
Maigmó loomed in front of us and we travelled to the top. On way, the usual Crossbills called and flew and a Coal Tit called. It was all very quiet with only a few Magpies about and a Jay screeched.
Some rain had been forecast, but the sun was out and we stood at the top in 27 degrees, The sky was devoid of birds except for the Crag Martins.
We spoke of the absence of a response from any source regarding our reporting of the recently split of Spotted Flycatchers. We will pay more attention to this bird next spring.
These mountains will not beckon us until next spring and we definitely need to find more birds! Thankfully lower temperatures will bring in our overwintering birds. Therefore we will be going inland and once winter has arrived we'll be trekking up to see the Ring Ouzels on Sierra de Espuña.
Looking forward to making some birding news.
Have a great day
Iberian Green Woodpecker - call only
Crag Martins loads filled the air
Bee-eaters flying over and distant
We moved on and checked both river areas with nothing to report except we did hear Chiff-Chaffs, Sardinian Warblers and a Cetti’s too.
Maigmó loomed in front of us and we travelled to the top. On way, the usual Crossbills called and flew and a Coal Tit called. It was all very quiet with only a few Magpies about and a Jay screeched.
Some rain had been forecast, but the sun was out and we stood at the top in 27 degrees, The sky was devoid of birds except for the Crag Martins.
We spoke of the absence of a response from any source regarding our reporting of the recently split of Spotted Flycatchers. We will pay more attention to this bird next spring.
These mountains will not beckon us until next spring and we definitely need to find more birds! Thankfully lower temperatures will bring in our overwintering birds. Therefore we will be going inland and once winter has arrived we'll be trekking up to see the Ring Ouzels on Sierra de Espuña.
Looking forward to making some birding news.
Have a great day
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