Boarders Open at Last

 

October 2019 was the last time we visited.  Corral Rubio, Bonete,  Petrola, Higueruela,

And with the borders open today. We were off, an early start and raining as we left Gran Alicante.

Our target bird for today, Great Bustard, and Little Bustard, one hour twenty minutes later we were birding, Calandra Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark, under the belt.

Lesser Short-toed Lark

 It wasn't too long before we connected with Great Bustard only 4 to start with, later another 28, and one flypast of Little Bustard. There's been lots of rain up there and all the seasonal lakes are full to overflowing.

Great Bustard

Great Bustard

Waders

 Kentish Plover

 Kentish Plover, LRP,  summer plumage Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Stone Curlew, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Lapwing,

Summer plumage Redshank

Duck

Red-crested Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall,  Pochard, White-headed Duck, Shell Duck, Mallard,

Other birds seen

Bonelli's Warbler,

Wood Lark, Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Black Wheatear,  Bonelli's Warbler, Lesser Kestrel, Rock Sparrow, Rock Dove, Black-necked, Great-crested, and Little Grebe, Great reed Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Woodchat Shrike, Mistle Thrush, Thekla's Lark

 Mistle Thrush

Whisker and Gull-billed Tern around in good numbers and thousands

of Greater Flamingo. 

Greater Flamingo

Greater Flamingo

Heard Only 

4 Quail, and Great-spotted Woodpecker, Nightingale, Tree Creeper,

There were some notable absentee's like Eagles and Sandgrouse and Golden Oriole,  well we've got to leave something for next time. My favourite moment of the day was the fields full of wild poppies flowers,

 Stunning.

 wild poppies flowers

I've not mentioned every bird seen?

Make some news and have a great week.

Lesser Kestrel

Cheers

Bryan