ESTEPAS DE YECLA

What another terrific morning we had in Estapas de Yecla.  It is one of our ‘must-go-to-places’ and over the years we found some great birds in this valley. we thought we should go there again and so we did on Saturday 6th October.  

The temperatures have dropped and when we left Gran Alacant it was a mere 16 degrees and it went down to12 degrees in the valley.  We decided to have a coffee on route as the low cloud was so thick it would be impossible to see anything but by 8 am the mist was gradually lifting away and the sun was starting to peek through,  so we stayed to the east of the ridge having entered from Claudette.  We were soon bathed in sun and we were surrounded by birds and their songs.  Two hundred Wood Pigeons occupied a high wire and a big mixed flock of Goldfinches and Linnets flew from off the fields.  In one small bush, a dozen Goldfinch perched and we coined the term ‘ a charm in a bush’.  Towards the ridge and over the farm buildings Choughs called and flew, we heard them for most of the morning.  Other Corvids flew too with regular sightings of Jackdaws, Crows and Magpies, but no Ravens today.

It was great to see and still on the move a migration of Barn Swallows and they were visible all morning. Sad to see them go, but that is the way it is.  

 

 

Northern Wheatears posed well and we must have seen over a dozen individual birds.  Several Stonechats called but remained elusive you don't always see what your looking for! 

The ubiquitous Crested Larks showed well and eventually, we found a Thekla's Lark.  A major surprise was a male Rock Bunting which showed well for a few moments before disappearing in the scrub, a new bird for this area and now on the bird list for Yecla. 

 

Corn Bunting, Meadow Pipits, and Chiff Chaff were seen one chiff bashing a large caterpillar about. 

Around us were fields of vetches with some being harvested?  Two Hoopoes showed well and on an earthen bank were Rock Sparrows.  We spent over and hour and a half at this Claudette end before moving along our normal route where the mist had begun to clear. Red Legged Partridges ran all over.

Heading towards the Yecla end of The Valley we heard Buzzards calling and at one time there were four of them circling on the thermals.

 however, before that I spotted a Golden Eagle in the distance and this obliged us by coming closer and we could clearly see the wing patches and the white rump. We counted at least six individual Little Owls as we passed through and in the ‘wine area’ we had excellent views of both Tree and House Sparrows where the comparison with the two species could be seen.  Both sorts of Starlings were around too with many White Wagtails feeding.

Moving on towards the ridge with pines a ‘falcon’ was spotted in a field, in the distance.  We knew what we thought it could be, but after 30 minutes and with closer views it had to be a female Lesser Kestrel. We had hoped for something else, but we were happy, that we had sorted the ID out.  A male Lesser also flew and I reassured myself that they still frequent this valley. Common kestrel also was seen close by.

Lesser Kestrel

We heard Sandgrouse but they stayed out of sight. The stubble in the fields is now a little higher making it difficult to see them. We noticed some butterflies, and in all, we think that we had four species. Lots of Bray White,  Common Blue, a few Clouded Yellow, Banded Greylings.

Also seen a few foxes

There were some absentees with Raven, Black Wheatears, and Calandra Larks being the more obvious ones.

What an excellent few hours and the most productive was the early ones as the sun came up and the mist cleared.  It is lovely to be out there

Below

I've added a few photos from my trip out 2 weeks ago, that I failed to write up.
On route to Montnegre, we stopped by a bridge over the Rio Montnegre it a fast flowing stream with not much depth and so in the stream I paddled to photograph these Copper Demoiselle Dragonflies

male

female

Cheers

Bryan Thomas

50 Millions mosquitoes can't be wrong

And so today before dawn.  John and I decide to go to the furthest point and bird our way back, too Gran Alacant and end up at the clot to look for the reported Red-knobbed Coot.  At San Felipe, Now renamed  Mosquito City, well it was at dawn but an hour after sunrise it had cleared, not before we been eaten alive despite repellent, at one moment on Johns back were about 30 mosquitoes all trying to get a piece of him through his jacket, for me, not so lucky ( "No coat" I'd left it in the car) with only a thin Primark Tee shirt on, I was bitten to death, will I ever learn.

 It reminded me of a similar event some years ago with my mate's from Scilly.  Birding legends Higgo and Spider.  Inside a homemade mud hide, up to our knees in mud sludge, in a swamp infested stinking scrape with man-eating mosquitoes, that time it was worth being eaten alive as we were watching a Northen water Thrush.   Unfortunately not today. I miss that rarity buzz we were fortunately very lucky to have it happen frequently.

 

 Northern water Thrush

San Felipe was ok, but not at the visitor's centre on the main water, it still has a strange cloudy colour and looks toxic but the furthest outer pools have much more bird life, only a month ago it was completely dry and cracked but now it's been re-flooded and there plenty going on. Black-tailed Godwit and Wood Sandpiper  Snipe, Kentish Plover, fly over LRP, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler Red-knobbed Coot, Little Bitten,

as well as all the usual suspects, but no sign of reported Blue Throats despite plenty of looking and listening and being there at the prime time of day for these birds to be showing off ??  To be honest I've had enough of  San Felipe,  the mosquitoes, and humidity and was glad to leave.

On the way back lots of assembles of Bee-eaters lots have already gone and what's left won't be far behind,  Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, on a small pool on Bella vista road.

 We double back on ourselves took the palm farm route.  Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Marsh Harrier,  20 Lapwing,

Around the back of la Marina Southern Grey Shrike, Stone Curlew, Northern Wheatear,

  a few more Bee-eaters, Kestrel,  and not much else.

spot the bird

 And at El Pinet all quite.  2 Juv Sandwich Tern, Slender-billed Gull's, plenty of Avocets.  Coffee at the beach cafe watching squadrons of Mediterranean Gulls and Black-headed Gulls fly passed.   We decided to give the Clot a miss as we already seen a Red-knobbed Coot earlier.

 The management at San Felipe must be doing something right as the mosquitoes love it and despite my concerns over the iffy looking water quality.  I've read somewhere if the water quality is not right it won't support the insect life and those pain in the ass mosquitoes

Tiger mosquito

 and so 50 million mosquitoes can't be wrong.

 The tally for my bites is 20 plus on my back and legs and face. 

Enjoy the photos

Cheers Bryan

!

Fantastic Sunrise over Santa Pola and also a few Birds

  The early risers get to see those early flying birds.  On Thursday 30th August John and I was at our first stop looking over the lagoons opposite the turning for Las Playas de Las Brisas alongside the N332 as the sun came up.  This is one of our favourite stopping point for us and it gets us birding almost immediately. As we arrived there were two species of bat still flying even in the dawn light.  A Little Bittern called as soon as we got out of the car.  Then, in small groups, a total of twenty or so Sandwich Terns flew over heading northwards towards Santa Pola.  Little Terns swooping and darting about, Slender-billed gulls on the water.  The water contained the usual inhabitants but we were really looking for returning waders with no result. I thought that he heard a Kingfisher call, several times but couldn't confirm the presence of one.  A juvenile Purple Gallinule skulked in the vegetation.  There were several flocks of small birds that could have been House Sparrows.  They were flying too high and too fast for us to identify properly in the dawn light.

The rain was forecast and there were some great cloud formations that hid the sun from us.  Two ‘water-spouts’ or maybe I could describe them as micro twisters "interesting and not seen by us before.  

Flying over and around us was a Peregrine Falcon and on the third pass, we could see that it had prey in its talons. Maybe one those house Sparrows that was going over?  We know that  Peregrines are around in the marsh, but not always seen.

We moved onto the lay-by next to the Salt Tower and again with a more good fortune, we picked out perched Osprey.  We watched it fly over and around three times before settling on a perch on the water.  It is still August, just, and where did this bird spend the summer and is it on way to West Africa? Who knows? 

In the distance, we observed 8/9 Spoonbill, Great Crested Grebes, and, of course, Flamingoes.  Both Greenshank and Redshank called signifying that some waders have returned from their breeding grounds.   There was a large flock of waders about 60/100?  I think they could have been Dunlin  I could see that some still had the dark-bellied markings but they were a good distance away. The lagoons to the east of N332 contained only puddles and no birds.  

We decided to check the lagoons at El Pinet and were rewarded with common Terns and Whiskered Tern making four species of Tern for the morning.  Then we had nice views of two Redshank and two Greenshank.  On the far bank, there were about 30 Collared Pratincole of which most seemed juveniles.  We were pleased with what we saw, but there were no other species of note.

Moving on we took the Camino in the direction of San Felipe Neri and a Roller surprised us when it was sat on a road sign.

 It was very obliging;  I fired off a few frames and it then flew to the ground where we watched it eating some large beetles, a few moments later it was joined by another one.

  That was our closest views of Roller this summer.  Only 5 meters In the distance, from the car.  Bee-eaters called and see on the wires.

Further on we saw a female Marsh Harrier fly and perch in a tree only to be joined by a male white morph Booted Eagle.  Such good views of both.

 Also on a fence alongside the road and by our car a Zitting Cisticolas perched to be photographed. It twisted its head, back and forth intrigued by the sound of the camera shutter and bleep.  Again an excellent view and what a pretty bird.

 On a  small lagoon,  a Wood Sandpiper fed and gave us close views of it. Also 4 more Greenshank.

On the edge of a tilled field we saw a tractor being driven and from a big yellow tank.

 The tractor driver was spraying the edge of the reedbed.  We can only guess - poison or more benignly called insecticide.  It is easy to apply, but what are the consequences?  What is the long-term damage to vegetation, insects, birds and animal?.

San Felipe Neri was not worth our time.  Water levels were very high and therefore no muddy margins and no waders. And the water quality did not look quite right and looked polluted.  More reminiscent of a toxic spillage than a Birding Hotspot. No birds in the water or around the edge's, only birds there were fly over Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egrets, roosting on the Islands.  We will not visit again until we get some substantial rain! It was now 11.30 and was the right time to head back.

Summing up our morning.  I don't record everything that we see and so it is not a list, but intended to be informative as much as possible.  It is great to get out there.  To be out and seeing the natural world. We had some excellent sightings today. Enjoy the photos

 cheers Bryan

4 flaps and a Glide

I overslept this morning, well sort of. I was waiting for the alarm to go off   "which never did" when I heard the doorbell ring, it was 6.15 I jumped out of bed, pulling on my shorts, and looking for the keys while searching for the light switch. Opening the door.  "Morning John"  I realised,  I'd put my short on back to front.  Not good start to our birding day.

Arriving at the Caudete to Yecla track almost the first bird seen was a Common Buzzard, 4 flaps and a glide, and over the course of the day, we would see quite a few of these birds.

  Also there, lots of Jackdaw and Magpies, the first of many Woodchat Shrikes.

We did not get far when thousands of returning European Starlings entertained us with there aerobatic murmuration,  an amazing sight, most of which were already in their spotty winter plumage.  And definitely, a Werther's Original moment,  "Shame"  as in my hurry to leave this morning I left this golden caramel moment on the table.  To be honest, my photos don't do justice to the synchronised acrobatics event we just witnessed.

We had already decided our target bird for the day was going to be Sandgrouse and so we needed to be at the Yecla end of the track.  On route, we came across a huge Olive Tree plantation, as far as the eye could see acres and hectares of Olive trees. There are massive changes going on in this area with lots of investment and plantations springing up everywhere.  I just hope they spare a thought for the wildlife and leave some open places where they can live.  And do they really have to plant on every square millimetre on land? Or is it just plain greed. In the past, I've seen field upon field of abandoned crops left to rot.

It wasn't long before we connected with Sandgrouse, we had just pulled up and stepped out the car when 3 Black-bellied Sandgrouse flushed, this is normal behaviour for this species, we watch them until they disappeared from view, quite different to Pin-tailed Sandgrouse which would normally stick. Nice views of an Iberian Woodpecker perched on a post.  Along the track a group to Pin-tailed Sandgrouse land in the field in front of us.  A lot of Sandgrouse calling from every direction now. And in the stubble field, we managed some great scope views as the Sandgrouse moving through the stubble.   I grabbed a few photos of birds in flight.

From out of nowhere two flocks of Calandra Larks flushed 200 in each group, and a Fox appeared crossing the field maybe it was him who flush the Calandra Larks?

  Still plenty of Greater Short-toed Larks, up to 10 hoopoes and a similar number of Woodchat Shrikes also  2 little owls,

 we were treated to some spectacular flypast of Pallid Swifts and Swallows doing there low level runs across the fields. And yet another 4 flaps and a glide, Lots of Choughs.

 A Booted Eagle drifted over to finish our morning.

 Not so many photographs today? let's see what next week brings

Cheers Bryan

More Departures then Arrivals

Energized by some recent report I thought we might see a few more returning migrants?

John and I left Gran Alacant @ 6.15.  A crazy time to go birding it not even light I know.   But undaunted we set off.  More chance of seeing Jupiter and its Moons? "  I thought to my self at this time of day"  but if you want to see birds you gotta start early.  The temperature  was a cool 23 degrees,

 and threatening a little rain, all set for a bumper birding day?

And today's target anything with feathers.

Soon on the Motorway to Bonete, a quick coffee at the other end, and ready to go.  Taking a track off to the left to the smelly Stinky Pig Farm.  This stop was a good decision.  Juv Woodchat Shrike, loads of Corn Buntings,  Northern Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Common Buzzard, Chiff Chaff,  Serin, "not a bad start"

On to the Estacion.  John has now officially renamed it Bustard Corner, as it always performs and today was no exception at least 20+ Great Bustards, Male Marsh Harrier, 5 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Common kestrel,  more Buzzards, Southern Grey Shrike, Bee-eaters on the power wires.

  After a cup of tea, we took to the main road to Higueruela, checking the stubble fields on either side of the road which looked promising but nothing.

 'El Pastor greeted us and looked a bit puzzled, waved and then went on his way with his herd of Sheep and Sheepdog.





A quick stop at some pines got us a Golden Oriel, Black Wheatear,  Mistle Thrush, and Treecreeper.  Gone are the Bonnell's Warblers.

On route to Petrola.  A raptor came into view over the road, a quick look at it, I said "Stop its a Red Kite"  Emergency stop jumped out the car grabbed a few photos as it drifted away into the light, it wasn't till I check the images I realised it was a Black Kite,

 A 2nd Woodchat Shrike on the wires.

I always like to check out the Lakes and Plains of Petrola.  You can't dismiss this area as it can hold some great birds, but not today, Petrola lake was stinking.  The water looked oily thick, blacken cracked dry margins.  A perfect reflection on its surface of the far side, it looks idyllic.

 But No!

Hardly any birds except for about 60 Greater Flamingos and few distant Marsh Harriers, and 3 Black-winged Stilts,  Fan-tailed Warblers calling.   The Stink was so bad it made me feel unwell, with lots of nuisance flies.

 I couldn't wait to leave, as I sat back into the car to leave, 2 Black-bellied Sandgrouse flew over calling (bonus birds)
probably best to void this place till some heavy rain arrives and freshens it up a bit.

 Gone are all the Gull-billed Terns and the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls, Great reed warblers and Yellow Wagtails. I didn't see any other waders of any kind, and also no Swifts anywhere today.
 Interestingly there was not one  Juv Greater Flamingo seen, even though they have bred very successfully in there hundreds this year at Petrola.

Through Corral Rubio, and onto the Montealegre Road we bumping into a few more Bee-eaters and a very nice perched Short-toed Eagle.

Carrying on to the  Laguna del Saladar this place got found by a sat nav error. I am glad it did because there are good numbers of birds there and the water is in a healthy condition.

 There's a large concentration of waterfowl, good number of Greater Flamingos, more than 30+ White-headed Duck, 12+ Lapwing,  lots of Common Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, lots of Mallard, Water Rail x 2,  a few, Kentish Plover, Black-headed Gulls, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, lots of Coot and Moor Hen. A few Bee-eaters taking dragonflies over the water.

I am hoping  Laguna del Saladar come next spring migration will have Garganey and Ferruginous Ducks taking advantage of it.
 all looks perfect for them.

Nice end to the day,😊 

First Autumn Migrants Return

 It's only just mid-August, but there's is the smallest sign of a migration beginning, Big departures and Arrivals. And so this morning  John and I set off at first light. The weather was overcast with a few spots of light rain and a fresh breeze which was very refreshing from the incredibly hot weather we've had. I've noticed less Pallid Swifts recently, and gatherings of Bee-eaters, lots of calling from family groups high up in the sky. I think they could be already on the move back south?

Our first stop today, to check Santa Pola Salinas, lots of noisy Terns. Little Tern very active, Common Tern,  Sandwich Tern, Whiskered Tern, Sender billed Gulls were present and Audouin's Gulls in good numbers.

 The odd Lesser Black-backed Gull on the raise embankments.

And at the standing stones lay by  Great-crested Grebe and Red-crested Pochard in some good numbers.

At El Pinet, it was all quite, compared to only just a few weeks ago when it was absolutely buzzing with activity, All the young Terns have now fledged and are very mobile, so the breeding sites are mostly abandoned and quite.  But still around 100+ mostly Juvenile Collard Pratincoles there, Black-winged Stilts and Avocets also present.

Around the back of La Marina probably 3 Rollers with one being very aerobatic, a few large groups of Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egret but notably no bee-eaters, Juvenile Southern Grey Shrike popped up frequently as well as a pair of Common Kestrel

A large mixed flock of Back headed Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls, and Yellow-legged Gulls, moving from field to field.

Moving on to Palm Farm Road not much there but a few Pallid Swift high up all heading in one direction "south" Red-rumped Swallows and house Martin quartered the freshly cut Alfalfa crop. We also saw some Plain Tiger Butterfly.

We flushed 3 Green Sandpiper from the usual water channel these are the first of the returning waders to be seen so far today. At San Felipe, yet another big flock of Glossy Ibis. A Common Sandpiper called and Little ringed plover peeped away. I also glimpsed a Squacco Heron disappearing from view. There were a few Purple swamp Hens picking their way through the reeds, and there was no sign of any Marbled Duck or Great reed Warbler but Red-knobbed Coots present and not much else.

Regarding the Marbled Duck at San Felipe visitors Centre, they are asking for any sighting of the colour-ringed birds to be reported back to them at the visitor's centre with the date and location see photo below.

Time to call it a day as it was getting hot! on route back across the Santa Pola Salinas, I saw a single Godwit,

Nice to get out and about with nothing too major to report,  I can't help thinking about what's already on its way here?  Now that the Autumn is just around the corner.

Fingers crossed  I'll get to see it, grab a few photographs, and hopefully, it will be a mega rarity.

Date Palm
Massive thanks to
J Edwards.