Let's Go Birding
8th May – Day 1: Benejúzar, San Felipe & La Marina
We made a reasonably early start with plans to birdwatch along the track that follows the Segura River. On arrival, however, we discovered the track had been chained off. Not to be deterred, we soon spotted a gap in the bushes large enough to drive a bus through, which gave us access to the track.
A Nightingale, usually one of the more difficult birds to see, popped out into the open and showed well for a short while. Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera ready. Several Turtle Doves were present, along with a few Woodchat Shrikes. A single European Bee-eater appeared briefly, while Kestrels, Blackcaps, Goldfinches, Linnets and Greenfinches were all recorded in good numbers.
San Felipe
Birding here was fairly productive. Squacco Herons were present in double figures, while two Great White Egrets stalked the margins in search of prey. Other species included Whiskered Tern, Glossy Ibis, Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler and Red-knobbed Coot.
Overhead, Red-rumped Swallows, Sand Martins, Barn Swallows and Pallid Swifts kept us entertained. Only a single Collared Pratincole was recorded.
La Marina & El Pinet
It turned into something of a Little Owl day, with several birds seen. Near the monastery we also enjoyed views of at least four European Rollers.
Other species included Tree Sparrow, Avocet, Common Tern, Little Tern, Slender-billed Gull, Black-headed Gull and Mediterranean Gull.
Day 2 – Bonete, Corral Rubio & La Higueruela
We were on the road by 6:00 a.m. and birding by 7:30. Our first stop was the Estación. On a previous visit we had found a Spanish Imperial Eagle perched in the top of a tree, and surely lightning couldn't strike twice?
Well, perched in exactly the same tree was another large eagle, with a second bird nearby. Even with the telescope at maximum zoom, identification proved difficult. We spent some time working through the Collins Guide, eliminating possibilities one by one. Eventually the second bird revealed itself as a Buzzard, but the eagle remained a challenge for quite some time.
Other birds seen included Calandra Lark, Rock Sparrow, Corn Bunting and Stone Curlew.
El Bachiller Farm
Time for First Breakfast!
Birds recorded included Rock Sparrow, Hoopoe, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Tree Sparrow, Barn Swallow and Red-rumped Swallow.
Corral Rubio
Our target species here was the Great Bustard. After a little searching we eventually connected with seven birds. They were not easy to find and proved very flighty.
Also present were Yellow Wagtail, more Corn Buntings and Lapwings.
Pétrola
I've said it before and I'll say it again—it's hardly worth visiting these days. In the past I've seen close to 10,000 Greater Flamingos here, but on this occasion there were none at all. The water appeared heavily polluted, there was an unpleasant smell, and birdlife was generally scarce.
Across the Plains
Sobralejo Lake
Just when we thought we'd hit a quiet spell, three Black Kites appeared out of nowhere. They gave excellent views and posed nicely for the camera.
Other species included Marsh Harrier, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Whiskered Tern and Pochard.
La Higueruela
We visited a plantation of poplar trees which has historically been productive for Golden Orioles and Bonelli's Warblers, and it didn't disappoint. We enjoyed cracking views of both species, with a bonus Woodlark thrown in for good measure.
Other birds included Short-toed Treecreeper, Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush and Raven.
After ten hours of birding we were pretty well knackered, but it had been well worth the effort.
Day 3 Montnegra
After the gruelling previous day, Trevor and I decided on what we thought would be an easier day's birding. We couldn't have been more wrong.
The temperature was already climbing when we located a few Trumpeter Finches and spent some time in the heat watching and photographing them.
At the historic water trough, now completely dry, a Black-eared Wheatear showed particularly well. As we worked our way up the mountain, we added several more Black-eared Wheatears along with Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Woodchat Shrike and Rock Sparrow. Hundreds of Sand Martins were moving through, and a single Bee-eater also appeared.
We made several stops during the climb. At one of our regular viewpoints I heard a bird call that I immediately recognised.
At that very moment a Dutch birding couple arrived by car. They asked what we had seen and, with Trevor being Trevor, he launched into a detailed account of the day's sightings. Meanwhile, I kept trying to get his attention.
"Trev! Trev! Can you hear that?"
After a couple of minutes, I finally shouted loudly enough to get his attention.
"Trev! Come over here and look at my phone!"
The phone was simply a distraction to get him over to me. Once he arrived, I told him that a Western Orphean Warbler was calling very close by.
The Dutch birders, completely unaware, headed off in search of Griffon Vultures while Trevor and I concentrated on the warbler.
For the next half hour we worked hard to locate the bird. I was 100% confident on the call and, with a bit of dogged perseverance, we eventually both enjoyed excellent views of this stunning bird in full summer plumage.
The Western Orphean Warbler was undoubtedly the bird of the trip so far. Unfortunately there are no photographs—it was difficult enough to see, let alone photograph.
Other birds seen included Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Serin, Coal Tit and a single Griffon Vulture.
El Clot de Galvany
A waste of time. The water was covered in green algae. What a shame.
Day 4 – San Felipe & El Pinet
We arrived at San Felipe at 7:30 a.m. and had barely stepped out of the car when a Night Heron flew overhead.
The breeding Little Ringed Plover in the car park put in an appearance, but otherwise it was much the same as our Day 1 visit, apart from some excellent views of Cetti's Warblers and White headed Duck.
We then birded back towards G A hoping to find a Collared Pratincole. Stopping off at the monastery for European Rollers and, of course, First Breakfast, we bumped into Geoff. We exchanged information before he continued on his way.
The Rollers were showing particularly well.
I asked Trevor if we could stop for photographs.
"Where do you want me to park?" he asked.
"Just there on the corner, over there facing that way."
Well, I've got to say, I've never known anybody faff around so much in my life. We went this way, then that way, then around in circles and still weren't anywhere near where I'd asked to stop. More faffing followed.
By this point I'd lost patience. How can parking a car be so difficult when there are no obstacles whatsoever? It's not the first time this sort of faffing about has cost me a photograph. Never again John!
El Pinet
Birds recorded included Common Tern, Little Tern, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Mediterranean Gull and Slender-billed Gull.
And that was that game over.
Three and a half days of birding completed, with a total of 85 species recorded, including some excellent birds and a few memorable moments along the way.
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Photos to follow
Cheers,
Bryan
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