Last throw of the dice

So it's our last visit of the year to Montnegre and check out if those red billed Finches were still around. Not feeling my best and with a hangover, and not much sleep we set off.

Well it looks like they now dispersed, migrated, as there no sign of the Trumpeter Finch.

John and I have identified 3 nesting site over spring and summer which was very helpful.

I was quite around the valley with most birds keeping there heads down in the brisk chilly wind, temperature only 17 degrees.  With the exception of about 300 House Martin's sheltering out the wind, and a hand full of Swallows, a Blue rock Thrush, that was the best of it.

 House Martin's

 House Martin '
Warming  up on a sunny rock face

 House Martin

We did a detour to Tibi Reservoir for a look, but nothing of any note to report but very picturesque, haven't been there for years and I expect it might be a similar time before I go back.

Next week the Salinas,  Flooded Fields if we're lucky, San Felipe, it'll be good to do some Birding rather than research.

have fun

Cheers Bryan

Extra time

Hey apologies I copy the words from John Edwards web site, not knowing it inverted so back is white and white is black anyway now problems. Sorted 

Thursday 1st September was a good day to make another journey up Montnegre to see what was around. Our primary target has been for months to monitor Trumpeter Finches - Camachuela Trompetero in the ravines and slopes below the village of Montnegre. We have not checked on them this late in summer before and for the month of August they have been flying well and today at least 9 at the same time and probably more? A mixture of adults in good plumage and juveniles flying all around us and perching too. We will check again as we would like an end date for them on this mountain. And, then where do they go? We want to know.

Sitting, waiting and looking we have found pays us back. We saw flypasts of Red-rumped Swallows - Golondrina Daurica just below us and there were about 40 House Martins - Avión Común perched obviously on their way south. Swifts - Vencejo Pallido or Comun were absent.

Later we added to our list Spotted Flycatcher - Papamoscas Gris, a juvenile Blackeared Wheatear - Collalba Rubia and perched and on distant rocky platform two Blue Rockthrushes - Roquero Solitario sat. Add into that mix a couple of warblers - Sardinian - Gurruca Cabecinegra Cetti’s and a Melodious - Carcero Comun probably on passage.

We don't normally go up to the top but this morning we did. High up over the ridge were three cruising Griffon Vultures - Buitre Leonardo and as we were about to leave three Ravens - Cuervo

Also flying high and passing south were other raptors. Too distant to be sure but possibly Marsh Harriers - Aguilucho Luganero and we did our best to find any eagle for Matt.

We will be out there again to see what is about. Again not all species hear and seen listed.

Big Thanks to John Edwards for letting me use his word

cheers

Bryan