Sierra Espuña

My annual visit to Sierra Espuña

For the Wintering Thrushes

Left GA around 8 o'clock arrived at Alhama De Murcia an hour and a bit later and then the twisty road route to the top, first stop on the way up got us a brilliant Jay, now Jays are flighty and you would normally get a glimpse of the bird disappearing into a pine tree, but not this bird in full view for a few minutes, let hope it carries on that way.

Next stop we got Crested Tit, Crossbill, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, and Black Redstart, it felt quiet and not much bird song, or movement so up we went and on to the Mirador where there were more Crossbills, Coal Tit, Black Redstart, onwards and up we went, till we arrived at the place for the Thrushes and set off on the walk to the site.

Crossbill

Now I have to explain the hiking boots I was wearing were given to me and to be honest they were a size too small, but they looked brand new, I've never worn them before, I only have Crocs or open-toed sandals, and not what you would wear at 1:495 meter high.

So off we set I was struggling right from the beginning with these hiking boots, well the bottom treads on both boots started hanging off.

So I was walking basically in my socks to the site. Not nice on the grave path. A few Griffons Vultures passed over a few times very close, and the camera was in action.

Griffon Vultures

At the Ring Ouzel site, some hikers and dog walkers had just left the site, and that would normally spook the Thrushes and it would take time to settle again, you can hear them even distantly but today they were silent, surprisingly 1 or 2 Ring Ouzels popped up from nowhere.

Ring Ouzel

Mouflon

Then a heard of Mouflons of about 20 turned up on the Plato which put off the the Ring Ouzel again, so we waited, and after a bit, between half a dozen popped in and out.

Ring Ouzel

A few photos later and photos under the belt, I've been here many times over the years but it felt quieter than before and not so many birds.

Black Redstart

But that's how it is birding it's unpredictable

What was before might never be repeated, live in the moment.

Have fun going birding

Celebrate

Cheers Bryan

El Clot quick visit

 Monday 20th January

Nothing too much out of the ordinary its winter, but a nice selection of birds not bad for an hour.

Best bit 4 Ferruginous Duck probably the same birds from last year returning, they have been there a while now. White headed Duck now showing a blue bill spring is just around the corner.

 Ferruginous Duck

The weather has been great mostly sunny with plenty of blue, 

but cold at night. The coldest night was last week at -1 but during the day it's in the high 30s,

 Ferruginous Duck

Lots of Teal, Red-knobbed Coot, Shoveler, Mallard, Common Pochard Gadwall, Little Owl, Southern Grey Shrike, Cetti's Warbler, Bluethroat, Robin, Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier, Long Tailed Tit, Little Bitten. Grag Martin, Stonechat, Linnet, Greenfinch, a few gulls probably yellow-legged, a few Black Headed, Audouin's Gulls.Cattle Egret.

Cattle Egret.

There's a problem at the Clot as there are many foxes at the clot I've seen 2 or possibly 3 individuals hunting I've also heard that at night they trying to shoot them.  Also, I've met a Norwegian guy who told to me there are wild boars there and he was attacked by one.

The Eider Duck still Santa Pola Harbour. 

Eider Duck last month

I caught a glimpse of the comet going over to the Western skies at sunset and also photos of the Moon recently and the snow on the Mountains

Full Moon

Comet G3

Snow

Cheers 

Birding Costa blanca with a friend

With Dutch friend Jeanett 

I've known Jeanett for some years so when she contacted me for a day's birding I jumped at the chance. I've not caught up with her since Eider Duck in Santa Pola Harbour. 

Female Black Redstart

No plan but to just bird and see what's drops out of the sky to be honest it was what you would expect from all the usual suspects and a respectable total of 71 species seen for an extended morning's birding.

Bluethroat

Not so many photographic opportunities. I'm a bit more selective in what I press the button on nowadays but couldn't resist pressing the button a few times.

Chiff

For me, the high lights were just the sheer amount of chiff's, good numbers of Great white Egret a good selection of waders hi lights 3 Spotted red Shank. Several Blue throats, Water Pipit, Booted Eagle,

Great white Egret

So lovely mornings birding no mega's but we gave it our best effort and went everywhere started birding at 8 o'clock and 8 hours later I arrived back home.

Kestrel

Big thanks to Jeanett

Have fun go birding

Kestrel

Marsh Harrier

Cheers Bryan