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