Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2013.12.20 Birding at El Chorro with Ann and Ciaran
El Chorro provides a perfect opportunity for hiking and birdwatching in an impressive mountainous environment.
It was one of those few days here in Malaga when the wind blows strong from the North and one realizes that this is not only the Costa del Sol but the place of contrasts.
We started the climb to the vultures’ cliff with 7ºC through the North and shady face of the hill. Our hands were freezing when we got at the summit. By that time we had already spotted Crossbills, Ring Ouzels, Rock Buntings, Black Wheatears and the first Griffon Vultures soaring in the distance.
We stayed on top of the gorge in the sun for a while until our hands recovered their operating temperature. We got great views of the vultures, some of them carrying branches for their nests. We could spot an eagle for an instant, presumably a Bonelli’s one, nailed to the sky as a kite in the wind so far in the distance on top of one of the peaks, but I would say it was not enough to call it enjoyment.
We kept on climbing to the top of the cirque. The nasty weather deterred birds from calling and fluttering around. Nevertheless, we completed the walk through the mountains with Goldfinches and Chaffinches, Coal and Blue Tits, Blue Rock Thrushes, Crag Martins and nice views of Sardinian Warblers, Black Redstarts and Robins, with male Dartford Warbler which jumped on a bush for a nice moment.
We stopped at Rio Grande on our way back to the coast, where we could enjoy a much higher density of birds. Mallards, Snipes, Common and Green Sandpipers, Kestrels, Meadow Pipits, Black-winged Stilts, Cattle and Little Egrets, Greenshanks, Grey Herons, Stonechats, Cormorants, White and Grey Wagtails, Moorhens, Chiffchaffs and a wonderful Great Egret passed through the telescope to leave a good taste in our mouths.
Enjoy birding Malaga!!!
El Chorro provides a perfect opportunity for hiking and birdwatching in an impressive mountainous environment.
It was one of those few days here in Malaga when the wind blows strong from the North and one realizes that this is not only the Costa del Sol but the place of contrasts.
We started the climb to the vultures’ cliff with 7ºC through the North and shady face of the hill. Our hands were freezing when we got at the summit. By that time we had already spotted Crossbills, Ring Ouzels, Rock Buntings, Black Wheatears and the first Griffon Vultures soaring in the distance.
We stayed on top of the gorge in the sun for a while until our hands recovered their operating temperature. We got great views of the vultures, some of them carrying branches for their nests. We could spot an eagle for an instant, presumably a Bonelli’s one, nailed to the sky as a kite in the wind so far in the distance on top of one of the peaks, but I would say it was not enough to call it enjoyment.
We kept on climbing to the top of the cirque. The nasty weather deterred birds from calling and fluttering around. Nevertheless, we completed the walk through the mountains with Goldfinches and Chaffinches, Coal and Blue Tits, Blue Rock Thrushes, Crag Martins and nice views of Sardinian Warblers, Black Redstarts and Robins, with male Dartford Warbler which jumped on a bush for a nice moment.
We stopped at Rio Grande on our way back to the coast, where we could enjoy a much higher density of birds. Mallards, Snipes, Common and Green Sandpipers, Kestrels, Meadow Pipits, Black-winged Stilts, Cattle and Little Egrets, Greenshanks, Grey Herons, Stonechats, Cormorants, White and Grey Wagtails, Moorhens, Chiffchaffs and a wonderful Great Egret passed through the telescope to leave a good taste in our mouths.
Enjoy birding Malaga!!!