Thank you! Map shows fine. All excellent info, wish me luck. I'll keep the forum updated.
Tried to find the monastery previously too without success.
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Birding in Alicante Province (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mark Etheridge
- Start date
Thank you! Map shows fine. All excellent info, wish me luck. I'll keep the forum updated.
Tried to find the monastery previously too without success.
lazza
Well-known member
I guess I'm probably a bit late for you, as it's now the end of the month, but I would agree with Mark for good places to see Roller. The road to the monastery from the bend in the CV853 is usually a cert! There is often a pair nearer to the CV853 - perhaps half way between the junction and the monastery, that can be seen on old farm buildings.
Another place I have never failed to see rollers (in the summer) is at the CV851 bridge over the Rio Vinalopo, marked with a blue pin at the top of this map.
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El Hondo directions please
Hi all.
I visited Santa Agueda platforms at El Hondo last autumn following Mark's directions to look for Tonn the LSE.
I am back in Spain in a few weeks and want to explore The greater area around El Hondo. I understand there is a visitors centre on the other side.
Is it worth a visit and how do you get there. I cant find any details on the internet. Any help appreciated. Thanks
Hi all.
I visited Santa Agueda platforms at El Hondo last autumn following Mark's directions to look for Tonn the LSE.
I am back in Spain in a few weeks and want to explore The greater area around El Hondo. I understand there is a visitors centre on the other side.
Is it worth a visit and how do you get there. I cant find any details on the internet. Any help appreciated. Thanks
Mark Etheridge
Bird Shooter (With A Camera)
Hi Karl
The visitor centre at El Hondo is a must see. I have attached a map with the rough directions from the centre of Catral, the nearest town.
From Catral, go north to the roundabout at the end of the main street, and bear right towards the village of San Felip Neri. Continue through the village and onwards for about a mile, you will see the centre signposted on your right (take the first of the two tracks) It's a bit rough along this road but eventually you get to the main carpark.
To the left of the visitor centre is a picnic area which overlooks the small pool, good for Swamphens, Marbled Duck and the reintroduced Red-knobbed Coots. Follow the boardwalk to the left, this takes you across a larger flooded area where you should see Terns, Herons, Waders etc. At the end of the boardwalk, turn sharp left and follow the path for a few hundred yards, there are two hides along here, both excellent for birds depending on water levels.
Now the bad news - take mozzie repellent with you!
The visitor centre at El Hondo is a must see. I have attached a map with the rough directions from the centre of Catral, the nearest town.
From Catral, go north to the roundabout at the end of the main street, and bear right towards the village of San Felip Neri. Continue through the village and onwards for about a mile, you will see the centre signposted on your right (take the first of the two tracks) It's a bit rough along this road but eventually you get to the main carpark.
To the left of the visitor centre is a picnic area which overlooks the small pool, good for Swamphens, Marbled Duck and the reintroduced Red-knobbed Coots. Follow the boardwalk to the left, this takes you across a larger flooded area where you should see Terns, Herons, Waders etc. At the end of the boardwalk, turn sharp left and follow the path for a few hundred yards, there are two hides along here, both excellent for birds depending on water levels.
Now the bad news - take mozzie repellent with you!
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Took Mark's advice and had a look around the visitor centre side of El Hondo. It was roasting as it was between 3 and 5pm. It was pretty quiet as it's not the best time of year but well worth a visit. I will definitely be back later in the year.
Still, good views of Swamphens, Marsh Harrier,
Little and Whiskered Terns, Marbrled Duck, various herons and egrets and flocks of up to 50 Glossy Ibis are not to be sniffed at. Flying back into Alicante late Oct on my way to Almeria so will spend a few hours there then.
Thanks again Mark for the directions, they were spot on
Still, good views of Swamphens, Marsh Harrier,
Little and Whiskered Terns, Marbrled Duck, various herons and egrets and flocks of up to 50 Glossy Ibis are not to be sniffed at. Flying back into Alicante late Oct on my way to Almeria so will spend a few hours there then.
Thanks again Mark for the directions, they were spot on
Mark Etheridge
Bird Shooter (With A Camera)
I'm back in the area for a 1 month visit and getting some good birding done.
Bafty sent me a PM asking for details on the Temmincks Stint I have reported elsewhere, thought I'd share it with anyone here who may be planning a visit to Alicante in the near future.
Some of you will be aware that during September the area experienced its heaviest rainfall for 140 years, a fair amount of damage was done but it left some areas ideal for the birds. There is a flooded field near El Hondo which has become a prime site for waders - as well as Temmincks, there have been Little Stints, Dunlin, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, LR and Kentish Plover, Snipe, GW Egret and the usual Black-winged Stilts.
My map shows the Vistabella Road coming from centre right to bottom left, the turning for the road is signposted Camino del Hondo and the arrow shows where the floods are. Beware of the horrendous pot hole just over the little bridge where you turn left after passing the farm on the right! Excellent views can be had from the road, also I attach my shot of one of the Temmincks.
These floods won't last, they are already beginning to dry out in the week or so I've been here, should be OK for the next couple of weeks at least.
Bafty sent me a PM asking for details on the Temmincks Stint I have reported elsewhere, thought I'd share it with anyone here who may be planning a visit to Alicante in the near future.
Some of you will be aware that during September the area experienced its heaviest rainfall for 140 years, a fair amount of damage was done but it left some areas ideal for the birds. There is a flooded field near El Hondo which has become a prime site for waders - as well as Temmincks, there have been Little Stints, Dunlin, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, LR and Kentish Plover, Snipe, GW Egret and the usual Black-winged Stilts.
My map shows the Vistabella Road coming from centre right to bottom left, the turning for the road is signposted Camino del Hondo and the arrow shows where the floods are. Beware of the horrendous pot hole just over the little bridge where you turn left after passing the farm on the right! Excellent views can be had from the road, also I attach my shot of one of the Temmincks.
These floods won't last, they are already beginning to dry out in the week or so I've been here, should be OK for the next couple of weeks at least.
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Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
Fantastic spots all along the road - birders who just go the visitors centre at San Filipe are missing out
lazza
Well-known member
Often a good place for Stone Curlew, but did they clear up the enormous, dreadful fly-tipping area at the bend in the road, yet?!
Hotspur
James Spencer
Up to 140 Stone Curlew in a flock at La Mata Salina last week. Also had a Red Kite coming out of roost at El Hondo. No big eagles there but had a Jack Snipe on the Vistabella Road. Plenty of Snipe and Green Sandpipers too. Had lots of bustards of both flavours up at Bonete and had Golden Eagle and Chough at Sierra Espuna. And lots of flies and mosquitos still. Nursing plenty of punctures.
Mark Etheridge
Bird Shooter (With A Camera)
Went along to the flooded area this afternoon, and unfortunately it has now dried out - the only birds present were a few Cattle Egrets.
One very noticeable aspect of this autumn's birding in the area is the high number of Kingfishers around the El Hondo area, also in the Clot de Galvany. Even irrigation ditches (with water!) seem to have one present, I've seen at least one on every birding trip I've taken so far. They are regular winter visitors, but either the conditions are very good for them or they've had an exceptional breeding season.
One very noticeable aspect of this autumn's birding in the area is the high number of Kingfishers around the El Hondo area, also in the Clot de Galvany. Even irrigation ditches (with water!) seem to have one present, I've seen at least one on every birding trip I've taken so far. They are regular winter visitors, but either the conditions are very good for them or they've had an exceptional breeding season.
Mark Etheridge
Bird Shooter (With A Camera)
Some final notes before I go home this weekend!
The 'Dry Hide' at the Clot de Galvany reserve is once again a reliable-ish site for Wryneck, birds seen on three out of five visits this week, also at least two Kingfishers seen on each visit.
Although the flooded field along Camino del Hondo is now dry, further along the road towards Catral the farmers have started to irrigate the fields, with plenty of birds taking advantage. There was a huge flock of Glossy Ibis (500+) quartering the area this morning.
A lot of work is being done along the Vistabella Road. The reeds along the walkway around the South Gate are being cut back, and the boardwalk path to the first hide has been ripped out. I'm hoping that this is just a complete renewal of the track to the hide (it badly needs it!).
Tonn the Greater Spotted Eagle should arrive in the next day or so, he overnighted yesterday near Castalla which is about 35 km from El Hondo. He is a month late compared with last year, which is highly irritating to me, as I fly home on Sunday :C
The 'Dry Hide' at the Clot de Galvany reserve is once again a reliable-ish site for Wryneck, birds seen on three out of five visits this week, also at least two Kingfishers seen on each visit.
Although the flooded field along Camino del Hondo is now dry, further along the road towards Catral the farmers have started to irrigate the fields, with plenty of birds taking advantage. There was a huge flock of Glossy Ibis (500+) quartering the area this morning.
A lot of work is being done along the Vistabella Road. The reeds along the walkway around the South Gate are being cut back, and the boardwalk path to the first hide has been ripped out. I'm hoping that this is just a complete renewal of the track to the hide (it badly needs it!).
Tonn the Greater Spotted Eagle should arrive in the next day or so, he overnighted yesterday near Castalla which is about 35 km from El Hondo. He is a month late compared with last year, which is highly irritating to me, as I fly home on Sunday :C
Mark Etheridge
Bird Shooter (With A Camera)
He certainly is, Paul, and I'm now 1700 miles away! :C
G
Gleb Berloff
Guest
Hello everyone,
I'm really interested in observing golden eagles in Alicante province, could you suggest any good sites?
I've heard the Sierra de las Aguilas has a pair?
Thank you very much!
I'm really interested in observing golden eagles in Alicante province, could you suggest any good sites?
I've heard the Sierra de las Aguilas has a pair?
Thank you very much!
Brian Stone
A Stone chatting
Seen them over the ridge of the Castillo de Sax (but also had a vehicle broken into there |!| ).
Mark Etheridge
Bird Shooter (With A Camera)
Just outside the Alicante area (about an hour away along the Madrid motorway), the Yecla steppe area is very good for Golden Eagles, usually see at least one soaring over the surrounding mountains, and the whole area is excellent for birds generally.
You ought to examine every eagle you see very carefully - last year a Golden Eagle sighting turned into Spanish Imperial Eagle for me, and last December well-known local birder Bryan Thomas had three SIE's in view at Yecla!
https://birdingcostablanca.blogspot.com/
You ought to examine every eagle you see very carefully - last year a Golden Eagle sighting turned into Spanish Imperial Eagle for me, and last December well-known local birder Bryan Thomas had three SIE's in view at Yecla!
https://birdingcostablanca.blogspot.com/
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G
Gleb Berloff
Guest
Wow, that's impressive. I don't have a car, so would it be best to get to Yecla by bus and then just explore the steppe on foot from there?
For the griffon vultures at Alcoy, where would be the best place to see them?
