Jon Turner
Well-known member
We had lots of red-crested pochard at Laguna dulce. Not sure you have lesser flamingo there, don't they have all dark bills? Sounds like a good day out though, thanks for sharing.
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Birding on the Costa del Sol (Malaga) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
- Start date
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
The road from Nerja to Fuente Piedra is a very comfortable highway. It'll take you less than one and a half hour to get there.
Come on! This little trip is worthwhile!
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.02.01 Birding at the Guadalhorce river mouth
2014.02.01 BIRDING AT THE GUADALHORCE RIVER MOUTH
There are many wonderful sites for birding on the Costa del Sol and the mouth of the river Guadalhorce is one of them, and we local birders should not let much time go without visiting it.
The main novelty this winter is the big colony of Cattle Egrets and Jackdaws roosting in the Laguna Grande. They get to the pond in little flocks at the end of the day but only one great white burst takes place every early morning. The five young Flamingos in the lake remained outside this row as did the first Black-tailed Godwit of the spring passage in the site.
Gannets are showing great dives at the beach, the best place to observe the Black-necked Grebes in the sea. The scrubland near the beach hosts Crested Larks, Black Redstarts, Sardine Warblers, Stonechats, Chiffchaffs and Robins.
Booted Eagles, Common Buzzards, Kestrels and Marsh Harriers were present around the big eucalyptus in the middle of the site. Teals were happily whistling and dancing in front of the Rio Viejo hide and Pochards, White-headed Ducks and Snipes are reconquering the Laguna de la Casilla.
Mallards are coming back to the Laguna Escondida, the coldest place in the site when wind blows from the north!
I finished my short trip in the “Channel of Shame”, the place where citizens and civil services’ apathy converges. It is a good place to test the movements of waders in the area. I could spot many Sanderlings and some Dunlins, Redshanks, Little Stints and Ringed, Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers.
Enjoy birds of the Costa del Sol!!!
2014.02.01 BIRDING AT THE GUADALHORCE RIVER MOUTH
There are many wonderful sites for birding on the Costa del Sol and the mouth of the river Guadalhorce is one of them, and we local birders should not let much time go without visiting it.
The main novelty this winter is the big colony of Cattle Egrets and Jackdaws roosting in the Laguna Grande. They get to the pond in little flocks at the end of the day but only one great white burst takes place every early morning. The five young Flamingos in the lake remained outside this row as did the first Black-tailed Godwit of the spring passage in the site.
Gannets are showing great dives at the beach, the best place to observe the Black-necked Grebes in the sea. The scrubland near the beach hosts Crested Larks, Black Redstarts, Sardine Warblers, Stonechats, Chiffchaffs and Robins.
Booted Eagles, Common Buzzards, Kestrels and Marsh Harriers were present around the big eucalyptus in the middle of the site. Teals were happily whistling and dancing in front of the Rio Viejo hide and Pochards, White-headed Ducks and Snipes are reconquering the Laguna de la Casilla.
Mallards are coming back to the Laguna Escondida, the coldest place in the site when wind blows from the north!
I finished my short trip in the “Channel of Shame”, the place where citizens and civil services’ apathy converges. It is a good place to test the movements of waders in the area. I could spot many Sanderlings and some Dunlins, Redshanks, Little Stints and Ringed, Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers.
Enjoy birds of the Costa del Sol!!!
Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.02.09 Some birding in the rain at Fuente Piedra
2014.02.09 SOME BIRDING IN THE RAIN AT FUENTE PIEDRA
I have some birding trips to Fuente Piedra booked for the coming weeks and I did not want to let this weekend go despite the pessimistic weather forecast.
I could find a good flock of Little Bustards though only one of them was kind enough to let me take a picture before flying away. Mister Black-winged Kite and the Calandra Larks were very gentle too.
Pochards, Red-crested pochards, White-headed Ducks and Tufted Ducks are returning to the Laguna Dulce, good news!
And some Dunlins arrived to the shore of the Fuente Piedra lake... the beginning of passage!
Enjoy birds of Malaga!!!
2014.02.09 SOME BIRDING IN THE RAIN AT FUENTE PIEDRA
I have some birding trips to Fuente Piedra booked for the coming weeks and I did not want to let this weekend go despite the pessimistic weather forecast.
I could find a good flock of Little Bustards though only one of them was kind enough to let me take a picture before flying away. Mister Black-winged Kite and the Calandra Larks were very gentle too.
Pochards, Red-crested pochards, White-headed Ducks and Tufted Ducks are returning to the Laguna Dulce, good news!
And some Dunlins arrived to the shore of the Fuente Piedra lake... the beginning of passage!
Enjoy birds of Malaga!!!
Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.02.13 Birding at Fuente Piedra with Debbie and Dan
2014.02.13 BIRDING AT FUENTE PIEDRA WITH DEBBIE AND DAN
Pretty damp but great birding day with my Canadian friends who met 53 new friends.
We did our first stop in the farmlands around Bobadilla, where Debbie was surprised by the glorious choir of birds in such an unpleasant winter day. The voices were those of Calandra Larks, Crested Larks, Goldfinches and Corn Buntings. We could also spot a Grey Heron, Cattle Egrets, Kestrels, Iberian Grey Shrikes, Marsh Harriers, Mallards, Lapwings and the first White Wagtails and Stonechats that would go with us for the rest of the day.
We then moved to the Laguna Dulce to observe the big flock of Pochards, Red-crested Pochards and Tufted Ducks, accompanied by several White-headed Ducks, with massive presence of Coots and Black-headed Gulls, plus three Marsh Harriers. There was a group of Moorhens to which we payed close attention in search of Purple Swamphens, but they did not turn up. The west banks of the pond hosted some Mallards and Gadwalls. As usual in the last weeks, there were plenty of Crag Martins pursuing invisible bugs over the water.
Around 25% of the Black-headed Gulls, Little and Black-necked Grebes have already moulted to summer plumages.
There was a different but also beautiful choir of birds around the hide composed of the bursting notes of the Cetti’s Warbler, the calls of Robins (so different from the American one!) and Chaffinches, and the songs of Goldfinches. Black Redstarts and Blackcaps where also present in the scrub.
A Hoopoe appeared at the end of the fence for such a short moment that Dan and I could not spot it on time for Debbie, who had been claiming for its presence all the time.
Our way to the Fuente Piedra lake gave us Spotless Starlings in farmhouses and a big flock of Cranes foraging in the green farmlands. We could not stay at Cantarranas for a long time as the heaviest shower of the day took place at that moment, but it was enough to admire the state of the lake at its maximum level and the big amount of Flamingos and Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the water. A Great Tit gave us some more notes from one of the olive trees from which we flushed some Song Thrushes profiting from the last olives on the trees.
After lunch, we visited the Laguneto, where hundreds of Shovelers concentrate. We could also enjoy the pirouettes of the first barn Swallows and House Martins while a Little Owl “miaowed” from the bottom of the pond.
Chiffchaffs were the most active little birds in the scrub around the Visitors’ Centre in such a rainy day. We went down to the path along the fence to the wooden bridge where some Greenfinches sang from the olive trees. After noticing the movement of a shy bird on the ground below the tamarisks, Debbie and I could finally spot our friend the Bluethroat, which turned out to be very elusive to Dan. It could have been Dan’s Hoopoe of the day, but she finally stood up and showed her blue medal to the audience. And it was not all, some House Sparrows were bathing among the tamarisks with a couple of wonderful Spanish Sparrow males among them.
The ponds of the wooden bridge showed Teals, Black-winged Stilts and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits. A nice flock of Jackdaws was moving from one side of the ponds to the other and we could play the difficult game of finding the Snipe, that was resting very well camouflaged in the grass.
We ended the day with a call to the Vicaria. We could add Linnets to our list of finches. Stonechats were showing a clear nice courtship behaviour. There were some Shelducks in the banks of the lake, where the other kings of camouflage, the Stone Curlews, stood motionless.
Enjoy the birds of Spain!!!
P.D.: How many Stone Curlews can you see in the picture?
2014.02.13 BIRDING AT FUENTE PIEDRA WITH DEBBIE AND DAN
Pretty damp but great birding day with my Canadian friends who met 53 new friends.
We did our first stop in the farmlands around Bobadilla, where Debbie was surprised by the glorious choir of birds in such an unpleasant winter day. The voices were those of Calandra Larks, Crested Larks, Goldfinches and Corn Buntings. We could also spot a Grey Heron, Cattle Egrets, Kestrels, Iberian Grey Shrikes, Marsh Harriers, Mallards, Lapwings and the first White Wagtails and Stonechats that would go with us for the rest of the day.
We then moved to the Laguna Dulce to observe the big flock of Pochards, Red-crested Pochards and Tufted Ducks, accompanied by several White-headed Ducks, with massive presence of Coots and Black-headed Gulls, plus three Marsh Harriers. There was a group of Moorhens to which we payed close attention in search of Purple Swamphens, but they did not turn up. The west banks of the pond hosted some Mallards and Gadwalls. As usual in the last weeks, there were plenty of Crag Martins pursuing invisible bugs over the water.
Around 25% of the Black-headed Gulls, Little and Black-necked Grebes have already moulted to summer plumages.
There was a different but also beautiful choir of birds around the hide composed of the bursting notes of the Cetti’s Warbler, the calls of Robins (so different from the American one!) and Chaffinches, and the songs of Goldfinches. Black Redstarts and Blackcaps where also present in the scrub.
A Hoopoe appeared at the end of the fence for such a short moment that Dan and I could not spot it on time for Debbie, who had been claiming for its presence all the time.
Our way to the Fuente Piedra lake gave us Spotless Starlings in farmhouses and a big flock of Cranes foraging in the green farmlands. We could not stay at Cantarranas for a long time as the heaviest shower of the day took place at that moment, but it was enough to admire the state of the lake at its maximum level and the big amount of Flamingos and Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the water. A Great Tit gave us some more notes from one of the olive trees from which we flushed some Song Thrushes profiting from the last olives on the trees.
After lunch, we visited the Laguneto, where hundreds of Shovelers concentrate. We could also enjoy the pirouettes of the first barn Swallows and House Martins while a Little Owl “miaowed” from the bottom of the pond.
Chiffchaffs were the most active little birds in the scrub around the Visitors’ Centre in such a rainy day. We went down to the path along the fence to the wooden bridge where some Greenfinches sang from the olive trees. After noticing the movement of a shy bird on the ground below the tamarisks, Debbie and I could finally spot our friend the Bluethroat, which turned out to be very elusive to Dan. It could have been Dan’s Hoopoe of the day, but she finally stood up and showed her blue medal to the audience. And it was not all, some House Sparrows were bathing among the tamarisks with a couple of wonderful Spanish Sparrow males among them.
The ponds of the wooden bridge showed Teals, Black-winged Stilts and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits. A nice flock of Jackdaws was moving from one side of the ponds to the other and we could play the difficult game of finding the Snipe, that was resting very well camouflaged in the grass.
We ended the day with a call to the Vicaria. We could add Linnets to our list of finches. Stonechats were showing a clear nice courtship behaviour. There were some Shelducks in the banks of the lake, where the other kings of camouflage, the Stone Curlews, stood motionless.
Enjoy the birds of Spain!!!
P.D.: How many Stone Curlews can you see in the picture
?Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.02.15 Birding at Guadalhorce and Rio Grande with David, Jessie, Mark and Elinor
This pleasant birding day has pointed out the starting of the passage period with the appearance of Yellow Wagtails, Squacco Herons, the increasing presence of swallows and the discovery of a wandering Coal Tit in the tamarisk of the Guadalhorce.
Once we crossed the access bridge over the west branch of the river, we had the opportunity to observe a nice male of Sardinian Warbler fluttering in a little olive tree. He was joined by a female Blackbird before we started our way to the beach viewpoint. The calls of the Cetti’s Warblers were constant at the site all day long as well as the flights of the Monk Parakeets.
The day was quite much better than predicted, with a very quiet sea in the morning sun. Mark found a group of dolphins in the distance. The very probable presence of a big shoal attracted a big flock of Cormorants swimming near the cetaceans and a big number of Gannets flying over them.
Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls mixed in another flock closer to the beach. A couple of Sandwhich Terns entertained us with some nice dives into the sea. It is noticeable the presence of several couples of Black-necked Grebes in the sea.
The Rio Viejo gave us some Sanderlings in its closer bank and the scrubland around the path was populated of Black Redstarts, Stonechats, Robins, Chiffchaffs, Meadow Pipits, Crested Larks, Goldfinches, Greenfinches and a muddled Coal Tit in the tamarisk. It was also the closer point to a couple of Booted Eagles perched on the eucalyptus, surrounded by Cormorants.
The Rio Viejo hide was very interesting. We found the first Yellow Wagtail of the year, Black-winged Stilts, Dunlins, Little Stints, Little Ringed Plovers, Redshanks, Little Grebes, Teals, Coots and several Snipes.
The White-headed Ducks that were sleeping in our way to the beach earlier in the morning were now very active, with several males in their blue courtship bills dancing around an indifferent female. Some Barn Swallows rested in the reeds of the opposite bank while Crag Martins populated the air.
Time was running out in a very interesting morning, so we jump the Laguna Escondida and went straight to the Laguna Grande. There were lots of Cormorants and Grey Herons and our five young Flamingos that have found a perfect place to winter in the lake. The Shovelers are the predominant ducks here. The last bird to appear was a Common Sandpiper just down the hide.
We arrived at Rio Grande after lunch. We could observe the Great Egret, how Cormorants have also conquered this environment and the first Green sandpipers in the distance.
As long as we went upstream, we found Little and Cattle Egrets, Grey Herons, Mallards, Moorhens, Black-winged Stilts and closer Green Sandpipers. A pair of Kestrels was sitting on a pylon near the bridge. Among the little birds, White Wagtails (one flock of more than 10 individuals), Goldfinches, and a nice flock of Serins pecking on the ground. We found the Squacco Heron, the first of the season too, near some Little Egrets but it soon hid in a bunch of canes.
We spotted a Black-tailed Godwit when coming back to the road. It was a good day in great company.
The Kingfisher did not appear but, as you know... there has to be a reason to come back!
Enjoy birds of Malaga!!!
This pleasant birding day has pointed out the starting of the passage period with the appearance of Yellow Wagtails, Squacco Herons, the increasing presence of swallows and the discovery of a wandering Coal Tit in the tamarisk of the Guadalhorce.
Once we crossed the access bridge over the west branch of the river, we had the opportunity to observe a nice male of Sardinian Warbler fluttering in a little olive tree. He was joined by a female Blackbird before we started our way to the beach viewpoint. The calls of the Cetti’s Warblers were constant at the site all day long as well as the flights of the Monk Parakeets.
The day was quite much better than predicted, with a very quiet sea in the morning sun. Mark found a group of dolphins in the distance. The very probable presence of a big shoal attracted a big flock of Cormorants swimming near the cetaceans and a big number of Gannets flying over them.
Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls mixed in another flock closer to the beach. A couple of Sandwhich Terns entertained us with some nice dives into the sea. It is noticeable the presence of several couples of Black-necked Grebes in the sea.
The Rio Viejo gave us some Sanderlings in its closer bank and the scrubland around the path was populated of Black Redstarts, Stonechats, Robins, Chiffchaffs, Meadow Pipits, Crested Larks, Goldfinches, Greenfinches and a muddled Coal Tit in the tamarisk. It was also the closer point to a couple of Booted Eagles perched on the eucalyptus, surrounded by Cormorants.
The Rio Viejo hide was very interesting. We found the first Yellow Wagtail of the year, Black-winged Stilts, Dunlins, Little Stints, Little Ringed Plovers, Redshanks, Little Grebes, Teals, Coots and several Snipes.
The White-headed Ducks that were sleeping in our way to the beach earlier in the morning were now very active, with several males in their blue courtship bills dancing around an indifferent female. Some Barn Swallows rested in the reeds of the opposite bank while Crag Martins populated the air.
Time was running out in a very interesting morning, so we jump the Laguna Escondida and went straight to the Laguna Grande. There were lots of Cormorants and Grey Herons and our five young Flamingos that have found a perfect place to winter in the lake. The Shovelers are the predominant ducks here. The last bird to appear was a Common Sandpiper just down the hide.
We arrived at Rio Grande after lunch. We could observe the Great Egret, how Cormorants have also conquered this environment and the first Green sandpipers in the distance.
As long as we went upstream, we found Little and Cattle Egrets, Grey Herons, Mallards, Moorhens, Black-winged Stilts and closer Green Sandpipers. A pair of Kestrels was sitting on a pylon near the bridge. Among the little birds, White Wagtails (one flock of more than 10 individuals), Goldfinches, and a nice flock of Serins pecking on the ground. We found the Squacco Heron, the first of the season too, near some Little Egrets but it soon hid in a bunch of canes.
We spotted a Black-tailed Godwit when coming back to the road. It was a good day in great company.
The Kingfisher did not appear but, as you know... there has to be a reason to come back!
Enjoy birds of Malaga!!!
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.02.23 Birding at Guadalhorce: a new approach to the birding trip report
2014.02.23 Birding at Guadalhorce: a new approach to the birding trip report
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=359ZGQE-N1Y
[/URL]
Please, comments!!!
2014.02.23 Birding at Guadalhorce: a new approach to the birding trip report
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=359ZGQE-N1Y
[/URL]
Please, comments!!!
occasional
Well-known member
are there any likely spots for Crested Coot and the other special waterbirds near Malaga
Anyone been to the Lagunas de Archidona recently ?
Anyone been to the Lagunas de Archidona recently ?
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
Dear Niels,
Crested Coots are always difficult in Malaga. The last reliable record of Crested Coots here is in the mouth of the Río Verde, just between Marbella and Puerto Banús.
For other typical waterbirds, April is always a good month and Fuente de Piedra, Campillos, the mouth of the river Guadalhorce and Río Grande are nice places to visit.
Good luck!!
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.03.09 Sunday birding around the Malaga Airport
I love taking the children out for birding, and we have so many places to go on the Costa del Sol!
There is a reed area to the north of Malaga Airport, very close to the river Guadalhorce. I like having a look there when I do not have plenty of time as it is part of the territory covered by some of the inhabitants of the mouth of the river and there is a chance to meet some good friends.
The children looked out to the ditch just after jumping out the car and, according to their description, they flushed a Beech Marten... I was still setting the telescope for birds!
Then, a funny birding morning started with a Bluethroat running on the mud and the Osprey resting on a pylon away from the Sunday rush in the mouth of the river. We also spotted a pair of Common Waxbills that have become pretty common in the Guadalhorce valley in the last years.
We are halfway between winter and spring, a little closer to the latter, I would say, and Serins are still forming pretty big flocks. Nevertheless, males are entering their rut and it was fantastic to see and hear most of the males in the flock “frying” together.
Crested Larks sang hanging in the sky and the Booted Eagle also appeared soaring over the riverbed.
The most interesting sight of the morning, in my opinion, since the children voted for the Bluethroat and the Beech Marten, was a nice flock of Spanish Sparrows fluttering around the reeds and the scrub. Several males betrayed the presence of this species, some of them already moulting to the summer plumage with their loud bold bib. Fantastic flock!
And, to finish the trip, we could hear the first songs of a just arrived Reed Warbler.
Enjoy bird watching on the Costa del Sol!!!
I love taking the children out for birding, and we have so many places to go on the Costa del Sol!
There is a reed area to the north of Malaga Airport, very close to the river Guadalhorce. I like having a look there when I do not have plenty of time as it is part of the territory covered by some of the inhabitants of the mouth of the river and there is a chance to meet some good friends.
The children looked out to the ditch just after jumping out the car and, according to their description, they flushed a Beech Marten... I was still setting the telescope for birds!
Then, a funny birding morning started with a Bluethroat running on the mud and the Osprey resting on a pylon away from the Sunday rush in the mouth of the river. We also spotted a pair of Common Waxbills that have become pretty common in the Guadalhorce valley in the last years.
We are halfway between winter and spring, a little closer to the latter, I would say, and Serins are still forming pretty big flocks. Nevertheless, males are entering their rut and it was fantastic to see and hear most of the males in the flock “frying” together.
Crested Larks sang hanging in the sky and the Booted Eagle also appeared soaring over the riverbed.
The most interesting sight of the morning, in my opinion, since the children voted for the Bluethroat and the Beech Marten, was a nice flock of Spanish Sparrows fluttering around the reeds and the scrub. Several males betrayed the presence of this species, some of them already moulting to the summer plumage with their loud bold bib. Fantastic flock!
And, to finish the trip, we could hear the first songs of a just arrived Reed Warbler.
Enjoy bird watching on the Costa del Sol!!!
Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.03.11 Birding at the Laguna de Fuente Piedra with Trish & John
Trish and John could enjoy most of the jewels of the crown today in a little windy but lovely sunny day.
We started the trip around Bobadilla. We parked aside the road for a first watch around and very quickly found a wonderful Black-winged Kite hovering a little far at the beginning, but close enough to admire it a few minutes later. Luckily enough, we also found a nice flock of Little Bustards over a visible mound in the farmland. Great start!
We then moved closer to the railway in search for the Calandra Larks which John had already spotted in our first stop. And we could have very nice views of their relatives Crested Larks, some of them doing some nice singing in the air. We finally watched some Calandra Larks too on a little waste land in front of us.
We then moved to the Laguna Dulce at Campillos. We heard the “miaowing” of Little Owls when we got out the car. The lake was full of Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Coots. The ducks were a little far from the hide today though we could spot several flocks of Red-crested Pochards and a lonely male White-headed Duck at the bottom of the lake.
All our grebes were present, Little, Black-necked and even Great-crested ones, which had been absent from the lake in the previous months. All of the species showed individuals both in winter and summer plumages, except the Great-crested Grebes, which wore a nice summer dress and gave us some elegant courtship dancing.
Trish and John spotted a Purple Swamphen in a short legs-hanging flight that quickly hid in the reeds but we could see the blue body and red bill and legs of another one at the very end of the lake.
We headed to the Laguna de Fuente Piedra and stopped at Cantarranas, were we had lunch and could observe a very nice male Marsh Harrier from above and some Avocets down in the distance. A Pheasant crossed the road in front of us in our way out the parking!
We stopped at La Vicaría in our way to the visitors’ centre. John and Trish enjoyed their first Black-winged Stilts and Kentish Plovers that were sharing the banks of the lake with some Little Stints.
Our walk through the wooden bridge at the visitors’ centre was very entertaining. We enjoyed the presence of a nice close flock of Black-tailed Godwits, some of them in winter plumage and others showing loud red breasts, along with Ruffs, more Black-winged Stilts and Yellow Wagtails.
One of the kestrels wind hovering over the path to the tower was definitely a male Lesser one, with very “clean” wings and face. I hope they use the new holes in the tower for breeding. We heard the Little Owls again in the Holm Oaks around the visitors centre; they may definitely be in a spring state of excitement...
We ended our trip in the Laguneto, which was full of Shovelers and gulls, and saw the second White-headed Duck sleeping around a flock of Pochards.
This is the complete list of birds:
RESIDENTS: Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Black-winged Kite, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Purple Swamphen, Little Bustard, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull, Little Owl, Crested lark, Calandra Lark, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Iberian Grey Shrike, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Serin, Corn Bunting.
BREEDING: Lesser Kestrel, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail.
WINTERING: Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Crag Martin, Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff.
MIGRATING: Tufted Duck, Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff.
61 species in total, nice birdaytrip!!!
Trish and John could enjoy most of the jewels of the crown today in a little windy but lovely sunny day.
We started the trip around Bobadilla. We parked aside the road for a first watch around and very quickly found a wonderful Black-winged Kite hovering a little far at the beginning, but close enough to admire it a few minutes later. Luckily enough, we also found a nice flock of Little Bustards over a visible mound in the farmland. Great start!
We then moved closer to the railway in search for the Calandra Larks which John had already spotted in our first stop. And we could have very nice views of their relatives Crested Larks, some of them doing some nice singing in the air. We finally watched some Calandra Larks too on a little waste land in front of us.
We then moved to the Laguna Dulce at Campillos. We heard the “miaowing” of Little Owls when we got out the car. The lake was full of Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Coots. The ducks were a little far from the hide today though we could spot several flocks of Red-crested Pochards and a lonely male White-headed Duck at the bottom of the lake.
All our grebes were present, Little, Black-necked and even Great-crested ones, which had been absent from the lake in the previous months. All of the species showed individuals both in winter and summer plumages, except the Great-crested Grebes, which wore a nice summer dress and gave us some elegant courtship dancing.
Trish and John spotted a Purple Swamphen in a short legs-hanging flight that quickly hid in the reeds but we could see the blue body and red bill and legs of another one at the very end of the lake.
We headed to the Laguna de Fuente Piedra and stopped at Cantarranas, were we had lunch and could observe a very nice male Marsh Harrier from above and some Avocets down in the distance. A Pheasant crossed the road in front of us in our way out the parking!
We stopped at La Vicaría in our way to the visitors’ centre. John and Trish enjoyed their first Black-winged Stilts and Kentish Plovers that were sharing the banks of the lake with some Little Stints.
Our walk through the wooden bridge at the visitors’ centre was very entertaining. We enjoyed the presence of a nice close flock of Black-tailed Godwits, some of them in winter plumage and others showing loud red breasts, along with Ruffs, more Black-winged Stilts and Yellow Wagtails.
One of the kestrels wind hovering over the path to the tower was definitely a male Lesser one, with very “clean” wings and face. I hope they use the new holes in the tower for breeding. We heard the Little Owls again in the Holm Oaks around the visitors centre; they may definitely be in a spring state of excitement...
We ended our trip in the Laguneto, which was full of Shovelers and gulls, and saw the second White-headed Duck sleeping around a flock of Pochards.
This is the complete list of birds:
RESIDENTS: Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, White-headed Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Black-winged Kite, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Purple Swamphen, Little Bustard, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull, Little Owl, Crested lark, Calandra Lark, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Iberian Grey Shrike, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Serin, Corn Bunting.
BREEDING: Lesser Kestrel, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail.
WINTERING: Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Crag Martin, Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff.
MIGRATING: Tufted Duck, Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff.
61 species in total, nice birdaytrip!!!
Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.03.12 Birding at El Torcal with Jean & Peter
First chapter of a birding trilogy including El Torcal, Fuente Piedra and El Chorro.
Great day for raptors with Griffon Vultures, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Sparrowhawk and Short-toed Eagle.
When there is some rain forecasted for El Torcal, as it was the case today, you may think of a thick fog covering the plateau, leaving only sacred silence among the stone statues. But we were lucky enough to enjoy a mostly sunny morning that turned into a cloudy afternoon and just a little shower on our way back to Torremolinos.
We began the trip by visiting the cliff, where the Peregrine welcomed us from the door of its nest. There was not a very heavy traffic of vultures up there though Choughs were forming nice noisy flocks over the ridge.
A female harrier, with thing wings and very long tail, flew along the cliff in east direction. It moved so high that it was impossible to determine the species. I suppose, according to the montane site and the flying height and direction, that it may well be a Montagu’s Harrier entering the peninsula from Gibraltar.
We also spotted some Great Tits, Sardinian Warblers, Linnets, Thekla Larks, Corn Buntings and very confident male Stonechats engaged in showing their artistic talent.
After that, we had a walk around the visitors’ centre, from which we could watch some closer vultures, hear the songs of Wrens, Short-toed Treecreepers and Blackbirds, and marvel at the gorgeous Rock Buntings.
While admiring the Montpellier Maple in the green path, we could eagerly watch how a Bonelli’s Eagle chased a young Golden Eagle invading its territory. The incident did not last long as the Golden Eagle quickly abandoned the area. It was great, my two favourite raptors flying together over my friends and me!
A Blue Rock Thrush looked out from the top of a rock for a moment. Short after that, a little Sparrowhawk, in very high flight crossed the plateau from west to east, maybe following the same direction as the harrier in the morning.
It seemed that the show was over when we got into the car to come back, but we stopped the car aside after leaving the visitors’ centre parking to have a look at a big raptor perched on a rock that turned out to be the Golden Eagle again, and very much closer this time! Once the eagle had left, Jean finally found the Black Wheatear, one of the goals of the trip.
And we still had another stop when we spotted a silhouette on a pylon that, in the end, was a wonderful Short-toed Eagle, maybe having a rest in the same travel as the harrier and the sparrowhawk’s.
List of birds:
RESIDENTS: Red-legged Partridge, Griffon Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Collared Dove, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, Wren, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Chough, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting.
WINTERING: Robin, Chiffchaff.
BREEDING: Barn Swallow.
MIGRANTS: Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Montagu’s (?) Harrier.
32 species in total, not bad for a mountain!
Nice birdaytrip!!!
First chapter of a birding trilogy including El Torcal, Fuente Piedra and El Chorro.
Great day for raptors with Griffon Vultures, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Sparrowhawk and Short-toed Eagle.
When there is some rain forecasted for El Torcal, as it was the case today, you may think of a thick fog covering the plateau, leaving only sacred silence among the stone statues. But we were lucky enough to enjoy a mostly sunny morning that turned into a cloudy afternoon and just a little shower on our way back to Torremolinos.
We began the trip by visiting the cliff, where the Peregrine welcomed us from the door of its nest. There was not a very heavy traffic of vultures up there though Choughs were forming nice noisy flocks over the ridge.
A female harrier, with thing wings and very long tail, flew along the cliff in east direction. It moved so high that it was impossible to determine the species. I suppose, according to the montane site and the flying height and direction, that it may well be a Montagu’s Harrier entering the peninsula from Gibraltar.
We also spotted some Great Tits, Sardinian Warblers, Linnets, Thekla Larks, Corn Buntings and very confident male Stonechats engaged in showing their artistic talent.
After that, we had a walk around the visitors’ centre, from which we could watch some closer vultures, hear the songs of Wrens, Short-toed Treecreepers and Blackbirds, and marvel at the gorgeous Rock Buntings.
While admiring the Montpellier Maple in the green path, we could eagerly watch how a Bonelli’s Eagle chased a young Golden Eagle invading its territory. The incident did not last long as the Golden Eagle quickly abandoned the area. It was great, my two favourite raptors flying together over my friends and me!
A Blue Rock Thrush looked out from the top of a rock for a moment. Short after that, a little Sparrowhawk, in very high flight crossed the plateau from west to east, maybe following the same direction as the harrier in the morning.
It seemed that the show was over when we got into the car to come back, but we stopped the car aside after leaving the visitors’ centre parking to have a look at a big raptor perched on a rock that turned out to be the Golden Eagle again, and very much closer this time! Once the eagle had left, Jean finally found the Black Wheatear, one of the goals of the trip.
And we still had another stop when we spotted a silhouette on a pylon that, in the end, was a wonderful Short-toed Eagle, maybe having a rest in the same travel as the harrier and the sparrowhawk’s.
List of birds:
RESIDENTS: Red-legged Partridge, Griffon Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Collared Dove, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, Wren, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Chough, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting.
WINTERING: Robin, Chiffchaff.
BREEDING: Barn Swallow.
MIGRANTS: Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Montagu’s (?) Harrier.
32 species in total, not bad for a mountain!
Nice birdaytrip!!!
Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.03.14 Birding at Fuente Piedra with Jean & Peter
Some more friends to add to Jean and Peter’s birds of Malaga like Calandra Larks, Crested Larks, Zitting Cisticolas, Kentish Plovers and Hoopoes.
The high clouds filtered the sun leaving a very mild temperature. We shortened the trip a little bit as Jean and Peter had to come back a earlier to meet their group at the hotel, that made it more difficult to find the little birds but still have plenty of fun with the bigger ones.
Calandra Larks are spectacularly displaying around Bobadilla. Their songs can even obscure those of the Crested Larks. A tiny Zitting Cisticola did some wavy singing above us.
We saw the first Swifts of the season just after coming out the car at the Laguna Dulce. There were nice flocks of Red-crested Pochards, along with Mallards, Gadwalls, Pochards, Shovelers and Tufted Ducks. Black-headed Gulls and Coots in big numbers. Nice Little and Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage and an increasing number of Great-crested Grebes at the banks of the lake.
We had some time for little birds from the hide and could spot a nice Reed Bunting and several Willow Warblers that are replacing the Chiffchaffs. It was in the little beach to the left of the hide that we saw the Kentish Plover. Two Marsh Harriers came very close to us for great Jean’s enjoyment and some Snipes fear of becoming the raptors’ lunch.
We spotted a Common Buzzard and a Booted Eagle on two pylons on our way to the visitors’ centre. We get a general overview of the area from the Cerro del Palo. We flushed a Little Owel who sat on a Holm Oak to continue its siesta. There were several Black-tailed Godwits in the ponds in summer plumage, that Jean and Peter had never seen before, Black-winged Stilts and Avocets in the big lake.
And it was time to come back, earlier than planned, with an interesting list of birds though:
RESIDENTS: Mallard, Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull, Little Owl, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Calandra Lark, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blackcap, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.
BREEDING: Booted Eagle, Swift, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail.
WINTERING: Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Crag Martin, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting.
MIGRANTS: Tufted Duck, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Willow Warbler.
53 different species... Nice birdaytrip!!!
Some more friends to add to Jean and Peter’s birds of Malaga like Calandra Larks, Crested Larks, Zitting Cisticolas, Kentish Plovers and Hoopoes.
The high clouds filtered the sun leaving a very mild temperature. We shortened the trip a little bit as Jean and Peter had to come back a earlier to meet their group at the hotel, that made it more difficult to find the little birds but still have plenty of fun with the bigger ones.
Calandra Larks are spectacularly displaying around Bobadilla. Their songs can even obscure those of the Crested Larks. A tiny Zitting Cisticola did some wavy singing above us.
We saw the first Swifts of the season just after coming out the car at the Laguna Dulce. There were nice flocks of Red-crested Pochards, along with Mallards, Gadwalls, Pochards, Shovelers and Tufted Ducks. Black-headed Gulls and Coots in big numbers. Nice Little and Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage and an increasing number of Great-crested Grebes at the banks of the lake.
We had some time for little birds from the hide and could spot a nice Reed Bunting and several Willow Warblers that are replacing the Chiffchaffs. It was in the little beach to the left of the hide that we saw the Kentish Plover. Two Marsh Harriers came very close to us for great Jean’s enjoyment and some Snipes fear of becoming the raptors’ lunch.
We spotted a Common Buzzard and a Booted Eagle on two pylons on our way to the visitors’ centre. We get a general overview of the area from the Cerro del Palo. We flushed a Little Owel who sat on a Holm Oak to continue its siesta. There were several Black-tailed Godwits in the ponds in summer plumage, that Jean and Peter had never seen before, Black-winged Stilts and Avocets in the big lake.
And it was time to come back, earlier than planned, with an interesting list of birds though:
RESIDENTS: Mallard, Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Flamingo, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull, Little Owl, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Calandra Lark, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blackcap, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.
BREEDING: Booted Eagle, Swift, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail.
WINTERING: Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Crag Martin, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting.
MIGRANTS: Tufted Duck, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Willow Warbler.
53 different species... Nice birdaytrip!!!
Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
2014.03.15 Birding at El Chorro with Kathy
Kathy and I could get a comprehensive sample of what life in the Mediterranean mountains is in the early days of spring through a healthy exercise of “ornitho-hiking”.
It was pretty cold (5ºC) and foggy when we began our climb to the Gaitanejo cliff. The first part of the track goes through a pine tree forest where we could hear and most times visually confirm the presence of Coal and Crested Tits, Wrens, Short-toed Treecreepers, Common Crossbills, Serins, Rock Buntings, Black birds and Wood Pigeons.
We then leave the forest and get into the Mediterranean scrubland with other birds like Sardinian Warblers, Black Redstarts, Stonechats and Black Wheatears playing the starring role. They also work as excuses to stop and breathe during the climb up.
There were other causes for a pause in our walk like a herd of Spanish Ibex with pretty nice males, females and a playful group of billy goats, a noisy flock of Choughs pecking something on a rock a little further up the hill or a close flock of Rock Doves in flight towards the reservoirs.
We could spot for a moment an Egyptian Vulture flying very close to the edge of the cliff and we flushed some Red-legged Partridges just with our arrival to the top. We saw some Griffon Vultures in flight during our way up the summit but it was very quiet from the cliff. We observed several nests at the other side of the immense gorge with females incubating and could verify the birth of some chicks.
I had seen the first Common Swifts the day before in Fuente Piedra and today was the turn for the Alpine ones, whose peculiar calls filled the air in the highest peaks. We could observe how a Peregrine Falcon approached us through our side of the gorge, flew over us and crossed the abyss to the other side, where it was chased by some Choughs.
Kathy was performing great so we decided to go on the hill up to a sighting point with very nice views of the Los Gaitanes Gorge and the dam of La Encantada, a really peculiar engineering masterpiece just on top of a peak west to the El Chorro train station.
We could spot a Short-toed Eagle in our way up, very close Griffon Vultures from the sighting point, and the Blue Rock Thrust and the elusive Dartford Warbler in our way down to the starting point.
List of birds:
RESIDENT: Red-legged partridge, Griffon Vulture, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Stonechat, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Jay, Chough, Spotless Starling, Chaffinch, Serin, Common Crossbill, Rock Bunting.
BREEDING: Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Alpine Swift.
WINTERING: Cormorant.
Nice birdaytrip!!!
Kathy and I could get a comprehensive sample of what life in the Mediterranean mountains is in the early days of spring through a healthy exercise of “ornitho-hiking”.
It was pretty cold (5ºC) and foggy when we began our climb to the Gaitanejo cliff. The first part of the track goes through a pine tree forest where we could hear and most times visually confirm the presence of Coal and Crested Tits, Wrens, Short-toed Treecreepers, Common Crossbills, Serins, Rock Buntings, Black birds and Wood Pigeons.
We then leave the forest and get into the Mediterranean scrubland with other birds like Sardinian Warblers, Black Redstarts, Stonechats and Black Wheatears playing the starring role. They also work as excuses to stop and breathe during the climb up.
There were other causes for a pause in our walk like a herd of Spanish Ibex with pretty nice males, females and a playful group of billy goats, a noisy flock of Choughs pecking something on a rock a little further up the hill or a close flock of Rock Doves in flight towards the reservoirs.
We could spot for a moment an Egyptian Vulture flying very close to the edge of the cliff and we flushed some Red-legged Partridges just with our arrival to the top. We saw some Griffon Vultures in flight during our way up the summit but it was very quiet from the cliff. We observed several nests at the other side of the immense gorge with females incubating and could verify the birth of some chicks.
I had seen the first Common Swifts the day before in Fuente Piedra and today was the turn for the Alpine ones, whose peculiar calls filled the air in the highest peaks. We could observe how a Peregrine Falcon approached us through our side of the gorge, flew over us and crossed the abyss to the other side, where it was chased by some Choughs.
Kathy was performing great so we decided to go on the hill up to a sighting point with very nice views of the Los Gaitanes Gorge and the dam of La Encantada, a really peculiar engineering masterpiece just on top of a peak west to the El Chorro train station.
We could spot a Short-toed Eagle in our way up, very close Griffon Vultures from the sighting point, and the Blue Rock Thrust and the elusive Dartford Warbler in our way down to the starting point.
List of birds:
RESIDENT: Red-legged partridge, Griffon Vulture, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Rock Dove, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Stonechat, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Wren, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Jay, Chough, Spotless Starling, Chaffinch, Serin, Common Crossbill, Rock Bunting.
BREEDING: Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Alpine Swift.
WINTERING: Cormorant.
Nice birdaytrip!!!
Attachments
Luis Alberto BIRDAYTRIP
Well-known member
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