Our final day and it was one last visit to the wetlands around Ebro Delta. Towards the coast with marshy areas, reedbeds and pools we saw numerous Glossy Ibises and Little Egrets. We drove to another reedbed area at Alfacada, climbing a tower to give great views across the area. We saw many of the species already encountered including several ducks species such as Shovelers, Pintails and Shelducks. A Kingfisher flew down a channel where there were some Red-crested Pochards. Waders included Avocets, Black-winged Stilts and Black-tailed Godwits.
We moved on to an area of paddyfields, along the tracks the ditches held an amazing number of heronids with lots of Great White Egrets, Grey Herons and Little Egrets. We stopped by some fields where we could see numerous birds and scanned across. The fields were full of Glossy Ibises and Black-headed Gulls and then we realised a number of waders were also present including Ruff, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Sanderling. Further back were large groups of Greater Flamingos, some of which flew past. A Lesser Short-toed Lark showed well and then a Peregrine was seen sitting on the deck. It was a pale blue, grey bird and we wondered if it was of the race calidus. Scanning from another track we had a Booted Eagle overhead, a few of which over-winter in the area.
It was time to make the drive to the airport in Barcelona but we had planned to make a final stop at a reserve near it. We picked up some lunch to eat at the site and spent a short time checking the area out seeing Stonechat and a Water Pipit along a channel. Carles gave us the option to head in to the city to look for Red-billed Leiothrix as he thought we had time to get there and have half an hour or so to search. We agreed and once in the city saw a few Monk Parakeets flying around. No luck with our target but we did have great views of a Firecrest and saw some Long-tailed Tits. We packed our kit away and drove to the airport. We thanked Carles for an excellent trip and said our goodbyes.
Writing up this report have realised how lucky we were to get a trip in before the lockdown. Other options would have been impacted. It’s brought back great memories of a wonderful trip, jam-packed with lots of birds including some really special ones. Add in beautiful scenery, lovely accommodation and food and the friendliness of Carles (Barcelona Birding Point) and the people we met made it a trip we’ll not forget. The mild weather had a slight impact on the birding and I definitely took thermal gear I never needed! Adding in the city break to Barcelona prior to the trip was a great idea, a city I enjoyed very much plus a nice selection of birds too!
1.Alfacada viewpoint
2.Glossy Ibis
3.Greater Flamingo flock
4.Lesser Short-toed Lark
5.Booted Eagle