FAMILY TRIP TO ANDALUCIA Dec. 29. 2012 – Jan. 5. 2013 (1 Viewer)

[Warixenjalka]

I was finally written this trip report. This may contain a large number of grammatical errors, but I hope you keep going to read through it. (Mostly I blame the mistakes of bad translating program. )



Team: Two adults and two kids (just signed is interested in birds. Amateur bird watcher, but a keen amateur.)
Equipments: Binoculars; Opticron Verano 8x32, Camera; Canon PowerShot SX50, Literature; Svensson, L., Mullarney, K. & Zetterström: Lintuopas, Euroopan ja Välimeren alueen linnut (Finnish), sekä Garcia & Paterson: Where to watch birds in Southern & Western Spain


Saturday Dec. 29.

Arrival was before noon. After landing we got a rental car. Small Peugeot 207, where we four just fit with the luggage.
Because there is no hurry in Hotel we decide to drive with route with a view – A-7/N-340 to west. Our hotel was located in Calahonda. Before that we have to drive through the Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola. Appropriate shock therapy for me, which I hadn’t never before driven on South-Europe’s roads. I noticed that the Andalucians must really love the roundabouts. Practically every junction was roundabout. Locals drives like mad mans and only a few people used the turning signal (they were more likely a tourists). At least it feels like that. :eek!:
And because I drive I couldn’t watch much about birds. I noticed a lots of gulls, some pigeons and starlings and a few sparrows.
Finally we found our hotel, took the bags in the apartamentos and eat. Near balcony grows palms and stone pine (or something like that). I heard hard chatter from tree-tops. There were group of Spotless Starlings. Also all around was plenty of House Sparrows. Behind kitchen window I saw Common Chiffchaff. My determination is based more that that it’s only Phylloscopus in Andalucia in wintertime than that I am so good on bird feathers special features.
After lunch we decide to go explore surrounding area by walk. Results was few Collared Dove, Common Stonechat(trips first lifer), White Wagtail and Goldfinch.
Because there was still few hours daylight left, we drove to local Playa Miraflores. Beach has only couple fisherman with they dogs. In the sky was a plenty of different ages gulls. I think they was all Yellow-legged Gulls. When we started to walk between coastline, and Junior focused on seashells I observe forward. I noticed pack of waders; dozens of Turnstones (lifer), one dozen Sanderlings (lifer) and few Ringed Plovers. Waders ran ahead of us, and gulls were flying around. The sun began to decline in the horizon. Then I notice something different in a sky. Bigger than gull. Birds silhouette tells me right away that was a Gannet (lifer). As I rise binoculars to my eyes I identify couple more gannets on offshore. One Gannet even introduced us to hers/his beautiful fishing style. But it was so far that I can’t say whether was the fishing luck.

Four lifer at first half day was good to me, even the total number of birds was not great at all.

To be continue...

 

[Warixenjalka]

Sunday Dec. 30.

After breakfast we headed for Gibraltar. First we drove up the coastal road to Marbella. Then we took Autovia to the west. AP-7 appeared to be brand new asphalt and tunnels were fine. Traffic was very little compared to the coastal road. From autoavia we turned on the road A-383 to La Linea, where we decided to stop for a coffee. Horse in a meadow along the road accompanied by a lone Cattle Egret (lifer).
When we search coffee shop we got lost the narrow alleys of the La Linea. But after a small adventure we found cosy taverna. Refreshed, we continued our journey towards the Rock. It was almost half of the day when we got to the serpentine line of cars. Because it was a winter I tough the Gibraltar wouldn´t be so many tourist and from there it should be easy to find parking. Also I have heard that if you leave your car to Spanish side of border, when you return, you might find your car cleaned – I do not mean a car wash workers in this.:king: In a border everything was smooth and when the lights turned to green we drove cross the runway. And there we were – at a the Rock.
I could write a book about the search for a parking spot in Gibraltar, but maybe next time. Purpose, however, was that this story will focus on the birds. The streets were still narrower and more labyrinthine than in La Linea. (My opinion is still that navigators makes people more dummier.) After about one hour “sightseeing” we finally found parking lot. And it was just a block away from the cable car station – yippee!
At some point of our “sightseeing” I saw the first Barbary ape (lifer). Town was also a lot of Feral Pigeons. Or could I say that they were Rock Pigeons? When we walked to cable car station I saw Blackbird. More macaques waiting for us at the top of the cable car. I understand that not everyone like them but I was expecting to seeing them. Anyway these were first wild primates what I have ever seen (with the exception of our own species):-O. And I think that those apes is one of those things that our 4-year old boy to remember this trip for years to come. Even though he was little afraid of.
The view was marvellous, but I couldn´t see any raptors or storks in a sky. Only Gulls. Every Gull I recognise was “old frend” Yellow-legged Gull. I know there must be other species too…
Other members of family returns to town with cable car, but I decided to go down between Mediterranean Steps. I was hoping to see a Peregrine and Barbary Partridge. Really steep stairs was a surprising amount of sweaty joggers against me. I was happy that I was on the way down.:smoke: At a bushes I heard Robins and also some other small passerines, but I was not able to ID´d those. At near bunkers I saw a flash for dark passerine with glaring orange tail – Black Redstart. It vanished quickly behind a cliff. Stairs ended and the path continued to narrow in between steep cliffs and even steeper fall on the other side. Photographs can´t make justice for these magnificent views. Everyone should experience these for them self. Every now and then I stopped to binoculars the cliffs and air but all I see was a YLG. And white butterflies. Few time I saw a flash for a small lizard. I was almost at Jewish Gate when I got little better sight for lizard – Iberian Wall Lizard (lifer). But no sign of Peregrine or Barbary Partridge. I wonder if the local shooting club exercises has frighten the birds. I had heard the shots for a long time, and now I saw a shooting range down near the beach. Damn! Why today?
Gradually slopes flattened, I saw beautiful red flowers and gulls, but no Peregrines or Partridges. Close to the Jewish Gate I saw Rabbit (lifer) at the inside of the bush. But no Peregrine or Partridge. I came to the road and I continued down towards the city. At a roadside tree I noticed Blackcap.
I began to think about there must be something wrong at me, because I could not find at least one Peregrine. Every trip report that I have read from Gibraltar includes Peregrine! Then I heard something different than gulls voices – could it be? I watch up and I see Falco that was almost size of a YLG. Could it be a male Peregrine? It was too far away, that I would have ID´d it. (Afterwards at home I listened to the Peregrine voice from internet… an no. It wasn´t it. Then I listened to the Common Kestrel… Yep – that it was. So no Peregrine for a Gibraltar.):-C
In a city I found my family from a pub (of course). They had already eaten and were waiting eagerly for the trip to continue, so my dinner moved into the future…

After we had left Gibraltar behind we headed west toward Tarifa. My wife had read the fine beaches of Tarifa and I again it looking as good as the reputation of Gibraltar for bird migration route. We had to see it - despite the time of year. We found Playa de Lanches easily and it was great. Water was surprisingly warm. No we did not swim, me and junior took our shoes off and wade in a shallow water. Above the sea Gulls and Gannets flying around, but I still couldn´t ID any other Gull than Yellow-legged.
After a while my stomach told me, that it was a dinner time. When we walked back to car I saw Common Kestrel and some species of Lark. It was so quick that I can´t say was it a common skylark or a Thekla.
We drove to near Tarifas harbour and ate very good Tapas-meal. On the Castillos walls I saw Black Redstart and Collared Dove. Evening began to blur, and we headed to the hotel along the autovias.

 

[Warixenjalka]

Monday Dec. 31.

New Year´s Eve we drove to Malaga. I have to admit that the car park near the old town found again not without a small sightseeing tour.:t: Driving in Malaga was much more easier after my wife buys city map from small shop. Soon we found ourselves in the parking garage close to Plaza de Toros. After coffee we was supposed to go to visit the Moorish Alcazaba castle, but some reason it was not open. So we decide to walk up to Gibralfaro. Views was magnificent again and I manage to see European Serin (lifer) and Robin. Naturally there was many Pigeons and YLG too.
Then it was time to do always so enjoyable shopping tour of the old town streets. When we returning to our car, I saw that species that I been waiting for seeing in Malaga, exotic Munk Parakeet. Then car out of the garage and few additional loops along the streets of Malaga, we headed to south side of Rio Guadalhorce. I was given an hour to watch birds when rest of the family headed to the beach to eat snacks.
Hour might strech up a bit, but I still managed to do only small scratches of that spectacular wetland area. I started an expedition from the mouth of the river. Too far away, that I would have identified the species, raft of water birds floating on sea. Naturally on the sky was YLG´s. On the river mouth was swimming Great Cormorants and more of them was on the trees on the other side of river. Trees were also Spotless Starlings. Then I noticed a white Egret on the other side of river – Cattle Egret rides there on the horse. There was at least three more of them behind the reeds. White Wagtail hopping on the rocks.
I started to follow river side path to upstream and soon I saw black birds in a river – Eurasian Coots. When I observe the Coots, focused my attention on the opposite river bank in the regular round shaped rock. Then I get it – turtle! I got little help for identification for here, Bird Forum. It was a Spanish Pond Turtle Mauremys leprosa (lifer).
Hiding in the bushes along the path of least Blackbirds and Chiffchaff. Over me flew Grey Heron and few minutes after that a medium sized raptor. I thought it was an Booted Eagle (lifer). I managed to take a picture of it and helpful peoples in Bird Forum confirmed my hypothesis was correct.
I arrived at a bridge over the river, but I went for a little trip in the upstream direction. Only Coots there. I turned back and at the same time, a white egret come down under the bridge. No Cattle Egret, then I thought is it a Great Egret? I have to chek it from book and look at it for binoculars. Then I noticed yellow toes – Little Egret (lifer). I admired egret on my time and went back to pass under the bridge carefully, so I wouldn´t scare the bird. It doesn´t care about me at all and continued to fishing.
I think I didn´t have too many minutes to go for my “hour”, but I wanted to do just a peek of the other side of a river. I walked over the bridge to protected area and continued towards the road that surrounded by bushes. I heard chirping from the bushes, but I couldn´t ID any species – annoying! Then I noticed one warbler, who was standing still long enough so I was able to recognize it – Cetti´s warbler (lifer).
From next junction I turned to right to smaller path. I hear some ducks, but I couldn´t see them anywhere. The sign on the trail said it is not allowed to leave path – or something similar. So I stayed on trail – or at least in the immediate vicinity. I think the ducks were Mallards. Over my head began to flit brown martins. They were very fast and I couldn´t manage to take decent picture of them. But I know there shouldn´t be any other Hirundinae in that time of year than Eurasian Crag Martin (lifer).
Time flies when you have fun and I decided to go back to the car. Then I saw further away from the rather large bird flying above the heath. Soon it was followed by other similar bird. I was forced to go little farer. They were Short-eared Owls (lifer) out there playing by. Periodically other owl went to fly a longer loop, until the two owls crossing they ways again, and the dancing in air continued.
I´m not sure whether it was a territory battle or making love, but it was sure fun to watch it. But then I have to hurry to the car. As rapidly walking I got two more ticks, Goldfinch and Sardinian Warbler.
In the car rest of the family waits for me and the atmosphere was moderately warm.|^| Everybody were hungry and we went to find a suitable restaurant in Fuengirola. A surprising number of people were on the streets and in restaurants on Monday evening. Then we remembered – It was a New Years Eve!:eek!: Finally we found restaurant that was suitable to every one of us. Luckily there was one free table for us. I ate a Beef of the House and it was unbelievably good.
We were asleep before the end of the year, even though Andalucians did everything they could to keep us awake for they bombs.

As you may noticed, I haven't put any pics here. You can find those on my flicr-site.

 

[Warixenjalka]

Tuesday Jan. 1st

We decide to spend our New Years Day at the nearby mountains. We looked at the map that nearest suitable road up to mountains would be A-355 to north from Marbella. It was really enjoyable to drive that narrow serpentine road – although sometimes it was little bit scary. We made an unprecedented finding that ears tend to go to the lock, as well as the up direction as the downward. May not be as strong as in an airplane, but clearly noticeable, however. Fascinating…
Days first stop was in Ojén, where we bought some snack. Nice little village it was. The streets were very narrow and hills steep between white washed houses. I thought we were lost in a narrow side alleys of Ojén, but there it was, main street, under the wheels of our car.
We drove to Refugio de Juanar to eat our snacks. I had read there should be a breath taking views over the mountains and to coast. We left our car at parking lot and continued by foot. We thought that the track to the view isn´t long way. The track passed through a coniferous forest and I heard some tit voices from woods and woodpecker knocking also, but I couldn´t seen them. So I can´t say what species they were.
Then we came that sign that says there was still 1400 metres to the Mirador. Junior said he doesn´t want to walk further. He was hungry and thirsty. So we walked just couple hundred metres until we saw a good place to eat our packed lunch at a shadow of olive and pine trees. Nearby Wood Pigeon makes his hoo-hoo –voice. When we walked back to the car, couple of Jays flied one tree to the other tree.

At the view of twitcher the rest of a day did not have any cheering as well. Only possible new species was a big hawk on the road side tree, little after city of Coin. Behind us was a car and there was not shoulder of a road, so I couldn´t stop the car. I think it was a Buzzard, but I did not put myself on tick for that.
Ordinary tourist´s point of view, however, was a rewarding day with wonderful scenery and beautiful villages. After a break at a Refugio de Juanar we headed small town of Coin, where we were already hungry again, so we ate lunch there. Of all noticed that there was a last night spent boisterous fiesta. The streets were almost deserted, although the afternoon was already well advanced. Like Sunday afternoons at home. From Coin we drove to the famous beauty of Mijas village and from there to the coast and the Hotel.

 

[Warixenjalka]

Wednesday Jan. 2nd

First working day of the year, we decided to spend it like a decent tourists to exploring the beautiful city of Ronda. Before Marbella I saw Kestrel and few Cattle Egrets. Egrets were with horses - again – I wonder why their name isn´t a Horse Egret? 3
And again, we went to the serpentine road (A-397) up the mountains so that the ears cracking. But the road was good condition and landscapes stunning. In my head I started to hear AC/DC´s It´s a long way to top, if you wanna rock´n roll!
At the City centre of Ronda we found surprisingly easy the Parking garage. We went for quick coffee and buying a map of the city. We noticed we were just a block away from bullring where we decided to go first. We didn´t see any bulls but there was a few horses. In the bullring was Bullfighting, and the Armory Museum too. And they were left as the only museum visits from this holiday.
El Tajo Gorge was magnificent. Photos are not able to forward any of rugged beauty of this place. I had read somewhere that the Ronda Gorge is one of the surest places to see the Peregrine falcon in Andalucia, but I failed to see the Peregrine on pigeon hunting. Maybe it was a wrong time of day. Anyway there was lot of Pigeons in the ravine. Mostly Feral, but maybe Rock Pigeons too - I´m not sure. How you can say the difference?
We ate tapas-meal in Bodega San Francisco (Thank you for the hint Peter ), where we headed to the A-369 all the way down to Los Angeles (on what continent we were?).

Before Village of Gaucin, at the sign of puerte del Espine I noticed large birds circled in the sky. Glance at the rear-view mirror – no one after us – foot on the brake pedal. Fortunately there was Mirador del Guadiaro at head of us – we didn´t have to leave the car on the middle of road. Binoculars and a camera with my hands I step out from car. From the valley bottom to the rising warm air currents sailed several Griffon Vultures (lifer). :king: The day was saved. And there was also dozens of Cliff Martins.
After we had passed by Gaucin, there was a five Spanish Ibex (lifer)just off the side of a road. I was thought that they are extremely wary, but even we stopped the car next to them, they didn’t left. After few photos we carried on our way.
At sometimes the gray passerines from roadsides bushes scared off and is very unlikely to say that at least some of these flocks would have been Corn Buntings, but 100 % ID I couldn’t do. So no lifer tick for me for this species - nether.
The day wasn’t so good (at a birding point of view) as I was thought in a morning, but otherwise (at the travellers point of view) the day was rewarding. Before we drove to hotel we admired the sunset on the beach in Estepona.

 

[Warixenjalka]

Thursday Jan. 3rd

The “Chief of our Clan” had kindly promised me the day off with a family obligations, so I was able to do some real birding. My first plan was to go right in morning to Serrania de Ronda, but because my wetland bird results was not so good I decide to stopped by some wetland before “mountaineering”. After a Guide of Garcia & Paterson the best hit along the planned route was Rio Guadiaros estuary in Sotogrande.
I took the trip when it was still dark, and I arrived to the Sotogrande at the time of sunrise. But of course there was again little bit hard to me to find the actually way to the estuary. I drove autovia west side of rio Guadiaro and down to the first exit. The beach facing road was cut of a gate and the guard booth. I turn a round and I found my self on the autovia again. This time I drove to the east. After a river I took first exit down and I tried to approach the wetland from the east. The map showed quite clearly that the below autovia had to go to second road across the river. I drove through the village of Torreguadiaro and on towards the bridge. Now I was sure I was in the right way. In a brightening morning a dozen of white birds flying to inland – Cattle Egrets. Suddenly there was again a gate before me and the guardian in his booth. On the left side showed a promising-looking 3-4-meter-high reeds, which was tossed in the wind. I noticed a parking lot on my right side and parked my car there. :smoke:
Just beside the reeds were built of wooden walkways. Behind the reeds more Egrets flew off and I saw there a pond. And birds – a lot. Dozens and dozens Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets, and one Grey Heron. Swimming in the pond were Coots, Moorhens, one Purple Swamphen (lifer) stands in shallower water. Three Little Grebes (lifer) diving with them and couple of Mallards were other side of pond. Seagulls flew overhead all the time. After a while, I walked toward beach and about ten Cormorants flew over me. Wooden walkways ended gazebo-like structure. When I binocularing to the see I saw some like different bird among the gulls. I realise it was a some kind of Shearwater but I couldn’t do specific ID. The telescope would have been good to be…
In the beach bushes I saw Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Blackbirds. When I went back to car, group of Munk Parakeets flew over me.
I decided to try one more time to look for a route to the other side of river. Again I was in autovia heading to west. And again I took first exit down after bridge. And again same gate as earlier cut my way to estuary. This time, I encouraged myself and I stopped to the guard booth. Bitter-looking security guard came to his booth and asked what’s my intention – of course in Spanish. I pointed the finger to the other side of the gate, and I said, “Sotogrande - Playa.” Guard grumbled something in response, then march in his booth and opened the gate. Wo-hoo! I hoped it would be as easy to get out too.
I driven around urbanization fifteen minutes, before I found sign of protectorate area. I parked car on the road side near start of wooden walkways. “Catwalk” went mainly middle of shrubs and tall reeds. Around me were a lot of birds voices, but I saw only few of them; couple of Black Redstarts, a Chiffchaff and a Blackbird. About half way of walkway panic among the passerines caused a Sparrow Hawk. At a river mouth were Little Grebes and Cormorants. When I left the path of the road, Marsh Harrier flew above reeds.
As I drove away the guard didn’t even stop me, opened just a gate. I took the direction to the north. First at autovia to Manilva and then road A-377 to Gaucin.

In this road I hit the biggest surprise of the whole week. And it wasn’t a bird, but a mammal, which I thought was moving only at night. Just before crossroads of Casares, ran across the road a short-legged and long-tailed gray creature. First came to my mind a cat, then a weasel, but it differed significantly from both. Then I got it: Egyptian Mongoose (lifer)! I stopped the car, but Mongoose has gone already. Instead of that I saw nice Black Redstart male sitting in a roadside bushes.
After a while, before Gaucin I decide to take a lunch break at the Mirador de Gaucin. The Kestrel came to watch me when I ate my sandwiches, but when he saw that I didn’t have sandwiches filled with Vole, it flew away. Also there were couple of Griffons gliding against the deep blue sky.
From Gaucin I continued in the A-369, until I turned the road MA-508 towards the Jimera de Libariin. That was very interesting road, by the way. From there, after driving in little astray, then went on the road MA-549 / -501 / -506 all the way up to Montejaque. I parked my little Peugeot at the starting point of Llanos de Libar and I continued on foot.
High mountains rose on both sides of the road and fields, where were people at work. The air temperature was about five degrees, and the wind brisk. The sun was shining, but the mountain peaks kept me in the shade most of the trip. I miss my gloves, which were of course the hotel. Fortunately, on my parka had big pockets, where I was able to stick my hands.
Besides Pigeons and Sparrows, the first avian I saw was Griffon vulture. There was plenty of them in a sky, as well on the steep mountain walls. One of the individuals was carrying a branch in its beak, so maybe the nest building was already beginning to. It was very enjoyable to watch them gliding in the sky.
Even though I walked the Llanos de Libar just a few kilometres up, I spend at that couple of hours. I admire birds and magnificent landscape so the time went unnoticed. Yes – there was other birds than Griffons also: Cliff Martins, Black Redstarts, Stonechats, Blackbirds and Robins. Beside to those “old friends” there was Ringed Ouzel (lifer), Blue Rock Thrush (lifer) and Meadow Pipit. Western Rock Bunting (lifer) sitting in a middle of road and later I saw couple of more those. Black Wheatear (lifer) hopping restlessly on the rocky ground and I manage to get that one only few crappy photos. There was some Galerida- larks too. But was they Thekla- or Crested Larks? It’s hard to say… (it would be lifer anyway). On the slopes was grazing sheep and somewhat surprisingly big hairy cattle. Amazing how they even made it into the boulder to pass. I got the feeling that these landscapes I could spend weeks.
Maybe in that case, I managed to see the Golden, Spanish Imperial and Bonelli’s Eagle. I didn’t see either of Peregrine or Red-billed Chough, not to mention the Wallcreeper. Even people I do not make that many sightings here (in addition to those field workers). One of the small SUV came on the road, and while I walking back, a brave jogger ran uphill glancing on his pulse meter (is that the proper English?).
I walked back to the car fairly brisk pace as daylight time was only a few hours left and I was about to reach one place yet. The original plan had been that I go up north from Montejaque to the Grazalema, but when driving and watching the clock I decided to drive south towards Ronda. The narrow mountain roads in a dark doesn’t sound good idea, even in daylight I enjoy to drive these curvy roads. I drove to bypass Ronda and I decided to explore Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves. It was a mistake in hindsight speaking.
From A-397 I turned to gravel-surfaced road towards the heart of natural park. Initially, the road was like a Finnish country road and went gently meandering through the hilly forest terrain. Soon, however, the road narrowed, turned sharply ascending and began to meander as real mountain serpentine road. Cork Oak forests became coniferous forest. Then there was "parking lot" at front of me and one car on there. I drove next to it, and I walked for a while, "the main road" branched boom a closed section of road. A couple of hundred meters of the traveled I decided to turn back to the car, because birds are not seen and not heard.
I continued the "main road" to forward. The road narrowed further and forests became less frequent. I drove every bend in the mountain slope, as quietly as I could, as the bend in the back had no chance to see. On the side of the ravine there was no railings and little while the road goes on the ridge, so that both sides of the tens of meters drop. Despite a five Celsius-degree temperature outside, I opened the window to hear any approaching car. And then it came! Lucky me, that my lane was the increasing slope side. I brake and steered my car almost caught the rock. The oncoming car slowed down just a little bit, and the side mirrors almost hit each other. Fortunately that was a little car too. I wonder what would have happened if the oncoming car would been a wide, like a Humvee? I think it's a question of habit to drive on these roads.
Well, I continued, and I was hoping that there would be the end point soon. In particular, when the sun began to fall. After a while I arrived to endpoint, which was a group of buildings and a large parking lot. There were also places for tents and campers (if any such ventured this far). I rise from the car for exercise and take a couple of photos. Scenery reminded me a lot of Lapland scenery. Rocky slopes with coniferous trees here and there. But I did not see any birds. I jumped into my car and drove back to the main road.
I would done much better if I have used my time to walked forward for Llanos de Libar an another hour. I might also get a few new species to my list.
:brains:

 

[Warixenjalka]

Friday Jan. 4th

This was our last whole day in Andalucia. We decided to went to local Lake district, Embalse del Guadalhorce reservoirs and Fuente de Piedra.
We drove at coast route to Fuengirola and then road MA-426 to north. From Alhaurin el Grande we headed through beautiful village of Álora. Our first stop was El Chorro. We drove the winding and the very poor condition of the road above the village to look at the scenery, and then we landed back to the village, where we had a cup of coffee.
I do not know is it caused by the dams or what, but the area affected by rampant vegetation, even though it was mainly conifers and shrubs. Rock formations were fantastic and gorges steep. I mean everything that you motorist tourist could ask for scenery.
As we drove road MA-451 mountain regions began to stay behind. The bearing was spread around the undulating plateau and forests had been turned into the fields, which was as far as eye can see. Here and there were extensive olive groves. We passed Campillos, and went straight to the A-384. My intention was to make a quick stop on Laguna Dulce, but a branch of the road there came so suddenly that we hadn’t time to react to it. The road was really busy, so a U-turn does not come to the question either. And when you wanted to turn the intersection did not come with a few kilometers I decided to save the fellow travellers on this birding spot. Also little man on the back seat had fallen asleep.
We turned on A-6213 to Laguna de Fuente de Piedra. Road was blowing a narrow gravel road that led through the olive trees on the southern side of the lake. After a while driving from the olive trees interspersed, I noticed a low gliding bird of prey. I stopped the car and binoculars in my hand I jump out of the car. Bird disappeared among the trees, before I could make sense of the species. But it seemed bigger than a buzzard - one of the eagles then?
We decided to change the driver, to allow more time to me to scan the sky. Very soon I saw a Kestrel. And soon began to lake blue water gleam between the trees. At least it was not dry. I felt the tension grow. Would there be flamingos? What about the Bustards? Exciting ...
After we had passed the south end of lake we turned on right and followed the western shore of lake. After a Garcia & Paterson’s book this side of lake was two birding spots, as the eastern side has only one. That was the reason to me to choice western route. My wife parked the car at first spot next to one other car. Three people, judging by speech, Germans, binoculars next to the fence away from the lake. I decided I head to the binoculars in the same direction. There was field full of Common Cranes. Juveniles and adults.
We walked up to hill where was the actually birding spot. And there they were - my first Flamingos (lifer). But very far, the other side of lake. Closer, near shore was a flock of Coots. Then I noticed four raptors swirling about half a kilometre to north above the wooded hill. Two of the smaller ones chase the bigger ones away, but I couldn’t identify any of them.
We continued at the next birding spot, where the Flamingos were much closer, but still too far away that I could take photos with reasonable quality. So I take plenty of bad quality photos. :king: Also there was lot of Coots and Northern Shovelers. And naturally Gulls too. My gull-knowledge could be little better. I thought that there was Black-headed gulls in their wintering plumage, but I was so wrong. Luckily you guys here in Bird Forum know these things.:t: With photos I was taken, became clear that the right ID was Lesser Black-backed Gull - subspecies graellsii. (In my defense, I can say that I've only seen ever before the fuscus-race.) But there was something what I was “guess” right too: The bigger gulls were Yellow-legged gulls. On the beach meadow there was White Wagtails, Northern Lapwings and some Tringa-species. Also I couldn’t ID that tern what flies above the lake.
My fellow-travellers in car already waits for me restlessly. They were hungry, and so was I, but I still wanted to visit the “head site” – The visitor centre of Fuente de Piedra. I said that I'm sure there will be found something to our stomachs. Well, there was not. Visitor centre was closed. Inconceivable that during that time of year when there is water in the lake and all that life, the centre is closed. Or maybe we just had bad luck, because it might be so that it is closed on Fridays… yeah sure. |<|
Anyway – I make a fast visit to the lake shore and it looked like a paradise. In a wire was sitting Southern Grey Shrike (lifer). On the flooding meadow were Shovellers, Common Shelducks, Common Teals, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens and Black-winged Stilts (lifer). On the bushes and in the reeds were Stonechats and one Chiffchaff. Rabbits hopping at the foot of bushes.
But time (and wife) were ruthless, and the journey was continued. We stopped at city of Fuente de Piedra for dinner and then continued to Antequera. We visited the old town driven criss-crossed by narrow alleys. The aim was to do a little walking around and looking at the city's churches, but we just couldn’t found a parking lot for the old town side. Eventually we found ourselves in the parking lot of shopping centre. The next day it was already time to go home, so we decided to carry out the purchase souvenirs from here. In the shopping centre we spent almost two hours.|8|| When we come out, we noticed that someone had switched off the lights. Because the darkness, we driving to our hotel along the Autovias.


Saturday Jan. 5th

This date was then the day when we have to go home. The flight departed at noon, and the car had to be restored onto the rental garage for ten a clock, leading to that we had to leave the hotel in the dark. And of course I had to mislead the navigation once again before the airport. Fortunately there was enough time to do quarter hour tour at Malagas western urbanizations. At the restore point of car rental I almost feel nervous. However, the car went through the inspection of the goods without any further costs.
The time had come to go to for check-in and body control, as well as move with a little melancholy to wait for the departure of the airplane. It would have to have another week (or two) to spend in Andalucia…
:flyaway:

Total amount was 1400+ km driving, 55 bird species (with 22 lifer), four mammals and two reptiles. And of course plenty of good memories.
I’ll definitely come Andalucia again. Next time probably at another time of year and hopefully with more time to visit birding spots.

 

[Birdman7]

Andalucia

Nice write-up. Let us know when ur coming next we could help you find even more species

 

[Warixenjalka]

Thank You Birdman. Yes, local guide would be good thing...

 

[Birdman7]

Thank You Birdman. Yes, local guide would be good thing...

Anytime, your welcome