Hi Folks
Well,the 1st.saw usual start of the year bird list,weather great here in S.Spain for it.Tried to be a little eco friendly so planned a more local route than usual.
64 species seen between 09.30 and 16.30 so not bad after a later than planned start!!
I will skip the normal stuff but just give the highlights
First stop was Laguna de Las Camelias,where I normally pick up my first Swallow and House Martin but not this year.But did get a 1st year Black Necked Grebe,first for this part.site and a male Siskin.Last winter was poor for the latter species but this winter has seen big influxes
No wintering ducks either,but there is so much water around they are prob.spread far and wide.
So next stop was reserve at Sotogrande.On 23rd.december while I was in Brazil this neck of the woods of spain had one of its worst recorded storms,and the reserve had not been spared.The sea had washed way over the beach ,some 50 yards and dumped about 1 ft.of sand into the reeds and lagoon area and wreked some of my ringing lanes.Quite devastating,earlier last year there was severe weather here and the new elevated boardwalk was washws away into the lagoon and reed beds so we have had a double whammy ,lets hope this year things get better,but I doubt it somehow!!
Still,the birds did not seem too affected,the Purple Swamphens have now returned,flushed a Common Snipe,counted 5 1st year Med.gulls,plus a fuscus Lesser Black Back (excellent record for here).,plus the obligatory Kingfisher.
Then over to San Enrique woodland by the Rip Guadiaro,lots more Siskins,another Kingfisher and a wintering Common Buzzard.
On the drive to Palmones Estuary to pick up some waders,noted the usual White Storks already on their nests,in fact have been for a good 2 months at least!!
Parked in Palmones by the beach opp.Gibraltar,noted another Black Necked grebe on the sea,climbed the sand dunes to get across to the scope the river,luckily I had timed it right for once,low tide and there were lots of waders around.Ticked a lot of the usual suspects but the highlights were not this species but a 1st.winter Little Gull,a species never easy to find in the winter down here,it flew off to sea only minutes after finding it,so were dead lucky,plus 3 Ospreys,and an adult Slender Billed gull,the first I have seen at this part.site.
On way home paid homage to a local bird site which always turns up something interesting.The new Motorway has cut through some of it but most remains unspoilt.
Today I was not disappointed,a cracking male Blue Rock Thrush,but the best bird for me was the boring little brown job,a wintering Dunnock. O.K.it may be boring for lots of birders but finding this species down here is not easy so that was a real bonus,they are even more secretive than in UK,where according to the BTO nest record scheme things are not faring too well for them.
A very reasonable list to start the year off with no doubt many highlights to follow in the ensuing months
Next report will hopefully be on my first ringing exploits but weather has turned sour today and more wet stuff forecast till clearing for Sat.
Saludos
Ricardo
Well,the 1st.saw usual start of the year bird list,weather great here in S.Spain for it.Tried to be a little eco friendly so planned a more local route than usual.
64 species seen between 09.30 and 16.30 so not bad after a later than planned start!!
I will skip the normal stuff but just give the highlights
First stop was Laguna de Las Camelias,where I normally pick up my first Swallow and House Martin but not this year.But did get a 1st year Black Necked Grebe,first for this part.site and a male Siskin.Last winter was poor for the latter species but this winter has seen big influxes
No wintering ducks either,but there is so much water around they are prob.spread far and wide.
So next stop was reserve at Sotogrande.On 23rd.december while I was in Brazil this neck of the woods of spain had one of its worst recorded storms,and the reserve had not been spared.The sea had washed way over the beach ,some 50 yards and dumped about 1 ft.of sand into the reeds and lagoon area and wreked some of my ringing lanes.Quite devastating,earlier last year there was severe weather here and the new elevated boardwalk was washws away into the lagoon and reed beds so we have had a double whammy ,lets hope this year things get better,but I doubt it somehow!!
Still,the birds did not seem too affected,the Purple Swamphens have now returned,flushed a Common Snipe,counted 5 1st year Med.gulls,plus a fuscus Lesser Black Back (excellent record for here).,plus the obligatory Kingfisher.
Then over to San Enrique woodland by the Rip Guadiaro,lots more Siskins,another Kingfisher and a wintering Common Buzzard.
On the drive to Palmones Estuary to pick up some waders,noted the usual White Storks already on their nests,in fact have been for a good 2 months at least!!
Parked in Palmones by the beach opp.Gibraltar,noted another Black Necked grebe on the sea,climbed the sand dunes to get across to the scope the river,luckily I had timed it right for once,low tide and there were lots of waders around.Ticked a lot of the usual suspects but the highlights were not this species but a 1st.winter Little Gull,a species never easy to find in the winter down here,it flew off to sea only minutes after finding it,so were dead lucky,plus 3 Ospreys,and an adult Slender Billed gull,the first I have seen at this part.site.
On way home paid homage to a local bird site which always turns up something interesting.The new Motorway has cut through some of it but most remains unspoilt.
Today I was not disappointed,a cracking male Blue Rock Thrush,but the best bird for me was the boring little brown job,a wintering Dunnock. O.K.it may be boring for lots of birders but finding this species down here is not easy so that was a real bonus,they are even more secretive than in UK,where according to the BTO nest record scheme things are not faring too well for them.
A very reasonable list to start the year off with no doubt many highlights to follow in the ensuing months
Next report will hopefully be on my first ringing exploits but weather has turned sour today and more wet stuff forecast till clearing for Sat.
Saludos
Ricardo
