Alcaucin and the Sierra Tejeda - again!

No sooner had I down the Sierra Tejada circuit on Wednesday than John and Jenny Wainwright were doing a repeat visit, albeit in the opposite direction, the following day.  Their account follows and they certainly seem to have seen more birds than I - but they would appear to have dipped on the resident Crossbills and Nuthatches that draw me to the Alcaucin picnic sites in the first place!  I just goes to show that, often, the unexpected visit (or in my case leaving the camera behind) can often attract more birds.  Not quite sure what the moral of this might be!  Anyway, here is John and jenny's account and can anyone identify the mystery snake; to me it does not like Grass, Ladder or Adder?

Zafaraya round trip. 31st May 2012

I had to go into Trabuco today, I had left my bank card in the bank, another dementure moment...so we decided to have a go at your route which we haven´t done for four years due to no 4 x 4.  Hope you don´t mind!!!!!  (I certainly do not.)

Spanish Gatekeeper

A very warm and sultry day, with very little breeze.

We had to go into Villanuevo del Trabuco today, so after business we headed for Zafaraya.

Along the back road from Trabuco MA4100 we saw Nightingales, House Sparrows, Blackcaps and Linnets. As we joined the A341 to Zafaraya a pair of Rock Buntings flew off of the road, also here we saw Crested Larks.

As we stopped to photograph some Lizard Orchids, we heard Little Owl and saw Chaffinch, Great Tit, Serins and more Linnets.  We then drove down to Venta de Zafaraya to the old railway line to pick up the Alpine Swifts that Bob (our esteemed blogger) had seen at the cave.

We couldn´t locate them straight away so we drove about 2km along the track, seeing on the way, Sardinian Warbler, Common Swift, Crag Martins, Rock Buntings and Rock Sparrows.  Back at the cave we picked up the Alpine Swifts - we counted six of them as they left the cave - along with several Crag Martins.  Above the cliff we saw at least twelve Chough and a Griffon Vulture and on the power lines, two Black Wheatears, a Blue Rock Thrush and a Rock Sparrow.  As we came to the newly laid rail track a Common Kestrel flew across the cliff face with something in its talons, disappearing as quick as it had appeared.

Onto the "muck heap" absolute zero..so we decided to have tapas at one of the restaurants before retracing our steps back to the "Sierra de Tejeda" sign turn off.

Melodious Warbler Zarcero Comun Hippolais polyglotta

Through the packing depot and onto the very rough water carved track, where we heard Nuthatch and Short-toed Treecreeper.  As the track flattened out a bit we had great views of a Melodious Warbler which posed in the top of a tree. The wind had picked up a bit by now, but it didn´t stop the hundreds of butterflies from feeding.

At the La Alcaúca campsite we saw Short-toed Treecreeper, Blue Tit, Serin, Rock Bunting, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Wren, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and heard two Green Woodpeckers.  We also had a fleeting visit from two Red-rumped Swallows.

We stopped at the "Mirador" and while Jenny was taking pictures of the Vinuela Embalse, I was hunting down Crested and Long-tailed Tits, another Short-toed Treecreeper and a Great Tit also showed well.

"Unknown" snake - can anyone please identify?

Onwards to the next picnic sight here we saw more Long-tailed Tits and Blackcaps also Blackbirds, a Mistle Thrush, Serins, Spotless Starlings and Goldfinches.  On the return journey - we wanted more butterfly photos - we did spot a pair of Ravens and heard the Cuckoo.  A largish, about four foot or so, unidentified snake (as yet), casually stopped in mid-track, looked at us and slithered off into the undergrowth.  Back at the packing depot a White Wagtail was spotted foraging under a lorry.

We regained the A402 to Alhama de Granada then the A4155 to Salar.  On this stretch we saw three Southern Grey Shrikes, five Lesser Kestrels, Corn Buntings, Stonechat, twelve Bee-eaters and a Jackdaw.

A good number of birds for an impromptu visit.

Indeed it was John and jenny and you certainly found some great birds. It makes me feel quite envious and I shall just have to go back out again!!! 

All photographs taken on the day by Jenny Wainwright.  Many thanks for letting me publish.

Just heard back from John.  They did actually see Crossbill and also a Turtle Dove.  John seems to think that snake might well be a Ladder Snake.     Bob

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.  

Up the Alcaucin Mountain

Spotted Flycatcher  Papamoscas Gris  Muscicapa striata

Jenny taken to her friend (still unable to drive with her broken forearm in a short cast) and then a basic circular tour taking in the local mountain above Alcaucin, El Robledal, the back track round to Alhama de Granada followed by a call at the "Muck Heap" then Ventas de Zafarrya before heading home.  Good job Jenny's not expected back before nightfall!  By the time I got back I was absolutely exhausted as the day got more and more humid; no wonder heavy rainfall is forecast for the morrow.  Still, I did manage to find just over forty species before arriving back home.

Crossbill  Piquituerto Comun  Loxia curvirostra

With a Hoopoe as I drove down to Los Romanes pus the usual mountain assortment which I was to see later in th eday, I was off to the picnic area just above Alcaucin recording both Barn Swallow and House Martin as I drove out of that village and quickly followed by Sardinian Warbler, Goldfinch and Stonechat.  Rather than be greeted by a Crossbill in the large Eucalyptus tree opposite the car park, I had a Chaffinch which, in turn, was seen off by a Spotted Flycatcher who had decided that this particular tree was to be his observation [post for the next few minutes or so.  A walk along the water channel and up to the far fence produced a pair of Firecrests and then back to the main picnic tables.  A little patience saw a Nuthatch come to me, which rather took me by surprise and preventing a full-on photograph, and then a single Blue Tit.  More Chaffinches and, as I walked down the steps passed the toilet block, a small flock of Greenfinches made themselves known.  This distraction led me to see the skulking Jay to the left and then a Wood Pigeon flew over.  Meanwhile, not so far a way, a Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" for all he was worth. Isn't it great to have the place to yourself with no kids or campers, etc!

Nuthatch  Trepador Azul  Sitta europaea

The onward drive up the mountain track produced a crazy Red-legged Partridge that both refused to fly or veer off the road so giving himself a little practise for the "Game Bird Olympics" where, I believe, he is entered for the 1500 metres!  More Crossbills at the upper picnic site, having found a handful at the lower site from whence I had just left, plus a singing Rock Bunting at the top of a very tall tree.  Me think this bird also has visions of grandeur!  Then, overhead, a pair of calling Choughs presumably making their way back to the nesting colony at Ventas de Zafarraya.

Leaving the mountain track to head off along the main road for a tapas and then El Robledal, I had first a Thekla Lark and then a Mistle Thrush now sooner had I left the road for the final track.  Continuing on another Jay playing around in the pile of spare electricity pylons and then the sight of a departing Green Woodpecker.  Other than that, the woods were very quiet so I took the back track down to the pantaneta at Alhama de Granada.

A Rock Bunting Escibano Montesino Emberiza cia with a very good head for heights

The water was very quiet with just a handful of Common Pochards, a couple of Mallards and about a dozen Coot.  Only the single Little Grebe was seen during my relatively short stay.  However, another Turtle Dove was picked up to join the Collared Doves previously seen.  Driving back up the road towards Alhama de Granada I had a resting Kestrel and a very busy Mistle Thrush with a beak full of food for its young in a nearby nest.

There's a very hungry Mistle Thrush  Zorzal Charlo Turdus viscivorus somewhere near.

Interestingly, the "Corn Bunting Fence" produced four of the same who seemed to have completely ignored all the passing traffic and, just to even things up, even the "Magpie Woods" produced a handful of Azure-winged Magpies.  So I arrived at the "Muck Heap"; which was no more!  However, there must have been sufficient grubs and insects to attract the larks for I had a pair of Crested Larks and at least five Short-toed Larks happily feeding on something.

Short-toed Lark  Terrera Comun  Calandrella  brachydactyla

The final stop was at the old railway track above Ventas de Zafarraya where I drove up to the tunnel and parked in the space just before the entrance.  At least a score of Choughs were in the air and I soon had both Black Redstart and Crag Martins.  On the far side a number of Rock Sparrows were feeding and then a small flock of Serins.  Walking back through the tunnel to study the area in front of the large cave, I recorded a single Alpine Swift making use of the same, a female Blackbird and then, finally, both a Blue Rock Thrush and a single Black Wheatear.  The last bird seen before driving back to the main road was a Kestrel flying across the face of the main cliff and then a couple of Stonechats on the track itself.  So home to get something to eat and a late siesta.

Birds seen:

Mallard, Pochard, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Kestrel, Coot, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Alpine Swift, Hoopoe, Green Woodpecker, Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Azure-winged Magpie, Chough, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Crossbill, Rock Bunting and Corn Bunting.

Kamikaze Crossbill heading straight my way!

  

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information. 

Sierra Loja with the Wainwrights

Just as everybody else is saying how few birds are about, whether it be the Guadalhorce, Charca de Suarez or even my local Rio Velez at Torre del Mar, John and Jenny Wainwright ignore the blustery wind and take a ride up the Sierra Loja and actually find some birds, including a pair of Rock Thrushes.  Just goes to show what perseverance will do along with their recent birding exploits down south!

Sierra Loja 28th May 2012

A hot day, but a fresh wind at times up the top of the mountain.

We could see the turbines going round briskly as we finished our shopping so we decided to take a quick trip to see what was about.

The track for the best part was really dusty due to lack of wind movement and the residue from the amount of traffic here today, due to a new shed being built up at the entrance to the Charco del Negra.  But we still managed to pick up Collared Dove, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Woodlark and Azure-winged Magpie before we past the tree-line.

Thekla Lark Cogujada Montesina Galerida theklae (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

At the cliffs we located a Lesser Kestrel, Chough, Jackdaw, Rock Sparrow, Stonechat and two Black Wheatears.  Further up in the scrubby area, we found Spectacled, Dartford & Sardinian Warbler along with Thekla Lark, Rock Bunting and more Rock Sparrows.

Red-legged Partridge were thin on the ground today as were Black-eared Wheatears, we did however see a Little Owl on way to the Charco del Negra.

Here we found Linnets, Chaffinch, Spotless Starling, Blackbird, Black Redstart, Chough, Rock Sparrow and Goldfinches.

There were several Emperor dragonflies here and the Gallipato Salamander (Pleurodeles waltl)were showing well.

Distant Rock Thrush  Roquero Rojo  Monticola saxatillis  (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

Off to the fossil cave area where we saw Blue Rock Thrush,a single Griffon Vulture, Crag Martin, Chough, Black Redstart, Rock Sparrow and just round the corner we located a pair of Rock Thrushes - (sorry about the quality of the photo but a long way away).  Also here were Black & Black-eared Wheatear.  Again, we dipped out on the Northern Wheatear; haven´t seen any for weeks now!

On the way down we picked up Serin, Wood Pigeon and a Woodchat Shrike.

Quite a useful morning's birding in a lovely part of the region; I must get out there again soon myself - especially as the young Rock Thrushes will soon be appearing giving greater opportunities to get close-up views of the lovely blue and red adults. 

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information. 

Hungry Heron!

All very quiet for Steve Powell yesterday; no Dipper, no Golden Oriole, very little at Charca de Suarez and even less at the Rio Velez in Torre del Mar!  However, he did manage to see both a Little Bittern and a Purple Swamphen at the Charca de Suarez Reserve and capture a shots of a Purple Heron, having enjoyed a frog starter, take on a large snake for the main course.  Not sure whether or not the purple Heron stayed for a postre!  As Steve said, "Charca was quiet but we saw a Little Bittern and had fun watching this Purple Heron feeding.  It had just gobbled up a sizable frog when it speared a pretty big snake. The snake fought quite hard and wriggled vigorously until the heron eventually swallowed it whole!  Some appetite!"

Little Bittern  Avetorillo Comun  Ixobrychus minutus

Unusually, the Rio Velez was very quiet with just a single Kentish Plover and a couple of Ringed Plovers.  But, at least, he did have that wonderful and beautiful accompaniment of all those singing Nightingales, Reed and Cetti's Warblers, not to mention many varied butterflies and dragonflies to keep him occupied!

The "Hungry Heron" - or how to feed a Purple Heron Garza Imperial Ardea purpurea

First try out a large fog by way of an hors d'oeuvre then seek out a most appetising snake!

First select a rather juicy snake

Second, don't panic when it starts to wriggle about

Thirdly, start to swallow with a smooth and gentle action

Nearly done; just that little extra swallow

That's better; now with what should I follow that?

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.  

John & Jenny's Birding Trip: Day 4

Day 4: 25 May

Back on the road again and, pleased to say, John and Jenny picked up my early morning email before setting out so were able to find, and photograph, the Bald Ibis nest at La Barca.  That's another new species then, John.  There latest report is as follows:

Day 4 :: Barbate marshes, La Barca & La Janda

A fine day, not so hot due to cloudy skies and a fresh wind.

As we pulled out of the hotel - close to Tarifa - a female Sparrowhawk was seen battling against the headwind coming off the land, as she was struggling it gave us great views.  We were really pleased with this but not the three cars waiting to get out of the car park behind us. Along the way we saw White Storks, Cattle Egrets and a Little Egret.

Female Bald Ibis Ibis Eremita Geronticus eremita on nest (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

At the marshes the tide was full in - leaving very little exposed mud for waders.  The sky was full of Collared Praticoles and above them huge numbers of Herring and Yellow-legged Gulls. To our right a small flock of mixed waders including Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and one Redshank. Lots of Corn Buntings, House Sparrows and Black-winged Stilts about too. It was only a fleeting visit as we were on our way to see the Bald Ibis.  We took the A393 to Vejer, on the way seeing Little Owl and Hoopoe. At the the village of La Barca we found  - as Bob had predicted - three Bald Ibis on nests.  There was even a town hall employee showing people the site as well. Also in the area of the car park were Nightingales, Cattle Egrets, Jackdaws and Linnets.

We then drove round the long way back to Barbate on the A5206 calling in at the pine woods above the village of Los Canos de Meca ( they are actually a  Parque Natural).  Here we found Short-toed Treecreeper, Woodlark, Goldfinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackbird, Crossbill, Blackcap, House Sparrow, Sardinian Warbler, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit.   

Purple Swamphen  Calamon Comun  Poprphyrio porphyrio (PHOTO: John Wainwright)

It was rather humid in these pinewoods so we decided to have another look at La Janda. We entered the area at km47 and immediately the sounds of Collared Pratincoles could be heard.  Also about were Cattle Egrets, Glossy Ibis (Jenny took it upon herself to give a general count; she came up with over three hundred that she could see in the immediate area), Reed Warblers were in full song - along the left hand reed bed, Black-winged Stilts, Mallard and a few Ringed Plovers.  Later on a Cetti´s Warbler, a Common Kestrel, Turtle Doves and our one and only Red-legged Partridge of the day was seen. Two Purple Swamphens - we used to see at least twenty birds along this stretch, but the water is so high at the moment - was a nice addition to the day's count.  Our first Grey Heron of the trip took off from a ditch and in a bare tree a Corn Bunting was in full song, but not to be outdone a Spectacled Warbler sat on a branch next to it, also in good voice.  We picked up two more singing further down the track. Charms of Goldfinches were ever present as were Zitting Cisticola and House Sparrows. Just as we turned onto the outgoing track, we startled two Moorhens, who quickly disappeared into the reeds.

We had to wait until we were back at the hotel to see a Griffon Vulture, which sat on a telegraph pole opposite the place, but no Kites, Buzzards or Eagles of any description were to be seen today.  Still, that´s birding !!!!

Tomorrow the 26th is our homeward bound journey, probably across country from here.

John & Jenny's Birding Trip: Day 3

And so the sage continues with John and Jenny wainwright now on the very windy Costa Luz.  But they are still finding the birds and the bars to enjoy and evening's light refreshment to prepare for the next day!


Day 3:  24th May 2012 Barbate Marshes_La Janda

Tawny Pipit Bisbita Campestre  Anthus campestris  (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

It would have been a hot day but you can hardly stand up with the prevailing wind!  We stayed in Zahara for the evening so after breakfast we drove back over to the marshes at Barbate - only without the wardens company . We turned off right just after the 3km marker where there is a huge sign proclaiming the reclamation of the marshes. First views were of several Spoonbills, juvenile Greater
Flamingos, Cattle & Little Egrets, Black-winged Stilts, over sixty Collared Pratincoles, Yellow Wagtails, Stonechats, Dunlin, Kentish and Ringed Plovers.  A nice surprise was the three Stone Curlews calling and parading along on the marshy spits; Corn Buntings, Pallid & Common Swifts, Barn & Red-rumped Swallows, lots of Yellow-legged but only one Herring Gull (seen), Goldfinches, a Spectacled Warbler, Whinchat, Grey Plovers, Sanderling, Thekla Lark,
White Storks, Zitting Cisticola, Spotless Starlings a few House Sparrows and a very obliging Tawny Pipit. We were now getting mobbed by midges so we headed for La Janda.

La Janda

Glossy Ibis Morito comun Plegadis falcinellus (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

The wind seemed to have picked up a little, but the mosquitoes were still literally after our blood. Our first encounter was a flock of some thirty Cattle Egrets, then a Spanish Sparrow and his wife posed for us on a barbed wire fence alongside a Stonechat. Also seen here were Zitting Cisticola, Mallard, White Storks, hundreds of Glossy Ibis, a Lesser Kestrel, more Spoonbills, a lone Cormorant and a single Purple Swamphen.  Next came Buzzard, Moorhen, several Turtle Doves, Red-legged Partridge (one of only two all day) and again a few House Sparrows.

We then turned right onto the track for the dam.  Along this track we saw at least three hundred Cattle Egrets all clamouring for nesting spaces, several were already sitting on nests, a hen Pheasant was seen and a Black Kite gratefully posed for photos whilst feeding on something in a field. Still lots of Nightingales singing, although only one shrike  - a Woodchat - was seen all day.  Collared Doves around the farm yard and just away from the farm a cock Pheasant called and was seen. In the distance we could make out four Griffon Vultures and closer to us we spotted a Booted Eagle, several more Black Kites and two Ravens. A couple of dozen Jackdaws and the same number of Wood Pigeon were about, as well as Crested Larks, two Little Egrets and Ringed Plovers.  A
Purple Heron was spotted by Jenny and a Reed Warbler was heard in the reed bed.  Small songbirds were at a premium today at La Janda possibly due to the windy conditions.

We called in at Bolonia to try to pick-up the "Swifts".  We did see three Swifts but could not id them before they disappeared, so but  we dipped out here - although we did get eight Honey Buzzards, three Griffon Vultures, a Booted Eagle and a Blue Rock Thrush.

Found a smashing hostal and enjoying a few beers....

John and Jenny Wainwright's Birding Adventure: Day 2

A wonderful start yesterday and, following a visit to the local laguna, today was to be tbe potential climax with a visit to the Donana National Park.  But, and here comes the bummer, John and Jenny did not realise that this week is Whitsun week-end and we all know what happens in El Rocio at this time of the year!!!  I suspect that a calamity, if not a crisis, is rapidly approaching on the ever rapidly-approaching horizon!  Judge for yourselves from John and Jenny's report:

Day Two:  23rd May 2012

A very hot day today; a lot of driving too.

We left Los Corrales this morning and headed for the lagoons at Martin de laJara.  Not a lot about.. so we decided to head for Donaña..OOH what a mistake; this week is the Romaria, not a room to spare even if you wished to pay three times the norm.  So a quick decision and we headed back to Sevilla for Tarifa via Utrera, Jerez la Frontera and Cadiz..

On way seeing Turtle Dove, Stonechat, Southern Grey Shrike, Corn Bunting, Hoopoe, Red-rumped & Barn Swallows, Common & Pallid Swifts, House Martins, Common Kestrel, countless Black Kites and White Storks, Collared Doves, House Sparrows, Black-winged Stilt, Cattle & Little Egrets.  One Red Kite, Azure-winged Magpies, Zitting Cisticola, Bee-eaters, Crested Larks, Jackdaws, Spoonbills, Flamingos, Collared Pratincoles and a few Mallard.

Zitting Cisticola  Buitron  Cisticola juncidis (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

We didn´t get to Tarifa.  We stopped in at Zahara de los Atunes, this and the next village down (Barbate) are a great place for birding with the salt marshes, the beach, the scrubby countryside also leading to Barbate is really interesting. The former being a good place to spot and photograph Otters.

Here we saw Spoonbill, two Whimbrels, Little Ringed, Ringed and Kentish Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Grey Plover, Little Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Sanderlings, forty or more Collared Pratincoles, Spotless Starlings and a Lesser Short-toed Lark.

The light was fading fast as we returned to our hotel, a lot of km´s but a very enjoyable day.  We will be returning to the bridge and the marshes here,  just prior to Barbate in the morning.  We spoke to a warden who gave me a telling off but showed me a couple of tracks I could go down without encroaching on
his jurisdiction.  He was very polite about it although when he drew up beside me on his old motorcycle I told him to shush...another foot in the mouth job !!!

Tomorrow's a La Janda day..