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There will be no more field trips until September. Details of planned trips for the first part of 2010/2011 are set out below.

Planned Field Trips for 2010/11

Non members welcome - 5 euros per visit

Tuesday 21st Sept - Isla de Tabarca

Thursday 14th Oct - Pego Marsh and local area

Wednesday 17th Nov - Sierra de Escalona, Embalse de Pedrera

Thursday 9th Dec - El Hondo and AGM

PERSONAL LIABILITY

It may well be superfluous to point out that the Costa Blanca Bird Club, as an entity, carries no insurance cover for its field trips. Therefore, any personal injury which may be incurred on any of our outings, due to an accident of any kind, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle, is the sole responsibility of the person(s) concerned.

Click here for 2008/09 Field Trip Reports.

Trip Reports for 2009/10

JUNE FIELD TRIP - El Campello area - By Malcolm Palmer

For the final outing of the spring, the Costa Blanca Bird Club tried a speculative little jaunt with a minimal chance of success. We met up at San Juan, then made for an area of eroded barrancos and semi-desert I know, which resembles Arizona, or the Middle Atlas. After bumping along suspension-threatening tracks for five kilometres, we parked our seven cars and set off to walk down into a deep barranco, fragrant with late spring flowers. Before we even got to the bottom, Barry spotted our quarry, in the form of a small, big-headed pale finch, flitting along the hillside opposite. It perched, and, wonder of wonders, posed in full view for some ten minutes, so that everyone had great views of the bright red bill of an adult male Trumpeter Finch, here at probably their northernmost outpost. Really an African species, the Trumpeter Finch, named after its odd call – sounds nothing whatever like a trumpet to me, more a mechanical buzz – has been breeding in Spain for perhaps thirty years, but has scarcely increased in numbers in recent times, being restricted to these lonely areas, where it feeds on seeds, and needs water nearby. (You would too if you ate nothing but seeds!)

After filling our eyes with this remarkable little chap, we managed to tot up a splendid Black eared Wheatear on the way back, as well as sundry Bee Eaters, a Little Owl and a Woodchat Shrike. We then made the dash along the motorway around Alicante to a site between the city and Santa Pola. Leaving the vehicles, we marched into a straggly pinewood, and sought our next prize. It took a little while, but eventually, after several false alarms occasioned by Spotted Flycatchers, we managed to get wonderful close views of the rare and threatened Rufous Bush Robin, now restricted to a very few breeding pairs, and sought-after by many visiting birders.

Happily, we repaired to Celestino and Maria’s restaurant for a good lunch, then rounded things off by a visit to Vistabella. On the waters of La Raja, we added a fine Night Heron to our list, as well as Great White Egret, before getting some excellent views of the gorgeous Collared Pratincoles. It had been a first-class day, and left our members hoping for more of the same when the autumn programme begins in September.

Ruffous Bush Robin photos by Dave Eddy

MAY FIELD TRIP - Sierra de Espuña - By Malcolm Palmer

For their May outing, the Costa Blanca Bird Club made the long journey (for most members) to the plain of the Guadalentin, near Totana, Murcia. It was a little later than usual for this visit, and many of the birds were quietly going about their business of incubation, etc., so it was going to be tough to find very much. We did, however, get good views of the big, impressive Calandra Larks, and glimpses of Short toed and Lesser Short toed Larks. When we approached the bank of the river, we surprised a lovely Roller which had been perched there. Jackdaws and Bee Eaters were abundant there, and three more Rollers appeared as we left. Raptors were represented by a hunting Short toed Eagle, a female Marsh Harrier and several Kestrels, while at least two Southern Grey Shrikes perched nearby.

We took, then, to the hills above Aledo, and found a nice little ‘reservoir’ of birds there. Two Spotted Flycatchers, a family group of Long tailed Tits, and good views of a Short toed Treecreeper entertained us until it was time to try once again the hospitality of the splendid Finca Caruana, where Juan, as ever, provided us with a typical feast of barbecued meats. Sated, we set off up the winding road to near the Espuña summit. Once there, parties of Red billed Chough were wheeling around the crags, and we counted some sixty. Alpine Swifts completed the mountain scene, but our final treat awaited us lower down. Near the ‘chiringuito’ Wild Boar habitually come out of the forest to be fed, and their numbers were greater this year, with some twenty beasts, including many little black and yellow striped piglets. (Hull City colours?) But a novelty took the shape of a vixen, which had clearly been clever enough to recognise a free lunch when she saw it, and readily scoffed the offered madalena, even taking some gently from the hand. All present seemed to have enjoyed the outing – the Sierra Espuña is always a popular venue.

APRIL FIELD TRIP - Petrola - By Barry Chambers

After a long drive to Almansa 20 members met for coffee before moving on to our bird watching location. Soon after leaving Almansa and heading towards Petrola we hit dense mist, seeing land marks along the road was problematical, let alone seeing any birds. Once at Bonete I took a wrong turning and we had to turn around but it gave us our first bird of the day a beautiful male Black Eared Wheatear, which was clearly visible through the mist. We soon found the correct road, but didn’t go onto any of the tracks due to the mist and the mud. We headed for Corral Rubio and then on to Petrola where we were having lunch. Along the route we made several stops, firstly struggling to identify a Cirl Bunting through the mist, but we also had our target birds at this stop, 10 Great Bustards, with a male displaying. Further on at a lagoon we had more Great Bustards and a surprise White Stork, these two species could be seen together. While watching those two species a Merlin flew past us at speed giving great views. Unfortunately someone was watching us, as the Guardia Civil came along and spoke to me about where we had stopped!!!! Fortunately only a few words.

We continued on seeing Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Lapwings, Calandra Larks and then two Black bellied Sandgrouse, were spotted, with some difficulty, but once seen they became very clear. We arrived at Petrola and had an obliging Mistle Thrush beside the road, we then had our lunch. After lunch we made our way to Lagoon de Petrola, the track was a bit muddy but we soon had Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Avocets, Greenshank, Blue headed and Yellow Wagtails, Further along the track on the lagoon we saw Whiskered Tern, Pochards, Red Crested Pochards, Gadwall and a few members saw a Great White Egret. The pools opposite the lagoon produced numbers of small waders including, Little Ringed Plovers, Kentish Plovers, Redshanks and a Wood Sandpiper. Some members started to drift homeward and we all eventually made our way back along the route towards Bonete. On the way Peter spotted a Stone Curlew, to complete a very enjoyable day despite the mist and cold, with the temperature not reaching double figures.

The full list of species seen is as follows:- Avocet, Blackbird, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Great Bustard, Common Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Coot, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Stock Dove, Great White Egret, Gadwall, Greater Flamingo, Goldfinch, Greenshank, Black headed Gull, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Lapwing, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, Magpie, Mallard, House Martin, Merlin, Red legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Pochard, Red crested Pochard, Redshank, Black bellied Sandgrouse, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Serin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Southern Grey Shrike, Skylark, House Sparrow, Spotless Starling, Black winged Stilt, Stone Curlew, White Stork, Swallow, Swift, Pallid Swift, Whiskered Tern, Mistle Thrush, Blue headed Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Black eared Wheatear, Woodpigeon. Total species = 57

Photos taken by Mary Brazier in March 2010.

MARCH FIELD TRIP - Pego Marshes - By Malcolm Palmer

Spring at last?

The Costa Blanca Bird Club visited Pego for their March outing, and some twenty-four people turned up on a pleasant morning – after the rain, wind and cold we have suffered during this nastiest of winters. We walked across the marsh, almost immediately seeing signs of spring, as a nice Purple Heron winged it’s unhurried way eastwards, deep curve to it’s snaky neck betraying it’s identity. An Osprey perched at some distance and Marsh Harriers were occasional callers, but we were pleased to see the large number of hirundines overhead – Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins joined by some remaining wintering Crag Martins. In turn, these were soon interspersed with early Swifts, then the much larger Alpine Swifts – it really did begin to look like spring!

Little Ringed Plover called as our walk continued, but everyone’s eyes were on the gorgeous Bluethroats which hopped around on the muddy rice-paddies – Pego is always a reliable place for these fine little birds. With them was a nice variety of companions – Reed Buntings predominating – but also White Wagtails and newly-arrived Yellow Wagtails, Water Pipits, Chiffchaffs and even the odd Willow Warbler, long-winged and pale-legged beside their relatives. A Savi’s Warbler reeled his monotonous song from a reedbed, and we spent time trying to relocate a mysterious pipit – to no avail.

Over the other side of the road, two Kingfishers flew past, and a noisy Purple Swamphen grunted from reedbeds. Another Purple Heron jumped from a ditch, and a lone Buzzard flew nearby, but, aside from huge numbers of Little Egrets, there was little of interest, and it was time to make our way to lunch, for which we repaired to the quaint village of Forna, where the Restaurante Nautilus did us proud – we had found a new eatery to add to our regular programme! Some members enjoyed listening to a Nightingale nearby.

Afterwards, we wound our way up the lovely Vall de Gallinera, adding a pair of Siskin to our species list, but the hoped-for Golden Eagles failed to put in an appearance – they had obviously not been informed of our visit. The trip was generally voted a success, however, and it is to be hoped we get a good turnout for our next outing – to the lonely plains of Pétrola on 14th April.

The full species list for the day is as follows:- Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Red legged Partridge, Purple Swamphen, Moorhen, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Audouin's Gull, Yellow legged Gull, Black headed Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Sand Martin, Crag Martin, Swallow, Red rumped Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti's Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Robin, Nightingale, Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Long tailed Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting. Total = 64 Species

Photo credits - Bluethroat by Julian Sykes. Alpine Swift and Red rumped Swallow by Bryan Thomas ©2010.

FEBRUARY FIELD TRIP - San Felipe/Crevillente - By Malcolm Palmer

The Costa Blanca Bird Club’s February outing was meant to culminate in an Eagle Owl vigil at a site near Elche. But two days of incessant rain put paid to that aim, and we contented ourselves with a fairly brief excursion to the Reserve Centre at San Felipe Neri, and a sortie into the Sierra de Crevillente, much of which was cloaked in damp cloud.

We started in a brief dry spell at the Centre, and were soon watching Marsh Harriers quartering the reeds, which were full of Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warblers, with the odd Bluethroat and Robin thrown in. A Buzzard and an Osprey were perched nearby, and some members had views of a Hen Harrier, whilst others saw a Booted Eagle. The cold wet weather had brought many Crag Martins down to feed low, and literally hundreds fed just overhead, joined by a few early House Martins and several Swallows, which must have thought about turning around and heading back to Africa. Some members had a couple of Water Pipits before we set off through Crevillente’s complications and into the sierra. There Jane and Colin’s services were again called into action, at their excellent finca in the mountains. The Bonelli’s Eagle nesting on a nearby cliff was sensibly tucked up in the nest, and the best view we had was of its head just above the rim! But we managed to see a Black Wheatear and Thekla Lark through the gloom, and members found a couple of Little Owl on the way up. After a convivial lunch, we made the decision not to pursue the Eagle Owl on this occasion, and, on the way back, it was plain to see that the decision had been correct, as the entire area was shrouded in thick, drenching mist.

A Full list of species seen is as follows:- Marsh Harrier, House Sparrow, Hen Harrier, Little Egret, Hoopoe, Lapwing, Crag Martin, Spotless Starling, Barn Swallow, White Wagtail, House Martin, Cattle Egret, Jackdaw, Water Rail (heard only) Osprey, Purple Swamphen (heard only) Booted Eagle, Cetti's Warbler, Coot, Zitting Cisticola, Mallard, Sardinian Warbler, Robin, Kestrel, Blackbird, Water Pipit, Shelduck, Meadow Pipit, Bluethroat, Buzzard, Stonechat, Bonelli's Eagle, Chiffchaff, Black Wheatear, White Wagtail, Little Owl, Red crested Pochard, Thekla Lark, Little Grebe, Southern Grey Shrike, Sand Martin, Grey Heron.

JANUARY FIELD TRIP - Mar Menor - By Malcolm Palmer

The latest outing of the Costa Blanca Bird Club was held in mid-January, thankfully blessed by a warmer day than of late. We met up at the San Pedro del Pinatar Salinas, and were able to stand there watching a nice group of Pintail, as well as two Spoonbills and several Slender-billed Gulls.

It was agreed that we should go and look for the elusive and reportedly timid Belted Kingfisher – a mega-rare American visitor (a first for Spain and Southern Europe) that had been around since November, having recently moved from the side of the Mar Menor, inland, to feed from the many irrigation reservoirs, which are often stocked with fish. We had difficulty keeping all our cars in convoy on the rather complicated route to the bird’s last reported location, not far from Torre Pacheco, but finally gathered on an unpromising road, up and down which steamed a string of heavy lorries. The canal alongside was home to Common and Green Sandpiper, and a nice group of Stone Curlew flew unexpectedly over, but there was no sign of THE bird. We waited around, and tried a run down the track for some way, but to no avail.

Then, when we were about to leave, I said, ‘Why not try down that way?’ – indicating a new road. Within seconds, we saw a big-headed, long billed bird perched on a wire over a small reservoir – and there it was! All 24 members present got excellent views of this lost wanderer, which ought to have been in Central America. It seems to be a first year bird, in top condition, obviously enjoying the Murcian climate.

We made our way to the Algar sewage lagoons, where we saw a couple of Marsh Harriers, then on to Los Nietos, where the superb Pescaderia de Emely provided us with a memorable lunch – we even saw a Great White Egret through the window! Afterwards, there was time to look at Black-necked Grebes on the Mar Menor, as well as watching Booted Eagle and Buzzard fly past. All were agreed that it had been a splendid day.

The full list of species seen is as follows:- Slender billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Shelduck, Crag Martin, Avocet, Chiffchaff, Black winged Stilt, Greenfinch, Pintail, Goldfinch, Little Egret, Kestrel, Grey Heron, Serin, Black necked Grebe, Lapwing, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Crested Lark, Cormorant, Greater Flamingo, Spotted Redshank, Yellow legged Gull, Blackbird, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Black Redstart, Great White Egret, Collared Dove, Sandwich Tern, Stonechat, Hoopoe, Common Sandpiper, Great Crested Grebe, Green Sandpiper, Common Buzzard, Stone Curlew, Booted Eagle, Cattle Egret, Blackcap, Teal, Southern Grey Shrike, Black headed Gull, European Starling, White Wagtail. Total = 45 Species.

Belted Kingfisher Photos by Dave Eddy and Michelle Edwards respectively

DECEMBER FIELD TRIP - El Hondo - By Malcolm Palmer

The Costa Blanca Bird Club held their AGM recently, incorporating an outing to the El Hondo Natural Park, the staff of which were most helpful in allowing us access for the morning. As we waited at the gate, a Sparrowhawk flapped and glided typically over – a promise of the raptor sightings we were shortly to enjoy. Almost thirty people entered the park, and when we walked the path out to the forward hide, Barry’s sharp eyes spotted a pair of Penduline Tits – seen by a good number of people. From around the hide, huge numbers of Avocet and Coot could be seen, and the odd Osprey perched on posts in the peaceful lagoon. Booted Eagles and Marsh Harriers circled around, and even a lone Peregrine Falcon was seen, atop a fence post.

Black-necked Grebe and Shelduck swam around, together with Pochard and Shoveler, and the reeds held Reed Bunting, Cetti’s Warbler, and the largely invisible Bluethroats. Barry’s call from behind alerted us, but too late! He had had a view of ‘Tönn,’ the radio-tagged Spotted Eagle, from Estonia, that has taken up residence – like last winter – in the area, doubtless enjoying the huge food-source on offer in the vast park. We later learned that he had been watched for a couple of hours before we arrived. No sooner had we got back to our cars than another great bird was found. The wintering Black shouldered Kite flew past, fairly close, its wings held in typical upward cant, then hovered obligingly, so that most people got a view.

From the observation tower, several people saw a big party of Cranes fly along the southern margins of the park, and more Ospreys, Marsh Harriers and Booted Eagles were watched. A Little Bittern and a Purple Swamphen called from a dense reedbed. Later, as we made our way back to the gate, a male Hen Harrier added to our growing raptor-list, and we had a brief look at the Vistabella area before making for Playa Llisa, where Rober’s, as ever, provided us with an excellent lunch.

At our AGM, all our officers were unanimously re-elected, and there was some discussion as to forthcoming field trips. A full list of species seen is set out below.

Little Grebe, Common Crane, Crag Martin, Black necked Grebe, Water Rail, White Wagtail, Cormorant, Purple Swamphen, Meadow Pipit, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Blackbird, Little Egret, Coot, Cetti's Warbler, Cattle Egret, Black winged Stilt, Chiffchaff, Little Bittern, Avocet, Sardinian Warbler, Greater Flamingo, Lapwing, Robin, Teal, Common Snipe, Bluethroat, Mallard, Black tailed Godwit, Black Redstart, Shoveler, Green Sandpiper, Stonechat, Pochard, Little Stint, Penduline Tit, Osprey, Dunlin, Southern Grey Shrike, Black shouldered Kite, Yellow legged Gull, Common Starling, Marsh Harrier, Black headed Gull, Spotless Starling, Hen Harrier, Slender billed Gull, House Sparrow, Sparrowhawk, Mediterranean Gull, Greenfinch, Greater Spotted Eagle, Collared Dove, Goldfinch, Booted Eagle, Kingfisher, Linnet, Kestrel, Hoopoe, Reed Bunting, Peregrine Falcon, Crested Lark, Corn Bunting (63 species).

NOVEMBER FIELD TRIP - Escalona/Pedrera - By Malcolm Palmer

For our November outing, the Costa Blanca Bird Club, led by Barry Chambers, visited the Sierra de Escalona. After a short look at the Embalse de Pedrera, where a couple of Great Crested Grebes were the sole sign of life, we made our way through Torremendo to the road which skirts the wooded ridge which is the main dispersal area for two species of resident eagles, after the breeding season.

Our nine carloads (25 people) managed to find a suitable place to park just off the road. We then walked up the path in glorious, Indian Summer weather, with Robins and Blackcaps singing all around us, along with the odd Chaffinch, and a couple of Crossbill, flying over. A big gathering of Long tailed Tits fed busily in some large pines, and a couple of Coal Tits and a Firecrest joined them, then our first raptor gave a brief flypast, in the form of a distant Sparrowhawk.

Some of our members flushed an owl, which may have been a Long eared Owl, then an adult Golden Eagle drifted along the top of the ridge before disappearing. This short view was soon more than compensated when a lovely first year Golden Eagle circled lazily almost directly overhead, giving great views of its prominent white wing ‘roundels.’ Soon afterwards, a second year bird sailed over, giving members a chance to compare the two eagles, and see their relative development.

A dead Ladder Snake provided a diversion when we stopped by the almond groves on our way to have lunch at the excellent Restaurante San Andreu. After lunch we followed the rough road by the side of the Embalse, and stopped where we could approach the water’s edge. Flocks of Linnets and a few Meadow Pipits flew around, and we watched more Great Crested Grebes, until a surprise in the form of a Great White Egret put in an appearance, having something of a contretemps with a Grey Heron– they are a similar size. It was the first of its species any of our party had seen at the Embalse de Pedrera.

The quality of birds seen outweighed the quantity this trip, but, as usual, a good time was had by all. The full list of species seen is as follows:- Great Crested Grebe, Chiff Chaff, Southern Grey Shrike, Black headed Gull, Kestrel, Robin, Black Redstart, Firecrest, Blackcap, Crossbill, Coal Tit, Sparrowhawk, Chaffinch, White Wagtail, Golden Eagle, Stonechat, Linnet, Red legged Partridge, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Yellow legged Gull, Meadow Pipit, Hoopoe, Iberian Green Woodpecker and Magpie.

OCTOBER FIELD TRIP - La Mata/El Pinet - By Malcolm Palmer

If you’ve been on Holiday on Mars, you won’t know about the mosquito ‘plague’ which has terrorised Torrevieja and nearby areas in recent weeks, since, in fact, the heavy rains of late September provided the horrid brutes with plenty of still pools in which to reproduce. The species most normally involved is the ultra-common Culex pipiens, a small species which bites above its weight! The bigger, rather attractive, Tiger Mosquito now has a foothold in Spain, mainly in the northeast – its bite isn’t noticeably more unpleasant than that of the smaller beast.

On the latest outing of the Costa Blanca Bird Club, several members dressed for a summer trip to the beach, and suffered the attentions of C. pipiens, especially when they waited for the rest of the party to arrive at El Pinet, where the water conditions were ideal for the pestilential creatures, which also benefit from the fact that most of the Swallows and all the Swifts have gone! Those of us who covered up were suitably smug.

After watching a couple of Gannets and some Sandwich Terns offshore, we moved on to La Mata, where a very obliging Osprey perched, and a few waders included some nice Grey Plover. Red Squirrel and Long tailed Tit were in the woods. Taking to the road, we made for the Vistabella fields, but birds were few and far between until we reached the recently flooded marsh off the Camino del Hondo, where members were delighted to get good views of a Bluethroat, as well as glimpses of the retiring Cetti’s Warbler. A lovely Booted Eagle, and a couple of Marsh Harriers enlivened the proceedings.

Lunch at Rober’s, in Playa Llisa, was the usual well-appreciated break – he did us proud – then we all made for the Clot de Galvany, and a few more of our insect-friends. Barry’s sharp eyes found a nice Green Woodpecker, and we all enjoyed the duck on the Charco de Contacto as well as five Snipe. Somebody found a Water Rail too. The highlight there, though, was a couple of Red rumped Swallows, which afforded excellent views.

It hadn’t been the best of days for birds, but a good time was had by all and the full list of species seen is as follows:- Little Grebe, Grey Plover, House Martin, Northern Gannet, Ringed Plover, White Wagtail, Cormorant, Kentish Plover, Blackbird, Grey Heron, Common Snipe, Zitting Cisticola, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Cetti's Warbler, Cattle Egret, Sanderling, Sardinian Warbler, Greater Flamingo, Little Stint, Robin, Teal, Dunlin, Bluethroat, Shoveler, Lesser Black backed Gull, Black Redstart, Mallard, Yellow legged Gull, Stonechat, Pochard, Black headed Gull, Long tailed Tit, Osprey, Slender billed Gull, Southern Grey Shrike, Marsh Harrier, Sandwich Tern, Jackdaw, Booted Eagle, Wood-Pigeon, Spotless Starling, Kestrel, Collared-Dove, House Sparrow, Red legged Partridge, Hoopoe, Greenfinch, Water Rail, Green Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Moorhen, Crested Lark, Linnet, Coot, Crag Martin, Serin, Black winged Stilt, Barn Swallow, Avocet, Red rumped Swallow.

SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIP - Pego Marshes and Albufera - By Malcolm Palmer

Rather earlier than is usual, the Costa Blanca Bird Club had their first outing of the autumn season, which took the form of a trip to Valencia’s Albufera. Firstly, however, we made an early start on Pego Marsh, where the day’s leader Julian Sykes led us around to watch ringing in process. The ringers have a daily presence during autumn migration, and were busily engaged when we arrived. A passing female Montagu’s Harrier diverted our attention for a while, before we all had a chance to see some birds in the hand – those present admiring, in particular, a couple of fine Bluethroats, rather more drab Cetti’s and Reed Warblers, and a nice young Kingfisher.

We then made our way along the motorway and northwards towards the Valencian capital, stopping to look at an irrigated field which had attracted a big flock of Yellow Wagtails. An Osprey flew lazily overhead. Jules then took us to a site he knew – La Ratla – where we had to park and walk to a ‘blind’ (a screen with holes for viewing) overlooking a couple of excellent shallow ponds – how we could do with more simple sites like this in the region! For it was full of waders, with almost every common species represented, as well as the rarer Collared Pratincole. There were some lovely Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper, etc, etc., whilst Squacco Herons were numerous nearby, and a migrant Whinchat was perched.

Reluctantly, we moved on, and arrived at the reserve of the Racó d’Olla just in time to see them close (rather inflexibly) for the day. Spain, and particularly the Valencian authorities, will need to take a long, hard look at the opening (or more importantly, closing!) times of their reserves as interest in the Natural World increases. We were close to El Palmar, where half Valencia eats on Sundays, so finding a restaurant was no problem – though finding a reasonable one was more difficult! We did just that, however, and all sat down to a good repast. Some of us then took a look at Cullera’s nice coastline on our way south. The trip had been interesting – a little further north than our usual limit.