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Field Trips - 2008/09
Wed 24th Sept - La Mata, El Pinet, Lunch and the Clot.
Tues 14th Oct - Cabo la Nao, lunch and Pego Marshes.
Wed 12th Nov - San Pedro, Mar Menor, lunch and Calblanc
Wed 10th Dec - El Hondo area, lunch and the AGM.
Wed 14th Jan - Plains of Petrola, surrounding area and lunch.
Thurs 12th Feb - Santa Pola area and Crevillente for lunch.
Wed 11th March - Alcoy, Cocentaina for lunch and Font Roja.
Wed 15th April - The Steppe area of Guadalentil, lunch and the Sierra de Espuña.
Thurs 14th May - The Island of Tabarca.
Tues 16th June - Pego marshes area.
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.
Trip Reports for 2008/09
JUNE FIELD TRIP - Pego Marshes and Valle de Gallinera - By Howie Elliott
It was a warm but overcast day as nine members set off from Gran Alacant and headed north towards Pego Marshes. We detoured off the motorway at El Campello to avoid one toll then rejoined the motorway above Benidorm. As we journeyed north the clouds darkened and it got cooler – we thought we were in for rain but, surprisingly, it did not appear and the cooler weather made birding much more comfortable. When we arrived at the marshes we met up with other members from that area, which made 13 people for the day. We started off with a brief look at the marsh, spotting several species and then headed off up the Valle.
We stopped at the corner, where we have seen Golden Eagle in the past, but no luck today, but we did see Chough and a fleeting glimpse, for some, of a Golden Oriole. We continued up the valley and stopped off for a welcome coffee break – some of us also took advantage of the cherry co-op next door and purchased boxes of fresh cherries. Before leaving, a raptor was spotted high above the mountain and general consensus was that it was a Short toed Eagle. The cafe owner was intrigued as to what we were doing and we were able to show him the bird and talk to him about the bird club.
We then continued up the Valle until we arrived at the bridge, just before the road leading to the Barranca. Here we had a fantastic time and saw several species including yet another elusive Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Rock Sparrow, Kingfisher, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler and others. Sightings were so good that we were reluctant to move on. However, we headed off to the restaurant for lunch, which proved to be a noisy affair due to the roar of traffic which made conversation very difficult.
Afterwards we returned to the marsh and set off along the track spotting several Purple Herons, Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets etc. Remembering how I got attacked by mossies last year, I plus two others, only ventured half way while the rest decided to do a complete circuit of the marsh. We had views of some large fish (aren't they always) finning and feeding in the canal. The rest of the group saw Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler and a rare Sand Martin. We eventually left the area around 7.00pm and headed home having had a great day out birding and seeing a respectable 52 species as listed below, plus several species of Dragonflies, identified by Fran . A great way to end this year’s trips.
Bird list for the day -Zitting Cisticola, Audouin's Gull, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Squacco Heron, Mallard, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, Black headed Gull, Yellow legged Gull, Whiskered Tern, Spotless Starling, Grey Heron, Chough, Goldfinch, Golden Oriole, Turtle Dove, White Wagtail, House Sparrow, House Martin, Woodchat Shrike, Serin, Short toed Eagle, Spotted Flycatcher, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Corn Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Sardinian Warbler, Little Owl, Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Great Tit, Bee eater, Crag Martin, Grey Wagtail, Wood Pigeon, Black winged Stilt, Nightingale, Magpie, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Hoopoe, Sand Martin, Little Bittern, Southern Grey Shrike, Sparrowhawk, Greenfinch, Marsh Harrier, Jackdaw.
Dragonflies & Butterflies - Southern Skimmer, Red veined Darter, Common Bluetail, Broad Scarlet (F), Painted Lady.
Thanks must go to Barry for leading this trip as our usual leaders were all unavailable. We now rest for July and August and next season’s trips begin again in September.
MAY FIELD TRIP - A Visit to the Island of Tabarca - By Malcolm Palmer
The Costa Blanca Bird Club had scheduled a May visit to Tabarca, so it had to happen, despite a catalogue of absences – people ill, away in places as varied as Latvia and Jaen, and any amount of other reasons! The eight of us who made the trip had much to be thankful for, even though birds were not exactly thick on the ground. So few people were on the quayside at Santa Pola for the ten o’clock sailing, in fact, that they sent us over (in fifteen minutes) in a small launch.
No sooner had we arrived on the island than a Sparrowhawk flew overhead – my first ever on Tabarca. We took our time watching the many Swifts and Spotless Starlings nesting in the Torre San José, then went in search of skulking small birds. There were few, but we soon had two Turtle Doves, bringing the inevitable burst of Yuletide song from Pete, I’m afraid. There being no sign either of Partridge or Pear Tree, we contented ourselves with chasing a Woodchat Shrike, and watching several Spotted Flycatchers, plus a dingy-looking female Pied Flycatcher. A few Willow Warblers and a burst of song from a Sardinian Warbler were all, until we found a pair of nice Whinchat at the eastern tip. Shag. passed occasionally in the still conditions, and the ground cover was alive with Painted Lady butterflies – taking some way back to the autumn at Spurn Point.
We went back to the lighthouse, and a largish warbler flew into a bush, then sang lustily, taking me back, this time not to Spurn, but to Northern France and Yugoslavia – it was the incessant, melodic song of an Icterine Warbler. A young Galician girl, ringing under the auspices of the SEO, told me they had caught one earlier. A local rarity, it was only my second in the Province. The same young lady showed our group a Willow Warbler. she had just caught, and we returned the favour by showing her a Black-eared Wheatear. A gorgeous Pied Flycatcher sped us to lunch, and we all sat down gratefully to a filling paella. 26 species wasn’t a bad total, and all agreed that it had been a good day.
Woodchat Shrike by Bryan Thomas©
APRIL FIELD TRIP - Alcanara and the Sierra de Espuña - By Malcolm Palmer
The Costa Blanca Bird Club’s April outing started in bright sunshine, as we took the long motorway trip past Murcia, to the quiet plain of the Alcanara, alive with the song of many larks, and, sure enough, we had soon put Crested, Short toed, Lesser Short toed and Calandra Larks on the list. A passing Skylark added further to the total, and we soon flushed the first of two Stone Curlews.
From the bank of the reservoir our high vantage point enabled some sharp eyes to spot half-hidden pale brown birds in a cereal field. We soon had them identified as a pair of Little Bustard, but a decent view was proving difficult, and it wasn’t until two of our number were despatched to flush them that we were able to see them better. Back in cars, most of our number (31 in all) managed to get a view of three Black bellied Sandgrouse as they flew off, and a Woodchat Shrike perched obligingly on a sign. Making our way up into the Sierra de Espuña, the clouds rolled in from the west, but that didn’t prevent some of the party from seeing one of the unique Red Squirrels which inhabit the region. We sat down to an excellent lunch at the ever-popular Finca Caruana, then set off up the terrible hairpin bends to the pass, where the temperature was polar, but good views of a young male Crossbill were obtained, and a lone Bonelli’s Eagle flew over high.
When sleet fell, we set off gratefully for the valley. A nice adult Rock Bunting was soon added to our list, whilst two Jays fed on picnic remains – the same attraction which brings Wild Boar down from their forest haunts to feed. Only one young boar was seen, enabling several people to get photographs.
Wild Boar photo by John Palmer.
MARCH FIELD TRIP - Alcoy area and Font Roja - By Malcolm Palmer
The March field trip involved making our annual pilgrimage to the site of Proyecto Canyet. This is the reintroduction scheme for Griffon Vultures, now becoming well-established in the Sierra de Mariola, very close to the bustling town of Alcoy.The major logistical feat of getting seven carloads of people through Alcoy, and up to the site accomplished, we set off in gorgeous spring weather to climb the steep path to the vantage point. Many of the great birds, some wearing yellow wing-tags, were perched above the feeding area, whilst others circled around, some flying close enough overhead for the rush of air over their huge wings to be clearly heard.
A surprise awaited us in the form of an over-flying migrant Short toed Eagle, dwarfed by the vultures as it passed over. Crossbill and Coal Tit were close by as we ascended, and Magpies, never birds to miss out on a free lunch, hung around the offal put out for the Griffons. Next we went down the valley and walked up through the gorge where the vultures breed on great cliffs. Blackcaps sang everywhere, and Blue Rock Thrush and Black Wheatear gave good views. We braved the traffic to head for the ever welcoming Hostalet at Cocentaina, where we enjoyed an excellent lunch. My forthcoming birthday was the cause of a surprise celebration, leaving me as close to speechless as I ever get! The celebration was muted somewhat by the absence of my colleague and good friend Brian Conduit, ill in Elche hospital, who should have been sharing in the celebration, being five days my senior. We all wish him a speedy recovery.
We rounded the day off with a visit to the Font Roja, where a Bonelli’s Eagle flew over, and we managed to get good views of Crested, Coal and Blue Tits, this last a local rarity – interesting to see a bunch of British birders peering eagerly through binoculars at a Blue Tit!
FEBRUARY FIELD TRIP - El Hondo and Crevillente area - By Brian Conduit
When we met in Mercadona’s car park at Gran Alacant, there were more member’s cars than customers for the Supermarket. A reflection, perhaps, on the uneasy times in which we live. Twenty seven of us, in eight vehicles, sporting yellow ribbons and four walkie talkies, were soon speeding across the Santa Pola Salinas, glimpsing Yellow legged Gull, Flamingo, Little Egret, Cormorant, Slender billed Gull, Crag Martin, Shelduck, Avocet and Grey Heron.
We were making our way to El Hondo, so a slow journey across the Vista Bella fields seemed in order. Indeed, we were soon seeing birds a plenty, including, Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, four Magpies (quite unusual in this part of the world) along with House Sparrow, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Little Owl, Collared Dove and both Starlings, (Spotless and Eurasian). A nearby farmyard gave us Cattle Egrets feeding on the backs of a flock of sheep who were themselves feeding on oranges and lemons.
A dusty track saw Little Owl, Hoopoe, Stonechat, Fan tailed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Southern Grey Shrike and Crested Lark added to our growing list. A brief stop gave Barry a chance to find an early Swallow for us, and a Dartford Warbler. Five or six Raptors circled far in the distance on their thermals, possibly a mixture of Buzzards and Booted Eagles.
Skylark, Sardinian Warbler, Blackbird and Serin saw us arrive at the back gate of El Hondo. A half hour stop here gave us a superb view of a pale phase Booted Eagle sitting in a eucalyptus tree in full sunlight, and the queue for the scopes got quite long. Coot, Pochard and a very nice Kingfisher were also added before we reached the San Felipe Reserve.
We spent a very pleasant hour and a half on a new walk, with at least two Moustached Warblers heard singing, and one or two people seeing this elusive little bird. Little Grebe, Blackcap, and Red crested Pochard were added as we walked, along with Black necked Grebe, Shoveler and Green Sandpiper. On the way back to the car park we were treated to the sight of twenty six Common Cranes wheeling overhead, before landing in a nearby field. Reed Bunting and Goldfinch saw us on our way to Lunch at Finca Bonelli’s Eagle, the home of Colin and Jane, our hosts for the afternoon, and of course the home of the eagles as well.
Neither Colin and Jane, nor the Bonelli's Eagles let us down. On a sunny terrace with a three course meal and all the wine you could drink, all we needed was the birds to perform, and suddenly the male appeared and the female stood up from her job of incubating her two eggs to watch him perched on a nearby ledge. One club member was heard remarking “where else could you, in between courses, jump up and watch Bonelli’s Eagles on their nest”.
A magical afternoon, topped off with two Common Choughs on our way back from a very enjoyable day out. Many thanks to Rosemary and Howie for the bird lists and to Colin and Jane for a truly superb lunch.
JANUARY FIELD TRIP - Petrola area - By Brian Conduit
There were some fingers crossed when Malcolm and I decided on Jan for the trip up to Petrola, not because of the birds so much, as the temperatures in Jan, being over 900 metres up in Castile La Mancha. Indeed, as 23 hardy souls gathered together on the open plains, it was seriously cold, with a strong northerly wind blowing, making it difficult to identify each other with so many layers on. Magpie, Crow and Linnet got our list moving, and a half hours drive around the fields yielded Lesser Short toed Lark, a male Hen Harrier, and a whispered rumour of Black bellied Sand Grouse, but no one owned up to it.
A drive to the other side of the motorway on a quiet country road soon saw us counting our first Great Bustards, nine in total, feeding in a distant field. By the end of the day 53 of these magnificent birds were seen. As we drove slowly along this road, Skylark, Southern Grey Shrike, Red legged Partridge, kestrel, House Sparrow and White Wagtail were added to the list.
We then followed a track across the plains to a large lagoon, and a 15 minute stop gave us a number of species. On the lagoon, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Mallard, Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, and Pochard were added with Lapwing in the fields behind, and Black winged Stilt. A Buzzard flew overhead and both Starlings were seen. A little further along the track we saw Little Owl and 35 + Calandra Larks. Marsh Harrier and Stonechat also went on the list.
Stomachs were beginning to rumble, so off we went to Petrola and a very enjoyable lunch, which included sausages and bacon cooked over an open fire, and lots of good warming fare.
A slightly different way back got us Black bellied and Pin tailed Sand Grouse, with the former in a large flock of 30 or more. A Corn Bunting. watched us from a nearby fence as we made our way back to the Motorway. A Green Sandpiper flew across the lagoon, and a last stop at some farm buildings got us a Black Redstart and a wonderful view of a juvenile Golden Eagle hunting on the Plains. An hour or so later we were back on the Costa Blanca after a very nice day. My thanks to Howie for being the bird recorder for the day.
DECEMBER FIELD TRIP - Santa Pola, El Pinet and El Hondo area - By Brian Conduit
Even though we were only 15 days away from the yuletide festivities, and the weather didn’t look too promising,18 members still turned up for the last meeting of the year. Our first port of call was the beach at the southern end of Santa Pola, on a quest for the elusive Richard's Pipit, a winter visitor to the low scrub and bushes that lie just behind the beach. 18 pairs of eyes failed to flush out the pipit, but a number of other species got our list off to a good start, including Cormorant, Yellow legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Greenfinch , Stock Dove, Sanderling, Meadow Pipit and Skylark.
A short drive took us on to the Santa Pola Salinas, where 24 Spoonbill were quickly identified, along with grey Heron, Little Egret, Shelduck and Black winged Stilt. Another short drive to El Pinet brought forth a nice Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Little Stint, and a very obliging Osprey. On our way inland toward our lunch stop we saw the first of six Booted Eagles in total, a Southern Grey Shrike, Stonechat, Sardinian and Dartford Warbler, chiffchaff and Spotless Starling. Water Pipit, Snipe, Squacco Heron and Buzzard were also added.
At the back gate of El Hondo Reserve, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Kingfisher, Crag Martin, an unusual House Martin, and Little Grebe saw us on our way to lunch in the small town of La Hoya. After feasting for an hour or so we then held our annual AGM, which went very well, but left little time for birding on our way back. A short stop on the Salinas saw Marsh Harrier, Glossy Ibis, Mute Swan, Teal, Avocet, Peregrine Falcon and Flamingo, which ended a superb day, with 41 species seen in total, and left all members looking forward to January’s Meeting.
NOVEMBER FIELD TRIP - San Pedro Del Pinatar and the Mar Menor - By Malcolm Palmer
The most recent outing of the Costa Blanca Bird Club took the shape of an excursion to the Mar Menor. Most of us met at Gran Alacant, from where we trailed off in convoy, technology having been improved sufficiently for the lead- and tail-cars to be in radio contact(!) thanks to Brian’s purchase of a pair of walkie-talkies.
We arrived at the Salinas of San Pedro del Pinatar on a still, warm, sunny morning more appropriate to early September than mid-November. A nice pair of Spoonbills fed very close by, and excellent views were also had of Slender billed Gulls and a Grey Plover. The walk to the beach, however, was attended by a good number of mosquitoes, taking advantage of the still air, so we perhaps spent less time seeking out the glimpsed Bluethroat than we might have. Water Pipit, Redshank, Black Redstart and Stonechatwere also present.
We moved on southwards past Los Alcázares, to investigate the uncultivated plain north of Las Urrutias. Beside the glassy Mar Menor, another elusive Bluethroat was to be seen – if eyes were sharp enough – and some pretty Serins were in the reeds. When we set off across the plain we immediately flushed a Stone Curlew, and a Marsh Harrier quartered distant reedbeds. Two Booted Eagles – possibly three – and a Buzzard completed the picture, but everyone had views of Southern Grey Shrike and Dartford Warbler.
Next stop was the treatment plant at El Algar, where we took time investigating Green, Wood and Common Sandpipers, and had fine views of a Black necked Grebe. A ‘mystery’ wader disappeared before we could identify it with certainty – ‘the one that got away!’ From the coast near Las Urrutias a Great White Egret was a nice find, and squadrons of Cormorants flew south. Our lunch venue was the Pescadería de Emely, at Los Nietos, where the eponymous Emely did us proud with a great paella – and most people voted the day a success.
OCTOBER FIELD TRIP - Pego Marshes and Cabo de San Antonio - By Brian Conduit
Our Oct day out was to Pego Marshes and the Cabo of San Antonio. After a lot of bad weather the week before, we were all surprised to arrive at Pego in warm sunshine. The threat of rain perhaps kept the numbers down to a very manageable 15. We all met at the usual place on the marshes, with Julian Sykes our leader for the morning.
Before we left the marshes for San Antonio we put Kingfisher, Black headed Gull, Little and Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Coot and Moorhen on our list. During the ride to the Cabo a stop was made to see a small colony of Monk Parakeets on the promenade in Denia, along with House Sparrow, Spotless Starling, Collared Dove and a Great Grey Shrike. A bijou stroll at the Cabo at first appeared to be quite birdless, with just a few Gulls out on the sea, a Robin and one or two Crag Martins. However, on the way back to the car park a Sparrowhawk put in a fleeting appearance, along with a Sardinian Warbler. Then a great fly past by a Peregrine Falcon cheered everybody up, along with Black Redstart, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Swallow and a few Shags feeding in the Harbour below. A Blue Rock Thrush, Northern Wheatear and a Thekla Lark completed our morning and we all headed back to the N332 for a most acceptable lunch, before spending the afternoon on a walk around the Marshes.
Mosquitoes were out in force, and some members suffered as we walked through the reed beds. Our raptor count grew with Marsh Harrier, a couple of Booted Eagles and a magnificent Honey Buzzard that circled overhead. A huge flock of Goldfinches kept ahead of us as we walked along, then we stopped to admire Ruff, Great White Egret, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen and Common Sandpiper. A Squacco Heron flew quite close and a Kestrel hovered overhead. A Hoopoe, a Dunlin and a very nice Tree Sparrow concluded our second trip of the season. All that was left was the long journey back down the motorway.
SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIP - Santa Pola Salinas, El Pinet, La Mata and El Clot - By Brian Conduit
Our first meeting of the 2008-09 season might well have been a washout, as the forecast was not good, but the gods were on our side as we all met on the Salinas at Santa Pola under grey skies. Twenty three members were on parade and after 15 mins or so looking at Flamingos, Great Crested Grebes, Yellow legged and Black headed Gulls we moved on to El Pinet, and a very nice and expensive board walk, which leads to a very nice hide. Good views of Slender billed Gulls, Avocets, Black tailed Godwits, Southern Grey Shrike, three or four Collared Pratincoles and a lone Audouin's Gull accompanied by Kentish Plover made this a quite enjoyable stop. On the way back to the car park, Stilts, Sandwich Terns, Redshanks and Black tailed Godwits were seen, along with Swallow, Little Egret and Kentish Plover.
A twenty min drive saw us at La Mata Lagoon with a Crested Lark the first bird seen. A short walk to the Observation Tower gave us our first view of a summer plumage Grey Plover, Ringed Plover and Chiffchaff in the trees. Black necked Grebes were on the water and Common Swifts flew overhead. A small flock of Goldfinches greeted us as we walked to the nearby hide, where we had a much better view of the beautiful Grey Plover, along with Little Stint, Dunlin, Shelduck, Heron and Slender billed Gull. But the bird of the day was undoubtedly the Pectoral Sandpiper seen amongst the Dunlin, Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, and Hoopoe completed this part of the day.
A quick visit across the Vista Bella fields revealed very little. A Marsh Harrier and two or three large Raptors (unidentified) saw us on our way to Santa Pola and a very acceptable lunch at Rober’s.
After lunch we took a visit to The Clot de Galvany and a walk in the rain to the first hide, which only gave us Coot, Moorhen and Black headed Gull. The next hide was better with Water Rail, Mallard, Teal, Collared Dove, Common Sandpiper, Red rumped Swallow, Little Grebe, and White headed Duck. With a Willow Warbler and a Green Woodpecker showing, on the way back to our cars, it finished off a very enjoyable day, and a good start to the season.
The Pectoral Sandpiper seen at La Mata lagoon is worth another mention, being one of only 42 birds seen on the Iberian Peninsular as this report was written. Breeding in North America from Alaska to Hudson bay, and in Northern Siberia on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Both populations migrate thousands of miles south for the winter. It may be that the birds found in Spain were blown accross the Atlantic while making for South America, or blown West from Siberia. We will never know.