We are back in Spain for a short visit and couldn’t wait to get out to see some birds.
Santa Pola Salinas – Flamingo, Yellow legged Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Shelduck, a lovely Yellow Wagtail perched on the crash barrier by the tower, Little Egret and Little Tern. A Roller flew over as we drove along the La Marina to Elche road.
Near the old monastery we had loads of Collared Doves, several Hoopoes, Cattle Egret, Common Swifts, Southern Grey Shrike, Crested Lark, Goldfinches, House Sparrows, Woodpigeon and a brilliant Great Spotted Cuckoo on a tree by the road which didn’t move when we stopped right next to it! Sadly the light was not good but attempted a few photos anyway. A few Bee eaters were also in the area.
Little reserve track – Grey Heron, Common Sandpiper, Great Reed Warbler (HO) and lots of Swallows at the end of the track.
Palm Farm Track – More Swifts than I have ever seen! A Glossy Ibis flew over then 6 Cattle Egrets flew over.
Pallet Road – more Bee eaters, Long tailed Tit, Great Tit, Cuckoo (HO), Serins, Woodchat Shrike, Kestrel, a Gull billed Tern flew over, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Corn Bunting, and more Goldfinches. This seems like a really good area.
El Pinet – Little Terns, Common Terns, Avocets, Black winged Stilts, Slender billed Gulls, Flamingo. An Audouin’s Gull was chased off by an Avocet. Swallows and Black headed Gull flew around.
Salinas on the way home – Red Crested Pochard.
What a great way to spend a couple of hours. We ticked off all the target species, namely Roller, Bee eater, Woodchat Shrike and the Great Spotted Cuckoo was an excellent bonus!