Today we joined 25+ other CBBC Members on the club’s December field trip. We began with a walk around San Felipe, trying to keep out of the way of a walking group and a coach party of school children. I have never seen the place so busy! There were plenty of birds around too. On one of the lagoons we saw a Purple Swamphen already with chicks! Several Little Grebe and Black necked Grebe could be picked out amongst the numerous Coots.Marsh Harrier and Buzzard were seen, along with a nice Hen Harrier hunting over another lagoon. Many small birds could be heard, if not always seen. These included Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Penduline Titand Zitting Cisticola. On a nearby field we found several Meadow Pipits and some lucky people also saw a Bluethroat and a Kingfisher. A Southern Grey Shrike was perched at the top of a tree, a small group of Golden Ploverwere sitting in a field and a Snipe and a Green Sandpiper took flight nearby
Near the Vistabella house we saw two Kestrels flying around and in the distance six more raptors, probably Buzzard and/or Marsh Harrier could be seen. As our convoy moved on we passed several flooded fields holding large numbers of White Wagtails, Lapwings and other unidentified species. Our final stop at the little bridge by the palm farm was humming with birds, including several Song Thrushes, Jackdaws, and Black Redstarts. A Robin, aLittle Egret, a Cattle Egret and a Great White Egret which flew over close by. Two more Marsh Harriers were seen, one on a pylon and one sitting in a field, giving good views through the scope. A Booted Eagle flew over, once again giving everyone a good view of it. A great meal at Tano’s in Santa Pola ended the morning and we headed home while others continued on to watch the fishing boats returning to port.