Twenty Three members and day guests meet on a lovely if slightly chilly morning. Our first stop was on the Santa Pola Salinas by the tower. There were the usual large number of Flamingos, 20 to 30 Great Crested Grebes and we soon observed two, possibly three Ospreys, several Marsh Harriers as well as many Sandwich Terns. Flying by were several Greenshanks, Turnstones and Glossy Ibis, plus a prominent Great White Egret standing on the bank.
Osprey by Bryan Thomas© 
Great White Egret by Bryan Thomas©
Our next stop was El Pinet where we observed several Redshanks, Sanderlings, Little Stints, Kingfisher, Red Rumped and Barn Swallows and more. We were then treated to a Booted Eagle flying overhead with two more in the distance. Our next stop was the Palm Farm Track which had changed dramatically from 10 days ago when it was perfect for waders, to become almost a dust bowl. We did manage some raptors, two Common Buzzards a good number of Booted Eagles and many Kestrels, plus two Stonechats.
Swallow by John Brazier© 
Red rumped Swallow by Bryan Thomas©
We then headed for lunch at El Rocio where we had a great menu del dia. After our excellent meal we headed for El Hondo Visitors Centre, some members decided to make their way home whilst some stayed for the trip around the reserve. We managed to add a few more species to our list, including Red Knobbed Coot, Squacco Heron, Chiffchaff, Gadwall, three species of Grebe, Teal, several White Headed Duck, Pochard, Purple Swamphen, Bluethroat and Sand Martins. The highlight of the day, however, came just before we were leaving when five Black Storks flew in towards us before landing in the distance. A great end to a good days birding. Total number of species seen 59.