Crevillente – Darren Wilson

Today I spent three lovely hours in the stunning surroundings of Sierra De Crevillente. I got there before the sun had managed to burn off the morning mist and was rewarded with good views of 3 Black Wheatear, 2 Blue Rock Thrush and 3 Common Crossbill. Also had 15 Red-billed Chough which were noisily doing their acrobatic displays before dispersing. Heard many Iberian Green Woodpeckers, plus Hoopoe were obvious with 3 individuals seen around the fincas and more heard in the surrounding scrub.

Once the cloud cover eventually lifted, birds of prey were immediately on the wing. A pair of adult Bonelli’s Eagles were soaring around the cliff face. The larger (female presumably) settled back on the nest while the male flew off north. He returned not long after with prey. A sizeable greenish bird I assume must have been a Green Woodpecker. At the same time a Golden Eagle appeared over the northern ridge. A Peregrine and numerous Kestrel were also seen plus I heard a few Little Owl.