El Clot on Christmas Eve

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Chiffchaff
Chiffchaff by Mary Brazier

A short walk around the Clot proved a nice way to spend the morning of Christmas Eve. We first saw a Robin closely followed by a Little Owl showing well on a dead tree. As we walked along 3 Red legged Partridge walked across the path in front of us. We climbed up to the big tower where we scanned the area, finding only Sardinian Warbler, Black Redstart and Chiffchaff. Moving on to the mirador we saw the usual Shoveler, Mallard and Teal. Walking round to the hide, we stopped on the corner to look for Stone Curlew, but instead we saw a Bluethroat moving about amongst the bushes there. At the hide we found more ducks as well as a Little Grebe and a Grey Wagtail. 

After relaxing here a while we walked along to the marsh hide. On the way we saw the two birds we always seem to see, namely Hoopoe and Southern Grey Shrike, they rarely let us down. The marsh was quiet but we did add a Green Sandpiper to our list. On the way back to the car a Green Woodpecker flew across the scrubland calling loudly. It had been an enjoyable morning and a great start to Christmas.

Species list – Little Grebe, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Kestrel, Red legged Partridge, Coot, Moorhen,

Southern Grey Shrike
Southern Grey Shrike by John Brazier

Black winged Stilt, Green Sandpiper, Little Owl, Hoopoe, Green Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Robin, Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler (HO), Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow,  Goldfinch.