I was out for a day’s birding with Colin Bethany and Jack Higgs. First we went to El Hondo north gate at 08.30hrs. Birds of note were distant views of Great Spotted Eagle (we got closer views from the old recycling centre), lots of White headed Duck and a single Pintail among the Shovelers and Mallards. We moved on to the visitor centre where we had good views of Marbled Duck and Red crested Pochard. At the far hide we had good views of Bluethroat, Spotted Redshank, Green and Common Sandpiper and Black necked Grebe, all seen through the holes in the bamboo fence. Both dark and pale phase Booted Eagle were seen, as well as many Marsh Harriers. On to Crevillente where, at first there was no sign of the Bonelli’s Eagles at the nest site, then we heard them above. When we got our binos on them we saw that one was much bigger with white patches on the underwings, it was a juvenile Golden Eagle being mobbed by the Bonelli’s, unfortunately, I couldn’t switch from binos to camera quick enough to get a photo. About five minutes after the event both Bonelli’s appeared at the nest. Not a bad day with 4 species of eagle and home in time to watch England beat Wales at rugby (sorry Bryan).
