17 Dec 2025 – I almost didn’t venture out this morning due to the heavy showers and dark sky, but it was due to clear by lunchtime, so I set off on my first visit to the regions premier reserve El Hondo at San Felipe nr Elche. On arrival, a glance over the nearby pool from the car park gave trip firsts Glossy Ibis and Common Snipe. Also showing well were Flamingo, Western Swamphen, Teal, Shoveler, Black-winged Stilt and Little Grebe.
A scan behind, across the scrubland toward a fence line had me reaching for the scope. Perched on fence posts were two birds high on today’s wish list; Wryneck and close by a Bluethroat. Fabulous. Chiffchaff were everywhere, 100’s of them, busy flycatching around the water’s edge, grabbing morsels from within the bushes and seemingly finding plenty of snacks on the sodden ground.
After sheltering from another heavy downpour, I took the boardwalk across the pool around the back of the visitor centre. Good numbers, c30 Marbled Teal were noted. Red-knobbed Coot was new for the trip as was a flyover Water Pipit. Dozens of Crag Martin fed low over the water, a Cattle Egret searched the far bank and a couple of Marsh Harrier floated over the reedbeds.
The sky darkened again, so I headed to the shelter of the ‘first’ hide. Water Pipit, White Wagtail and Stonechat fed amongst the recently cut reeds. Grey Heron, Shelduck and Little Egret were present, plus Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler (HO). The rain passed once again. A quick scan from the ‘second’ hide gave nothing different, so I made my way back to the boardwalk. Once back at the car park, views were once again had of the Wryneck and a couple of Bluethroat. Also, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler and Zitting Cisticola.
With the rain clouds now clearing, I left the reserve and had a slow drive around the perimeter roads. A few Booted Eagle passed over. Iberian Grey Shrike, Kingfisher, Tree Sparrow, Kestrel and a pair of Hoopoe were noted. A small flooded field was full of Glossy Ibis, Egrets and Meadow Pipits.
Onto the ‘Monastery road’ where a Little Owl watched me drive by. Feeding Skylark and a passing Common Buzzard were new and to end the day a pair of Dartford Warbler were seen flitting in the nearby scrub. Day total c50. Trip list 100 species.
