14/15 December 2025 – The first port of call was along the Rio Segura, at Guardamar. Added to the eight species already on the trip list were Audouins, Yellow legged and Black-headed Gull, Kingfisher, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot and White Wagtail.
At El Pinet, the first waders were noted.
Stone Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Dunlin, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Ringed and Golden Plover. Also noted were, Slender-billed Gull, Greater Flamingo, Shelduck, Black-necked Grebe, Meadow Pipit and Water Rail.
A quick stop to look over the Santa Pola Salinas was worthwhile with reasonable views of two Osprey, c20 Great White Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Sandwich Tern, and Marsh Harrier plus the usual flocks of feeding Flamingo.
Santa Pola coast road gave first views of Sardinian Warbler. Turnstone were feeding amongst the washed up seaweed, Zitting Cisticola were singing and a few Mediterranean Gulls passed overhead amongst the Yellow-legged Gulls. Audouins Gulls sat on the coastal rocks in the now glorious sunshine.
At the Clot whilst having lunch, a covey of Red-legged Partridge passed. Blackcap, Serin and Black Redstart were also at the picnic area. From the hide Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Teal and two of the local specialities; Marbled Teal plus White-headed Duck. Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Western Swamphen were also noted. The surrounding scrubland gave Robin, Iberian Grey Shrike, Magpie, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Crested Lark, Great and Long tailed Tit and Crag Martin were feeding over the pools.
I finished the day along Vistabella Road and some of the side tracks hoping for the recently sighted Pallid Harrier … it was a No show! Cattle Egret, Jackdaw, Goldfinch, 4 Common Crane, c30 Lapwing and Little Owl were added to the day list though. 65 species. Trip list 73 species.
