28 Dec 2025 – Had a lay in this morning as the weather forecast for today was awful. The predicted rain and thunderstorms though were nowhere to be seen, in fact, the clouds were parting and the sun getting through. It felt too late in the day to head out too far, so I spent what was left of the morning and the whole afternoon around the Mar Menor plus stopping at Lo Monte and San Pedro Salinas on route. Black necked and Little Grebe showed well at Lo Monte, along with Shoveler, Pochard, Teal, Cormorant, Sardinian Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Western Swamphen and Marsh Harrier. Also Black-winged Stilts, Common and Green Sandpiper were present on the nearby reservoir.
A short visit next to El Mojon as I wanted some images of the raucous Monk Parakeets and lunch at San Pedro salinas watching the Flamingos and waders. Black-winged Stilt, Dunlin, Ruff, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Little Stint were all noted. Booted Eagle, Greenshank, Great Crested Grebe, Ringed Plover were spotted near Los Urrutias and A trip tick Spotted Redshank showed well at Marchamalo salt pans. Also noted at Marchamalo were a dozen Stone Curlew and even more Grey Heron. Shelduck, Sandwich Tern, Greenshank, Black-winged Stilts, Crag Martin, Slender billed and Audouins Gulls.
I scoped the Mar Menor for wintering Mergansers but spotted only Grebes, Gulls and Cormorants. There were a few ‘close in’ Gannet seen during a quick visit to Cabo de Palos before calling it a day. Day 54 species. Trip list 127 species.
