Today was our last day in Anso and John’s birthday so we headed to his favourite place here, the Hecho Valley. As we left the apartment a Red Kite was flying over the village mewing loudly. After calling at the shop and the garage in Hecho, we stopped at Hotel Castillo d’Archer for coffee. A few Griffon Vultures and Swifts flew overhead.
Continuing up the Hecho Valley a Black Kite and an Egyptian Vulture flew above us. Driving along the narrow road through the gorge at least four Grey Wagtails were seen by the river. We continued onto the meadows which is a beautiful area. It would have been peaceful but for the sound of the cowbells and the river rushing by. At one point we flushed a Cuckoo out of a tree and saw it fly away across the fields. It was a nice change to see this bird rather than just hearing it.
There are many small trees, bushes and wild roses on the meadows and perched on one was a Red-backed Shrike. In another bush we saw a young Shrike presumably it’s offspring. At one point an Egyptian Vulture flew directly overhead giving us great views of this impressive bird. A Yellowhammer was heard and then seen in a tree and Robin and Chaffinch could be heard singing in a small wooded area. We spotted two raptors in the air with one appearing to be attacking the other. They were too high up to see well but they were likely Buzzards of some sort.
At the bridge where we usually see a Dipper there were two Grey Wagtails but no Dipper. We picnicked at the far side of the bridge by a small stream. Here we were happy to see three Crested Tits in a nearby tree. A lovely little bird. While eating we watched a Robin and a Blackcap in the trees.
After lunch we left the valley, and after meeting a herd of cows being driven towards us (quite an eventful ten minutes) we took a drive up to Gabardito, passing through a forested area where numerous birds were singing. We had a walk round near the refugio at the top where Chaffinch, Blackbird, Robin, Blackcap, Short-toed Treecreeper and more Crested Tits were seen. We didnt make the tortuous climb up to try to see the Wallcreeper as we knew from experience this was an exhausting walk with no guarantee of seeing the bird, especially without a scope.
On the drive back down we went quite slowly so we could try to see some of the birds in the trees and added Song Thrush and Marsh Tit to today’s list.
