Pego Marshes – By Barry Chambers

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Water Rail by Bryan Thomas©
Water Rail by Bryan Thomas©

Seventeen members and guests met at the usual meeting point at Pego Marsh, and as we started out it was cloudy with light rain falling. From the car parking area a Squacco Heron was seen followed by two distant Marsh Harriers, and as we walked along the track a few umbrellas were put to use. Large numbers of Swallows and House Martins flew overhead and a large flock of Goldfinches and House Sparrows circled around joined by a fewTree Sparrows and Linnets. Then on a pylon a Peregrine was spotted eating its kill. Continuing to the far end of the track, which was fast becoming mosquito city, we added Green Sandpiper, Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Water Rail, Kingfisher and Great White Egret to our list, with several more good sightings of the Peregrine and the surprising addition of seven Wild Boar in amongst the rice fields. On the way back to the cars the weather had improved and we added Whinchat, Bluethroat and Chiffchaff to the species seen. Back at the cars we drove to a small lagoon in Moraira where we saw Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher and Yellow Legged Gull before we headed to Calpe for lunch at Pato Peking.