On a morning more like early August than late September, with hot sun beating down from a cloudless sky, 21 members met on Santa Pola Salinas, the diminutive figure of Greta Owen taking charge.
Several Spoonbills were in evidence, as were Little and Great White Egrets. A female Marsh Harrier lumbered past, but few waders were seen, just the occasional Sanderling and Turnstone flying past.
We moved on to El Pinet, soon finding a couple of Stone Curlews on the rocky islets, as well as several Collared Pratincoles. A solitary Redshank and a few Black-winged Stilt were the only waders seen despite apparent good conditions.
Our next move was to the ‘Old Monastery’ where a Iberian Grey Shrike was on wires, and the first of many Bee-eaters appeared. As we left down the track to the north, distant views of what was to be our first Honey Buzzard of the day were obtained.
We continued to the Palm Farm Track, which yielded a pair of Kestrels and very many Bee-eaters, together with a Hoopoe. Some members found a flock of Yellow Wagtails.
Taking the narrow road perpendicular to the PFT, we saw at least two more Honey Buzzards, and a nice adult Whinchat. We then drove on past La Raja, where huge flocks of Glossy Ibis flew around, together with noisy Jackdaws, Little and Cattle Egrets. A pale phase Booted Eagle took off from a pylon.
More Bee-eaters attended our drive to Lo Chicharro – which was disappointingly birdless, but some members went straight to the Reserve Centre, and reported the usual Red-knobbed Coot but little else of note.
We repaired for a good lunch at the ever-faithful El Rocio, noting the absence of Barry and Carol, who had suffered the sad loss of their little dog earlier in the day.
