18th December 2025 – Today I met with friends Jeannet and Luke at Dehesa de Campoamor at 07.30 and soon we were headed west to Sierra Espuña in Murcia. A mountain range around an hours drive away.
It was a glorious day and new birds for the trip were spotted immediately. Crested, Coal, Long tailed and Great Tit were spotted in the pines at our first stop and a scan of a rocky outcrop gave us 2 male Blue Rock Thrush, Black redstart and Kestrel. Serin were twittering all around us and a Dartford Warbler flitted low, before diving into the scrub.
Further up the mountain road Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming, a couple of Buzzard circled and a distant Griffon Vulture was observed from Mirador del Avion. Around the visitor centre we had our first Short-toed Treecreeper and a little higher up Crossbills were heard and one perched on a nearby wire.
As we gained elavation, the temperature dropped, and the mist began to roll in. It became a right ‘Pea Souper!’ Only a Black Redstart and Stonechat were spotted around the Ice Houses. No sign of the hoped for Ring Ouzels or possible Redwing and no chance of seeing any Vultures.
We decided to drop down and head for nearby Guadalentin. Sticking to the tarmac roads only. It was too risky to venture on to the sandy tracks after the recent rains. Much of the land was waterlogged. Hundreds of White Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and a few Water Pipit were searching the sodden crops. Stonechat were everywhere. Coot, Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and a surprise Ferruginous Duck were on a small irrigation reservoir.
A Sparrowhawk flew past and when scanning the vast area of farmland we were soon watching many hunting Marsh Harrier. No Eagles were spotted, but a fabulous male and ringtail Hen Harrier soon joined the other Harriers, becoming the highlight of the day. c50 species. Trip list 109 species.
