Five mile walk around El Clot de Galvany this morning with Mrs J, including a full circumference of the large lagoon, around which there are three hides and a couple of watch towers. Weather sunny and clear, light winds, 13-17*c. Amongst others :-

Shoveler (25)
Eurasian Teal (10)
Pochard (10)
White-headed Duck (19)
Little Grebe (11)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Black-necked Grebe (2)
Water Rail (3)
Western Swamphen (2)
Little Egret (3)
Cattle Egret (1)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Kestrel (1)
Crag Martin (25)
Chiffchaff (5)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Sardinian Warbler(21)
Robin (20)
Black Redstart (4)
White Wagtail (6)
Serin (1)

Good numbers of White-headed Duck are now able to be seen, given there is now access to hides around the large lagoon. Trip list 110.

Spent a night in Albacete, with a view to looking at the area of steppe to the south east of the town. This is probably the nearest area of steppe, of any decent size, to Costa Blanca. It takes an hour and a half to get there via the A31 motorway. eBird hotspots for both Bustards, both Sandgrouse and a variety of Larks centre around the villages of Petrola, Corral-Rubio and Bonete. There is another area, north and east of Yecla but that proved disappointing.

The steppe around the three villages is at 2000 ft asl and the temperature dropped to 9*c on Friday and, rather unfortunately, the wind picked up to around 50 km per hour, with gusts up to 75 kph. If you left your tripod unattended, it was over. Not conducive to looking for Larks and Buntings perched on wires. Today, the weather was the same, whilst tomorrow, the wind speed is set to return to a more normal 7 kph. Sods Law!

Still, the birding was quite good with several Marsh Harrier seen plus a ring tail Hen Harrier, a variety of waterfowl, a flock of Calandra Lark, other unidentified Larks (probably Thekla), several Raven, Booted Eagle, a few waders and, best of all, a flock of 85-100 Common Crane, a couple of km east of Petrola. There is a large lagoon at Petrola with several other smaller lagoons centred at, or near, the three villages. All in all, the area looks nailed on for Bustards and Sandgrouse, its just a question of spending a full day or two up there and finding them. Amongst others :-

Greylag Goose (2)
Shelduck (16)
Shoveler (75)
Gadwall (25)
Mallard (200+)
Teal (30)
Greater Flamingo (4)
Common Crane (85-100)
Dunlin (10)
Little Stint (1)
Lapwing (7)
Marsh Harrier (5-6)
Hen Harrier (1)
Booted Eagle (1)
Kestrel (3-4)
Raven (7)
Meadow Pipit (100+)
Calandra Lark (30)

In addition to the main flock of Common Crane, two other groups of three each were seen a few kms away.

Just over 4km walk with Mrs J, this morning, around the reception pools at El Hondo. The attraction was a 1w White-winged Tern that arrived two or three days ago and has been frequenting the pool around the boardwalk. Very breezy today and difficult to get any decent photos, so may have another go tomorrow. Plenty of Stonechat on show, amongst the usuals and good to see a fly past of 15 Glossy Ibis.

Another walk around Cabo Roig this morning, similar species seen as last time here, with the addition of a Little Egret. Several Monk Parakeet seen plus more Crag Martin. Also good to see another two adult Gannet, one right in, flying around the marina.

A White-winged Tern has been present today at El Hondo and, at the same reserve, the Social Lapwing seems to be enjoying its extended stay.

No proper birding today, a morning walk around Cabo (Cape) Roig, a few kilometres south of Torrevieja, without bins :-

Gannet (3)
Sandwich Tern (5)
Audouins Gull (1)
Yellow-legged Gull (5)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Monk Parakeet (3)
Crag Martin (2)
White Wagtail (1)

eBird sightings showing that the Sociable Lapwing was still present in the south east corner of the El Hondo reserve, indeed it must have returned on Sunday after I had left. I arrived at 9.50 this morning, weather sunny, cool and clear. I passed a French birder who advised that the bird was present but very distant, still associating with the Northern Lapwing. I had the small hide to myself but after only two minutes a Marsh Harrier dropped in and sent several hundred Lapwing into the air as well as several waders. Most of the Lapwing departed but a decent number circled round and returned to their previous spot. After a few minutes, I thankfully managed to relocate it.

I spent around an hour in the hide before driving up the east side of the reserve and to the north west corner, where the visitor centre is located. Still plenty of decent birds around but some of the large pools were devoid of birds. I came away without seeing White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal and Red-knobbed Coot, which were my target birds. I did a full circumference of the pools near the visitor centre, including the boardwalk and must have walked three or four kilometers. This is a mere pin prick in relation to the size of the whole reserve. You can still only access the main part of the reserve by appointment and times are very limited. Amongst others :-

Shelduck (26
Shoveler (33)
Little Grebe (5)
Greater Flamingo (2)
Water Rail (1)
Western Swamphen (17)
Black-winged Stilt (1)
Snipe (1)
Avocet (8)
Golden Plover (61)
Northern Lapwing (250+)
Sociable Lapwing (1)
Ringed Plover (2)
Curlew (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (3)
Dunlin (8)
Little Egret (1)
Cattle Egret (1)
Marsh Harrier (9)
Booted Eagle (1)
Kestrel (1)
Crag Martin (35)
Barn Swallow (6)
Kingfisher (1)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Moustached Warbler (1)
Chiffchaff (1)
Crested Lark (2)
Stonechat (1)
White Wagtail (8)

Back to the lagoon this morning and a four mile walk up the western shoreline before the mosquitoes made it very uncomfortable. We then made our way back to the car park near the visitor centre. We gave the main hide a miss. Bird species similar to yesterday with a few additions. Weather pleasant and sunny, 18-20*c, light winds. Amongst others :-

Stone Curlew (2)
Cattle Egret (3)
Hoopoe (1)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (3)
Monk Parakeet (2)
Iberian Grey Shrike (3)
Crested Lark (20)
Crag Martin (2)
Sardinian Warbler (1)
Black Redstart (12)
Stonechat (4)
White Wagtail (11)
Meadow Pipit (3)
Serin (18)

Just back from a week on the Costa Blanca. Again, not too much birding - two and a half hours at Laguna de la Mata, three hours on the accessible part of El Hondo and the roads around the reserve and a brief visit to La Finca at dusk for the Red necked Nightjar. Weather hot and sunny throughout. More interesting sightings being :-

Little Bittern (1)
Little Egret
Cattle Egret (250+)
Purple Heron
Greater Flamingo (250+)
White headed Duck (2)
Avocet
Stone Curlew (1)
Kentish Plover
Black winged Stilt
Collared Pratincole (c.6)
Whimbrel (1)
Turnstone
Sandwich Tern
Common Tern
Little Tern
Black Tern (3)
Whiskered Tern (c.10)
Slender billed Gull
Audouin's Gull
Turtle Dove (3)
Cuckoo
Red necked Nightjar (c.6)
Bee-eater
Roller (1)
Hoopoe
Crested Lark
Red rumped Swallow
Pallid Swift
Sardinian Warbler
Fan tailed Warbler
Southern Grey Shrike
Woodchat Shrike
Spotless Starling
Serin

Always like to get to La Finca to see how the Nighjar are doing in view of the continuing development at the top end of the golf course. Don't seem to be affected at present. One bird putting in decent flight views whilst at least another four birds were giving their distinctive calls. I would say six birds would be about right. There is a walk which appears to be out of bounds or at least on private grounds. A walk of a kilometer or two (not easy in the murk) could possibly turn up more.

Did a slow drive along the northern side of El Hondo hoping to see Roller. Finally found one bird on wires right opposite the North Gate. Great to see.

Lovely views of several Audouin's Gull from the sun lounger on Guardamar Beach!

Nothing new but great birding nonetheless.

Yes, try the Owners Direct site. We stay in Quesada which is central for all the reserves previously mentioned and there are plenty of apartments listed there.

We're going over for a week in March and I'm aiming to have a quick look at the vulture introduction programme near Alcoi which is an hour and a half or so north of Quesada. A little further north east is the Vall de Gallinera where we've booked a little, rustic hotel for one night. Will give the valley a reccy for some future spring/early summer birding.

If you need info on any of the birding sites, just pm me or post on this thread.

Hi!
Excellent area.
Try the Owners Direct website.
Also the Costa Blanca Birdclub website has a link to accomodation in the area.

Laguna De La Mata - 23 September 2012 - Quick 90 mins visit - Birdwise quiet - 30 Degrees & Sunny.

Amongst other stuff :-

Black Necked Grebe (60)
Little Egret (1)
Kestrel (1)
Kentish Plover (c.8)
Mediterranean Gull
Slender Billed Gull
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Red Rumped Swallow
Crested Lark
Spotted Flycatcher (1)
Sardinian Warbler
Southern Grey Shrike (1)

Been better!

I presume you're back home now Steve. We're here now and until Sunday. Report to follow when I've finished birding. So far been to Laguna de la Mata, Santa Pola Saltpans, El Clot, El Hondo and Crevillente Mountains. Still got La Finca Golf Course, El Pinet and Segura River walk to do!

Bit of low key birding whilst over in Spain over the last week. Two visits to Laguna de La Mata (2 hrs and 1.5 hrs) and a morning at and around El Hondo (3 hrs). Generally fairly quiet, more interesting stuff being :-

Laguna de La Mata

Osprey (1)
Avocet (2)
Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Grey Plover (3)
Greenshank (1)
Audouin's Gull (1)
Slender billed Gull (c50)
Turtle Dove
Hoopoe
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Crested Lark (c.35)
Crag Martin
Red Rumped Swallow
Sardinian Warbler
Golden Oriole (1)
Southern Grey Shrike (2)


El Hondo

Little Egret
Cattle Egret
Greater Flamingo (c.25)
White Headed Duck (2)
Black winged Stilt (2)
Kentish Plover
Green Sandpiper (1)
Whiskered Tern (c.10)
Bee-eater (c.50)
Short toed Lark (1)
Red Rumped Swallow
Rufous Bushchat (2)
Stonechat
Cetti's Warbler
Melodious Warbler (2)
Sardinian Warbler
Subalpine Warbler (1)
Fan tailed Warbler
Southern Grey Shrike (1)

Highlight being the two Rufous Bushchat - good views of two birds together on the fringe of the reserve in the Southern Gate area - my first since one in Turkey a good few years ago.

Visited the Visitor Centre area of El Fondo over last weekend and a new hide has now been opened - fantastic views of White Headed Ducks and Squacco Herons. Unfortunately no birds of prey this visit.

Visited nearby El Hondo yesterday morning, roughly an hour in the Southern Gate area followed by another hour on the reserve. Landowner dispute still ongoing, so main part of reserve out of bounds other than pre arranged visits.

A Spotted Eagle has been overwintering for a few years now and this winter there have been an incredible four birds - an adult and three juvenile/sub adult birds which include an Estonian bird, named Tonn, fitted with a transmitter.

Had superb views of one of the juvenile birds near the Southern Gate. Didn't need the scope, it was so close. Turned out to be a good bird of prey day and amongst other stuff :-

Spotted Eagle (1)
Booted Eagle (1)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Hen Harrier (1 x Ringtail)
Kestrel (2)
Crag Martin (100+)
Little Egret
Cattle Egret
Snipe
Red crested Pochard
Marbled Duck (1)
Black necked Grebe (c.6)
Cetti's Warbler
Chiffchaff
Sardinian Warbler
Black Redstart
Stonechat
Southern Grey Shrike

Good news about El Hondo is that they're starting to open up other areas of the reserve, previously on the accessable part of the reserve but off limits. Since my last visit, you can now view the two large lagoons at close quarters. No hides yet, but there are bamboo type fences with cut out holes for viewing.

Edit - Just Googled the two lagoons mentioned above and, whilst sizeable, they are a mere pinprick against the overall scale of the reserve.



-- Edited by Mark Jarrett on Friday 21st of January 2011 05:21:45 PM

Just come back from Christmas and New Year in the area - managed a bit of birding between the festivities - highlights

La Mata
Iberian Grey Shrike, Crested Lark, Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Dartford Warbler, Stone Curlew, Marsh Harrier

El Pinet
Hoopoe, Avocet, Black Winged Stilt, Black Tailed Godwit, Slender Billed Gull

El Clot de Galvaney
Purple Swamp Hen, Iberian Yellow Wagtail

El Fondo
Hoopoe, White headed Duck, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Crag Martin

Torrevieja
Monk Parakeet

Black Redstarts, White Wagtails, Chiffchaffs and flocks of Serin on every piece of farmland.

Just back from a week out here. Warfy and Melanie joined us for a few days and so managed a fair bit of birding - really is a craking place - will try do a trip report but here a few highlights: -

La Marina
Red-rumped Swallow, Alpine & Pallid Swift, Crested lark, Spotless Starling

El Honda visitor centre
Bluethroats, Moustached Warbler, Night, Squacco & Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, White-headed duck, 30 Marbled Duck, Purple Gallinue, several Booted Eagle, 100's of Bee-eaters

Also got caught in a very heavy thunderstorm which either put huge numbers of waders down or put them up from the pools but we had 150 BW Stilt, 40 Temmincks Stint (one single flock) 27 Blackwit, 100 Ringled Plover, 10 Wood Sand, Several Green Sand, 10 Curlew Sand 20 LRP and 5 Ruff fly over where we were taking cover. The walk back was fun for the those who were wearing flip flops which wasnt me took over an hour to get back from a 20 minute walk due to all the mud and trying to keep the flip flops on their feet and falling on their arse! plus we had all the mosqitos too

El Honda South Pools and Fields
Marsh Sand 3, Knot, Grey Plover, loads of Spot Shanks, Bar & Black wit on these pools, 2 Distant White Storks, flock of 150 very high flaying Flamingo's, 255 Bee-eater, Woodchat Shirke, Whinchat, 10 Hoopoe

Santa Pola Salt pans
Osprey, Booted Eagle, Mute Swan and an Intermediate looking Egret (think thats what you call them) either that or a grey phase Little Egret.

El Pinet
2 Caspian and 6 Black Tern, loads of waders here Max 60 Curlew Sand, 25 Temmincks Stints, 20 Little Stints, all 3 shanks , 30 Blackwit, 35 Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover

La Finca area
Red-necked nightjar, 3 Eagle Owl, Stone Curlew

Monegres
Blue Rock thrush, Black Wheatear, Short-toed Treecreeper, Crested Tit, Thekla Lark, Rock Sparrow, Serin

Alcoy
Booted Eagle, Peregrine, Golden Eagle, poss Goshawk and 70 Griffon Vulture soaring over the gorge - in the gorge itself Black Reds flitting about, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock thrush, Crossbills and Stonechats amongst others - amazing place

Gran Alicante
Wryneck and a Honey Buzzard flew over the main road on way back to arport when leaving.

I thought I would use this thread to provide a brief report on a family holiday to Costa Calida. We were staying in a villa approximately 15km inland from San Javier (not far from Laguna de la Mata). Despite it being August and temperatures reaching 39C I was still able to do some enjoyable birding by getting up before dawn and being on-site for day break.

The villa itself was set in an area of Lemon orchards and provided some nice birds. Best of all was Red-necked Nightjar but other birds included Stone-curlew, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Thekla Lark, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Little Owl, Northern Wheatear , Black-eared Wheatear, Red-rumped Swallow, Bee-eater, Pallid Swift, Common Swift, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler and Gull-billed Tern.

Not far from the villa were the Sierra Escalona mountains. Birds were quite hard to find here but did included Golden Eagle (1 ad and 2 first years) as well as more nightjars, Long-tailed tit, Coal Tit.

I visited the Guadelentin Valley area on several occasions. The first two occasions were a wash out, literally. The rain was so heavy the roads were flooded and the rain was coming through the hire car door seals! When dry this is a great site though and I would like to go back in spring. Even in August highlights were Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Little Bustard, Roller, Montagues Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Spectacled Warbler, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark and Short-toed lark. The rain meant a number of the fields were flooded and these hosted a good selection of waders including Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper as well as numerous Black-winged Stilt and 100s if not 1000s of Cattle Egret.

We went to El Hondo on our first and last day of the holiday en-route to and from Alicante airport. We tried to book a visit via the north gate but were told this gate was closed due to lack of water. The area around the visitors centre and the south hide near Dolores was still open though and a good selection of birds were seen including White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, Purple Gallinule, Slender-billed Gull and various waders.

I visited the La Finca golf course (thanks for the directions Mark) and saw at least 3 Red-necked Nightjar well.

Other areas visited during the holiday included San Pedro Salinas, La Manga Salinas and Laguna de la Mata. These provided more wader species as well as Greater Flamingo, Audouins Gull and Black-necked Grebe

Overall definitely an area I would like to go back to

Regards

David


-- Edited by David Spencer on Sunday 5th of September 2010 12:57:14 PM

-- Edited by David Spencer on Sunday 5th of September 2010 12:58:33 PM

-- Edited by David Spencer on Sunday 5th of September 2010 10:33:26 PM

Mike Passant wrote:

---

Hi Mike,
-A nice list for your June visit.
Forgive me if your posting was just a "slip of the pen" but your Great Grey Shrike would almost certainly be L. meridionalis, split off from Great Grey Shrike as "Southern Grey Shrike" some time ago. It has a darker grey head and mantle, pink hue to the underparts and much reduced white, if any, in the supercilium.

I tend to see Southern Greys in the winter half of the year ( in Murcia province at least) in the Cartagena area; - (always a banker bird for my new year list on the rough ground and smallholding area near the football stadium), and oddly, normally replaced there in summer by Woodchats, which has always made me wonder where the Southern Greys go to breed; - perhaps you have given me part of the answer; so thanks for that!

Cheers,
Mike P.

---

Hi Mike,

To be honest I am a new birder and my european bird book only has great and lesser grey shrike in it, it was my first time abroad since taking to chasing sight of our feathered friends.
I had no idea about southern grey shrike, it will be interesting to read up on, thanks for the tip.

It was a lovely place but I wish I had had time to visit El Hondu and sierra de Crevillent but there's always next time.

Southern France next year so I need to start researching some places to visit there soon.

Thanks

Mike Price

Hi Mike,
-A nice list for your June visit.
Forgive me if your posting was just a "slip of the pen" but your Great Grey Shrike would almost certainly be L. meridionalis, split off from Great Grey Shrike as "Southern Grey Shrike" some time ago. It has a darker grey head and mantle, pink hue to the underparts and much reduced white, if any, in the supercilium.

I tend to see Southern Greys in the winter half of the year ( in Murcia province at least) in the Cartagena area; - (always a banker bird for my new year list on the rough ground and smallholding area near the football stadium), and oddly, normally replaced there in summer by Woodchats, which has always made me wonder where the Southern Greys go to breed; - perhaps you have given me part of the answer; so thanks for that!

Cheers,
Mike P.

I visited the Costa blanca at the end of June, stayed a place called Gran Alicante which purely by accident was a 10 minute walk to Clot De Galvany

From the house roof

Black Wheatear
Nightjar
Hobby
Swift
Pallid Swift
House Sparrow
Short Toed Eagle
Herring Gull
Yellow Legged Gull
Kestrel
Hoopoe
Swallow

Clot De Galvany

Marbled Duck with young
Whiteheaded Duck
Little Owl
Great Grey Shrike
Yellow Legged Gull
Green Woodpecker
Wyrneck
Little ringed Plover
White Wagtails
Pied Wagtail
Crested Lark
Little Grebe
Coot
Moorhen
Linnets
Swift
Pallid Swift
Swallow
Goldfinch
Blue Tit

Also visited Santa Pola salinas, and added

Lesser Flamingo
Common Tern
Kentish Plover
Glossy Ibis (fly over)
Night Heron
Little Egret
Little Tern


About an hour North of Alicante I went up into the mountains close to Alcoy

Short Toed Treecreeper
Redstart
Black Redstart
Griffon Vulture
Crag Martin
House Martin
Short Toed Eagle
Black Eared Wheateater

Of course there was probably loads I missed but I enjoyed every minute of it, I did manage to take some Photos here Here

Hi Simon

I think it is open again but you need to make a booking in advance. Visited the visitors centre shortly before coming home, so didn't have a chance to make a booking but all the literature in the centre indicates it is open. Certainly the local ex-pat bird club "The Costa Blanca Bird Club" visited last December and are planning to visit again this December.
Please find link to their Web page - gives some information on the different sites in the area - hopefully will prove useful to yourself
http://www.costablancabirdclub.com/
Site Guide on Web page includes a telephone number to make bookings

regards
Ray

Hi Raymond,
A few of us are going in September I read there is no access on to EL Fondo because of disputes in 2009, is this still the case do you know?


-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 4th of August 2010 09:49:16 PM

Mark

I have sent you a PM regarding the nightjars.

regards

David