SEPT 10TH - 7-DAY TOUR - DAY 8

Our last day was the same as the first, a hot summer's day with wall to wall sunshine. Unfortunately 3 of the group were not going to see it as they had to be at Malaga Airport by 8:30am so we had to travel in the dark just as we did on arrival day. So Chris, Colin & Shirley left us at the airport and Steve, Roz and myself set off for a visit to the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve just 5km away on the coast.

This reserve has a fantastic record of species, nowhere else in Spain has a better tally! We parked by the beach and took the elevated track which led to the mouth of the Western arm of the Rio Guadalhorce. As it was still early in the morning many birds were still found on and near the beach, a huge flock of Monk Parakeets fed on seed heads just below us, there must have been 50 birds, very noisy birds. This number was only exceeded by the gulls of which there were 75, mostly Black-headed but also Mediterranean and Yellow-legged.

We also had great views of a Kingfsher which sat on a rock and made several unsuccessful attempts to catch a fish before flying off. Nearby on the muddy banks we found Common Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, Kentish and Little Ringed Plover. In the grassy banks we found a mixed flock of Goldfinches and Serins whilst some local residents flitted about us, namely Crested lark and Zitting Cisticola. A flock of Spotless Starling delivered their mimicry of assorted bird calls from the TV aerials as they sat sunning themselves in the warm morning light.

Out at sea we were excited to find a large pod of Dolphins, too far out to identify without a telescope but quite distinctive in their behaviour, in fact they had attracted quite a following of gulls and Gannets. We also spotted a Great Skua out there looking for a meal to steal!

Our last 30minutes was spent in local venta drinking coffee and eating toastada we then went back to the airport where Steve and Roz departed for sunny Birmingham.

Overall we had a splendid week with some great sightings. for me the Goshawk, Ferruginous Duck, Black-winged Kite and Penduline Tits were the best sightings, but for the group the masses of migrating raptors seen on several occasions were voted the best.

We saw just over 160 species despite having a couple of very windy days to contend with.