SEPT 9TH - DAY 7 OF 7-DAY MIGRATION TOUR

SIERRA DE LAS NIEVES

today we went in search of passerine migrants in the oak woodlands of Sierra de las Nieves. The weather was perfect for bird watching, a nice cool north-westerly wind, clear blue sky and a temperature in the lower 20's.

Beautiful scenery along the track in the natural park

One of many Common Redstarts seen in the open scrub at the entrance to the park

As soon as we got out of the bus we were onto birds, they were everywhere. The first few species were mainly passing migrants: lots of Common Redstarts, with the males looking really good but hard to photograph. There wee also Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Woodchat Shrikes and many Stonechats. A short walk produced Bonelli's Warbler, Common Whitethroat and a few Willow Warblers.

On a ridge nearby we located a Dartford Warbler and saw a few Bee-eaters with a flock of 50+ flying high over not long afterwards. Also passing over us we saw Booted Eagle, Marsh Harriers, Common Swift, Red-rumped Swallow and lots of House Martins.

More beauty - a picture taken from our picnic stop.

We then spent some time looking for a lcoal resident, the Woodlark. It took a while but we found a small flock of four birds, after some chasing they eventually showed very well.

Higher up the vegetation changes and becomes more open

Moving up the very picturesque valley we stopped several times to look for target species and in doing so we found Jay, Black Redstart, more Dartford Wablers, Black Wheatears and a lot more Flycatchers. Whilst searching the sky above the mountain tops we found a pair of Red-billed Chough, Booted Eagles and couple of Griffon Vultures.

From our picnic site we had a lovely lunch and during which time we found Firecrest (4), Coal Tit (3), Great-spotted Woodpecker (2), Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Eurasian Nuthatch, a flock of Long-tailed Tits and lots of Chaffinches. An interesting find was a Short-toed Eagle carrying a large snake which thrilled the group for a while.

At the top of the valley we searched for more eagles but only found Common Kestrel, a few species were seen on the way back down to the park entrance but only Wren was new for the day list.

We got back to the house early so that we could take an early dinner in preparation for our evening outing. So at 7:45pm we set off down the Genal valley to the river where we searched in the evening light for Bee-eaters and Black-winged Kite.

We found a flock of Bee-eaters on the way down the valley but they flew off before we could get the scope on them. However, the Black-winged Kite was on its usually roosting pylon and gave us all great views in the scope.

Lastly, just as it was getting dark, we drove a few kilometers to myfirends finca where it is possible to see Eagle Owls. Despite recent sightings (icnluding this morning) the birds did not turn up for us.

So the tour was over, we had had a wonderful time, seen plenty of species (145) and visited some fantastic sites and in beautiful surroundings. Everyone was leaving early in the morning so this was the last of the birding.

Black-eared Wheatear was voted by some as their bird-of-the-week, but the Hoopoe, the migrating masses of Black Kites and the Rollers were treasured memories by others. Me personally, I rather liked finding the Ferruginous Duck in the sewer works at Barbate.