It was transfer day today so most of the time was spent travelling. We all met at 7:30am for a walk in the superb grounds at Finca Santa Marta, the highlights were a couple Hawfinches, Hoopoes at close quarters, Common Cuckoo, Garden Warbler and Blackcaps.
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| I didn't take many pictures today so it was hard to produce anything special - Barn Swallow |
The whole ambiance of this unique setting is an unforgettable experience and I am already looking forward to my next visit and I am happy to report that Henri, the owner is still alive and very well after his health scare 4 years ago.
We left about 10am and drove immediately south passing through Zorita before stopping at Sierra Brava reservoir, we stop along the way to look at Rollers, Common Buzzard, Calandra Lark and Bee-eaters.
The morning was warm but not so bright as very high cloud shielded the sun somewhat, however there wasn't a whiff of air and the reservoir was at still as a mill pond. We logged a few species but the water was extremely high and most of the birds were very distant.
In the rice fields near to Madrigalejo we found several new species for trip list, I had a very excited group on my hands when we found a flock of 20+ Collared Pratincoles, the birds were hawking insects above the rice fieldsand were especially pleasing for our American contingent. We made several stops in the area and got good views of Bee-eaters, Little-ringed Plovers, little Stints (a small flock were flying around), Cetti's Warbler and Nightingale. We spent some time on a bridge overlooking a flooded stream and surprisingly we found a Purple Swamphen there, our first for the trip!
Next stop was referred to as "THE PET SHOP RUN" by our American group members as we saw Common Waxbill, Red Avadavat and Indian Silverbill, all escaped cage birds, they are all breeding in good numbers in this area. Nice views of European Tree Frog were also had.
The next leg of the journey was the long drive to El Rocio via Merida ans Sevilla, we arrived at 4:30pm. A short stop was made once we reached the Donana area to watch a Black-winged Kite, what a little beauty that bird is, so dainty and delicate in flight.
At the Laguna Marismas de la Madra just outside El Rocio we were again disappointed by the lack of birds due to the high water level, however we log a few goodies. Both the Red-crested and the Common Pochard were seen along with Eurasian Spoonbill (2), Little Egret (1) and singles of Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, and Glossy Ibis. A large number of Whiskered Terns hawked over the water and above them the sky was peppered with raptors which were mainly Black Kites.
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| The Laguna de Marismas de la Madra looking across to El Rocio - note the high water level |
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