Another great day of weather except the strong gusty wind was annoying and spoilt some of the afternoon birding.
We made an early excursion before breakfast, our venue was El Colmenar where a dead tree often plays host to many birds during this early morning period. Today was no exception and I even added two new species to my 'dead tree' list: Turtle Dove and Blue Rock Thrush, which took my list total to 17. But our main target was Golden Oriole and a superb male put in an appearance for us, it sat in bright sunshine and looked exquisite. Another good sighting was a Green Woodpecker which also posed in the dead tree.
KENTISH PLOVER
It was 11am by the time reached Campillos and the laguna Dulce. First we drove round the back of the laguna and searched the open fields for new species. It wasn't long before we were watching a pair of Montagu's Harriers in the distance, also several Gull-billed Terns were quartering the fields in the same area.
We then had brief sighting of our main target species the Little Bustard, it landed in long grass and it was quite awhile before we saw another one in fight. Other species seen during this time were Calandra Lark, Short-toed Lark, Yellow Wagtail and a super find; a pair of Stone Curlews.
Our picnic lunch was consumed at the tables near the hide and whilst we ate we listed some good sightings. All three Grebes were there, Black-necked, littel and Great crested. Both Common and Red-crested Pochard, Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall and White headed Duck. A couple of good finds were; Lapwing, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Whiskered Tern and Little ringed Plover. Hundreds of Common Coots covered the shrinking laguna surface and several Flamingo's were at the far shore.
A couple of other smaller lagunas found just south of Campillos were also visited. There we found Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Avocet and Black-winged Stilts.
Lastly we stopped at the bird observatorynear the Teba gorge, it was very windy by now and not many species were seen: Griffon vulture, Common Kestrel, Crag Martin and Blue Rock Thrush. We left the area and drove back to gaucin where little wind was present and hadn't been there all day!!
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