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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

JULY 4TH 2012 - EARLY MORNING BIRDING

RIO GENAL

It is so hot these days that any decent birding can only be done in the first and last few hours of daylight. So I arranged to go down to the river with Paul at 7:30am this morning. Paul wanted to get good views of Olivaceous Warbler, I wanted to photograph them and as I know of a nest site then I was sure we would both get our wishes.
Rio Genal

On the way down we saw lots of bird activity, there are many young birds about and adult birds are rushing around to keep them well fed. Lots of Spotted Flycatchers, Bee-eaters, Serins, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Corn Buntings, Sardinian Warblers and House Sparrows were ducking and diving in and out of the hedgerows as we passed by. A Little Owl sat on a roof and  nonchalantly watched us with one eye closed .

At the river we went straight to the Olivaceous Warbler nest site and saw that the chicks were well developed and will probably fledge in the next day or so. The parents birds were very busy but we had great views of both of them, Paul was very happy. We stayed for a couple of hours and amassed quite a list.

There were at least 20 Little Ringed Plovers milling about on the shingle banks and islands along the river, we also saw Green Sandpiper, White Stork, Grey Heron, Common Kingfisher and a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls.


Rio genal

White Stork on the shingle bank
A couple of nice surprises were Purple Heron (2) and a Squacco Heron, both birds have never been seen by us at this part of the river, perhaps this is because most of the smaller rivers and lagoons have dried up in this year's drought?

Other species seen included a family party of Common Nightingales, Cetti's Warbler, Turtle Doves (at least 10 birds in the vicinity) Rock Sparrow (coming to the water to drink), Crested Larks, Raven, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle and Common Kestrel.

On the way back we saw several Woodchat Shrikes, Stonechats, Linnets and a couple of Cirl Buntings, not a bad haul for a short time down at the river!

4 views of the Olivaceous Warbler




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