I Finally Make It - 6

Day 6, AM -  Lesser Kestrels 2

This morning is a repeat of a session I did a few days ago aborted after only a few minuets as result of a bird ringers group meeting, cars arriving, talking, the disruption was such that all the birds promptly departed off into the countryside not to return.

In a different location this morning from my previous visit facing a tiled roof on the other side of the building, there's no sight of the adult Kestrels just a few newly fledged birds sitting around the roof, some poking heads out from under the roof tiles. 

I'm hoping for more of the same activity as seen yesterday with the adults bring food for the juveniles, or hovering in the wind..but no luck again. The Jackdaws are still present waiting to rob any kestrel that aren't alert but little else, just an odd Hoopoe. 

The action's slow so I'm afraid it's just static shots for the session of these summer migrants to the region.

El Taray Map

Lesser Kestrel

Lesser Kestrel - fledgling

Day 6, PM - Hydro Hide 2.

On the first hydro hide visit I really didn't know what to expect as a result it was a bit hit and miss aimlessly paddling around the lake, today is different as I have a plan all worked out, well I think I have !

I'm heading up to where the breeding Black-head Gulls colony is located where also the Black-necked Grebe's nest on the fringes of the colony for security. The noise is constant especially when a Marsh Harrier zooms in to try and grab an egg or fledgling then the gulls take to the air on mass to chase off the harrier, whilst the gulls are all frantic the grebes seem to calmly cover the eggs before they leave the nest.

Even thou it's still full sun under under the shade of some tall reeds there's no harsh light, and surprisingly the grebes are very approachable, even when there's some human paddling round a floating tent.

Black-necked Grebe

Squacco Heron

Squacco Herons can be seen sat on reed clumps....slow and steady to approach thou !

Glossy Ibis

Like the Squacco's the "glossy's" use the reed clumps to rest up, a real stunner in the sun light.

White-headed Duck

A real difficult subject to get near. I was lucky with this individual as I spotted the duck cruising towards me, getting into position some distance in front I waited for it to approach, You only get a few shots before it steams passed as they are fast movers when they know your there, try to catch up and it movers faster, faster than even I can paddle. 

Exposure, trying not blowing out the whites on the ducks head is paramount.

I Finally Make It - 4

Day 4, AM - Bee-eaters

We are stood at the meeting location Casa de Labor are we are told "it's bee-eater"...I ask where ? and the gent points to a "pop-up" about a hundred meters away on a mound, right, ok, so off we go.

It's a two man pop up hide, no, really a one man hide ! so with the bags out side we we set up. About 20 meters away the a branch that the Bee-eaters have been taking advantage out quite close to where they are breeding in a bank over a stream, you just have to wait, and wait and wait.

Occasional we get a visit of a single bird, no pairs, no interaction, but at least we are getting some images.

Not the best of experiences but it's another ticked off the list. This afternoon...the Hydro Hide....wow !

El Taray Map

 Bee-eater

Day 4, PM - Hydro Hide, Laguna de El Taray 

This afternoon it's a session in a Hydro Hide, if you'r wondering what this looks like here's an image of the vary same taken from El Taray's site. 

Get your wetsuit on and get paddling !

Meeting up at the usual location late afternoon we make our way to get kitted out with wetsuits, great in the 35degrees of heat, we then head oof by truck down to the lake to set up on the floating hide, basically the hide has two side floats with a gimbal mount on the front and a pull over cover. Any items like batteries etc can be kept in a water proof container.

Once setup you wade into the water pushing the hide to move forward, great if you can feel the bottom as sometimes you don't and one of the reasons it's only available in summer when the water levels are lower.

Your tactics can vary, slowly mover around the lake looking for suitable subjects, or you can just sit and wait to see what comes your way.

Shelduck

There were a few Shelduck around some with young, what strikes me is they all look a bedraggled.

Black-necked Grebe

One of the first birds you'll see are Black-necked Grebe's, there must be a hundreds or more, many at this time of year sat on nests amongst the protection of the Black-headed Gull colony's, when a predator appears the gulls take to the air on mass noisy mobbing the predator, usually a Marsh Harrier to send packing.

Move slowly and the grebes will approach as close as 2.0m.

White-headed Duck

On the other hand these ducks are really skittish and difficult to approach.

Little Egret

Quick Break

Murcia - 16.1.20

It's been a while since I last posted on the blog with all the travel over the last few weeks including a short break in Murcia, not so much for photography but just some sun to break up the grey weather back in the UK.

Anyway not a big post just a few images from the week including unexpectedly BirdGuides "Picture Of The Week" of a flight White Wagtail taken not long after arriving at the Clot de Galvany seen below.

You can see the news article by clicking the following link....https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week-22-28-january/

Update..27-11-20. I just been informed that the image of the White Wagtail has gone the readers vote to be included as feature image for January in Birdwatch Magazine's 2021 calendar. Thank you BirdGuides/Birdwatch magazine 

White Wagtail

Image was taken at the Clot de Galvany not to long after arriving at Alicante Airport which is around six miles away so easily worth a visit before heading south on the AP7 motorway.

Slender-billed Gull

These two images were taken at Los Urrutias which until recently was a great location to get near wading birds in the car, unfortunately after the recent floods just before Xmas the ground is so soft its not even accessible to walk without getting completely covered in mud.

Stonechat

One of my regular birds and locations being so close to the accommodation.

Little Ringed Plover

Salinas San Pedro another location I visit quite a lot, sometimes quiet sometime not but always a great winter sunshine walk along the beach at Torre Derribada.

Coot

Back at the Clot de Gavany in some great afternoon sunlight.

White-headed Duck

I was rather disappointed with this shot as I hadn't seen Whited-headed Duck for some time, a spur of the moment afternoon visit to Lo Monte Ponds, in the afternoon the sun is bang in your face !

Chiffchaff

Absolutely loads of these summer migrants to the UK around the area which winter in Murcia

Red-legged Partridge 

Another regular bird near the accommodation taken at Lo Romero Golf