It's a Warm Day !

Well it’s last day of my spring migration “reci" trip which is turning out to be photo min break. Today being the warmest day very aptly I’m off to the beach, particularly the sand dunes at Playa La Torre where the previous day I had seen a pair of Stonechats between the broad walk and the beach, so camera at the ready I thought I'd try and photograph. 

On arrival I was surprised to see “squadrons” of Cormorants possibly up to 300 number in groups of twenty or so heading up the coast towards the Mar Menor, as I was concentrating on the Stonechats I kept missing the chance of a good light flight shot...so it's was back to the task in hand. 

Stonechats can be somewhat difficult to get near, so with a some patience sitting quietly eventually an opportunity will present its self, here are the images….

Male & Female Stonechat

Click image to view..

Meadow Pipit

On the way back to the car I noted two Audouin’s Gull with amazing red and orange tip bill sat a puddle in the middle of the carpark, so being a little obvious in the empty carpark stealth mode was required, on my front to get a little closer I managed to obtain these images

Note the ring on the right leg of the bird in the last image

Next location was to move up the coast to look for waders on the beach at Playa Merendero de las Salinas, you park up in the Park Natural carpark near the San Pedro salinas port and walk along a boardwalk to the beach…..what beach? it was covered from the waters edge to the high tide line in dead sea grass to a depth of at least 200-300mm washed up over the winter.

At the waters edge as expected were Turnstone, Little Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Redshank etc. Suffering the ever present blood sucking insects I grabbed the shots I needed and retreated to the safety of the car

Last stop for the day is the north side of San Pedro salinas at El Mojon which is mentioned in a guide i recently read, unfortunately access to the salinas is no longer possible but it was worth a visit to check the site out. 

In the overflow channel to the sea the usual species could be found including male and female Mallard and a very obliging Little Egret. 

All too quickly my time is over for this trip, its back to the accommodation for my mum’s dinner and my evening flight back to the UK. 

I will be back in April…

Just Time for a Last Hour !

Tuesday 24th January 2016

Scrub Land, La Romero

The forth day of my mini trip, now in a “T” shirt as it’s a nice 17 degrees. Due to a family event I’m only able to get out as of 3.0 pm to some local scrub land near the accommodation, with some patience its possible to photograph Stonechat, scrub Warblers, Larks and the odd Peregrine passing overhead..

Click the image to view !

It's a Ruff Old Time in the Sun

Monday 23rd January 2016

San Pedro Salinas

The third day of my mini trip it’s sunny and pushing 16 degrees which a contrast to the 1 degree temperature freezing fog back home. I’m finding loads of photo opportunities locally so will intend to stay in the Pilar/San Pedro area for the remainder of the trip.

My daily routine is now to park up in the road lay-by alongside one of the salinas and wait a period to see what turns up, right on que a pair of Ruff drop in right in front of me each bird differing slightly, one with pale green legs and the other with bright yellow legs reminiscent of a vagrant Lesser Yellowlegs seen in the past. 

Bellow are some of the images taken at a slightly elevated angle which were taken from my mobile hide (car) eventually to be spooked and flying off by walkers enjoying the sunshine. 

Wader species from morning visit:…Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Little Stint, Dunlin, Avocet, Black Winged Stilt, Turnstone, Ruff, lesser Flamingo, also briefly a Phylloscopus Warbler (Chiffchaff) flitting in the undergrowth trying to distract me

As a foot note, called in to the San Pedro visitors centre which was closed and appears to have been locked up for some with the gardens and becoming over grown, I don't know if this is closed for the winter period, it would be a shame if this was permeant.

Click image to view..

Ruff - Green Legs

Ruff - Yellow Legs

Ruff - Green Legs

In Search of Waders

Tuesday, Day 2

Observatory de Aves, San Pedro Salinas

Afternoon session in search of waders at the Observatory de Aves which is the salinas at a point closes to the sea, despite the flooded access route I managed to get to the location only with just one wet foot! The observatory has a viewing hide looking out onto the salinas and the reserve, unfortunately some walkers seem to be looking for a route off the reserve so "No Access" rule don't seem to apply

The edge of the salinas at this point resembles a tidal shore with Sanderling dancing to and fro with the breaking waves at the waters edge. Other waders included, Sanderling, Little Stint, Redshank, Turnstone and Dunlin

A quiet session allowing a some close encounter, I was satisfied with my efforts..

Little Stint

Redshank

Sanderling

Dunlin