Its a return to Vistabella Road hides today but this time I'm heading the the second hide which is further down the channel track that boarders the southern lagoon. As you arrive and head through the reeds to the hide you have to walk on a raised wooden walkway which is three planks wide, a bit scary if you are carrying very expensive camera gear, it get worse, as you approach the hide it veers up about one metre above the water. Once inside its evident this hide is a far better being both closer and lower to the water offerring extensive views either side and to the front.
I count about thirty or so Black Necked Grebe's all resplendent in their summer plumage, incessantly calling... "pu-ii", unusual if you've not head it before. Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis are abundant, Little Bitterns are flying bullet like to and fro to a reed island in front of the hide, presumably feeding young. Male White Headed Ducks are jostling each other with this years young around the reed fringes and Purple Herons glide over the water like Vulcan Bombers
Its now around 11.0 am and the sun is making light conditions a little harsh casting unwanted shadows on the subjects, for this reason if photography is what your here for an early visit is recommended, and I would defiantly recommend the second hide.
Returning to the car I pass quite close to the first hide so I have a quick look, much the same as pervious visit so time to move on to my next location, the Old Monastery on the Elche Road.
As I arrive I note a resident Kestrel hunting, they always look a lot paler than the UK variant. I park up behind the building where I had previously seen a Roller, but no luck today and continue down the gravel tracks recommended by a resident birder. The only birds of note are, a Bee-Eater, Lesser Grey Shrike and Woodchat Shrike.
Its now mid afternoon and call it a day and head back to the accommodation
Click image to view...
Image of the normally secretive Purple Swamphen swimming in open water, the bird had decided to swim from the mainland to a reed island across approximatly three hundred meters of water.
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