Rio Velez, Torre del Mar

Golden Plovers  Chorlito Dorado Europeo  Pluvialis apricaria

A beautiful sunny day and, down besides the river, away from the strong mountain breeze.  So meeting up with Steve Powell we had a rather pleasant birding experience as we walked both the river track and beach.  Even more so when, on the far side of the eastern growing fields, a masked and hooded motor-cyclist pulled up, lifted his visor and revealed himself as Eric Lyon.  So, why carry on when we could retrace our steps ans how Eric the flock of a dozen Golden Plovers feeding nearby, not to mention the charm of Goldfinches totalling at least an hundred individuals.

Back to the beginning where Steve and I were welcomed by the usual resident Rock Doves and Moorhens plus a small number of Mallard.  A Grey Wagtail took off across the nearby field and Cetti's Warblers blasted out from the nearby bushes and reeds.  A Common Sandpiper fed in the river and a couple of Little Egret's arrived and perched in the top of the opposite trees.  No sooner had I got the sandpiper in view through the binoculars than a Kingfisher flashed by upstream.

Departing Little Egret  Garceta Comun  Egretta garzetta

Moving down the track there was no shortage of birds to be seen along the shingle river banks.  Plenty of White Wagtails and more Grey Wagtails to give a flash of colour.  With scores of feeding Chiffchaffs all around we then had our first Green Sandpiper quickly followed by a single Water Pipit, a Black Redstart and a few Goldfinches and Serins.  Next came a flock of twenty Sanderlings with a pair of Dunlin to keep them company.  A Robin pottered about in front of us and ere long we had also recorded Blackbird, Meadow Pipit and Hoopoe.  Overhead, a pair of noisy Monk Parakeets and then the ever-present Stonechats and a reasonably-sized flock of Spotless Starlings.  As a Snipe took off up river, we had yet another Ringed Plover and then the first Kentish Plover.

Sanderlings Calidris alba feeding on dead fish

The beach was deserted save for a pair of fishermen and the river had, once again, broken through to the sea.  Whilst we did not see the Guillemot that had recorded earlier in the day, we did have a flock of Black-headed Gulls!  Moving to the eastern growing fields, first House Sparrows then more Serins and the flock of a dozen Golden Plovers.  Huge flocks of Goldfinches (as above) were recorded along with a few Linnets.  At this point a dozen or so Cattle Egrets passed over heading westwards whilst we carried on to the "new" road, recording more Meadow Pipits and Crested Larks until we met up with Eric.

More Monk Parakeets Cotorra Argentina Myiopsitta monachus

Returning towards the beach and back along the track to our cars we, once again, recorded most of the birds seen on the outward leg of the walk plus another Sardinian Warbler.  However, we did manage to also add Cormorant, Crag Martin and Little Ringed Plover.  Steve then departed whilst Eric and I walked upstream beyond the first bridge in the hope that yesterday's Jack Snipe was still to be seen (as recorded by local Velez Malaga birder, Kiree) nut no such luck.  On the other hand, we did see another couple of Water Pipits and yet another Hoopoe.

The morning ended with a final total of 37 species but then I also managed to record Chaffinch and Thekla Lark as I drove up the rack to Casa Collado and a Kestrel was hovering over the house, so giving me a round total of 40 for the day.

All photographs by Stephen Powell

Birds seen:

Mallard, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Cormorant, Kestrel, Moorhen, Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Monk Parakeet, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Water Pipit, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Golfinch and Linnet.