Latest birding news from The Axarquia

Lonely Sanderling Calidris alba (Steve Powell)

Well I may be "confined to barracks" following my recent little health problem which is going to keep me away from my birds for probably a week or more but there are still birds to be seen all around.  For me, when awake, this is presently based on what passes by the house on the mountain and, on Thursday, included a mass movement of Common Swifts travelling towards the coast.  No sooner had I thought that the birds were travelling in the wrong direction than the storm arrived with heavy rain and thunder for twenty minutes or so.  Not silly these swift; keep ahead of the weather front and then move on later.  In addition, I have now seen my first local Red-rumped Swallow but, as yet, no sign of either Bee-eater or Turtle Dove at Casa Collado.

Redshank Tringa totanus (Steve Powell)

On the other hand, Steve and Elena Powell were able to get down to the Rio Velez in Torre del Mar yesterday but, sadly, found the site very quiet with little of interest to be seen other than a most forlorn and lonely Sanderling all on its own.  The bird was ringed and, judging by Steve's observations, the ring could have been fitted a little tighter as it seemed to be forever riding up and down the leg.  Also present was a single Redshank but he did have a lovely fly-past from a small flock of Black-winged Stilts.  Finally, on a cold and windy day, he also managed to record both an Iberian race Yellow Wagtail and a few Little Ringed Plovers.

A selection of the Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus in flight  (PHOTO: Steve Powell)

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Meanwhile, having recovered from our recent Extremadura exploits, Pat and Eric Lyon took themselves up to the old railway line at Ventas de Zafarraya and then on to the woods at El Robledal.  As expected, the former produced good numbers of Choughs and most of the regulars for this mountain site plus a great view of a male Cirl Bunting closely followed by a Rock Bunting.  As pat reports, great for comparison purposes when seen so closely together.  Not content with this comparison, a short while later they also had both male and female Blue Rock Thrush.


Moving on to El Robledal, whilst no Short-toed Treecreeper was seen, there were loads of Nuthatches plus all the tit family; Longtailed, Crested, Coal, Blue and Great Tits.  And, as an added bonus, they had a lovely clear view of a female Dartford Warbler.

And to round off a great week, Pat and Eric were also able to get over to the Charca de Suarez Reserve and have a clear sighting of both the male and female Little Crake.  Here's to next week.  Happy Easter one and all!

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