Lakes above Alhama de Granada

Whilst I was watching the Grand Prix and listening to the commentaries on both Manchester clubs as they played out the final game of the season, John and Jenny Wainwright were doing something far more worthwhile.  Ignoring the hot sunshine and the thronging masses out for a Sunday in the countryside, they drove over to Alhama de Granada from Loja taking in the main reservoirs before returning via Salar.  Despite the number of people about they seemed to have had some great sightings, especially the Golden Eagle being mobbed by a Booted Eagle and the Golden Orioles (take note Steve!)

There report is as follows:

Alhama de Granada road trip.

A very, very hot day.

We knew that the Embalse would be packed with weekenders, but we started here regardless. At the first outflow prior to the dam we saw Sardinian Warblers, Serins, Blue Tits, Short-toed Treecreeper, Greenfinch, Crossbill, Grey Heron, Chaffinch and Goldfinches.

We then headed for Arena del Ray picking up on the way Corn Buntings, Nightingales, Collared Doves, Wood Pigeon, Bee-eaters, Blackbirds and Spotless Starlings.

Through this village and onto the small lake opposite the Las Paloma restaurant, we couldn´t park here due to the cars so we drove past and turned right onto the Ruta del Termalismo (Hydrotherapy Route) which just so happens to go through the bottom of the Alhama de Granada gorge.

Here we saw Firecrests, Common Swifts, Crag Martins, Golden Orioles, Barn Swallows, House Martins and Nightingales. A huge shadow passed in front of the sun and revealed an adult Golden Eagle which a few minutes later was being mobbed by a Booted Eagle; we watched the pair until they had wheeled out of sight.

We crossed the stream and followed the single lane track to the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles (Our Lady of the Angels). Here we found Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrows and Rock Buntings, Nightingales, Jackdaws, Great Tits, more Common Swifts and Crag Martins and also heard more Golden Orioles.

Calandra Lark  Calandria Comun Melanocorypha calandra (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

Back on the road to Alhama de Granada and headed for Salar, but we side-tracked onto one of the many shoot-offs into the campo. Here we picked up Calandra Larks, Lesser Kestrels, Mistle Thrushes, Common Magpies, Azure-winged Magpies, Corn Buntings, Thekla Lark, Woodchat Shrike, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Southern Grey Shrike and more Bee-eaters.

A few more km than anticipated but good overall results, better than sitting in the armchair!

It certainly was and I have just counted 39species above and I imagine that you omitted some of the "common" birds!