Twite.
Given the dreadfully wet weather we had for the week this should perhaps be entitled skulking in Alcala! Nonetheless I managed to get in some birding during my usual mid/late-February stay in Alcala de los Gazules. Not up to Peter’s reports from Ronda, I know, but he’s a local and I’m the tourist.
Despite the wind and rain the village’s Lesser Kestrels put on their usual fine display over the house. My best count was of 25 birds from the terrace (which usually means that there were probably double that over the whole village). They also doubled as a great alarm clock by waking me every morning with their cheerful chatter. They even posed for a few photos – even I can mange to get some passable shots when they perch on the trees opposite! Elsewhere Black Kites were gradually drifting in with flocks of up to 30 odd despite the weather. A handful of Booted Eagles also showed themselves as did Short-toed, but the biggest bonus was a fine Egyptian Vulture. A gang of 30 Griffons lunched on a dead cow just off the A381, but scattered when I doubled back on the service road to get a better look.
Hoopoes also braved the weather as did a lone Pallid Swift (over Cadiz) and an Alpine Swift over the house on Saturday. Swallows were around in small numbers and, towards the end of the week joined by numbers of House Martin – the single Red-rumped Swallow, however, showed itself on the first day. The final summer migrant was Garganey at Laguna de Medina. The laguna’s reeds were choc-a-block with Blackcaps, Chiffchaff (I only heard the Common variety), Cetti’s and Sardinian Warblers, but the prize was a nice Penduline Tit. On the water there were c140 White headed Ducks (plus all the usual web-footed brethren) plus the incongruous sight of a lone Flamingo pretending to be a Mute Swan paddling along way out in the middle – Crested Coots decided to be shy though.
A couple of quick peeks at La Janda failed to get the usual B-w Kite, but did allow super views of Purple Gallinule, a good variety of larks (including a Woodlark) and a small balbo of Cranes. Great birds and still ones I somehow don’t expect in southern Spain even though I see them most winters!
So the gist is that, despite the poor weather, the summer is definitely on its way ................
I'll be back out in Alcala in April for a couple of weeks and hope to post more reports thereafter. Then in May I'll be out for a proper 'birding week' with a couple of fellow birders. It's a fantastic area and the above merely scratches the surface,
John
A nice report John. I'll be there in six weeks and two days.... who's counting.
Twite.
Given reasonable weather I'd have seen a lot more as Mrs C and I would have been out & about walking. I'll be there for two weeks in six weeks last Saturday. Perhaps we could meet up. You'd be certainly welcome to view the Lesser Ks from my terrace. Last year we even had a posse of Spanish birders arrive in the street below since the village apparently has the reputation of being the best place in Spain for seeing the species ..... and our terrace is one of the best places in the village!