I spent 5 days in Eastern Spain and hired Jules Sykes from Birdforum to be my guide.I stayed at Jules and Amanda's B+B in Oliva,which is roughly half way between Alicante and Valencia.Although July is not the best month to Birdwatch in Spain,i still saw nearly all the target species and the trip exceeded both mine and Jules expectations.
Jules collected me from Alicante Airport at 10pm on 9th July and took me to the Santa Paula Sierra nearby.Our target was Red Necked Nightjar,which breed here.Despite hearing birds calling and singing it took us at least half an hour before Jules found one sitting on a track.We got reasonable views in the headlights before it took off into the night.A great start and my first lifer of the trip.
10TH JULY
A 5.30am start!We headed off to the Petra La Fields area.This is an area about an hours drive from Oliva.Our target was simple and big.Great Bustards! At our first stop we got out and scanned.Thekla Larks (L) were everywhere and i spotted an Iberian Green Woodpecker(L) sitting in a bush before it flew off to land on a distant pylon.Then Jules spotted 2 Magpies feeding a bird in some long grass.Unbelieveably it was a Great Spotted Cuckoo(L).A closer approach revealed 2 birds and we got great views before Magpies and Cuckoo's bounded off! A Southern Grey Shrike (L) was in a nearby hedgerow and the first of many Spotless Starlings (L)flew past.
We drove a little further and at the next stop Jules immediately located our target bird.Some magnificent Great Bustards(L),worth the trip alone.In the course of the next few hours in this general area we had at least 52 birds includeing 1 juvenile.We also added Stone Curlew and Serin for the trip.
At our next stop a mile further down the road we located a large flock of Calandra Larks(L).We got reasonable views as they fed in a nearby field.Nearby Jules heard a Quail calling.We positioned ourselves opposite a track between the two fields and as if by magic a Quail(L) sauntered out onto the track,paused breifly and then scampered into the next field.Our only Short Toed Larks of the trip were also found in this track.Birds of prey were represented by 5 Marsh Harriers including 2 sitting roosting in a small clump of grass.
Nearby a small group of buildings,produced at least a couple of Rock Sparrows and soon Jules picked up another of the target species.Black Bellied Sandgrouse(L).Two birds flew past,off into the distance.Over the next hour or so we had 5/6 Black Bellied and also 4/5 of the rarer Pin Tailed Sandgrouse (L).The birds were always flying but still very distinctive.3 Southern Grey Shrike gave a good show in a nearby field and a Pallid Swift gave stunning views comeing to within five feet of the Van.As we were finally leaving the area Jules located a flying Booted Eagle (L) and we got graet views before it drifted off high.
We then had a quick look at nearby Petra Lagoon.It was mostly dried up but a small corner produced Black Winged Stilts,Avocet,33 Kentish Plovers,Green and Wood Sandpipers ,our only Little Stint of the trip and at least 2 more close Pallid Swifts.
Then it was back to the B+B for the first of our daily Spanish Siestas,which were most needed in the heat of the day.Not a bad start, 11 lifers and stunning views of most birds includeing the Great Bustards.... to be continued!
Derek
Hi Derek
I've been following your progress via Jules' website and you seem to have done very well, especially for July, when the heat limits what birding you can do. You picked up two birds which would have been lifers for me, Quail, which I've heard 100 times but never managed to see and the dratted Great Spotted Cuckoo. Look forward to more pictures.
E
Hello Edward.
Jules told me about your tribulations with the Cuckoo! It was very much a bonus bird for me as i did not expect it at all.I did not get any photos however as i was concentrateing on watching them,but the views were fabulous.Juveniles are a lot better than adults (so i am told).But it will give you a reason to return.I enjoyed it that much i am already planning a spring visit, when the heat will not be so bad!
regards
Derek