Another walk around the bottom end of La Finca this morning. One and three quarter hours from 7am in cool weather. Last night, I had listened to calling Little Owl and Stone Curlew from our balcony and as I today made my way to the entrance gate, the Little Owl was perched up nicely watching me walk by. Felt like there was a bit of movement, finally, as things have been a bit flat here. Hopefully, should pick up in April. Of note :-

Shelduck (2)
Pochard (61)
Black-winged Stilt (6)
Little Ringed Plover (1)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Sanderling (4)
Mediterranean Gull (32)
Little Grebe (2)
Glossy Ibis (c.85)
Cattle Egret (c.450)
Marsh Harrier (1)
Little Owl (1)
Hoopoe (1)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (1-2)
Kestrel (2)
Iberian Grey Shrike (1)
Crested Lark (1)
Swallow (1)
Red-rumped Swallow (10)
House Martin (25)
Cettis Warbler (7)
Blackcap (3)
Sardinian Warbler (1)
Black Redstart (1)
Serin 18)

The Marsh Harrier, a 3CY male, flew in from the south east was a site tick for me, as were the over flying Sanderling that motored through northwards. The Cattle Egret and Ibis were spooked by the Harrier and virtually all of them exited the roost site in a flurry of activity. I usually see say 50-100 birds but a rough count showed there to be around 450. Quite an impressive count.

Species seen - 39

Just over an hour and a half, this morning, at El Pinet in sunny and warm weather. Amongst others :-

Shelduck (17)
Black-winged Stilt (25)
Avocet (45)
Kentish Plover (14)
Curlew Sandpiper (1)
Sanderling (11)
Dunlin (16)
Little Stint (4)
Collared Pratincole (1-2)
Slender-billed Gull (175)
Mediterranean Gull (5)
Whiskered Tern (1)
Common Tern (3)
Sandwich Tern (145)
Greater Flamingo (65)
Yellow Wagtail (2)

Collared Pratincole have started to arrive in the south west of Spain, with a few records around Coto Doñana. Looking at eBird, I cant see any records further north than that, so todays bird(s) are the first in the Alicante/Valencia region.

I like El Pinet, because there are two hides overlooking what is a relatively compressed area and the birds are therefore easy to view. At the nearby Santa Pola Saltpans, viewing is difficult and you are out in the open by the very busy (and dangerous) N332 coast road.

When I got back to our rental property, I was greeted by a singing Black Wheatear on the roof of the opposite property, so a very decent tick for the La Finca list.

A quick one and a half hours walk this morning in the Sierra de Benejúzar in sunny and fine weather. The hills (rather than mountains) to the south of the village with the same name. The climb starts immediately west of the La Finca Golf Course where we are staying. A bit quiet, of note :-

Shelduck (17)
Red-legged Partridge (2)
Little Ringed Plover (2)
Common Sandpiper (2)
Little Grebe (4)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (1)
Kestrel (1)
Theklas Lark (1)
Crested Lark (6)
Chiffchaff (1)
Sardinian Warbler (8)
Linnet (5)

The first part of the walk climbs through the Red-necked Nightjar area, adjacent to the golf course. The waders and wildfowl were seen at a quite large reservoir, which presumably is used as a water source for crop fields to the south. The hills appear to have potential for wheatear species so, if time permits, I will have a longer mooch around.

Two hours this morning at Laguna de La Mata, car park to main hide and back. Water levels high, bringing plenty of birds close in, which hasnt been the case for a long time. Weather sunny, light winds, 15-17*c. Of note :-

Shelduck (8)
Swift (1)
Black-winged Stilt (11)
Avocet (8)
Grey Plover (5)
Ringed Plover (1)
Kentish Plover (7)
Redshank (3)
Turnstone (8)
Sanderling (1)
Dunlin (12)
Little Stint (47)
Slender-billed Gull (c.200)
Black-headed Gull (c.1000)
Audouins Gull (1)
Mediterranean Gull (6)
Greater Flamingo (c.250)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (1)
Monk Parakeet (16)
Theklas Lark (1)
Crested Lark (6)
Serin (11)

I cant ever remember seeing such a figure for Little Stint. Had a good look through the flock for Temmincks without any luck.

Species seen - 35

Just coming to the end of a weeks stay in Quesada, southern Costa Blanca. Weather sunny and clear every day, temps rising from 19-24*c by mid afternoon, one cloudy day.

Low key birding, sometimes with bins, sometimes just listening.

Sites visited :- El Hondo (1.25 hrs), Cabo Roig, La Finca Golf Course, Guardamar Lighthouse, Torrevieja Promenade.

62 Species seen, of note :-

Common Swift
Pallid Swift
Red-knobbed Coot
Eurasian Thick-knee
Black-winged Stilt
Pied Avocet
Common Sandpiper
Sanderling
Slender-billed Gull
Audouins Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Common Tern
Sandwich Tern
Greater Flamingo
European Shag
Glossy Ibis
Little Bittern
Western Cattle Egret
Booted Eagle
Western Marsh Harrier
Montagus Harrier
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Monk Parakeet
Iberian Grey Shrike
Sitting Cisticola
Sedge Warbler
Common Reed Warbler
Barn Swallow
Western House Martin
Red-rumped Swallow
Cettis Warbler
Sardinian Warbler
Spotless Starling

Three and a half hours at El Hondo, this morning from 8.45 in fine weather, cool to start with then rising to about 19*c. With it being a bank holiday, the non birding Spaniards arrived en masse by the time I was leaving, so it was good to get away the. Amongst others :-

Red-crested Pochard (1)
Greater Flamingo (200)
Black-necked Grebe (6)
Alpine Swift (4)
Common Swift (250)
Pallid Swift (45)
Red-knobbed Coot (8)
Western Swamphen (4)
Black-winged Stilt (35)
Avocet (75)
Little Ringed Plover (1)
Common Snipe (12)
Wood Sandpiper (3)
Slender-billed Gull (25)
Mediterranean Gull (200)
Whiskered Tern (13)
Squacco Heron (3)
Cattle Egret (16)
Glossy Ibis (35)
Booted Eagle (3)
Marsh Harrier (4)
Crested Lark (5)
Sitting Cisticola (6)
Reed Warbler (3)
Great Reed Warbler (2)
Barn Swallow (35)
House Martin (15)
Red-rumped Swallow (15)
Chiffchaff (5)
Cettis Warbler (12)
Blackcap (1)
Sardinian Warbler (6)
Western Subalpine Warbler (1)
Tree Sparrow (1)

Migrants coming in thick and fast now with a big influx of Swifts all over the reserve. If I had spent longer checking through them, I am sure I would have ended up with several more Alpines.

There has been a Spotted Crake seen regularly of late and, after having spoken to the finder today, I now know the spot which is close to the car park. It wasnt there when I left and I will probably be struggling to fit in another visit now.

Collared Pratincole numbers have increased nicely at El Pinet with a minimum of 38 present this morning. Probably one or two others hidden in the vegetation on the shingle islands as well. Still one Curlew Sandpiper in attendance together with 7 Dunlin, 11 Kentish Plover, 2 Redshank, a few Sanderling, 5 Common Tern and 2 Stone Curlew, plus the usuals.

Moved on to Santa Pola Saltpans, viewing from the tower by the busy coast road. Very quiet, water levels high and not conducive to waders. Added a Great Crested Grebe to the trip list, taking the figure now to 119.

Finally, to an area of farmland inbetween the La Marina urbanisation and the south east corner of El Hondo. This is a very good area for both Roller and Bee-eater, although we are a few weeks off seeing those arrive. There is a pair of Great Spotted Cuckoo around though but finding the birds is another matter. After walking around the tracks a week or so ago, I today drove around them for the second time, again without success.

A non birding day today but c.20 House Martin over the La Finca Golf Course reservoir take the trip list to 114.

Spent three and three quarter hours at El Hondo this morning from 9.15 in sunny and warm weather. This is the smaller part of the reserve where daily access is the norm.

Species similar to my last visit here on the 8th with the added bonus of a Wood Sandpiper, asleep on the edge of a little island, seen from the boardwalk.

Whilst I was en route to the Torre de Rincon (watchtower), a cyclist photographer passed me, went round the corner and promptly flushed a Wryneck from the track. The bird disappeared into a thick bush before dropping into even thicker vegetation and thereafter remained hidden. I missed it by a couple of minutes at the most!

Species seen 48

Photos attached of Black-winged Stilt and Cettis Warbler.

Just outside the Costa Blanca but, as it is only a two hour car drive to the north west, I may as well include it here. We are staying in a lovely hotel on the western outskirts of Albacete which makes journeys into the steppe country very easy. Target birds here are the two species of Sandgrouse, the two Bustards, Lesser Kestrel and various Larks.

Whilst the steppe continues, in part, as far south as Yecla, near Albacete it is centred around the villages of Bonete, Corral-Rubio and Petrola. A drive around these three villages, especially along the sandy tracks which cut through the farmland, should afford decent views of some, or all, of the typical steppe birds.

At my first stop, a rise in the road giving superb views of the open countryside, I saw 5 Great Bustard with the bonus of a single Pin-tailed Sandgrouse in amongst them. This was a lifer. I heard one or more calling but could not see them. En route to and at my second stop, I saw a further 7 Bustards followed by flight views of another 10 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. This was pleasing as, it is generally thought that Black-bellied Sandgrouse are the easier of the two to come across. Several more Great Bustards were seen later on, bringing my final tally up to 23.

Next stop was a farming hamlet east of Corral-Rubio where at least 6 Lesser Kestrel were noted amongst the farm buildings. Further along the track, two pairs of Eurasian Kestrel were seen along with Black Wheatear and both Theklas & Crested Lark.

This whole area is littered with pools, some large and some small. Unfortunately, most of these appear to have completely dried up with the continuing dry weather. I am not sure if this is normal at this time of year, or a one off. The two pools that are still decent are that at Petrola and the other a few kms south of the same town. A variety of waterfowl were seen at these plus several species of wader.

A cracking morning out. Highlights :-

Great Bustard (23)
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (11)
Red-legged Partridge (1)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Common Buzzard (1)
Crested Lark
Theklas Lark
Lesser Kestrel (min 6)
Eurasian Kestrel (min 4)
Tree Sparrow (8)
Black Wheatear (1)
Hoopoe (1)
Shoveler (62)
White-headed Duck (4)
Greater Flamingo (24)
Little Grebe (24
Black-necked Grebe (2)
Black-winged Stilt (c.30)
Avocet (8)
Kentish Plover (3)
Little Ringed Plover (2)
Snipe (2)
Green Sandpiper (2)
Dunlin (c.35)
Little Stint (6)
Mediterranean Gull (4)

Spent an hour and a half yesterday at a relatively quiet El Clot de Galvany reserve, in warm and sunny weather, 14-17*c. A Ferruginous Duck pair has been seen of late but wasnt on show during my visit, although it may well have been on one of the several pools or indeed on the main lagoon. I was mainly at the smallish pool named Charcas Anátidas. Of note :-

Red-crested Pochard (11)
White-headed Duck (6)
Red-legged Partridge (3)
Water Rail (2)
Audouins Gull (1)
Marsh Harrier (1)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (1)
Iberian Grey Shrike (1)
Crested Lark (1)
Moustached Warbler (1)
Sardinian Warbler (5)
Serin (2)

This morning, from 7.30am, on La Finca Golf Course. The weather is getting warmer now, so there were plenty of golfers underway even at that time. I was therefore restricted to the area north of the main lake/pool, by the reedbed.
Amongst others :-

Pochard (13)
Little Grebe (5)
Black-winged Stilt (2)
Snipe (1)
Green Sandpiper (2)
Cattle Egret (min 25)
Glossy Ibis (6)
Hoopoe (4)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (1)
Chiffchaff (min 50)
Cettis Warbler (5)
Bluethroat (1)
Serin (6)

The Bluethroat I saw on Sunday, I assumed was the red-spotted form. On closer inspection of a couple of front on photos, there would appear to be neither a red spot, nor a white spot. This would make it the Iberian subspecies (Luscinia svecica azuricollis). These breed in the higher ground of central Spain but overwinter in coastal areas.

Todays Bluethroat is most definitely of the white-spotted form, (L. s. cyanecula), with a more south and central European distribution, some of whom also overwinter in Iberia. Photos of this bird are attached.

Forgot to attach a photo of the Surf Scoter..

A walk around the La Finca Golf Course perimeter roads yesterday added Iberian Grey Shrike to the trip list. This morning, I spent just over an hour on the golf course itself seeing similar birds to my visit on Friday last. Best sighting was a Red-spotted Bluethroat which, for a couple of seconds jumped up onto a wall before quickly returning down into the damp vegetation.

An hour from 8am this morning on La Finca Golf Course before the golfers got underway. Sunny and clear, light winds, 9*c. Of note :-

Shelduck (2)
Pochard (29)
Little Grebe (2)
Black-winged Stilt (4)
Snipe (1)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Cattle Egret (9)
Glossy Ibis (2)
Hoopoe (6)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (1)
Crested Lark (1)
Chiffchaff (16)
Cettis Warbler (5)
Blackcap (1)
Sardinian Warbler (1)
Black Redstart (1)
Stonechat (2)
White Wagtail (20)
Meadow Pipit (6)

Just coming to the end of a four week stay in a rental property, close to Quesada on the southern Costa Blanca. Same property as last year but this time we have gone one month earlier. As such, the weather has been sunny and hot throughout with daytime temperatures generally between 25-30*c. Not quite as hot this last few days, today is set to be around 22*c which will have been the lowest temperature so far. We saw a bit of rain last night, the first of the trip.

A persistent neck problem has meant much scaled down birding time, some of the nearby reserves havent been visited and we cancelled a trip to Albacete where we intended to look for steppe birds. I did manage to visit the following areas :-

Laguna de La Mata
Cabo Roig
Farmland and scrub areas adjacent to Lo Crispin urbanisation
El Hondo
El Clot de Galvany
Tabarca Island

Birds seen were pretty much consistent with previous years with the odd addition, amongst others :-

Marbled Teal
Red-crested Pochard
White-headed Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Greater Flamingo
Black-necked Grebe
Water Rail
Red-knobbed Coot
Western Swamphen
Black-winged Stilt
Pied Avocet
Black-bellied Plover
Kentish Plover
Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover
Whimbrel
Turnstone
Sanderling
Little Stint
Common Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper
Greenshank
Mediterranean Gull
Audouins Gull
Whiskered Tern
Common Tern
Sandwich Tern
European Shag
Little Bittern
Purple Heron
Cattle Egret
Glossy Ibis
Booted Eagle
Marsh Harrier
Little Owl
Hoopoe
Kingfisher
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Monk Parakeet
Iberian Grey Shrike
Theklas Lark
Crested Lark
Zitting Cisticola
Crag Martin
Cettis Warbler
Chiffchaff
Sardinian Warbler
Spotless Starling
Bluethroat
Black Redstart
Stonechat
Western Yellow Wagtail
Water Pipit

Photos added are of a Juvenile/1st w Little Bittern at El Clot de Galvany and a Marsh Harrier at El Hondo.

Five mile walk around El Clot de Galvany this morning with Mrs J, including a full circumference of the large lagoon, around which there are three hides and a couple of watch towers. Weather sunny and clear, light winds, 13-17*c. Amongst others :-

Shoveler (25)
Eurasian Teal (10)
Pochard (10)
White-headed Duck (19)
Little Grebe (11)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Black-necked Grebe (2)
Water Rail (3)
Western Swamphen (2)
Little Egret (3)
Cattle Egret (1)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Kestrel (1)
Crag Martin (25)
Chiffchaff (5)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Sardinian Warbler(21)
Robin (20)
Black Redstart (4)
White Wagtail (6)
Serin (1)

Good numbers of White-headed Duck are now able to be seen, given there is now access to hides around the large lagoon. Trip list 110.

Spent a night in Albacete, with a view to looking at the area of steppe to the south east of the town. This is probably the nearest area of steppe, of any decent size, to Costa Blanca. It takes an hour and a half to get there via the A31 motorway. eBird hotspots for both Bustards, both Sandgrouse and a variety of Larks centre around the villages of Petrola, Corral-Rubio and Bonete. There is another area, north and east of Yecla but that proved disappointing.

The steppe around the three villages is at 2000 ft asl and the temperature dropped to 9*c on Friday and, rather unfortunately, the wind picked up to around 50 km per hour, with gusts up to 75 kph. If you left your tripod unattended, it was over. Not conducive to looking for Larks and Buntings perched on wires. Today, the weather was the same, whilst tomorrow, the wind speed is set to return to a more normal 7 kph. Sods Law!

Still, the birding was quite good with several Marsh Harrier seen plus a ring tail Hen Harrier, a variety of waterfowl, a flock of Calandra Lark, other unidentified Larks (probably Thekla), several Raven, Booted Eagle, a few waders and, best of all, a flock of 85-100 Common Crane, a couple of km east of Petrola. There is a large lagoon at Petrola with several other smaller lagoons centred at, or near, the three villages. All in all, the area looks nailed on for Bustards and Sandgrouse, its just a question of spending a full day or two up there and finding them. Amongst others :-

Greylag Goose (2)
Shelduck (16)
Shoveler (75)
Gadwall (25)
Mallard (200+)
Teal (30)
Greater Flamingo (4)
Common Crane (85-100)
Dunlin (10)
Little Stint (1)
Lapwing (7)
Marsh Harrier (5-6)
Hen Harrier (1)
Booted Eagle (1)
Kestrel (3-4)
Raven (7)
Meadow Pipit (100+)
Calandra Lark (30)

In addition to the main flock of Common Crane, two other groups of three each were seen a few kms away.

Just over 4km walk with Mrs J, this morning, around the reception pools at El Hondo. The attraction was a 1w White-winged Tern that arrived two or three days ago and has been frequenting the pool around the boardwalk. Very breezy today and difficult to get any decent photos, so may have another go tomorrow. Plenty of Stonechat on show, amongst the usuals and good to see a fly past of 15 Glossy Ibis.

Another walk around Cabo Roig this morning, similar species seen as last time here, with the addition of a Little Egret. Several Monk Parakeet seen plus more Crag Martin. Also good to see another two adult Gannet, one right in, flying around the marina.

A White-winged Tern has been present today at El Hondo and, at the same reserve, the Social Lapwing seems to be enjoying its extended stay.

No proper birding today, a morning walk around Cabo (Cape) Roig, a few kilometres south of Torrevieja, without bins :-

Gannet (3)
Sandwich Tern (5)
Audouins Gull (1)
Yellow-legged Gull (5)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Monk Parakeet (3)
Crag Martin (2)
White Wagtail (1)

eBird sightings showing that the Sociable Lapwing was still present in the south east corner of the El Hondo reserve, indeed it must have returned on Sunday after I had left. I arrived at 9.50 this morning, weather sunny, cool and clear. I passed a French birder who advised that the bird was present but very distant, still associating with the Northern Lapwing. I had the small hide to myself but after only two minutes a Marsh Harrier dropped in and sent several hundred Lapwing into the air as well as several waders. Most of the Lapwing departed but a decent number circled round and returned to their previous spot. After a few minutes, I thankfully managed to relocate it.

I spent around an hour in the hide before driving up the east side of the reserve and to the north west corner, where the visitor centre is located. Still plenty of decent birds around but some of the large pools were devoid of birds. I came away without seeing White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal and Red-knobbed Coot, which were my target birds. I did a full circumference of the pools near the visitor centre, including the boardwalk and must have walked three or four kilometers. This is a mere pin prick in relation to the size of the whole reserve. You can still only access the main part of the reserve by appointment and times are very limited. Amongst others :-

Shelduck (26
Shoveler (33)
Little Grebe (5)
Greater Flamingo (2)
Water Rail (1)
Western Swamphen (17)
Black-winged Stilt (1)
Snipe (1)
Avocet (8)
Golden Plover (61)
Northern Lapwing (250+)
Sociable Lapwing (1)
Ringed Plover (2)
Curlew (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (3)
Dunlin (8)
Little Egret (1)
Cattle Egret (1)
Marsh Harrier (9)
Booted Eagle (1)
Kestrel (1)
Crag Martin (35)
Barn Swallow (6)
Kingfisher (1)
Cettis Warbler (3)
Moustached Warbler (1)
Chiffchaff (1)
Crested Lark (2)
Stonechat (1)
White Wagtail (8)

Back to the lagoon this morning and a four mile walk up the western shoreline before the mosquitoes made it very uncomfortable. We then made our way back to the car park near the visitor centre. We gave the main hide a miss. Bird species similar to yesterday with a few additions. Weather pleasant and sunny, 18-20*c, light winds. Amongst others :-

Stone Curlew (2)
Cattle Egret (3)
Hoopoe (1)
Iberian Green Woodpecker (3)
Monk Parakeet (2)
Iberian Grey Shrike (3)
Crested Lark (20)
Crag Martin (2)
Sardinian Warbler (1)
Black Redstart (12)
Stonechat (4)
White Wagtail (11)
Meadow Pipit (3)
Serin (18)

Just back from a week on the Costa Blanca. Again, not too much birding - two and a half hours at Laguna de la Mata, three hours on the accessible part of El Hondo and the roads around the reserve and a brief visit to La Finca at dusk for the Red necked Nightjar. Weather hot and sunny throughout. More interesting sightings being :-

Little Bittern (1)
Little Egret
Cattle Egret (250+)
Purple Heron
Greater Flamingo (250+)
White headed Duck (2)
Avocet
Stone Curlew (1)
Kentish Plover
Black winged Stilt
Collared Pratincole (c.6)
Whimbrel (1)
Turnstone
Sandwich Tern
Common Tern
Little Tern
Black Tern (3)
Whiskered Tern (c.10)
Slender billed Gull
Audouin's Gull
Turtle Dove (3)
Cuckoo
Red necked Nightjar (c.6)
Bee-eater
Roller (1)
Hoopoe
Crested Lark
Red rumped Swallow
Pallid Swift
Sardinian Warbler
Fan tailed Warbler
Southern Grey Shrike
Woodchat Shrike
Spotless Starling
Serin

Always like to get to La Finca to see how the Nighjar are doing in view of the continuing development at the top end of the golf course. Don't seem to be affected at present. One bird putting in decent flight views whilst at least another four birds were giving their distinctive calls. I would say six birds would be about right. There is a walk which appears to be out of bounds or at least on private grounds. A walk of a kilometer or two (not easy in the murk) could possibly turn up more.

Did a slow drive along the northern side of El Hondo hoping to see Roller. Finally found one bird on wires right opposite the North Gate. Great to see.

Lovely views of several Audouin's Gull from the sun lounger on Guardamar Beach!

Nothing new but great birding nonetheless.

Yes, try the Owners Direct site. We stay in Quesada which is central for all the reserves previously mentioned and there are plenty of apartments listed there.

We're going over for a week in March and I'm aiming to have a quick look at the vulture introduction programme near Alcoi which is an hour and a half or so north of Quesada. A little further north east is the Vall de Gallinera where we've booked a little, rustic hotel for one night. Will give the valley a reccy for some future spring/early summer birding.

If you need info on any of the birding sites, just pm me or post on this thread.