18th April Torremendo

This time last year we visited the popular fishing lakes at Torremendo and so returned today with the hope of some good birding.  Access to some parts of the lake have been closed off to vehicles but access on foot is still available.  We recorded 51 species in the 3 hours we were there and were entertained for a while by an Ocellated Lizard (hopefully got that one right !). See picture below.

"Let the building begin" The hard working House Martin  

Sub-Alpine, Sardinian, Spectacled, Fantail and Melodius, Warblers showed well at different areas of the site.  Goldfinch, Linnet, Nightingale, Chiffchaff, Woodchat Shrike, Iberian Grey Shrike and Hoopoe were all in good voice and posed well for us. 

Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern,  Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged,  Common Shelduck, Great Crested Grebe, Common & Pallid Swift,  Red-rumped Swallow, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin,  Little Ringed Plover, Spotless Starling and Magpie. 

Several Squacco Heron were seen and 9  Grey Herons sat watching us watching them.  

Other highlights were 17 Bee-eater and a female Sparrow Hawk. 

Melodius Warbler