Guadalentin Valley

Weather was a little overcast but still warm when we left home this morning around 7.45am for the hours' drive to the Guadalentin Valley. Leaving the RM23 for the servicio road leading to the valley we startled a flock of around 400 Serin which flew across the road in a firework like display of colour. We watched them settle again in more or else the same place on the side of the road before moving on.

The tracks were very dry as there has been very little rain here recently. The goat herder was out with his goats and dozens of Cattle Egrets were taking advantage of a free lift perching on their backs as they made their way across the land, quite a sight !
The goats flushed 4 Stone Curlew as they made their way across the field.

The temperature had risen to a comfortable 25 degrees by the time we stopped at the first of several reservoirs to scan for birds. We recorded good views of Bluethroat and Redstart 2. Scanning the field alongside we saw Black-Bellied Sandgrouse 12 but the most surprising bird was a Great Reed Warbler singing away in the large reed beds opposite.

Heading for the fields we had seen Larks in previously, we recorded Iberian Grey Shrike 5, Black-eared Wheatear good numbers of Yellow Wagtail, Hoopoe, Whinchat and Kestrel. Larks were less obliging but we managed 4 species Crested, Calandra, Thekla and Short-Toed.

NOTE: The 3 Buff-breasted Sandpiper were still present last night around 7pm.