The showy Monk

We began today at El Hondo, meeting staff at 08.15 to be let into the reserve. Although I have been looking forward to getting into the site since my return, I was slightly disappointed to see that the water level had not changed since I last visited in early February. The obviously has had a huge detrimental impact on species such as Herons, Terns and Waders, but despite that we did manage to find a few good bits on the various small pools. Noteworthy sightings included - Moustached Warbler (numerous), Ruff (1), Wood Sandpiper (4), White-headed Duck (4), Redstart (1), Montagu's Harrier (5), Purple Swamphen (2) and lots of Little Bittern

With temperatures reaching 38 degree's today!! most of the afternoon was spent in the shade of the balcony, however a Montagu's Harrier over the house was a superb garden tick! At 7pm the temperature eventually dropped below 30 degree's and so we went out for a few more hours spent birding the El Pinet area. Just like yesterday there were lots of Gulls (Med, Black-headed, Slender-billed, Audouins and Yellow-legged) and Common Terns. There were also good numbers of Sandwich Tern (30+) and at least 6 Gull-billed Tern. Other good records included - Squacco Heron (3), Purple Heron (5), Greenshank (8), Bee-eater (30+), Woodchat Shrike (2) and a single, very showy Monk Parakeet (see below)

I will be ringing at El Hondo in the morning so watch this space for some Moustached Warbler or maybe even Savi's Warbler pictures, fingers crossed!!

Slender-billed Gull - El Pinet

Above 3 Images - Monk Parakeet - near El Pinet