Tuesday 7 June 2011

Local Tour Day 1 - Monday 6th June


Squabbling White-headed Ducks

A morning pick up at Alicante airport to collect 3 guests for this tour. Mike and Dawn from Cheshire and Anthony from Ireland. As soon as we had settled everyone into their accommodation we headed out to El Hondo Parc Natural where the White-headed Ducks entertained us chasing each other across the water. We also recorded Black-necked Grebe, Marbled Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Squacco Heron 11, Little Bittern, Night Heron and Purple Heron. Audouin's, Slender-billed, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls were all in attendance.


Shelduck at El Hondo


Terns included Whiskered, Little and Gull-billed and a single Black. Collared Pratincole were present in good numbers as were Shelduck.

The winner of the cutest scene of the day award was given to the Great-crested Grebe with it's chick which Dawn wanted to take home with her.


Great-crested Grebe and chick

Other birds of note recorded here were Turtle Dove, Montagu's Harrier, Woodchat Shrike and Iberian Grey Shrike. Nightingale which rounded off a good start to the tour.

Tomorrows itinerary has changed, as news of a breeding pair of Lesser Flamingo in Castilla-La Mancha has tempted us to drive the 300+ km to the site. Fingers crossed we are able to locate the birds and give our guests this opportunity to see these rare birds here in Spain.

No comments:

Post a Comment