On the way home from Portugal we all stayed overnight in El Rocio in Donana, to break the journey and to see what what birds we could find.
The Church at El Rocio
Azure-winged Magpie - cyanopica cyanus
First stop was el Acebuche Visitors Centre which was very disappointing. Virtually nothing visible from the hides and hardly any small birds about in the grounds. A Black Redstart or two and a few Azure-winged Magpies was about it, so I decided to call it a day here and head back to El Rocio.
On the way out of the Park I slowed down as a flock of thrush-like birds took off when we approached, then I noticed a lovely Fieldfare on the grassy roadside verge. This was a very unexpected surprise, and although the bird scrutinized us carefully it did not seem too disturbed by our presence & continued feeding on berries from under the low scrub.
On the way out of the Park I slowed down as a flock of thrush-like birds took off when we approached, then I noticed a lovely Fieldfare on the grassy roadside verge. This was a very unexpected surprise, and although the bird scrutinized us carefully it did not seem too disturbed by our presence & continued feeding on berries from under the low scrub.
 Fieldfare - turdus pilaris |  Fieldfare with berry - turdus pilaris |
Fieldfare - turdus pilaris
As far as I am aware the Fieldfare is not a common visitor here at the extreme southern edge of its winter range. So this was a pleasing first sighting for me in Spain. We were able to observe it for ten minutes or so until passing cars scared it off.
Wild Boar (Jabali) - sus scrofa & azure-winged magpies
Shortly afterwards we found a Wild Boar grubbing around in the sandy soil for tender roots and rhizomes. The Azure-winged Magpies were eager onlookers, picking up exposed grubs or tidbits, they were joined by a stonechat after the same spoil.
Mallards
From El Acebuche we drove back to El Rocio and surveyed the Lake which was teeming with waders and wildfowl. Although it is a great sight to see it doesn´t provide photo opportunities, so we headed over to the Visitors Centre where we were able to use their telescopes to observe the resident pair of Spanish Imperial Eagles settle into the high treetops to roost for the night.
At this stage we decided to find our own roosting place, the Hotel La Fonda.
At this stage we decided to find our own roosting place, the Hotel La Fonda.
Next morning we set off for home with a stop on the way at Fuente de Piedra to find the Cranes that have been arriving recently. As we approached it was evident that Flamingos were present in large numbers, appearing like pink froth on the lagoon.
Flamingos on Fuente de Piedra
It didn´t take us long to locate the first Common Cranes in the growing fields at the Southern end of the Lake. Not in great numbers but in small groups scattered around the area.
Crane Ridge - grus grus
Cane squadron
More Cranes were arriving as we watched. Groups of three to five were flying in and circling the lake looking for a safe landing space, making contact with others with their far-carrying voice, the call of the wild.
This was a grand finale to a superb week. We drove home well satisfied with our birding experiences. Many thanks to Bob and Jenny for making it possible.
