Black Wheatear - oenanthe leucura A large group of Andalucia Bird Society members met at the old railway track of Ventas de Zafarraya on the first stop of November´s Field Trip. The weather was cold but bright and at first all looked quiet with just a Black Wheatear or two and a Meadow Pipit visible on the overhead telegraph wires. However we quickly added Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow and Stonechat to the rapidly growing list.
Meadow Pipit - anthus pretensis Things then really hotted-up as Mick Richardson (Who else?) picked up an Alpine Accentor foraging around on the rock face above the tunnel. The first bird must have been one of several as it was ringed, but we subsequently photographed another that was fortunately free of bling. It shared the rock ledges with a Wren which had me confused for a second, I thought my eyes were playing tricks.
Alpine Accentor - prunella collaris
Alpine Accentor - prunella collaris It was something of a surprise to see this species down at low altitude so early in the winter, which has only just turned cold. But a pleasant surprise nonetheless.
The Alpine Accentor is not a shy or skittish bird and true to form this one was not scared off by two eager twitchers pointing long lenses at it from just beneath its rocky perch. In fact virtually the whole birding company was treated to excellent views of what was probably bird of the day.
That´s not to say that there were´t other good birds around. As I was complaining that we never see vultures here any more, a party of seven or eight Griffons put in an appearance just to prove me wrong. Then a Peregrine flew over and the ringing "cheeows" of some Red-billed Choughs announced their arrival.
The Alpine Accentor is not a shy or skittish bird and true to form this one was not scared off by two eager twitchers pointing long lenses at it from just beneath its rocky perch. In fact virtually the whole birding company was treated to excellent views of what was probably bird of the day.
That´s not to say that there were´t other good birds around. As I was complaining that we never see vultures here any more, a party of seven or eight Griffons put in an appearance just to prove me wrong. Then a Peregrine flew over and the ringing "cheeows" of some Red-billed Choughs announced their arrival.
Waiting for the Alpine Accentor, Mick Richardson and myself on the slope. Here´s a great shot from friend and fellow member Mary-Anne Murphy, of Mick and I waiting on a steep slope for the Alpine Accentor to show itself. This shot illustrates nicely the mountainous landscape of this spectacular birding location.
Thanks Mary-Anne.
Thanks Mary-Anne.
Black Redstart - phoenicurus erythronotus There were plenty of Black Redstarts flitting around on the south facing slopes, and although most of the Crag Martins had gone, presumably down to warmer climes, a couple of late-leavers were still having fun flying back and forth through the tunnel.
Ibex - capra pyrenaica A statuesque Ibex watched proceedings from the highest peak, probably wondering why all those strange humans were loitering on the track below. Good question! As we made our way back towards the parked cars several members thought they spotted Ring Ouzels in the hillside scrub, then most of us were treated to excellent views of a Dartford Warbler which appeared to be shadowing a Stonechat through the sparse vegetation. As the stonechat moved, so the Dartford Warbler followed. Unfortunately I missed out on a photo of this delightful bird as I was distracted by the Sardinian Warblers which were also moving around the bushes. Better luck next time.
Thekla Lark - galerida theklae We moved on through the fertile plains of Zafarraya adding more species all the time. Crested, Thekla, Calandra and Skylarks were present in numbers. Corn Bunting, Kestrel, and in the oak woodland further on, Mistle Thrush, Jay and Common Magpie. Some people saw Azure-winged Magpie but not those of us at the rear of the convoy.
Calandra Lark - melanocorypha calandra After stopping at the Hostal El Ventorro near Alhama de Granada for some welcome refreshments, also adding various water birds to our list from the Pantanella, we moved on to El Robledal for a very enjoyable forest walk through mixed woodland. This heavily wooded area is the start of a trail leading up to La Maroma, at over 2000 m the highest peak in the Axarquia.
The woods were quite productive, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Great, Coal, Long-tailed and Crested Tits all added to the list.
A full list of species together with a report can be read on Bob Wright´s "Axarquia Birder" Blog, a link is available in the right-hand sidebar here. A very enjoyable day was spent in good company, thanks go to Bob who led the trip through some superb and varied landscapes.
The woods were quite productive, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Great, Coal, Long-tailed and Crested Tits all added to the list.
A full list of species together with a report can be read on Bob Wright´s "Axarquia Birder" Blog, a link is available in the right-hand sidebar here. A very enjoyable day was spent in good company, thanks go to Bob who led the trip through some superb and varied landscapes.
Crested Tit - lophophanes cristatus
