Black-tailed Godwit - limosa limosa Bird Life is returning to the Charca de Suarez near Motril. Bob Wright and I went along and noticed immediately that there were a lot more birds present than a month ago. Plenty of Coots, Moorhens, Little Grebes and Mallards, and we were pleased to see quite a few Grey Herons. Bob picked up the first surprise on the island in front of the main hide, a solitary Black-Tailed Godwit, not a regular visitor here. Next we scanned around the banks of the lagoon and spotted Purple Swamphen and a Purple Heron on opposite shores. Things were really looking up.
Purple Heron juvenile - ardea purporea
Little Bittern - ixobrychus minutes I left Bob setting up his scope in the main hide and wandered over to the Laguna del Trebol where I immediately spotted a Little Bittern skulking in the reeds. Also two Red-knobbed Coots have taken up residence here. They may be imported birds and are both covered in unsightly "Bling", including leg rings and large white collars, but it is good to see that they have settled in and it will be interesting to see if they eventually breed in their new home.
Other birds of note include Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher, which seem to have had a successful breeding season judging by the number of juveniles we "Spotted"
Other birds of note include Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher, which seem to have had a successful breeding season judging by the number of juveniles we "Spotted"
 Red Knobbed Coot - fulica cristata |  Spotted Flycatcher - muscipapa striata Later I moved on to the next hide and enjoyed more views of the Little Bittern and watched the antics of a Little Egret that was foraging for prey. |
Little Egret and Mallards Bob caught up with me here, and on hearing his news I hurried back to the main hide in the fading light, hoping to catch sight of an unusual Duck that he had sighted.
Nine Ferruginous Ducks - aythya nyroca Well I got lucky, not just one but a group of nine or ten Ferruginous Ducks! a very unexpected and pleasant surprise.
Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca The Ferruginous Duck is a Eurasian species listed as "Vulnerable" in Europe following rapidly declining numbers in the past thirty years. They are migratory and these will probably be on their way East from breeding grounds, possibly in Southern Portugal. Nice to see.
Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca
Cattle Egret - bubulcus ibis As I watched the Ducks the evening roost of Cattle Egrets started to arrive. They flew in steadily and there were in excess of twenty as I left, the males still in their handsome breeding plumage, it was a fine sight.
I now look forward to the return of the Marsh Harrier. Previously there were always several of these impressive raptors present in and around the Charca, we never failed to see them, but this year they have disappeared completely and so far have not returned. Hopefully this winter will also see the return of the Snipe which was a regular sighting in the past, we haven´t seen one for quite some time now.
Two final notes, Turtle Dove Alley the country road outside the Charca, did not dissappoint, turtle doves galore. The other frustrating fact is that a Two-tailed Pasha flew fast across in front of Bob & I inside the Reserve, but as usual a fleeting, fast moving glimpse was all we got. One day I will get a photo of this elusive butterfly.
I now look forward to the return of the Marsh Harrier. Previously there were always several of these impressive raptors present in and around the Charca, we never failed to see them, but this year they have disappeared completely and so far have not returned. Hopefully this winter will also see the return of the Snipe which was a regular sighting in the past, we haven´t seen one for quite some time now.
Two final notes, Turtle Dove Alley the country road outside the Charca, did not dissappoint, turtle doves galore. The other frustrating fact is that a Two-tailed Pasha flew fast across in front of Bob & I inside the Reserve, but as usual a fleeting, fast moving glimpse was all we got. One day I will get a photo of this elusive butterfly.
 Cattle Egret - bubulcus ibis |  Turtle Dove - streptopelia turtur |
