Axarquia Group at Guadalhorce

Sixteen members of the Axarquia Bird Group met at 0930 for a walk around the Guadalhorce Reserve which frankly I did not have great expectations for. Until very extensive rains flush out the pondwater there will be no recovery in the bird numbers that this place once supported. Lately we have observed dead seabirds lying on the little islands, almost certainly killed by the stale and probably toxic water. Recent rains have only raised the levels, covering the mud flats that attract waders but not enough to flush out and replace the bad water. Still, a collective total in excess of fifty species was finally tallied, some of which were seen upriver past the Airport at Zapata by those who stayed on to venture that way. Bird of the day was probably the single resident Osprey, but Booted and Short-toed Eagles were seen plus Marsh Harrier and Kestrel. A full list of species can be seen in Bob's Birding Axarquia blog. 

1st winter female Bluethroat

Very few photo opportunities presented themselves but I did catch this record shot of this juvenile bird. It had me confused for a bit, lacking any blue throat I initially thought Reed Bunting, but the photo clearly shows that it is in fact a 1st winter female Bluethroat.

This stunning male Black Redstart caught my eye up near the beach and I managed to grab a decent shot of it perched on a signpost. What a beauty.

Black Redstart

The only other image worth posting is the Meadow Pipit below, which sat on a fence leading from the beach towards the main hide. High tides have destroyed all the fencing along the back of the beach which was there to protect the breeding grounds of Kentish Plovers. I hope the fence will be replaced in time as Kentish Plovers were notable by their absence today.

Meadow Pipit

We were not fortunate enough to spot any of the Yellow Browed Warblers that had been seen and photographed by Mick Richardson last week. Oh well, one day perhaps.