Short-toed Eagle - circaetus gallicus "Cold Turkey" is how I felt at not seeing enough birds this Autumn, so Elena, Bob Wright and I set off for Tarifa, La Janda and the east bank of the Guadalquiver for a birding "Fix"
First stop the migration observation points near Tarifa. Sure enough the raptors were streaming high overhead on their way to Africa, which is clearly visible from here. It was a calm, hot day so the raptors had used the thermals to achieve height for the sea crossing. Short-toed Eagles were abundant, Griffon Vultures in large numbers, some Booted Eagles were seen along with a few Honey Buzzards. However I am not too keen on gazing at small specks in the sky so my attention was drawn to a delightful Willow Warbler, fattening up on seeds from the surrounding bushes before making its way South.
First stop the migration observation points near Tarifa. Sure enough the raptors were streaming high overhead on their way to Africa, which is clearly visible from here. It was a calm, hot day so the raptors had used the thermals to achieve height for the sea crossing. Short-toed Eagles were abundant, Griffon Vultures in large numbers, some Booted Eagles were seen along with a few Honey Buzzards. However I am not too keen on gazing at small specks in the sky so my attention was drawn to a delightful Willow Warbler, fattening up on seeds from the surrounding bushes before making its way South.
 Willow Warbler - phylloscopus trochilus |  Booted Eagle hunting - aquila pennata |
THE GOOD! Willow Warbler - phylloscopus trochilus
 Willow Warbler - phylloscopus trochilus |  Alpine Swift - apus melba Surprise bird here was the Alpine Swift that shot across in front of us, not too difficult to pick out from the House Martins and Swallows that were also gathering for migration. We did spot a Sparrowhawk amongst all the eagles and vultures, but too high for any worthwhile photography. |
Male Stonechat - saxicola torquatus Later we made our way down to Los Lances Beach where we added water birds including Sandwich Tern, Flamingo, Black-tailed Godwit, Audouins Gull, Grey and Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Ruff to a growing list of sightings. I contented my photographic urge with shots of closer birds including Wheatear, Stonechat and a delightfully cooperative Zitting Cisticola.
 Male Stonechat - saxicola torquatus |  Northern Wheatear - oenanthe oenanthe  Zitting Cisticola - cisticola juncidis |
Sitting Zitting Cisticola - cisticola juncidis
Male Stonechat - saxicola torquatus
Marsh Harrier - cicus aeruginocus From the beach we headed on up to La Janda. Here the rice fields were getting close to harvest time so there were not the numbers of egrets herons and storks etc that will arrive once cutting starts. However the ponds were full of Glossy Ibis in large numbers which was nice to see. Raptors sighted include four Marsh Harrier, Common and Lesser Kestrel and a solitary Peregrine Falcon that was following the huge flock of Wood Pigeons that were evidently gorging on the rice crop, very destructively I would think.
As we moved through this varied site our bird list gradually increased to include Golden Eagle, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Buzzard and very close-up views of a lovely Whinchat which unfortunately would not sit still long enough for a photo.
As we moved through this varied site our bird list gradually increased to include Golden Eagle, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Buzzard and very close-up views of a lovely Whinchat which unfortunately would not sit still long enough for a photo.
Ibis Pool, La Janda
THE BAD! a Cloud of Wood Pigeons
THE UGLY! Bald Ibis - geronticus eremita After La Janda we swung through Barbate and into a nearby Golf Course/Country Club where we had heard the Bald Ibis´ were feeding. Sure enough we found them foraging on a fairway on this largely empty course. Although they are an incredibly ugly bird, not helped by all the unsightly and ridiculous bling around their legs, they still made a fine sight in the evening sun. Nice to see this introduced species apparently breeding and doing very well.
A good day´s birding was rounded off nicely when sitting eating dinner we watched a Red-Necked Nightjar flying around the gardens hunting moths attracted to the hotel lights.
A good day´s birding was rounded off nicely when sitting eating dinner we watched a Red-Necked Nightjar flying around the gardens hunting moths attracted to the hotel lights.
Bald Ibis - geronticus eremita
