Things hotted up on a trip to Las Norias in Almeria Province with the Axarquia Bird Group. This series of shallow lagoons is set amongst lots of plastic greenhouses, not picturesque but good for birding, as always it´s all about food. I believe the pond water is used to irrigate the greenhouse plants and as such are kept full to maintain supply, this consistency probably helps attract a healthy bird population.
A full report of the day trip, including details of the 60 bird species sighted can be seen on Bob´s blog here,-http://birdingaxarquia.blogspot.com.es/2012/03/axarquia-bird-group-visit-to-almeria.html
Three varieties of grebe were present and I was pleased to get some good shots of a male Black-necked Grebe, a truly stunning bird with fiery red eyes in a black face framed by golden ear tufts. The Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe look somewhat plain in comparison.
A full report of the day trip, including details of the 60 bird species sighted can be seen on Bob´s blog here,-http://birdingaxarquia.blogspot.com.es/2012/03/axarquia-bird-group-visit-to-almeria.html
Three varieties of grebe were present and I was pleased to get some good shots of a male Black-necked Grebe, a truly stunning bird with fiery red eyes in a black face framed by golden ear tufts. The Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe look somewhat plain in comparison.
 Black-necked Grebe |
 Little Grebe |  Great Crested Grebe |
Another extremely attractive bird on the ponds was the Red Crested Pochard, of which there were quite a number in company with many of their less colourful Common Pochard cousins
| One of the most elegant of European birds is the Avocet. A study of grace and form, highly photogenic with pure black and white plumage and long, slender upcurved bill, it is an iconic species. These were two of a flock that flew across the ponds at Las Norias. The Shoveler is a very handsome duck and fortunately quite common in Spain.  Shoveler |  Avocets |
