Serin - serinus serinus Happy New Year to all those who stumble upon or follow this site, and what better way to start the year than a walk in the sunshine along the Rio Velez with friends Bob and Jenny Wright, with whom we shared the fireworks on Nerja's Balcon de Europa at midnight, Jenny and I even ate a grape on each chime of the clock.
Upon arrival we spotted several Common Sandpipers on the riverbanks along with some Ringed Plover, a Common Snipe and the usual Moorhens, Mallards, a Little Egret, various White and a single Grey Wagtail. Bob spotted a Bluethroat and then the first surprise, a solitary Lapwing, which is a Rio Velez first for me. Elena was happy to see the blue flash of a Kingfisher streaking down river, but while the others scanned the banks however I became fascinated by this handsome Serin feeding on seed heads by the path, so close that I had to step back to get a focus on it. It continued feeding seemingly oblivious to our presence, even as the others came and watched within a few feet. Most un serin-like in my experience.
Upon arrival we spotted several Common Sandpipers on the riverbanks along with some Ringed Plover, a Common Snipe and the usual Moorhens, Mallards, a Little Egret, various White and a single Grey Wagtail. Bob spotted a Bluethroat and then the first surprise, a solitary Lapwing, which is a Rio Velez first for me. Elena was happy to see the blue flash of a Kingfisher streaking down river, but while the others scanned the banks however I became fascinated by this handsome Serin feeding on seed heads by the path, so close that I had to step back to get a focus on it. It continued feeding seemingly oblivious to our presence, even as the others came and watched within a few feet. Most un serin-like in my experience.
Serin - serinus serinus
We later got a better view of the Lapwing, I do not recall seeing this species here before and I think it is unusual to see a solitary individual, they are normally very sociable birds thet live in flocks.
Lapwing
Chiffchaffs were everywhere and we picked up several Meadow Pipits and a nice single Water Pipit. From the hide we observed a Northern Gannet doing some spectacular diving from great heights, always a magnificent sight. Gulls were present in large numbers and I captured this Meditterranean Gull as it flew overhead.
Meditterranean Gull
Bob then spotted a Gull with bling on its legs. Why would anyone ring a common seagull? He observed that it was slightly smaller than the Yellow-legged Gulls around it, but it did not have the characteristics of an Audouins Gull, so what was it, could it be a Ring-billed Gull? Well it stood directly facing us the whole time until it took off and flew. I suspect that it was probably too painful to walk due to the metal ring high up on its right thigh. Anyway I captured some good shots and after cropping we can see the dark uppersides of a Lesser Black-Backed Gull. Bird ringers just like to capture and handle birds, it's their hobby which no longer serves any useful purpose but is a bit like putting a message in a bottle & hoping someone will respond. Never mind the poor bird which in this case looked rather bedraggled and not in the best of condition, not surprising.
Heavily ringed lesser Black-backed Gull with Yellow-legged Friend
Lesser Black-backed Gull
As we made our way back towards the car a Cettis Warbler loudly announced his presence and obligingly popped up & perched conspicuously in a nearby bush, allowing me to get some nice shots, thank you Cetti.
Cettis Warbler
Cettis Warbler
With the common Sparrows, Spotless Starlings, feral Pigeons, Grey Herons, Stonechats, Coots Zitting Cisticola, Cormorants, Crested Lark, & others I cannot recall we managed about 40 species, quite respectable for a new Years Day in one location. Elena finally got a good look at the Bluethroat again which along with the Kingfisher, made her day.
