Turnstones - arenaria interpres A beautiful sunny day so Elena and I went to the Guadalhorce. Cormorants were the only birds present in large numbers. Best views of the day were of some Turnstones sorting through the beach detritus, ably assisted by a lone Sanderling who seemed very pleased with his prize shell.
Turnstone - arenaria interpres
Sanderling - calidris alba
The Turnstones were being quite successful in finding shells and tidbits so were too absorbed to take much notice of me with my camera, allowing me too get some nice close-ups.
 Sandwich Tern - | A few Sandwich Terns were diving for fish quite close inshore where the waves were breaking. This was quite entertaining but I didn´t see them catch anything, it must be very difficult to see fish below the surface in such choppy conditions. Sandwich Terns are rarely seen inland, they migrate around the European coastline spending Summers in the North and Wintering on Southern European and African coasts.  |
Common Sandpiper - actitis hypoleucos Away from the beach was less interesting. Waders are just not turning up in any numbers this year and from the main hide all we spotted was a Common Sandpiper and a solitary Black-winged Stilt. There were plenty of Grey Herons and a cattle egret or two.
Teal - anas crecca Wildfowl was represented by a few Teal, numerous Shoveler, White Headed Ducks, some Pochard and the ubiquitous Mallard.
 Shoveler male |  White headed Duck female |
Small birds were out and about foraging for food in the good weather conditions, but nothing of real interest showed up, just the usual resident species ie Goldfinch & Serin, Stonechat, Black Redstart, Crested Lark, Cettis & Sardinian Warbler, Robin, Zitting Cisticola, Crag Martin and of course starlings & sparrows galore.
Raptors sighted include the resident Osprey that apparently shows up to roost every day at 4 pm. A Booted Eagle, Kestrels and a single Marsh Harrier, none of which were close enough for a worthwhile photograph.
Raptors sighted include the resident Osprey that apparently shows up to roost every day at 4 pm. A Booted Eagle, Kestrels and a single Marsh Harrier, none of which were close enough for a worthwhile photograph.
