It was nice to meet David and Gilly Elliott-Bins who had come down to the Charca de Suarez for an evening visit on Tuesday. They were staying overnight in Motril as it is a long drive from their home in Murcia Province (I think). I had warned them not to expect much at this time of year but they are experienced birders & knew that it would be quiet. Shortly after we entered Bob and Jenny Wright arrived and we all made our way around the Reserve together exchanging birding information and stories. As always here in Summer Spotted Flycatchers are prolific and I post a shot of one on a fence in very good evening light.
Spotted Flycatcher
The new wader pond had little of particular interest. Little Ringed Plover, Black Winged Stilt, Little Egret, Grey Heron, a family group of young Yellow Wagtails scavenging on the mud and a few Black Headed Gulls. Bee Eaters were flying overhead and we caught a quick glimpse of a Wren as we made our way to the main hide. Here a party of five Ferruginous Ducks provided the main interest until Gilly caught sight of a Little Bittern that flew into the reeds. A few Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage looked resplendant on the island. A pair of Black Necked Grebes were seen and a Purple Swamphen was picked out from the Moorhens in the reed bed.
We watched a few Reed warblers on the Laguna del Trebol and as usual a Red Knobbed Coot gave good views here. Just before closing at eight pm we found a Black Crowned Night Heron on laguna del Lirio, a nice finale to a pleasant evening in good company.
We watched a few Reed warblers on the Laguna del Trebol and as usual a Red Knobbed Coot gave good views here. Just before closing at eight pm we found a Black Crowned Night Heron on laguna del Lirio, a nice finale to a pleasant evening in good company.
Black Crowned Night Heron - nycticorax nycticorax
