February 2008

What a month! Still no rain yet all the usual bird sites were full of water and, often overflowing. However, the river level of the Guadalhorce in Malaga had dropped by about two feet (sixty centimetres) by the end of the month and the track alongside the lower part of the river Velez in Torre was, also, once again passable. The result of both was that, with very little shallow water and exposed mud, etc., there were very few waders to be seen this month. Even the duck numbers were low so it was a two-way loss!

Having previously written and told everyone when not to visit your bird sites I then fell into the trap myself! Brother-in-law was returning on the Monday so we used the previous day to visit El Torcal on the way to see the flamingos at Fuente de Piedra. Saw a small group of Griffon Vultures as we drove up to the summit and then disaster. As soon as we saw the five coaches, nevermind that every car parking space was already occupied, we knew we were in for a disastrous visit. How true. Whilst we saw plenty of Vultures, not another single bird was seen in our hour plus stay whilst we walked around the way-marked walk at the top. We did see a small group of resting Ibex but then a local dad thought it would be a good idea to take his very small children to see if they could do some “petting”. No more Ibex to be seen for us or anyone following. As I warned, the children had a lovely time running about and shouting to each other whilst there were the typical Spanish conversations being carried out so that the whole world could be kept informed of the content!

The answer? Remember to do as I say not as I do!!!!!

Fortunately, the saltpans at Fuente had a little more to offer, even though we arrived much later than we had intended, with very good numbers of Flamingo and Cranes.

During this month I have been able to visit the new Motril reserve at least three times and it never disappoints. No more House martin sightings but Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Purple Gallinule and Black-necked Grebes are always worth the journey. Huge numbers of Herons plus both Cattle and Little Egret and a Marbled Teal (Duck). The Crag Martins are still feeding at low levels and, indeed, none were to be seen when I visited the Venta de Zafarraya at the end of the month before “popping” home to England to check up on my aged parents (90 and 94).

Whilst at the Zafarraya pass I did see Blue Rockthrushes but no Black Wheatears. On the other hand, there was a small flock of the relatively rare, if only because they are not easily recognised, Rock Sparrows feeding with a few Goldfinches and Serins.

Talking of Sparrows, a very rare bird these days back home in Britain, take a closer look when observing the common House Sparrow when away from the immediate built-up area to check for Tree Sparrows. They look very similar and can often be found feeding together, away from trees, in rural parts at this time of the year. Sexes are similar and they are a little smaller than the House Sparrow. You may not notice the chocolate-coloured head at first but the black cheek patch (the easiest way to describe the facial colouring) may help.

Whilst there are still very large numbers of finches (Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin and Linnet) still about on the mountain along with the Chiffchaffs and Sardinian Warblers, White Wagtails on every road between here and there, the best sighting of the month was the White Stork that flew off as I passed by on my visit to the Guadalhorce in Malaga. Given the weather that we had been experiencing at the time, it was almost certain that it had taken refuge in the reeds whilst on its migration north.

It is not too late to call in at the river Velez on the outskirts of Torre as there is still much to be seen and, if the rainfall holds off and the river shrinks back to expose some more mud and gravel, then there will also be an increase in passage and/or wintering waders. Just about anything can turn up at this site. At the moment you should be sure to see Common Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilts, Cormorants, Little Egret, Meadow Pipits, Hoopoe and Grey Wagtail amongst others. The bird that “zips” out of the water edges, calling as it zigzags away at a fast rate of knots is almost certainly a (Common) Snipe.

After the above, you will not be surprised to read that I am recommending, once again, that you pay a visit to our local river, just to the west of Torre del Mar. It is still very easy to access the site when leaving Torre towards Malaga on the coastal road. Repairs to the road in front of the Citroen garage take you on a slight detour before crossing the river. As the road comes back to cross the river, take an immediate right turn towards the old bridge (do not cross) and travel down the surfaced road to the river. As you cross under the roadway the road becomes a track that leads towards the sea. It is best to leave your car at the first wide section of the track and walk the rest of the way, all of 400 meters!

Remember to look at the river, usually no more then a trickling stream at this point, as you walk south. It should be possible to reach the beach, turn right in front of the truncated river and walk back along the far bank. What can go wrong? The river may have cut a path through to the sea! On my last two visits I was able to easily “hop” over the chasm! If I can do it in my state of health then I am sure that you can. At worst, should you fail, then you can always tell yours friends that, “the sea was so warm I had my first paddle of the year!”

Until next time

White Stork		Black-winged Stilt