A very quiet time for me this month, mainly because I have been “Walk about” down under with our Antipodean cousins, convicts and all! Hopefully, whilst I have been away you have all had a chance to explore some new sites, see massive migration numbers of raptors and at least one new bird for you in Spain!

Keep looking up in the mountains but this month I am suggesting you go downhill and visit the coast. One of the very best local sites is the estuary of the river Velez in Torre del Mar. Great when I first arrived here but until about a year ago it was becoming very polluted as a result of rubbish tipping, dogs running free, horses being left to graze and general mis-use, even though the site is a designated nature reserve. However, last year a lot of clearing up was undertaken and banks built on both sides of the river mouth to try and recreate the indented nature reserve. The area was much improved by late spring and should, once again, be great for the coming months.

One of the problems with this area is that the river almost dries out. Too little water and the gulls and ducks give it a miss, too much and there is insufficient feeding area on the margins for the waders. When the level is “perfect” then there is no knowing what may show up. The best time is early morning before the general “walkers and talkers” arrive, which in winter means between about 8 and 11 am. The sun is relatively low and on the town side so make sure you are on the Torre side of the river.

The best approach is to take the coast road from Torre del Mar towards Malaga and turn off to the left as if you are going to the Citroen garage on the outskirts. Having crossed the road, turn right away from the garage and drive the 100 yards to the end of the track. Park your car and walk towards the sea. If the river is not full, it is often possible when you reach the beach to walk between the estuary and the sea and then back up in the far side of the river. This usually means that there is a good level of water (unless the opposite in drought conditions) at the end creating a large pool.

What to see? As you walk down the first side look out for Hoopoe, Meadow Pipits, both Grey and White Wagtail plus feeding Moorhen, Coot and Black Winged Stilt on the gravely edge of the river. You can also usually rely upon seeing Ringed Plover. Near the road bridge (do remember to look upstream at the pools the other side of the bridge) you may also see Common Sandpiper and Cattle Egret.

Once you get nearer the main body of water, you should see Mallard, Shoveler and Teal with resting gulls including Yellow-legged (the southern European counterpart of the British Herring Gull – but a separate species), Black-headed and Lesser Black Backed Gull. This water also produces both Mediterranean and Auduine’s Gull. Here, also, you may see individual Little Egrets, Heron, possibly a Squacco Heron and if you are really lucky, the illusive Purple Gallinule (now referred to as the “Purple Swamp Hen”.

The far side may be worth looking at especially if you visit in the afternoon when you will benefit from the sun being behind you. Apart from Stonechat, Black Redstart and other small finches, keep a look out for Tree Sparrow. Also, at the end of the first track if you turn left away from the river there is a small grassed area round the corner where I regularly see the Meadow Pipits and, two years ago, a passing Snow Bunting.

The loud noise coming from the reed-bed may possibly be a Cetti’s warbler, looks very like a Reed Warbler, and makes an awful lot of noise for such a small bird! I have even seen Kingfishers and Little Bitterns during these winter months. As well as the gulls, you will very likely see Cormorants resting on the water or flying overhead.

What to look for. The two Egrets seem very similar but the Little Egret is a little larger than the Cattle Egret. The former has a slate grey beak and the cattle Egret a golden coloured beak but the best identifier is to look at their feet. Whereas the Cattle Egret has black legs and feet, the Little Egret seems to be wearing a pair of “Marigold gloves”. The other good identifier is similar to our thoughts on Rooks and Crows: “If you see a lot of Little Egrets they are Cattle Egrets and if you solitary Cattle Egrets then it is likely to be a Little Egret.” And just to throw a spanner in the proverbial works, most winters I have seen the Great White Egret which is bigger than both, bigger than our normal Heron, and very white with a large yellow beak. A most impressive bird. (I saw one on the river in Malaga on 1 October – more about this site later.)

The Purple Gallinule is very shy and you may see one skulking on the edge of the reed-bed. It is like a large Moorhen with a very red beak and long red legs. The same can be said for the not uncommon Black-winged Stilt. A very black and white bird with very long red legs. But look carefully and if you see white on the side mixed in with the black wings then you may be looking at an Avocet, which also turn up here on a regular basis.

The speciality of the farm land around the river mouth is the Avadavat. A very small bird with lots of red on its chest and white/pale spots, this bird is a native of Africa and has spread far and wide in Andalusia from its original foothold in the lower Velez valley. On the other hand, in five years of looking I saw my first Avadavat in late August whilst visiting a nature reserve near Motril! ‘nough said.

Until next time

Bob the Birder

Black winged Stilt	Cattle Egret	Great White Heron
Little Egret	Purple Gallinule & Egrets	Ringed Plover