European Wildlife Photo Journals
European Wildlife Photo Journals
The Spanish Pyrenees, Belchite Plains & the Ebro Delta
6th-12th May 2018
6th May
A flight from Luton Airport at 7.00 saw Jason Nichols and myself arrive at Barcelona Airport around mid-morning. Drizzle and grey skies are not necessarily the weather you would associate with Spain but today that was very much the case.
We were supposed to be collected by the car hire firm when we arrived, but there was no sign of them and it was at least another hour before they finally showed up, after several telephone calls by Jason!
To make the situation worse, when we arrived at the car hire depot, the Jeep we had hired was not ready and a further frustrating wait ensued, making far less time for our proposed itinerary than anticipated.
Finally, we were on our way en-route to the Pyrenees, heading towards Lleida seeing House Sparrows, many Common Swifts, Barn Swallow, White Wagtail, Spotless Starling, Alpine Swift, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Cattle Egret, House Martin, 2 Black Kite, White Stork, 4 Griffon Vultures, Magpie, Red-rumped Swallow and 3 Mallard.
A stop at a road junction 7 km from Monzon, along the A22 gave us time to check our bearings, but also found some interesting insects amongst the vegetation, which at first glance would not have looked very promising! However, there are nearly always animals in all sorts of terrain and we were in Spain so a bit of exploring was definitely worth undertaking.
The first insects of interest I found were two Moths, a Yellow Belle Aspitates ochrearia and a Diamond-backed Moth Plutella xylostella.
These were followed by a Froghopper Cercopis intermedium, Leaf Beetle Lachnaia paradoxa and then a Polistes species, which appears to be a European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula nesting on a reed stem. Just before continuing on our journey, a Nightingale was heard singing and a Black Kite flew over.
By now there was blue skies and sunshine, which as always highlights a Bee-eater’s plumage; the first birds we saw on entering the Sierra De Guara. At least two Bee-eaters were seen and Nightingale song was heard everywhere as we continued our journey and the fluting song of a Golden Oriole was also heard somewhere nearby, but as what usually happens; the singer remained hidden!
An excursion into the vegetation, which included some striking Pyrenean Iris Iris latifolia
lining the minor roads, also found some very interesting insects.
A Bee-fly was suspiciously like the Dark-edged Bee-fly found in the UK and was designated to be a Bombylius fimbraiatus
(Dark-edged Bee-fly), but a Hoverfly, possibly an Eristalis species could not be confidently identified from the resultant photographic images.
A Moroccan Orange-tip Anthocharis belia
was seen fluttering along the road verge and a Wall Brown Lasiommata megera
was also here, as were three species of ‘Blue’ butterflies: Adonis Blue Lysandra bellargus, Mazarine Blue Cyaniris semiargus and Panoptes Blue Pseudophilotes panoptes, which coincided with Thymus plants, possibly Thymus zygis, which are its food plant.
Some tadpoles were found in a temporary pool, but could not be identified.
As we drove through the Pyrenees (on the way to our accommodation for the next three days at Salinas de Sin) we not only passed through a stunning landscape, with very turquoise blue rivers and Embalses but also found animals of interest on the way.
It was so good to see colonies of House Martins nesting, where they would have originally made their nests before human structures, on the rock face and 2 Alpine Swifts soared overhead. A Griffon Vulture came into view and then a ‘worn’ Golden Eagle flew around the edge of the mountains, just in front of us. Crag Martins were also seen, along with Serin, Corn Bunting, Spotless Starling and our first Hoopoe of the trip.
Just beyond Ainsa, Great Crested Grebe, Blackbird and Carrion Crow were added to the avian species, before reaching a dam where 4 Yellow-legged Gulls were a bit of a surprise. A Grey Heron, Mallard, Stonechat and Nightingale were also recorded before reaching our accommodation at Salinas de Sin.
The apartment was very comfortable, overlooking the turquoise fast flowing river and the owner chatted at considerable length to Jason (whilst I explored the river in the company of a small dog with bite marks on his nose) albeit somewhat reluctantly on Jason’s part, but rather amusing for me!
A visit to the nearest hostelry that evening also resulted in 2 Tawny Owls being heard and 2 unknown species of Bat being seen.
It’s funny what we will eat whilst in Spain; I refer to the dry pieces of bread placed on the table prior to the ordered meal. Maybe it’s because we are just hungry, but I am not convinced we would choose to eat these pieces of a bread stick in the UK!
7th May
The day began at our base at Salinas de Sin, where a Song Thrush was singing. Across from our accommodation the fast flowing river produced sightings of both Dipper (in this instance Black-bellied Dipper) and Grey Wagtail.
En-route to Ainsa a Collared Dove was seen and between Ainsa and Jaca a Red Kite appeared.
The route from Jaca to Hecha heard Nightingales singing almost every 100 metres and a Corn Bunting was here also. Also very prevalent here in the pines were the web tents of Pine Processionary Moths Thaumetopoea pityocampa, something, which was commonplace during the rest of our stay in the Pyrenees.
The main destination of the day was the Hecho Valley, which was to be an absolute delight! The route up until the ‘barrier’ is drivable, stopping off at various places along the way to explore the mountain slopes and mixed woodland.
A Great Tit was seen at the beginning of the valley, followed by 2 Ravens. An Egyptian Vulture appeared and flew along the valley edge before landing on a concrete pylon, where a Black Kite flew over above the vulture.
A Green Woodpecker was heard (although there was something different about the call) and then seen as it perched on a stone wall. Although it was viewed and photographed against the light it was quite apparent that this was the Iberian subspecies sharpei
and the solid black moustache depicts it as a female.
A male geometer moth (feathered antennae) was found and is possibly a Common Heath Ematurga atomaria
or similar species. This was followed by the discovery of a Wryneck perched in a tree above what appeared to be a likely nest site. The woodpecker spent a considerable amount of time in the tree, where it wing stretched and flicked its wings in what was possibly part of a display. The wryneck stayed for such an extensive spell that it allowed a Wall Brown Lasiommata megera to be photographed before resuming photography with the wryneck.
Fleeting views of several butterflies ensued, with an Orange-tip sp. and a black and White sp. possibly a Marbled White sp. But with no photographs, we will never know!
Chaffinch, Garden Warbler, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit and Blue Tit were all of note as we progressed up the valley and at a fast-flowing stream 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper were seen.
At a small village a Magpie followed into the notebook along with a singing male Black Redstart and a Wren. A Large White Pieris brassicae
was found on what appeared to be Apple blossom as was a Bee species, but due to the lack of images cannot be identified.
House and Crag Martins were around a bridge and both Nightingale and Blackcap were recorded. This was followed by a spiralling ascent through the mountain forest seeing a Jay and a Song Thrush on the way up.
We parked the vehicle and walked through the mountain woodland over trickling streams and passing an array of flora, including Primulas, but their exact identification Primula veris
Cowslip Primula elatior
Oxlip or Primula veris x vulgaris
False Oxlip could not be determined, along with several other plants.
A mountain refuge was then seen; De Huesca Refugio and a walk across an open area, a pasture meadow found the place to view, what was described as a good Wallcreeper site. The rock face was a considerable distance away from the nearest viewpoint and as you might guess no small fluttery moth-like bird was seen!
However, a Lammergeier was found resting in a small recess in the mountain, which then flew alongside the mountain. A really good find by Jason and he also saw another one of these Bearded Vultures, whilst I was attempting to record some very distant images of the original lammergeier.
Another vulture, this time a Griffon flew just over our heads and an Iberian Green Woodpecker was heard calling and drumming, a Goldcrest was seen and whilst I was elsewhere Jason saw 2 Rock Buntings.
Two small finches flying over immediately drew my attention and we watched where they landed and found what I suspected; Citril Finches Serinus citronella. At least 4 were seen and this was the first sighting of this species for both of us, although I had seen the endemic Corsican cousin some years ago.
Two Crested Tits followed as did a Coal Tit and a calling Common Cuckoo. A Nuthatch was a bit of a surprise find and a Raven ‘cronked’ its way over the mountain sides.
The next ‘black bird’ was very special, albeit a brief glimpse. The black shape, approximately the size of a Jackdaw was seen as it flew down from a pine and was subsequently seen again, when it done the same thing, after failing to spot it actually in a tree. This was undoubtedly a Black Woodpecker! On the descent back down the road another was seen, again just a brief glimpse.
Back in the valley we entered an area what was signposted as Valles Occidentales. Here a Dipper was photographed as it searched for food and a Grey Wagtail was also seen on another stretch of the river near a bridge, whilst nearby a male Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
was nectaring on a Dandelion sp.
More attractive plants were found here, including several species of Orchids. Elder-flowered Orchid Dactylorhiza Sambucina
in both its colour forms were here along with Trumpet Gentian Gentiana Clusii, Spring Gentian Gentiana verna, Ranunculus gouanii
and Potentilla aurea.
A greenish coloured Lizard was also seen here dashing from one rock to the next, making it very difficult to photograph, but some images were achieved and these revealed the lizard to be Poadarcis muralis
Wall Lizard.
7 Red-billed Choughs were seen searching for food on the valley meadows and Yellowhammer, Marsh Tit, Robin and a splendid male Red-backed Shrike were also seen.
A marvellous mammal to find here were Marmots, the first sightings of these mammals for both Jase and myself. Marmots became extinct in the Pyrenees around the end of the last ice age but they were apparently reintroduced by French hunters in 1948 from the Alps, as a food source for golden eagles because the eagles were taking too many chamois! Still, an ideal habitat for the Marmots, however they came to be here and not so dissimilar from other areas in Europe they are found in
Further along the valley, a scan around the mountain sides found another mountain speciality; Pyrenean Chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica. Again, another new mammal species for both of us and at least 14 were seen grazing on the mountain slopes.
At the end of the drivable route (‘the barrier’) the spectacular scenery continued.
We then slowly made our way back along the route to the start of the Hecho Valley, but stopped for another enjoyable photo session with the Marmots.
A yellow blaze of colour on the side of the mountains revealed wild Daffodils Narcissus pseudonarcissus
growing in profusion; in the words of Wordsworth: ‘A host, of golden daffodils’.
A Tiger Beetle, which appears to be the same species, found in the UK, Cicindela campestris
Green Tiger Beetle was found and after one last scenic photo of the valley we headed back to our apartment, after a thoroughly enjoyable and wildlife-rich day in one of the best ecosystems I have visited!
8th May
A Cormorant was seen flying along the river from our base at Salinas De Sin, before heading out for another day in the Pyrenees.
A short distance along the road a Black Redstart was seen and a Nightingale heard at Plan, before ascending up the narrow mountain road to Chia, through the mountainside woodland.
There was not too much of note on the way up the mountain, maybe due to the rather dull weather conditions and our intention to carry on over the mountain was thwarted by snow lying thickly on the road ahead.
Whilst stopped here I noticed something on the outside of the windscreen, which I couldn’t quite work out if it was just a piece of vegetation or an insect of some kind. After a few minutes, of occasionally looking at the said ‘item’ on the windscreen it moved, it was a very pale Spider! Which, species of ‘montane arachnid’ is yet to be determined but an interesting find nevertheless.
In order to get to our destination, the Cerler Ski Lift, we had to make a detour and before that, had to go back to where we started at Plan. However the descent was much more productive!
A Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Jay were seen before seeing our first Red Squirrel. A Chaffinch, Song Thrush, a pair of Bullfinch and a Dunnock followed before getting our second sighting of Red Squirrel, this time seeing two squirrels.
A male Pied Flycatcher was a nice find and then the song of an Iberian Chiffchaff was heard nearby, followed by the calls of Crossbills, which were located in the tops of the pines. At least 8 crossbills were seen, most probably Common Crossbills, but there is a suggestion from research that the crossbills here maybe a different species due to their preference for Black Pines Pinus nigra.
A flock of crows flew over, numbering at least 30 birds. It was clear that these were Choughs and on examining the resultant photographs they were identified as Alpine Choughs.
A Mistle Thrush, a Common Cuckoo calling, male Common Redstart, Common Whitethroat were seen before another brief glimpse of a Black Woodpecker, a really productive descent!
We stopped at a Repsol garage at Castejon De Sos along the N260 for provisions, but even in this built-up area Natural History interest was close at hand!
A large dark bee was investigating the holes in a concrete structure, which was a Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea. So whilst Jase was in the garage shop a spot of Bee-photography took place!
Crag Martins and a White Wagtail were seen a little way up the road at Garganta Deventamillo and a Short-toed Eagle carrying prey (which appeared to be a Lizard species although a small Snake can’t be ruled out) and Griffon Vultures were also seen.
At an Embalse at Eriste, just before Benasque a Cormorant and Mallard were seen before arriving at the beginning of the road climbing up to the Cerler Ski Lift.
The road up to the Cerler Ski Lift was an easy way to get relatively high up in the mountains. Obviously, going on to even higher altitude would have given us more chance of connecting with high altitude species e.g. Snow Finch but at this time of year no ski lifts were running. Nevertheless, this was going to be a very interesting ascent.
A male Wheatear (Northern) was seen at the beginning of the road and as we climbed higher at least 6 Marmots, 2 Roe Deer and a Fox were seen. A male Blackbird followed and then a male Red-backed Shrike.
At the top (the ski lift) snow was laying and a Water Pipit was searching for food at the edges of the snow, where it was melting. Yellowhammers were also here and several Black Redstarts flitted around the buildings and the various man-made structures.
In fact it was from one of these buildings that the song of a Rock Thrush was coming from and there on the roof perched a splendid male Rock Thrush. A female Rock Thrush was then seen looking for food in a small area of melted snow. A male was also using this patch, as was a male Wheatear.
A male Whinchat was then seen perched on some orange netting and more Water Pipits and Black Redstarts were seen. It was at this point that a large bird of prey was seen flying alongside the mountains; a Lammergeier!
We were obviously high enough up to be roughly on the same level as this vulture and we watched it as it cruised alongside the mountains before lost to sight. However, a little later it was seen again.
A Dipper was seen along one of the mountain streams and both Carrion Crow and Raven (2) were seen too. A Short-toed Eagle then flew along the wooded mountain sides and perched on the top of a pine. Crag Martins and a Mistle Thrush were also recorded here, before heading back towards Salinas De Sin; Cerler was a really good place to visit.
At Eriste a Mute Swan and Goldfinch were seen and at a Gorge (a potential Wallcreeper site, but none seen) Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and an Egyptian and Griffon Vultures soared above us.
Yet another Short-toed Eagle was seen along the A138 towards Salinas De Sin, ending another very productive, successful and enjoyable day. After some refreshments at the local bar we retired to bed, to spend our last night here, before heading in a southerly direction in the morning.
9th May
A Raven, 6 Griffon Vultures and a pair of Black Redstarts were seen before we left Salinas De Sin and headed out in the general direction of Ainsa.
The A1229 from Ainsa to Arcusa provided some interesting sightings, serenaded along the stretch of road by Nightingales, of which at least 30 were heard!
A route on minor roads was then taken in the general area of the Sierra De Guara, basically exploring anywhere that had a good Natural History potential.
Several Catalonian Wall Lizards Podarcis liolepis
were seen, mostly resting on pieces of wood and a good selection of birds were recorded including: Black Kite, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Barn Swallow, Crested Lark, House Sparrow, Stonechat, Yellowhammer, Willow Warbler, Carrion Crow, Cirl Bunting, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Wren, Goldfinch, Woodlark and a Red Kite overhead were all good to see.
The area’s avian fauna continued with Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Bee-eater, Cuckoo, Blackbird, Spotless Starling, Corn Bunting, Raven and ‘Common’ Swift before a ‘small broad-looking’ Lizard with a fast zigzagging gait ran across the road and into cover. What this lizard was is very difficult to determine, due to the briefness of the sighting, but could well have been a Gecko species.
A ‘Common’ Kestrel was then seen, followed by Corn Bunting, Short-toed Eagle, Linnet and 2 Red-rumped Swallows.
Now along the A2205, various stops found a variety of insects, including A Sand Wasp species, Ant species, Groundhopper species, Grasshopper species (with a red wing-flash, when it flew) and a faded Baton Blue Pseudophilotes baton.
Jason found a rather striking looking beetle on a post, which appears to be a Tropinota (Rose Beetle) species, but as with most of the insects found here, identification to species level is difficult.
Birds of prey continued to be seen with Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Red Kite and a Common Buzzard. Turtle Dove, Alpine Swift and House Martin were also seen.
We then came upon a place along the A1230 where a bridge crossed the Rio Isuala, which was to be a very productive spot.
Nightingales sang here as did a Blackcap and Jason saw a Kingfisher over the clear turquoise running Rio.
A walk along the side of the Rio found a wide variety of insects, including Hummingbird Hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum
and a Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra, both of which avoided having their photograph taken!
Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture and Common Buzzard were seen overhead and the calls of Bee-eaters could be heard nearby. Somewhat of a surprise was the song of a Savi’s Warbler coming from the mountain side ‘rough scrub’ and Jason saw a Grey Wagtail along the river.
A Red-rumped Swallow passed over followed by the discovery Moroccan Orange-tip Anthocharis belia. More butterflies were found with an Adonis Blue Lysandra bellargus, Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
Western Dappled White Euchloe crameri, 2 Skipper species and a Fritillary species.
A Bee-fly species and A Large Psammodromus Psammodromus algirus
wrapped up a very enjoyable visit to this area both sides along the river.
At Santa Cillia, a large Moth was found dead. This was a Giant Peacock Moth Saturnia pyri. Although, it was good to see one of these impressive moths, the thought of seeing one living was far more desirable.
A large ‘Grasshopper’ was also found here in a tree, which after several attempts to photograph it precariously balanced on a fence resulted in images, which enabled it to be identified as an Egyptian Grasshopper Anacridium aegyptium. One of the recognisable field marks on this variable large grasshopper is the vertical black stripes down its eyes. A Violet Carpenter Bee was also seen here.
Corn Bunting, White Wagtail and Nightingale were also recorded here, before leaving Sant Cillia seeing Woodchat Shrike, Serin, Common Buzzard and Black Kite and hearing a Golden Oriole.
As we headed to our hotel for the night at Fuentes de Ebro, we stopped off at a Nature Reserve; Los Galachos Del Ebro.
Following the trails around the reserve, leading to a few hides, the reports on this reserve failed to live up to expectation. However, a bit of exploring found a few things of interest.
Coot, Moorhen, Mallard and Marsh Harrier suggested being back in Norfolk, but a Black Kite, White Stork, a brief rendition of Great Reed Warbler and Nightingale song, 2 Spotless Starlings, 2 Bee-eaters, Common Swift and Barn Swallow were enough to underline a more Mediterranean terrain! Catalonian Wall Lizard Podarcis liolepis
and several Blue-tailed Damselflies Ischnura elegans
added to the fauna.
At Fuentes de Ebro, 6 Cattle Egrets were seen, a Black Kite and a White Stork’s nest, before finding our rearranged accommodation (after some flooding to the previous designated hotel!) at Hotel Texas Fuentes de Ebro, which Jason described as a ‘truck-stop’!
Still, a few beers and a meal (where Jason actually ate a food item consisting of cheese, which he hates and will not eat!?) in the bar and dining room were reasonable enough and I had a comfortable night in the room provided. However, Jason unfortunately did not experience the same and was up for most of the night due to a barking dog in the adjacent apartment and general noise. He told me the following morning that he was hoping I would knock on his door, suggesting an early start to Belchite, after experiencing similar, but I hadn’t called round!
10th May
The Belchite Plains were our destination today and despite the overcast and windy conditions our expectations were high, but tempered with caution; remembering a passage from the Crossbill Guide to the Spanish Pyrenees, which suggested the original habitat was not the same anymore!
Two Bee-eaters were good to see, as was a Rabbit, but birds were far from obvious and it soon became apparent that the significant change from the original plains to agriculture had taken its toll.
However, we pressed on exploring every accessible track and were finally rewarded by the unique song of a Dupont’s Lark. Despite considerable effort we could not actually see the lark, but at least we had recorded it for the area.
A Lesser Short-toed Lark was seen out on a sandy track, collecting nest material and a Calandra Lark was also seen and heard singing, but the apparent abundance of lark species was not apparent on this particular day, if indeed the numbers cited still exist here in this changed and changing landscape.
A Common Kestrel, 3 Red-legged Partridges and Swallows winging their way across the area followed.
Two Ravens were seen before heading out along the CP09, where a Fox crossed the road. 3 Collared Doves and a Black Kite were seen as we headed (earlier than planned, after deciding to ‘cut our losses’) for the Ebro Delta.
We were staying at an apartment in Deltebre, which was more than adequate for our requirements, with a huge TV, not that there was anything really to watch and indeed our time here was for other activities.
An exploration of the immediate area ensued, which was basically some extra time here (resulting from the short time period spent at Belchite) driving along the accessible tracks and roads that crossed the rice paddy fields. If the next two days here were anything like what the afternoon provided we were in for a treat!
One of the first birds we saw was a new species for us both; a Slender-billed Gull, flying over the paddies. Approximately 50 Curlew Sandpipers and 150 Glossy Ibis were seen, followed by Black-winged Stilt and both a Cattle and Little Egret.
The weather conditions were still very overcast and we hoped we would have better light during the next two days in order to see these species in their full glory and to photographically record better images. Still, there was so much to see and places to explore, some cloudy weather was not about to thwart our progress!
2 Turtle Doves, Gull-billed Tern, Yellow-legged Gull and Mallard were added to the Ebro species list, as was our first Audouin’s Gull here. Black-headed Gull, House Sparrow, Spotless Starling, Collared Dove and a Whiskered Tern and mating Black-winged Stilts were all seen as we followed the tracks, stopping at various points.
The sun began to appear through the clouds and Common Swifts were overhead and a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Heron followed. Herons were very much in evidence here but I was not expecting to see 3 Squacco Herons during our first visit (one catching a Crayfish sp.) and a Purple Heron were then added to the heron count.
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greenshank, Coot, Magpie were seen before driving alongside an irrigation channel, now in the sunshine.
At the very least were 500 Sand Martins hunting insects over the water courses and 20-30 Yellow Wagtails were feeding along the bank. The majority of the Yellow Wagtails found here suggest the race Motacilla flava thunbergi
with at least one M.f. feldegg. However, polymorphic species, such as the flava wagtails are very variable.
6 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Wood Sandpiper were spotted before a Great White Egret completed the ‘egret hat-trick’.
Two more Squacco Herons were seen in the late afternoon before having a look near the river, where several Blue-tailed Damselflies were found.
More time was spent photographing many of the species already encountered, now in the sunshine; a great introduction to the Ebro Delta’s wildlife.
After a shower, we found a nice little restaurant and after a few beers (coffee in Jase’s case) and a good meal we returned to our apartment, looking forward to the following day.
11th May
The day dawned and we continued our exploration of the Ebro Delta, with the first birds being Black-winged Stilt, Glossy Ibis and 3 Squacco Herons in flight together! 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Whiskered Tern and an Audouin’s Gull bathing followed.
The area was also great for Flamingos with flocks of Greater Flamingos flying over the delta with the mountains as a backdrop.
A nesting colony, of Audouin’s Gulls was here and a Barn Swallow posed for photos, whilst Greater Flamingos flying across the sea made for some great images. Red Crested Pochard was also seen and more and more opportunities to see and indeed photograph Greater Flamingos were presented to us.
A Mediterranean Gull flew over, a Grey Heron was seen and both male and female Black-tailed Skimmers were found. A Purple Heron and more Black-winged Stilts and Greater Flamingos were seen and a Common Tern hovered over the water in its search for food.
A Crested Lark was seen along one of the dusty tracks and I then noticed a large bird perched on some telegraph wires; an Osprey. The Osprey caught a fish, which looked like a Mullet and then proceeded to consume it whilst perched on a telegraph pole. A Common Sandpiper was seen during the Osprey observation and more photo opportunities followed with a Purple Heron, a hunting Little Tern and more flamingos!
A nesting colony of Common Terns was viewed from behind a viewing screen and also here were Avocet and Shelduck before arriving at an observation tower, overlooking the marshes.
Gull-billed Tern were here along with singing Reed and Great Reed Warblers, a calling Common Cuckoo and the most Purple Gallinules I have ever seen in view at the same time; at one point there must have been at least six!
A Night Heron flew over and there were brief views of a Little Bittern, whilst a Great White Egret searched for prey and Cattle Egrets added to the Herons present.
A Chiffchaff was in the bushes and so was a Zitting Cisticola before spotting 2 Slender-billed Gulls on one of the lagoons.
Green Sandpiper, Crested Lark, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Woodchat Shrike and Spotted Flycatcher were also recorded in the area, before paying a visit to the beach, where a Sanderling, Gannet and a Sandwich Tern flew past over the sea.
A Snail species was found on the way back from the beach (once more in the area of the tower) and a Purple Heron was walking along the road!
Kentish Plover, Savi’s Warbler, Hoopoe, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, White Stork, Turtle Dove were all encountered on the return journey, plus more wonderful views of a Purple Gallinule; in flight and another being chased off by a Coot!
A Gull-billed Tern was seen carrying a Crayfish sp. and some more great views of Little, Squacco and Cattle Egret, Purple and Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, Audouin’s Gull, Crested Lark, Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae
Kentish Plover, Yellow-legged Gull, Common and Whiskered Terns and a Caspian Tern all lit up nicely in the sunshine. Another great day at the Ebro!
12th May
The seventh and final day of our visit to Spain was again spent in the Ebro Delta, before heading towards the airport for our flight back to the UK.
The day began with 30 Glossy Ibis together, Whiskered Tern, Black-winged Stilt, Mallard, Coot, Audouin’s Gull and Gull-billed Tern.
Some of the egret contingent followed, with Squacco and Purple Herons and Little Egret and both Great Reed and Reed Warblers were singing near the area known as Bassa de L’Alfacada with the screen to observe the nesting Common Terns.
Shelduck and Avocet were once again present here, a Yellow Wagtail possibly Motacilla flava cinereocapilla
was collecting nest material and a Crested Lark was also seen. On the way to the tower, 3 Red Crested Pochard flew over.
Once again from the tower, there were at least 8 Purple Gallinules out on the marsh and Great White Egret, Zitting Cisticola and Greater Flamingo were also seen. A Night Heron flew over and a Squacco Heron was out on the marsh.
Yellow-legged Gull, Yellow Wagtail sp., Black-winged Stilt and Whiskered Tern followed and it was a problem knowing where to look (never mind where to point the camera!), with so many ‘Mediterranean species’ on show.
3 Slender-billed Gulls were seen before leaving the tower and a Purple Heron was on the road again!
Once more amongst the rice paddies a Cattle Egret, Great White and Little Egrets were encountered, as were 10 Ringed Plovers, 6 Little Stints and a Common Redshank and a Slender-billed Gull posed for photos as it preened.
Sand Martins were settling on the road, House Sparrows were around the buildings and Northern Wheatear, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and a handsome Iberian Yellow Wagtail M.f iberiae
perched on top of a sign were seen.
At the Salines de la Tancada, Little and Whiskered Terns were present and of course Greater Flamingos. Savi’s Great Reed and Reed Warblers were all heard singing, as was a Zitting Cisticola.
A female Common Redstart gave us another avian species for the trip, before bidding farewell to the Ebro Delta and heading back to drop the jeep off at the car hire, before being taken to Barcelona Airport and our flight back to the UK.
An absolutely wonderful seven days in North and East Spain and great thanks are due to my friend Jason who booked the trip, did all of the driving and was great company. Also, thanks to Ken Saul for his help with the Moth identification and Mike Linley and David Donaire for their invaluable aid in identifying the Lizard species seen.
