birding...

Bee-eater Merops apiaster ©Joël Bruezičre http://www.eyesonsky.com/birds.php

The central regions of Spain`s eastern Mediterranean coast hold the attractive holiday regions generally referred to as Costa Blanca, Costa del Azabar and Costa Calida. They draw millions of tourists annually. Don`t throw your hands in the air in despair for they are also the coastal regions of the provinces of Castellon, Valencia, Alicante and Murcia. These provinces are some of the most productive of Southern Spain.

Murcia, holds vast orange, lemon and pomegranate groves interspersed with fields of garlic, maze, vines and olives. Although dry for eight months of the year the landscape manages to seem full and fragrant even in June. A major river, the Segura reaches the sea at Guardamar just below Elche (Elx) and must be a good source of birdlife. Close to the sea there are the freshwater lagoons of L`Albufera, and, on the Costa Blanca, the saltpans of Santa Pola and the striking limestone crag of Penyal d`Ifach. Twenty minuets inland from Torrevieja is the village of Dolores, and close by, the Parque natural del Fondo complete with barn hide. Just below the province of Murcia lies the Mar Menor, an inland sea or lagoon. Most of these areas are accessible from the towns and villages between Murcia, Orihuela and Alicante and the locals in the towns are happy and hospitable. Prosperity is booming and major roads are a boon to travellers.

Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Montagues Harrier, Black Winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Terns, Hoopoo, Pallid Swift, Black Kite, Serin, Spanish Sparrow, Swallow, Martin and Crossbill abound. So a determined day out in true birding style would no doubt satisfy any avid birder.

November News
There appears to be an influx of Black Redstarts. They breed here and are rather shy in summertime, but some also come from Africa and they are beginning to show now on the rocky shores of Embalse Pedera near San Miguel Salinas. Duck species are beginning to show too with up to 20 pairs of Shelduck seen from the roadside at Santa Pola Salinas. The Marbled Duck eludes me for the present. The Great Crested Grebe numbers are increasing with 60+ at the same watch and 60+ Avocet. Sardinian and Fan-tailed Warblers are still plentiful as are Serin. Serin gather in great flocks and descend upon the orange and lemon groves like confetti. Crested Lark and Hoopoe are seen in almost all habitats, although Hoopoe are rarely seen above the foothills of our nearest mountain, which are 800 to 1300 meters high. Being November the temperature drops a little at night, but during the day it is usually warm/hot and sunny. Some days start cloudy but clears by lunch time as a rule.