π Sierra de Loja ~ Birding Spain πͺπΈ May 2022
π€26C Wednesday 25th May 2022 ~ Another day out with Derek Etherton and this time joined by Andy Paterson another birder with many years of experience birding in Spain.
The Mirador at the top of Sierra Loja ~ 1600 meters!
I was delighted when asked to join Derek and Andy as this is one of my favourite places to bird when in southern Spain. The landscape consists of a few trees, low lying scrub and bushes but is mainly short, dry grass, and rocky terrain, the scenery is simply stunning and the birding can be very rewarding. You access the dirt road that leads up to the top at the Los Abades service area exit off the A92 road to Granada.
Our view while having lunch.
Having accessed the track up Derek had the notion of driving to the top at a more rigorous rate than normal and then making our way back down slowly investigating the many areas we had earmarked for some of our target species. However, that went out of the window almost immediately as we passed the open woodland when we were suddenly into a couple of singing Western Bonelli's Warblers. From here on it was stop/start all the way to the top.
Western Bonelli's Warbler
As we cleared the woodland noting a couple of Azure-winged Magpies a few species on the track ahead and roadside fencing included Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting and Stonechat. The first of many Thekla Larks seen today also made an appearance as the habitat opens out just short of the quarry.
One of (15) Thekla Larks seen today.
A shout from Andy and a quick exit from the car revealed (5) Honey Buzzards heading east and while here the unusual sight of both Red-legged Partridge and Rock Bunting sharing either end of the same rocky outcrop!
Rock Bunting right
Red-legged Partridge left
Just a short distance on and the first and only Iberian Shrike seen today. A search of a known Little Owl area produced just a single bird, which I was pleased to see in the knowledge that we are not lucky enough to have these lovely little birds in the northeast of Scotland.
Just the one Iberian Shrike today.
It was a great day for Wheatears with (21) Western Black-eared Wheatear, and this only counting those seen on the ascent, (9) Black Wheatear and 2 Northern Wheatear, one of which we believe is likely from the Greenland race.
An amazing day for Western Black-eared Wheatear
(9) Black Wheatear
Northern Wheatear
A short stop to meet up with a local guide Mick Richardson, who I've met on a few occasions. This so Derek, Andy and Mike could swap a selection of books. Mick was with a couple of clients and had told us that he'd seen one of our target birds for the day Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush but very briefly. It wasn't actually until we were on our descent a few hours later that we also managed to briefly connect! While here a couple of Black Redstarts and one of (8) Blue Rock Thrush that was seen today.
This Blue Rock Thrush entertained while the book swap took place!
Moving on after our short break a stop at the 'fossil cave' where a large colony of nesting Rock Sparrows were chattering away and at one point one of the local Red-billed Choughs tried its hand, investigating several nook and crannies but came up empty-handed. Just up the rock face a couple of Crag Martins and two more Black Redstarts.
Red-billed Chough at the 'Fossil Cave'
At one particular-stop Derek spotted a distant Golden Eagle drifting at height from left to right, a wonderful sight nonetheless and at one stage harassed by Common Kestrels & Choughs, two Ravens missing out on the event minutes later!
Golden Eagle ~ Likely a juvenile second-winter bird, with Chough in pursuit.
On to what I refer to as the 'Hawthorn Oasis' an unlikely area of Hawthorn just beyond the Charca Negra, today in full blossom but in the autumn full of berries and Ring Ouzel! On this visit a singing Melodious Warbler and shortly after another target bird for today, Orphean Warbler, in fact, two the latter observed while having lunch. Also while here a couple of Woodchat Shrike, around (30+) Red-billed Chough and a singing Corn Bunting.
Woodchat Shrike
A fantastic ascent where at our highest point the Pasarela Mirador at1600 meters the temperature got down to 13C. Very much the same on the descent with our final stop at the lower quarry, which I didn't actually know existed, there's local knowledge for you! Here we were back to 26C but spent a short time searching the shrubs and scrub for Spectacled Warbler, another target species. Nothing at first but patience paid off when a couple of Dartford Warblers appeared and it wasn't until just prior to leaving when a singing Spectacled Warbler alerted us to a single bird, which offered the briefest of views before we headed off.
One of two Dartford Warblers
A brilliant day and some of the best birding I've enjoyed in Southern Spain, made even more of an event by the company, haven't laughed so much in years!!
