Fuente de Piedra 15/03/25

Saturday 16th March 2025 🌤️ 15C ~ NW @ 9MPH ~ For me, the usual routine in Spain is not to go birdwatching any further than locally on weekends. However, with a break in the weather, I decided to drive out to Fuente de Piedra today. On the way, I planned to stop at a few other birding locations to see what birds were around.

My first stop was the Rio Grande which you can access at the Aerodrome, base Brica Infoca just off the A-357. During my last few visits in previous years, I found it completely dry due to the prolonged drought. However, the Río Grande originates near the Sierra de las Nieves natural park, and I suspected that the recent heavy rains would bring plenty of water. In fact, I must say, there seemed to be almost too much water flowing down! 

I took a brief drive west along the dirt track that runs next to the river, reaching the ford, which was flowing far too high to cross. I wasn't expecting much, but it was clear that there had been a decent fall of Little-ringed Plovers, I managed at least nine. While I sat for a short time three Barn Swallows swooped down for a drink and then headed on. Notable sightings also included Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Cetti's Warbler, and away from the river, three Hoopoes, four European Serins, two Crested Larks, a Blackcap, Corn Bunting, and a Chiffchaff.

Little-ringed Plover having a wash.

Green Sandpiper

My next stop was Observatorio de buitres en Peñarrubia a small mountain range home to several species of interest, mainly rock-dwelling. 

Observatorio de buitres en Peñarrubia

The numerous existing ledges and cracks serve as innkeepers and roosts for Griffon Vultures, Peregrines, Alpine Swifts and Red-billed Chough. I actually only managed eleven Red-billed Chough today during my 20-minute stay and I suspect it's still a little early for Alpines Swifts.

As expected, I arrived at Fuente de Piedra to find it extremely busy. However, it's always a bonus when the lagoons are full of water. My main reason for the visit was to locate a pair of reported Lesser Flamingos. Before heading to the main lagoon, I stopped at the entrance to scan the wires and tower. Although there was no Barn Owl in the tower today, I did observe a couple of Common Kestrels that seemed to have made it their home, with one bird enjoying its catch on the ledge of the tower.

Black-necked Grebe on Cello del Paro lagoon.

The Cello del Paro lagoon was home to numerous Black-backed Gulls, two Black-tailed Godwits, several Avocets, and a Redshank. However, the star of the show here was an almost summer-plumage Black-necked Grebe.

Avocet

As expected the water was covering the scrapes at Sedero los Albinas and a walk along the boardwalk only produced a couple of Black-winged Stilts and three Avocets. I did also manage to see a very smart-looking male Western Marsh Harrier but it never came too close.

Lesser Flamingos with their distinct black bills.

It was too busy and noisy for my liking, so I missed the Observatorio El Laguneto and headed to the main Laguna. Such a wonderful sight to see the thousands of Greater Flamingos and amazingly due to the lack of foliage at this time of year some good views of the laguna from the track. I didn't go far and my first stop to look over the lagoon found two Lesser Flamingos feeding reasonably close in. I was surprised to actually find two more about 200 yards further down the track and since Saturday I've been told there are now seven on site! 

Although more typically found in sub-Saharan Africa, Lesser Flamingo has gradually increased in Europe in recent decades, with small numbers present in Spain throughout the year and breeding having regularly occurred there since the turn of the century. The species is now included in Category A of the Spanish bird list.