Zapata & Rio Grande 25/04/25

Friday 25th April 2025 🌤️ 25C ~ Wind S @4MPH ~ A pre-sunrise meeting today with Derek Etherton at Zapata. For those new to my blog, details regarding the site can be found HERE. The primary purpose of meeting before sunrise was to attempt to locate Red-necked Nightjars. In spring, these birds can be observed before dawn, perched on the lighting gantries of the airport flare path lights. Alternatively, driving along the ground tracks with headlights on may reveal their distinctive red eyes. We were uncertain about the impact the recent construction work might have on the returning birds.  

The Ford at Zapata in its prime! 

Over the past year, work has been underway to lay a water pipeline. Unfortunately, this project, combined with the recent devastating floods, has affected the entire area. Some reedbeds have been stripped away, and heavy machinery has made some tracks impassable. I was very keen to see if there was any sign of things improving. 

Zapata just after work had begun. 

Zapata during the floods of November 2024

Shortly after entering the site, we were delighted to hear the unmistakable "ktok, ktok, ktok, ktok" of a Red-necked Nightjar. Listen HERE. It was also obvious to see that the contractors installing the pipelines had already begun reforming the tracks, which hopefully bodes well for the site's future recovery. During our drive around, we managed three Red-necked Nightjars with one showing well on the track in front of us. Also of note were the many singing Nightingales, with of total of twelve today.

Red-necked Nightjar - Photo by Derek Etherton.

At one point, we came across a Turtle Dove on the ground, appearing somewhat fatigued, which led us to speculate that it might have arrived the previous night. Fortunately, there was no sign of it later as we walked through the area in daylight, but we did come across one purring in the trees nearby. We were happy to think it was the same bird!

A forlorn-looking Turtle Dove on the trackside - Photo by Derek Etherton

As daylight broke we moved the short distance upstream to the spot where Derek had seen a Penduline Tit the previous week. We spotted a male almost immediately, remarkable really as the location was situated almost directly beneath the AP7 motorway.

Record image of the Penduline Tit, which I struggled to get.

Soon, a second bird arrived, and we watched them for some time, concluding that they were gathering aphids, possibly to feed their young. 

It was a delightful early morning visit with no fewer than twelve Nightingales singing throughout the area. Additionally, hearing Reed Warblers and Cetti's Warbler was encouraging, indicating that reedbeds remain viable., full details of our sightings can be found HERE on eBird.

Monk Parakeet enjoying a breakfast of Thistle 

After breakfast, we set out to explore the Rio Grande. Our journey began at the Aerodrome, base Brica Infoca, situated just off the A-357. From there, we drove east along the dirt track to check out the eucalyptus trees and tamarisk. Below, the river was flowing quite fast; I have visited this area in previous years when the riverbed was completely dry.

It wasn't long before we heard the call of a Golden Oriole high in the treetops, prompting us to go for a stroll. We located two birds perched atop the eucalyptus and managed to take several record images of them. Additionally, we heard the gentle purring of a few Turtle Doves, suggesting there had likely been an influx overnight. A Short-toed Treecreeper was also singing, while a few Bee-eaters noisily meandered overhead. 

To the west, along the riverside, the initial species of note included a pair of Common Sandpipers, soon accompanied by a Little-ringed Plover and four Black-winged Stilts. However, there were few waders overall, and the area remained notably quiet. A solitary Woodchat Shrike made a brief appearance on the wires, and at the far western end of our walk along the river, around fifteen Bee-eaters perched in the treetops, occasionally taking to the air.

One of four Black-winged Stilts

Derek was saying that the recent floods had stripped away the midstream vegetation and species such as Squacco Heron and Purple Heron, that we normally find here, had little cover, as with Zapata, let's hope the recovery is swift.

A total of thirty-two species today, a full listing can be found on eBird HERE.