October field trip
Nature Trail by Malcolm Palmer
On a lovely sunny October morning, the Costa Blanca Bird Club met for its second autumn field trip, some 23 people turning up, including two energetic young ladies from Britain conducting an investigation into ex-patriot life!
The first stop was on Santa
Pola Salinas, where several Greenshank were present, as well as the impressive Great White Egrets which have become regular.
No less than three Ospreys were see, and early Lesser Black-backed Gulls were feeding.
Barry Chambers, the day’s leader, took the group on to El Pinet, where several species of waders were seen, and soon a fine Booted Eagle impressed everyone by flying close overhead.
The fields adjacent to the Palm Farm Track had dried out very quickly, and desert conditions prevailed, but there were plenty of Marsh Harriers and Kestrels about as the group made its way around El Hondo to take lunch at one of our favoured restaurants, El Rocio, which again did us proud. Afterwards, there remained the Hondo Visitor Centre, at San Felipe Neri, and here those who stayed the course enjoyed the sight of many Kingfishers and a Squacco Heron or two, as well as a good variety of wildfowl, including Gadwall and the scarce Whiteheaded Duck.
The real ‘prize’ however, was only to be enjoyed by the few who stuck it out to the bitter end, when no less than five Black Storks suddenly appeared – a real treat, as they seldom turn up locally.
Should anyone wish to know more of the dings and future activities of the Costa Blanca Bird Club they can go into www.costablancabirdclub.com – all are welcome, and beginners particularly. Might take your mind off Brexit and Cataluña!