Friends
I seem to have sorted out the major publishing problem; the program will not let you "Cut and Paste", everything has to be typed out on site as I am doing now. This has proved very frustrating as I had spent hours on a long report with many photos. working downstairs on the laptop rather than up here in the studio. Why do you never discover these things on a short piece?
My second problem, also discovered after I had spent some considerable time actually typing out Eric's email and my response, etc, was that, by default, the reports are being published on my original blog site rather than this one. Even after I had logged out and then logged in here!
So, until further notice, all reports will appear on "http://birdingaxarquia.blogspot.com". (Bookmark to save you tyoing it all out every time you want to see what is going on.) I will leave this site as it is so that you can still read the aims and objectives of the Axarquia Bird Club.
At the end of each published report there is a link that lets you comment on what is/has been written; do make use of this facility.
Don't forget; the next meeting of the El Valle Association is at the Camping Bar, Lake Vinuela next Tuesday, 4 November BUT not before our trip out to the Guadalhorce in Malaga that morning.
Meet in the car park outside Dunnes at 9 o'clock so that we can sort transport rather than all take cars unless you are not returning directly afterwards or wanting to take a Menu del Dia depending upon the time we get back to the cars. Allow about 40 minutes to the site and at least two and a half hours at the river bed which should take us to somewhere in the region of 12.30. The idea of a lunch really kicks in if we find the end time is gone 1 pm.
Bob
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
First Field Trip of the new Axarquia Bird Club
Friday, October 10, 2008
It was cool, very wind and cloudy with the promise of rain in the air as we seven set out from Puente don Manuel, below Lake Vinuela, to visit the old railway track at the Ventas de Zafarraya and the small pool on the outskirts of Alhama de Granada. Indeed, we were not to be disappointed as very light rain began to fall after passing through the old railway tunnel but not enough to spoil our birding.
Ventas de Zafarraya:
No sooner had we parked our cars than we were greeted by close views of two Peregrine Falcons above the rock with the latter being mobbed by a Kestrel. Walking along the track we quickly picked up a Black Wheatear, Great Tit and Stonechats followed by the first of many sightings of Blue Rock Thrush.
Meanwhile, clambering up the rock on our right just before the tunnel entrance very good views wee had of a t least a dozen Ibex. Quite a bonus for us all. Whilst I have called these animals "Ibex", my illustrated Spanish edition of "Guia de Campo" (Jan Toman & Jiri Felix, published by Susaeta, ISBN 84-305-7413-1) identifies the animals as "MUFLON"; about half the size of Ibex weighing in at around 50 rather than 100 kg and identified by the white legs with black stripes to the front. Probably a small family group of females and young. You learn something new every day!
It was also about this time that we all had very clear views of Rock Buntings.
A single Crag Martin took the opportunity to exit the tunnel immediately in front of us and then it was more Stonechats and Blue Rock Thrushes until we reached the old ruin where we saw in excess of a hundred Goldfinches; more then a "charm" to satisfy all. Finally, as we made our way back to the cars, all the Thekla Larks decided to make an appearance.
Zafarraya growing fields:
Very quite as we stopped to check the previous manure dumping ground. Mainly a mixed flock of Goldfinch, Serin, Greenfinch and House Sparrows. But the tomatoes were doing well! In the far distance, a group of Spotless Starlings were searching out a good resting place on the overhead electricity cables.
Alhama de Granada:
As usual, the small pool to the north-east of the town was full of Coots and this time a goodly number of Pochard as well as some Little Grebe and a White Wagtail. The small copse at the side of the pool produced Cetti's warbler, Blackcap, Blackbird, Robin, in excess of thirty Wood Pigeon and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker as the first of us entered the trees. At the same time, a single Grey Heron flapped off over the far corner of the water.
Journey back through the woods:
Not having seen the "main bird" on the outward journey, the Azure-winged Magpie made up for lost ground with as many as thirty seen on the return journey to Zafarraya. It certainly made the solitary Corn Bunting on the fence look rather insignificant!
And so back down the mountain to our starting point, where at last we also saw one of the resident Collared Doves, and home for a late lunch. A final total of 28 species seen during the morning.
Next Meeting:
A good start and a whetting of the appetite for our November visit which will be to the Guadalhorce reserve near Malaga airport on Tuesday 4 November. If all goes well, we will meet up outside Dunnes at the Eroski car park by 9 am so that we can have a full morning looking at waders, ducks and anything else to be seen. This visit should last in the region of about three hours and the intention is to finish with a menu del dia before setting off back home.
Ventas de Zafarraya:
No sooner had we parked our cars than we were greeted by close views of two Peregrine Falcons above the rock with the latter being mobbed by a Kestrel. Walking along the track we quickly picked up a Black Wheatear, Great Tit and Stonechats followed by the first of many sightings of Blue Rock Thrush.
Meanwhile, clambering up the rock on our right just before the tunnel entrance very good views wee had of a t least a dozen Ibex. Quite a bonus for us all. Whilst I have called these animals "Ibex", my illustrated Spanish edition of "Guia de Campo" (Jan Toman & Jiri Felix, published by Susaeta, ISBN 84-305-7413-1) identifies the animals as "MUFLON"; about half the size of Ibex weighing in at around 50 rather than 100 kg and identified by the white legs with black stripes to the front. Probably a small family group of females and young. You learn something new every day!
It was also about this time that we all had very clear views of Rock Buntings.
A single Crag Martin took the opportunity to exit the tunnel immediately in front of us and then it was more Stonechats and Blue Rock Thrushes until we reached the old ruin where we saw in excess of a hundred Goldfinches; more then a "charm" to satisfy all. Finally, as we made our way back to the cars, all the Thekla Larks decided to make an appearance.
Zafarraya growing fields:
Very quite as we stopped to check the previous manure dumping ground. Mainly a mixed flock of Goldfinch, Serin, Greenfinch and House Sparrows. But the tomatoes were doing well! In the far distance, a group of Spotless Starlings were searching out a good resting place on the overhead electricity cables.
Alhama de Granada:
As usual, the small pool to the north-east of the town was full of Coots and this time a goodly number of Pochard as well as some Little Grebe and a White Wagtail. The small copse at the side of the pool produced Cetti's warbler, Blackcap, Blackbird, Robin, in excess of thirty Wood Pigeon and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker as the first of us entered the trees. At the same time, a single Grey Heron flapped off over the far corner of the water.
Journey back through the woods:
Not having seen the "main bird" on the outward journey, the Azure-winged Magpie made up for lost ground with as many as thirty seen on the return journey to Zafarraya. It certainly made the solitary Corn Bunting on the fence look rather insignificant!
And so back down the mountain to our starting point, where at last we also saw one of the resident Collared Doves, and home for a late lunch. A final total of 28 species seen during the morning.
Next Meeting:
A good start and a whetting of the appetite for our November visit which will be to the Guadalhorce reserve near Malaga airport on Tuesday 4 November. If all goes well, we will meet up outside Dunnes at the Eroski car park by 9 am so that we can have a full morning looking at waders, ducks and anything else to be seen. This visit should last in the region of about three hours and the intention is to finish with a menu del dia before setting off back home.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
New Bird Club for Axarquia
The first meeting (visit) of the Axarquia Bird Club (In association with the “El Valle Asociación de Propietarios”) will be on Friday morning, 10 October to the old railway track at the Ventas de Zafarraya, following on to the growing fields on the back road to Alhama de Granada and, if time, the small reservoir beyond the latter.
Until this site is fully developed, etc please refer to "Birding in Axarquia" blog at:
http://birdingaxarquia.blogspot.com
Bob Wright
Until this site is fully developed, etc please refer to "Birding in Axarquia" blog at:
http://birdingaxarquia.blogspot.com
Bob Wright
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