Field Meeting 27th February - Laguna de Medina (near Jerez de La Frontera)

[wingspanner]

Just a quick note and word of warning about Laguna Medina, I was there last Sunday and the water level was extremely high! You could not walk passed the first section of boardwalk, the water was that high. At the end of the first boardwalk you would have needed fisherman's waders to proceed towards the hide! Couldn't see much further than that.

[Peter]

Stephen Daly led a 20 strong group from the ABS (Andalucia Bird Society) around the Laguna de Medina on Saturday (27th Feb). Stephen commented "Had difficulty getting along to the hide as the place is literally overflowing. Lots of BN Grebes & WH Ducks, Marsh & Hen Harriers, Black Kites but just too much water everywhere... Griffons, ST Eagles, C Buzzards, Green Woodpecker, Black Stork in the afternoon".

Given the weather conditions 20 people was not a bad turnout and we will keep you posted on future field trips.

Thank you Stephen for giving your time to lead and organise the day.

Peter

Photograph supplied by Stephen whilst you weren't looking!

[David]

Thank you Stephen for a very enjoyable day.  At Laguna Medina I recorded seeing 31 birds as follows:
Cetti's Warblers,
Marsh Harriers,
Stonechats,
Cattle Egret,
Little Egrets,
Common Coots
Moorhens
Purple Gallinule - initially seen about 1.5 metres off the ground in a bush
Black Kites
Yellow-legged Gulls
Common Swifts
Barn Swallows
Red-rumped Swallows
House Martin
Red-legged Partridges
Black-necked Grebes - in breeding plumage.  Two birds in courtship display.
Great Crested Grebes - in breeding plumage
Little Grebes - in breeding plumage
White-headed Ducks
Mallards
Gadwalls
Shovellers
Tufted Ducks
Red-crested Pochards
Common Pochards
White Storks - large flocks flew overhead
Chiffchaff
Blackcap - singing their hearts out
Raven
Grey Heron
White Wagtails

During the afternoon after an excellent lunch - the tripe went down particularly well - we went to the north of La Janda and saw 8 birds as follows
White Storks - nesting, some looked as if they were incubating
Griffon Vulture
Short-toed Eagle
Jackdaws
Wood Pigeons
Crested Larks
Common Kestrel
Common Buzzards
Iberian Green Woodpecker - heard calling

We also spent two nights in Arcos de la Frontera and on the first night were stood on the cliff-edge near the Paradore, watching the Lesser Kestels flying below us along the cliffs.  It was close to dusk and we also watched Common Swifts flying into tiny holes in the old walls to roost for the night.

Thank you again Stephen for a great days birding.

David

[Toots]

Wingspanner- a bit of water doesn't stop the ABS! The brave rolled up their pants & paddled, the reckless forced a way around, through the undergrowth. But before the jungle route was established, Stephen did get lots of Brownie points for courageously offering to piggy-back people across.
 I'd only add 4, not very exciting birds, to David's list: Sardinian Warbler, Goldfinch, Cormorant on Em. de Barbate, & good ol' H. Sparrow at the lunch stop. But wot's this from PJ? Did I miss a Black Stork somewhere??
 Thank you Stephen
Ellie

[Franky no Hair]

Hi Peeps
                Just to say thanks to Stephen for a great day and good to see so many people.  It was at last a dry day but the volume of rain over the last few weeks made the water levels very difficult to get to the hide but after a diversion throw the bushes we made it to the hide where managed to see plenty of birds.  After a drive to Benalup we had lunch and continued to the back of La Janda to see some of the lowest Stork nests I have ever seen.  We stayed in Vejer on the Saturday night and had a look at La Janda and what a sight we managed to get past the slues gates on the main canal road only to the next bridge where we had to turn and return to the main 340 road.  But we did see 2 Great Egrets along with 21 Spoonbills.  Once again thanks to Stephen for showing some new sites.