Field Meeting - 23rd October 2010 - Llanos de Libar

[john brooks]

steve and I will be there, john

[Peter]

Great turn-out for today's meeting. Thanks to everyone for attending and very much enjoyed seeing you all! 

Peter

[Marbella_bird]

There was a good turnout for the meeting at Llanos de Libar, our illustrious leader's local stomping ground near Ronda. A total of 19 members joined Peter, braving the grey clouds in the hope of seeing some of the newly arrived winter migrants as well as the rich variety of resident species. It was especially nice to be able to welcome another new Spanish member, Pepe, who had arisen at 6am and driven all the way over from Cadiz.

Having firstly overwhelmed the small local venta with demands for breakfast we set off driving through some spectacular scenery, spotting some Blue Rock thrushes (Roquero solitario) and the ubiquitous Griffon Vultures (Buitre leonardo) on the way. On reaching the track at Libar we stopped near a group of Hawthorn bushes, heavily loaded with berries, to search for Ring Ouzels (Mirlo Capiblanco). Everyone was very keen to spot this rather shy bird and finally our patience was rewarded with the sight of one splendid individual who kindly posed on top of a rock some way off and allowed everyone time to focus their scopes on him.

Whilst waiting for the Ring Ouzel we had Crag Martins (Avión Roquero) flying overhead and wonderful views of Griffon Vultures once again, this time perched on a nearby rock face. At the base of the same rock a couple of members reported seeing a possible Wallcreeper (Treparriscos) but this was unconfirmed though Peter has seen them in that area in the past. 

Enthused by the sight of the Ring Ouzel we continued driving up the track to the end where there is a small pond inhabited by a large number of Marsh Frogs. The area was inundated by locals gathering wild mushrooms but despite the disturbance we had the chance to see both Water (Bisbita Alpino) and Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Común) bathing in the standing water close to the pond. Large numbers of Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón) and and Stonechats (Tarabilla Común) were flying around and Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris ) were also much in evidence. One member of the group saw a large male Spanish Ibex on the crest of a nearby ridge and luckily he stayed there giving everyone time to have leisurely views.

On the way back we passed a number of Wagtails, both White ( Lavandera Blanca) and Iberian Yellow (Lavandera Boyera Iberica) who were risking a trampling by feeding around the feet of a herd of sheep with very small and rather unsteady, newborn baby lambs. Quite a few Mistle Thrushes (Zorzal Charlo) were flitting around in the trees and of course a trip up this track is never complete without the sighting of a Black Wheatear or two (Collalba negra) and they also made an appearance. A large flock of about 50 Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón) was apparent on the way up to the pond but they'd headed off to some other area by the time we returned so unfortunately they were not seen by all members. 

A wonderful grand finale came in the shape of two very beautiful raptors as we neared the village. Peter's sharp eyes spotted a Bonelli's eagle (Águila-Azor Perdicera)  perched on the top of the ridge alongside the road and when everyone had pulled over and set up their scopes a male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido) came soaring over to add to the excitement, giving us all excellent views of his stunning silver grey plumage with unmistakable black wing tips.
All in all a very pleasant and rewarding trip with even the weather holding off to allow us to stay dry and comfortable and thus satisfied with our morning we returned to the venta for a tasty and filling "menu del dia" to equally satiate our stomachs. Always hungry work birding!

David has kindly provided his birdlist (see attached) to which I can only add the Rock Sparrow and Black Wheatear as mentioned above.

Alexandra

[Peter]

Excellent report and brought back vivid memories of the day, thanks for the time and effort doing this and look forward to an equally compelling report on your recent visit to the Donana!

Peter