Ospreys are one of the most charismatic and cosmopolitan of all bird species. The species’ global distribution and migratory habits lend it to collaborative projects. As Yossi Leshem has demonstrated through his work in the Middle East, migrating birds like Ospreys cross national, cultural and religious boundaries and have great potential to link communities separated by hundreds if not thousands of miles. We believe Ospreys provide us with a truly unique opportunity to engage and link communities across the world. ABS is associated with the Osprey Migration Foundation and you can read more here on this project…

Penny Hale aka The Moth Lady, gives us an insight into the wonders of those much maligned butterflies of the night, moths. Penny says “When I first show people some of the moths I have trapped overnight, the first reaction is amazement at the colours, patterns, variety of forms and “resting” positions shown by the moths. I guess this is because most of us do not see many moths in our daily lives, since many species are nocturnal, whereas butterflies are much more obvious. Most people concede that butterflies are both beautiful and colourful, but it comes as a surprise to learn that many moths can be equally attractive and vivid”...

Bonelli’s Eagle provide one of the major attractions for visiting birdwatchers to Andalucia, of course they also forever thrill the locals too! Throughout the Málaga and Cadiz provinces of our territory they are perhaps most common, certainly the breeding density here makes it the most important area for this species in all of Europe. Essentially a breeding bird in higher altitudes preferring rocky crags and faces to nest, they are common in the high sierras. Currently there is concern that nest sites are increasingly under threat from competing Golden Eagle and increasing numbers of Griffon Vulture, Peter Jones gives us an update here…

Jesus Contreras gives us a guide to birding in Almería and describes some of the unique habitats found only in his province. Earlier in the year Jesus played host to the Society when members braved the winter to attend a field meeting in Almería, many taking advantage of his expertise and staying on for a few days to be guided through his impressive area. With Europe’s only true desert, one speciality of the area is Trumpeter Finch, these finches spend time near coastal areas in winter, then disperse to the interior during the breeding season, of course there are other wonderful species here such as Dupont’s Lark…..

The first field visit of the Autumn by the Andalucia Bird Society saw 22 members attending a very worthwhile and enjoyable morning at the Guadalhorce in Malaga.  Meeting at the mouth of the western arm of the river, we even had a lone Honey Buzzard drift over westwards in addition to at least 50 plus Monk Parakeets as we gathered to walk along the beach, up to the Sea Watch and then via the Rio Viejo, Laguna Casillas, Laguna Escondida to finally finish at the large hide overlooking the Laguna Grande.  Was it worth it?  The answer must be "Yes" with Barrie and Jan travelling down all the way from Murcia, but is that further than Janet Dixon and Ceri and Jackie Levi, from Lancashire and London respectively, who had timed their breaks in Andalucia to coincide with the Society's field trip?  The weather was perfect and all the birders were keen and enthusiastic and, although the water levels are getting desperately low and much in need of rain, between us we managed to record 57 species.

House Martin was seen as we left the buildings behind and on reaching the beach we had a good view of a Common Sandpiper and the first of many Mediterranean and Audouin's Gulls.  A party of seven Kentish Plovers were feeding near the blocked mouth of the western river and then a group of three Sanderlings chasing the water's edge.  On the coastal fence a Northern Wheatear and then a lone Sandwich Tern drifted west along the shoreline.  Looking inland from the Sea Watch we had sightings of both Crested Lark and Greenfinch and a short sight of a lone Marsh Harrier towards the back of the Laguna Grande.

As we walked inland toward the Wader Pool we had yet another view of the solitary Osprey (still eating his fish breakfast), whilst on the old river's banks were a good number of Little Ringed Plovers (mainly juveniles), Ringed Plover and a trio of Black-winged Stilts. At least one Wood Sandpiper and an immature Redshank which caused a little excitement for a few minutes as thoughts of "Lesser Yellowlegs" sprang to mind.  Naturally, plenty of Spotless Starlings to be seen, indeed at one point they looked as if they were waiting for scraps from the Osprey's proverbial table, but the call of a Cetti's Warbler and sightings of both Sardinian Warbler and Stonechat soon brought out attention back to the river bank.  And just as well as we were able to pick up a single Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper on the far bank.

Reaching the Wader Pool, with some having seen the single Hoopoe and a Wren, we discovered the amount of water that had been lost in the previous week; resulting in very few birds.  A handful of Little Egrets, a pair of Little Grebes, passing Goldfinches and a Blue-headed Wagtail plus a single Greenshank at the far end seen only by the early arrivals were the main attractions. Laguna Casillas was equally devoid of birds albeit more water available.  Coots and Pochards were the main attraction here with a couple of Grey Herons. Our walk around the reserve was punctuated by several sightings of Fan-tailed Warblers.


So on to the Laguna Escondida which very often lives up to its name of the "Secret Pool!"  This morning was no exception, for having noted just a handful of Coots and a similar number of White-headed Ducks some small disturbance at the back right of the water resulted in an influx of birds from "round the corner"; first a pair of Gadwall quickly followed by a single Shoveler and a few Mallards.  Yet more Coot, a couple of Moorhen, a handful of Little Grebes and three Little Egrets who seemed to have dropped in to see what all the fuss was about.  The great shame was that most of the party had already departed so not only missed this little addition to the numbers but also the Kingfisher that made a couple of flashing appearances as it first flew across the back of the pool and then right in front of the hide.


Arriving at the Laguna Grande we were greeted by hundreds of gulls all ready for identification.  But, again, the first arrivals had also picked up the Black-tailed Godwit which then departed over the back of the water to whence we had just come!  Most of the gulls seemed to be of the Black-headed variety but there were also good numbers of Mediterranean and a few Yellow-legged Gulls.  More searching revealed a couple, at least, of Lesser Black-backed Gulls but then, the pick of the bunch, a single Caspian Tern, with its huge orange-coloured mouth, showing signs of heavy head moult.  Resting, then flying round the pool before returning to its multi-gull company, somebody, hopefully, will have manage to get a great shot of the bird.  Also present to the left, a single Avocet and then, low and behold, a pair of juvenile Greater Flamingo put in an appearance on the far side.  All was not done, though, for by now most had seen the single Whimbrel to the left of the hide and, probably, the same individual recorded a week ago, plus a late-discovered Black-necked Grebe.  In the distance, we had a handful of Barn Swallows and so the morning ended with members returning to their various corners of the Andalucia.

Birds recorded:
Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Little Egret, Heron, Flamingo, Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Little Stint, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Caspian Tern, Sandwich Tern, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Wren, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Fan-tailed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

Article/Report by ABS Membership Secretary Bob Wright