I set off to the
Sierra de Gredos (SdG) area with Dave Gosney’s guide to Extremadura close at
hand (SdG is not in Extremadura but is covered in the book!). The guide is
excellent providing co-ordinates for use in conjunction with a SatNav.
The scenery en route
was once again spectacular and a few stops were made along the way to watch
small pockets of birds Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Great Tit, Blackbird and Larks. I passed through the Campsite de Gredos with a view to stopping on
the way back from the car park at Sierra de Gredos. I found a group of Crag
Martin dive bombing under a bridge too quick for pictures and they did not even
take a breather!!
The car-park at
Sierra de Gredos was busy with vehicles and hikers. The trail and hillsides were
almost completely snowbound therefore I gave the walk a miss. About twenty
minutes later a gliding immature Eurasian Black Vulture whizzed over the car park from
the direction of the trail and had disappeared as quickly as it arrived! I was
not expecting this species today!
The sun was doing
its best to thaw the snow creating small waterfalls and streams either side of
the car-park. I saw only a handful of birds in the rocks but after a patient
wait I managed some pictures only for a Rock Bunting to pop up onto a rock directly
in front of me and strike a pose! Nice!
I made my way back
to the Campsite in time for an evening Citril Finch watch. This species was not
found it winters in Spain and therefore may have already departed. There were
Crested, Coal and Great Tit in the pines. The former was very obliging coming down
to some rubbish on the soccer field.
A pair of Black
Redstart made up the opposition defending the far goal with White Wagtail
taking the post of referee and linesman.
A Griffon Vulture
and a couple of Buzzard were noted during my travels. Every village that has a
church has breeding White Stork. A group of Red Kite were seen en route back to
Avila. I did wonder if the land owner was feeding them as all the birds were circling
very low over an enclosure.
I also managed to get a better photograph of a Spotless Starling who had a very serious look on its face! This species gets everywhere but was my first life bird of this adventure!
Last thought of the
day goes to a Lark which had me confused it showed a black patch on its neck and behind the eye. The bird definitely
did not fit Calandra. My next thought was Woodlark with the above picture indicating a complete white supercilium but what about the black
patches. Time to ask for a second opinion thanks Pete Alfrey. Facebook does have
its advantages! The verdict is a feather worn Woodlark.
Time for a good sleep
to dream about tomorrows offerings!
No comments:
Post a Comment