Vermont Birder

I mentioned earlier that the little preserve that we visit is the largest wetlands on the Granada coast and is tucked into an 18 hectare plot in Motril. The birds love it, as do we. Yesterday, we saw a number of Red-knobbed Coots, a rare bird that is still in danger but is restored to Spain as well as other water-loving birds.

We are leaving in a few days but still doing some rooftop birding from the terrace. Adios desde Espana

Several birds here in Spain – Rock Doves, Mallards and Northern Shovelers come to mind – seem to be about the same as in the U.S. The Little Egret is just like its close relative, the Snowy Egret, that we see in Texas and other southern states. Great to watch this patient hunter.

Note the classic yellow “slippers” which also mark the Snowy Egret.

Southern Spain is a desert and reminds me of parts of California the Southwest US where birds congregate around nearly any body of fresh or brackish water. The salt lagoons were packed with bids, some resident, and some starting their migration to Africa.

This Bar-tailed Godwit was foraging along, intent on fueling up for the trip ahead.

Gray Herons (Ardea cinerea) are much like the Great Blue Heron.(Ardea herodias)

A far-off Western Marsh Harrier hunting for food

A tableau of birds at one of the park’s lookout sites.

At the ocean, we came upon a familiar scene, where earlier a boat had unloaded immigrants from Africa. The police were there, there was clothing strewn around, but otherwise business as usual. There were dozens of very large swarms of insects – which left us alone – providing food for hundreds of Martins swooping every which way. This Guardia officer had a swarm right above his head, which you can barely see in the photo as a darker strip arising from his head as he talks on the phone. 

And finally, a couple of photos from our terrace as I try to identify some morning bird songs.