Island Tour - Part 6 - El Embalse de los Monlinos

Thursday 1st April was the last day that Jayne and I had the hire car, so we set out to visit a nearby reservoir, namely El Embalse de los Molinos (Los Molinos Reservoir). We arrived at about 9.45am and spent a couple of hours here, adding 4 new species to the trip list. Fuerteventura has had its highest rainfall in 30 years this last winter, so the water levels in the reservoir were much higher than in previous years.

Los Molinos Reservoir (full of water!)

The first, and most obvious species seen, was Spanish Sparrow, with a small colony found around a ruined building by the dam wall. As we were watching these, I noticed a small flock of hirundines flying over the dam wall. Using the bins, I spotted a few Barn Swallows, 3 Sand Martins, and, best of all a couple of Red-rumped Swallows!! We walked on, along the goat track, and had the best views of the trip of Berthelot's Pipit, Trumpeter Finch (male, female and a single juvenile) and Egyptian Vulture (2 flew low overhead).

Berthelot's Pipit

Trumpeter Finch (male and female)

Trumpeter Finch (juvenile)

As the reservoir was quite full, there were also many birds to be seen on the water. The vast majority were Ruddy Shelduck (60+, including several groups of juvenile birds), but also included Black-winged Stilts (20+, including juveniles), a single Coot (trip tick!), 2 Little Ringed Plover (trip tick) and a single Common Sandpiper.

Ruddy Shelduck (duckling)

If we hadn't seen anything else, we would have been very pleased, but, just as we heading back, we spotted a small flock nine birds flying around the site. We both realised that they were Black-bellied Sandgrouse, a species we thought we'd "dipped out" on! Thankfully, they landed (about 200m away) and we managed to get reasonable views (in the developing heat haze!). A great bird to add to the trip list!!

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Lesvos -23rd April 2011

Hi there. I was thinking about last year's trip to the Greek island of Lesvos today and realised that I'd only blogged about the first 2 days of my week long trip. So here goes for the 3rd day.

An early morning return visit to the Kalloni Saltpans started with a look over the small pool opposite the main entrance. 20+Ruff were feeding along with Black-winged Stilt, 1 Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Yellow Wagtail and an absolutely stunning male CITRINE WAGTAIL (14th lifer).

Citrine Wagtail

Moving over to the main driveway the female Red-footed Falcon was still present on the overhead wires and a Little Owl was sat perched on a metal post.

Red-footed Falcon (female)

The usual waders were seen on “the moat” (Black-winged Stilt, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff and Avocet) and new additions were a Common Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a White Wagtail. 2 Black Storks flew over and Little and Great White Egret were fishing.

After breakfast we drove up to the Scops Owl site at the Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch . One bird was spotted straight away and we managed excellent views as it sat tight up against the trunk of one of the Eucalyptus trees.

Scops Owl

Next stop of the day was the Ruppell's Warbler (15th lifer) site on the coastal road near Petra. We parked up in the layby and within 5 minutes had our first sightings of a male bird, singing and flitting about on the vegetation. Over the course of the next half an hour we had another 4 excellent views and managed to get a lovely photograph as the bird perched up against the blue seas below.

Ruppell's Warbler

Also present from the layby were a male Eastern Orphean Warbler (16thlifer), a male Subalpine Warbler (17th lifer), male and female Black-eared Wheatear (white throated form), a Crag Martin, a Shag on the sea, a fly-by Hoopoe, Linnet and Goldfinch.

After a short drive from the Rüppell’s site we arrived in the coastal town of Molivos. Walking down to the harbour area we saw Swallow, House Martin, Swift and about a dozen Alpine Swifts. Jackdaws were present around the Castle, including several pairs entering potential nest sites in the castle walls. More Alpine Swifts were also seen here, as were Red-rumped Swallows and a pair of Black-eared Wheatear (dark throated form). Butterflies seen here were Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Scarce Swallowtail. Lizards called Anagama were also seen basking in the sunshine on the walls of the castle.

Anagama

On the drive back to 2 Ravens and a male Cirl Bunting were seen near “the bandstand” area near Kalloni.

Another amazing day!!