Visit your favourite destinations |
A Report from birdtours.co.uk |
Spain - Almeria May 1995,
Colin DaviesSources of information
Where to watch birds in Southern and Western
Spain
|
2. Almeria May 1988 12/5/88 to 26/5/88 by Robert Grimmond
This report was obtained from Steve Whitehouse prior
to my visit, and proved very useful, with very detailed descriptions of sites
and species seen. It scored over the previous book in that it was nice to read
about the experiences of another birder on a family holiday, but it lacked one
or two of the main sites, especially Canada de Las Norias. I have roughly followed
the format in producing this report.
Maps
A wide selection of maps are available for the area,
but the ones I used most where 1:50 000 of Roquetas de Mar (22-44) and Almeria
(23-43) and also 1:300 000 Euro map of Costa del sol and Andalucia.
Site information
1. Salinas Viejas - Roquetas de Mar (Nature reserve)
This superb site consists of a large area of saltpans and scrubby ground about half a mile south west of Roquetas resort. The saltpans nearest the resort (i.e at the eastern end) held most water at the time of my visit and seemed quite deep. From reading other reports about the site, it appears that they were drier than usual at the time of my visit, and the amount of water present probably varies greatly. The site can be viewed quite well from the main road to the north, but to see it well it is necessary to take the track that runs along the southern edge of the salinas from Roquetas. There is also a small reedy pool at the side of this track which is well worth checking.
It is a good site for many species, but the star is probably Lesser short toed lark, which is a very common and easy to see species at this site. Most reports I have read state that they are seen well on the track, but I saw them best on the scrubby area between the salinas and the sea, where they often came within 10 feet or less and seemed quite unperturbed by my presence.
Most of my birdwatching on the holiday was in this area.
Birds seen(all birds seen at eastern end unless otherwise
stated)
Little Grebe | A few |
Great crested Grebe | 2 seen regularly |
Little Egret | 2 or 3 seen most days |
Little Bittern | 1 on 19th, 1 on 21st |
Squacco Heron | Superb views of a non breeding adult on 31st |
Greater Flamingo | 2 always present and possibly breeding, with upto 20 regularly seen |
Mute Swan | Upto 14 seen including pair with 4 cygnets on the reedy pool near the salinas. Apparently a very rare bird in southern Spain. Where do they originate from? Perhaps they were released onto the nearby golf course. |
Mallard | Present in small numbers |
Pochard | Upto 15 present |
White headed Duck | Upto 11 present including a pair with 4 chicks on the reedy pool, and a pair with 2 chicks at the far eastern end of the salinas (near the football pitch). Upto 9 individuals were regularly at this latter site. Also another 4 on nearby golf course pool ! |
Kestrel | 1 or 2 seen |
Moorhen | Present in small numbers |
Coot | Present in small numbers |
Black winged Stilt | Common (breeding) |
Avocet | Present in small numbers |
Collared Pratincole | Upto 10 seen most days |
Ringed Plover | A few most days |
Little ringed Plover | A few most days |
Kentish Plover | Common |
Grey Plover | Present most days with a maximum of 3 on 31st |
Knot | 1 present on 22nd |
Sanderling | 1 present on 22nd |
Black tailed Godwit | 1 on 25th & 26th |
Curlew | 1 on 25th |
Redshank | Present in small numbers |
Turnstone | Upto 3 present most days |
Black headed Gull | Upto 20 present |
Slender billed Gull | 6 superb adults early morning on 31st |
Audouin's Gull | Present most days, but usually only early morning or late afternon. Maximum 23 (inc. 3 adults) on 23rd |
Lesser black Backed Gull | A few present |
Yellow legged Gull | A few present |
Sandwich Tern | Common |
Little Tern | Common, with small colony between salinas and sea |
Whiskered Tern | Present most days, with maximum 3 on 26th |
Black Tern | Not as regular as Whiskered, but seen quite often, with maximum of 2 on 23rd |
Collared Dove | A few present on golf course alongside the salinas |
Pallid Swift | Common |
Roller | 1 seen superbly on 29th and 31st |
Hoopoe | Upto 20 seen on the golf course and elsewhere |
Short toed Lark | Common, but not as common as the next |
Lesser short toed Lark | Common |
Crested Lark | Common |
Swallow | A few |
House Martin | Common |
Sand Martin | 2 on 28th |
Spannish Wagtails | Fairly common |
Blackbird | A few on the golf course |
Fan-tailed Warbler | A few, very obvious and easily seen |
Reed Warbler | Common |
Great reed Warbler | A few |
Spectacled Warbler | Apparently common, but I struggled to see them, with just 3 on the 31st in the scrubby area near the football pitch |
Sardinian Warbler | Common |
Spotted Flycatcher | A few |
Spotless Starling | Common |
House Sparrow | A few, around golf course |
Serin | A few, around golf course |
Greenfinch | A few, around golf course |
2. Canada de Las Norias (Nature reserve)
Another outstanding site, an absolute must for any visitor
to the area, easy to find and easily accessible. From Roquetas, make your way
to La Mojonera, a town about 7km to the north west, and then take the road which
goes almost directly west to Las Norias about 6km from La Mojonera. About 1km
from the town of Las Norias, a large area of reeds and pools is easily visible
on the right hand side of the road. There are many places to park along the
road and most of the pools can be viewed from here. There are a series of tracks
in the reeds that you can drive around, but I would advise caution, since it
is quite difficult to get back onto the road, even in dry conditions, and in
wet I would imagine it's impossible, although the car makes an excellent hide.
I visited the site on 2 occasions.
Black necked Grebe | 5 on 23rd |
Little Grebe | Common |
Cattle Egret | 1 on 23rd |
Night Heron | 1 immature on 23rd |
Mallard | A few present |
Pochard | 10 present |
Red crested Pochard | 3 males on 23rd |
Marbled Duck | 2 on 22nd, 3 on 23rd |
White headed Duck | At least 11 present with 3 pairs with 6, 3 & 1 chicks |
Black winged Stilt | Common |
Little ringed Plover | A few present |
Kentish Plover | A few present |
Common Sandpiper | A few present |
Gull billed Tern | 2 adults on 23rd |
Little Owl | 1 on 23rd |
Hoopoe | A few present |
Short toed Lark | A few present, allowing excellent views |
Great reed Warbler | Common |
3. Las Cuevas del Mojon
I got this site from Robert Grimmond's report. He saw
Red necked Nightjar here, a bird I didn't even look for since I had previously
seen several in Portugal, and I had no chance of being at this site at the correct
time. However, it was still well worth a visit. To get to the site, head west
from Roquetas along the road that is north of salinas Viejas (site 1). About
1 km outside Roquetas, half way past the large reed bed, turn right onto the
road to La Mojonar. After about 1 km, turn left at a crossroads and continue
along this road for about 2 km when you will arrive at a T junction. Turn right
at this T junction and proceed for about another 1 km until you see a largish
stand of prickly pear cactii. I hired a bicycle for half a day on the 30th to
get to this site. The star was a Rufous Bush Robin seen very well, singing from
the tops of the prickly pears, but there was also a good selection of larks.
Calandra Lark | 2 seen well in flight and song |
Crested Lark | Common |
Lesser short toed Lark | Common |
Short toed Lark | Common |
Rufous Bush Robin | A very confiding bird, singing from the tops of the prickly pears |
4. Roquetas de Mar town (including beach)
I saw a good selection of birds in the gardens, on the
roofs, in the air and from the beach at Roquetas !
Cory's Shearwater | Regular offshore in small numbers (max 10) especially evenings. |
Balearic Shearwater | Regular offshore in small numbers (max 15) especially evenings. |
Gannet | 5 on 25th, 1 on 26th |
Greater Flamingo | 10 flying along the shoreline on 20th at midday |
White headed Duck | 4 seen on golf course pool near golf centre appartments (easily visible from the road) |
Black winged Stilt | 1 flying over town centre on 19th! |
Little ringed Plover | 2 on scrubby ground on 19th |
Sandwich Tern | Common offshore |
Little Tern | Common offshore |
Pallid Swift | Very common breeder |
House Martin | Very common breeder |
Fan tailed Warbler | A few on scrubby ground near town centre |
Sardinian Warbler | Fairly common throughout the town in tall bushes |
Spotless Starling | Common |
Serin | Common |
5. Sierra de Alhamilla
A very dry sierra to the north east of Almeria, good
for many desert species. Take the main road from Almeria to Murcia (heading
east) and after about 12km from Almeria turn left onto a minor road signposted
Cuevas de los Ubedas. After about 1km you will pass a prison and anywhere from
about 1km past the prison to the town of Cuevas de los Ubedas is worth a stop,
especially the higher up the road you get. This is apparently a good site for
Dupont's Lark and Trumpeter finch, but I didn't see any. To have any chance
with Dupont's Lark it is essential to be at this site at dawn, although even
then they are very difficult. Unfortunately, the day I chose to visit was a
day of strong winds (quite common in Almeria), which made bird watching even
more difficult. I visited this site on 22nd May
Red legged Partridge | Fairly common |
Turtle Dove | 1 seen |
Thekla Lark | Very common |
Roller | 2 seen |
Bee-eater | A few |
Hoopoe | A few |
Black eared Wheatear | A few |
Black Wheatear | Fairly common higher up the road, especially around ruined houses. |
Great Grey Shrike | Fairly common |
Woodchat Shrike | Fairly common |
6. Cabo de Gata area (Nature reserve)
This is a huge area, and is really 3 sites, Las Amoladeras
(a desert region), Cabo de Gata salinas and Sierra de Gata. It is one of the
main sites in Almeria, and deserving of at least 2 days birding. Unfortunately,
I am only able to provide very brief details, because my visit was wrecked by
the same gale force winds that spoilt my visit to the previous site. On a better
day the bird lists would have been considerably better. I visited this site
on 22nd
a) Las Amoladeras
This is a superb desert region between Retmar and Cabo
de Gata, good for sandgrouse and apparently Dupont's Lark and Trumpeter finch.
Head east from Almeria towards Murcia and after about 13km take the road on
the right signposted Cabo de Gata. After a further 2km there is roundabout and
you should continue following the Cabo de Gata signs. About 6km from the roundabout
there is a buildng on the right with some big trees and opposite a tarmac road
leads off over the hillside. Take this road for about 1km, until you come to
a track with a parking space on the right. Park here and walk down the track.
Remember to keep looking overhead as well as on the ground since sandgrouse
are often seen flying overhead.
Black bellied Sandgrouse | 1 flying over |
Thekla Lark | Common |
Lesser short toed Lark | Common |
Great grey Shrike | A few |
b) Cabo de Gata salinas
Another very good site, spoilt again by the wind. After
leaving the previous site, return to the Cabo de gata road and continue south.
The salinas are visible just before entering the town of Cabo de Gata. Just
as you enter the town, you will need to take a road to the left, which takes
you alongside the salinas and towards the headland. Continue along this road
and you will see two tall white life-guard towers on the right (about 2km between
them). The entrance to the salinas is on the left, opposite the second tower
and there is a car park and hide.
Greater Flamingo | 1000+ seen very well |
Avocet | Common |
Black winged Stilt | Common |
Sanderling | 2 seen |
Dunlin | A few |
Spannish Wagtail | A few |
c) Sierra de Gata
I did not visit this site, but it apparently has many
species already mentioned at other desert regions.
Species information
Black necked Grebe | 5 at Canada de Las Norias on 23rd |
Little Grebe | A few at various sites |
Great crested Grebe | 2 seen regularly at Salinas Viejas |
Cory's Shearwater | A few seen most evenings offshore from Roquetas beach (max 10) |
Balearic Shearwater | A few seen most evenings offshore from Roquetas beach (max 15) |
Gannet | Seen offshore from Roquetas beach with 5 on 25th and 1 on 26th |
Cattle Egret | 1 at Canada de Las Norias on 23rd |
Little Egret | 2 or 3 seen most days at Salinas Viejas |
Little Bittern | 1 on 19th, 1 on 21st at Salinas Viejas |
Night Heron | 1 imm at Canada de Las Norias on 23rd |
Squacco Heron | Superb views of a non breeding adult on 31st at Salinas Viejas |
Greater Flamingo | 2 always present at Salinas Viejas and possibly breeding, with upto 20 regularly seen. Over 1000 at Cabo de Gata salinas. 10 flying along shoreline at Roquetas beach on 20th. |
Mute Swan | Upto 14 seen at Salinas Viejas including pair with 4 cygnets on the reedy pool near the salinas. |
Mallard | Present in small numbers at various sites. |
Pochard | Upto 15 present at Salinas Viejas and 15 at Canada de Las Norias on 23rd |
Red crested Pochard | 3 males at Canada de Las Norias on 23rd |
Marbled Duck | 2 at Canada de Las Norias on 22nd and 3 on 23rd |
White headed Duck |
Upto 11 present at Salinas Viejas including
a pair with 4 chicks on the reedy pool, and a pair with 2 chicks at the
far eastern end of the salinas (near the football pitch). Upto 9 individuals
were regularly at this latter site. Also another 4 on nearby golf course
pool !
11 individuals at Canada de Las Norias including 3 pairs with 6, 3 & 1 chicks. 23 males in a 'white head' count at Las Albufera lagoons. This is the major site in Almeria for White headed Duck, and is just east of the town of Adra. I counted 23 males from a slow moving coach on the main N340 road and the true number could probably be trebled ! |
Bonelli's Eagle | 2 seen at the side of the main N340 new road on the edge of the Sierra de Gador about 5 km west of Almeria. |
Kestrel | 1 or 2 seen, most often at Salinas Viejas |
Red legged Partridge | A few seen at Sierra de Alhamilla on 22nd including a pair wth 3 chicks |
Moorhen | Present in small numbers |
Coot | Present in small numbers |
Black winged Stilt | Common (breeding) at Salinas Viejas, Canada de Las Norias and Cabo de Gata salinas |
Avocet | Present in small numbers at Salinas Viejas and fairly common at Cabo de Gata salinas |
Collared Pratincole | Upto 10 seen most days at Salinas Viejas |
Ringed Plover | A few most days at Salinas Viejas |
Little ringed Plover | A few most days at Salinas Viejas, Canada de Las Norias and 2 in Roquetas on 19th |
Kentish Plover | Common at Salinas Viejas, Canada de Las Norias and Cabo de Gata salinas |
Grey Plover | Present most days at Salinas Viejas with a maximum of 3 on 31st |
Knot | 1 present on 22nd at Salinas Viejas |
Sanderling | 1 present on 22nd at Salinas Viejas and 2 at Cabo de Gata salinas |
Black tailed Godwit | 1 on 25th & 26th at Salinas Viejas |
Curlew | 1 on 25th at Salinas Viejas |
Redshank | Present in small numbers at Salinas Viejas |
Turnstone | Upto 3 present most days at Salinas Viejas |
Black headed Gull | Upto 20 present at Salinas Viejas |
Slender billed Gull | 6 superb adults early morning on 31st at Salinas Viejas |
Audouin's Gull | Present most days at Salinas Viejas, but usually only early morning or late afternon. Maximum 23 (inc. 3 adults) on 23rd |
Lesser black Backed Gull | A few present at Salinas Viejas |
Yellow legged Gull | A few present at Salinas Viejas |
Gull billed Tern | 2 adults at Canada de las Norias on 23rd |
Sandwich Tern | Common at Salinas Viejas |
Little Tern | Common at Salinas Viejas, with small colony between salinas and sea |
Whiskered Tern | Present most days at Salinas Viejas, with maximum 3 on 26th |
Black Tern | Not as regular as Whiskered, but seen quite often at Salinas Viejas, with maximum of 2 on 23rd |
Black bellied Sandgrouse | 1 flying over at Las Amoladeras (Cabo de Gata) on 22nd |
Turtle Dove | 1 at Sierra de Alhamilla on 22nd |
Collared Dove | A few present on golf course at Rouetas |
Little Owl | 1 at Canada de Las Norias on 23rd |
Swift | A few at Sierra de Alhamilla on 22nd |
Pallid Swift | Common in coastal towns |
Alpine Swift | 1 at Rio Andarax (near Benahadux) on 23rd |
Roller | 1 seen superbly at Salinas Viejas on 29th and 31st, and 2 at Sierra de Alhamilla on 22nd |
Hoopoe | Upto 20 seen on the golf course at Roquetas, fairly common elsewhere |
Bee-eater | A few at Sierra de Alhamilla on 22nd |
Calandra Lark | 2 in song flight at Las Cuevas del Mojon on 30th |
Short toed Lark | Common at Salinas Viejas, Las Cuevas del Mojon and Cabo de Gata |
Lesser short toed Lark | Common at Salinas Viejas, Las Cuevas del Mojon and Cabo de Gata |
Thekla Lark | Common at Sierra de Alhamilla and Las Amoladeras |
Crested Lark | Common away from mountains |
Swallow | Common |
Crag Martin | Seen only in the Alhambra palace Granada, where some birds were even taking insects from the water in the court of Myrtles! |
House Martin | Common |
Sand Martin | 2 on 28th at Salinas Viejas |
Spannish Wagtail | Fairly common at Salinas Viejas and Cabo de Gata salinas |
Rufous Bush Robin | 1 at Las Cuevas del Mojon on 30th |
Black eared Wheatear | A few at Sierra de Alhamilla on 22nd |
Black Wheatear | Fairly common at Sierra de Alhamilla and also a few seen from a coach on 27th in the area of Calahonda on the coastal road that skirts the sierra de Lujar in Granada province |
Blackbird | A few on the golf course and in towns |
Fan-tailed Warbler | A few, very obvious and easily seen at salinas and in Roquetas town |
Reed Warbler | Common at reedbeds |
Great reed Warbler | A few at Salinas Viejas and common Canada de Las Norias |
Spectacled Warbler | 3 on the 31st in the scrubby area near the football pitch at Salinas Viejas |
Sardinian Warbler | Common |
Blackcap | Many in the gardens of the Ahambra palace, Granada on 27th |
Spotted Flycatcher | A few on Roquetas golf course |
Blue Tit | A few in the gardens of the Ahambra palace and also present in some mountain villages. |
Great Tit | A few in the gardens of the Ahambra palace and also present in some mountain villages. |
Great grey Shrike | Common at Sierra de Alhamilla and Las Amoladeras on 22nd |
Woodchat Shrike | Common at Sierra de Alhamilla and Las Amoladeras on 22nd |
Magpie | Only seen in the gardens of the Ahambra palace |
Jackdaw | Common, especially at Sierra de Alhamilla |
Spotless Starling | Common |
House Sparrow | Common in towns |
Serin | Common in and around towns |
Greenfinch | Common in and around towns |
Corn Bunting | A few at Sierra de Alhamilla |
Conclusions
This was an excellent holiday for birds with Roquetas de mar a great base. I disappointingly missed out on one or two species, (e.g. Dupont's lark) but I still managed 11 new species for me on my sixth visit to the Mediterranean and my third to Iberia. Considering my lack of transport for most of the holiday and the fact that I rarely bird watched for more than 3 hours a day, I consider 11 new species to be a remarkable achievement.
The secret with a family is to get up early, before dawn, bird watch for a couple of hours and then forget birding for the rest of the day, unless perhaps you can manage an hour or so in the evening. This rule actually still applies even without a family, since in Almeria it can be so hot that if you miss the first 2 hours of the day, then you have missed by far the best time for birds.
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