Spain 4th January 2016

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Paraje Naturale Guadalhorce (Guadalhorce Nature Reserve)


Today was overcast to begin with then clear blue skies overhead, with really dark clouds over the mountains to the north and towards Gibraltar. The temperature topped out at 22' with 80% humidity and a gentle breeze.... perfect for a LONG walk (8.5km)

After being dropped off in the wrong place by the really friendly taxi driver we eventually ended up where we needed to be.

The area is a former gravel workings on an island between two arms of the river Guadalhorce.




The birds came thick and fast unfortunately the photographer didn't live up to the challenge.

A List of the choicest contains. WHINCHAT, STONECHAT, SARDINIAN WARBLER, MOUSTACHED WARBLER, TREE PIPIT, BLACK REDSTART, SERIN, BOOTED EAGLE(2), HOOPOOE, BLACK NECKED GREBE, WHITE HEADED DUCK, SPOTLESS STARLING, CATTLE EGRET, KESTREL, SNIPE (3), CHIFFCHAFF, REDSHANK, COMMON BUZZARD, MARSH HARRIER, LAPWING GANNET (off the beach), and SANDWICH TERN (off the beach).

Take my word for this, one of two Booted Eagles


Black Necked Grebe

Cattle or should that be horse Egret



White Headed Duck is an incredibly localised bird having almost being wiped out by hybridisation with Ruddy Duck ( a North American bird escaped from captivity in the UK!!!)


Sandwich Tern


White Headed Duck, a new species for me




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