Back to El Rocio

Today we are back at Doñana, but the South this time.

Lots of birds on the water today, and plenty of time to enjoy them with less members of the public for us to annoy!

Common Sandpiper flew past, and one lone Black-tailed Godwit preened on a far island.   Greylag and Egyptian Goose made it feel even more like home.

Lynx Country

At at nearby reserve we found a pair of Spotted Flycatcher feeding in typical style on passing insects.   Short-toed Treecreeper called but remained a mystery.   There were several Nightingale singing - I gave up after eight, but I am sure with due diligence I could have easily been in double figures.   I did manage to spot two of them which was a reward for hours of trying.

Lunch was taken in a shady picnic area in another forested area.   Iberian Chiffchaff called and as Manu, our guide tried to find it, he spotted a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker feeding on a nearby branch, tantalisingly near, but not easy to see.

Egyptian Grasshopper was Manu's next find, as I was in pursuit of butterflies including Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown.

Egyptian Grasshopper

Next stop, and a twitch for Penduline Tit - back to El Rocio and, as appears to be the style here, you get off the vehicle and wander up to your quarry, enjoy it for as long as you want and then leave it in peaceful seclusion - happy days.   The nest looked like a small hanging natural sponge, pale and superb.

Penultimate stop of the day was a private reserve which was set up in mitigation by a petro-chemical company.   After aerial photographs indicated the original size of a wetland area, this was dug out and with some expert advice has been restored to great effect.   We found many species already seen, but added Spiny-footed Red-tailed Spanish Sand Lizard or Racer.   Red-veined Darter, and Waxbill, a widely introduced species.

Long-eared Owl

Finally, the University grounds - and the only thing you are looking for in those circumstances is an owl, and a Long-eared Owl at that!   Brilliant end to the day.