The colder weather has certainly arrived in the northern hemisphere and with it the last missing species of the fantastic winter migrants.
I automatically default to thinking about my favourites, the waders but must remember the Crag Martins, (like this one on the left), Bluethroats, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers & Robins. All looking to get away from the colder and often frozen northern Europe.
For the waders - Common & Jack Snipe, Ruff, Spotted & Little Crake and Grey Plover become more abundant, the occasional Golden Plover is a bonus. Some Whimbrel & Curlew visit, either feeding up and moving on or staying a while, both hardly seen in my area sadly. We have a steady residential number of Turnstones and more join for the winter, feeding along shores and rocks with Sanderling.
Bar-tailed Godwits arrived last month, three are still feeding happily at El Pinet, so maybe they will stay for the period. Continued viewings of Redshank, Greenshank, Northern Lapwings, Dunlin, Wood & Green Sandpipers, Black-winged, Little & Temminck's Stints is a pleasure, as is watching the tiny Common & Little Ringed Plovers.
Pied Avocet migrants have reappeared in numbers again this year, to increase the populations on the lakes.
I always wonder what those birds who stay year round, think of these birds arriving back.
Grey Plover at El Hondo
On the duck front, we usually see Widgeon, Northern Pintail & Green-winged Teal around now, occasionally Tufted Duck although I have never seen one in my area. Gannets have been seen regulary off Alicante in the last few weeks, those who have managed to survive the terrible bird flu. (Let's hope bird flu doesn't get down to the Penguin colonies.)
The big raptor I am hoping will visit, is the Greater Spotted Eagle. We have had three at El Hondo in recent years, quite a special bird in every respect. The famous Tonn from Estonia was unfortunately thought to have been shot, as its tracker suddenly stopped sending positional data. You can read about this from Mark Etheridge here.
Inland there have been unconfirmed sightings of both Merlin and Peregrine Falcon, more wonderful raptors that we don't see here near the coast.
Back to Old World Flycatchers, we are really enjoying the new batch of Black Redstarts & Stonechats. The first is a skittish bird, especially the males and the second loves to perch on top of the highest bit of gorse. Makes for enviable photographic opportunities!
Female Black Redstart
Male Stonechat
This winter, I have never seen so many Pied Wagtails. It is in stark contrast to the total lack of Yellow Wagtails I usually see earlier in the autumn. It is brilliant watching the waggies chase each other around, trying to keep claim to the often tiny bit of land or reeds, that they have staked as their own!
Pied Wagtail defending its island
Last but not least, the birds who are very much abundant this year are the Pipits, both Meadow & Water Pipits visit us, just don't ask me to tell you the difference!
Pipit sp.
Even though it is winter, Dragonflies and Butterflies still abound. There is flowers and food for them all year round. In the Valencian region alone, we enjoy 65 species of dragonflies. More so, a staggering 159 species of butterfliers have been recorded, this relates to almost 70% of all the species in the Iberian peninsular. How fortunate are we!
If you are looking for an educated visit for dragon & damselflies, Yanina Maggiotto runs bespoke tours, have a look here, I highly rate her local knowledge on wildlife.
To all my readers, subscribers, followers and friends, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I will finish with one of my favourite sayings for the season;
The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness.
May all these be yours at Christmas.
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