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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    As far as I am aware (reading reports from resident birders), yes they are! Also the Azure-winged Magpies are still there.
  2. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Glad you found them! At this time of the year, it might well have been 2 adults and their offspring?
  3. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    I'm afraid getting around the Yecla steppe area is a bit of a non-starter without a car - you could certainly get to Yecla itself by public transport but the 'interesting' area starts about 5kms to the north of the town and extends for some distance. The area is criss-crossed by minor roads and...
  4. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Just outside the Alicante area (about an hour away along the Madrid motorway), the Yecla steppe area is very good for Golden Eagles, usually see at least one soaring over the surrounding mountains, and the whole area is excellent for birds generally. You ought to examine every eagle you see...
  5. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    He certainly is, Paul, and I'm now 1700 miles away! :C
  6. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Some final notes before I go home this weekend! The 'Dry Hide' at the Clot de Galvany reserve is once again a reliable-ish site for Wryneck, birds seen on three out of five visits this week, also at least two Kingfishers seen on each visit. Although the flooded field along Camino del Hondo is...
  7. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Went along to the flooded area this afternoon, and unfortunately it has now dried out - the only birds present were a few Cattle Egrets. One very noticeable aspect of this autumn's birding in the area is the high number of Kingfishers around the El Hondo area, also in the Clot de Galvany. Even...
  8. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    I'm back in the area for a 1 month visit and getting some good birding done. Bafty sent me a PM asking for details on the Temmincks Stint I have reported elsewhere, thought I'd share it with anyone here who may be planning a visit to Alicante in the near future. Some of you will be aware that...
  9. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Hi Karl The visitor centre at El Hondo is a must see. I have attached a map with the rough directions from the centre of Catral, the nearest town. From Catral, go north to the roundabout at the end of the main street, and bear right towards the village of San Felip Neri. Continue through the...
  10. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Hi Simon Hope this is visible to you! The Rollers are still around the old football pitch as advertised, but my map shows an area south of El Hondo just north of La Marina which you can access from the main N332 road. Take the CV853 towards Elche, just before the sharp right hand bend shown...
  11. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Some details for birders seeking Trumpeter Finch in Alicante province! These birds are notoriously elusive in this area, but they are around. In early spring, a wanderer was seen and photographed near La Marina on the coast south of Alicante in farmland, but despite further searches it wasn't...
  12. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Sorry for the delay in replying Bill, hope I'm not too late! Looking at Google maps, it is quite some distance from Baza, it is between Alhama de Murcia and Cartagena off the main RM23 road. If you require more details, let me know!
  13. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Just a heads up for people doing research on the area - it has been reported elsewhere that the Guadalentin Valley site is no longer worth visiting due to the increased amount of agricultural development going on. I beg to differ! On a trip yesterday three of us found Montagu's Harrier...
  14. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Yes Karl, you park within sight of the viewing platforms, the area is quiet on weekdays (apart from all the Tonn-watchers!). It's off the beaten track from where the car thieves operate, you'd be incredibly unlucky to have any problems there. Good luck, I see from the latest satellite tracks...
  15. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Tonn most certainly is back - here's my long-distance shot (against the light) on 1st November. The transmitter on his back is clearly visible. It's fairly easy to connect with him as he seems to favour the same location for resting between flights, the area is known as the Santa Agueda...
  16. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    A very nice surprise yesterday on the main pool in the Clot de Galvany in the shape of both a male and female Ferruginous Ducks! Swallows are still migrating through on a daily basis, there were about 50 birds flying about yesterday, most of them Barn Swallows with just two Red-rumps and a...
  17. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Out for a month or so, first visit to the Clot de Galvany produced some good birds. Of interest, a Wryneck is back at the "dry hide", this is the third year in a row I have seen this species at this location, the photo below is more of a record shot (taken in poor lighting conditions at sunset)...
  18. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Went to the Rufous Bush Robin site yesterday, still no sign of them. Last year was a poor one for these birds, I don't think they bred there in 2017. Looking back over my records for the last 7 years, they usually appear around this time, but unfortunately there is now more human disturbance to...
  19. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    If you're after Golden Plover in winter, the best place to look for them is to go north of Gran Alacant on the N332, pass through the tunnel at El Altet and straight on past the airport junction, the low lying land on your right between the main road and the tower blocks of Urbanova is called...
  20. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    If they start to cut down the overgrown scrape area while you are there Brian, it will definitely be worth watching, last year it became a magnet for all sorts of interesting birds when it was cleared! It should be due its "annual haircut" any time now, it's just a pity they don't manage it very...
  21. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Subalpine Warbler is fairly regular though not common in the Clot. I have seen most in the Autumn, usually juveniles, but last spring I had adult birds present, particularly in the area around the 3rd hide (the "dry hide"), here's the best shot taken on 28th March this year.
  22. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    You can also access two further hides at Hondo reception area by going round the boardwalk, turn sharp left at the end and walk along the track for about 200m, a small one on your left and a better one a further 50m on your right.
  23. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    I was supposed to be in Gran Alacant for the next six weeks, but unfortunately builder problems (!) means our house still isn't ready. Had a 4 day visit over last weekend, little time for birding but one bird of note was in the Clot de Galvany - actually there were two calling but I only saw...
  24. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    I should be there from mid-September to the end of October! :t:
  25. Mark Etheridge

    Birding in Alicante Province

    Some great shots there, Paul! A slightly worrying development for those who know the area - the Rufous Bush Robins have failed to show up in one of their regular haunts at Carabassi Woods near Gran Alacant. Last year they were here around 26th May, I have been visiting at least once every other...
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