Galana's. Third big year.

[xelas]

Not only was castle in the sunshine, so were also your birds! And WMBO must have placed a freshly pressed handkerchief in your top pocket! If you will continue in that direction, say farewell to the King of the EBC title, @Galana . Ole!

[Galana]

5 hours ago, xelas said:

And WMBO must have placed a freshly pressed handkerchief in your top pocket!

I think swmbo has worked out a clean hankie is cheaper than a new camera!!

[PeterHG]

Your impressive shopping spree has taken you well beyond 50 ! You have a sharp eye for the gulls; that Kumlien's Gull was wel-spotted. 

[Galana]

Thanks everyone. I can sense a challenge from at least two contenders for EBC King of the year but I don't give up easily.

The shopping went well too.

@PeterHG Just thinking what Alberto may find for me a week today. I am re-reading your report.

[PeterHG]

9 hours ago, Galana said:

Just thinking what Alberto may find for me a week today. I am re-reading your report.

I do hope you'll get to see a good selection of birds, there! Have fun!

[Kitsafari]

Congrats on the half century and see what rewards you get when you go shopping. 

Have a blast in Spain. And may the rain in Spain not fall on the plain. 

[michael-ibk]

Off to Spain? Lucky you, have a great time. Where to?

[Galana]

The same S/C Casita that @PeterHG used last year. He kindly supplied details and it looks great. Spare bedroom available to sub let from Friday 8th to 16th.

Then a 'birding pal''s place in the south near Casares. The link went on to say "We have a casita (small house) in which you can stay. Then you are on site ready to birdwatch in the morning! We have Griffon Vultures, Booted and Short-toed Eagles visible from our terrace, "

With a lead in like that how can one not go there?

 

[mvecht]

@Galana  the are lots of vultures just outside Casares at Sierra Crestellina. I am sure you will love it there.

[xelas]

11 hours ago, Galana said:

With a lead in like that how can one not go there?

 

Being held by the boss in the office, maybe . So took plenty of phtos, of birds but also of scenery, and share them with us, please.

[Galana]

All good advice which I have taken. I hope to start posting shortly.

In the meanwhile a brief report on our travels.

"We" love long distance rail travel so what better way to indulge than a train to Spain.

Sadly we were disappointed. These new fangled high speed jobs mean nobody needs a sleeper any more! The romance has gone. Very nice trains but those images of a silver -haired couple traveling through lovely scenery whilst enjoying a nice meal with wine are history. Even in First Class you don't even get fed at the table!! Eeek!

This is not what I want to do again. MInd you it was infinitely better than the return on Jet2.com from Malalga so not all was lost.

We linked Sipan in the north with a two day drive south via Amalga to Casares and yes, there are lots of Vultures around plus plenty of other tempting morsels. Checklist was 136 with 22 new to my European list and 7 lifers.

The Andalucian Pied Warbler was a real find. You will have to wait until Monday for a photo.

[pedro maia]

With so many people coming back from their trips I’m going to be put in my well deserved last place.

 

But beware,I have a couple of shots worthy of a serious EBC King tittle contender.

[Galana]

4 hours ago, pedro maia said:

But beware,I have a couple of shots worthy of a serious EBC King tittle contender.

Well I can pick up the gauntlet knowing what I have ready to post.

But even the best of Cameras can let one down and I am sorry to say I have some quite decent images too.

[Dave Williams]

Looking forward to hearing what those new additions were, very curious. 7 lifers is a good tally!

 

[PeterHG]

That flight shot of the Barn Owl is just incredible, @Dave Williams ! 

[Galana]

So lets see if this works. Very laborious way of doing things.

Listed in order of first sighting with 'later improved captures' where applicable.

 

Common Kestrel.

Edited March 31, 2019 by Galana
Link did not work. Pah!

[xelas]

Link to where, @Galana ? Dave and me we are using Flickr to post photos there first, then copy the BCC code directly into the post. Dave leaves his BCC code intact while I delete a part of it thus omitting the title and the username info.

[PeterHG]

13 hours ago, PeterHG said:

That flight shot of the Barn Owl is just incredible, @Dave Williams ! 

Somehow that ended up here, but I' m sure you'll dig up a flight shot of a Barn Owl, too....;)

[Galana]

6 minutes ago, PeterHG said:

but I' m sure you'll dig up a flight shot of a Barn Owl, too....;)

I wish! In any case I won't be able to post it on here unless something changes.

@xelas To the site where I painstakingly set up today in view of the lack of ability to post as we used to do.

BCC code? No idea what you mean. I used URL and it revealed far too much. Insert attachment just leads to the stored photos already posted.

@Game Warden Please can we have the old system back?

[Game Warden]

Good things come to those who wait @Galana

 

[Galana]

We ask and @Game Warden responds.

Off we go again.

To repeat my order of posting is 'as it happens' from first image. If the dates differ it will be because I got a better one later on in the interests of product improvement.

So we start the Spanish trip at Sipan a small village north of Zaragoza where @PeterHGstayed last year and I was told many raptors, and other birds could be seen from the balcony of "Casa Vivan!" Birding in the Spanish sunshine with a glass of something cool to hand has a great appeal. Thank you Peter.

So from the balcony I repeat :-

Enormous long range in an almond tree.

 

And later in the trip near Casares:-

55. Common Kestrel.

 

From the balcony and

after a short walk where a pair were resting:-

56. Red Kite.

I did see Black Kites overhead on migration too but too much of an ECB for such a bird. I will hold that in reserve until really desperate.

 

57. European Griffon. Casa Vivan and Vadiello.

 

 

58. Sardinian Warbler. From the balcony. Casa Vivan.

 

59. White Wagtail. Casa Vivan, Sipan.

and finally for now:-

 

60. Blackcap. Casa Vivan.

Time to finish that cold drink before it gets warm.

Back soon....

 

 

 

[Galana]

Well it would not be my thread without some ECBs so on we go...

This one from Sipan as I walked for the Red Kites.

 

61. Grey Wagtail. The second was later in Andalucia as we took morning coffee.

62. Ultra ECB. From the same bridge. Two of them hawking insects but never keeping still.

Happily later near Vadiella I got a better look.

62. Firecrest.  A lifer for me.

 

63. Northern Raven. From the balcony at Casa Vivan. Sipan.

 

The one that almost got away....

We found four females quite close but visible only through a dirty windscreen. Not being up to speed I forgot I could angle shots through the side window and foolishly opened the car door.

Still. I got a shot.

64. Great Bustard. Monegras. Steppes near the Ebro. South of Zaragoza.

 

65. Pochard.  Sarinena. Monegras.

 

 

[Galana]

Another lifer worthy of its own post.

01/04  Andalucian Pied Warbler. Sylvia bicolor aprilis.

More later....

 

[Dave Williams]

Never even heard of an Andalucian Pied Warbler.Nice one.

Good to see you got a Firecrest at long last too.

[Galana]

4 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

Never even heard of an Andalucian Pied Warbler.Nice one.

Neither have I!  It's after twelve o'clock now.  Check out its number and Latin name.