Category Archives: Spain Birding

Returning to Charca de Suarez

On our first trip to Spain in 2018, we discovered this gem of a wetland refuge not far from our lodging in Salobreña. Nestled into an area of apartment and industrial buildings, it is a great network of ponds, shady paths, and streams that is open evenings and more on weekends. The ten or so “hides” attract birders and many serious photographers. It’s a “must visit” spot for us.

Two Greater Flamingos were among the highlights of our visit.
A Purple Swamphen with a Common Moorhen in the background.
A Little Egret
Common Waxbills are pretty but often an introduced pest.
Red-knobbed Coots, being rather rare, are studied and protected here.

So, Charca de Suárez is on the coast, a little over an hour drive from the Malaga airport and less than that from Granada. This little spot (40 acres), which has plans for expansion, is a perfect place to spend a few hours. Check the opening times, they change during the year. We hope to visit before we leave, hoping to see Margarito, the White Stork.

A Walk to La Caleta

In order to beat the heat of Southern Spain, we get out for walks and birding early. Twice now, we’ve made the half hour walk to the Village of La Caleta, seeing agriculture workers harvesting mangos, planting beans, herding goats.

La Caleta in the morning.

The other morning, after having coffee and toast at a sidewalk cafe, we walked a scenic path along the ocean, passing by some local fishing boats and an angler.

The tide was receding leaving many small sardines trapped in pools. I rescued several as my good act for the day.

Later, after buying some local produce at the small fruteria, we walked up around the neighborhoods, coming across a large group of schoolchildren at recess. Activities included jumping rope, tag, tug-of-war, wrestling , and just being noisy kids. No devices in sight.

It’s a good climb back up to our casa but like in Vermont, you don’t walk very far here without some hills. We saw Sardinian Warblers and other little brown birds and the ever-present soaring Eurasion Kestrels.

First Days in Spain

After a long trip, we’ve setted into our apartment and with nice views and weather, are seeing a nice mix of birds from our terrace.

We have an artist friend here from past visits and this montage of his captures much of the flavor of Salobreña.

One of my favorites is the eurasian kestrel which we see daily. I’ve yet to get a good photo but did capture this one yesterday at long distance.

A European Turtle Dove overlooking things.

Last night, one of the large field below us was irrigated and this morning a few Mallards arrived. Then a group of Cattle Egret showed up for desayuno.

As I watched them, this large group of dark birds appeared.

Glossy Ibises, probably on their way to Africa, were foraging all day.

Our landlord left instructions to close windows when we left the apartmento because when the folks are away, guess who comes in and plays?

Who, me?

Charca de Suárez -Motril, Spain

On our first trip to Spain in 2018, we discovered this gem of a wetland refuge not far from our lodging in Salobreña. Nestled into an area of apartment and industrial buildings, it is a wonderful network of ponds, shady paths, and streams that during the week, is not crowded. The ten or so “hides” attract birders and many serious photographers – you can see a great array of birds, some of which I’ve included below.

Apartment buildings surround the refuge
Picturesque scenery and great birds.
Grey Herons are native to Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of central and southern Asia.

Here are a few of my favorite birds we’ve seen here:

The folks who bird the refuge have named the White Stork which winters there Margarito (Daisy). This is the bird we saw – one of the most-photographed birds in Spain.
The only Eurasian Hoopoe I’ve seen was on a refuge road.
The Common Kingfisher is small (sparrow-sized) and flies fast so it is a challenge to photograph with the Canon SX-60 but he gave us some nice far-away looks.

Charca de Suárez is on the coast, a little over an hours drive from the Malaga airport and less than that from Granada. This little spot (40 acres), which has plans for expansion, is a perfect place to spend a few hours. Check the opening times, they are often rather late during the week. I hope to make it back to this delightful place.

****** Covid-19 has put a halt on most of our traveling so instead of planning journeys, I am electronically revisiting some places that I would like to return to once the pandemic is over.

2019 Birds (September-December)

Grey Heron – ESP
White Stork – ESP
Eurasian Hoopoe – ESP
Purple Swamphen – ESP
Common Moorhen -ESP
Bald Eagle – VT
Northern Shrike – VT

We are enjoying a nice array of winter birds and looking forward to a road trip to Florida in late January to bird a bit without frosty hands – our first outing with our new birding assistant – Ginger Ale.

Some Spain Shots

We have been enjoying the weather, the culture, and the people this trip — birding has been just another activity, but still very enjoyable. Here are some birds and flowers from some of our outings.

Some flowers along the trail.

Little Grebes are cute but sure like to dive in the muckiest water. Time for a shower.

Here is a Northern Shoveler between and egret and a coot.

Hey, you looking at me?

Even the common House Sparrow looks pretty sharp today.

Thursday Beach Walk

We took a short trip this morning to check out a couple of sites, starting with the lighthouse at Cabo de Sacratif. Great views, nice breeze off the ocean and some gulls, Wheatears, and little brown jobs. (Lbj’s)

We walked the stony beach at Playa de Carchuna and saw a few more birds, several of which we couldn’t identify but no big deal. This guy is a good example.

I’m calling these juvenile Common Sandpipers.

This looks like a plover but I can’t find one that fits.

One of several Crested Larks.

We need to remember these sunny breezy beach walks when the white we see is snow, not sand. Hasta luego, amigos

Coots, Cormorants, and friends

It’s often interesting when sorting out images to not only relive the outing, but to look for surprises. On the forementioned trip to Charca de Suarez, we ran into these folks.

Purple Swamphens are big, colorful, and loud.

Common Moorhen

Great Cormorant and a couple of Eurasian Coots.

We saw many Red-knobbed Coots, which are fairly rare except for the group at this site. Older birds have neck bands – this was one of several juveniles.

When I saw this White Stork, I never noticed his companion, a Common Snipe.