Calblanque

I spent a very pleasant day at Calblanque Regional Park looking for those most elusive of species in Spain - Trumpeter Finch. After three hours of searching I gave up and headed for the Salinas del Rasall; the small pool closest to the car park held 48 Audouins Gull but little else. Walking from the car park to the hides I flushed a couple of Quail and there were plenty of other birds in the scrub which surrounds the footpaths here; Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Spotted Flycatcher were all represented in small numbers. Arriving at the "top" hide it was clear waders were present. Amongst the numerous Redshank, Greenshank and Black-winged Stilts were some interesting other species including; Marsh Sandpiper (1) Curlew Sandpiper (18) Ruff (2). The day was rounded off perfectly as I walked back to the car when a juvenile Bonelli's Eagle soared overhead for 5 minutes before drifting towards the mountains.