Petrola - Tour Day 5

The steppe land habitat found near Petrola was the plan for today's birding. The morning was spent looking for Bustards around the large area of agricultural land near Bonete, birds recorded were - Great Bustard (28), Iberian Grey Shrike (8+), Calandra Lark (numerous), Stone Curlew (8), Red-legged Partridge (numerous), Little Owl (4), Jay (2), Black Redstart (numerous), Kestrel (numerous), Common Buzzard (2) and Whinchat (2).

Great Bustard

Black Redstart - Photo by Bob Thomson

Before lunch we stopped at a small pool near Petrola that had attracted lots of birds - 19 Black-winged Stlt, 8 Common Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 30+ Corn Bunting, 1 Kestrel, Marsh Harrier and 1 juv Glossy Ibis. We had lunch at Petrola lake recording Water Pipit (3), Ruff (1), Black-necked Grebe (numerous), Little Grebe (numerous), Shoveler (numerous), Wigeon (2), Red-crested Pochard (6), Marsh Harrier (4) and best of all 1 sub adult Golden Eagle.

The rest of the afternoon was spent searching other nearby area's of agricultural land and lakes recording a further 2 Golden Eagles (1 adult, 1 sub adult); other species of note included Hen Harrier (1 male), Wheatear (3), Rock Sparrow (2), Mistle Thrush (3), Black-bellied Sandgrouse (2) and Booted Eagle (1). Another great day with lots of good species and great views. Although this is the last full day of the tour, lets hope that tomorrow morning brings some more great birds.