Unframed Dave
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I suggested a forum get together in Spain last year and there was a bit of interest expressed, in the end though, only Kev, I and our respective partners attended. Kev and I were using full frame Sony gear, my wife APSC and Kev's wife, Olympus m43.
We arrived at Alicante airport and after getting essential supplies in, headed off to El Fondo reserve straight away.
Tuesday we headed for Calp and Laguna de la Mata.
Wednesday we decided that we needed a break for the unseasonal heat and headed off to the mountains of Sierra de Espuna. This was a wise decision with sightings of both Booted and Golden eagle juveniles.
Thursday, we headed to Clot de Galvany reserve and shot home fairly early in order to try and get close to bee eaters. Sadly our presence put the bee eaters off performing for us.
Friday, we walked El pinet and decided Alicante would make a good break from the heat. We took the elevator up to the castle and walked back down the mountain through the old town.
Saturday, we walked the North side of El Fondo, which is normally closed to the public. We had a great morning there, with sightings of Squacco, Purple and Night herons. The bee eaters were also performing well, sadly no bluethroats.
On Sunday we headed up the mountains again to admire the spectacular views from Guadalest and Polop.
Monday, was another successful day at the Salinas de San Pedro. We had many very close sightings but the highlights were slender billed gulls and eared Grebes.
Southern Spain has had two consecutive very hot summers and very dry winters. Unfortunately this has had a negative effect on bird numbers, especially smaller perching birds that rely on insect numbers. This made this visit somewhat challenging, but I think it's fair to say that the bee eaters, Eagles and massive numbers of Herons made up for things.
If there is any interest in another get together next year, we would probably make it slightly later to catch the start of the migration and allow the temperature to drop a bit.
Please let me know if you are interested.
I'll add some photos as and when I get round to sorting them. I'm sure Kev will add some as well.
We arrived at Alicante airport and after getting essential supplies in, headed off to El Fondo reserve straight away.
Tuesday we headed for Calp and Laguna de la Mata.
Wednesday we decided that we needed a break for the unseasonal heat and headed off to the mountains of Sierra de Espuna. This was a wise decision with sightings of both Booted and Golden eagle juveniles.
Thursday, we headed to Clot de Galvany reserve and shot home fairly early in order to try and get close to bee eaters. Sadly our presence put the bee eaters off performing for us.
Friday, we walked El pinet and decided Alicante would make a good break from the heat. We took the elevator up to the castle and walked back down the mountain through the old town.
Saturday, we walked the North side of El Fondo, which is normally closed to the public. We had a great morning there, with sightings of Squacco, Purple and Night herons. The bee eaters were also performing well, sadly no bluethroats.
On Sunday we headed up the mountains again to admire the spectacular views from Guadalest and Polop.
Monday, was another successful day at the Salinas de San Pedro. We had many very close sightings but the highlights were slender billed gulls and eared Grebes.
Southern Spain has had two consecutive very hot summers and very dry winters. Unfortunately this has had a negative effect on bird numbers, especially smaller perching birds that rely on insect numbers. This made this visit somewhat challenging, but I think it's fair to say that the bee eaters, Eagles and massive numbers of Herons made up for things.
If there is any interest in another get together next year, we would probably make it slightly later to catch the start of the migration and allow the temperature to drop a bit.
Please let me know if you are interested.
I'll add some photos as and when I get round to sorting them. I'm sure Kev will add some as well.
Hopefully next year you get a few more takers. It's going to be a while before I'm allowed on such holidays unfortunately, just family ones with the kids for the foreseeable.