The start of our climb
Crag Martin
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
Blue Rock Thrush
Bee-eater
Woodchat Shrike
Golden Oriole (Left) & Bee-eater (right)
Black Wheatear
Black Wheatear
Black Wheatear
Woodchat Shrike (second of session)
Stunning location
A must see village
Sardinian Warbler
Subalpine Warbler
One of my target species of the day was the Black Wheatear. Carlos drove to a limestone ravine which would give us our best opportunity however a long walk was needed in hot temperatures.
Whilst it was a tough walk there was plenty of great birds to see along the way starting with a pair of Red-rumped Swallows that were nesting under the bridge which was quickly followed by an endless collection of Black Redstarts that were mostly juveniles. Crag Martins flew around us whilst a Blue Rock Rush dived from side to side of the ravine above us.
After reaching the small car park after a 30 minute walk we set the scope up and started scanning the hillside. Carlos picked up a Melodious Warbler down below us in the undergrowth before we found our first family of Azure-winged Magpies causing trouble before flying into the village where they were chasing other species around. High above us six Griffon Vultures past over and then a Bee-eater calling. We were to get fantastic views of six different Bee-eaters after walking through the village to the peak of the slopes.
After reaching the peak there was no initial views of Black Wheatear however we found two Woodchat Shrikes of different ages. Then after twenty minutes a Black Wheatear appeared on a wall then flew closer on top of a rock. The Wheatear was very distinctive as it was fairly large with a deep chest and broad white rump and black T on the white tail. These unique Wheatears catch their prey using a hop and search technique around walls, cracks in stone or under bushes.
We were then watching the Bee-eaters fly around us when a juvenile or female Golden Oriole emerged and landed in a large scrub with a Bee-eater. This was another lifer for me and I watched closely through the scope as Carlos had seen many in the past.
On the way back down the slopes at various points we picked up both Sardinian Warbler & a Subalpine Warbler.
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