An unexpected visit to the beach of Rota and its adjacent dunes resulted in a first ever encounter with some Treecreepers and me getting wet while photographing Barn Swallows flying low over the sand. It was also good to see some Kentish Plovers getting ready for the next breeding season.
Spring is arriving, and it shows! The pine forest next to the beach is home to so many Blackbirds, most of them were busy looking for nesting material on the floor and not disturbed by my presence at all. I don't think I have seen more Blackbirds together in one spot. Another abundant species was the beautiful Wood Pigeon, tens of them also gathering nesting material.
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| An amazing Treecreeper |
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| Treecreepers are hard to spot due to their camouflage and small size |
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| A Wood Pigeon looking for suitable sticks |
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| Two Yellow-legged Gulls |
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| Sanderling looking for something edible |
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| Barn Swallow flying over the beach... |
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| … really low! |
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| They're true masters of the sky |
I had mainly came to this beach and its dunes to check on the presence of the Kentish Plovers who should be starting to breed soon. I was relieved to see a few of them and some breeding activity indeed. Hopefully this season is more successful than last year when a lot of these magnificent birds were disturbed by cats, dogs and people.
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| Kentish Plover |
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| Kentish Plover |
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| Kentish Plover in flight |
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| Breeding female Kentish Plover |
As mentioned before, next to the beach behind the dunes there were a lot of birds busy with preparations for the breeding season, among them Blackbirds, Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves.
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| Eurasian Collared Dove |
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| Blackbird gathering nesting material |
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| Part of a large flock of Gulls flying by |