After the windy but very interesting experience on Tarifa Island, I decided to drive through La Janda area and see if I could spot something worthwhile there as well. I arrived around noon, so the temperature was rising above 30 degrees.
It was no surprise to find fewer birds than usual, but I enjoyed the visit anyway. I soon spotted a pair of Bee-eaters. They were too far away to take decent photos, but half an hour later I ran into a few more and managed to take some great shots. They must be one of my favourite bird species, without a doubt.
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| European Bee-eater having a tasty snack |
I was simply delighted to have so many good opportunities to get relatively close and take good pictures. The birds didn't seem to be very bothered by my presence.My favourite photo might be the one below: an adult bird feeding a juvenile.
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| Bee-eater adult and juvenile |
What I saw was a true spectacle: Bee-eaters flying back and forth between some trees and returning with bees caught in flight. I could have watched these elegant birds for hours. Unfortunately it was getting really hot and I had already spent half a day in the field so I took a few more shots and decided to return to our facilities.
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| Bee-eater juvenile |
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| Bee-eater adult (top) with juvenile |
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| Close-up of a Bee-eater |
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| Bee-eater ready clinging to a branch |
I was glad to see that the road to drive through the area has been improved a lot. Although you still have to drive carefully, you no longer have to worry about damaging your car.
Sadly enough I also saw some unpleasant things: another bird that had got entangled in a spiral around a power line, an Little Egret this time.
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| An unfortunate Little Egret |
Near the trees where a spotted the amazing Bee-eaters, something big lying on the track called my attention. It was a big lizard, but unfortunately it had died. Such a shame, what a beautiful animal.
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| Don't know what happened to this fellow, but it was a sad sight |
On a more positive side, I had a first time ever encounter with a European Turtle Dove, a species listed as Vulnerable.
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| European Turtle Dove |
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| Stork |
I was slowly driving on a track checking the fields for any birds, when I spotted something which I thought was a big brown bag that a farmer had left behind. Just as I reached for my binoculars to have a closer look, the 'bag' flew up and turned out to be a Marsh Harrier. I had been as close as 40 metres and could have taken some great shots, but I missed the chance. Better luck next time.
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| The Marsh Harrier that took me by surprise |
I then drove to the Celemin river where I had seen interesting waders during my previous visit. This time I saw dozens of Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egret, alongside an occasional Little Egret.
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| Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egret peacefully together |
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| Cattle Egret close-up |
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| Male Stonechat |
Not a lot of birds today, but knowing that the road between the channels is in better condition now, I am looking forward to my next winter visit to this area.
Henry.
