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SE Spain Revisited - A Return Visit to Alicante.
Richard Hill.

Following a trip to Alicante, SE Spain, in May 2001, Richard Hill made a return visit to the area in mid-February 2002. Although this visit was primarily to perform Best Man duties at a friend's wedding, Richard never-the-less found time out to exercise his binoculars and digital camera.

Male Kentish Plover, SE Spain, February 2002, R D Hill
Photograph Copyright © Richard Hill

This male Kentish Plover (above) was taken at 'Salinas de la Mata', the same place as the Woodchat Shrike in the previous spring. Also here were good numbers of Hoopoe, Serin (photograph below), Sardinian Warbler, Black Redstart and Crested Larks. On the lake itself, was a flock of 700+ Black-necked Grebes, 50+ Greater Flamingos and good numbers of waders including Black-winged Stilt and Little Stint.

Serin, SE Spain, February 2002, R D Hill
Photograph Copyright © Richard Hill

The Slender-billed Gull shots (below) were taken just up the road, on coastal salt pans near a place called Santa Pola. These held about 40+ birds amongst the c.500 Black-headed Gulls, with 100+ Flamingo's and many Crag Martins.

Slender-billed Gull, SE Spain, February 2002, R D Hill
Photograph Copyright © Richard Hill

Inland, near a place called Guadalest, there was a pair of Bonelli's Eagles plus the amazing sight of 40+ feeding Blackcaps in one bush! Finally, nearby Pego Marshes held several Marsh Harriers, 60+ Cattle Egrets, numerous Yellow-legged Gulls (and probably Audouin's Gulls, which were certainly present the previous May) and 30+ Chiffchaffs which were mostly P.Collybita types, although a few others which called differently could well have been Iberian Chiffchaffs.

Serin, SE Spain, February 2002, R D Hill
Male Serin, Photograph Copyright © Richard Hill

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