Today Luke and I went to Rio Gualdalhorce. Upon arriving there we were suprised to find the whole area in like a fog or sea mist. Anyway it seemed to clear but came back again then clear again and went like this most of the day. We left at 2pm but were very happy to see 38 different species, despite not seeing the usual Booted Eagles and Marsh Harrier.
First birds to see were Greenfinch as we came off the bridge. Then a single Woodchat Shrike with a stunning brown head. On the ponds the usual Shovelars and White-headed Ducks, plenty of Black-winged Stilts both feeding and flying. Then out of the mist came the Osprey, flying over the hide we were in.We had two birds we wanted to see, a Gadwall and a Black-eared Wheatear, the latter we didnt see, but a first sighting ever of 
a Gadwall.
a Gadwall.The highlight of the morning was to see two Bee-eaters perched on a branch in the distance, but the colours when looking through the binoculars was amazing! I couldnt take my eyes from them and so was too slow in getting the camera aimed. We saw both Kentish and Little-ringed Plover ( I could distinquish them now with help from Bob Wright last week), Common and Green Sandpiper on the far hide. Then onto the beach, with Sanderling and a lone Oystercatcher flying low over the sea.
Along the path we came across a lovely little Fan-tailed Warbler (Zitting Cisticola), and was able to get a few nice shots of him. 
At this time the sea mist came in again heavy, so we decided to head home, but all in all, not a bad day.
Birdlist: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Serin, House Sparrow, Sardinian Warbler, Little Egret, Blackbird, Monk Parakeet, Woodchat Shrike, Mallard, Cormorant, Kestrel, Shovelar, Pochard, White-headed Duck, Osprey, Grey Heron, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Little-ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Coot, Moorhen, Gadwall, Bee-eater, Corn Bunting, Common Redshank, Sanderlin, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Grebe, Spotless Starling, Yellow Wagtail, Crested Lark, Fan-tailed Warbler, Hoopee.
Sounds as if you had a mixed, but successful, morning. Booted Eagles should have departed by now, as should the Ospreys, but they still keep turning up. Pleased you got a good sighting of the Bee-eaters, marvellous little birds with an interesting attitude to their breeding habits; tell you more when I see you next week. Just off to collect Eric and pat then to Motril followed by Cabo de Gata tomorrow. Will have more time when I get back to pass further comments.
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