RIA DE VILLAVICIOSA

Last Saturday we spent the morning in Ría de Villaviciosa, arriving at high tide. It’s always a delight to hear the spinechilling calls of Curlews, Whimbrels, Redshank, Greenshank and watch the waders take up their positions on the fresh mud as the tide falls. As well as the abovementioned foursome we also saw Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and at last we found a flock of 8 Curlew Sandpipers, a bird wed’d been seeking in vain for years in the reservoirs of Extremadura. It was lovely to see them with the last hint of their summer hues. The bushes were lively with migrants, including a male Bluethroat, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler; Yellow Wagtails called and a Savi’s Warbler sang briefly. A Booted Eagle circled overhead. Here are a couple of photos of the waders.

Common Sandiper



Ringed Plover