Field meeting for Sept 2018 to the Charca de Suarez reserve

[Franky no Hair]

Event:
ABS visit to the Charca de Suarez reserve on the western outskirts of Motril, Granada province.

Date:
Saturday 15 September 2018

Meeting Point:
Entrance to the reserve

Time:
9 till 1pm plus follow-on (see below)

Leader for the day:
Bob Wright, Membership Secretary

Information about the meeting:
The Charca de Suarez is a wardened, gated reserve with free admission controlled by the opening hours.  On Saturday mornings the gate opens at 9 o’clock and we must exit by 1pm.   I will enter immediately the gate opens with those present.  The gates are open during the four hours so members arriving late can simply enter and check out the 8 hides, preferably in a clockwise direction, so giving you chance to catch up with those already in attendance.  However, once inside the reserve many members may wish to spend more or less time at individual hides and take their own route.
Following our departure, I suggest that we make our way up to the picnic area alongside the Rio Guadalfeo at Velez de Benaudalla where we can enjoy lunch and hope that there are not too many other picnickers!  It may be too late for the breeding Dippers but a good chance for Spotted Flycatcher, Grey and White Wagtails and even a Golden Oriole unless the local breeders have already started their move south.

Directions to the meeting point:
Take the A7 motorway from Malaga towards Motril/Almeria and come off after passing through a long tunnel as you start down an even longer slope and head for Salobreña.  Follow the signs until you reach the old N340 and go under this road taking the first exit towards the “Puerto.”  After about 1km you will pass a petrol station on your right and almost immediate come to some overhead traffic lights.  Take the first right, almost in front of the above lights and then right again at the end of the road next to a small hotel.  You will now find a number of tower blocks on your right including the 4* Hotel Elba and the entrance to the site is at the end of the last tower block, about 400 metres for your last turn.  Parking is on the road so look out for a suitable space.

Accommodation in the area:
We have no Affiliated Members in the immediate area and I am unable to advise on accommodation for those travelling from afar.

Clothing and food:
Not usually a problem with “midges” but would suggest hat and suncream as it can still be quite hot in mid-September.  All being well, I suspect many of us might still be wearing shorts.  For those moving on for the afternoon up at Velez de Benaudalla please remember to bring a picnic.  Toilets are provided at both sites but whether or not they are open is another matter!

Possible birds:
Always a good chance to find the breeding Little Bitterns and maybe even a visiting Little or Spotted Crake.  Jack Snipe turn up during the winter.  Again, a good chance of Ferruginous Duck along with all the regulars and often Night, Squacco and Grey Heron but probably too late for the migrating Purple Herons. The “standard” raptors are Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle and Common Kestrel but we have also recorded Black-shouldered Kites during the winter months.  However, the two birds that can be almost guaranteed at this site are Purple Swamphen and Red-knobbed Coot, the latter in “normal” appearance and the majority without those ugly neck collars used to identify most of this species.

Other sites in the area for those staying overnight:
Beach birding can be regarding at certain times of the year and others in the know seem to find a range of appropriate birds at the local commercial port.  But please check on access.

[Petrea]

Will be there!

Petrea & Mogens

[Mike Lumber]

I'll be attending. I'll probably arrive a bit late so I'll come looking for you (clockwise)

[Franky no Hair]

top

[roderick]

Linda and I will be there.Rod Prout

[Barrie]

We hope to come - but will need local accommodation. Is anyone else staying somewhere not too far away?
Barrie and Jan

We have now booked the same hotel as Petrea and Mogens so definitely will be there.

[tonyc]

I'll be there. Looking forward. Tony Carpenter.

[andrew50]

I'll be there + friend

[Franky no Hair]

Denny and Paul Tritton will be there.