tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878626588599876369.post174861686622698149..comments2016-09-24T04:25:29.204-07:00Comments on Birding in Spain, Birding in Catalonia: How to find Dupont's Lark, Bustards and Sandgrouse in the Spanish SteppesStephen Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18203817726023163949noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878626588599876369.post-87553596411498521072012-10-01T03:22:46.868-07:002012-10-01T03:22:46.868-07:00Wow :)Wow :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878626588599876369.post-72747360627051461532012-02-23T01:49:36.967-08:002012-02-23T01:49:36.967-08:00Thanks Allen, Bird versus Partner's breakfast,...Thanks Allen, Bird versus Partner's breakfast, a situation many of us can relate to I'm sure. I'm off to Belchite my self tomorrow so let's hope my advice to you proves useful!Stephen Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18203817726023163949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878626588599876369.post-15121562550446071742012-02-22T14:39:35.877-08:002012-02-22T14:39:35.877-08:00Quest for Dupont's Lark mid-February 2012.
My...Quest for Dupont's Lark mid-February 2012.<br /><br />My wife and I (stayed at El Rincon del Cierzo at Leceres) had already spent at least 6 hours over 2 days at the huge El Planeron SEO reserve and had, at best, only heard 2 distant birds and seen a "possible" scuttle across the track a fair way in front of us. At nearby Lomaza we had seen/heard nothing.<br /><br />My wife is not a birder and with effectively “only one pair of eyes and one set of ears” ........ searching for a Dupont's in very high winds and over a vast area had increasingly seemed to be an impossible task....despite much patience and effort. At this point I turned for advice to Stephen and after exchanging emails I felt far more positive and really looked forward to the search the next day.<br /><br />My wife and I got to El Planeron whilst it was still pretty dark at about 07:20. In much better conditions...NO WIND...we slowly drove down a track and soon heard at least 4 or 5 birds calling/singing (to me they have a very squeaky door sound....unlike any other lark I've ever heard). The light was still very poor so we returned to a point, that was slightly elevated. We sat in the car with windows open (it was minus 4.5c) and listened to birds calling either side of us. <br /><br />I felt certain that with some patience eventually, as the light improved, I would see at least ONE bird....even if it was only a glimpse! To cut a long story short by 10:00 a.m. I had heard the birds loads of times...both close and distant (virtually no wind...at last) but had not actually even gained a glimpse of a single bird. At about 09:50 I saw a possible candidate just before it dashed behind some scrub....at last I thought, success. Unfortunately when the bird emerged it had metamorphosised into a Theklas! <br /><br />At this point my wife was understandably yearning for some breakfast back at Leceres. I asked for just another 5 minutes as birds WERE present and WERE calling/singing. Needless to say after another 5 minutes I had still seen nothing. With frustration at its maximum I agreed to pack up....despite the fact that it was now a beautifully sunny day that was getting warmer by the minute and still remained almost windless.<br />As I started to drive back I had literally only moved the car 5 yards when a bird rushed across the track about 10 yards in front of me, seemingly being chased by a smaller bird. Even with my naked eye I thought it was a DL and immediately stopped, exclaimed to my wife "its a Dupont's" and turned the engine off!!!! Almost simultaneously I had feelings of joy but then doubt.....the view had only been a few seconds, through a windscreen and with my naked eye. Had it really been one???? <br /><br />Fortunately I didn't have time to really dwell on this question as within 30 seconds the bird popped back out onto the track, looked at the car, and started running TOWARDS it!!! A brilliant view of a Dupont's Lark! I have had some great moments birding over the last 50 years or so but looking at this bird through my binoculars was right up there with the very best. Even my non-birding wife was delighted (I think she was thinking that breakfast really was now a possibility.....although she assures me it was seeing the bird that had caused this delight).<br /><br />Without the encouragement and advice from Stephen I am pretty certain Dupont's would still be on my "to try for" list.<br /><br />Allen Pocock (Leics, UK)......February 2012.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com