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Birdwatching in Cadiz: Seeking the White-throated Dipper in El Bosque

After some spectacular sightings earlier this week, today it was time to go on a birdwatching expedition to El Bosque in search of the White-throated Dipper, a species I had never observed before. The very few times this bird had been spotted in the province of Cadiz were beside the Majaceite river, a small stream which is visited a lot by one day tourists, following a popular path that connects the towns of El Bosque and Benamahoma. Especially in summer this place can get quite crowded. Today, although we're in winter and the river isn't inviting to have a refreshing swim, it was also relatively busy. Not so in the botanical garden I visited just before commencing the search for the Dipper.



Long-tailed Tit
Long-tailed Tit

Few minutes after parking the car, I heard Chiffchaff, Crested Tit and saw several Great Tits and one Grey Wagtail on the floor at barely two metres from the car. What a warm welcoming! Inside the botanical garden of El Castillejo I heard a real serenade of songbirds, including Robins, more Great Tits and Blackcaps.


Suddenly, an unknown sound! It came from a bird that flew over the trees. Fortunately I had my phone at hand and was able to identify the call using Birdnet. Without hesitation the application identified it as a Red Crossbill! Yet another lifer! Still ecstatic about this sighting, one of these curious birds came back to rest of one of the electricity cables hanging over the park. Only one minute later it was joined by a second bird of the same species, one of the opposite sex.



Male Red Crossbill
Male Red Crossbill

I was observing a pair of Red Crossbills! A red male and a yellowish female, facing the male on another cable. For minutes I observed these amazing bird singing high above the ground, in the silence of this beautiful park full of trees and plants.



Female Red Crossbill
Female Red Crossbill

Although the birds were photographed from behind, I am sure their pictures will always have a special place in my collection. They're such a remarkable species especially because of the shape of their beaks, that cross at the tips, allowing them to extract seeds from conifer cones.


Even without seeing the target species of the day, this day was already extremely successful. But the White-throated Dipper would definitely be the cherry on top of the cake...


After a ten-minutes walk I reached the beginning of the Majaceite trail, leading to the white village of Benamahoma. This was clearly the ideal habitat for the Dipper: fast streaming water where it can find food, usually larvae of aquatic insects.



Majaceite river
Fairly fast streaming Majaceite river

Unfortunately, the closest I came to the sighting of a Dipper was seeing an unidentifiable fast flying dark silhouette spreading its wings on two occasions. Chances will be higher another day when I arrive early in the morning and as long as necessary waiting in one single spot for this bird's arrival. The wet rocks and the surrounding green moss will make for some photos that are well worth the effort.


The most common species today were the Blackcap and the Long-tailed Tit, which came relatively close to pose.



Long-tailed Tit
Long-tailed Tit

Male Blackcap
Male Blackcap

Not as close though as a friendly but extremely curious Robin, patiently waiting on a branch only a few metres away from the rock I was resting on to snatch some bugs from the floor.



Robin on a branch
Robin

Taking decent photographs of the usually small birds in this area turned out to be pretty complicated, due to the presence of so many trees and branches. As a result, the inhabitants are often more heard than seen.



Robin on a branch

For sure a place I will return to, possibly in spring, equipped with my telephoto and a bag full of patience.

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