Two new birds for the year. On the road at 5.30am we headed for the plains near Belchite.  In the pitch dark we found the dirt road we were looking for.  Continuing along the dirt road with the windows open we listened for the distinctive song of Dupont’s Lark.  It wasn’t long before we heard the unmistakeable melancholy whistle of a Dupont’s.  Slamming on the brakes we jumped out and realised just how cold it was.  It must have been near freezing.  However, despite the cold, the Dupont’s Larks were in full song.  As we stood in the pitch black, we could hear four individuals singing away but of course could see nothing.  Other larks joined the pre-dawn chorus with Greater Short-toed, Lesser Short-toed and Calandra Larks all performing somewhere out in the darkness.  Our hands became numb and we were forced to retreat to the relative warmth of the car as we waited for dawn.  With the first light creeping over the eastern horizon we ventured out again and attempted to spot a singing Dupont’s against the lightening sky.  They were up there somewhere but we just could not see a single bird.  Incredibly frustrating scanning the sky over and over again, hearing the birds singing but seeing nothing.  We enjoyed good views of Calandra and both the Short-toed Larks but still Dupont’s eluded us.  With reasonable light we decided to change tactic and walk along the dirt track scanning the ground in the hope of picking up a bird.  With the singing now much less, restricted to just the occasional burst, we were beginning to panic.  Had we missed seeing this incredibly rare bird?  Frantically scanning the desert scrub, we at last had our bird.  A Dupont’s Lark sitting up in full view, and still singing!  Mad panic to get the scope on the bird, then we were able to enjoy great views in the early morning light.  Our camera work doesn’t do the bird justice as light just wasn’t good enough for digiscoping.  The photos we did manage to get do at least show it was without doubt a Dupont’s, so another new bird joined the year list.  This was also Alan’s first life tick in Spain, and a bird he had long wanted to see.Back to a bar for a celebratory coffee, we took a quick detour to look at the curious ruined town at Belchite.  A good move, as positioning ourselves in the best place for a photo, we first heard and then saw a pair of Firecrests inspecting a tamarisk bush – another new bird for the year list.We returned to the plains again;  what a difference a few hours made as it was now incredibly hot and there was no more sight or sound of the Dupont’s Larks.  Plenty of Calandra Larks gave great views at close range and we were treated to the entertaining spectacle of two Great Spotted Cuckoos chasing each other around some scrub right in front of us.  We staked out a small pool surrounded by thin bushes, and located some grounded migrants feeding here including Common Redstart, Greater Whitethroat, Subalpine Warbler, Robin, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff.  First one, and then later two more, Black-bellied Sandgrouse circled overhead calling but sadly did not come down to drink.  A Peregrine Falcon treated us to some incredible flying as it chased a Wood Pigeon low over the desert.Tomorrow we head for the Picos de Europa in search of mountain birds.  However the weather forecast is for heavy snow so we’re not sure how far we’ll get!
Bird species list: 1907
Posted 6th April, Lecera, Spain