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Bird Sightings List for the above Els Ports mountains Natural park valleys on Monday 16th April 2007. Members of group were Tony, Sorn, SuPing along with guides Marg and Rob. Tony's report is shown below. isabelline shrike, zitting cisticola, willow warbler, blackcap, long-tailed tit, great tit, meadow pipit, whinchat, crested lark, spotless starling, house martin, crag martin, barn swallow, common swift, yellow wagtail, house sparrow, goldfinch, greenfinch, chaffinch, kestrel, bonelli's eagle, short-toed eagle, griffon vulture, honey buzzard, common buzzard, little owl, hoopoe, magpie, blue rock thrush, yellow legged gull (flying over scrubland), (cirl bunting, bee-eater, wren - all heard). Also seen that day: a fox and 2 large male ibex. 16 April 2007 Though I know the area a bit, this was our first trip with Rob and Marg who know it very well, having lived near the mountains for four years now. They found us some stunningly pretty mountain walks and we enjoyed very close views of a flock of six yellow wagtails (which were much brighter coloured than what we are used to in the UK), antlered ibex and a fox - all seemed to be enjoying the sun after a poor easter. We also caught two bonelli's eagles, blue rock thrush and a little owl. Starting our walk I was puzzled to see an unusual coloured shrike (diagnostic thick black eyestripe) on top of a nearby pole. It had a very light sandy brown (rather than grey) head, beautiful cream underparts and its back was coffee coloured rather than grey or red-brown so I felt it was not a grey or red-backed shrike (that Rob thought it might be). Rob had his Collins guide out in seconds and there is little doubt in my own mind that it was the very rare isabelline shrike - my West African bird guide at home has convinced me! With great weather adding to our day's surprise and the usual rich assortment of birds, we concluded that it was a fairly effortless but highly rewarding day, which Rob and Marg tailored exactly to our requirements. 10/10!!!
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