No.24. Some Buntings and other late spring sightings
(Remember to click on the photographs to enlarge the image) The first couple of weeks of April have provided sightings of some of the less common birds around the golf club. I have spent some time away from Secret Valley, in the foothills above the village of Anarita, where I have seen and photographed, amongst others, the following species. Hopefully they might be of interest to you. 1. Ortolan Bunting Buntings comprise quite a large family of European birds, closely related to Finches, most of which are seed eaters. The Ortolan Bunting is an attractively coloured bird with an olive/grey head with distinct yellow "moustache" stripes extending from the beak down each side of the throat. There is a yellowish-white ring around each eye. At this time of year the breast and flanks are a pinkish-orange-brown colour, while the back is a fairly rufous brown.. It is a very attractive bird that is rather shy, so it can be hard to see - especially from a di...