Day 4 - Botanic Gardens and some birds.. just a taster..

And today it was off to the Botanic Gardens.. weather was meant to be warmer and sunnier... it wasn't but at least it didn't rain!!

Gardens are formally laid out but beautiful nonetheless....

Heard, then saw several Marsh Frogs in the pond..

and a pair of Stock Doves...

and as we watched birds around the pond... oh look says I, a Night Heron

He sat of top of the statue for a while, then flew up into the tree.. and posed beautifully

We added Long Tailed Tits to the Madrid bird list

Managed an acceptable pic of a Black cap..

and after a very pleasant lunch we headed off for the station to buy tickets for tomorrow's trip

Oh boy - what a nightmare... you take a numbered ticket and then wait for it to come up... we were about 80 behind the current number.... almost gave up..

However the station is rather attractive...

and the interior (of what I  believe to be the 'old' part of the station) was very green and had food outlets..

and a pond full of Terrapins.. probably well over 100 of them!

On our way back, we stopped in the Botanic Gardens again to find a seat and have a cold drink..

Pete spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the same time I spotted a Treecreeper...not sure if this is a Short-toed Treecreeper or not.... record shots for ID purposes only

"and let's walk back via the pond again, see if the Night Heron is there?"  it was!!

and as we left - a Monk Parakeet came down for a drink.... there were several in that spot, and I believe they were nesting in the pine trees..

and finally, time to go back to the hotel ...