CREAM-COLOURED COURSER: TWENTY YEARS LATER

Cream-Coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor). Trujillo, 22-09-2011. Raymond de Smet.

On 22 September a Cream-Coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) was seen on Llanos de Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres) by Raymond de Smet and Sallaets Gaston. No less than 20 years have passed since the last Extremadura sighting of this species, on 25 September 1991 in Esparragosa de Lares (Badajoz) by Manuel Gómez Calzado. On that occasion the Courser was in a Dotterel flock (Eudromias morinellus). This time it was on its own, suddenly flying by when the observers were getting ready to photograph Bustards. Other birders who flocked to the spot next day lucked out.

As on other occasions when rarities have turned up, we'll take this chance to find out more about this species. Native to North Africa it also breeds in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (about 2000 birds according to Carrascal et al., 2006). Within Africa the Courser is a migrator, breeding north of the Sahara and wintering to the south. On occasions, however, some birds stray off the normal migration routes, turning up in Europe as a vagrant. In the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries sightings in central Europe (France, UK, Germany) were not so infrequent as nowadays, possibly because the Courser was commoner back then. Nowadays it still turns up from time to time on mainland Spain and in the Balearic Islands (18 records and 32 accepted birds up to 2008) and in Portugal (6 records and 6 birds up to 2007), mainly in south Andalusia. Although it has been observed in Spain in nearly every month of the year, sightings peak at times of passage: spring (peaking in April) and late summer (peaking in September). 2001 was especially good, with a breeding record in Tabernas, Almería.

Let's hope we don't have to wait another 20 years to see this bird again in Extremadura. Our thanks go to Martin Kelsey for telling us about the finding (see the post in his own blog). More photos are on display in Rare Birds in Spain.

Cream-Coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor). Trujillo, 22-09-2011. Raymond de Smet.

Sources:
- Carrascal, L. M., Seoane, J., Palomino, D. y Alonso, C. L. 2006. El corredor sahariano en España. I Censo Nacional (2005-2006). SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF]
- De Juana, E. 2006. Aves raras de España. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona.
- CR-SEO (Comité de Rarezas de SEO). 2010. Observaciones de aves raras en España, 2008. Ardeola 57(2).

POPULATION TRENDS OF COMMON EUROPEAN BREEDING BIRDS

The European Bird Census Council (EBCC) has published a leaflet summarising population trends of European birds in the time period 1980 - 2009. The information has been culled from the national monitoring programmes run by volunteers, including the common breeding bird census (SACRE) of SEO/BirdLife. This proves the importance of collaborating in projects of this type, due to the knock on conservation effect at European level. To download the leaflet, just click here.

AUGUST 2011: Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), female. By José Gordillo.

A list of the most notable August records sent to the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo.

- Egyptian Goose: 1 bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 11/08 (Eva Palacios and Sergio Mayordomo) and 22/08 (S. Mayordomo). 6 birds at Sierra Brava reservoir(Cáceres) on 26/08 (Ángel Luis Sánchez and B. Cienfuegos).
- Garganey: 1 female at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres)on 02/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 2 on 04/08 (Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre and M. García del Rey).
- Little Grebe: 395 birds on Brozas pond (Cáceres) on 17/08 (Carlos Fernández).
- Great Crested Grebe: 1 leucistic bird at Esparragalejo pond Badajoz) on 22/08 (Ángel Sánchez).
- Greater Flamingo: 1 adult at Arrocampo reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (Javier Prieta)
- Glossy Ibis: 1 lame bird still at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres) on
06/08 (Manuel García del Rey), 17/08 (Hugo Sánchez), 28/08 (Jaime Collado) and
30/08 (Javier Briz and Vicente Risco).
- Spoonbill: Flocks at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres): 57 on 02/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo), 45 on 07/08 (M. García del Rey), 58 on 09/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 16/08 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), 113 on 20/08, biggest flock ever recorded in the province of Cáceres (César Clemente and Javier Mahíllo), 63 on 21/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 61 on 25/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) 33 birds at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 11/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). 70 at Los Canchales reservoir (Badajoz) on 13/08 (Francisco Lopo). Thirty seven birds at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 18/08 (Carlos Fernández) and 61 on 28/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Squacco Heron: 1 bird at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 08/08 and another
at Galisteo lake(Cáceres) on 29/08 (J. Prieta).
- Purple Heron: 1 adult at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), and 1 juvenile on 05/08 (Juan Carlos Paniagua, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), plus 1 on 13/08 (S. Mayordomo), 21/08 (C. Clemente) and 31/08 (S. Mayordomo). Another bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 05/08 and 22/08 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Arroyo Valdesegura, Jarilla (Cáceres), on 07/08 (S. Mayordomo). One bird
at Valdeobispo lake(Cáceres) on 08/08 (C. Clemente). One bird at Santa Amalia rice fields (Badajoz) on 27/08 (Fernando Yuste).
- Black Stork: 18 at River Matachel (Badajoz) on 31/08 (Roberto Sánchez).
- Osprey: 1 bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 22/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 2 at Arrocampo reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Rüppell's Vulture: 1 subadult at Serradilla (Cáceres)on 05/08 (David Álvarez,
Ismael Izquierdo and Iván Álvarez).
- Spanish Imperial Eagle: 1 adult at Sierra de Santa Bárbara, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 17/08 (Julián Martín Garde).
- Montagu's Harrier: dark morph birds (melanistic): 1 juvenile at Guijo de
Coria (Cáceres) on 04/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo), 1 at Sierra de Fuentes
(Cáceres) on 15/08 and another at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 27/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Lesser Kestrel: 368 birds counted at a roost in La Vera on 03/08 and
483 on 24/08 (J. Prieta) and an estimated 1000 birds in mid August(Pedro Gómez). At least 2950 birds at a roost in central Badajoz and an estimate of 3500-4000 on 30/08 (Á. Sánchez and 15 collaborators of DEMA and Junta de Extremadura).
- Crane: 1 bird still at Gabriel and Galán reservoir(Cáceres) on 01/08 (A. Pacheco).
- Purple Swamphen: 1 bird at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 02/08 (E.
Palacios, J. Briz, S. Mayordomo and V. Risco).
- Kentish Plover: 2 birds at Santa Amalia rice fields(Badajoz) on 28/08 (Fernando Yuste).
- Spotted Redshank: present all month at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), peaking at 15 birds on 26/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). 3 birds at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 12/08 and 2 at Ayuela reservoir, Casas de Don Antonio (Cáceres), on 19/08 (C. Fernández). 2 birds at Talaván reservoir (Cáceres) on 21/08 (S. Mayordomo). Another 2 at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (C. Fernández). 1 bird at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 31/08 (J. C. Paniagua).

Black-Necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), winter plumage, Esparragalejo (Badajoz), 22.08.11 (by Ángel Sánchez).

- Wood Sandpiper: present all month at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), peaking at 8 birds on 16/08 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Two juveniles at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 06/08 (M. García del Rey) and 1 on 29/08 (E. Palacios and Miguel Ángel Muñoz). One bird at Galisteo lake on 07/08 and 2 on 20/08 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) 19/08 (C. Fernández and S. Mayordomo) and 27/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 5 birds on 28/08 (Steve Fletcher). Three birds at Ayuela reservoir, Casas de Don Antonio (Cáceres), on 19/08 (C. Fernández). In the ricefields of Galisteo a maximum of 10 birds on 26/08 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez). Seven birds at Santa Amalia rice fields(Badajoz) on 31/08 (F. Yuste).
- Curlew Sandpiper: 2 birds at Lagunas de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 02/08
(Antonio Núñez). One bird at Talaván reservoir(Cáceres) on 14/08 (S. Mayordomo). Six birds at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez). Three birds at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 25/08 (C. Fernández), 2 on 27/08 and 1 on
28/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Temminck's Stint: 1 bird at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 28/08 (S. Fletcher).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: 42 birds Valdecañas reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Whiskered Tern: 2 birds at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez).
- Nightjar: 1 bird churring at Malpartida de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 09/08 (Godfried Schreur).
- Red-Backed Shrike: 7 juvs seen at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres-Ávila), 3 on the Cáceres side, on 19/08 (B. Molina and J. Prieta) and 3 juvs on the Cáceres side on 30/08 (J. Prieta).
- Raven: roost with 300 birds at Tentudía (Badajoz) on 21/08 (A. Pacheco).
- Sand Martin: over 6000 birds at Puente de Palmas, Badajoz, on 30/08 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Iberian Chiffchaff: 1 bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 28/08 (J.
Prieta).
- Savi's Warbler: 1 bird at Arroyo Rivillas, Badajoz, on 30/08 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Sedge Warbler: 1 bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 13/08 and 31/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Yellow Wagtail: 90 birds at Galisteo lake(Cáceres) on 23/08, including the subspecies M. f. thunbergii (S. Mayordomo).

FIRST POST-BREEDING DISPERSAL RECORDS
- Pochard: 1 at Gabriel and Galán reservoir(Cáceres) on 01/08 (A.Pacheco). 6 birds at Aldea del Cano pond(Cáceres) on 12/08 (C. Fernández). 6 birds at Arrocampo reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Black-Necked Grebe: 1 bird at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 22/08
(Á. Sánchez) and 2 at Valdecañas reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Avocet: 7 birds at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 08/08 (Á. L.Sánchez). One bird at Salor reservoir (Cáceres), on 12/08 and 10 on 25/08 (C. Fernández). 18 birds at Ayuela reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/08 (C. Fernández). One bird at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), summer plumage, Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz), 23-08-11 (by Ángel Sánchez).

- Grey Plover: One bird at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 23/08 (Á. Sánchez and Á. L. Sánchez) and another at la Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 31/08
(J. C. Paniagua).
- Curlew: 2 birds at Valdecañas reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J.Prieta).
- Black Tern: 2 birds at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 21/08 and 1
bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 22/08 (S. Mayordomo). 4 birds at La Haba pond (Badajoz) on 28/08 (Juan Pablo Prieto).
- Wryneck: 1 bird at Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 19/08 (Blas Molina and J. Prieta).
- Garden Warbler: 2 birds at Las Mestas (Cáceres) on 15/08 (Francis Martín)
and another 2 at Tentudía (Badajoz) on 21/08 (A. Pacheco).
- Pied Flycatcher: 3 birds at Piornal (Cáceres), on 10/08 and 5 on 17/08 (J.
Prieta). One bird at Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 19/08 (B. Molina and J. Prieta). First seen in low-lying areas on 27/08 at Plasencia (J. Prieta) and at Casas de Belvís on 29/08 (J. Briz).
- Bluethroat: 1 female at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 31/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Redstart: 1 young male on 13/08 at Mirandilla (Badajoz) (José Ledo). One male at Vicente de Alcántara (Badajoz) on 18/08 and a female on 20/08 (José Gordillo).
- Whinchat: 1 bird at Cáceres on 29/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 3 at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 30/08 (J. Prieta).
- Tree Pipit: 1 bird at Piornal (Cáceres) on 10/08 and several on 17/08 (J.
Prieta).
- Tawny Pipit: 1 bird at Cáceres on 25/08 and 30/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 2 birds at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 29/08 (J. Prieta).

LINGERING SUMMER VISITORS
- Little Tern: 7 juvs and 1 adult at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on
21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez). 2 juvs and 1 adult at Talaván reservoir(Cáceres) on
22/08 and 2 birds at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 25/08 (C. Fernández).
- Gull-Billed Tern: 1 bird at Los Arenales (Cáceres) on 18/08 (C. Fernández),
another at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 19/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 1 adult and 1 juv at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 22/08 (Á. Sánchez).
- Swift: 20 birds at Arrocampo reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/08 (J.Prieta).