THE GOSHAWK IN EXTREMADURA (2009-2010)

Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). José Gordillo.

The Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) was another one of the target species in the SEO/BirdLife-brokered national woodland raptor survey 2009-2010 (Palomino and Valls, 2011). The estimated Extremadura population came out as 700 territories (range 650-750). This represents 6.2% of the Spanish total (11,350 territories), ranking seventh behind the regions of Castilla y León (2490), Castilla-La Mancha (2010), Andalucía (1370), Aragón (1280), Galicia (900) and Catalunya (760). Extremadura's mean density is 1.7 territories per 100 km2, below the national mean (2.2) and ranking a modest 12th in Spain.

Broken down by provinces, Cáceres accounts for 420 territories, and Badajoz 280. The densities (2.1 in Cáceres and 1.3 in Badajoz) are among the lowest in Spain. In all it was detected in 14% of the surveyed 10 k grids (18% in Badajoz and 6% in Cáceres).

The Goshawk has a somewhat patchy range in Extremadura; this also holds true for the whole of Spain and France. It is very scarce in the central and western sectors of both provinces, barring some zones of the central mountain range and southern Badajoz. Conversely it is exceptionally common in eastern districts (La Siberia, Las Villuercas y Los Ibores), which contain the lion's share of the regional population; in fact the likelihood of a Goshawk sighting is higher here than anywhere else in Spain. In the northern two thirds of Spain the Goshawk chooses hilly, low-insolation, inland areas with conifer woods (especially pine). At lower altitudes it prefers high-rainfall areas, unlike in the upland areas.

Predictive map of the Goshawk's range in Spain, taken from Palomino and Valls (2011). This shows the high likelihood of Goshawk sightings in the centre-east of Extremadura.

Car transects are not really a very suitable censusing method for this shy raptor so rarely seen outside the display season. In Extremadura only 3 birds were seen on average every 1000 k, an identical finding to the whole of Spain. It was detected in 13% of the surveyed 10 k grids (20% in Badajoz and 5% in Cáceres).

The Goshawk's trend in Spain is uncertain according to the breeding birds monitoring project SACRE; its trend within Extremadura is equally unsure.

The figures obtained for Spain as a whole were much higher than expected, even tripling the important French population. This has made even the survey authors chary of the results. The same goes for Extremadura, with figures way above forecasts and perhaps overstating the real case. Another striking finding is that the Goshawk's population should be just as big as the Sparrow Hawk's, a raptor of similar habits but more easily and regularly detected. Another apparent discrepancy arises between Cáceres and Badajoz. Contacts were higher in the latter but estimates were lower than for Cáceres. This might be due to the fact that best areas of Badajoz were surveyed more comprehensively than in Cáceres.

The fieldwork was coordinated and carried out by SEO volunteers and staff of the Environment Board of the Regional Council of Extremadura.

Source:
- Palomino, D., y Valls, J. 2011. Las rapaces forestales en España. Población reproductora en 2009-2010 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF]

SEPTEMBER 2011: Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia). Casatejada, Cáceres. Sergio Mayordomo.

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

- Egyptian Goose: One bird still at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres), seen on 02/09 (Sergio Mayordomo), 10/09 (Eva Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). Three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 19 and 20/09 (Francisco Lopo).
- Shelduck: 5 adults and 11 young birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Ruddy Shelduck: 10 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 05/09 (Elvira del Viejo).
- Garganey: one female or young bird at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 22/09 (José Guerra and Marc Gálvez).
- Red Crested Pochard: one female at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 18/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One eclipse drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 25/09, 27/09 (Manolo Iglesias) and 29/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: one drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 27/09 (M. Iglesias) and 29/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Great Crested Grebe: Flocks: 153 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Ángel Sánchez), 117 birds at Valuengo Reservoir (Badajoz) on 14/09 (Antonio Núñez), 300 birds at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (Alberto Pacheco) and 124 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (César Clemente, Javier Mahíllo, Javier Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Black Necked Grebe: two birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Ventaquemada Reservoir, Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres), on 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Flamingo: one young bird at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). Two at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 09/09 (E. del Viejo) and three on 24/09 (Á. Sánchez, Domingo Rivera and Joaquín Fernández). At Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres): three birds on 26/09 and one on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Glossy Ibis: at Santa Amalia (Badajoz): one bird on 7/09 and 8/09 (Fernando Yuste), three on 14, 16 and 25/09 (F. Yuste, J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and five on 30/09 (F. Yuste). One bird at Ayuela River, Casas de Don Antonio (Cáceres), on 29/09 (Juan Carlos Salgado and Mercedes Rodríguez).
- Spoonbill: Flocks: 30 birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/09 (S. Mayordomo); at Reservoir Los Canchales (Badajoz): 86 birds on 05/09 (A. Núñez), 80 birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Lopo, Juan Carlos Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and 60 birds on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo); 31 birds at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 8/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo); 80 birds at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/09 (Rafael Parra); 44 birds at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 15/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 42 birds at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Squacco Heron: one bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 05/09 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo). At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): one on 21/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 30/09 (F. Yuste). One bird at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres) on 29/09 (J. Prieta).
- Cattle Egret: Roost count: 4562 birds at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 26/09 (J. Prieta).
- Great White Egret: 17 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Little Egret: Flocks: 95 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez) and 150 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Purple Heron: 4 young birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). One young bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 15/09 (J. Prieta). One adult and one young bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at River Aljucén, PN Cornalvo (Badajoz), on 19/09 (M. Iglesias). One young bird at Galisteo ricefields (Cáceres) on 25/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Grey Heron: Flocks: 151 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez); 80 birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 254 birds at Portaje Reservoir on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- White Stork: 1500 birds at Mérida landfill site (Badajoz) on 17/09 (Á. Sánchez).
- Black Stork: two flocks of 8 and 38 birds near Trujillo (Cáceres) on 9/09 (Jesús Porras). Air count: on 23/09, 8 birds at River Aljucén (Á. Fernández) and 82 birds counted on 24/09: 15 at River Tiétar (Cáceres) (J. Mahíllo), 11 at Guadarroyo Stream (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo) and 45 birds at River Guadiana (Badajoz) (C. Clemente).
- Osprey: at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres): one bird on 10/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). At Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres): one bird on 16/09 and 3 birds on 20/09 (A. Pacheco). At Reservoir Ahigal (Cáceres): one Scottish-ringed bird on 19/09 (A. Pacheco) and 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Torrejoncillo (Cáceres) on 20/09 (Raúl Guzmán). One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Spanish Imperial Eagle: One young bird at Riomalo de Abajo, Las Hurdes (Cáceres), on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Goshawk: One bird at Cambroncino (Cáceres) on 13/09, another at la Sierra de Tentudía (Badajoz) on 17/09 and another at Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
-Montagu's Harrier: Dark phase birds: one young bird at El Gordo (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo), one young bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 13/09 (J. Prieta), one bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Porras) and another at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Peregrine Falcon: one bird at Tentudía (Badajoz) on 17/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Hobby: one bird at Majadas (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Lesser Kestrel: on 19/09 one bird seen at Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres) (J. Briz), over 20 at La Contienda, Villanueva del Fresno (Badajoz), (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 4 at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), (M. Kelsey). One bird going to roost at Iglesia at Torre de Miguel Sesmero (Badajoz) on 22/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Crane: Summering birds: one bird still at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 2/09 (A. Pacheco) and two at Monroy (Cáceres) on 14/09 (there since June). Two birds still at Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 30/09 (Goyo Naharro), one possibly since April and the other was freed from a wildlife refuge centre.
- Avocet: 13 birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/09 (S. Mayordomo) and one at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 28/09 (Martin Kelsey).
- Kentish Plover: At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): one bird on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and three on 14/09 (F. Yuste). Two birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Three birds at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 28/09 (M. Kelsey).

- Bar Tailed Godwit: one young bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) from 06/09 to 15/09 (J. Guerra, M. Gálvez, M. Kelsey and S. Mayordomo, Photo attached).
- Spotted Redshank: at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres): one bird on 06/09 (S. Mayordomo) and 8/09 (M. Kelsey). Present at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), from 06/09 to 27/09 peaking at 16 (Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre, E. Palacios, J. Prieta, Manuel García del Rey, Miguel Sánchez and S. Mayordomo). At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): two birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and 12 on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). At Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz): 30 birds on 28/09 and 50 on 30/09 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 29/09 (J. Prieta). Three at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Marsh Sandpiper: one bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres (Cáceres), on 28/09 (S.Mayordomo).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): 24 birds on 04/09 (F. Yuste), 2 birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and on 14/09 (F. Yuste), 15 birds on 16/09 and one on 21/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). Present at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres) from 06/09 to 21/09 peaking at 2 (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, E. Palacios, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 13/09 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/09 (A. Pacheco). Four at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 28/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Ruff: Flocks: 60 birds at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 08/09 (F. Yuste) and 120 birds at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 28/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Sanderling: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 08/09 (F. Yuste).
- Turnstone: one young bird at Valdesalor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 09/09 (Carlos Fernández) and one bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Curlew Sandpiper: one bird at Valdesalor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 09/09 (C. Fernández), 18/09, 19/09 and 20/09 (S. Mayordomo) and 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One young bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).

- Temminck's Stint: one bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 06/09 (S. Mayordomo) and 8/09 (M. Kelsey). Three at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Laguna del Casar de Cáceres (Cáceres) on 23/09 (Antonio Ceballos, Attached Photo).
- Cream Coloured Courser: one bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 22/09 (Raymon De Smet and Sallaets Gaston).
- Collared Pratincole: Flocks at Santa Amalia: 164 birds on 04/09, 270 birds on 08/09 (F. Yuste), 230 birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo), 132 birds on 14/09 (F. Yuste) and 170 birds on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Black-Headed Gull: Flocks: 615 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 and 800 birds at Mérida landfill site(Badajoz) on 17/09 (Á. Sánchez).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: two birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). Six birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). One adult at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One second-year bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Lesser Black-Backed Gull: Flocks: 3850 at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 and 2000 at Mérida landfill site (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez).
- Black Tern: one bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/09 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). On 24/09, two birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) and two at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Whiskered Tern: 71 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Long Eared Owl: one bird singing at Casatejada (Cáceres) on 19/09 (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo).
- Wryneck: one bird at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 7/09 and another at Portaje (Cáceres) on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). On 18/09, one bird at Belvís de Monroy (Cáceres) (Javier Briz) and another at Valdesalor (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo). On 21/09, two at Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres) and one at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Sierra de San Pedro (Badajoz) on 25/09 (José Gordillo). One bird at Plasencia on 27/09 and 29/09 (Ricardo Montero).
- Iberian Chiffchaff: one bird at Valdesalor (Cáceres) on 18/09 and 19/09 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Bluethroat: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo). One male at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 22/09 and two males at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 25/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Redstart: one male at El Gordo (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Zorita (Cáceres) on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One male at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 19/09 (S. Mayordomo). One female at Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres) on 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 23/09 (J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Río Ardila (Badajoz) on 24/09 (A. Núñez). Three at Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Tree Pipit: two birds on 13/09 and four on 28/09 at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) (J. Prieta). One bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 16/09, and on 20/09 one at Botoa (Badajoz) and another at Alburquerque (Badajoz) (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Tawny Pipit: four birds at San Vicente de Alcántara (Badajoz) on 05/09 (J. Gordillo). Nine at El Gordo (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). Three at Llanos de Cáceres on 13/09, at Hinojal one on 15/09 and 16/09, and another at Sierra de Fuentes (Cáceres) on 17/09 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at El Canito (Badajoz) on 18/09 (J. Gordillo). On 19/09, two at Torrequemada (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo), one at Serrejón (Cáceres) (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo), four at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), (M. Kelsey), two at Villanueva del Fresno (Badajoz) (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and two at Ahigal (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco). At Campanario (Badajoz): five birds on 21/09 and three on 28/09 (José Luis Pérez-Chiscano and Juan Pablo Prieto). Six birds at Cáceres (Cáceres) on 22/09 (S. Mayordomo). At Trujillo: one bird on 23/09 (J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and S. Mayordomo) and several on 24/09 (M. Kelsey). At Torreorgaz (Cáceres): six birds on 26/09 and three on 28/09, and another two at Torremocha (Cáceres) on 26/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Yellow Wagtail: M. f. Flavissima subsp.: one male at Laguna de los Gañanes, Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), on 13/09 (J. Prieta); several at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/09 (A. Pacheco) and two at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 29/09 (J. Prieta). M. f. Thunbergii subsp.: one male at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 21/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). Flock: over 2000 birds at Badajoz (Badajoz) on 11/09/11 (Gabriel Silva).
- Waxbill: New breeding site: at Ribera de los Limonetes-Nogales, Torre de Miguel Sesmero (Badajoz) nine birds were seen on 15/09; seven, one carrying nesting material, on 18/09 and three, one with nesting material, on 20/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Yellow-crowned Bishop: at Puente de Palmas, River Guadiana, Badajoz (Badajoz); 12 birds on 18/09 and 20 on 24/09 (J. C. Paniagua).

FIRST WINTER VISITORS
- Greylag Goose: seven birds at Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Widgeon: three eclipse drakes and two females at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 26/09 (J. Prieta) and two pairs at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Pintail: on 19/09 six birds at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco) and five at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres) (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo).
- Hen Harrier: one bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 24/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Merlin: one bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 19/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Firecrest: one bird at River Jerte, Casas del Castañar (Cáceres), on 23/09 (J. Prieta).
- Meadow Pipit: three birds at Jerte Reservoir, Casas del Castañar (Cáceres), on 28/09 (J. Prieta).

LINGERING SUMMER VISITORS
- Black Kite: two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 25/09 (C. Fernández).
- Honey Buzzard: one bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 10/09 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Monfragüe on 23/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Nightjar: two birds at Portaje (Cáceres) on 10/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and one singing at Toril (Cáceres) on 30/09 (M. García del Rey).
- Bee-eater: flock flying over Piornal (Cáceres) on 15/09 (J. Prieta).
- Swallow: two birds at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Golden Oriole: one bird at Toril (Cáceres) on 11/09 (J. Porras) and two at Gargüera on 01/09 (J. Gayo).
- Woodchat Shrike: two young birds at Zorita (Cáceres) on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and another two at Valdesalor (Cáceres) on 18/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Bonelli's Warbler: one bird at Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Rock Thrush: two pairs at El Gasco, Las Hurdes (Cáceres), on 24/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Black-Eared Wheatear: several birds at Mohedas de Granadilla on 16/09 (A. Pacheco).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: THE THIRD AMERICAN

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), juvenile.
Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz), 21.10.11 (Sergio Mayordomo).

October continues to be American wader month in Extremadura. Now it's the turn of the Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), seen on 21 October 2011 at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz). The sighting was quite serendipitous, because the target bird of the visit was the White-Rumped Sandiper seen on the same pond the day before. The White-Rumped failed to appear but this Pectoral popped up instead. It was found in the morning by Sergio Mayordomo; in the afternoon it was seen at least by Miguel Rouco and on the next day (22 October) it was seen by quite a few more observers (Ángel Sánchez, Francis Prieto, Elvira del Viejo, A. Cangas, Agapito,...). And on this day there was also a Temminck's Stint around... just for good measure . .

Of this month's three Nearctic sandpipers (click here and here), the Pectoral is the commonest. In Spain it is still rated as a vagrant though perhaps not for much longer, since nearly 300 birds have been accepted up to 2008 while in September and part of October 60 more were seen, including several inland records (Burgos, Palencia, Navarra, Albacete...). This bird will be at least the eighth for Extremadura, all juveniles on autumn passage. The sighting of two birds on Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) in September 2010 was previously reported in this blog. To find out more about this previous sighting, all other Extremadura records and general info on the species, click here.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), juvenile.
Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz), 22.10.11 (Ángel Sánchez).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: A FIRST FOR EXTREMADURA

White-Rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis).
Charca de Esparragalejo, Badajoz. 20-10-11 (Ángel Luis Sánchez).

In the last blog post we were "whining" about the lack of rare waders in September 2010; October now looks like being the month of American waders in Extremadura. On 19 and 20 October a juvenile White-Rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) turned up in the pond called Charca de Esparragalejo. It was found on the 19th by Francis Prieto and next day was seen by Francis Prieto again plus Ángel Sánchez and Ángel Luis Sánchez. This is the first known record for Extremadura. And this makes..... a fair few new species in the region since this blog kicked off.

The White-Rumped Sandpiper is a wader that breeds in the arctic region of Alaska and Canada, wintering in South America. It is as rare vagrant in Spain with 46 accepted records of 84 birds up to 2008, most in the Canary Islands (66 birds), where there was a "massive" irruption in October 2005 (over 50 birds). Two Portuguese records are also known up to 2007. Very few have turned up in 2011; only three other 2011 records are known up to 20 October: one young bird in Galicia in September and October and two adults in Delta del Ebro (Rare Birds in Spain). Up to 2003 there was only one record in inland Spain, in Fraga (Huesca) in October 2001 (Steve West and T. Nievas).

The best field marks are its intermediate size between Dunlin and Little Stint, its white rump, eye stripe and long-winged appearance with the primaries projecting beyond the tail when at rest.

Sources:
- De Juana, E. 2006. Aves raras de España. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona.
- Catry, P., Costa, H., Elias, G. y Matias, R. 2010. Aves de Portugal. Ornitologia do território continental. Assírio & Alvim. Lisboa.
- CR-SEO (Comité de Rarezas de SEO). 2010. Observaciones de aves raras en España, 2008. Ardeola 57(2).

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER IN GALISTEO, CÁCERES

Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis), juvenile. Galisteo Lake, Cáceres, 05.10.2011 (Javier Prieta).

After a September with no news of vagrant waders in Extremadura, October kicked off with the interesting sighting of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 05.10.11. The lucky observer this time was the person writing this blog post (by name of Javier Prieta). This is the second ever record for the region after the first one in 2010, also in October, at Valdecañas on 15.10.10 (click here for more info). Both birds were juveniles, like most Spanish records. As on the previous occasion this Buff Breasted didn't stick around; birders who went there to see it that same afternoon lucked out.

As in 2010 this sighting coincides with a big influx of Buff Breasted Sandpipers in Spain. According to Rare Birds in Spain at least 30 different birds were seen in September and another 4 in the first days of October. All these sightings were in coastal provinces (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Catalunya, above all, Valencia, Cádiz, Canarias...), except for this Extremadura bird. The 2010 irruption was put down to successive Atlantic storms but there weren't any in 2011 so another explanation will have to be "invented". To find out more about this delicate American wader, see the 2010 post (click here).

THE BOOTED EAGLE IN EXTREMADURA (2009-2010)

Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), light phase. Portaje, Cáceres, 27-07-2010. By Eva Palacios.

The Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) was one of the target species in the SEO/BirdLife-brokered national woodland raptor survey 2009-2010 (Palomino and Valls, 2011). The estimated Extremadura population came out as 2210 territories (range 2150-2270). This represents 12% of the Spanish total (18,500 territories), ranking fourth after three bigger regions: Castilla y León (3820), Andalucía (3790) and Castilla-La Mancha (3020). Extremadura's mean density is 5.3 territories per 100 km2, the highest in the whole country and way above the national mean (3.7). Behind Extremadura come Andalucía, Aragón and Castilla y León (densities of from 4.1 to 4.3).

Badajoz, with an estimated 1200 territories, boasts Spain's biggest provincial population, followed by Cáceres with 1010 territories. The highest provincial density is recorded by Sevilla (5.8), followed by Badajoz (5.5), Huelva (5.11) and Cáceres (5.08), all in the southwest quadrant of mainland Spain.

The Booted Eagle's range takes in the whole of Extremadura; it seems to be commonest in the northern half of Cáceres and scarcest in the centre-west of Badajoz. In all it was recorded in 57% of the grids with lookout points (65% in Cáceres and 52% in Badajoz). The Booted Eagle is a very versatile raptor. In Spain it prefers inland areas with cool, sunny springs, moderate relief and not too much farmland.

Predictive map of the Booted Eagle's range in Spain, taken from Palomino and Valls (2011).

The car transects threw up an average of 4.4 birds every 100 km; it was observed in 77% of the sampled grids (83% in Cáceres and 71% in Badajoz). The mean birds-per-kilometre figure for Spain as a whole was 2.3, led by Salamanca (5.7), Valladolid (5.6), Segovia (4.8), Cáceres (4.5), Granada (4.5) y Badajoz (4.2).

The Booted Eagle's trend in Spain is a very sharp increase according to the breeding birds monitoring project SACRE, with a 43% rise from 1998 to 2010. In the central zone of Spain, including Extremadura, the increase is even higher: 53%. Gibraltar Strait counts of migrating birds have also multiplied fourfold since the 1990s, with almost 30,000 Booted Eagles being recorded nowadays (Fundación Migres).

As regards the figures thrown up by this survey, not much can be said because there is insufficient previous information to go on. Nonetheless some discrepancies are evident in the above paragraphs. The population estimates clearly bring out the importance of the southwest quadrant of mainland Spain (Extremadura and Western Andalucía), while the observation probability map (bound up with abundance) shows the highest probabilities in Cáceres and the south of the northern meseta. The same goes for the car transects, with highest bird-per-kilometre figures in the northern meseta. In both cases Salamanca comes out winning while Badajoz and Sevilla come out losing.

The fieldwork was coordinated and carried out by SEO volunteers and staff of the Environment Board of the Regional Council of Extremadura.

Source:
- Palomino, D., y Valls, J. 2011. Las rapaces forestales en España. Población reproductora en 2009-2010 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF]
- Fundación Migres: http://www.fundacionmigres.org/Noticia_aumento_poblaciones_rapaces.html