OCTOBER 2011. Notable sightings in Extremadura

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides). One of the birds seen at El Batán, Cáceres,
from 30.09.11 to 15.10.11. Javier Prieta

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

- Egyptian Goose: one bird still at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 26/10 (Sergio Mayordomo). Also three birds still at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 29/10 and two on 31/10 (Francisco Lopo).
- Shelduck: three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 25/10 (Antonia Cangas, Elvira del Viejo and Juan Pablo Prieto) and two at Charca de Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 30/10 (S. Mayordomo).
- Great Crested Grebe: 150 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 9/10 (A. Cangas, A. Garrote, Ángel Sánchez and E. del Viejo).
- Black-Necked Grebe: one bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) from 12/10 to 30/10 (A. Cangas, Á. Sánchez, Ángel Luis Sánchez, E. del Viejo, Francis Prieto, Juan Carlos Paniagua, J. P. Prieto, Miguel Rouco and S. Mayordomo). Still one bird at Ventaquemada Reservoir, Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres), on 19/10 (Javier Prieta and S. Mayordomo).

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterur roseus). Rosarito Reservoir (AV-TO), 08.10.11 (Samuel Langlois).

- Greater Flamingo: two birds seen on 1/10 at the fishfarming ponds of Sierra de Fuentes (Cáceres) and one at Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres) (Andrés Maestre and Juanjo Espinigoitia); the latter was seen again on 5/10 (J. P. Prieto). Four at Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 6/10 (Rafael Parra). One bird near Robledillo de Trujillo (Cáceres) on 8/10 (Steve Fletcher). One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 9/10 (A. Cangas, A. Garrote, Á. Sánchez and E. del Viejo).
- Glossy Ibis: at Santa Amalia (Badajoz): four birds on 3/10 (John Muddeman) and 6/10 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at El Batán ricefields (Cáceres) on 13/10 (J. Prieta). One bird at Torviscal ricefields (Badajoz) on 22/10 (J. P. Prieto).
- Spoonbill: 50 birds at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 6/10 (R. Parra).
- Night Heron: 24 birds at Mérida (Badajoz) on 10/10 (Á. Sánchez).
- Squacco Heron: present at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres) from 5/10 to 22/10 peaking at six birds on 8/10 and 15/10 (J. Prieta). One juvenile at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 6/10 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/10 (Manuel García del Rey and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Casas de Belvís (Cáceres) on 15/10 (Javier Briz). One bird at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 29/10 (J. P. Prieto).
- Great White Egret: 15 birds at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 7/10 (S. Fletcher). Over 25 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 9/10 (A. Cangas, A. Garrote, Á. Sánchez and E. del Viejo). 29 birds at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 13/10 (S. Mayordomo), the biggest flock ever seen in Extremadura. 16 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 25/10 (A. Cangas, E. del Viejo and J. P. Prieto).
- Little Egret: 147 birds at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 12/10 (José Luis Guisado, M. García del Rey, Pilar Goñi and S. Mayordomo).
- Grey Heron: 83 birds at Reservoir Los Canchales (Badajoz) on 9/10 (A. Cangas, A. Garrote, Á. Sánchez and E. del Viejo).
- White Stork: 1000 birds at Mérida landfill site (Badajoz) on 7/10 (Á. Sánchez).
- Osprey: one bird at River Tiétar (Cáceres) on 19/10 (José María Cano).
- Goshawk: one bird at Arrolobos, Hurdes (Cáceres), on 4/10 (Alberto Pacheco) and one female at Pasarón de la Vera (Cáceres) on 19/10 (Pedro Gómez).
- Merlin: one bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 8/10 (J. Muddeman). On 20/10, one bird at Riolobos (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo) and another at Torviscal (Badajoz) (J. P. Prieto). On 30/10, one female or juvenile at El Gordo (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo) and another bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez).
- Little Bustard: 250 birds at one alfalfa field at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 6/10 (Fernando Yuste) and 120 birds at Zorita (Cáceres) on 31/10 (Martin Kelsey).
- Oystercatcher: one bird in flight over Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) and then on the ground at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 12/10 (J. L. Guisado, M. García del Rey, P. Goñi and S. Mayordomo).
- Avocet: One bird at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 7/10 (J. Muddeman and S. Fletcher).
- Grey Plover: one bird at Paredón Reservoir, Campanario (Badajoz), on 11/10 (José Luis Pérez Chiscano and J. P. Prieto).
- Kentish Plover: at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz): 62 birds on 7/10 (S. Fletcher), 6 on 28/10 and 15 on 31/10 (M. Kelsey). 14 birds at Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz) on 29/10 (J. P. Prieto).
- Snipe: 1000 birds at Santa Amalia ricefields (Badajoz) on 6/10 (Á. Sánchez).
- Spotted Redshank: Several at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 6/10 (Á. Sánchez). 47 birds at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 7/10 (S. Fletcher). Present at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 8/10 (Á. Sánchez). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres): two birds on 16/10 (S. Langlois) and 22/10 (Eva Palacios, Francis Martín and Miguel Ángel Muñoz), 9 birds on 28/10 and one on 30/10 (S. Mayordomo). 23 birds at ricefields de Torviscal (Badajoz) on 22/10 (J. P. Prieto).
- Wood Sandpiper: at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres): two birds on 7/10 (A. Pacheco). 19 birds at Torviscal ricefields on 20/10 and one at Puebla de Alcollarín on 29/10 (J. P. Prieto). 15 at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 31/10 (M. Kelsey).
- Buff-Breasted Sandpiper: Second record for Extremadura: one bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 5/10 (J. Prieta).
- Curlew Sandpiper: at Reservoir Ahigal (Cáceres): three birds on 7/10 (A. Pacheco). Four birds at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 29/10 (J. P. Prieto). Two at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 30/10. One bird at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 31/10 (M. Kelsey).
- White-Rumped Sandpiper: First record for Extremadura: One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 19/10 (F. Prieto) and on 20/10 (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez and F, Prieto) and 22/10 (A. Cangas, Á. Sánchez, E. del Viejo and J. C. Paniagua).
- Pectoral Sandpiper: One juvenile at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 21/10 (M. Rouco and S. Mayordomo), 22/10 (A. Cangas, Á. Sánchez, E. del Viejo and F. Prieto) and 29/10 (Lorenzo Alcántara).
- Temminck's Stint: one bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 22/10 (A. Cangas, Á. Sánchez, E. del Viejo and J. C. Paniagua) and 29/10 (L. Alcántara).
- Black-Headed Gull: 500 birds at Mérida landfill site (Badajoz) on 7/10 (Á. Sánchez).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: one adult at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 30/10 (S. Mayordomo).
- Little Tern: one bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 3/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Wryneck: At Plasencia (Cáceres): one bird on 2/10 and 22/10 (J. Prieta). One bird at Torrecillas de la Tiesa (Cáceres) on 5/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Chough: ten birds at Ahillones (Badajoz) on 13/10 (Antonio Núñez).
- Carrion Crow: two birds at Riolobos ricefield (Cáceres) on 22/10 (C. Clemente).
- Bluethroat: At El Batán ricefield (Cáceres): one female on 8/10 (J. Prieta), one male on 15/10 (E. Palacios and M. Á. Muñoz) and one bird on 22/10 (E. Palacios, F. Martín and M. Á. Muñoz). Two males at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/10 (J. L. Guisado, M. García del Rey, P. Goñi and S. Mayordomo). One male at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 16/10 (S. Langlois). One male at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 31/10 (S. Mayordomo).

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria). El Batán, Cáceres, 21.10.11. Eva Palacios.

FIRST WINTER VISITORS
- Tufted Duck: 10 birds, 8 drakes and 2 females, at Charca de Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 30/10 (S. Mayordomo).
- Crane: two birds in the central zone (Badajoz) on 6/10, 24 on the following day, including one Estonia-ringed bird, and 8805 on 21/10 (Manuel Gómez Calzado and Miguel Gómez Guarín). Five at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 7/10 (J. Muddeman and S. Fletcher). Nine at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 8/10 (Charo Casado and Mario Arcas). Ten birds at El Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 9/10 (Goyo Naharro).
- Golden Plover: one bird at Batán on 21/10 (E. Palacios and M. Á. Muñoz).
- Stock Dove: 121 birds on fallowfields at Riolobos (Cáceres) on 20/10 (S. Mayordomo).
- Skylark: two birds at La Aldea del Obispo (Cáceres) on 2/10 (J. Muddeman), one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 9/10 (F. Yuste) and five birds at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 10/10 (E. Palacios, M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo).
- Chiffchaff: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 3/10 (J. Muddeman). Several at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) on 6/10 and a big fall at Piornal (Cáceres) on 13/10 (J. Prieta).
- Goldcrest: two birds at Piornal (Cáceres) on 16/10 (J. Prieta).
- Starling: three birds at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 22/10 (J. Prieta) and another three at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 31/10 (S. Mayordomo).
- Song Thrush: two birds at Valdecañas de Tajo (Cáceres) on 6/10 (J. Muddeman). Two birds at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 8/10 and one at Piornal (Cáceres) on 13/10 (J. Prieta).
- Redwing: one bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 22/10 (J. Prieta).
- Dunnock: two birds at la Portilla del Tiétar, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 4/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Water Pipit: several seen on 6/10 at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez) and eight at Jerte Reservoir (Cáceres) (J. Prieta). One bird at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 7/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Bullfinch: one male at Serradilla (Cáceres) on 15/10 (Alfredo Gómez) and one bird at Villanueva de la Vera on 30/10 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois).
- Siskin: Several birds at river Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 25/10 (Ricardo Montero).
- Reed Bunting: two birds at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 31/10 (S. Mayordomo).

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flava). Ángel Sánchez.

LINGERING SUMMER VISITORS
- Purple Heron: one adult at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/10 (J. L. Guisado, M. García del Rey, P. Goñi and S. Mayordomo).
- Short-Toed Eagle: one bird at Almaraz on 8/10 (J. Muddeman) and another at Esparragalejo on 12/10 (Á. Sánchez).
- Egyptian Vulture: one juvenile at Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 1/10 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois). One juvenile and one adult at La Aldea del Obispo (Cáceres) on 2/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Montagu's Harrier: one juvenile at Riolobos (Cáceres) on 20/10 (S. Mayordomo) and one male adult at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres) on 22/10 (E. Palacios, F. Martín and M. Á. Muñoz).
- Hobby: three birds at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 5/10 (A. Pacheco) and one bird at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 7/10 (S. Fletcher).
- Lesser Kestrel: six birds at Las Canteras, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 2/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Collared Pratincole: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 6/10 (F. Yuste).
- Whiskered Tern: one bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 21/10 (Á. Sánchez, M. Rouco and S. Mayordomo) and 22/10 (A. Cangas, Á. Sánchez, E. del Viejo, F. Prieto and J. C. Paniagua).
- Scops Owl: one bird at Plasencia on 06/10/11 (J. Prieta).
- Pallid Swift: three at Piornal (Cáceres) on 6/10 (J. Prieta), one bird at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 21/10 (César Clemente), one bird found dead on Calle del Sol de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 22/10 (María José Escalante) and another bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 23/10 (J. Prieta).
- White-Rumped Swift: two birds still entering a nest at Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 19/10 to 22/10 (M. Kelsey).
- Nightjar: six birds at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 5/10 (A. Pacheco).
- Red-Necked Nightjar: two birds at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 1/10 (J. Muddeman).
- House Martin: 3 birds at Badajoz on 19/10 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Sand Martin: 3 birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 6/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Short-Toed Lark: 4 birds at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 3/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Tree Pipit: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 3/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Tawny Pipit: en Trujillo (Cáceres): two birds on 3/10, one on 7/10 and five on 5/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Willow Warbler: on 20/10: one bird at Batán (Cáceres) two at Galisteo (Cáceres) (J. Prieta). Present at Esparragalejo on 22/10 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Savi's Warbler: one bird at Reservoir Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 1/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Sedge Warbler: one bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 15/10 (J. Prieta).
- Reed Warbler: three birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 6/10 (J. Muddeman) and two at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 15/10 (J. Prieta).
- Great Reed Warbler: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 3/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Melodious Warbler: one bird at Torrecillas de la Tiesa (Cáceres) on 5/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Garden Warbler: one bird at Monroy (Cáceres) on 2/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Whitethroat: one bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 2/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Spotted Flycatcher: one bird at Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 4/10 and another at Trujillo on 5/10 (J. Muddeman).
- Pied Flycatcher: one bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 25/10 (R. Montero).
- Redstart: one bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 25/10 (R. Montero).
- Whinchat: one bird at Batán (Cáceres) on 20/10 (J. Prieta) and another at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 22/10 (C. Clemente).
- Yellow Wagtail: Subspecies M.f.flavissima: 2 males at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 5/10 (J. Prieta). Hundreds in Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 7/10 (S. Fletcher). One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 15/10 (J. Prieta) and another at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 16/10 (S. Mayordomo).