APRIL 2012: NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA

Rufous-Tailed Bush Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes). Ahigal, 29.05.2011. By Sammy Langlois. 

A list of the most notable April 2012 records sent to the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo. 

- Shelduck: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), 16 birds on 08/04 (Sergio Mayordomo) and 22 on 19/04 (Ángel Sánchez). Present at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 22/04 (Francisco Lopo).
- Shoveler: Eight pairs at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez), one drake at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 20/04 (S. Mayordomo) and two pairs at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 29/04 (J. Briz). Breeding birds not ruled out.
- Pochard: On 20/04 a pair was seen at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres) and 40 birds at Los Arenales, Cáceres (S. Mayordomo). One pair at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 29/04 (A. Jiménez). Breeding birds not ruled out.

- Glossy Ibis: At Arrocampo Reservoir, one bird on 01/04 (José Luis Rivero), 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado) and 12/04 (Antolín Redondo), four on 15/04 (María Llorente, Javier Mahillo, César Clemente and Álvaro Díaz) and five on 22/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), eight birds on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado), ten on 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios), two on 09/04 (Martin Kelsey), seven on 22/04, one on 28/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 12 on 29/04 (Javier Briz). One ringed bird at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres), from 05/04 to 17/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Kelsey, Marisa, M. Llorente, Manuel Estébanez, Lidia Roncero, Javier Prieta, J. Mahillo, E. Palacios, Conchi, C. Clemente, A. Redondo, Á. Díaz; -photograph by M. Estébanez-). One bird at River Ardila (Badajoz) on 08/04 (Francisco Montaño). At River Guadiana, Badajoz, three birds on 15/04 and one on 21/04 and 28/04 (Juan Carlos Paniagua). Two birds at River Salor, Cáceres, on 27/04 (Sebastián Molano). One bird at El Paredón Reservoir, Campanario (Badajoz), on 29/04 (Juan Pablo Prieto). This makes it the biggest ever influx of this species in Extremadura. Several of the sightings were ringed birds, in all cases from Doñana.
- Bittern: One bird at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 12/04 (A. Redondo) and 22/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Squacco Heron: At Arrocampo (Cáceres), one bird on 17/04 (J. Prieta), five birds, four in breeding plumage, on 22/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and one on 29/04 (J. Briz).
- Great White Egret: Up to five birds in breeding plumage at Arrocampo (Cáceres) from 15/04 to 29/04 (Vicente Risco, S. Mayordomo, M. Llorente, Manuel García del Rey, J. Prieta, J. Mahillo, J. Briz, E. Palacios, C. Clemente and Á. Díaz).
- Osprey: One passage bird at Puerto de Piornal (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta). One bird at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 28/04 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Long-Legged Buzzard: One presumed bird at Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 15/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Goshawk: One bird at Herreruela (Cáceres) on 10/04 (Godfried Schreur). One female at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 28/4 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Montagu's Harrier: One dark morph bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/04 (A. Pacheco).
- Hobby: One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 26/04 (Ricardo Montero). On 28/04 one bird seen at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres), another at La Granja de Granadilla (Cáceres) and another at Talaván (Cáceres) (R. Montero). On 29/04 one bird seen at Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres) (J. Briz) and two at Majadas pinewood(Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Lesser Kestrel: New colony found at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 11/04, with eight males and six females (J. Prieta).
- Little Bustard: At Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), where the species stopped breeding a decade ago, two males singing on 02/04 (A. Pacheco) and two males and one female on 11/04 (J. Prieta).

- Spotted Crake: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 06/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 07/04 (C. Clemente -photograph-).
- Avocet: One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Grey Plover: One bird at Los Barruecos, Malpartida de Cáceres (Cáceres), on 27/04 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at El Paredón Reservoir, Campanario (Badajoz), on 29/04 (J. P. Prieto).
- Kentish Plover: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), 14 birds on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 72 birds on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez). Two pairs at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 27/04 (Á. Sánchez).
- Whimbrel: At Campo Lugar (Cáceres), four birds on 15/04 and 13 on 25/04 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Jerte Reservoir, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á, Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Two birds at Alburquerque (Badajoz) on 21/04 (G. Schreur). At Arrocampo (Cáceres), 27 birds, biggest flock over recorded in Extremadura, on 22/04 (Justiniano Julián) and eight on 27/04 (G. Schreur) and 28/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 26/04 (G. Schreur) and 29/04 (A. Jiménez).
- Spotted Redshank: Two birds at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 06/04 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Salor Reservoir, Cáceres, on 10/04, 12/04 and 18/04 (S. Mayordomo). At Laguna Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), five birds on 10/04, 2 on 18/04 and three, one completely in summer plumage, on 20/04 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres), two birds on 01/04 (J. Prieta), one bird on 03/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente), 6/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 7/04 (C. Clemente), four birds on 11/04 (J. Prieta) and one on 13/04 (S. Mayordomo), 19/04 (Mario Alonso) and 22/04 (J. Prieta). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), three birds on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado), six on 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios), five on 09/04 (M. Kelsey), present on 15/04 (M. Llorente, J. Mahillo, C. Clemente and Á. Díaz), five on 17/04 (J. Prieta) and three on 28/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 15/04 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Common Sandpiper: Over 150 birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez).

- Sanderling: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 19/04 (M. Alonso). One bird at Charca de La Haba (Badajoz) on 24/04 (J. P. Prieto -photograph-). Four birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Curlew Sandpiper: One bird at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez). Two birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 25/04 (Elvira del Viejo and Antonia Cangas).
- Temminck's Stint: At Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz), one bird on 06/04 (F. Montaño) and 11/04 (J. P. Prieto and Carmen Crisóstomo).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: One adult at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Common Tern: At Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 26/04 (S. Mayordomo and J. Prieta) and seven on 27/04 (A. Pacheco). Ten birds at Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, on 26/04 (G. Schreur). Twelve birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Long-Eared Owl: One bird on its nest at Saucedilla (Cáceres) from 14/04 to 20/04 (V. Risco, Pablo de la Nava, M. Llorente, M. García del Rey, José Carlos López, J. Mahillo, J. Briz., J. Prieta, C. Clemente and Á. Díaz).
- Green Woodpecker: One bird at Proserpina Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 03/04 (E. del Viejo). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 27/04 (D. Langlois). On 24/03 one bird at Valdastillas and two at Piornal, Cáceres (J. Prieta).
- Wryneck: One bird at Dehesa boyal de Ahigal (Cáceres) on 07/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 12/04, 17/04 and 25/04, and two on 30/04 (D. Langlois).
- Bearded Tit: One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado).
- Willow Warbler: At River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), three birds on 01/04 (J. Prieta), two on 02/04, one on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo) and one on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Three birds at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 01/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 03/04 (S. Mayordomo). Four birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado). One bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 05/04 (M. Kelsey). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), four birds on 07/04 and one on 30/04 (D. Langlois). One bird at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 08/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at on Reservoir del Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Iberian Chiffchaff: One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramirez and E. Palacios). One bird at San Vicente de Alcántara (Badajoz) on 16/04 (G. Schreur). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 17/04 and 26/04 (D. langlois).
- Sedge Warbler: At River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), one bird on 01/04 (J. Prieta), two on 02/04 (S. Mayordomo), two on 06/04 (J. Prieta), one on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo), four on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios) and one on 26/04 (J. Prieta). At Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), one bird on 01/04 (J. Prieta), three on 03/04 (J. Mahíllo and C. Clemente) and also present on 07/04 (C. Clemente). One bird at Brovales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 02/04 (F. Montaño). Heavy fall at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado). Present on the final stretch of River Aljucén, Mérida (Badajoz), on 06/04 (F. Montaño). At River Guadiana, Badajoz, heavy fall of over 24 birds on 08/04 and several birds on 15/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 17/04 (J. Prieta).
- Spectacled Warbler: One territorial male at La Codosera (Badajoz) on 29/04 (G. Schreur).
- Black-Bellied Dipper: Breeding proven on River Jerte in the city of Plasencia: a pair with 3 chicks and another different adult carrying food on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo) and six birds in at least four possible territories, on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios).
- Ring Ouzel: One bird at Guijo de Santa Bárbara (Cáceres) on 08/04 (Jesús Calle).
- Robin: One leucistic bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 05/04 (J. C. Paniagua and C. Clemente).
- Redstart: One pair at Santa cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 06/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One male singing at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta). One male singing at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 28/04 (D. Langlois).

FIRST ARRIVALS OF SUMMER VISITORS
- Night Heron: Arrival at Arrocampo colony(Cáceres): six adults on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado).
- Honey Buzzard: One bird at Santibáñez el Alto (Cáceres) on 09/04 (Goyo Naharro). On 15/04 one bird seen at El Torviscal (Badajoz) (Luis Lozano, Lorenzo Alcántara, Justo García, F. Lopo, Francisco Castro and Borja Maldonado) and another at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, J. Prieta, Francisco Ramírez and E. Palacios). First bird at La Vera (Cáceres) on 30/04 (Dave Langlois).
- Little Tern: Present at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 22/04 (F. Lopo). Three birds at Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, on 26/04 and 27/04 (G. Schreur). One bird at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (A. Pacheco). One bird at Puente del Cardenal, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 28/04 (Óscar Díaz).
- Gull-Billed Tern: Two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 06/04 (J. Briz). Nine at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 14/04 (L. Alcántara).
- Black Tern: At Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, five birds on 26/04 and three on 27/04 (G. Schreur). On 27/04 two also seen at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco), five at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) and three at Montijo Reservoir(Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez).
- Whiskered Tern: Three birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 03/04 (Tomás Montalvo). Present at Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, on 26/04 (G. Schreur). Two birds at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (A. Pacheco).
- Swift: Two birds at Plasencia on 01/04 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 02/04 (D. Langlois). One bird at Guijo de Santa Bárbara (Cáceres) on 03/04 and eight the following day (J. Calle).
- Red-Necked Nightjar: One bird at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 28/04 (A. Pacheco). One bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 30/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Golden Oriole: On 15/04 one bird recorded at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) (D. Langlois) and two at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Three birds at Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres) on 16/04 (G. Schreur).
- Short-Toed Lark: Scores of birds at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/04 (A. Pacheco). Present at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). Eleven birds at Llanos de Cáceres on 10/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Grasshopper Warbler: One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 01/04 (J. Prieta). One bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 05/04 (J. C. Paniagua and C. Clemente). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 07/04 (D. Langlois). One bird at Valdastillas (Cáceres) on 25/04 (J. Prieta).
- Great Reed Warbler: At Valdefuentes Gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), two birds on 01/04 (J. Prieta) and one on 03/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente). One bird at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado). One bird at River Guadiana, Mérida (Badajoz), on 05/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Melodious Warbler: One bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 23/04 (G. Schreur). Two birds at Valdastillas (Cáceres) on 25/04 and another two at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 26/04 (J. Prieta).
- Garden Warbler: At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 13/04, 17/04 and 20/04, and two on 25/04 and 30/04 (D. Langlois). Four birds at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios) and one on 26/04 (J. Prieta).

- Whitethroat: Birds on passage: One bird at River Viar (Badajoz) on 07/04 (Javier Salcedo and A. Pacheco). One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Two birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 29/04 (J. Briz). In breeding area: three males at Piornal (Cáceres) on 09/04 (J. Prieta).
- Rock Thrush: Three birds on passage at Sierra del Castellar, Zafra (Badajoz), on 17/04 (Joaquín Vázquez) and 19/04 (J. Vázquez and F. Montaño -photograph-).
- Spotted Flycatcher: One bird at Valdesalor, Cáceres, on 22/04 (Carlos Fernández -photograph-). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 25/04 (D. Langlois). On 29/04 one bird seen at Badajoz (J. C. Paniagua) and another at Majadas (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Pied Flycatcher: On passage, one bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 05/04 (M. Kelsey) and one pair at La Serena (Badajoz) on 15/04 (Santi Villa). In breeding areas, one male at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta) and one female at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 30/04 (D. Langlois).
- Rufous-Tailed Bush Robin: One bird in Montehermoso olive groves (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente).
- Tawny Pipit: One bird at La Serena (Badajoz) on 15/04 (S. Villa). One bird at Cáceres on 30/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ortolan Bunting: One bird at Puerto de Piornal (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta). One bird on passage at La Aldea del Obispo (Cáceres) on 28/04 (S. Villa).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND MIGRANTS 
- Greylag Goose: One bird at El Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/04 (A. Pacheco) and two at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Wigeon: Six birds, 4 drakes and 2 females, at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Teal: One pair at Sotillo Reservoir, Monroy (Cáceres), on 13/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Garganey: At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), one drake on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and Pepe Guisado) and 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and Eva Palacios). - Hen Harrier: One bird at Talaván (Cáceres) on 29/04 (A. Jiménez).
- Merlin: One female at Zorita (Cáceres) on 08/04 (M. Kelsey). One female or juvenile at Valdesalor, Cáceres, on 09/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Crane: Two birds, one lame and another with a swollen throat, at Malpartida de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 02/04 (M. Á. Muñoz and Daniel González). One adult and one immature at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 03/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: One bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 06/04 (M. Kelsey) and another at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Snipe: One bird at Laguna Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 18/04 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, Iván Mairlot, E. Palacios and Ana Ruiz).
- Skylark: Two birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado).
- Meadow Pipit: Two birds at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Five birds at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 17/04 and two at Torreorgaz (Cáceres) on 18/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Water Pipit: One bird at Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 07/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 13/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Song Thrush: One bird at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 01/04 (J. Prieta). One bird at Toril (Cáceres) on 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 10/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Bluethroat: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 06/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Chiffchaff: Two birds singing at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 29/04 (J. C. Paniagua).