MAY 2012. Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Red-Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Male. Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres-Ávila). By Javier Prieta. 

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

- Greylag Goose: Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir on 20/05 (Sergio Mayordomo and Eva Palacios). Feral birds cannot be ruled out.
- Egyptian Goose: On 06/05 two birds seen at Alqueva Reservoir (Badajoz) (Emilio Costillo) and another two at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) (Pablo Herrador and José Luis Bautista). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), two birds on 11/05 and one on 17/05 (S. Mayordomo). Four pairs, one with nine chicks, at La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Sergio Pérez, Miguel A. Sánchez, Fermín Sierra, Domingo Rivera, Demetrio Vázquez and Ángel Sánchez). Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 31/05 (Sebastián Molano).
- Shelduck: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (Martin Kelsey). At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez), 11 birds on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and two pairs on 22/05 (Vicente Risco and Javier Briz). Two at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Yolya Simón, Vanessa de Alba, Jesús Solana, Gerardo Pizarro and Antonio Núñez).
- Shoveler: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), two birds on 05/05 (M. Kelsey), one drake on 08/05 (John Muddeman) and 10 birds on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), one drake on 06/05 and one pair on 19/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), one drake on 11/05, 17/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Red-Crested Pochard: One bird at River Guadiana, La Zarza (Badajoz), on 03/05 (G. Pizarro). Two birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 05/05 (Antonio Calvo). Seven birds, 4 drakes and 3 ducks, at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista). At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), 11 birds, 7 drakes and 4 ducks, on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12 birds on 13/05 and two pairs on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). At a River Guadiana gravel pit (Badajoz), one pair con 9 chicks on 23/05 (Juan Pablo Prieto).
- Tufted Duck: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), one pair on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one drake and 2 ducks on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Pochard: At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), eight birds on 11/05, 15 on 17/05 and nine on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). Six at Sierra Brava (Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Los Arenales, Cáceres, three pairs on 17/05 and two drakes and one duck on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Glossy Ibis: At Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, up to 16 birds throughout May(Luis R. Hernández, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Mercedes Rodríguez, Juan Carlos Salgado, Atanasio Fernández). One bird at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 01/05 (V. Risco and J. Briz). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and José Luis Pérez Chiscano) and 13/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 08/05 (Elvira del Viejo and Antonia Cangas) and 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez). Roost at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), nine birds on 21/05 (Juani Lopo, J. Solana, G. Pizarro, Francisco Lopo and Francisco Castro), 10 on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez) and on 31/05 (A. Calvo). 24 birds on 31/05 in flight near Mérida (Á. Sánchez).
- Bittern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 17/05 (Manuel García del Rey) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, Enrique Fernández Larreta and Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre).
- Squacco Heron: One or two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 20/05 (S. Mayordomo, Samuel Langlois, J. Muddeman, Javier Prieta, E. Palacios and Dave Langlois). At Montijo Reservoir , Mérida, one bird on 14/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 31/05 (A. Calvo). One bird at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Great White Egret: One non-breeding bird at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta, E. Palacios and Antonio Jiménez). Birds in breeding plumage: One bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 06/05 (Javier Mahillo); one bird at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo); and another at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta), 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, E. Fernández Larreta and E. Pérez-Balsalobre).

- White Stork: Three nests on the ground at an island of La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (S. Pérez, M. A. Sánchez, F. Sierra, D. Rivera, D. Vázquez and Á. Sánchez -photograph-).
- Lammergeier: One immature at Los Hoyicios, Guadalupe (Cáceres), on 31/05 (Pilar Chamorro).
- Hen Harrier: One female at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Montagu's Harrier: One dark-phase bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Talaván (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Red-Footed Falcon: One male at Los Cerralbos, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 17/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Hobby: One bird at Zorita (Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman). One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Llanos de Cáceres on 27/05 (Justiniano Julián and Iván Solana).
- Little Bustard: At Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), one courting male and 2 females on 02/05 (J. Prieta).
- Purple Swamphen: One bird at Valdefuentesgravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Baillon's Crake: One possible bird with Little Crake at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Avocet: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), five on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman) and two on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 27/05 (J. Julián and I. Solana).
- Lapwing: At Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres), one bird from 02/05 to 21/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Mahillo and E. Palacios). Three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 09/05 and 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Kentish Plover: At Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz), four birds on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one pair on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). At Valdecañas Reservoir 20 pairs seen on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and three on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman) and another on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Redshank: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), six birds on 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Sanderling: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 13/05, 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Curlew Sandpiper: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), five birds on 05/05, 25 on 13/05 and one on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). On 06/05 ten birds seen at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) (Lorenzo Alcántara) and one at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Nine between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto -photograph- and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). Three in breeding plumage at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez).
- Temminck's Stint: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and another at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Turnstone: Two birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz), six birds on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez) and 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas).
- Mediterranean Gull: One second year bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05, 04/05 and 21/05 (M. Kelsey -photograph-).

- Audouin's Gull: One third-summer bird at La Pulgosa, Cáceres, on 12/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios -photograph-), second record for the province of Cáceres. - Yellow-Legged Gull: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several birds on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 36 on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One adult at Gabriel y Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/05 (J. Prieta).
- Common Tern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), a pair with courtship feeding on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and one immature on 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois).

- Long-Eared Owl: Two chicks in a nest at Saucedilla (Cáceres) from 01/05 to 17/05 (V. Risco, S. Mayordomo, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, M. García del Rey, J. Prieta -photograph, adult-, J. Briz and E. Palacios).
- Great Spotted Cuckoo: One chick in a nest with Raven chicks at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Green Woodpecker: One bird at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Antonio Cebrián).
- Wryneck: One bird at Madrigalejo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 12/05 and 14/05 (D. Langlois). One bird calling at Cheles (Badajoz) on 12/05 (L. R. Hernández and J. C. Paniagua). Proven breeding of one pair at Cornalvo (Badajoz) on 16/05 (José Ledo).
- Bearded Tit: One male at on Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Swallow: Two albino birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 07/05 (Roberto Cabo).
- Chiffchaff: At Soto del Guadiana, Badajoz, three birds on 01/05 and one on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05, a spot where singing males have now been detected in five non-consecutive summers (J. Prieta). - Olivaceous Warbler: Two birds at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Spectacled Warbler: One bird at Piornal (Cáceres) on 10/05 (J. Prieta). Two pairs at Llanos de Cáceres on 14/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Tierra de Barros (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Steve Fletcher, M. Kelsey and J. Porras). Twelve males at La Mesa, Piornal (Cáceres) on 19/05 (J. Prieta). Present at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (Ricardo Montero), at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 23/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Firecrest: One male singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05; first probable breeding record in Monfragüe (J. Prieta).
- Rock Thrush: Two males at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Rixte Boitenwerg and Heirdert Hindrik). One male at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 06/05 (Jesús Rodríguez). One male at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 06/05 and 23/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Redstart: On 06/05 two males seen at Losar de la Vera (Cáceres) (D. Langlois) and at La Lapa (Badajoz) (F. Montaño), and at least seven pairs on an urban stretch of River de los Ángeles, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco). One male and one pair at Gata (Cáceres) on 13/05 (J. Prieta). One male singing at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (R. Montero).

LAST SPRING ARRIVALS

- White-Rumped Swift: At Castillo de Monfragüe (Cáceres) one bird on 06/05 (J. Muddeman) and two on 11/05 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at River Guadarranque, Alía (Cáceres), on 12/05 (Jorge Ángel and Jaime Cerezo). One bird at Alange dam (Badajoz) on 18/05 (M. Kelsey and Jesús Porras). Two birds at Estrecho de la Peña, Alía (Cáceres), on 30/05 (J. Ángel). Photograph by Raymond de Smet, taken in Monfragüe on september 2011.
- Nightjar: One bird at la Sierra de San Serván, Mérida (Badajoz), on 06/05 (E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 11/05 (D. Langlois).
- Red-Backed Shrike: One pair at Puerto de Tornavacas (AV-Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND MIGRANTS
- Wigeon: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), two drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and a pair on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Pintail: One pair at Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres) on 05/05 and 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Grey Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), three birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), 13 on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman), 9 on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto). One bird at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (Francisco Montaño). Four birds at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Golden Plover: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and Ismael Sánchez). One bird with a broken wing at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Ringed Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), 125 birds, biggest flock ever recorded in Extremadura, on 21/05 (M. Kelsey), 15 on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Curlew: Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 08/05 (J. Muddeman).
- Whimbrel: One bird at Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), on 01/05 (P. Herrador). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), one bird on 05/05 and five on 08/05 (J. Muddeman). Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). Two at Montijo Reservoir , Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Greenshank: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez).
- Spotted Redshank: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (M. Kelsey) and 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). 24 birds between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Green Sandpiper: Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), two birds on 01/05 (P. Herrador) and one on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Ruff/Reeve: One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/05 (J. L. Bautista and Inmaculada Jerez). 30 birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Common Sandpiper: Three birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Dunlin: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 22/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black Tern: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. palacios). One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Palazuelo-Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). Three birds at the Gull-Billed Tern colony of Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Whiskered Tern: At Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), fifteen birds on 08/05 and 5 on 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and 20/05 (V. de Alba, S. Langlois, D. Langlois and A. Núñez). Two birds at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Tawny Pipit: One bird at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 09/05 and another at Torremocha (Cáceres) on 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Sedge Warbler: Two birds at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 01/05 and 05/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 04/05 (J. Muddeman). Present at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Garden Warbler: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 01/05 and 02/05, and three on 10/05 (D. Langlois). One bird at Guadiana, Badajoz, on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Wheatear: Four males at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (J. Prieta) and one female at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).