POSSIBLE ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD: ANOTHER NEW BIRD FOR EXTREMADURA

On February 14, 2013 a group of ornithologists from Holland, and the University of Extremadura were conducting daily monitoring of godwits (Limosa limosa) in rice fields between the towns of Santa Amalia and Hernán Cortés (Badajoz). Taking part were Nathan Senner, Mo Verhoeven, Jorge Sanchez and Jose Maria Abad. At one point a flock of godwits was unsuccessfully attacked by a raptor identified as as a Rough-legged Buzzard(Buteo lagopus). This species, which breeds in the Arctic tundra and winters in central latitudes of Eurasia and North America, is rare in Spain, but winters regularly in Holland, the Dutch observers being familiar with this species. The sighting was very quick, but enough to appreciate some features of this species: "Strikingly pale underparts with rust coloration in the greater and lesser  wing coverts, giving a slight impression of a Short-toed Eagle. Flight resembled a booted eagle, with rapid wing beats and glides. A darker abdomen contrasting with the light colors of the rump. " Nothing was said of the tail pattern, a characteristic necessary to reach a positive identification.

Having published the news, Fernando Yuste said that a few days earlier, on February 3, in Santa Amalia, he saw a pale buzzard,  it could be, or not, the same individual. Fernando managed to photograph it .... half a mile away (shown in the two photos). You can hardly make out any details except the white coloring, some dark areas on the belly (perhaps too small for this species) and what looks like a black band on the tail end (or perhaps an optical illusion).

The Rough-legged Buzzard is extremely rare in the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, only six records were approved up until 2010, all on the coast of Catalonia. The only twenty-first century report, is between 18.12.2010 and 09.03.2011, on the coast of Tarragona. There is another record pending acceptance, documented with photographs, in Gerona, on 4 and 05.03.2011. Both coincide with an exceptional high number of birds wintering in France (more than 200 individuals, when a normal year would have between 10 and maybe 30). However,  Reservoir Birds has 16 reports collected from up to 11 different samples, each in Catalonia, except for one in Mallorca (March 2012) and this in Badajoz (February 2013). The rest are distributed as follows: two birds in 2007/2008, one in 2008/2009 and six in 2010/2011. A review written by Ricard Gutiérrez et al. (2011) of all confirmed sightings in Spain can be read here. This Extremadura observation has been published on the web Rare Birds in Spain. A different issue will be the final validation, using the limited information available and knowing that most of the records of rare birds seen in Spain are not even sent to the rarities committee. We will have to wait a few months to accept this as the first sighting in Extremadura and the most southern in Spain.

Gutierrez, R, Escolà, A, Rodriguez G, Albert, C, Bed, A and Ollé, A. 2011. The Rough-legged Buzzards in Catalonia in February-March 2011, 6th-7th for Spain, and a review of Spanish records. http://www.rarebirdspain.net/arbsi038.htm

THE BITTERN IN EXTREMADURA

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris). Steve Fletcher.

If anything distinguishes the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) from other large birds it is the difficulty for observation. Much of the reason lies with their nocturnal habits, their ability to camouflage and also scarcity, quite a challenge for any fan of birds. In Extremadura there have not published bittern sightings until the late 1980s: one was hit near Moraleja (Agustin Iglesias). The next record shad to wait until September 1997, when a male was heard in the Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Gragera Francisco). Since 1998 sightings were reported from Arrocampo reservoir, the only regular presence in Extremadura. Against all odds, the first confirmed case of breeding in Extremadura took place at Casa Zafra Reservoir, Cáceres. In 2007 a male was heard rePeatedly calling and finally, on 08.05.2007, two juveniles were observed. At Casa Zafra a male was heard again in the spring of 2008, but this time breeding could not be confirmed (Jerónimo Jaén). We had to wait until 2012 to see the long suspected breeding bittern in Arrocampo reservoir. Specifically, an adult and two juveniles were observed on 07.07.2012 (Sergio Mayordomo). Therefore, the eight species of Iberian heron were all breeding, for the first time in Extremadura, in this unique reservoir.

The maps shows the locations where it is aware of the presence of bittern inExtremadura until 2012 . In such areas for breeding Arrocampo and Casa Zafra, join Montijo reservoir (one in fall 2001), Talaván rservoir (a bird on 22.11.2003, 12.03.2006 and 30.12.1007) and Santa Amalia ricefields (one on 01.11.2011). In January 2012 it was discovered a bittern in Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (S. Mayordomo) and shortly after they were found two individuals present (Javier Prieta), observed one of them until 12.03.2012. The presence of two individuals in a wetland so small suggests that the number of wintering bitternsExtremadura could be much higher than observed. In 2011-2012 there were at least five bittern in Extremadura : three at Arrocampo and two at Galisteo. In December 2012 have seen three Arrocampo from an observatory and may be more in other areas of the reservoir. In December 2012 was seen a bittern in Galisteo ricefields, an inauspicious area, and in January 2013 has again seen one in the nearby gravel pit of Valdefuentes.

The graphs show the temporal distribution of bittern in Extremadura with records up to 2012. In the red figures is Arrocampo Reservoir, a place that has 75% of the observations. For months, a pattern typically seen in winter (December to February shows the maximum), with the minimum being between June and August, when only one breeding pair remains. Regarding the annual trend highlights of 2012 when both Arrocampo as well as Galisteo became popular and were visited by numerous observers. Although the graph is proportionately very large in 2012, actually it is because of many observations of a few birds (half a dozen or so). This annual chart is not representative of the spread of the species, as the amount of effort depends heavily on information collection, dissemination, and largely by chance when locating bitterns.

Observers: Javier Briz, Francisco Lavado, Enrique Fernández Larreta, Saturnino Casasola, Vicente Risco, Dave Langlois, Samuel Langlois, A. Hernández, Fundación Global Nature, Monfragüe Vivo, Francisco Rámirez, Joaquín García, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Fernando Yuste, Juan Pablo Prieto, J. Traín, S. Wood, Daniel López Velasco, Carlos González, Marta Zamora, Martin Kelsey, C. Delgado, Óscar González, Manuel García del Rey, Antonio Ceballos, Unai Fuentes, César Clemente, Javier Mahíllo, etc, etc, etc.

JANUARY 2013: NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA

List of the most interesting sightings sent to the GOCE forum during January 2013. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo. The surveying team at Vegas Altas (ECVA) consisted of: Luis Lozano, Juan Pablo Prieto, Fernando Yuste, César Clemente, Ángel Sánchez, Ángel Luis Sánchez, Miguel Ángel Romo, Joaquín Fernández, Benigno Cienfuegos, Domingo Rivera, Javier Prieta, Manuel Gómez Calzado, Domingo Jiménez, Marcelino Cardalliaguet and Sergio Mayordomo.

Greylag goose: 18,828 counted at Vegas Altas on 14/01 (ECVA). 2946 at the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) on 15/01 (Javier Prieta).
Bean goose: A first winter in the ricefields of Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (BA), on 04/01 (César Clemente, Pepe Guisado, Pilar Goñi and Sergio Mayordomo). At the embalse del Borbollón (CC) one was found in december and seen on 17/01 (C. Clemente and Javier Mahillo) and 23/01 (José Guerra and Marc Gálvez).
Pink-footed Goose: Still at the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) one was seen in november and also on 15/01 (J. Prieta) and 20/01 (Martin Kelsey).
White-fronted Goose: On 08/01 one was seen at Vegas Altas (BA) (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and another at the embalse de Los Canchales (BA) (Francisco Montaño, Joaquín Vázquez and José Delgado). 9 at the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) on 15/01 (J. Prieta). In Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (CC), 3 were seen on 26/01 (S. Mayordomo) and at least one on 27/01 (José Portillo).
Canada goose: One was found in november at Lagunas de Torremejía (BA) and seen between 06/01 and 27/01 (Jesús Solana, José Gómez Aparicio, J. Guerra, F. Yuste, Luis Salguero and M. Gálvez).

Barnacle goose: One at the embalse de Valdesalor (CC) on 01/01 (Marcelino Cardalliaguet). On 11/01 one was still at Vega del Haza, Malpartida de Plasencia (CC) (S. Mayordomo). On 15/01 one was still at the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) (J. Prieta). One at the charca de La Generala, Cáceres, on 15/01 (Francisco José Caballero). 2 at the embalse de Portaje (CC) on 17/01 (S. Mayordomo -photo-).
Egyptian goose: 2 at the embalse del Salor, Cáceres, on 01/01 (M. Cardalliaguet) and 02/01 (F. J. Caballero). 2 at the embalse de Lancho, Arroyo de la Luz (CC), on 05/01 (Carlos Fernández). El 12/01 2 were seen at the embalses de Ruecas y de Cubilar, Logrosán (BA) (C. Clemente, J. Guerra y M. Gálvez). 22 at the embalse de La Serena (BA) on 22/01 (D. Rivera and R. A. Rubio). 2 at the embalse de Orellana (BA) on 24/01 (Ángel Sánchez, Ángel Luis Sánchez and Domingo Rivera).
Ruddy shelduck: 5 at the balsa de Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (BA), on 15/01 (Dave Gosney).
Common shelduck: At the embalse de Sierra Brava, Zorita (CC), 9 were seen on 04/01 (C. Clemente, P. Guisado, P. Goñi and S. Mayordomo) and 12/01 (Antonio Calvo, C. Clemente, Eva Palacios, J. Prieta, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and S. Mayordomo), 7 on 08/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 20/01 (M. Kelsey). One was at the embalse de Los Canchales (BA) on 06/01 (Francisco Lopo), 08/01 (F. Montaño, J. Vázquez and J. Delgado) and 18/01 (Sergio Pérez Gil). On 14/01 2 were seen at the lagunas de Torremejía (BA) (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and one in the ricefields of Santa Amalia (BA) (C. Clemente and Fernando Yuste). At the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) 3 were seen on 15/01 (J. Prieta) and 2 on 26/01 (S. Mayordomo). A female was at the embalse de Portaje (CC) on 17/01 (S. Mayordomo). 3 in the ricefields of Riolobos (CC) on 20/01 (J. Prieta) and 26/01 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo).
Red-crested pochard : One at the embalse de Sierra Brava (CC) on 12/01 (E. Palacios and J. Prieta). One at the embalse de Alange (BA) on 13/01 (J. Solana). 20 at the embalse de Orellana (BA) on 24/01 (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez and D. Rivera). 2 individuals at the embalse de Los Molinos-Hornachos (BA) on 27/01 (L. Alcántara). 10 at the embalse del Zújar (BA) on 28/01 (L. Lozano).
Common pochard: 1324 at the embalse de Orellana (BA) on 24/01 (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez, D. Rivera).
Ferruginous duck: At the charca de La Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (CC), a male was seen on 08/01 (Manolo Iglesias), and a female on 14/01 (John Muddeman) and 5 birds on 19/01 (M. Cardalliaguet).
Tufted duck: Major sightings: 99 at the charca de Brozas (CC) on 05/01 (C. Fernández). 52 at the Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 20/01 (Dave Langlois, Javier Briz, Manolo García del Rey, M. Kelsey and Sammy Langlois). 212 at the embalse de Orellana (BA) on 24/01 (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez, D. Rivera).

Greater scaup: A female at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 12/01 (Manolo Flores and Pedro Gómez -photo-) and was still there for the rest of the month (C. Clemente, D. Langlois, E. Palacios, J. Briz, J. Prieta, J. Guerra, J. Portillo, M. García del Rey, M. Kelsey, M. Gálvez, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Óscar Díaz, Ricardo Montero, S. Langlois and S. Mayordomo).
Common quail: One at Alange (BA) on 09/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One at Fuente del Maestre (BA) on 30/01 (Á. Sánchez).
Ring-necked pheasant: A male between Mérida and Hornachos (BA) on 27/01 (Á. Sánchez).
Black-necked grebe: One at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 20/01 (D. Langlois, J. Briz, M. García del Rey and S. Langlois). At the embalse de Orellana (BA), 5 on 24/01 (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez and D. Rivera) and 27 on 29/01 (J. A. Barquero).
Leach's storm petrel: One was found dead in Miajadas (CC) on 21/01 (Víctor Manuel Quintana). First sighting for Extremadura.
Great bittern: At the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) one was seen on 02/01 (Ángel Rabanal), 14/01 (J. Muddeman) and 26/01 (Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre, J. Briz and M. García del Rey), and one heard on 29/01 (R. Montero). In the gravel pit of Valdefuentes, Galisteo (CC), one was seen on 26/01 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo) and 28/01 (S. Mayordomo).
Little bittern: At the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) 3 were seen on 01/01 (M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo) and at least 4 on 13/01 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo). From the Puente Viejo in Badajoz (BA) 3 were seen on 06/01 and 21/01 (Juan Carlos Paniagua), more on 27/01 (J. C. Paniagua) and 2 on 28/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). On ewas at the river Guadiana in Mérida (BA) on 10/01 (S. Pérez Gil). A femal at the gravel pit of Valdefuentes, Galisteo (CC), on 28/01 (S. Mayordomo). On 29/01 one was seen at the river Guadiana, Valverde de Mérida (BA) (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez), and one at a farm pond at Jerez de los Caballeros (BA) (F. Montaño).
Night heron: In the river Guadiana in Badajoz one was seen on 06/01 (J. C. Paniagua), 5 on 12/01 (Ángel T. Mejías, Iván Sánchez and Juan Carlos Salgado), one on 21/01 and 2 on 27/01 (J. C. Paniagua). At the river Guadiana in Mérida (BA) 2 were seen on 10/01 (J. Solana) and one on 15/01 (S. Pérez Gil). 15 were seen flying over the river Ruecas (BA) on 13/01 (J. Muddeman). One at the river Jerte in Plasencia (CC) on 21/01 (R. Montero) and 26/01 (J. Prieta).

Squacco heron: One at the weir in Badajoz, on 03/01 (Atanasio Fernández). At the river Guadiana in Badajoz one was seen on 06/01 (J. C. Paniagua -photo-), 2 on 12/01 (Á. T. Mejías, I. Sánchez and J. C. Salgado) and another 2 on 21/01 (J. C. Paniagua). One was in the ricefields of de El Batán (CC) on 20/01 (J. Prieta). One near Santa Amalia (BA) on 24/01 (Steve Fletcher). At the embalse de Arrocampo one was seen on 26/01 (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, J. Briz and M. García del Rey) and 2 on 28/01 (Juan Diego Acevedo)
Great white egret: Roosts: 15 at the embalse de Sierra Brava, Zorita (CC), on 07/01 (Maribel Jiménez and Pep Tapia), 28 at the river Zújar (BA) on 13/01 (Juan Pablo Prieto) and 20 at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 17/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Purple heron: An adult at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 01/01 (M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo).
Glossy ibis. One at Palazuelo (BA) on 14/01 (J. P. Prieto and M. Cardalliaguet).
Black stork: One at the canal de Las Dehesas, Logrosán (CC), on 04/01 (C. Clemente, P. Guisado, P. Goñi and S. Mayordomo). One in the river Tiétar in Monfragüe (CC) on 17/01 (Alberto Puente) and 24/01 (M. García del Rey). On 23/01 one was seen at Zorita (CC) (F. Yuste) and another in Toril (CC) (M. García del Rey). On 24/01 2 were seen at the embalse de Orellana (BA) (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez and D. Rivera) and 5 in Oliva de Plasencia (CC) (S. Mayordomo). 2 in Casatejada (CC) on 29/01 (R. Montero). One in Toril (CC) on 30/01 (Ó. Díaz). One in the river Tiétar, La Vera (CC), on 31/01 (P. Gómez).
Black kite: One at Almendralejo (BA) on 15/01 (J. C. Salgado). One at the dehesa boyal de Alía (CC) on 21/01 (Jaime Cerezo, Jorge Ángel Herrera and Juan Pablo Jiménez).
Red kite: Regional census: 7200 birds in 35 roosts (Ángel Sánchez and DGMN-Junta de Extremadura).
White-tailed eagle: One seen in flight in december was at Monroy (CC) on 08/01 (Ashley Saunders).

Egyptian vulture: A maximum of 49 birds in their wintering place in the centre of Caceres province (Ángel Rodríguez and Manuela Rodríguez). One at Sierra Carija, Mérida (BA), on 14/01 (Miguel Ángel Romo). One at Portaje (CC) on 17/01 (S. Mayordomo). On 20/01 2 were seen at Acehuche (CC) (A. Puente de la Rosa and Fernando Díez) and one in Sierra de Fuentes (CC) (Felipe Holgado).
Pallid harrier: The male found near Madrigalejo in december was seen throughout the month (A. Mirat, Carlos Villaverde, Chema Traverso, C. Clemente, E. Palacios, J. Prieta, J. Gómez Aparicio, J. Guerra, J. Morena, J. A. Fimia, Lola Huerta, Mariano Martínez, M. Jiménez, M. Gálvez, M. Kelsey, Ó. Llama, P. Tapia, P. Guisado, P. Goñi, S. Mayordomo and S. Fletcher).
Goshawk: One at La Graganta (CC) on 06/01 (Rafael Vicente). A female at Campo Lugar (CC) on 13/01 (A. Calvo and J. Muddeman). One in Vegas de Coria (CC) on 21/01 (Alberto Pacheco). One at la Rivera del Bronco, Santibáñez el Bajo (CC), on 30/01 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo).
Booted eagle: A pale morph at Montijo(BA) on 03/01 (José Luis Bautista). Another pale morph at Medellín (BA) on 15/01 (Javier Conejero). One at Plasencia (CC) on 16/01 (Alberto Salvador). A pale morph in Mérida (BA) on 20/01 (J. Solana). 2 between La Zarza and Villagonzalo (BA) on 26/01 (J. Guerra, J. Portillo, M. Gálvez and María José Valencia).
Osprey: One in la balsa de Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (CC), on 20/01 (D. Langlois, J. Briz, M. García del Rey and S. Langlois). One at the embalse de Gabriel y Galán (CC) on 28/01 (Jesús Montero).
Lesser kestrel: A male in Plasencia (CC) on 10/01 (Sociedad Zoológica de Extremadura). One in Madrigalejo (CC) on 14/01 (Á. L. Sánchez, Benigno Cienfuegos and D. Rivera). A male at Palomas (BA) on 27/01 and another in Mérida on 31/01 (Á. Sánchez).
Lanner falcon: A first winter in Plasencia (CC) on 03/01 (R. Montero and S. Mayordomo).
Eurasian coot: 2155 birds at the embalse de Orellana (BA) on 24/01 (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez, D. Rivera).
Black-winged stilt: 1835 during a census in Vegas Altas on 14/01 (ECVA).
Common avocet: 11 at Palazuelo (BA) on 14/01 (J. P. Prieto and M. Cardalliaguet). Four in the  lagunas de La Albuera (BA) on 22/01 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez).
Little ringed plover: 38 during a census in the region of Vegas Altas (BA-CC) on 14/01 (ECVA).
Kentish plover: At the embalse de Los Canchales (BA) 4 were seen on 08/01 (F. Montaño, J. Vázquez and J. Delgado) and 2 on18/01 (S. Pérez Gil). 38  during a census in the region of Vegas Altas (BA-CC) on 14/01 (ECVA). 33 at the embalse Valdecañas (CC) on 15/01 (J. Prieta). 30 at Santa Amalia (BA) on 22/01 (M. Kelsey).
Grey plover: One at Palazuelo (BA) on 22/01 (M. Kelsey).
Little stint: 65 in the region of Vegas Altas (BA-CC) on 14/01 (ECVA).
Temmincks stint: One at the embalse de Portaje (CC) on 17/01 (S. Mayordomo).
Dunlin: 3037  counted during a census in the region of Vegas Altas (BA-CC) on 14/01 (ECVA).
Ruff: In the region of Vegas Altas (BA-CC) during a census 269 on14/01 (ECVA).
Jack snipe: 2 in the lagunas de Torremejía (BA) on 13/01 (J. Gómez Aparicio). 6 at Santa Amalia (BA) on 14/01 (Joaquín Fernández).

Black-tailed godwit: 3378 during a census in the region of Vegas Altas (BA-CC) on 14/01 (ECVA).
Eurasian curlew: In Galisteo (CC) 5 were seen on 02/01 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), 7 on 23/01 (R. Montero) and 18 on 26/01 (J. Prieta). One at the ricefields of Guadiana del Caudillo (BA) on 04/01 (J. L. Bautista and Pablo Herrador). One at Vega del Haza, Malpartida de Plasencia (CC), on 13/01 (Ó. Llama). On 14/01 one was seen at a gravel pit at Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (CC) (J. Muddeman) and another at the embalse de Los Canchales (BA) (J. Solana).
Spotted redshank: On 14/01 4 were at Hernán Cortés (BA) (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo) and one between Rena (BA) and Miajadas (CC) (Á. Sánchez). One at Palazuelo (BA) on 22/01 (M. Kelsey).
Wood sandpiper: In the ricefields of Palazuelo (BA) 3 were seen on 14/01 (J. P. Prieto and M. Cardalliaguet) and one on 22/01 (M. Kelsey).
Common redshank: 84 counted in the region of Vegas Altas (BA-CC) on 14/01 (ECVA).
Mediterranean gull: One at the embalse de Alange (BA) on 27/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Common gull: From the Puente Viejo in Badajoz a first winter was seen on 04/01, 06/01 and 27/01 (J. C. Paniagua -photo-).
Yellow-legged gull: At the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) s2 were seen on15/01 (J. Prieta) and one on 26/01 (S. Mayordomo).
Little gull: A first winter in the lagunas de La Albuera (BA) on 21/01 (J. Vázquez).

Whiskered tern: One at the river Guadiana passing through Mérida (BA) on 10/01 (J. Solana and S. Pérez Gil) and 15/01 (S. Pérez Gil -photo-). One in the gravel pit of Soto, Valverde de Mérida (BA) on 29/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Stock dove: 25 in Monroy (CC) on 12/01 (J. Muddeman). 6 at the river Alagón in Montehermoso (CC) on 15/01 (C. Cemente and J. Mahillo). 35 at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (CC) on 20/01 (D. Langlois, J. Briz, M. García del Rey and S. Langlois). In the ricefields of Riolobos (CC) 7 were seen on 20/01 (J. Prieta ) and about 80 on 30/01 (S. Mayordomo). In Galisteo (CC)  168 on 26/01 (J. Prieta), 6 on28/01 and about 300 on 30/01 (S. Mayordomo).
Wood pigeon: A roost of more than 12,000 near the embalse de Brovales, Jerez de los Caballeros (BA) on 29/01 (F. Montaño).
Rose-ringed parakeet: One at Fuente Fría, in the city of Cáceres, on 04/01 (J. Solana).
Monk parakeet: 3 in the  parque del Príncipe, Cáceres, on 01/01 (J. Solana).
Long-eared owl: One at Las Cansinas, Monfragüe (CC), on 15/01 (S. Mayordomo). One at Arrocampo (CC) on 17/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Short-eared owl: In Madrigalejo (CC) one was seen on 08/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 11/01 (J. Muddeman), and at least 2 on 12/01 (A. Mirat, J. M. Traverso, J. Prieta, J. Guerra, J. Morena, J. A. Fimia, M. Gálvez and Ó. Llama).
Pallid swift: In Alange (BA) 2 were seen on 11/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez), and one on 23/01 (J. Solana) and 26/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Wryneck: 2 on the riverwalk in Plasencia (CC) on 04/01 (R. Montero). One at Cornalvo (BA) on 26/01 (S. Pérez Gil). One at Arrocampo (CC) on 29/01 (R. Montero).
Yellow wagtail: One at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 14/01 (J. Muddeman).
White wagtail: Subespecie M. a. yarrellii: One at the river Ruecas, Madrigalejo (CC), on 03/01 (M. Jiménez and P. Tapia). One entering a roost near the tunnel of Miravete (CC) on 07/01 (M. Gálvez). One in the ricefields of Riolobos (CC) on 17/01 (S. Mayordomo). One in Medellín (BA) on 20/01 (Blanca Arenaz and Manuel Rodríguez). 3 entering the roost at the puerta del Sol de Plasencia (CC) on 24/01 (J. Prieta). One at Rincón del Caya, Badajoz, on 27/01 (J. C. Paniagua). One in Hernán Cortés (BA) on 29/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Alpine accentor: One at the castillo de Alange (BA) on 03/01 (J. Guerra and M. Martínez).
Fieldfare: Some seen at Villanueva de la Vera CC) on 23/01 (P. Gómez). 3 seen on the belt of a hunter at Puebla de Sancho Pérez (BA) on 28/01 (F. Montaño).
Goldcrest: In La Garganta (CC) one was seen on 06/01 (R. Vicente) and 13/01 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo). One at Zorita (CC) on 11/01 (J. Muddeman). 2 at Las Cansinas, Monfragüe (CC), on 15/01 (S. Mayordomo). 2 in Cornalvo (BA) on 26/01 (S. Pérez Gil). 2 at Las Hurdes on 29/01 (A. Pacheco).
Bearded reedling: One was heard at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 29/01 (R. Montero).

Wallcreeper: One at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (CC), on 10/01 (José Luis Rivero -photo-).
Woodchat shrike: One at Casatejada (CC) on 26/01 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois). One in Cáceres on 30/01 (Á. Sánchez).
Brambling: 5 at the river Ruecas, Madrigalejo (CC), on 03/01 (M. Jiménez and P. Tapia). Various sightings in Cabrero (CC) on 11/01 (J. Prieta). 4 at La Albuera (BA) on 22/01 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez). More then 50 at the gravel pit at Valdefuentes, Galisteo (CC), on 28/01 (S. Mayordomo).
Crossbill: In La Garganta (CC) 2 were seen on 05/01 (R. Montero) and 6 on 13/01 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo).
Bullfinch: One at Montehermoso (CC) on 04/01 (J. Mahillo). 2 at La Garganta (CC) on 06/01 (R. Vicente). One in Monfragüe (CC) on 07/01 (David Gámez). 3 at the Huerto del Ojaranzo, Monfragüe (CC), on 11/01 (S. Mayordomo). 2 in the dehesa boyal de Casas del Castañar (CC) on 29/01 (J. Prieta). A male at Valcorchero, Plasencia (CC), on 31/01 (S. Mayordomo).
Yellowhammer: One at La Garganta (CC) on 06/01 (R. Vicente).

FIRST SPRING ARRIVALS
Great spotted cuckoo: One at Los Cerralbos, Trujillo (CC), on 02/01 (M. Kelsey).
Barn swallow: One at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 13/01 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo). One at the arroyo Guarranque, Alburquerque (BA), on 16/01 (Godfried Schreur). On 20/01 3 were seen at the embalse de La Anguila, Serrejón (CC), (M. García del Rey) and one in  Mérida (BA) (J. Solana).
Red-rumped swallow: One at Alange (BA) on 21/01 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). 2 in Aliseda (CC) on 26/01 (Rafael Parra).
House martin: 2 on 03/01 (J. Guerra and M. Martínez) and 5 on 09/01 (J. Solana, J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). 2 in Mérida (BA) on 10/01 (S. Pérez Gil). 9 at Montehermoso (CC) on 11/01 (J. Mahillo). 2 in Zorita (CC) on 12/01 (J. Muddeman).

SPOONBILL WINTERING IN EXTREMADURA. December 2012

In December 2012, for the seventh year running, the Spanish Spoonbill Monitoring Group (Grupo de Seguimiento de la Espátula Común: GRUSEC) brokered another count of wintering Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) in Spain. Figures were once more given for Extremadura though, as on previous occasions, these were based more on ad hoc wetland visits than a systematic census strictly speaking. 

The December 2012 result came out as 26 Spoonbills seen in eight different spots in Extremadura: 

1- Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres), 2 birds. 2- Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), 4 birds. 
3- Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), 2 birds. 
4- Charca de Brozas (Cáceres), 1 bird. 
5- Los Barruecos-Lancho-El Majón (Cáceres), 7 birds. 
6- Madrigalejo and Campo Lugar (Cáceres), 2 birds 
7- Los Canchales and Montijo Reservoirs (Badajoz), 7 birds. 
8- Laguna de La Albuera (Badajoz), 1 bird.

Among the 26 sightings there were at least two Spoonbills ringed in Holland. One was seen at Los Canchales, without being able to decipher the exact code. The other was seen on 29.12.12 at Campo Lugar and perhaps at Madrigalejo some days earlier. This bird, born in 2010 (YaYf/RLR), was seen on 30.09.12 at Salburua (Álava), 14.10.12 at Los Canchales reservoir (Badajoz) and on 19.10.12 at Morantes reservoir (Badajoz); these sightings suggest the bird stayed in Extremadura for the whole autumn.

The information from the rest of Spain, pending results from Doñana, adds up to at least 1027 Spoonbills: 

- Basque Country. One bird (Urdaibai, Vizcaya) 
- Cantabria. 44 birds (34 at Santoña and 10 at Bahía de Santander) 
- Asturias. 6 birds. (Villaviciosa) 
- Galicia. 202 birds. (196 at O Grove and 6 at Ribadeo) 
- Extremadura. 26 birds. 
- Cádiz. 445 birds. 
- Huelva. 303 birds.

Collaborators. Antonio Calvo, Godfried Schreur, Rafael Parra, John Muddeman, Francisco Lopo, Javier Briz, Martin Kelsey, Jesús Solana, José Guerra, Sergio Mayordomo, Carlos Fernández, José Tapia, Maribel Jiménez y Javier Prieta.

WINTERING EGYPTIAN VULTURE IN EXTREMADURA. 2012-2013.

In an earlier post of this blog we reported regular wintering of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in one particular spot of the province of Cáceres. February has now arrived and the first Egyptian Vultures will soon be back from Africa, so, before spring migrants muddy the figures, now is the time to report on wintering birds 2012-2013 in Extremadura. According to Ángel Rodríguez and Manuela Rodríguez, who have monitored the only known winter roost in Cáceres, the maximum count was 49 Egyptian Vultures, about 40% of them immatures. The above photo was taken by Ángel Sánchez on 2 February 2013 at this 36-strong roost (Roberto Sánchez, Isabel Alcántara, Angel Luis Sánchez, Manuela Rodríguez, Jesús Sánchez, Angel Rodríguez, Fermi Martínez and Ángel Sánchez). The graph shows the peak numbers detected in this wintering spot (information is missing for 2007-2008). After the all-time low of only seven birds in 2012-2013, numbers have soared to an all-time high this winter.