FEBRUARY 2013: NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA

Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis). Madrigalejo ricefields (Cáceres). By Ángel Sánchez.

List of the most interesting observations during February 2013. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo.

Bean Goose: On 02/02 the first winter bird seen in January was seen at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (BA) (Guillermo Mayor, Jaime Tolosa, José Guerra, Julio Merayo, Marc Gálvez and María José Valencia).
White-fronted Goose: Again 2 individuals were seen at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (CC), on 03/02 (Dave Langlois, Javier Briz, Manuel García del Rey, Samuel Langlois and Vicente Risco). And the 2 seen in January were seen at the embalse del Borbollón (CC) on 11/02 (César Clemente, Goyo Naharro and Javier Mahillo).
Barnacle Goose: Again one seen at the embalse del Salor (CC) on 09/02 (C. Clemente and Sergio Mayordomo).
Egyptian Goose: One at the embalse de la Solana, Herrera de Alcántara (CC), on 06/02 (Justo Tarriño and Raúl Méndez). 2 at the embalse de Orellana (BA) on 17/02 (C. Clemente, Eva Palacios, Lorenzo Alcántara, M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo). 2 at the embalse del Salor, Cáceres, on 23/02 (Carlos Fernández).
Ruddy Shelduck: A pair at the Charca de la Zarzuela, Calzadilla (CC), on 15/02 (Ángel Rodríguez).
Common Shelduck: 22 in the ricefields of Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (BA-CC) on 10/02 (Antonio Calvo). On 24/02 more than 15 at the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) (Pepe Guisado and Pilar Goñi) and 30 at the embalse de Sierra Brava, Zorita (CC) (Martin Kelsey).
 

Australasian Shoveler: (Anas rhynchotis): A male at the embalse de Orellana, near Casas de Don Pedro (BA), on 17/02 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios -photo-, M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo).
Red-crested Pochard: 27 individuals, 15 males and 12 females, at Valdelagrana, La Albuera (BA), on 12/02 (Ángel Sánchez and José Manuel Rama). A male at the embalse de Villalba de los Barros (BA) on 16/02 (Paco Bernáldez). 21 at the Lagunas de La Albuera (BA) on 28/02 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Ferruginous Duck: 3 at the Charca de la Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (CC) on 17/02 (J. Solana).
Greater Scaup: A female was last seen at the Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 03/02 (D. Langlois, J. Briz, M. García del Rey, S. Langlois and V. Risco). A female at Valdelagrana, Badajoz (BA), on 12/02 (Á. Sánchez and J. M. Rama).
Common Quail: One at Santa Amalia (BA) on 07/02 (Fernando Yuste). One at Montehermoso (CC) on 11/02 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). One at the embalse de Los Canchales (BA) on 13/02 (J. Solana). One at the gravel pit of El Soto, Valverde de Mérida (BA) on 24/02 (M. Gálvez).
Black-necked Grebe: One at the embalse de Villalba de los Barros (BA) on 02/02 (Antonio Núñez, Francisco Montaño, Iván Sánchez, J. Solana and Vanessa de Alba). At the embalse de Orellana 36 were seen on 07/02 (John Muddeman) and 21 on 17/02 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios, L. Alcántara, M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo).
Great Bittern: One at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 03/02 (Pablo García and Rafael Vicente) and on 04/02 (Luis Sitges).
 

Little Bittern: At least one at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 13/02 (S. Mayordomo). On the River Guadiana passing through Badajoz one was seen on 16/02 (Juan Carlos Salgado), 2 on 18/02 and 4 on 21/02 (Juan Carlos Paniagua -photo-).
Night Heron: One at the River Guadiana in Mérida (BA) on 07/02 (J. Solana). At the River Jerte in Plasencia (CC) one was seen on 12/02 and 25/02 (S. Mayordomo). 4 at the embalse de Montijo, Mérida (BA), on 16/02 (Sergio Pérez Gil). 2 at the River Guadiana in Badajoz on 24/02 (J. Guerra).
Squacco Heron: One at Arrocampo (CC) on 04/02 (L. Sitges), 13/02 (S. Mayordomo) and 23/02 (P. Guisado and P. Goñi). At the River Guadiana in Badajoz one was seen on 16/02 (J. C. Salgado), 18/02 (J. C. Paniagua) and 26/02 (I. Sánchez), and 2 on 21/02 (J. C. Paniagua) and 24/02 (J. Guerra).
Glossy Ibis: 9 at the weir of La Pesquera, Badajoz, on 26/02 (I. Sánchez).
Common Flamingo: One in flight above Carcaboso (CC) and then with a group of storks on 24/02 (Sociedad Zoológica de Extremadura).
Egyprian Vulture: At the roost in the centre of Caceres 36 individuals on 02/02 (Ángel Rodríguez, Á. Sánchez, Ángel Luis Sánchez, Fermi Martínez, Isabel Alcántara, Jesús Sánchez, Manuela Rodríguez and Roberto Sánchez).
Pallid Harrier: The male was still seen at Madrigalejo (CC) between 02/02 and 23/02 (Ángel Martínez, Á. Sánchez, C. Clemente, E. Palacios, Gregorio García, G. Mayor, J. Tolosa, Javier Gómez Aoiz, Javier Martínez, Jesús Ruiz, J. Guerra, José Portillo, José Antonio López, J. Merayo, M. García del Rey, M. Gálvez, M. J. Valencia, Pedro Tapia, S. Mayordomo, Steve Fletcher and Verónica López).
Goshawk: One at Alía (CC) on 10/02 (Jaime Cerezo, Jorge Ángel Herrera and Noelia Baeza). A female at Campillo de Llerena (BA) on 16/02 (F. Montaño, Gema Montaño, Gustavo Gahete, Miguel Corvillo).
Possible Rough-legged Buzzard: One in the area of Santa Amalia-Hernán Cortés (BA) on 14/02 (Jorge Sánchez, José María Abad, Mo Verhoeven and Nathan Senner). Would be the first for Extremadura.
Booted Eagle: 2 pale morphs at Lobón (BA) on 20/02 and another, also a pale morph, in Mérida (BA) on 21/02 (Francisco Lopo).
 

Osprey: One at the weir on the River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 12/02 (I. Sánchez). At the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) one was seen on 13/02 (S. Mayordomo) and 18/02 (H. Zweers). One at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (CC), on 27/02 (José Luis Rivero -photo-). One at the River Aljucén, Mérida (BA), on 28/02 (Á. L. Sánchez).
Little Bustard: One in flight over Casas del Castañar (CC) due north of the Sierra de Gredos on 22/02 (Javier Prieta).
Common Avocet: 4 at the Lagunas de La Albuera (BA) on 02/02 (SEO-Badajoz). One at the Lagunas del Hueco, Azuaga (BA), on 16/02 (F. Montaño, G. Montaño, G. Gahete, M. Corvillo).
Kentish Plover: 4 in the rice fiels of Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (BA-CC) on 10/02 (A. Calvo).
Eurasian Woodcock: One at the River Matachel, Alange (BA), on 25/02 (J. Guerra).
Whimbrel: 4 in the rice fields near Guadalperales (BA) on 20/02 (Hilario García). 17 at Galisteo (CC) on 23/02 (S. Mayordomo).
Spotted Redshank: One at the rice fields of Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (BA-CC) on 10/02 (A. Calvo).
Yellow-legged Gull: On 24/02 one was seen at the landfill of Villanueva de la Serena (BA) (M. Gálvez) and another at the River Guadiana in Badajoz (J. Guerra).
 

Little Gull: At the embalse de Orellana 2 were seen at the bay in Casas de Do Pedro (BA), an adult and a first winter 07/02 (Á. Sánchez -photo- and J. Muddeman) and 17/02 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios, M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo), and a second winter at the end of the reservoir as well on 17/02 (C. Clemente, E. Palacios, L. Alcántara, M. García del Rey and S. Mayordomo).
Whiskered tern: One was seen in Mérida (BA) on 07/02 at the River Guadiana (J. Solana) and 18/02 and at the embalse de Montijo (S. Pérez Gil).
Stock Dove: 20 at (CC) on 13/02 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo).
Monk Parakeet: 4 at the Paseo Alto, Cáceres, on 28/02 (Ricardo Montero).
Long-eared Owl: One at Montehermoso (CC) on 05/02 (C. Clemente).
Short-eared Owl: 3 at Hernán Cortés (BA) on 24/02 (Á. Sánchez). One at Santa Amalia (BA) on 26/02 (F. Yuste).
Wryneck: On the river walk in Plasencia (CC) one was seen on 07/02 and 12/02 (S. Mayordomo). One at Monfragüe (CC) on 09/02 (Jesús Porras). One at Galisteo (CC) el 13/02 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo).
White Wagtail: Subespecie M. a. yarrellii: A female on the river walk in Plasencia (CC) on 07/02 (S. Mayordomo).
 

Alpine Accentor: One at the Pico de Villuercas (CC) on 07/02 (J. Muddeman). 2 at the sierra del Castellar, Zafra (BA) on 12/02 (José Antonio Delgado). More than 15 at la Bolla, Pinofranqueado (CC), on 14/02 (Alberto Pacheco). 2 at the castillo de Alange (BA) on 28/02 (J. Guerra y M. Gálvez).
Fieldfare: In Galisteo (CC) 10 were seen on 13/02 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo) and 15/02 (S. Mayordomo) and 8 on 16/02 (J. Prieta -photo- and Juan Carlos López). One at Valverde de la Vera (CC) on 16/02 (Pedro Gómez).
Willow Warbler: One at the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) on 03/02 (P. García and R. Vicente).
Goldcrest: 2 at Montehermoso (CC) on 02/02 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). One at the Puente de Hierro, Plasencia (CC), on 24/02 (S. Mayordomo).

Bearded Tit: At the embalse de Arrocampo (CC) 4 were seen, 3 males and a female on 03/02 (D. Langlois, J. Briz -photo-, M. García del Rey, S. Langlois and V. Risco) and 2 males on 13/03 (S. Mayordomo).
Wallcreeper: One at the Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (CC), on 28/02 (Roque Belenguer).
 

Brambling: In Piornal (CC) various individuals were seen on 09/02 (E. Palacios and M. Á. Muñoz) and about 40 on 15/02 (Antolín Redondo and Leandro Rivas). The group were still present at the gravel pit of Valdefuentes, Galisteo (CC): 15 on 13/02 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo), more than 17 on 15/02 (S. Mayordomo) and more than 5 on 16/02 (J. Prieta -photo-). A female was in a mixed group with chaffinches at Cabrero (CC) on 15/02 (J. Prieta).
Citril Finch: At Piornal (CC) 3 were seen at Pinar del Puerto on 05/02 (J. Prieta) and 6 at Pinar del Pueblo on 08/02 (J. Prieta y S. Mayordomo).
Bullfinch: At Villanueva de la Vera (CC), 4 were seen on 03/02, 2 females on 04/02 and a pair on 07/02 (D. Langlois). On 09/02 2 were seen at the Malvecino stream, Monfragüe (CC), (M. García del Rey) and a male at the embalse de Casa Zafra, Cáceres, (C. Clemente, Jorge Sánchez, Justo García, L. Alcántara, Olga Jiménez and S. Mayordomo).

FIRST PRE-BREEDING SIGHTINGS
Black Stork: 2 at cerro Lobo, Hornachos (BA), on 02/02 (Á. Sánchez). In Logrosán one was seen on 02/02 (Henk Zweers) and 2 on 08/02 (Emilio Peña). One with an unreadable ring at Toril (CC) on 04/02 (L. Sitges). One at Puerto Peña (BA) on 07/02 (J. Muddeman). 2 at Burguillos del Cerro (BA) on 16/02 (Francisco José Durán). One at Gargüera (CC) on 17/02 (Miguel Ángel Muñoz).
Black Kite: One at Valcorchero, Plasencia (CC), on 02/02 (M. Á. Muñoz). One at La Pesga (CC) on 06/02 (J. Muddeman). One at La Torre de Miguel Sesmero (BA) on 28/02 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
Egyptian Vulture: One in flight over Aldea del Cano (CC) on 12/02 (José Carlos López). 2 at the Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (CC), on 17/02 (José Casado). One at San Pedro de Mérida (BA) on 18/02 (Juan Pablo Prieto). On 24/02 8 were seen at los Canchos de Ramiro, Cachorrilla (CC), and another 2 on the sierra de Marisantos, Pescueza (CC) (Á. Rodríguez and M. Rodríguez). One at Oliva de Mérida (BA) on 26/02 (Antonia Cangas, Elvira del Viejo and Fergus Crystal).
Short-toed Eagle: One at Montehermoso (CC) on 14/02 (J. Mahillo). One at Castuera (BA) on 24/02 (M. Gálvez).
Scops Owl: One at La Haba (BA) on 23/02 (Francisco Javier Morcillo). One in Plasencia on 26/02 (J. Prieta).
Pallid Swift. Excluding the birds in Alange (BA), where about 2-3 birds have spent the winter and 10 were seen on 10/02 (J. Solana), the first arrivals at other sites were: 3 birds in Campo Lugar (CC) on 04/02 (A. Calvo), various in Montehermoso (CC) on 05/02 (C. Clemente), 2 at Usagre (BA) on 12/02 (F. Montaño), 10 birds in Mérida (BA) on 24/02 (S. Pérez Gil).
Alpine Swift: 15 at the dam in Alange (BA) on 28/02 (J. Solana, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez, Marisa García Soria and S. Pérez Gil). 5 birds in Mérida (BA) on 06/03 (J. Solana).
Sand Martin: At the gravel pit of El Soto, Valverde de Mérida (BA), 5 were seen on 24/02 (M. Gálvez) and many on 28/02 (J. Solana, M. García Soria and S. Pérez Gil). 2 at the River Guadiana in Mérida (BA) on 25/02 (J. Solana).