A Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra),
a second year male was seen at Sierra Brava reservoir (Zorita,
Cáceres) on 1st June 2013 by Martin Kelsey, accompanied
by various clients. The photograph attached is by Dave Crossley.
It is the third known record for Extremadura.
Both bthe location and date are atypical, given that the species is
a winter visitor in Spain occurring at sea close to the coastline.The two previous records are:
- A group of five at Badajoz in the winter of 1978 – 1979 (Luis Sanabria and Florentino de Lope)
- 23 years later, there was a second record: a male at the reservoir of Peña del Águila (Alburquerque, Badajoz), on 8th April 2012 (Alberto Puente, Alejandro Melero and Luna Puente).
Translated by Martin Kelsey.
