IBERIAN GREEN WOODPECKER: ANOTHER NEW IBERIAN SPECIES?

Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis). On the left, head of a male viridis from central Europe.  On the right, head of a male sharpei from the Iberian peninsula. The black mask, present in the fomer, is the male morphological difference. In both cases the female does not have red in the moustache.

How many species of birds are there? Well it depends on which list you use and which criteria they use to compile the list. Among the many world lists of birds that are available, the IOC World Bird List is one of those with the most followers, being the one being kept continually up-to-date. One of the recent changes was their validation as a full species the Iberian Green Woodpecker  (Picus sharpei)- or perhaps it should just be called Iberian Woodpecker, which has traditionally be considered as a subspecies of the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis). The scientific basis for this change are the studies of Pons et al. 2011 and Perktas et al. 2011.

The use of molecular techniques has brought about a revolution in the taxonomy (classification) of birds. Thu8s, some Iberian species have recently been elevated to full species level, as has been the case with the Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti), Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis). One of the Iberian endemics most recently accepted has been the Iberian Magpie Cyanopica  cooki). The case of the Green Woodpecker is less well known, although its taxonomic status has been subject to debate for many years, indeed there are field guides which have already treated sharpei as a separate species in Iberia (Aves de Europa de Barthel y Dougallis, 2008). However, one will need to wait to see if other lists, including the official SEO Spanish List will also take this proposal into consideration.

The main study setting out the proposed change (Pons et al., 2011) looked at the evolutionary history of the Green Woodpecker complex in the western Palaearctic.  The results provided evidence of three genetic lineages, which coincided with differences in plumage, especially head pattern, and voice.  A North African lineage (vaillantii), split about 1.6 to 2.2 million years ago, the European  (viridis) and a third Iberian form (sharpei). These two separated about 0.7 to 1.2 million years ago, during a glaciation, when they probably occupied refuges in South-Eastern Europe (Italy, the Balkans and Anatolia) and in Iberia respectively.  Following the glaciation, both forms expanded northwards and established contact in southern France, where today there is a certain gradation (the plumages of the three forms as well as intermediates can be seen in Copete, 2011). Neither the Iberian nor the North African forms have Spanish names. Both populations are highly sedentary. There are no ringing recoveries of Green Woodpeckers (viridis) in Spain, nor Iberian birds in other countries. Almost all of the controls occur at the site of ringing, with the longest displacements being a bird from Cuenca recovered at the coast in Cádiz, another from Ciudad Real on the coast in Valencia and a bird from Burgos on the Cantabrian coast  (SEO/BirdLife).

The second study (Perktas et al. 2011) has similar results as the former and furthermore suggests the presence of a fourth species in the Middle-East (Iran).

Sources:

- J.M. Pons, G. Olioso, C. Cruaud & J. Fuchs. 2011. Phylogeography of the Eurasian green woodpecker (Picus viridis). Journal of Biogeography, 38:311-325. [summary]

- U. Perktas, G. F. Barrowclough & J. G. Groth. 2011. Phylogeography and species limits in the green woodpecker complex (Aves: Picidae): multiple Pleistocene refugia and range expansion across Europe and the Near East. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 104:710-723. [summary]

- G. Olioso y J.M. Pons (2011). Variation géographique du plumage des Pics verts du Languedoc-Roussillon. Ornithos 18(2): 73-83

AUGUST 2013. Notable sightings in Extremadura

Male Little Bustards (Tetrax tetrax) By Sergio Mayordromo

Annotated list of the most interesting records in Extremadura in August 2013. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo. Translated by Martin Kelsey.

-       Greylag Goose: Individual first seen in July still present until 10/08 at Los Canchales (BA) (Carlos González). Five at Borbollón reservoir (CC) on 21/08 (Goyo Naharro). Origin from captivity cannot be ruled out.

-       Egyptian Goose: Four at Cubilar reservoir, Logrosán (CC), on 31/08 (César Clemente and Sergio Mayordomo).

-       Shelduck: three (an adult and two juveniles) at Valdecañas reservoir (CC) on 01/08 (C. Clemente, Javier Mahillo and S. Mayordomo).

-       Garganey: A female at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 13/08 (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo, Javier Prieta and S. Mayordomo).

-       Red-crested Pochard: At the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) four seen on 03/08 (Juan Carlos Paniagua), one on 11/08 (Paco Bernáldez and Paco Macías), five on 20/08 (Francisco Montaño and Joaquín Vázquez) and six on 31/08 (J. C. Paniagua). At La Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (CC), a male present on 04/08, seven birds on 15/08 (J. Solana) and 8 on 17/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo). A female at the Soto gravel pits, Valverde de Mérida (BA), on 05/08 (J. Solana).

-       Ferruginous Duck: A male at La Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (CC), on 17/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo).

-       Great Cormorant: 483 present at Valuengo reservoir (BA) on 28/08 (José Antonio Román).

  

-       Squacco Heron: At the pool at Esparragalejo (BA) between one and three present on 01/08 (Á. Sánchez -photo- and P. Bernáldez), 02/08 (P. Macías), 05/08 (J. Solana), 08/08 (C. González), 16/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo) and 25/08 (José Gómez Aparicio). On 01/08 8 present at the La Valluncosa pool, Mérida (BA), and 4 on River Aljucén, Mérida (BA) (Á. Sánchez). Two at the Azud de la Pesquera, Badajoz, on 04/08 (J. C. Paniagua). One at Brovales reservoir (BA) on 06/08 (Antonio Núñez, F. Montaño and Vanessa de Alba). At least 3 at Los Canchales reservoir (BA) on 10/08 (C. González). 7 present on River Guadiana in Badajoz on 29/08 (J. C. Paniagua).

-       Presumed hybrid Little x Western Reef Egret: One at Talayuela (CC) on 29/08 (Pedro Gómez).

-       White Stork: A group of 1000 birds flying over Baños de Montemayor (CC) on 04/08 (J. Prieta).

-       Glossy Ibis: 14 at the Esparragalejo pool (BA) on 02/08 (P. Macías). Regular presence at the La Albuera lagoons (BA) between 10/08 and  27/08, with a maximum of six birds (F. Montaño, Jerónimo Milán, Joaquín Vázquez,  J. A. Román, J. C. Paniagua, P. Bernáldez and P. Macías

-       Spoonbill: Postbreeding concentrations: At Los Canchales reservoir (BA) 22 seen on 05/08 (Pablo Herrador), 76 on 10/08 (C. González), 63 on 16/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo) and 83 on 31/08 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba). 21 present at Portaje Reservoir (CC) on 08/08 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). At the La Albuera lagoons (BA) more than 20 seen on 25/08 (P. Bernáldez and P. Macías), 35 on 27/08 and 26 on 31/08 (J. C. Paniagua). 30 present at Valuengo Reservoir (BA) on 28/08 (J. A. Román).

-       Greater Flamingo: An adult at Valdecañas Reservoir (CC) on 01/08 (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo and S. Mayordomo).

-       Black Kite: Three present at Mirabel Refuse Tip (CC) on 16/08 (J. Prieta). Two at La Bazagona (CC) on 31/08 (Raúl Guzmán).

-       Lammergeier: An immature at Lobón (BA) on 19/08 (María Jesús García-Baquero)

-       Rüppell’s Vulture: An immature at the Sierra de Magacela (BA) on 21/08 (Justo Manuel García).

-       Goshawk: One over River Ibor (CC) on 04/08 (Á. Sánchez). At least two young birds at Las Mestas (CC) on 05/08 (Alberto Pacheco). 2 at Guadalupe (CC) on 15/08 (Jorge Ángel Herrera). One at the Sierra de Palomera, Alía (CC) on 31/08 (J. Á. Herrera y N. Baeza).

-       Osprey: One at Alange Reservoir (BA) on 03/08 (Lorenzo Alcántara). One at Borbollón Reservoir (CC) on 21/08 (G. Naharro). One at Portaje Reservoir (CC) on 28/08 (S. Mayordomo). One at Membrío Reservoir (CC) on 30/08 (Ian Parsons). On 31/08 one seen at Los Canchales (BA) (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba) and another at Sierra Brava (CC) (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo).

-       Lesser Kestrel: 397 counted at the roost at La Vera (CC) on 13/08 (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).

-       Hobby: Three hunting dragonflies at the edge of wildfire at Las Hurdes (CC) on 12/08 (A. Pacheco).

-       Red-knobbed Coot: Continued presence of neck-collared bird first seen in July at La Albuera lagoons between 03/08 and 31/08 (F. Montaño and J. C. Paniagua).

-       Avocet: One at Esparragalejo pool (BA) on 05/08 (J. Solana). One at La Albuera lagoons (BA) on 23/08 (F. Montaño). One at Valuengo Reservoir (BA) on 28/08 (J. A. Román).

-       Kentish Plover: At least seven present at Valdecañas Reservoir (CC) on 01/08 (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo and S. Mayordomo).

-       Sanderling: One at Esparragalejo pool (BA) on 08/08 (C. González) and 17/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo). Two at the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 25/08 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez). Two at Alange Reservoir (BA) on 25/08 (P. Bernáldez).

-       Temminck’s Stint: At Los Canchales Reservoir (BA) two seen on 17/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo), one on 25/08 (J. Gómez Aparicio) and two on 31/08 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba).

-       Curlew Sandpiper: Four at Esparragalejo pool (BA) on 01/08 (P. Bernáldez), 02/08 (P. Macías) and 08/08 (C. González), and three on 25/08 (J. Gómez Aparicio). On 01/08 two seen at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), and six at Valdecañas Reservoir (CC) (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo and S. Mayordomo). At the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) one present on 03/08 (J. C. Paniagua), two on 10/08 (José Antonio Álvarez), four on 11/08 (P. Bernáldez and P. Macías), present on 16/08 (J. Milán, P. Bernáldez and P. Macías), two on 20/08 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez) and five on 29/08 (P. Macías). Three at the Majadas Altas pools, Campo Lugar (CC), on 03/08 (Antonio Calvo). Five at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 04/08 (Javier Briz and Vicente Risco). One at Alange Reservoir (BA) on 25/08 (P. Bernáldez). One at Los Canchales Reservoir (BA) on 31/08 (A. Núñez, J. Solana and V. de Alba).

-       Whimbrel: One at large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 23/08 (F. Montaño).

-       Curlew: One at large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 27/08 (J. C. Paniagua).

-       Spotted Redshank: On 01/08 two at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), and one at Valdecañas Reservoir (CC) (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo and S. Mayordomo). One at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 13/08 (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). At the large lagoon at La Albuera one seen on 28/08 (P. Bernáldez) and two on 29/08 (P. Macías). One at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (BA), on 31/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo).

-       Wood Sandpiper: At Galisteo lagoon (CC) six seen on 04/08 (Eva Palacios, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), two on 08/08 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), 14 on 16/08 (J. Prieta), 15 on 22/08 and one on 28/08 (S. Mayordomo). At Portaje Reservoir (CC) one presento n 08/08 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo) and 28/08 (S. Mayordomo). At least two at Esparragalejo pool (BA) on 08/08 (C. González). At Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (BA), two seen on 10/08 (Martin Kelsey) and 10 on 31/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo). One at Los Canchales Reservoir (BA) on 10/08 (C. González). One at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 13/08 (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Six at the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 20/08 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez). Four on rice fields at Santa Amalia (BA) on 22/08 (Fernando Yuste). One at Alange Reservoir (BA) on 25/08 (P. Bernáldez).

-       Turnstone: One at Villalba de los Barros Reservoir (BA) on 03/08 (L. Alcántara).

-       Yellow-legged Gull: At least 10 at Valdecañas Reservoir (CC) on 01/08 (C. Clemente, J. Mahillo and S. Mayordomo).

-       Whiskered Tern: One at Alange Reservoir (BA) on 03/08 (L. Alcántara). Present at the large lagoon La Albuera (BA) on 03/08 (J. C. Paniagua), one on 11/08 (P. Bernáldez and P. Macías) and four (two adults and two juveniles) on 20/08 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez).

-       Black Tern: An adult at Los Canchales Reservoir (BA) on 25/08 (J. Gómez Aparicio).

-       Common Tern: Three at Gabriel y Galán Reservoir (CC) during the first week of August (Jesús Montero).

-       Gull-billed Tern: One at Gabriel y Galán Reservoir (CC) during early August (Jesús Montero).

-       Cockatiel: One at Plasencia industrial estate (CC) on 03/08 (Paco Ramírez)

-       Burrowing Parrot: One at Brozas (CC) on 28/08 (Carlos Fernández -photo-).

-       Common Cuckoo: One at Honduras Pass, Cabezuela del Valle (CC), on 12/08 (Blas Molina and J. Prieta). One at La Albuera (BA) on 20/08 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez).

-       European Nightjar: Four at Las Hurdes (CC) on 12/08 (A. Pacheco).

-       Wryneck: One at River Gargáligas, Rena (BA), on 17/08 (GIA-Extremadura). One at La Isla park, Plasencia (CC), on 25/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). One at Piornal (CC) on 28/08 (J. Prieta).

-       Western Olivaceous Warbler: Two birds, an adult and a juvenile, trapped for ringing at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 10/08 (Ángel T. Mejías, Inmaculada Jerez, José Luis Bautista and P. Herrador).

-       Sedge Warbler: One at Valdefuentes gravel pits, Galisteo (CC), on 04/08 (E. Palacios, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).

FIRST POST-BREEDING PASSAGE MIGRANTS/WINTER VISITORS

-       Pintail: Three (two males in eclipise and a female) at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (BA), on 31/08 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo). Six present at Los Canchales Reservoir (BA) on 03/09 (Elvira del Viejo, Jesús Solana, José Guerra and Marc Gálvez).

-       Black-necked Grebe: One seen from Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (CC), on 18/08 (Ángel Sánchez).

-       Tree Pipit: Three at Piornal (CC) on 28/08 (J. Prieta).

-       Yellow Wagtail: On 28/08 first groups on passage at Portaje Reservoir (CC) and Galisteo lagoon (CC) (S. Mayordomo).

-       Common Redstart: Eight at Piornal (CC) on 21/08 (J. Prieta). Three at Montehermoso (CC) on 27/08 (C. Clemente).

-       Whinchat: On 28/08 one at Piornal (CC) (J. Prieta) and another at La Roca de la Sierra (BA) (J. L. Bautista). One at Galisteo (CC) on 31/08 (Ricardo Montero).

  

-       Northern Wheatear: One at Piornal (CC) on 28/08 (J. Prieta -photo-). One at Membrío (CC) on 30/08 (I. Parsons). One at Saucedilla (CC) on 01/09 (J. Briz and V. Risco). One at Monfragüe (CC) on 03/09 (Manuel García del Rey).

-       Common Whitethroat: One at River Guadalupejo, Alía (CC), on 13/08 (J. Á. Herrera and Noelia Baeza). One in the pines at Piornal (CC) on 21/08 (J. Prieta). One at Galisteo lagoon (CC) on 22/08 (S. Mayordomo).

-       Garden Warbler: One at Tornavacas Pass (CC) on 26/08 (J. Prieta). On 31/08 two seen at Pago de San Clemente (CC) (M. Kelsey), one at Azud del Ruecas, Logrosán (CC),and three trapped for ringing at River Gargáligas, Rena (BA) (GIA-Extremadura).

-       Iberian Chiffchaff: One possible at River Guadalupejo, Alía (CC), on 14/08 (J. Á. Herrera and N. Baeza). One in song at Plasencia (CC) on 15/08 (S. Mayordomo). A possible at Sierra de la Palomera, Alía (CC), on 18/08 (J. Á. Herrera). Three at Piornal (CC) on 21/08 (J. Prieta). One at Pago de San Clemente (CC) on 31/08 (M. Kelsey).

-       Willow Warbler: On 08/08 one at Portaje Reservoir (CC) (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo) and another at Vegas de Coria (CC) (A. Pacheco). Four at Piornal (CC) on 09/08 (J. Prieta).

-       Pied Flycatcher: One at Tornavacas Pass (CC) on 08/08 (B. Molina). One at Piornal (CC) on 09/08 (J. Prieta). On 15/08 one seen at La Isla park, Plasencia (CC), (S. Mayordomo) and a male at Cornalvo (BA) (Á. Sánchez, Ángel Luis Sánchez and José Ledo).

-       Spotted Flycatcher: One at Cornalvo (BA) on 15/08 (J. Ledo and Á. Sánchez). Two at Piornal (CC) on 21/08 (J. Prieta). One at Tornavacas Pass (CC/AV) on 26/08 (J. Prieta).

THE SQUACCO HERON IN EXTREMADURA

The Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) was one of the species covered by the national heron census 2011, promoted by SEO/BirdLife (Garrido et al., 2012). The population in Extremadura totalled only 11 pairs, representing a tiny 0.5% of the total Spanish population (2,075 pairs). The most important regions were Catalonia (50%, especially the Ebro Delta), Valencia (32% at the Albufera de Valencia) and Anaadluycia (15%, Coto Doñana). The population trend in Spain is positive, with a strong increase since 1960, slowing down in the period 1990 – 2002. In Extremadura, the Squacco Heron occurred in six colonies in five localities. Most of the population was of isolated pairs within mixed colonies dominated by Cattle Egrets, the main site being the Arrocampo reservoir with four pairs. The substrate most used was marshy vegetation, although in several colonies the nests were built in trees or shrubs.

Breeding Squacco Herons is a new development in Extremadura, only established since 2000 in two localities simultaneously: the reservoirs of Arrocampo and Montijo. Breeding at Arrocampo has been regular since 2000, with annual records of between one and five pairs, with two or three being the most frequent (in 2012 there were two and in 2013 only one pair). At the Montijo reservoir, it is similar with regular nesting since 2000, although with fewer birds: one breeding pair from 2000 to 2006 and 1-3 pairs from 2007 to 2013. Information about other localities is very scarce. In the less often-watched Alqueva reservoir three nests were found in two zones in 2011, with irregular breeding in earlier and later years, owing to the fluctuating water levels (there was no breeding in 2013). At the Azud de Badajoz, there have been sightings since 1990, but with no breeding suspected for a decade afterwards. In 2011, one nest was confirmed, although others may have been present, and it was the same in 2012 and 2013. Finally, at the Orellana reservoir, information is only available from 2011 (one nest), but one has to take into account that this heronry, situated on islands, does not assemble each year, because of variations of water level and is also very difficult to survey.

To understand the regional trend, one needs to take into account that there are no previous censuses. In 2000, there had been at least five pairs in the two known colonies and in 2011, this rose to eleven pairs in six sites. The geographical expansion is evident, as in the slight population increase, but presently three of the colonies are only of irregular occupation and the figures there fluctuate greatly, possibly in relation to the situation of colonies in Andalucía.

Although traditionally Squacco Herons are considered as summer visitors in Europe, in Extremadura they are possible to find throughout the year, indeed the wintering population (of 15-25 birds) is similar or even larger than the breeding population. In winter the species is more dispersed, is not present at roosts and has rather secretive habits, so it is likely that the actual figures are even greater. In the map the presence of the species in January 2011 is shown in violet. Four of these sites are regular wintering areas, two in breeding sites (Arrocampo, Guadiana in Badajoz) and two in rice-growing areas (Vegas Altas and Alagón). The largest group in winter was nine birds on the Guadiana River in Badajoz in December 2011.

At other seasons, the species can be found in wetlands throughout almost the whole region, with the largest numbers at the end of summer and start of autumn, when individuals are dispersing from other areas, probably mainly from Doñana. However, there are no records of ringed birds to substantiate this. The largest group ever recorded was 19 (Guadiana river in Badajoz, September 2012).

Sources:

- Garrido, J. R., Molina, B. y del Moral, J. C. (Eds.) 2012. Las garzas en España, población reproductora e invernante en 2010-2011 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid.  [download]
- Aves de Extremadura. Volúmenes 1, 2, 3 y 4. Años 1998-2008. [download]

Participants in the 2011 census: Coordinadores: Javier Prieta (Cáceres) and José María Traverso (Badajoz). Badajoz: Alfredo Mirat, Antonio García-Ortiz, Antonio Núñez Ossorio, Carmen Galán, Casimiro Corbacho, Emilio Costillo, Fernando Yuste, Jesús Morena, Jesús Solana, José Ángel Salas, José Antonio Fimia, José Elías Rodríguez Vázquez, José Gordillo, José María Traverso, Juan Antonio Barquero, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Luis Galán, María J. García-Baquero, Patricia Gordón, Toribio Álvarez and Xurxo Piñeiro. Cáceres: Agustín Morena, Carmelo Fernández Martínez, César Clemente, Emilio Costillo, Helios Dalmau, Javier Briz, Francisco Javier Caballero, Javier Mahíllo, Javier Prieta, Jerónimo Jaén, Jesús Montero, Juan Manuel Brías, Julián Panadero, Manuel García del Rey, María José Moreno, Martín Kelsey, Sergio Mayordomo and Vicente Risco

BOOTED EAGLES: VALIENTE AND LUNA

Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata). Valiente, male (photo: Domingo Rivera).

In 2011 the MIGRA project of SEO/BirdLife started, dedicated to the study of the migration of birds from Spain and using, amongst other methods, satellite transmitters to track the movements of many individual birds. One of the first species involved was Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata), with 15 tagged individuals up to 2013 from various parts of Spain, including four from Extremadura, as part of a project led by the Government of Extremadura. In 2011 six birds were tracked and in 2013 it was eleven, now only ten because of the first tagged birds, a male called Valiente, was found dead, hit by a vehicle, a few weeks ago. The peculiarities of the first journey taken by Luna and Valiente, the first Booted Eagles from Extremadura that were tagged in 2011, were described before in this blog ( autumn journey and winter and spring return) and so we will not repeat the details.

Valiente was an adult male dark morph Booted Eagle tagged at La Roca de la Sierra, Badajoz on 3rd August 2011 and whose transmitter continued to show his location until 4th August 2013, two years and a day later, when he was killed on a road between orchards in Valdelacalzada, Badajoz. A cyclist discovered the corpse and was surprised to find it was ringed and carried a yellow apparatus on its back, which he removed and returned. Domingo Rivera and Ángel Sánchez told us of his breeding history over the last three years. In 2011 Valiente successfully raised on his own a chick, as his mate had died on a wire when the chick was only a week old. In 2012, he took over a Raven’s nest in a eucalyptus tree, paired with a pale phase female and despite building a further two nests failed to breed. In 2013, he failed to pair and travelled in an erratic fashion over the area where he normally bred. With respect to his migrations, the map above shows the journeys in 2011/12 and 2012/13, very similar to each other. In both cases, he wintered in the same general area: once in Niger and the other time in Nigeria. The two-way journeys across the Sahara showed that the return journey was always to the west of the route taken in the outward journey. As can be seen in the graph below, the dates did not vary much, the 2012 journey was a bit earlier than 2011 and he spent more time in 2012 on his wintering grounds in Niger. The return journeys were almost identical in terms of dates and duration. Compared with other tagged Booted Eagles, Valiente had been unusual, being the only one with two wintering zones, one that had wintered further away (3,500 km) and the fastest in its return journeys. Of the four tagged birds from Extremadura, he was the only one that wintered in the eastern Sahel, the others staying much further to the west, between Mali and Mauritania.

Luna is an adult female dark morph, tagged in Alburquerque (Badajoz) on 3^rd August 2011 and whose transmitter continues in operation. Domingo Rivera and Ángel Sánchez again describe her breeding history over the last three years. In 2011, she raised two chicks in a nest in a eucalyptus tree. In 2012, she occupied the same nest, but following its collapse because of weather conditions, she did not raise any young. In 2013, she moved to a new nest in a cork oak where again she raised two chicks. With respect to migration, the map shows the journeys made in 2011/12 and 2012/13. In both cases, she wintered in the same zone between Mali and Mauritania, some 2,500 km from the nest site, and, as with Valiente, the outward journey was more eastern than the return. In the graph below, the most interesting is that the departure date was much earlier in 2012 (5^th August, a month earlier than usual). This was not seen with the other 15 tagged birds and in principle could have been explained by the breeding failure that year. However, that may not have been the reason, because in 2013, Luna also departed very early (2^nd August) despite having a successful season. The return in 2013 was also earlier than in 2012, but by only a week.

The other two Booted Eagles from Extremadura that have been followed are a pair and they breed in the municipality of Badajoz, their names are Guadiana (male) and Alqueva (female). Both are pale morphs and in general their migratory behaviour has been similar to that of Luna, apart from the departure dates, with similar routes and wintering areas in the western Sahel (Mali and Mauritania).