APRIL 2011: Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). El Torno, Cáceres. Javier Prieta.

A list of the most notable records in Extremadura in April 2011, most taken from the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo.


-Barnacle Goose: one bird at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 24/04 (Godfried Schreur, Martin Kelsey).
- Egyptian Goose: possibly the same bird seen at two ponds in Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres): at Valverdejo on 11/04 and at Fresnedillas on 14/04 (Ricardo Montero).
-Garganey: one drake at Galisteo Lake(Cáceres) on 5/04 (Sergio Mayordomo).
-Red Crested Pochard: possible breeding; 5 drakes and one female at a small reservoir in northern Badajoz on 24/04 (Ángel Sánchez and Ángel Luis Sánchez).
-Glossy Ibis: 2 at Montijo Reservoir (Badajoz) on 3/04 (Jesús Solana).
-Grey Heron: colony with 185 nests on the island of Borbollón Reservoir(Cáceres) on 12/04 (Jes·s Montero, Javier Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
-Osprey: single birds on passage at Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 2/04 (César Clemente and Javier Mahillo), 6/04 (G. Schreur) and 30/04 (José Guerra and Marc Gálvez). One bird at River Tiétar, Valdeíñigos (Cáceres) on 2/04 (Pepe Guisado and Pilar Goñi). On 7/04 one bird at Casas de Belvís (Cáceres) (C. Clemente) and another at Campo Lugar (Cáceres) (M. Kelsey). One at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 20/04 (G. Schreur).
-Long-Legged Buzzard (rarity; pending acceptance): one bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres) on 3/04 (Stephen Daly) and 2 adults at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 24/04 (Javier Esteban).
-Goshawk: single birds at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 2/04 (Eva Palacios, Jesús Porras and S. Mayordomo), 9/04 (S. Mayordomo) and 27/04 (M. Kelsey). One at Monfragüe on 14/04 (Juan José Díaz).
-Montagu's Harrier: melanistic bird at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 5/04 (R. Montero).
-Purple Swamphen: first record for Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres): one bird on 30/04 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
-Baillon's Crake: one bird at River Gargáligas on 8/04 (J. Muddeman) and on 13/04; on the latter occasion another Baillon's Crake or Little Crake was seen nearby (Steve Fletcher).
-Lapwing: 2 pairs at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 5/04 (S. Mayordomo), 3 birds on 12/04 (J. Prieta) and one on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Brozas (Cáceres) on 6/04 (Á. Sánchez). Single birds at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 7/04 and 12/04 (M. Kelsey). Ten pairs at La Albuera (Badajoz) on 18/04 (Á. Sánchez and J. Fernández).
-Kentish Plover: 2 birds at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 8/04 (John Muddeman), 8 on 12/04 and 2 on 21/04 (Martin Kelsey).
-Curlew: one bird at Montijo Reservoir (Badajoz) on 3/04 (Jesús Solana).
-Bar-Tailed Godwit: female in summer plumage at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 21/04 (M. Kelsey).
-Great Snipe (rarity; pending acceptance): first record for Extremadura: 3 birds at Madrigalejo (Cáceres) on 1/04 (Roberto Cabo, Uwe George).
-Spotted Redshank: one at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 24/04 (G. Schreur and M. Kelsey).
-Wood Sandpiper: one bird at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 5/04 (S. Mayordomo) and two on 12/04 (J. Prieta).
-Curlew Sandpiper: 2 at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 8/04 (J. Muddeman).
-Temminck's Stint: one at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 22/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
-Common Tern: 4 birds at Sierra Brava Reservoir(Cáceres) on 8/04 (J. Muddeman).
-Black Tern: one at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 21/04 (M. Kelsey) and 5 at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
-Whiskered Tern: summer plumaged bird at River Guadiana, Mérida (Badajoz) on 2/04 (M. Kelsey). 8 birds in breeding plumage at Valdesequera (Badajoz) on 9/04 (Á. L. Sánchez). 12 birds at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 12/04 (M. Kelsey). 15 at La Albuera (Badajoz) on 18/04 (Á. Sánchez and J. Fernández). Several at the lakes of Torremejía (Badajoz) on 21/04 (Á. Sánchez). On 23/04 8 birds were seen at Arroyoconejos Reservoir(Badajoz) (Antonio Núñez), several at the Roman Bridge of Mérida (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez) and one at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
-Long-Eared Owl: adult with 2 fledgling chicks at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 3/04 (D. Langlois, J. Muddeman and S. Langlois). One seen on an island of Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/04 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird heard at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres) on 13/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and another at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 18/04 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo).
-Short-Eared Owl: one bird at Campiña Sur (Badajoz) on 23/04 (A. Núñez).
-Wryneck: at least one bird seen and heard at Villanueva de la Vera throughout the whole of April, with a peak of 3 on 16/04 (Dave Langlois and Sammy Langlois). Two males singing at Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres) on 10/04 (J. Prieta).
-Bearded Tit: single birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 3/04 and 8/04 and two on 23/04 (M. Kelsey).
-Iberian Chiffchaff: one bird at Valdecañas Reservoir(Cáceres) on 8/04 and another at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 24/04 (M. Kelsey).
-Grasshopper Warbler: one bird at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres) on 13/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo), another at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 15/04 (J. C. Paniagua) and another at Plasencia Reservoir(Cáceres) on 22/04 (J. Prieta).
-Sedge Warbler: one bird at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 3/04 (José Antonio López and Óscar Llama). Single birds at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 5/04 (S. Mayordomo) and 12/04 (J. Prieta). One bird in a wheat field at Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 7/04 (M. Kelsey). One bird at River Gargáligas, Vegas Altas (Badajoz), on 8/04 (J. Muddeman). One bird at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 14/04 and two on 23/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird in an oats field at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo).
-Moustached Warbler: One bird at River Guadiana, Puente Viejo, Badajoz, on 2/04 (J. C. Paniagua).
-Garden Warbler: 2 birds at Vegas Altas (Badajoz) on 12/04 (M. Kelsey). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 16/04 and 17/04 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois). One bird at Valdastillas (Cáceres) on 27/04 (J. Prieta).
-Ring Ouzel: one bird at Los Canchales Reservoir(Badajoz) on 6/04 (J. Muddeman).

-Whinchat: 2 males at Casatejada (Cáceres) on 7/04 (J. Prieta). On 8/04 3 females and one male were seen at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) and 4 males at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 9/04 and another at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres) (M. Kelsey). One male at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 14/04 (R. Montero). One male at Cáceres on 18/04 (S. Mayordomo). Ten birds between Almendralejo, Hinojosa and Ribera del Fresno (Badajoz) on 21/04 (Á. Sánchez). One female at Mirandilla (Badajoz) on 27/04 (J. Ledo). Two birds at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 28/04 (M. Kelsey).

-Tawny Pipit: 5 birds at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 4/04 (M. Kelsey). 4 birds at Brozas (Cáceres) on 6/04 (Á. Sánchez). On 8/04 one bird at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo), another at Arrocampo (Cáceres) (M. Kelsey) and another at Trujillo (Cáceres) (J. Muddeman). On 9/04, 2 birds at Acehúche (Cáceres) (Iván Solana) and one at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) (M. Kelsey). At Cáceres 3 birds on 16/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 5 on 18/04 (S. Mayordomo). On 28/04, 2 at Valdesalor, Cáceres, (S. Mayordomo) and another at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres) (M. Kelsey).

FIRST SUMMER VISITORS
-Honey Buzzard: one bird at Grimaldo, Cañaveral (Cáceres), on 15/04 (Raúl Guzmán) and one on passage over Plasencia on 28/04 (J. Prieta).
-Hobby: one bird at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Villanueva de la Vera on 16/04 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois).
-Little Tern: 2 birds at Badajoz on 23/04 (J. C. Paniagua), another 2 at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 24/04 (G. Schreur and M. Kelsey) and another 2 at Cornalvo (Badajoz) on 26/04 (José Ledo).
-Gull-Billed Tern: 30 at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 7/04 (M. Kelsey) and over 40 on 8/04 (J. Muddeman).
-Turtle Dove: one bird at Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 14/04 (M. Kelsey). On 17/04 one was seen at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) (J. C. Paniagua) and another at Belvís de Monroy (Cáceres) (G. Schreur).
-White-Rumped Swift: one at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 27/04 (M. Kelsey) and several on 29/04 (R. Montero).
-European Nightjar: one singing at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 26/04 (D. Langlois).
-Red-Necked Nightjar: one at Pago de San Clemente, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 10/04 (M. Kelsey) and another at Serrejón (Cáceres) on 12/04 (Manuel García).
-Golden Oriole: 2 birds at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 11/04 (S. Langlois) and three on 13/04 (D. Langlois). One bird at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) on 13/04 (J. Prieta).
-Melodious Warbler: One bird at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 8/04 (J. Muddeman) and another at Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres) on 10/04 (J. Prieta).
-Whitethroat: birds on passage: one at Mérida (Badajoz) on 6/04 (J. Muddeman) and two at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres)on 8/04 (S. Mayordomo). In breeding habitat: 2 males at Piornal (Cáceres) on 8/04 (J. Prieta).
-Spectacled Warbler: on 5/04 one bird was seen at Piornal (Cáceres) (J. Prieta) and two at Jaraicejo (Cáceres) (J. Muddeman). Two birds at Jaraicejo (Cáceres) on 10/04 (M. Kelsey). One male at Cáceres on 18/04 (S. Mayordomo).
-Rock Thrush: 12 birds on passage in the central sierras of Badajoz on 16/04 (Á. Sánchez). In breeding habitat: one bird at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) on 20/04 (G. Schreur).
-Spotted Flycatcher: present at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 29/04 (C. Clemente).
-Pied Flycatcher: birds on passage: one male at Mérida (Badajoz) on 6/04 (J. Muddeman). Another at Parque del Príncipe, Cáceres on 10/04 (R. Montero). In breeding habitat: one male at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) on 15/04 (J. Prieta) and 10 territorial males at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 23/04 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois).
-Rufous-Tailed Scrub Robin: on 28/04 3 pairs were seen at Montehermoso (Cáceres) (J. Mahillo) and one bird at Ahigal (Cáceres) (R. Montero).
-Redstart: one female at Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 7/04 and one male at Cabañas del Castillo (Cáceres) on 10/04 (M. Kelsey). One male singing at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 14/04 (D. Langlois). Another at La Codosera (Badajoz) on 16/04 (G. Schreur). One pair at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 17/04 (J. C. Paniagua). Two males at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 23/04 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois).
-Ortolan Bunting: one bird at Piornal (Cáceres) on 15/04 (J. Prieta). One bird at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) on 20/04 (G. Schreur). One bird on passage at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 25/04 (M. Kelsey).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND SPRING MIGRANTS
-Wigeon: pair at Sierra Brava Reservoir(Cáceres) on 8/04 (J. Muddeman).
-Pintail: pair at Sierra Brava Reservoir(Cáceres) on 24/04 (G. Schreur).
-Teal: pair at Galisteo Lake(Cáceres) on 12/04 (J. Prieta).
-Hen Harrier: one bird at Badajoz on 18/04 (Á. Sánchez and J. Fernández) and one bird at Talaván (Cáceres) on 21/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). Breeding cannot be ruled out.
-Crane: one bird at Mohedas de Granadilla (Cáceres) on 1/04 (Alberto Pacheco). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 8/04 (M. Kelsey). One bird flying with difficulty on the island of Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/04 (J. Montero, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One juvenile at Dehesa Boyal of Talaván on 21/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and on 24/04 (J. Esteban).
-Snipe: one bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 12/04 (M. Kelsey), three at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo) and one bird at Riolobos (Cáceres) on 22/04 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
-Chiffchaff: one male singing on the island of Borbollón Reservoir(Cáceres) on 12/04 (J. Montero, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
-Wheatear: two females at Llanos de Cáceres on 28/04 (S. Mayordomo).
-Meadow Pipit: 5 birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 7/04 (J. Prieta). 6 at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 8/04 and three at Torreorgaz (Cáceres) on 14/04 (S. Mayordomo).
-Reed Bunting: one female at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 3/04 (J. A. López and O. Llama).

BALTIC GULL IN EXTREMADURA

Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus). 04.06.06. Eggegrund, Gastrikland, Sweden (photo: P. Aspenberg). Bird ringed in Villanueva de la Serena on 22.02.06 por J. M. Traverso.

Some of our recent blog entries have dealt with species seen for the first time in Extremadura. Or rather the first known and conscious sightings of said species. On this occasion we are recording what we believe to be the first ever certain record in Extremadura of a particular subspecies of the otherwise common Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus fuscus). The nominate subspecies of this gull is called the Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus). This race has a very dark, almost black back; field observations are never accepted, only of ringed birds in the hand. The photo of the Baltic Gull alongside was taken on 4 June 2006 on the Baltic coast of Sweden, in Eggegrund, Gõvle, Gastrikland (P. Aspenberg). What's so special about a Baltic Gull seen on the Baltic coast, where, as their name suggests, they're abundant. Well, the remarkable fact in this case is that the bird was ringed in Extremadura two years earlier, on 22 February 2004. At the time the bird was classed as an immature female; it was captured and marked with a white ring (code N548) on the landfill site of Villanueva de la Serena by Chema Traverso. The information published here would never have come to light without the collaboration of Javier Marchamalo, who passed on crucial data.

The Lesser Black Backed Gull is traditionally divided into three subspecies in Western Europe:
- graellsii: slate grey mantle, breeding in the British Isles and the centre and west of Europe; this is Extremadura's commonest wintering gull
- intermedius: darker mantle that phases into the other two races at both extremes; also turns up now and then in Extremadura; its range is the North Sea so it is intermediate not only in mantle colour but also in distribution
- fuscus: very dark mantle, breeding in the Baltic Sea and wintering in Africa, migrating through Eastern Europe; it is considered to be a rare vagrant on the Iberian Peninsula.

A few pundits choose to divide the bird into two species: Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus graellsii, with two races, graellsi and intermedius) and Baltic Gull as a species in its own right (Larus fuscus).

BIRD MONITORING SURVEY, 2009-2010

SEO/BirdLife has just brought out a new booklet on the various bird monitoring projects it runs for the two-year period 2009-2010. As on previous occasions this hard-copy booklet is issued free of charge to all voluntary collaborators in the various long-term bird monitoring schemes run by SEO/BirdLife (Common Breeding-Bird Census and Nocturnal Bird Monitoring Scheme) while the online English version can be downloaded free by just clicking on the cover.









The contents of this 36-page survey, crammed with priceless information, are the following:

- Spring Common Breeding-Bird Census (showing the population trends of common breeding birds)
- Winter Common Bird Census (initial results)
- Nocturnal Bird Monitoring Scheme (population trend of nocturnal birds)
- Breeding Bird Monitoring Ringing Plan
- BIRDS AND CLIMATE (records of first arrivals of migrating birds)
- Spanish Wintering Wildfowl Count. January 2009
- Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Spain (provisional results)
- National Census of Woodland Raptors (population estimates and sighting frequency maps for nine species: Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Short-Toed Eagle, Goshawk, Sparrow Hawk and Hobby)
- The Fuerteventura Stonechat (world census 2005-2006)
- The Lesser Grey Shrike (2003-2010 censuses)

ARCTIC TERN IN EXTREMADURA

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). Photographer: Ben Lascelles (taken from IBC-Lynx).

Arctic Sea Swallows in Extremadura? Hard to believe. Extremadura is a fair way from the sea and even further from the arctic, but it seems that some birds from those latitudes have passed through the region. Witness "Aves de Portugal" (Catry et al, 2010).

This book reports the first ever record for Extremadura. A flock of 8 Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea) were seen flying over the River Tagus on 17 May 2002, where it runs along the Spanish-Portuguese border between Malpica do Tejo (Portugal) and Herrera de Alcántara (Cáceres). The birds were seen by Luis Gordinho. This surprising record, published and accepted by our Portuguese colleagues, seems to be trustworthy. This same birdwatcher has also seen other Arctic Terns along the Portuguese coast and is apparently conversant with the species. Although there are no known records hitherto of birds in inland Spain, the same publication also records another bird the same year in inland Portugal, in Paul de Boquilobo on 26 June 2002.

Catry, P., Costa, H., Elias, G. and Matias, R. 2010. Aves de Portugal. Ornitología do territorio continental. Assirio & Alvim. Lisbon.

GREAT SNIPE: FIRST FOR EXTREMADURA

Great Snipe (Gallinago media)

Another new bird for the Extremadura list, making four since this blog came on line in May 2010. This time it's the turn of the Great Snipe (Gallinago media), which now joins Goosander, Pied-Billed Grebe and Buff-Breasted Sandpiper as previous firsts published in this blog. In all four cases, however, the birds are national rarities, so the records are still pending acceptance by the SEO's Rarities Committee.

The three birds in question were seen by a group of German birdwatchers being led by Roberto Cabo. Roberto described the observation as follows:
"On 1 April 2011 I was guiding a group of German birdwatchers in Madrigalejo (Cáceres), 1.5 km from the village in the Casas de Hitos direction. It was one of those completely unexpected, unrepeatable and one-off events. Uwe George and I were watching a Marsh Harrier quartering low over a puddled area when three waders flew up. The three of them flew only a few metres before dropping back to the ground. We looked at each other speechlessly because it was obvious that the birds we had just seen were no "ordinary, run-of-the-mill" waders. Both of us independently swung round to the group exclaiming that we had just seen three Great Snipes. That few-second glimpse had been enough to show us a small-scale woodcock-like bird, ruling out any other species of European wader. I know the species from Poland and Greece and Uwe George knows it well from Scandinavia. Without the unwitting aid of the harrier, we would never have known they were there, showing once again that what we see out in the field is only a small part of what's there."

The Great Snipe is a migratory bird that breeds in the north of Europe and west Siberia, wintering in subsaharan Africa. Its normal migration route passes through the east of Europe, with regular sightings in Italy but only very rare observations further west. In Spain, up to 2008, 20 records involving 23 birds have been accepted; most in the northeast and in spring (especially April and May). In spring 2011 an unprecedented invasion is occurring, with at least 24 birds being recorded (22 in Catalunya, including a flock of 8, and 2 in the Balearic Isles) between 27 March and 24 April, to which we now have to add the 3 Extremadura birds. These records outnumber the whole past history of this species in Spain.

Sources: Rare birds in Spain [web] De Juana, E. 2006. Aves raras en España. Lynx Edicions. Comité de Rarezas de SEO. 2010. Observaciones de aves raras en España, 2008. Ardeola 57: 481-516.

MARCH 2011: Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris). Guijo de Santa Bárbara, Cáceres. 06-03-2011. Raúl Guzmán.

A list of the most notable records sent to the GOCE forum in March 2011 (compiled by Sergio Mayordomo). Click here for backdated months.

- Egyptian Goose: two at Casas de Hitos, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 03/03 (Martin Kelsey) and one at Valverde de Mérida gravel pit(Badajoz) on 22/03 (Jesús Solana).
-Shelduck: 12 at Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres) on 03/03 (M. Kelsey).
-Mandarin Duck: one pair at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 17/03 (Carlos Martín).
-Garganey: one pair at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/03 (Eva Palacios, Jesús Rodríguez, José Luis Calvo, Juan Jesús Pelegrín, Natalia Moral and Sergio Mayordomo).
-Glossy Ibis: one at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 05/03 (Antonio J. Julián, Godfried Schreur and Iván Solana).
-Squacco Heron: two wintering birds hanging on at Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 03/03 (M. Kelsey). One at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 19/03 (Javier Briz and Óscar J. González) and two on 20/03 (Dave Langlois, J. Briz, Ó. J. González and Sammy Langlois).
-Grey Heron: colony count of 135 nests at Talayuela (Cáceres) on 15/03 (Javier Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
-Osprey: one at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 01/03 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), two on 07/03 (M. Kelsey) and one on 23/03 (M. Kelsey). One on River Tiétar, at La Bazagona (Cáceres), on 07/03 (Juan Carlos Salgado and Mercedes Rodríguez).
-Goshawk: one at La Tajadilla, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 20/03 (Luis Martínez) and one pair at Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) on 30/03 (Alberto Pacheco).

-Long-Legged Buzzard: one immature (2nd winter) at Belén, Trujillo, on 26/03 (Dave Allen, Clive Mellon and Dennis Wir).
-Avocet: one at Galisteo Lake on 02/03 and 08/03 (S. Mayordomo) and two on 09/03, 11/03 and 12/03 (César Clemente, Javier Mahillo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Four in flight at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 18/03 (Ricardo Montero). One at Casas de Hitos, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 30/03 (M. Kelsey).
-Sociable Lapwing: one adult female at Castuera (Badajoz) on 13/03 (Rodney Smith).
-Curlew: 16 at Riolobos rice fields(Cáceres) on 17/03 (S. Mayordomo).
-Jack Snipe: One at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 12/03 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
-Spotted Redshank: one at El Batán rice field (Cáceres), on 08/03, 09/03 and 11/03 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo); and another at Galisteo Lake Cáceres) on 17/03 (S. Mayordomo).
-Yellow-Legged Gull: one at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 05/03 (J. Solana).
-Whiskered Tern: one at River Guadiana, Mérida (Badajoz), seen several times on 18/03 and up to the end of March (J. Solana).
-Carrion Crow: one pair carrying nest material to a Pine Tree in Talayuela (Cáceres) on 15/03 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
-Bearded Tit: 2 males and one female at Arrocampo Reservoir(Cáceres), on 18/03 (S. Mayordomo), three on 20/03 (D. Langlois, J. Briz, Ó. J. González and S. Langlois) and one on 25/03 (S. Mayordomo).

FIRST SUMMER VISITORS
-Purple Heron: one at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 12/03 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and another at Valdefuentes Gravel Pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 30/03 (S. Mayordomo).
-Montagu's Harrier: one at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 20/03 (M. Kelsey) and 3 males and one female on 22/03 (G. Schreur). One male at Usagre (Badajoz) on 21/03 (Ángel Sánchez).
-Ringed Plover: two at El Batán rice field (Cáceres) on 08/03 and one on 11/03 (S. Mayordomo). One at Valverde de Mérida (Badajoz) on 22/03 (J. Solana).
-Collared Pratincole: 14 at Valverde de Mérida (Badajoz) on 22/03 (J. Solana) and two at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 30/03 (M. Kelsey).
-Swift: several at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 31/03 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo).
-Cuckoo: one at Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres) on 05/03 (Florencio Carrero). One at Portaje on 11/03 (S. Mayordomo). One at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 17/03 (M. Kelsey). First female at Villanueva de la Vera on 26/03 (D. Langlois) and at Casatejada (Cáceres) on 27/03 (S. Mayordomo).
-Roller: one at La Pulgosa, Cáceres, on 27/03 (Santi Villa).
-Bee-eater: several at Usagre (Badajoz) on 20/03 (Emilio Costillo), at Las Hurdes (Cáceres) on 25/03 (A. Pacheco) and at Mérida (Badajoz) on 26/03 (Steve Fletcher).
-Wryneck: three at Villanueva de la Vera on 26/03 and one on 28/03 and 30/03 (D. Langlois).
-Woodchat Shrike: one at Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 10/03 and another on 12/03 (Ángel Luis Sánchez). One at Cáceres on 13/03 (Javier Caballero).
-Short-Toed Lark: one at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/03 (S. Mayordomo), six at Zorita (Cáceres) and two at Palazuelo (Badajoz) (M. Kelsey).
-Willow Warbler: one at Casatejada (Cáceres) on 18/03 (S. Mayordomo). Several individuals observed at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) as from 25/03 with a peak of 7 on 30/03 (D. Langlois).
-Iberian Chiffchaff: one at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 22/03 and three on 24/03 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois). One at Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 27/03 (E. Palacios, R. Montero and S. Mayordomo) and another on 29/03 (J. Prieta, Luis S. Cano and S. Mayordomo). One at River Ruecas at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 30/03 (M. Kelsey).
-Bonelli's Warbler: one at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 31/03 (D. Langlois).
-Savi's Warbler: several at Arrocampo Reservoir(Cáceres) on 19/03 (J. Briz and Ó. J. González).
-Grasshopper Warbler: one at Ibahernando (Cáceres) on 21/03 (S. Fletcher) and one at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 26/03 (D. Langlois).
-Sedge Warbler: one at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 18/03 (S. Mayordomo), 20/03 (D. Langlois, J. Briz, Ó. J. González and S. Langlois) and 25/03 (S. Mayordomo). Another at Zorita (Cáceres)on 30/03 (M. Kelsey) and three at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), (S. Mayordomo).
-Reed Warbler: on 20/03 one at Arrocampo (Cáceres) (D. Langlois and S. Langlois), another at Puente Viejo in Badajoz (Juan Carlos Paniagua) and another at Arroyo Budión, Torviscal (Badajoz), (Luis Lozano).
-Great Reed Warbler: on 30/03 one on River Ruecas at Palazuelo (Badajoz) (M. Kelsey), another at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo).
-Orphean Warbler: one at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 31/03 (J. Mahillo).
-Spectacled Warbler: one at Zorita (Cáceres) on 30/03 (M. Kelsey).
-Nightingale: one at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 25/03 and five on 26/03 (D. Langlois); on this same day another at Monfragüe (Cáceres) (Manuel García del Rey) and at Mérida (Badajoz) (S. Fletcher).
-Redstart: one male at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 25/03 and 28/03 (D. Langlois). One at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 29/03 (R. Montero).
-Whinchat: one at Cerezo (Cáceres) on 14/03 (A. Pacheco).
-Black-Eared Wheatear: one at Acehúche (Cáceres) on 20/03 (A. J. Julián). On 21/03 one pair at Usagre (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez) and another bird at Cerezo (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco).
-Tree Pipit: one at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 24/03 (J. Muddeman).
-Yellow Wagtail: one at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 13/03 (A. J. Julián) and another at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 20/03 (M. Kelsey). One male of the M. f. flavissima subspecies at Usagre (Badajoz) on 21/03 (Á. Sánchez) and another at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 25/03 (S. Mayordomo).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS
-Greylag Goose: eight at Alange Reservoir(Badajoz) on 05/03 (J. Solana), two at Portaje Reservoir Cáceres) on 11/03 (S. Mayordomo) and one flying over Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 22/03 (John Muddeman).
-Lapwing: 11 at Galisteo (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo) and one at Casas de Hitos, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz) (M. Kelsey) on 30/03.
-Alpine Accentor: two at Portilla de Jaranda, Guijo de Santa Bárbara (Cáceres), on 06/03 (Raúl Guzmán).
-Brambling: two at La Garganta (Cáceres) on 08/03 (R. Montero) and 20 on passage at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 12/03 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
-Bullfinch: two at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 05/03 (D. Langlois).

WINTERING GREYLAG GEESE IN EXTREMADURA

Flock of Greylag Geese (Anser anser). Casas de Hitos lake, Navalvillar de Pela, Badajoz. 22-01-2011. Juan Pablo Prieto.

The traditional wintering areas for Greylag Geese (Anser anser) in Spain are in the northern plains of Spain, the "meseta norte" (Zamora and Palencia) and in the saltmarshes of the River Guadalquivir in the south. Until a few years ago these two areas accounted for almost the whole Iberian population. Extremadura lies between these two spots and all geese heading for Doñana must overfly it. For decades they did just that, flew straight over without hardly stopping. This stands to reason given the dearth of natural wetlands in Extremadura. The figures are telling: the January counts from 1978 to 1989 throw up the paltry mean figure of 59 Greylags wintering in the area. But two factors brought about a change in this situation; firstly the construction of more reservoirs and irrigated farming land and secondly the increase in the European Greylag population. From 1991 to 1995 the mean number of wintering Greylags in Extremadura soared to 2700, increasing almost fifty-fold, with peaks of 3750. The standout site is Valdecañas Reservoir in northeast Cáceres, with 33-65% of the total. The rest are spread around large and medium-sized reservoirs, each of which holds at most a few hundred birds. During the next seven winters no January counts were made in Extremadura but the general impression was of a continuing upward trend. At the turn of the century the number of wintering Greylags perhaps topped 5000 for the first time. The January count of 2002 came out as 4500 in the province of Cáceres alone and an estimate of 8000 for the whole of Extremadura. The renewed regional counts as from January 2003 bear this out, with figures that were undreamt of only a few years back. The 2006 count was 19,043 Greylags and 10,380 in 2007. Numbers seem to have been quite similar in 2010 and 2011. Nonetheless, a detailed look at the figures shows that in most places, mainly reservoirs, the numbers have held pretty steady since the 1990s. Barring one district: the Vegas Altas of Guadiana, where the massive takeup of irrigated farming created the conditions for a new and sizeable wintering area for Greylags. This district now boasts 14,000 birds, sometimes up to 90% of Extremadura's wintering Greylags, most of them feeding in maize and rice stubble. This poses a stiff and thrilling challenge for birdwatchers for these huge flocks often have a few stowaways of the rarer and much sought-after geese species.

Greylag (Anser anser) in Extremadura. The red bars show the figures recorded in the official January counts (DGMN, GIC-UEX, SEO/BirdLife). The blue bars show estimates for years without a count or not yet published (2010). Some official counts (e.g.2008) are partial, given that the main aim was to count the wildfowl in wetlands and many of Extremadura's wintering Greylags live and feed in cropland that does not come into the wildfowl count. Another factor that hinders counts is that geese do not usually form winter roosts in Extremadura.