JULY 2012: NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). Bird ringed near Manchester (UK) in June 2012 and photgraphed at Valdecañas Reservoir on 19-07-2012 by Ángel Sánchez. 

A list of the most notable July 2012 records sent to the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo. 

- Egyptian Goose: Two birds at Charca de Corral Alto, Zorita (Cáceres), on 28/07 (Sergio Mayordomo).
- Shelduck: 24 birds, most of them young or chicks, at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 07/07 and 21/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Red Crested Pochard: At Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres), three drakes in eclipse on 18/07 and 26/07, and one female at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 28/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Pochard: One female at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 18/07 and five birds at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 28/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 22/07 (Óscar Llama).
- Great Crested Grebe: Over 200 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/07 (José María Castaño, José Manuel Rama and Ángel Sánchez). Over 300 birds at Sierra Brava Reservoir, Zorita (Cáceres), on 28/07 (S. Mayordomo).

- Greater Flamingo: 15 birds at Villalba de los Barros Reservoir (Badajoz) on 28/07 and 29/07, only one immature remaining on 30/07 (José Elías Rodríguez, photograph) and on 31/07 (Vanessa de Alba and Antonio Núñez).
- Glossy Ibis: First Extremadura breeding record. 5 young from at least two nests seen in the heron colony of Azud del Guadiana at Badajoz on 21/07 and 22/07 (Juan Carlos Paniagua and Atanasio Fernández). Still occupying the roost of Montijo Reservoir , Mérida, with 11-13 birds seen on 12, 18 and 19 July (Sergio Pérez Gil).
- Spoonbill: First successful breeding record at Valle del Alagón (Cáceres): nest with 3 fully grown chicks on 12/07 and 26/07 (S. Mayordomo). Flocks: 18 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 15/07 (Francisco Lopo); at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), 32 birds on 15/07 and 35 on 23/07 (S. Mayordomo); at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) 18 birds on 18/07 (S. Mayordomo); and at Villalba de los Barros Reservoir (Badajoz), 38 birds on 29/07 (J. E. Rodríguez) and 17 on 31/07 (V. de Alba and A. Núñez).
- Bittern: First breeding record at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres): 2 young birds and one adult seen on 07/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Squacco Heron: One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 06/07 (Elvira del Viejo and Antonia Cangas). Successful breeding proven at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz with the observation of juveniles on 21/07 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Cattle Egret: New breeding colony at Tentudía Reservoir , Monesterio (Badajoz), with up to 50 nests on 06/07 (A. Pacheco).

- "Western Reef Egret": Bird with traits of the white morph of the subspecies E. g. schistacea at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/07 and 26/07 (S. Mayordomo -photograph-).
- Grey Heron: Flocks: 147 birds at Valuengo Reservoir (Badajoz) on 26/07 (Francisco Montaño and Damián).
- Osprey: One bird at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/07 (J. M. Castaño, J. M. Rama and Á. Sánchez). Goshawk: One bird mobbing a Honey Buzzard at Piornal (Cáceres) on 29/07 (Lorenzo Alcántara).
- Ringed Plover: Two birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 14/07 (S. Mayordomo, Eva Palacios and César Clemente).
- Kentish Plover: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres): four birds on 07/07 and one on 21/07 (S. Mayordomo). Three birds at Valuengo Reservoir (Badajoz) on 26/07 (F. Montaño and Damián). Four birds at Cubilar Reservoir (Cáceres) on 28/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Redshank: Ten birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 06/07 (E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 15/07 (F. Lopo). One bird at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 20/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Spotted Redshank: At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres): three birds on 15/07 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and five on 23/07 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Santa Amalia ricefields (Badajoz) on 28/07 (Fernando Yuste).
- Greenshank: At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres): one bird on 15/07 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and six on 23/07 (S. Mayordomo). On 26/07, one bird at Valuengo Reservoir (Badajoz) (F. Montaño and Damián), and another at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo).
- Wood Sandpiper: One bird at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 08/07. On 28/07 nine seen at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), and four at Cubilar Reservoir (Badajoz) (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 31/07 (F. Montaño).
- Ruff: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres): one male on 07/07 and 21/07 (S. Mayordomo). On 28/07 35 birds seen at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) (F. Yuste) and three at Cubilar Reservoir (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo).
- Dunlin: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/07 (S. Mayordomo). At Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz), two birds on 13/07 (Ángel Luis Sánchez and Á. Sánchez) and one on 14/07 (S. Mayordomo, E. Palacios and C. Clemente).
- Curlew Sandpiper: Two birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 26/07 (S. Mayordomo). On 31/07, one bird at Villalba de los Barros Reservoir (Badajoz) (V. de Alba and A. Núñez) and five at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) (F. Montaño).
- Pectoral Sandpiper: One adult at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 13/07 (Á. L. Sánchez and Á. Sánchez) and on 14/07 (S. Mayordomo, E. Palacios and C. Clemente).
- Little Stint: Two birds at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 26/07 (S. Mayordomo). On 28/07, four birds at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) (José Luis Bautista) and three at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz) (S. Mayordomo). Eight birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 31/07 (F. Montaño).
- Temminck's Stint: Three birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 31/07 (F. Montaño).

- Collared Pratincole: 262 birds counted and over 300 estimated on ricefields between Palazuelo (Badajoz) and Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 26/07 (M. Kelsey -photograph-).
- Yellow Legged Gull: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres): 16 birds, including two young birds, on 07/07 and eight birds on 21/07 (S. Mayordomo). Several birds including young at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz), on 12/07 (J. M. Castaño, J. M. Rama and Á. Sánchez).
- Common Tern: One immature at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 07/07 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/07 (J. M. Castaño, J. M. Rama and Á. Sánchez).
- Whiskered Tern: One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 11/07 (Manuel García del Rey and Javier Briz).
- Pintailed Sandgrouse: First ever sighting at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres): one male in a flock of Black-Bellied Sandgrouse on 31/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Long Eared Owl: One bird found dead in the road between Vegas de Coria (Cáceres) and Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 12/07 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Spectacled Warbler: One female at Piornal (Cáceres) on 29/07 (L. Alcántara).
- Redstart: Two birds at Sierra de Tentudía (Badajoz) on 07/07 (A. Pacheco).
- Rock Thrush: Two males and one female at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 10/07 (A. Pacheco).
- Tawny Pipit: Three birds at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 07/07 (A. Pacheco).

EARLY POST-BREEDING PASSAGE / WINTER VISITORS 
- Teal : One female at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 05/07 and four birds at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 23/07 (S. Mayordomo).
- Snipe: On 26/07 two birds seen between Palazuelo (Badajoz) and Campo Lugar (Cáceres) (Martin Kelsey) and three birds at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo).

- Bonelli's Warbler: One bird at Sierra de Tentudía (Badajoz) on 16/07 (A. Pacheco). One bird capturred in a Mérida garden Badajoz) on 18/07 (DGMA -photograph by Atanasio Fernández-). At Monfragüe (Cáceres), one bird captured for ringing on 20/07 (Luis Lozano et al) and another singing on 22/07 (Javier Prieta).
- Sedge Warbler: Birds captured for ringing at Arroyo Budión, Rena (Badajoz): two on 15/07 and six on 28/07 (GIA Extremadura).
- Yellow Wagtail: One bird at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 15/07 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One young bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 20/07 (S. Mayordomo).

FIRST BREEDING RECORD OF GLOSSY IBIS IN EXTREMADURA

The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is the latest addition to Extremadura's list of breeding birds, now standing at 205 species. This is now becoming almost routine; since 1998 30 new birds have been proven to breed. The most recent, besides the Glossy Ibis, are Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) in 2011 and Great White Egret (Egretta alba) in 2010.

The site where Extremadura's first Glossy Ibis chicks have been born is the traditional heronry of Azud del Guadiana, on the outskirts of Badajoz city itself. This colony breeds in three hectares or so of thick willow and ash scrub. According to 2011 figures (SEO/BirdLife, unpublished), this colony includes about 2000 pairs of Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), 80 pairs of Night Heron (Nyctycorax nyctycorax) and 75 pairs of Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). In 2012 there were also at least two pairs of the scarce Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) and probably one breeding pair of Purple Heron in the area too (Ardea purpurea). Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) is another habitual breeder in the area and there are also resident but non-breeding Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea).

 First Glossy Ibis nest (Plegadis falcinellus) ever found in Extremadura. 

Azud de Badajoz. May 2012 (Atanasio Fernández). 

The story goes back to 15 April 2012, a day of surprise visitors at Azud del Guadiana. Six Spoonbills turned up (Platalea leucorodia) plus a pair of Glossy Ibises. The Spoonbill's visit was fleeting but the Glossy Ibises decided to stick around. A month later, from 18 to 20 May, the number of birds had built up to 16 and, even more importantly, the two first nests were spotted (Juan Carlos Paniagua, Luis R. Hernández and Atanasio Fernández). By the end of May at least nine pairs were sitting on eggs with perhaps more incubating pairs out of sight (A. Fernández, J. C. Salgado, Mercedes Rodríguez and J. C. Paniagua). These included four ringed birds, all from Doñana. The oldest, born in 2004, was B[5RN]; B[7U0] was born in 2007 and the other two in 2008: B[CNA] and B[85N]. Some of them had been spotted in previous years in Huelva, Cádiz and Seville, but never in Extremadura. The birds' main feeding area seems to be to the west, across the nearby border in Portugal, in the ricefields of Alfarófia about 3.5 km from Azud del Guadiana; here, on 5 June, flocks of 15, 4 and 3 Glossy Ibises were seen. There were also sightings from the ricefields of River Gévora, in Extremadura.

Just when everything seemed to be going like clockwork, however, the Glossy Ibis colony mysteriously disappeared. On 14 and 15 June only one bird was seen (ring B[CNA]) carrying nesting material to a nest out of sight. On 17 June a flock of 30 Glossy Ibises was seen in Alfarófia (Portugal), suggesting that the birds had abandoned the Extremadura colony. On 29 June, almost by chance, a nest was found with at least two chicks, although later sightings showed that there were three chicks being fed by the adult [CNA], possibly a female. Tags were kept on this nest throughout July until, finally, on 14 July a fledgling was seen outside the nest. On 21 and 22 July at least five fledglings were seen in the colony, suggesting the presence of at least one other nest that had produced two more chicks.

The minimum result of Extremadura's first record of breeding Glossy Ibis is therefore as follows: nine breeding pairs, two with success and five fledglings. This could therefore represent the first ever inland breeding record in the Iberian peninsula, unless other records turn up later from 2012.

First family of Glossy Ibises (Plegadis falcinellus) seen in Extremadura. An adult (possible female with ring W[CNA]) next to two chicks. Azud de Badajoz. June 2012 (Atanasio Fernández). 

Up to now the Glossy Ibis has always been a scarce bird in Extremadura, albeit with an increasing number of sightings as the Doñana population to the south soared. Here the bird is known to have bred from the eighteenth to early twentieth century, when breeding stopped due to direct persecution and habitat loss. The last breeding record, according to J. A. Valverde, dates from 1909. Luckily, decades later, two pairs bred in Albufera de Valencia in 1993 with another breeding pair in the same site in 1994 but no more breeding records thereafter. In 1996 it began to breed in Spain's biggest wetlands: Doñana (7 pairs) and Delta del Ebro (4 pairs), and in 1997 on the saltpans of Santa Pola (Alicante, 2 pairs). The number of breeding pairs in Delta del Ebro had built up to 119 pairs by 2007 with 15 in Santa Pola the same year. The increase in Doñana was much more spectacular, with 1125 pairs by 2004, 3643 in 2007 and about 7200 in 2011 (see table; taken from Máñez and Rendón-Martos, 2009).

The severe drought of winter 2011-2012 produced a widespread dispersion of Glossy Ibises from Doñana throughout the whole Iberian Peninsula, including deep inland and the north coast, with records of several hundred from Albufera de Valencia. In Extremadura the biggest ever Glossy Ibis flock was seen in November 2011: 70 birds in a roost in Madrigalejo (Cáceres); in the spring of 2012 small groups began to turn up in suitable breeding habitat, such as the reservoirs of Arrocampo (Cáceres) and Montijo (Mérida). In Arrocampo sightings peaked at ten birds in March-April, including two ringed birds, both born in 2011 in Doñana. In Mérida the presence was more numerous and constant, with a maximum of 24 (Ángel Sánchez), several ringed in Doñana, and occupation of the roost until August.

The River Guadiana, as it flows through Badajoz, accounted for half of Extremadura's records up to 2000 . The first two published records correspond to 2-5 birds seen in October and November 1989 (C. de la Cruz et al) and one bird in May 1990 (J. Hernández); April (J. Gayo), June and September 1994 (I. Galván); and April 1995 (S. Lozano). Later on, two adults of differing size, perhaps male and female, were first seen in a Portuguese ricefield on 25/06/1999, and then flying in at dusk for weeks on end to Badajoz's heron roost (D. Rivera), with one record as late as 15/08/1999 (J. L. Valiña). On 10/09 and 19/09/1999 a young bird was seen (R. Morán and L. Sanabria). More recently, in a meadow close to Azud del Guadiana, a Glossy Ibis was seen from 22 to 27/08/2010 (A. Fernández), and a pair in the same meadow on 03/03/2012 (J. C. Paniagua).

All the credit for finding Extremadura's first breeding Glossy Ibises and writing the text goes to Juan Carlos Paniagua and Atanasio Fernández. Juan Carlos Salgado, Mercedes Rodríguez, Eva Palacios, César Clemente, Sergio Mayordomo and Luis R. Hernández have also chipped in with their own observations. Much more detailed information can be gleaned from the excellent blog of Atanasio Fernández, "Desde mi chajurdo", a must for the quality of its photographs and eminently readable texts. 

Bibliography: 

- Máñez, M. and Rendón-Martos, M. (Eds.). 2009. El morito, la espátula y el flamenco en España. Población en 2007 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. 

- Prieta, J. and Mayordomo, S. 2011. Aves de Extremadura, vol. 4. 2004-2008. SEO-Cáceres. Plasencia. 

- Prieta, J. 2007. Aves de Extremadura. Volumen 3. 2001-2003 Versión digital. ADENEX. Mérida.

JUNE 2012: NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA

Gull-Billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica). By Juan Carlos Paniagua. 

A list of the most notable June 2012 records sent to the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo.

- Greylag Goose: Two birds at Cubilar reservoir, Logrosán (Cáceres), on 24/06 (Sergio Mayordomo and Eva Palacios). Probably feral. 
- Egyptian Goose: Seven pairs, one with eight chicks, at La Serena reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/06 (Sergio Pérez, Miguel Sánchez, Fermín Sierra, Domingo Rivera, Demetrio Vázquez and Ángel Sánchez).
- Shelduck: Two birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 07/06 (E. Palacios and César Clemente). At Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) 12 adults and 20 chicks on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, Javier Prieta and C. Clemente) and 18 adults and 39 chicks in 5 family groups on 21/06 (Manuel Flores, José A. Guerrero and Á. Sánchez). Second year running with breeding records at Valdecañas reservoir .
- Wood Duck: One bird on irrigation ditches of Casas de Belvís (Cáceres) on 02/06 (Javier Briz and Alejandro Briz). One drake on a village pond of Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 21/06 (C. Clemente).
- Shoveler: One drake at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and C. Clemente).
- Red-Crested Pochard: Three birds, two drakes and one duck at Arroyoconejos reservoir, Llerena (Badajoz), on 05/06 (Joaquín Vázquez and Francisco Montaño). One drake at Soto gravel pit, Valverde de Mérida (Badajoz), on 11/06 (Jesús Solana).

- Pochard: On 01/06 three drakes and one duck seen at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), and one drake at Los Arenales, Cáceres (S. Mayordomo). At Charca del Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), 11 drakes and 4 ducks on 02/06 (S. Mayordomo) and 10 birds on 07/06 (E. Palacios and C. Clemente). Seven drakes and three ducks at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 23/06 (S. Mayordomo). One duck with several chicks at Villalba de los Barros reservoir (Badajoz) on 28/06 (José Elías, photograph).
- Ferruginous Duck: One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 02/06 (S. Mayordomo) and on 17/06 (Antonio Ceballos). - Great-Crested Grebe: Over 250 birds at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and C. Clemente).
- Glossy Ibis: At Montijo reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), 15 birds came into roost on 02/06 (Antonio Calvo), twelve on 07/06 (E. Palacios, C. Clemente and Antonia Cangas) and seven on 17/06 (J. Solana). At Azud de Guadiana, Badajoz, birds were still seen throughout June (Juan Carlos Paniagua and Atanasio Fernández; bottom photograph).
- Sacred Ibis: One bird at Montijo reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 14/06 (Gerardo Pizarro and Andrea García) and 17/06 (J. Solana).

- Squacco Heron: At Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, up to four birds in breeding plumage seen throughout June (Juan Carlos Salgado, J. C. Paniagua and A. Fernández; photograph). Three birds at Montijo reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 07/06 (E. Palacios, C. Clemente and A. Cangas).
- Cattle Egret: Flock of about 5000 birds at La Serena reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/06 (S. Pérez, M. Sánchez, F. Sierra, D. Rivera, D. Vázquez and Á. Sánchez).
- Montagu's Harrier: One dark morph bird between Álcántara and Membrío (Cáceres) on 13/06 (Javier Mahillo, C. Clemente and Carlos López Albar).
- Hobby: One bird at Valverde de Mérida (Badajoz) on 14/06 (F. Montaño).
- Great Bustard: One bird flying north at Castillo de Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 16/06 (Samuel Langlois). One male at Mohedas de Granadilla (Cáceres) on 21/06. Nine females, one of them with one chick, at Llanos de Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 21/06 (C. Clemente).
- Crested Coot: One bird marked with a neck collar at Arroyoconejos reservoir, Llerena (Badajoz), on 05/06 (J. Vázquez and F. Montaño). Second Extremadura record.
- Lapwing: Two birds at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 01/06 (S. Mayordomo). 200 birds on the ricefields between Palazuelo (Badajoz) and Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 12/06 (A. Calvo) and only one bird on 16/06 (Martin Kelsey). 50 birds on Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres) on 13/06 (S. Mayordomo).

- Kentish Plover: 11 birds, including one female incubating three eggs, at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and C. Clemente; photograph by César Clemente).
- Green Sandpiper: One bird at Laguna de Campanilleros, Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 09/06 (E. Palacios). Two birds at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 16/06 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 17/06 (J. C. Paniagua and A. Fernández).
- Ruff: One bird at El Batán ricefields (Cáceres) on 22/06 (S. Mayordomo).
- Common Sandpiper: One bird at Portaje reservoir (Cáceres) on 22/06 (S. Mayordomo).
- Dunlin: One bird at Arroyoconejos reservoir, Llerena (Badajoz), on 05/06 (J. Vázquez and F. Montaño).
- Collared Pratincole: Colony of about 200 pairs at La Serena reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/06 (S. Pérez, M. Sánchez, F. Sierra, D. Rivera, D. Vázquez and Á. Sánchez). Colony with over 25 pairs at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and C. Clemente).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: 22 birds at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/06, including one adult with territorial behaviour in the Gull-Billed Tern colony (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and C. Clemente).
- Little Tern: Colony with about 100 pairs at La Serena reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/06 (S. Pérez, M. Sánchez, F. Sierra, D. Rivera, D. Vázquez and Á. Sánchez). Colony of over 15 pairs at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and C. Clemente).
- Sandwich Tern: One bird in the Gull-Billed Tern colony at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 21/06 (M. Flores, J. A. Guerrero and Á. Sánchez). Second record for Extremadura.
- Common Tern: On 21/06 two birds were seen at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) (M. Flores, J. A. Guerrero and Á. Sánchez) and four at Alange reservoir (Badajoz) (M. Sánchez, Joaquín Fernández, Jesús Prieto and Á. Sánchez).
- Black Tern: Two birds at Arroyoconejos reservoir, Llerena (Badajoz), on 05/06 (J. Vázquez and F. Montaño). Seven birds at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and C. Clemente).
- Whiskered Tern: Two birds at Arroyoconejos reservoir, Llerena (Badajoz), on 05/06 (J. Vázquez and F. Montaño).
- Nightjar: One bird in a low-altitude area at Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) on 01/06 (Alberto Pacheco). One bird singing at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 14/06 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente).
- Wryneck: Four birds at Dehesa de Aceituna (Cáceres) on 08/06 (A. Pacheco).

- Yellow Crowned Bishop, Euplectes afer. Several birds on 17/06 at Alfarofia ricefields (River Caya, Elvas, Portugal) at less than one k from the border with Badajoz (J. C. Paniagua and A. Fernández, photograph). A small population was found in this area in 2002 comprising at least five pairs, but no records are known from subsequent years; it seems, therefore, as though the species is still hanging on ten years later.
- Carrion Crow: One bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 24/06 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Spectacled Warbler: One male at Ovejuela, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 16/06 (A. Pacheco). Two males at Refugio del Brezo, Losar de la Vera (Cáceres), on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, Pepe Guisado, J. Prieta and C. Clemente). Ten males at Pitolero, Cabezabellosa (Cáceres), on 22/06 (J. Prieta).
- Song Thrush: one male singing throughout June from a Cedar in the garden of Campamento Carlos V, Jerte (Cáceres) (Iván Solana). Second probable Extremadura breeding record, the previous dating from 1999 at Descargamaría, Sierra de Gata.
- Rock Thrush: At Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), three males, two adults and a young bird, on 12/06 and one male on 25/06 (A. Pacheco).

- Pied Flycatcher: Five pairs in nestboxes of Poyales pinewood, Losar de la Vera (Cáceres), on 17/06 (S. Mayordomo, P. Guisado, J. Prieta and C. Clemente -photograph-).
- Redstart: Several at Aceituna (Cáceres) on 08/06 and one male at Ovejuela, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 16/06 (A. Pacheco).
- Rufous-Tailed Bush Robin. One pair at Rebollar (Cáceres) in a bramble patch between two cherry orchards on 10/06 (I. Solana). First record in Jerte Valley and in cherry orchards, habitat not previously recorded for the species.
- Tawny Pipit: Two birds at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 12/06 and 25/06 (A. Pacheco).

THE CINEREOUS VULTURE IN EXTREMADURA. 1974-2009.

The minutes have recently been published of the International Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) Symposium held in Córdoba in 2004. It stands to reason, given the important Extremadura population of this species, that several of the published contents should refer to this region. The huge time-lag between the event itself and the publication of these minutes means that some of the articles have already fallen behind the times. Luckily, some of the submitted papers have been updated. This is the case of an article dealing with the Extremadura Cinereous Vulture population, with additional figures from 2009 phased in (Caldera, 2012). Tapping into this data, we have compiled the published figures on this species in Extremadura, from the first estimates of 1974 up to the 2009 count. The results are displayed in the following table (click on it to open it up).

In more intuitive form the following graph shows clearly the upward trend in Extremadura's Cinereous Vulture population, although the population of the early years was greatly underestimated. The figures are more trustworthy from 1990 onwards. We also show the trend over time of the two biggest colonies, Sierra de San Pedro and Monfragüe. Bear in mind here that the figures refer to pairs that start breeding, so the actual population, including non-breeding birds and those undetected due to methodological reasons, is higher. In 2006 the breeding population was 829 pairs in Extremadura whereas the actual population is estimated to have been over 1200 pairs (De la Puente et al., 2007).

The lower map below shows the distribution (modified from Costillo, 2004). To match the colonies with the figures of the top table, the three northern colonies, marked with in green (Sierra de Gata), light blue (Las Hurdes) and dark blue circles (Granadilla) are considered to be a single group. In the southwest lie the big colony of Sierra de San Pedro (grey circles) and Tajo-Salor (dark green). In the centre-east of Cáceres lie Monfragüe (yellow, as from 2004 it has spread westwards) and Los Ibores (pink), which should really be taken to be a single unit. In the northeast of Badajoz are the two small clusters of Cíjara (red) and La Siberia (white; dying out in 2012). The original map dates from 2004 so it does not include the new expansion areas, which have been added on with a larger coloured circle: Canchos de Ramiro (red), Cañaveral (light green), Montáchez (blue) and Villuercas (orange). This latter cluster does not figure in any official count but birds are known to have nested there since 2007 (one certain pair and another probable), as recorded in the Extremadura Ornithological Yearbook (Anuario Ornitológico de Extremadura: Herrera et al., 2011).

Sources: 

- Caldera J. 2012. El buitre negro Aegypius monachus en Extremadura (España), pp. 38-40. In: Dobado, P. M. and Arenas, R. (coords). El Buitre Negro: Situación, Conservación y Estudios. Actas del Primer Simposium Internacional sobre el Buitre Negro Aegypius monachus (Córdoba, Spain, 21-23 October 2004). Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía. 

- Costillo, E. 2004. El buitre negro en Extremadura. Doctoral Thesis . Universidad de Extremadura. 

- De la Puente, J., Moreno-Opo, R. and del Moral, J. C. 2007. El Buitre Negro en España: Censo Nacional (2006). SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. 

- Dobado, P. M. and Arenas, R. (coords). 2012. El Buitre Negro: Situación, Conservación y Estudios. Actas del Primer Simposium Internacional sobre el Buitre Negro Aegypius monachus (Córdoba, España, 21-23 October 2004). Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía. 

- Herrera, J. A., Cerezo, J. and N. Baeza. 2011. Buitre negro Aegypius monachus. In, Prieta, J. and Mayordomo, S. Aves de Extremadura, vol. 4. 2004-2008. SEO-Cáceres. Plasencia.

- Rodríguez, Á. 2012. El buitre negro Aegypius monachus en el Parque Nacional de Monfragüe (Cáceres, Extremadura, España), pp. 223-226. In: Dobado, P. M. and Arenas, R. (coords). El Buitre Negro: Situación, Conservación y Estudios. Actas del Primer Simposium Internacional sobre el Buitre Negro Aegypius monachus (Córdoba, España, 21-23 October 2004). Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía.

WHITE STORK: 2012, A TERRIBLE YEAR

There are few easier birdwatching tasks than studying White Storks in Extremadura. Almost by inertia, therefore, monitoring of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) population in Plasencia and roundabout began back in 1998. 2012 therefore saw the culmination of 15 years' work. Sadly, however, for natural and man-induced reasons, it has been the worst season since the series started, with an all-time low of 74 occupied nests recorded. This figure is 40% lower than the peak of 122 nests in 2005 and 12% lower than the start of the study in 1998 (84 pairs). The reason for this fall is basically the systematic removal of nests from powerlines and buildings, since the White Stork population has continued to grow in neighbouring areas. In the grid QE22, for example (Valle del Alagón) it grew by 63% from 2004 to 2011 (from 87 to 142 pairs; Corchero, 2011) and the colony of Mirabel landfill site by 210% in the same period (from 42 to 130 nests).

 

The study zone almost coincides with IBA 304 "Plasencia y Sierra de San Bernabé" and takes in the built-up area of Plasencia (56 pairs in 2012 - see distribution by buildings in the image above - peaking at 75 in 2001-2002), three powerline colonies (13 pairs in 2012, peaking at 45 in 2005) and five isolated pairs on the churches of Casas del Castañar, El Torno, Valdastillas, Barrado and Gargüera. All nests were built on artificial structures barring one rock-based nest (active for five years but never with breeding success) and another in a Cork Oak (active for eight years), both associated with a powerline colony.

The above graph shows the population trend. There was a big increase in pairs in the first three seasons(1998-2000) the rise levelling off in the next five (2001-2005). The upward trend finally came abruptly to a halt in 2006, when 19 pairs were lost after the removal of 20 nests from the powerline of the N-110 road (eight new nests were built and this same number remains in 2012 though with continual changes of site after further nest-removal campaigns) and 15 from the Centro Universitario-Cuartel de la Constancia (seven new nests were built). Further destruction followed in March 2008 when all the nests (25) were removed from the Cathedral, the biggest colony in the area. Fortunately local ginger groups forestalled new dissuasive measures and 18 nests were rebuilt, remaining occupied in 2012. Fifteen nests were also removed from the powerline of El Robledo, Malpartida de Plasencia; eight were rebuilt and only four remain in 2012. After slight dip in 2011 the biggest percentage reduction came in 2012 when all nests were removed from the powerline of Gargüera (none rebuilt) with only two occupied of the 15 that once existed on the Centro Universitario. It is paradoxical that it should be an ostensibly educational institution perpetrating this persecution of the storks. In this period many of the buildings of Plasencia have lost their nests, some on blocks of flats, others on property of the bank Caja de Extremadura (hotel, auditorium, offices), several in the bishop's palace and some from stately homes. In general tolerance is higher in religious buildings than in civil buildings.

 

If we factor in the poor weather conditions it is now easy to explain the extremely low breeding success in 2012. The situation seems to have been similar in the rest of Extremadura and in other regions of Spain, and also with the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) in Cáceres too. White Storks began to breed in a poor physical state due to the dearth of food after a long and severe drought from November 2011 to March 2012. Untimely bursts of rain and cold snaps in April then exacerbated the situation and undoubtedly led to the death of small chicks in the nest, as shown by the graphs. The number of fledglings was the lowest ever, only 59, way below the 283 recorded in the exceptional year of 2001 and the mean figure of 162. This represents fewer than one chick per pair, specifically 0.8, half of the mean figure. The percentage of successfully breeding pairs (53%) is also the lowest in the 15-year series (mean of 75%); the same goes for the fledgling rate (number of chicks per successful pair). In 2012 only two pairs managed to rear three chicks. By way of comparison, in 2001 there were five nests with five fledglings and 21 with four. In general, the breeding parameters show a downward trend, especially after 2008; this might be bound up with the persistent removal of nests. In the last six years only three cases of four-fledgling nests have been observed, whereas this was fairly habitual up to 2006. Nonetheless, the breeding success is determined above all by the weather. The factors most detrimental to breeding success are wet springs (high chick death) low fledgling rate but with a high percentage of successfully breeding pairs; witness 2009) and drought (high nest failure, with a good fledgling rate, as in 2005). In 2012 both factors obtained, so the result was a dire breeding season across the board.

 

Sources: 

- Corchero, E. 2011. La cigüeña blanca en municipios de regadío del valle del río Alagón (NW Cáceres). Censo y parámetros reproductivos. Informe inédito.

THE GREAT BUSTARD IN BADAJOZ. 2011

Great Bustard (Otis tarda). Male in courtship display. By Ángel Sánchez. 

The veteran birdwatching review Quercus regales us in its April 2012 issue with an article on the current situation of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) in the province of Badajoz (Sánchez and García-Baquero, 2012). It sets out the results of a count conducted from 21 to 23 March 2011, throwing up a total of 1653 birds (677 males, 691 females and 285 unsexed). The authors conclude that the population is holding steady with a tendency to cluster in the best conserved areas to the detriment of the outlying and smaller populations.

The following table shows the results for the four provincial counts conducted in Badajoz over the last 23 years. Allowing for the fact that the effort and methodology are perhaps not strictly uniform and comparable across the four counts, and even though the findings for 1993 and 2002, were 25% down, the conclusion drawn is that the breeding population is currently stable. Geographically, there are six main clusters. The biggest three account for 90% of the total, with an upward trend in La Serena (+10%) and southern Badajoz (+12%) and a fall in La Campiña Sur (-14%). Many of the smaller populations are likewise declining, from 283 birds to only 128 (-55%).

As we pointed out in an earlier blog entry, the worldwide Great Bustard population adds up to about 50,000 birds. Spain accounts for the lion's share (32,000 birds; nearly half of them, 14,000, in Castilla y León). The recent rise recorded in the Iberian Great Bustard population can be put down largely to the increase in Castilla y León (+34% from 1998 to 2008), but also Castilla-La Mancha, though this is partly due to a better surveying performance (Martín et al., 2012; Alonso and Palacín, 2010).

Great bustard (Otis tarda). The only two adult males in the rump breeding population of Guijo de Coria-Calzadilla, Cáceres, in 2012. By Javier Prieta. 

Information on the important Extremadura population is imprecise. Monitoring has been patchy and sometimes partial or untimely. Only two complete regional counts of the breeding population have been conducted, in 1988 and 2002. Winter information is better, with eleven published counts, although ten of them are now fairly old (1985-1998) and the other dates from nine years ago (2003). There is therefore no trustworthy information on the Great Bustard's current population or trend. Another as yet unexplained factor is the glaring difference between the winter and spring counts, the former recording maximums of nearly 7000 birds and the latter only half that figure at 3500. This finding is repeated in all the studies carried out, including the abovementioned Badajoz 2011 count. Some put this down to a methodological error; others regard it as a bona fide finding. But little is known about the movements of Extremadura's Great Bustards so it has not been possible to confirm where they come from (the findings in other regions do not bear out this spring depletion) or where these thousands of Bustards hide in spring... While waiting for this mystery to be cleared up, we have recorded in two tables, for information purposes, all the figures on Extremadura's Great Bustard population to date (click on them to open them up).

To wind up, a brief comment on a second article from the same Quercus issue 314 on the impact of power lines and fencing on the Great Bustards of La Serena (Calderón, 2012). In 2010 members of the ANSER group surveyed 292 km of power lines and 100 km of fencing, finding 55 dead birds in the former, nine of them Great Bustards(16%), and 25 in the latter, seven of them Great Bustards(28%), with an estimate of 35-41 Great Bustards killed in fenced fields each year in the SPA of La Serena.

Sources: 

- Alonso, J. C. and Palacín, C. 2010. The world status and population trends of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda): 2010 update. Chinese Birds 1:141-147 

- Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C. and Martín, C. A. (Eds.). 2005. La avutarda común en la península ibérica: población actual y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid [PDF]. 

- Calderón, M. J. 2012.Tendidos y alambradas cercan a las avutardas en La Serena. Quercus 314:1622. 

 - Corbacho, C., Fernández, A., Costillo, E., Lozano, L., Acedo, F. and Gil,. A. 2005. La avutarda común en Extremadura: distribución, población y tendencias. En: Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C., y Martín, C. A. (Eds.). La avutarda común en la península ibérica: población actual y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF] 

- Martín, C. A., Martínez, C., Bautista, L. M. and Martín, B. 2012. Population increase of the great bustard Otis tarda in its main distribution area in relation to changes in farming practices. Ardeola 59:31-42. 

- Sánchez, Á, and García-Baquero, M. J. 2012.La avutarda en Badajoz: estabilidad, pero con matices. Quercus 314:1622.

MAY 2012. Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Red-Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Male. Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres-Ávila). By Javier Prieta. 

A list of the most notable May 2012 records sent to the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo.

- Greylag Goose: Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir on 20/05 (Sergio Mayordomo and Eva Palacios). Feral birds cannot be ruled out.
- Egyptian Goose: On 06/05 two birds seen at Alqueva Reservoir (Badajoz) (Emilio Costillo) and another two at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) (Pablo Herrador and José Luis Bautista). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), two birds on 11/05 and one on 17/05 (S. Mayordomo). Four pairs, one with nine chicks, at La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Sergio Pérez, Miguel A. Sánchez, Fermín Sierra, Domingo Rivera, Demetrio Vázquez and Ángel Sánchez). Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 31/05 (Sebastián Molano).
- Shelduck: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (Martin Kelsey). At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez), 11 birds on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and two pairs on 22/05 (Vicente Risco and Javier Briz). Two at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Yolya Simón, Vanessa de Alba, Jesús Solana, Gerardo Pizarro and Antonio Núñez).
- Shoveler: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), two birds on 05/05 (M. Kelsey), one drake on 08/05 (John Muddeman) and 10 birds on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), one drake on 06/05 and one pair on 19/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), one drake on 11/05, 17/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Red-Crested Pochard: One bird at River Guadiana, La Zarza (Badajoz), on 03/05 (G. Pizarro). Two birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 05/05 (Antonio Calvo). Seven birds, 4 drakes and 3 ducks, at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista). At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), 11 birds, 7 drakes and 4 ducks, on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12 birds on 13/05 and two pairs on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). At a River Guadiana gravel pit (Badajoz), one pair con 9 chicks on 23/05 (Juan Pablo Prieto).
- Tufted Duck: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), one pair on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one drake and 2 ducks on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Pochard: At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), eight birds on 11/05, 15 on 17/05 and nine on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). Six at Sierra Brava (Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Los Arenales, Cáceres, three pairs on 17/05 and two drakes and one duck on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Glossy Ibis: At Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, up to 16 birds throughout May(Luis R. Hernández, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Mercedes Rodríguez, Juan Carlos Salgado, Atanasio Fernández). One bird at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 01/05 (V. Risco and J. Briz). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and José Luis Pérez Chiscano) and 13/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 08/05 (Elvira del Viejo and Antonia Cangas) and 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez). Roost at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), nine birds on 21/05 (Juani Lopo, J. Solana, G. Pizarro, Francisco Lopo and Francisco Castro), 10 on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez) and on 31/05 (A. Calvo). 24 birds on 31/05 in flight near Mérida (Á. Sánchez).
- Bittern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 17/05 (Manuel García del Rey) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, Enrique Fernández Larreta and Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre).
- Squacco Heron: One or two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 20/05 (S. Mayordomo, Samuel Langlois, J. Muddeman, Javier Prieta, E. Palacios and Dave Langlois). At Montijo Reservoir , Mérida, one bird on 14/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 31/05 (A. Calvo). One bird at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Great White Egret: One non-breeding bird at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta, E. Palacios and Antonio Jiménez). Birds in breeding plumage: One bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 06/05 (Javier Mahillo); one bird at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo); and another at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta), 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, E. Fernández Larreta and E. Pérez-Balsalobre).

- White Stork: Three nests on the ground at an island of La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (S. Pérez, M. A. Sánchez, F. Sierra, D. Rivera, D. Vázquez and Á. Sánchez -photograph-).
- Lammergeier: One immature at Los Hoyicios, Guadalupe (Cáceres), on 31/05 (Pilar Chamorro).
- Hen Harrier: One female at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Montagu's Harrier: One dark-phase bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Talaván (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Red-Footed Falcon: One male at Los Cerralbos, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 17/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Hobby: One bird at Zorita (Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman). One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Llanos de Cáceres on 27/05 (Justiniano Julián and Iván Solana).
- Little Bustard: At Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), one courting male and 2 females on 02/05 (J. Prieta).
- Purple Swamphen: One bird at Valdefuentesgravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Baillon's Crake: One possible bird with Little Crake at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Avocet: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), five on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman) and two on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 27/05 (J. Julián and I. Solana).
- Lapwing: At Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres), one bird from 02/05 to 21/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Mahillo and E. Palacios). Three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 09/05 and 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Kentish Plover: At Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz), four birds on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one pair on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). At Valdecañas Reservoir 20 pairs seen on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and three on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman) and another on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Redshank: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), six birds on 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Sanderling: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 13/05, 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Curlew Sandpiper: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), five birds on 05/05, 25 on 13/05 and one on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). On 06/05 ten birds seen at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) (Lorenzo Alcántara) and one at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Nine between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto -photograph- and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). Three in breeding plumage at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez).
- Temminck's Stint: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and another at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Turnstone: Two birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz), six birds on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez) and 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas).
- Mediterranean Gull: One second year bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05, 04/05 and 21/05 (M. Kelsey -photograph-).

- Audouin's Gull: One third-summer bird at La Pulgosa, Cáceres, on 12/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios -photograph-), second record for the province of Cáceres. - Yellow-Legged Gull: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several birds on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 36 on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One adult at Gabriel y Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/05 (J. Prieta).
- Common Tern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), a pair with courtship feeding on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and one immature on 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois).

- Long-Eared Owl: Two chicks in a nest at Saucedilla (Cáceres) from 01/05 to 17/05 (V. Risco, S. Mayordomo, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, M. García del Rey, J. Prieta -photograph, adult-, J. Briz and E. Palacios).
- Great Spotted Cuckoo: One chick in a nest with Raven chicks at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Green Woodpecker: One bird at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Antonio Cebrián).
- Wryneck: One bird at Madrigalejo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 12/05 and 14/05 (D. Langlois). One bird calling at Cheles (Badajoz) on 12/05 (L. R. Hernández and J. C. Paniagua). Proven breeding of one pair at Cornalvo (Badajoz) on 16/05 (José Ledo).
- Bearded Tit: One male at on Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Swallow: Two albino birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 07/05 (Roberto Cabo).
- Chiffchaff: At Soto del Guadiana, Badajoz, three birds on 01/05 and one on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05, a spot where singing males have now been detected in five non-consecutive summers (J. Prieta). - Olivaceous Warbler: Two birds at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Spectacled Warbler: One bird at Piornal (Cáceres) on 10/05 (J. Prieta). Two pairs at Llanos de Cáceres on 14/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Tierra de Barros (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Steve Fletcher, M. Kelsey and J. Porras). Twelve males at La Mesa, Piornal (Cáceres) on 19/05 (J. Prieta). Present at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (Ricardo Montero), at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 23/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Firecrest: One male singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05; first probable breeding record in Monfragüe (J. Prieta).
- Rock Thrush: Two males at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Rixte Boitenwerg and Heirdert Hindrik). One male at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 06/05 (Jesús Rodríguez). One male at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 06/05 and 23/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Redstart: On 06/05 two males seen at Losar de la Vera (Cáceres) (D. Langlois) and at La Lapa (Badajoz) (F. Montaño), and at least seven pairs on an urban stretch of River de los Ángeles, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco). One male and one pair at Gata (Cáceres) on 13/05 (J. Prieta). One male singing at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (R. Montero).

LAST SPRING ARRIVALS

- White-Rumped Swift: At Castillo de Monfragüe (Cáceres) one bird on 06/05 (J. Muddeman) and two on 11/05 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at River Guadarranque, Alía (Cáceres), on 12/05 (Jorge Ángel and Jaime Cerezo). One bird at Alange dam (Badajoz) on 18/05 (M. Kelsey and Jesús Porras). Two birds at Estrecho de la Peña, Alía (Cáceres), on 30/05 (J. Ángel). Photograph by Raymond de Smet, taken in Monfragüe on september 2011.
- Nightjar: One bird at la Sierra de San Serván, Mérida (Badajoz), on 06/05 (E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 11/05 (D. Langlois).
- Red-Backed Shrike: One pair at Puerto de Tornavacas (AV-Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND MIGRANTS
- Wigeon: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), two drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and a pair on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Pintail: One pair at Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres) on 05/05 and 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Grey Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), three birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), 13 on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman), 9 on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto). One bird at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (Francisco Montaño). Four birds at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Golden Plover: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and Ismael Sánchez). One bird with a broken wing at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Ringed Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), 125 birds, biggest flock ever recorded in Extremadura, on 21/05 (M. Kelsey), 15 on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Curlew: Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 08/05 (J. Muddeman).
- Whimbrel: One bird at Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), on 01/05 (P. Herrador). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), one bird on 05/05 and five on 08/05 (J. Muddeman). Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). Two at Montijo Reservoir , Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Greenshank: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez).
- Spotted Redshank: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (M. Kelsey) and 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). 24 birds between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Green Sandpiper: Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), two birds on 01/05 (P. Herrador) and one on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Ruff/Reeve: One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/05 (J. L. Bautista and Inmaculada Jerez). 30 birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Common Sandpiper: Three birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Dunlin: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 22/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black Tern: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. palacios). One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Palazuelo-Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). Three birds at the Gull-Billed Tern colony of Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Whiskered Tern: At Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), fifteen birds on 08/05 and 5 on 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and 20/05 (V. de Alba, S. Langlois, D. Langlois and A. Núñez). Two birds at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Tawny Pipit: One bird at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 09/05 and another at Torremocha (Cáceres) on 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Sedge Warbler: Two birds at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 01/05 and 05/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 04/05 (J. Muddeman). Present at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Garden Warbler: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 01/05 and 02/05, and three on 10/05 (D. Langlois). One bird at Guadiana, Badajoz, on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Wheatear: Four males at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (J. Prieta) and one female at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).