FEBRUARY 2012: NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris). One of the two birds present during March 2012
at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo. Photo: 18.02.2012, Sergio Mayordomo.

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

- White-Fronted Goose: three adults at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 03/02 (Vicente Risco, Javier Briz and Carlos Andrés).
- Egyptian Goose: two birds at Brozas reservoir (Cáceres) on 29/02 (Carlos Villaverde).
- Shelduck: one pair at Laguna de Galisteo from 04/02 to 10/02 (Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero and Justiniano Julián). 35 birds at Sierra Brava reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/02 (Martin Kelsey).
- Mandarín Duck: one female at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 25/02 (R. Montero).
- Red Crested Pochard: two drakes and one female at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 11/02 (S. Mayordomo, Eva Palacios and César Clemente).

- Pochard x Ferruginous Duck: one hybrid drake at Ahigal reservoir (Cáceres) on 06/02 (Alberto Pacheco) and 19/02 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios; photograph Eva Palacios).
- Tufted Duck: at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres): 25 birds on 03/02 (V. Risco, J. Briz and C. Andrés) and 13 on 25/02 (Javier Gayo). 10 birds at El Manantío-Atalaya, Cáceres (Cáceres), on 22/02 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: At El Manantío, Cáceres (Cáceres): one bird on 12/02 (Jesús Solana) and 22/02 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Necked Grebe: one bird at Sierra Brava reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/02 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Ahigal reservoir (Cáceres) on 24/02 (Juan Carlos Paniagua).
- Glossy Ibis: one bird at Montijo reservoir (Badajoz) on 12/02 (Pablo Herrador and José Luis Bautista). Eight birds at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 16/02 (M. Kelsey). At Vegas Altas ricefields: four birds on 19/02 (Luis Lozano and Lorenzo Alcántara) and 20/02 (Alberto Gil) and three on 26/02 (Francisco Montaño). At Arrocampo reservoir (Cáceres): three birds on 20/02 (M. Kelsey) and one ringed lame bird on 26/02 (Jus Pérez) and 27/02 (R. Montero).
- Spoonbill: 25 birds at Los Canchales reservoir (Badajoz) on 26/02 (J. L. Bautista).
- Bittern: At Arrocampo (Cáceres): one bird on 16/02 (Leandro Rivas and Antolín Redondo), 24/02 (S. Mayordomo) and 25/02 (Steve Fletcher). At Valdefuentes Gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres): one bird on 18/02 (S. Mayordomo), 19/02 (Marian Coca, José Miguel Colorado and Ángel G. Mendoza), 25/02 (S. Mayordomo and J. C. Paniagua), 26/02 (V. Risco, Javier Mahíllo and J. Briz) and 28/02 (J. Mahíllo and C. Clemente); and two birds on 21/02 (Javier Prieta) and 29/02 (S.Mayordomo, J. Mahíllo, C. Clemente and C. Villaverde).
- Little Bittern: At Arrocampo reservoir (Cáceres): two birds on 16/02 (L. Rivas and A. Redondo) and one male on 20/02 and 26/02 (M. Kelsey). Habitual at River Guadiana, Badajoz, with seven birds on 20/02 (J. C. Paniagua). Three birds at the junction of rivers Gévora and Zapatón, Valdebotoa (Badajoz), on 26/02 (Schreur Family).
- Night Heron: one first-winter bird at Arrocampo reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/02 (S. Mayordomo and J. Prieta). One adult at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 20/02 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Squacco Heron: At Arrocampo (Cáceres): four birds on 08/02 (S. Mayordomo and J. Prieta), two on 12/02 (Sammy Langlois and Dave Langlois), two on 20/02 (M. Kelsey), one on 24/02 (S. Mayordomo), two on 25/02 (J. Gayo), one on 26/02 (M. Kelsey) and two on 27/02 (R. Montero).
- Purple Heron: one bird at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 05/02 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois).
- Grey Heron: one bird caught a snipe in the ricefields of El Batán (Cáceres) on 17/02 (S. Mayordomo).
- White Stork: 1500 birds at Mérida landfill site (Badajoz) on 26/02 (Ángel Sánchez).
- Osprey: At Arrocampo (Cáceres): one bird on 08/02 (S. Mayordomo and J. Prieta), 11/02 (Juan José Bote), 16/02 (L. Rivas and A. Redondo) and 27/02 (R. Montero).
- Booted Eagle: one bird at la Sierrilla, Cáceres, on 11/02 (Javier Caballero). One bird at la Tajadilla, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 25/02 (José Carlos López).
- Goshawk: One bird at Cambroncino (Cáceres) on 01/02 (A. Pacheco).

- Spotted Crake: two birds heard at Valdefuentes Gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 18/02 and one bird seen at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 24/02 (S. Mayordomo, photograph).
- Avocet: Present at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) from 04/02 to 26/02 peaking at 3 birds (V. Risco, S. Mayordomo, J. Julián, J. C. Paniagua, J. Prieta, J. Mahíllo, J. Briz, E. Palacios, C. Clemente and A. Pacheco). At Santa Amalia ricefields (Badajoz): two birds from 12/02 (F. Yuste) to 14/02 (F. Montaño), and three birds on 13/02 (E. del Viejo). Three at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 23/02 (M. Kelsey).
- Grey Plover: one bird at Portaje reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/02 (S. Mayordomo).
- Golden Plover: A flock of over 1000 at Miajadas ricefields (Cáceres) on 02/02 (S. Fletcher)
- Kentish Plover: 23 birds at Miajadas ricefields (Cáceres) on 02/02 (S. Fletcher). Present at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) from 11/02 to 26/02 with at least 25 birds on 26/02 (S. Mayordomo, L. Lozano, L. Alcántara, J. P. Prieto, F. Montaño, E. Palacios and C. Clemente).
- Curlew: six birds at Miajadas ricefields (Cáceres) on 02/02 (S. Fletcher). Present at Santa Amalia ricefields from 05/02 to 29/02 with a maximum of seven on 26/02 (S. Mayordomo, L. Lozano, L. Alcántara, J. P. Prieto, F. Montaño, E. Palacios E. del Viejo and C. Clemente). At Navalvillar de Pela: one bird on 09/02 (Ángel Luis Sánchez) and 4 on 16/02 (M. Kelsey). Present at Galisteo from 15/02 to 19/02 with a maximum of seven birds on 15/02 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta and E. Palacios).
- Woodcock: three birds at Palomero (Cáceres) on 06/02 (A. Pacheco). One bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 26/02 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Spotted Redshank: four birds at Miajadas ricefields (Cáceres) on 02/02 (S. Fletcher). One bird at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 03/02 (V. Risco, J. Briz and C. Andrés). One bird at Galisteo ricefields (Cáceres) on 17/02 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Montijo reservoir (Badajoz) on 21/02 (Francis Prieto, Á. Sánchez and Agapito). One bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 23/02 (M. Kelsey).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Santa Amalia ricefields (Badajoz): four birds on 19/02 (L. Lozano and L. Alcántara) and one on 26/02 (F. Montaño). One bird at Hernán Cortés, Don Benito (Badajoz), on 20/02 (J. P. Prieto).
- Sanderling: ten birds on Miajadas ricefields (Cáceres) on 02/02 (S. Fletcher). One bird at Santa Amalia ricefields (Badajoz) on 26/02 (F. Montaño).
- Turnstone: one bird at Santa Amalia ricefields (Badajoz) on 11/02 (S. Mayordomo, E. Palacios and C. Clemente), 13/02 (E. del Viejo) and 14/02 (F. Montaño).
- Curlew Sandpiper: At Santa Amalia ricefields: two birds on 11/02 (S. Mayordomo, E. Palacios and C. Clemente), present on 13/02 (E. del Viejo) and four on 14/02 (F. Montaño).
- Temminck's Stint: three birds at Montijo reservoir (Badajoz) on 21/02 (F. Prieto, Á. Sánchez and Agapito). At Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz): one bird on 21/02 (F. Prieto, Á. Sánchez and Agapito) and two on 22/02 (S. Mayordomo) and 26/02 (F. Montaño).
- Lesser Black-Backed Gull: 2000 birds at Mérida landfill site(Badajoz) on 26/02 (Á. Sánchez).
- Stock Dove: flock of 170 birds at Riolobos (Cáceres) on 10/02 (S. Mayordomo).

- Short-Eared Owl: over 20 birds at Hernán Cortés, Don Benito (Badajoz) during the whole month (S. Fletcher -photograph-, S. Mayordomo, L. Lozano, L. Alcántara, F. Yuste, E. Palacios, E. del Viejo and Á. Sánchez). One bird at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 18/02 (J. Mahíllo and C. Clemente).
- Pallid Swift: eight birds still at Alange (Badajoz) on 01/02 (J. Solana).
- Wryneck: One bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 23/02 (R. Montero). One bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 26/02 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Wheatear: one bird at Montehermoso (Cáceres) on 15/02 (A. Pacheco).
- Carrion Crow: 30 birds eating carrion at Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 07/02 (A. Pacheco). One bird at Borbollón reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/02 (Goyo Naharro and C. Clemente).
- Bearded Tit: At Arrocampo (Cáceres): two birds, one of them male, on 24/02 (S. Mayordomo), two males on 25/02 (J. Gayo) and one male on 26/02 (María Llorente and Álvaro Díaz).
- Red-Rumped Swallow: One wintering bird, looking a little ragged, still at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 18/02 (M. Kelsey and G. Schreur).
- Goldcrest: two birds at Piornal (Cáceres) on 24/02 (J. Prieta).
- Alpine Accentor: ten birds at Pico Villuercas (Cáceres) on 12/02 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- White Wagtail: Subespecies M. a. yarrellii. Three birds at Hernán Cortés (Badajoz) on 03/02 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at La Codosera (Badajoz) on 05/02 (G. Schreur). One bird at Los Canchales reservoir (Badajoz) on 22/02 (S. Mayordomo). At least six at a roost on Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres) on 29/02 (S. Mayordomo, J. Mahíllo, C. Clemente and C. Villaverde).
- Brambling: two birds at la Sierra de Tentudía (Badajoz) on 04/02 (Javier Salcedo and A. Pacheco).

EARLY SUMMER VISITORS
- Black Stork: on 03/02 one bird seen at Alcuéscar (Cáceres) (José Luis Rivero) and another at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) (R. Montero). On 5/02 three birds at River Bodión, Valverde de Burguillos (Badajoz) (Antonio Núñez), and two at River Cáparra, Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres) (J. Julián and Iván Solana). At Montijo reservoir (Badajoz), on 12/02, one immature bird ringed in the Czech Republic (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Short-Toed Eagle: one bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 02/02 (Francisco Lopo), at Los Santos de Maimona (Badajoz) on 25/02 (Elvira del Viejo) and at Alburquerque (Badajoz) on 26/02 (Schreur family).
- Black Kite: one bird at Valdesalor, Cáceres, on 22/02 (Manolo Iglesias), at Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 24/02 (M. Kelsey) and at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 25/02 (S. Mayordomo and J. C. Paniagua).
- Egyptian Vulture: two adults at Torrejoncillo (Cáceres) on 06/02 (A. Pacheco). One adult at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 11/02 (S. Mayordomo, F. Yuste, E. Palacios and C. Clemente). One adult at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 13/02 (Chema Diu).
- Montagu's Harrier: one pair at Brozas (Cáceres) on 16/02 (Helios Dalmau) and one bird at Torremejía (Badajoz) on 17/02 (Juan Pablo Prieto and Fergus Crystal).
- Lesser Kestrel: at Trujillo (Cáceres): two birds on 17/02 (Godfried Schreur) and five on 18/02 (M. Kelsey and Ángel Sánchez). One 2nd-year male at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 18/02 (S. Mayordomo). One pair at Badajoz on 20/02 (J. C. Paniagua) and at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 22/02 (J. Prieta).
- Sand Martin: One bird at Malpartida de Plasencia (Cáceres), on 21/02 (S. Mayordomo and J. Prieta); at Casatejada (Cáceres) on 24/02 (S. Mayordomo); and at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 26/02 (M. Llorente and Á. Díaz), with several in the same place on 27/02 (R. Montero).
- Sedge Warbler: one bird at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 29/02 (G. Schreur).