best birds: September 2011

Yesterday

A busy morning yesterday with a visit back to Christine's garden in St Johns with Kev.

It was another great morning with 83 birds caught - 77 new and 6 retraps.

The totals were (retraps in brackets):

Dunnock 2

Robin

Coal Tit 24 (+3)

Blue Tit 10 (+2)

Great Tit 11

House Sparrow 5

Chaffinch 13 (+1)

Greenfinch 3

Goldfinch 3

Siskin 4

www.grayimages.co.uk

First net ride we had 8 Coal Tits in the net never seen so many in one net , Coal Tit was the bird of the day after that with 27 being caught

I then met up with Kev for a spot of Dazzling in the evening

2 Turnstone

1 Sanderling

2 Dunlin

Dunlin

Turnstone

Sanderling

Turnstone

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CREAM-COLOURED COURSER: TWENTY YEARS LATER

Cream-Coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor). Trujillo, 22-09-2011. Raymond de Smet.

On 22 September a Cream-Coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) was seen on Llanos de Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres) by Raymond de Smet and Sallaets Gaston. No less than 20 years have passed since the last Extremadura sighting of this species, on 25 September 1991 in Esparragosa de Lares (Badajoz) by Manuel Gómez Calzado. On that occasion the Courser was in a Dotterel flock (Eudromias morinellus). This time it was on its own, suddenly flying by when the observers were getting ready to photograph Bustards. Other birders who flocked to the spot next day lucked out.

As on other occasions when rarities have turned up, we'll take this chance to find out more about this species. Native to North Africa it also breeds in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (about 2000 birds according to Carrascal et al., 2006). Within Africa the Courser is a migrator, breeding north of the Sahara and wintering to the south. On occasions, however, some birds stray off the normal migration routes, turning up in Europe as a vagrant. In the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries sightings in central Europe (France, UK, Germany) were not so infrequent as nowadays, possibly because the Courser was commoner back then. Nowadays it still turns up from time to time on mainland Spain and in the Balearic Islands (18 records and 32 accepted birds up to 2008) and in Portugal (6 records and 6 birds up to 2007), mainly in south Andalusia. Although it has been observed in Spain in nearly every month of the year, sightings peak at times of passage: spring (peaking in April) and late summer (peaking in September). 2001 was especially good, with a breeding record in Tabernas, Almería.

Let's hope we don't have to wait another 20 years to see this bird again in Extremadura. Our thanks go to Martin Kelsey for telling us about the finding (see the post in his own blog). More photos are on display in Rare Birds in Spain.

Cream-Coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor). Trujillo, 22-09-2011. Raymond de Smet.

Sources:
- Carrascal, L. M., Seoane, J., Palomino, D. y Alonso, C. L. 2006. El corredor sahariano en España. I Censo Nacional (2005-2006). SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF]
- De Juana, E. 2006. Aves raras de España. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona.
- CR-SEO (Comité de Rarezas de SEO). 2010. Observaciones de aves raras en España, 2008. Ardeola 57(2).

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Herring Gulls in Dublin

News off kev about 2 of our Juv Herring Gulls being seen on the roof of the fish market at Howth Harbour, West Pier, Dublin on 24 September by Sean Kingston and Chris Honan.

T8XP i ringed on the 05 July this year at the Gravel Pits at the Point of Ayre.

Gulls waiting to be ringed

In June this year i made up another 50 darvics and they were sent to the Calf of Man to be

used on the Gull colonies there the other Gull seen was one of these.

T5UA was ringed on the Calf on the 27 June

These are the first Colour ringed Herring Gulls to be seen off Island so far

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Today

I met up with Kev this morning at Mr Mrs Colvin's garden near Close Sartfield.

Before the net went up the kettle was on and 4 hours later 112 birds caught.

Mainly Tits with 51 Gt Tits. Also Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Siskin.

Also some birds ringed in the nest by Dave Sharpe this year and early were caught today,

Great Tit 33 + 18 retrap

Goldfinch 22

Blue Tit 13 + 5 retrap

Coal Tit 7 + 2 retrap

Chaffinch 4 + 1 retrap

Greenfinch 5

Robin 1

Siskin 1 retrap

85 new birds + 27 retraps = 112 total

Thanks again The Colvin's for letting us ring in your garden and for the tea.

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End of week

A good end to the week with 60 birds caught at the woosh net site at the Point of Ayre today .

58 New birds and 2 retraps

33 Meadow Pipits

23 Goldfinch

4 Linnets

1 retrap Linnet first caught on 16/09/2011

1 retrap Goldfinch first caught on 21/08/2011

The wind has been to strong all week for mist nets so i persevered with the woosh net and the MP3 for Meadow Pipits.

111 in 4 mornings i am quite pleased with, we use to catch that in a day back in Yorkshire.

Different sites different migration routes, i know when we use to ring at Kex Gill in Yorkshire

the Meadow Pipits were constant all morning, with hundreds flying through

Where as here i am getting only 3 and 4 every half hour or so.

Colour ringed Meadow Pipit Yorkshire 2007 over 500 colour ringed

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POPULATION TRENDS OF COMMON EUROPEAN BREEDING BIRDS

The European Bird Census Council (EBCC) has published a leaflet summarising population trends of European birds in the time period 1980 - 2009. The information has been culled from the national monitoring programmes run by volunteers, including the common breeding bird census (SACRE) of SEO/BirdLife. This proves the importance of collaborating in projects of this type, due to the knock on conservation effect at European level. To download the leaflet, just click here.

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More Pipits

With a nice blue sky over the Point of Ayre this morning there was a bit of Meadow Pipit movement

at least 80 birds, shame i couldnt mist net as wind was to strong. I set up the woosh net and met Chris doing his survey of the gravel Pits, he stayed for 15 mins as we caught the first 6 and i decided to let him ring them as he needs the practice ( dont get out the office much these days ) another 18 Meadow Pipits and 1 linnet ringed

On the way home i called into Ramsey to check the harbour for Rock Pipits and Wheatear

4 Wheatears about only one caught in spring trap

and another Rock Pipit Colour Ringed

Wheatear

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Last few days

Meadow Pipit

41 Meadow Pipits caught up at the point of Ayre woosh net Site

with

11 Linnets

8 Goldfinch

1 Chaffinch

1 Siskin

another 3 Rock Pipits colour ringed this time at Ramsey Harbour, 2 Blackcaps caught at Port Lewaigue on Saturday evening and a Robin.

3 Whooper Swans in field just out of Bride this morning on the way to the Point of Ayre

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AUGUST 2011: Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), female. By José Gordillo.

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

- Egyptian Goose: 1 bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 11/08 (Eva Palacios and Sergio Mayordomo) and 22/08 (S. Mayordomo). 6 birds at Sierra Brava reservoir(Cáceres) on 26/08 (Ángel Luis Sánchez and B. Cienfuegos).
- Garganey: 1 female at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres)on 02/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 2 on 04/08 (Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre and M. García del Rey).
- Little Grebe: 395 birds on Brozas pond (Cáceres) on 17/08 (Carlos Fernández).
- Great Crested Grebe: 1 leucistic bird at Esparragalejo pond Badajoz) on 22/08 (Ángel Sánchez).
- Greater Flamingo: 1 adult at Arrocampo reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (Javier Prieta)
- Glossy Ibis: 1 lame bird still at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres) on
06/08 (Manuel García del Rey), 17/08 (Hugo Sánchez), 28/08 (Jaime Collado) and
30/08 (Javier Briz and Vicente Risco).
- Spoonbill: Flocks at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres): 57 on 02/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo), 45 on 07/08 (M. García del Rey), 58 on 09/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 16/08 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), 113 on 20/08, biggest flock ever recorded in the province of Cáceres (César Clemente and Javier Mahíllo), 63 on 21/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 61 on 25/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) 33 birds at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 11/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). 70 at Los Canchales reservoir (Badajoz) on 13/08 (Francisco Lopo). Thirty seven birds at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 18/08 (Carlos Fernández) and 61 on 28/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Squacco Heron: 1 bird at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 08/08 and another
at Galisteo lake(Cáceres) on 29/08 (J. Prieta).
- Purple Heron: 1 adult at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), and 1 juvenile on 05/08 (Juan Carlos Paniagua, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo), plus 1 on 13/08 (S. Mayordomo), 21/08 (C. Clemente) and 31/08 (S. Mayordomo). Another bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 05/08 and 22/08 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Arroyo Valdesegura, Jarilla (Cáceres), on 07/08 (S. Mayordomo). One bird
at Valdeobispo lake(Cáceres) on 08/08 (C. Clemente). One bird at Santa Amalia rice fields (Badajoz) on 27/08 (Fernando Yuste).
- Black Stork: 18 at River Matachel (Badajoz) on 31/08 (Roberto Sánchez).
- Osprey: 1 bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 22/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 2 at Arrocampo reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Rüppell's Vulture: 1 subadult at Serradilla (Cáceres)on 05/08 (David Álvarez,
Ismael Izquierdo and Iván Álvarez).
- Spanish Imperial Eagle: 1 adult at Sierra de Santa Bárbara, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 17/08 (Julián Martín Garde).
- Montagu's Harrier: dark morph birds (melanistic): 1 juvenile at Guijo de
Coria (Cáceres) on 04/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo), 1 at Sierra de Fuentes
(Cáceres) on 15/08 and another at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 27/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Lesser Kestrel: 368 birds counted at a roost in La Vera on 03/08 and
483 on 24/08 (J. Prieta) and an estimated 1000 birds in mid August(Pedro Gómez). At least 2950 birds at a roost in central Badajoz and an estimate of 3500-4000 on 30/08 (Á. Sánchez and 15 collaborators of DEMA and Junta de Extremadura).
- Crane: 1 bird still at Gabriel and Galán reservoir(Cáceres) on 01/08 (A. Pacheco).
- Purple Swamphen: 1 bird at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 02/08 (E.
Palacios, J. Briz, S. Mayordomo and V. Risco).
- Kentish Plover: 2 birds at Santa Amalia rice fields(Badajoz) on 28/08 (Fernando Yuste).
- Spotted Redshank: present all month at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), peaking at 15 birds on 26/08 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). 3 birds at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 12/08 and 2 at Ayuela reservoir, Casas de Don Antonio (Cáceres), on 19/08 (C. Fernández). 2 birds at Talaván reservoir (Cáceres) on 21/08 (S. Mayordomo). Another 2 at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (C. Fernández). 1 bird at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 31/08 (J. C. Paniagua).

Black-Necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), winter plumage, Esparragalejo (Badajoz), 22.08.11 (by Ángel Sánchez).

- Wood Sandpiper: present all month at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), peaking at 8 birds on 16/08 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Two juveniles at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 06/08 (M. García del Rey) and 1 on 29/08 (E. Palacios and Miguel Ángel Muñoz). One bird at Galisteo lake on 07/08 and 2 on 20/08 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) 19/08 (C. Fernández and S. Mayordomo) and 27/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 5 birds on 28/08 (Steve Fletcher). Three birds at Ayuela reservoir, Casas de Don Antonio (Cáceres), on 19/08 (C. Fernández). In the ricefields of Galisteo a maximum of 10 birds on 26/08 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez). Seven birds at Santa Amalia rice fields(Badajoz) on 31/08 (F. Yuste).
- Curlew Sandpiper: 2 birds at Lagunas de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 02/08
(Antonio Núñez). One bird at Talaván reservoir(Cáceres) on 14/08 (S. Mayordomo). Six birds at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez). Three birds at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 25/08 (C. Fernández), 2 on 27/08 and 1 on
28/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Temminck's Stint: 1 bird at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 28/08 (S. Fletcher).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: 42 birds Valdecañas reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Whiskered Tern: 2 birds at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez).
- Nightjar: 1 bird churring at Malpartida de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 09/08 (Godfried Schreur).
- Red-Backed Shrike: 7 juvs seen at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres-Ávila), 3 on the Cáceres side, on 19/08 (B. Molina and J. Prieta) and 3 juvs on the Cáceres side on 30/08 (J. Prieta).
- Raven: roost with 300 birds at Tentudía (Badajoz) on 21/08 (A. Pacheco).
- Sand Martin: over 6000 birds at Puente de Palmas, Badajoz, on 30/08 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Iberian Chiffchaff: 1 bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 28/08 (J.
Prieta).
- Savi's Warbler: 1 bird at Arroyo Rivillas, Badajoz, on 30/08 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Sedge Warbler: 1 bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 13/08 and 31/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Yellow Wagtail: 90 birds at Galisteo lake(Cáceres) on 23/08, including the subspecies M. f. thunbergii (S. Mayordomo).

FIRST POST-BREEDING DISPERSAL RECORDS
- Pochard: 1 at Gabriel and Galán reservoir(Cáceres) on 01/08 (A.Pacheco). 6 birds at Aldea del Cano pond(Cáceres) on 12/08 (C. Fernández). 6 birds at Arrocampo reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Black-Necked Grebe: 1 bird at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 22/08
(Á. Sánchez) and 2 at Valdecañas reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).
- Avocet: 7 birds at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on 08/08 (Á. L.Sánchez). One bird at Salor reservoir (Cáceres), on 12/08 and 10 on 25/08 (C. Fernández). 18 birds at Ayuela reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/08 (C. Fernández). One bird at Valdecañas reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/08 (J. Prieta).

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), summer plumage, Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz), 23-08-11 (by Ángel Sánchez).

- Grey Plover: One bird at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 23/08 (Á. Sánchez and Á. L. Sánchez) and another at la Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 31/08
(J. C. Paniagua).
- Curlew: 2 birds at Valdecañas reservoir(Cáceres) on 23/08 (J.Prieta).
- Black Tern: 2 birds at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 21/08 and 1
bird at Portaje reservoir(Cáceres) on 22/08 (S. Mayordomo). 4 birds at La Haba pond (Badajoz) on 28/08 (Juan Pablo Prieto).
- Wryneck: 1 bird at Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 19/08 (Blas Molina and J. Prieta).
- Garden Warbler: 2 birds at Las Mestas (Cáceres) on 15/08 (Francis Martín)
and another 2 at Tentudía (Badajoz) on 21/08 (A. Pacheco).
- Pied Flycatcher: 3 birds at Piornal (Cáceres), on 10/08 and 5 on 17/08 (J.
Prieta). One bird at Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 19/08 (B. Molina and J. Prieta). First seen in low-lying areas on 27/08 at Plasencia (J. Prieta) and at Casas de Belvís on 29/08 (J. Briz).
- Bluethroat: 1 female at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 31/08 (S. Mayordomo).
- Redstart: 1 young male on 13/08 at Mirandilla (Badajoz) (José Ledo). One male at Vicente de Alcántara (Badajoz) on 18/08 and a female on 20/08 (José Gordillo).
- Whinchat: 1 bird at Cáceres on 29/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 3 at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 30/08 (J. Prieta).
- Tree Pipit: 1 bird at Piornal (Cáceres) on 10/08 and several on 17/08 (J.
Prieta).
- Tawny Pipit: 1 bird at Cáceres on 25/08 and 30/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 2 birds at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 29/08 (J. Prieta).

LINGERING SUMMER VISITORS
- Little Tern: 7 juvs and 1 adult at Esparragalejo pond (Badajoz) on
21/08 (Á. L. Sánchez). 2 juvs and 1 adult at Talaván reservoir(Cáceres) on
22/08 and 2 birds at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 25/08 (C. Fernández).
- Gull-Billed Tern: 1 bird at Los Arenales (Cáceres) on 18/08 (C. Fernández),
another at Salor reservoir(Cáceres) on 19/08 (S. Mayordomo) and 1 adult and 1 juv at Esparragalejo pond(Badajoz) on 22/08 (Á. Sánchez).
- Swift: 20 birds at Arrocampo reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/08 (J.Prieta).

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Port Lewaigue

Set up for 07:30 down at Port Lewaigue a beautiful morning

3 Blackcaps were the first birds out the nets with another 2 later on

after that

2 Willow Warblers

2 Blackbirds

2 Goldcrest

2 Goldfinch

3 Coal Tits

4 Robins

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The Wind Calms down

A nice few hours spent at Port Lewaigue today with 15 new birds being ringed.

No sign of the Spotted Flycatchers and Garden Warbler which were seen on Monday.

Birds ringed

6 Blackcaps

2 Siskin

1 Robin

2 Dunnock

1Wren

1Goldcrest

1 Blue Tit

1 Gt Tit

other birds about

Redpoll

2 Choughs Over

2 Ravens

4 Hooded Crow

3 Curlew

6 Oystercatcher

2 Sandwich Tern

8 Mallard

4 Rock Pipits

Nice to bump into Brian and thanks for the photos

Photo Brian Liggins

Brian also took this shot today at Port lewaigue

This Rock Pipit was ringed at Port mooar on the 8 September 2011

Photo Brian Liggins

Thanks to John as well for this great shot of another Rock Pipit
seen at Port Lewaigue on Monday
again this bird was ringed at Port Mooar on 11 August 2011

Photo John Donnelly

Kev also has some great news about another colour ringed Cormorant of ours

Photo by David Henderson

Click picture to see his blog for details

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To windy

Last 3 days of gale force winds has put a stop to any ringing so i have been out sea watching.

Good reports of Skuas past the Calf of Man 17 Great and 10 Arctic and at Peel last night 6 Great 7 Arctic and a Pom.

Also yesterday reports of 5 Spotted Flycatcher at Port Lewaigue , one of my ringing sites.

I went down for a good look and dipped on them had a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaff hiding low in the brambles.

Chiffchaff

Today at the Point of Ayre a nice Red Throated

Diver still showing Summer Plumage was nice

and a Merlin was blown along the coast at about 60mph

Red throated Diver

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MOOAR Rock Pipits

Down at Port Mooar for 2 hours today, 2 more Rock Pipits ringed and a Whooper Swan on the sea.

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Rock Pipits

The gale force winds have had one benefit, that being the rough seas of yesterday have washed up a good load of kelp on the beach at Port Mooar. This morning i popped down for a look and at least 30 Rock Pipits about.

I now have some meal worms and with in 5 Min's had caught 2 new birds.

I stayed 2 hours and caught 8 new birds

other birds about

Female Hen Harrier over

52 Mallards on sea

6 Oystercatcher

18 Curlew

Last Blue White on Right leg

Now using Red White on Right leg

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More Ringed bird Photos

Out and about today. A Mute Swan which has successfully bred up the Gravel Pits we knew was a ringed bird but we could never get close enough to it to see. Today i got a photo.

H21 was ringed as an Adult Male on 21 December 2010 in Ramsey Harbour

now a proud father of 1

On the way back from Point of Ayre just before you get to Bride i noticed a Juv Herring Gull T3TR

Ringed at the gravel Pits this summer, checking with Kev for exact date

ringed 12 July 2011

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Rock Pipit Weekend

Wind and Rain put a stop to any netting this weekend. So i decided to modernise my walk in duck trap to try and catch some Rock Pipits down at Port Mooar. I had no meal worms either so placed

the call on inside the duck trap and sat back in the car and waited.

2 New Rock Pipit colour ringed and i also took my camera and got a few shots of combinations.