October ends

Well another few hours at the Whoosh site with 14 Birds ringed

9 New Goldfinch

5 new Linnets

Male Sparrowhawk hanging around most of the time and female Merlin racing through

October has been a very windy month here on the isle of Man

which means Mist netting has been out of the question for most of it

Good job we have the Whoosh site which can be operated in windier conditions

422 New birds caught at the Point of Ayre Whoosh site in October

295 Goldfinch

95 Linnets in October 

501 in 2011 so far

397 in 2010

13 Twite

12 Meadow Pipits

4 Lesser Redpoll

3 Chaffinch

as the weather get colder i expect the Linnet flock to get bigger 

and more Twite should turn up over the next few weeks

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3 Knights in 24 hours

The time was almost upon us. Weeks of preparation had led to this moment. Nathan, Henry and I rushed around, each of us figuring out where the birds were. The lone Crimson Rosella was being watched intently for any sign of taking off, and with 30 seconds left Henry spots a Dusky Woodswallow perched on a branch. With 5 seconds left, a dark shape falls over us. The time ticked over to 4:00, and our first bird ticked was a circling White-necked Heron, followed in quick succession by Dusky Woodswallow, Crimson Rosella and Restless Flycatcher. The Twitchathon had begun, and our team, the Knight Parrots, were planning to win. 

Actually not really. lol.

Now, there's the corny introduction out of the way. We were in Glen Davis campground in the majestic Capertee Valley. Our first Twitchathon was last year, and had left us all hungry for more. This year, we entered the main race (to avoid the unfair advantage we had over the other "normal" children teams, who we beat by 80 birds in 2010). We weren't expecting to come anywhere near the top, but this was about having fun, and our goal was to not come last!

For those not familiar with the rules, you have 24 hours to see or hear as many birds as possible. More than 50% of your team has to get the bird for it to be ticked. Being the only real competition for twitchers, the stakes are high, with some teams travelling over 1000km to see as many birds as possible.

Our leisurely route started in Capertee Valley around the town of Glen Davis. The best birds in the next 30 minutes were Common Bronzewing, White-winged Triller, Little Lorikeet, Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous Songlark, White-browed Woodswallow and Striated Pardalote. Just before we left, a pair of Turquoise Parrots flew overhead.

We headed out of Glen Davis towards Crown Station Road. A large flock of Zebra FInches, a Black-shouldered Kite, two Pipits and a Black-fronted Dotterel were the highlights. Our hopes were high for Crown Station Road, but unfortunately a large number of our target birds didn't show. Jacky Winter, Striped Honeyeater and Pied Butcherbird helped boost the list (along with a few others), but we missed Hooded Robin, White-browed Babblers, Black-chinned Honeyeaters, and all of the more obscure birds we were hoping we'd get lucky with.

The light was fast disappearing, but we still had 45 minutes of daylight and were ahead of schedule. North of Glen Alice was Glenowan Bridge, were Regent Honeyeaters had recently been reported. No Regents to be seen in the dying light, but a single Azure Kingfisher and Grey Shrike Thrush allowed our list to grow to 58.

After a quick dinner, we headed out spotlighting. Capertee Valley is great for night birds, and we easily found Barn Own, Australian Owlet Nightjar (due to my best impersonation) and Tawny Frogmouth. Back at Glen Davis, we headed up into the bush and spend a long time listening for a bird we really wanted to see, White-throated Nightjar.

The next morning (very early start!) we headed to Pierce’s Pass, a picnic area half way over the Blue Mountains. As well as hearing Pilotbirds, we also managed to add Pallid Cuckoo, Superb Lyrebird, various Honeyeaters, and I heard a Rockwarbler, but we couldn’t tick it for the list. A few kms east of the picnic area back on the road, we fluked 2 Grey Currawongs in less than 200m and got fantastic views after a quick u-turn.

As we drove into Pitt Town, the small pond near Pitt Town Lagoon found us Sydney’s native Edwin Vella, who helpfully pointed out Red-kneed Dotterel, Latham’s Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Stubble Quail. Mitchell Park had Dollarbird, Scarlet Honeyeater, Red-browed Finch, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Bell Miner, etc, etc. Scheyville was disappointing, with only Olive-backed Oriole and Crested Shrike-tit (which flew over the car as we got out!)

At the very full Pitt Town Lagoon, we waded out to the water, and managed 6 recently returned Pink-eared Ducks, a calling Spotless Crake, and a very strange wader, which we think may have been a Ruff, but we will need someone to resight it to confirm it wasn’t just a weird Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

The turf farms were a mistake in my opinion, as we missed the Banded Lapwings (35 the week before had turned into 0), and we didn’t add anything to the list. Sydney Olympic Park followed, with Red-necked Avocet, Pelican and Little Egret (the first record for SOP we believe). A Pacific Baza flew over the car on the way down a hill near Ryde (some slow driving caused a bit of road rage behind us), and the resident Ospreys perched well for us at Narrabeen. Deep Creek and Warriewood combined added two Fantails, Brush Turkey, Black-faced Monarch and Koel.

The finish was in sight as we pulled into Long Reef. The Kestrel caught a mouse a few metres from us, and we managed to see all the normal waders in a few minutes. A few strange tattlers turned out to be Red Knots, and a quick sea watch produced Gannet and Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Also two whales (moth and calf) only a few hundred metres off shore. A great way to finish!

Overall, 166 species in 350km. Our rarest bird is in dispute - Ruff if it is confirmed, but probably Wood Sandpiper or Little Egret as we doubt that the “Ruff” will be re-seen… Our biggest dip was Striated Thornbill. Due to school, I may have to skip the next two years of Twitchathon, but I will return! :)

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THE GOSHAWK IN EXTREMADURA (2009-2010)

Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). José Gordillo.

The Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) was another one of the target species in the SEO/BirdLife-brokered national woodland raptor survey 2009-2010 (Palomino and Valls, 2011). The estimated Extremadura population came out as 700 territories (range 650-750). This represents 6.2% of the Spanish total (11,350 territories), ranking seventh behind the regions of Castilla y León (2490), Castilla-La Mancha (2010), Andalucía (1370), Aragón (1280), Galicia (900) and Catalunya (760). Extremadura's mean density is 1.7 territories per 100 km2, below the national mean (2.2) and ranking a modest 12th in Spain.

Broken down by provinces, Cáceres accounts for 420 territories, and Badajoz 280. The densities (2.1 in Cáceres and 1.3 in Badajoz) are among the lowest in Spain. In all it was detected in 14% of the surveyed 10 k grids (18% in Badajoz and 6% in Cáceres).

The Goshawk has a somewhat patchy range in Extremadura; this also holds true for the whole of Spain and France. It is very scarce in the central and western sectors of both provinces, barring some zones of the central mountain range and southern Badajoz. Conversely it is exceptionally common in eastern districts (La Siberia, Las Villuercas y Los Ibores), which contain the lion's share of the regional population; in fact the likelihood of a Goshawk sighting is higher here than anywhere else in Spain. In the northern two thirds of Spain the Goshawk chooses hilly, low-insolation, inland areas with conifer woods (especially pine). At lower altitudes it prefers high-rainfall areas, unlike in the upland areas.

Predictive map of the Goshawk's range in Spain, taken from Palomino and Valls (2011). This shows the high likelihood of Goshawk sightings in the centre-east of Extremadura.

Car transects are not really a very suitable censusing method for this shy raptor so rarely seen outside the display season. In Extremadura only 3 birds were seen on average every 1000 k, an identical finding to the whole of Spain. It was detected in 13% of the surveyed 10 k grids (20% in Badajoz and 5% in Cáceres).

The Goshawk's trend in Spain is uncertain according to the breeding birds monitoring project SACRE; its trend within Extremadura is equally unsure.

The figures obtained for Spain as a whole were much higher than expected, even tripling the important French population. This has made even the survey authors chary of the results. The same goes for Extremadura, with figures way above forecasts and perhaps overstating the real case. Another striking finding is that the Goshawk's population should be just as big as the Sparrow Hawk's, a raptor of similar habits but more easily and regularly detected. Another apparent discrepancy arises between Cáceres and Badajoz. Contacts were higher in the latter but estimates were lower than for Cáceres. This might be due to the fact that best areas of Badajoz were surveyed more comprehensively than in Cáceres.

The fieldwork was coordinated and carried out by SEO volunteers and staff of the Environment Board of the Regional Council of Extremadura.

Source:
- Palomino, D., y Valls, J. 2011. Las rapaces forestales en España. Población reproductora en 2009-2010 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF]

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Another 100 bird day

Met up with Kev and his son Fin at The Close Sartfield feeder site.

A busy morning with 106 birds caught, 76 new birds the rest retraps and a Chaffinch control from the Calf of Man Kev thinks.

Gt Tit

Blue Tit

Coal Tit

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Chaffinch

Blackbird

Tree Sparrow

House Sparrow

Then up to the whoosh site, as we pulled up good numbers of birds about 

only 19 birds caught

3 Retraps

Goldfinch

Linnets

1 Lesser Redpoll

up to 9 Lesser Redpoll seen

and 19 Twite sat on wires

also

 1 Sparrowhawk seen 

1 Hen Harrier over .

Lesser Redpoll

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Slow start Great end

4 hours spent at a plantation site for Redpoll today only 2 seen and only 2 birds ringed

Chaffinch and a Goldcrest

Then off to The Point of Ayre

73 new Birds ringed and 1 retrap

36 Goldfinch {still they come}

28 Linnets

and 

9 Twite

great to see the Twite back, thought i had heard them 2 days ago

My wife Niki came out with me today and glad she did 

took care of the writing.

Colour combination for IOM White over Orange Blue
Left Leg
White = IOM
Orange Blue = ringed JULY/DECEMBER 2011

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Redpoll at Point

All set for a good day at the Point of Ayre just a small breeze as i set up. The first catch was

 4 new Goldfinch and 5 re traps

1 Linnet 

and

 2  Lesser Redpolls

Now the weather here on the isle of Man has been none stop wind for 2 months and we haven't had the chance to get up to the plantations to try for Redpoll yet, so today they came to me :-)

And that was it, 3 hours later not another bird ringed.

There was a report of Snow Bunting near the Lighthouse this morning so i went for a look i

couldn't find it but saw T9TR on the shore.

Ringed at the Point of Ayre gravel pits on July 12 this year

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SEPTEMBER 2011: Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia). Casatejada, Cáceres. Sergio Mayordomo.

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

- Egyptian Goose: One bird still at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres), seen on 02/09 (Sergio Mayordomo), 10/09 (Eva Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). Three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 19 and 20/09 (Francisco Lopo).
- Shelduck: 5 adults and 11 young birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Ruddy Shelduck: 10 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 05/09 (Elvira del Viejo).
- Garganey: one female or young bird at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 22/09 (José Guerra and Marc Gálvez).
- Red Crested Pochard: one female at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 18/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One eclipse drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 25/09, 27/09 (Manolo Iglesias) and 29/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: one drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 27/09 (M. Iglesias) and 29/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Great Crested Grebe: Flocks: 153 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Ángel Sánchez), 117 birds at Valuengo Reservoir (Badajoz) on 14/09 (Antonio Núñez), 300 birds at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (Alberto Pacheco) and 124 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (César Clemente, Javier Mahíllo, Javier Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Black Necked Grebe: two birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Ventaquemada Reservoir, Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres), on 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Flamingo: one young bird at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). Two at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 09/09 (E. del Viejo) and three on 24/09 (Á. Sánchez, Domingo Rivera and Joaquín Fernández). At Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres): three birds on 26/09 and one on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Glossy Ibis: at Santa Amalia (Badajoz): one bird on 7/09 and 8/09 (Fernando Yuste), three on 14, 16 and 25/09 (F. Yuste, J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and five on 30/09 (F. Yuste). One bird at Ayuela River, Casas de Don Antonio (Cáceres), on 29/09 (Juan Carlos Salgado and Mercedes Rodríguez).
- Spoonbill: Flocks: 30 birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/09 (S. Mayordomo); at Reservoir Los Canchales (Badajoz): 86 birds on 05/09 (A. Núñez), 80 birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Lopo, Juan Carlos Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and 60 birds on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo); 31 birds at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 8/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo); 80 birds at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/09 (Rafael Parra); 44 birds at Laguna Grande de La Albuera (Badajoz) on 15/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 42 birds at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Squacco Heron: one bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 05/09 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo). At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): one on 21/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 30/09 (F. Yuste). One bird at El Batán ricefield (Cáceres) on 29/09 (J. Prieta).
- Cattle Egret: Roost count: 4562 birds at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 26/09 (J. Prieta).
- Great White Egret: 17 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Little Egret: Flocks: 95 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez) and 150 birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Purple Heron: 4 young birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). One young bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 15/09 (J. Prieta). One adult and one young bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at River Aljucén, PN Cornalvo (Badajoz), on 19/09 (M. Iglesias). One young bird at Galisteo ricefields (Cáceres) on 25/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Grey Heron: Flocks: 151 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez); 80 birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 254 birds at Portaje Reservoir on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- White Stork: 1500 birds at Mérida landfill site (Badajoz) on 17/09 (Á. Sánchez).
- Black Stork: two flocks of 8 and 38 birds near Trujillo (Cáceres) on 9/09 (Jesús Porras). Air count: on 23/09, 8 birds at River Aljucén (Á. Fernández) and 82 birds counted on 24/09: 15 at River Tiétar (Cáceres) (J. Mahíllo), 11 at Guadarroyo Stream (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo) and 45 birds at River Guadiana (Badajoz) (C. Clemente).
- Osprey: at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres): one bird on 10/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). At Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres): one bird on 16/09 and 3 birds on 20/09 (A. Pacheco). At Reservoir Ahigal (Cáceres): one Scottish-ringed bird on 19/09 (A. Pacheco) and 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Torrejoncillo (Cáceres) on 20/09 (Raúl Guzmán). One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Spanish Imperial Eagle: One young bird at Riomalo de Abajo, Las Hurdes (Cáceres), on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Goshawk: One bird at Cambroncino (Cáceres) on 13/09, another at la Sierra de Tentudía (Badajoz) on 17/09 and another at Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
-Montagu's Harrier: Dark phase birds: one young bird at El Gordo (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo), one young bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 13/09 (J. Prieta), one bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Porras) and another at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 16/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Peregrine Falcon: one bird at Tentudía (Badajoz) on 17/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Hobby: one bird at Majadas (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Lesser Kestrel: on 19/09 one bird seen at Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres) (J. Briz), over 20 at La Contienda, Villanueva del Fresno (Badajoz), (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 4 at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), (M. Kelsey). One bird going to roost at Iglesia at Torre de Miguel Sesmero (Badajoz) on 22/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Crane: Summering birds: one bird still at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 2/09 (A. Pacheco) and two at Monroy (Cáceres) on 14/09 (there since June). Two birds still at Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 30/09 (Goyo Naharro), one possibly since April and the other was freed from a wildlife refuge centre.
- Avocet: 13 birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/09 (S. Mayordomo) and one at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz) on 28/09 (Martin Kelsey).
- Kentish Plover: At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): one bird on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and three on 14/09 (F. Yuste). Two birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). Three birds at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 28/09 (M. Kelsey).

- Bar Tailed Godwit: one young bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) from 06/09 to 15/09 (J. Guerra, M. Gálvez, M. Kelsey and S. Mayordomo, Photo attached).
- Spotted Redshank: at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres): one bird on 06/09 (S. Mayordomo) and 8/09 (M. Kelsey). Present at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), from 06/09 to 27/09 peaking at 16 (Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre, E. Palacios, J. Prieta, Manuel García del Rey, Miguel Sánchez and S. Mayordomo). At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): two birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and 12 on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). At Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Cáceres-Badajoz): 30 birds on 28/09 and 50 on 30/09 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 29/09 (J. Prieta). Three at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Marsh Sandpiper: one bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres (Cáceres), on 28/09 (S.Mayordomo).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Santa Amalia (Badajoz): 24 birds on 04/09 (F. Yuste), 2 birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and on 14/09 (F. Yuste), 15 birds on 16/09 and one on 21/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). Present at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres) from 06/09 to 21/09 peaking at 2 (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, E. Palacios, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 13/09 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/09 (A. Pacheco). Four at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 28/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Ruff: Flocks: 60 birds at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 08/09 (F. Yuste) and 120 birds at Campo Lugar-Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 28/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Sanderling: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 08/09 (F. Yuste).
- Turnstone: one young bird at Valdesalor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 09/09 (Carlos Fernández) and one bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Curlew Sandpiper: one bird at Valdesalor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 09/09 (C. Fernández), 18/09, 19/09 and 20/09 (S. Mayordomo) and 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One young bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).

- Temminck's Stint: one bird at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 06/09 (S. Mayordomo) and 8/09 (M. Kelsey). Three at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Laguna del Casar de Cáceres (Cáceres) on 23/09 (Antonio Ceballos, Attached Photo).
- Cream Coloured Courser: one bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 22/09 (Raymon De Smet and Sallaets Gaston).
- Collared Pratincole: Flocks at Santa Amalia: 164 birds on 04/09, 270 birds on 08/09 (F. Yuste), 230 birds on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo), 132 birds on 14/09 (F. Yuste) and 170 birds on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Black-Headed Gull: Flocks: 615 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 and 800 birds at Mérida landfill site(Badajoz) on 17/09 (Á. Sánchez).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: two birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). Six birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). One adult at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 14/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One second-year bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Lesser Black-Backed Gull: Flocks: 3850 at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 and 2000 at Mérida landfill site (Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez).
- Black Tern: one bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/09 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). On 24/09, two birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) and two at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Whiskered Tern: 71 birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/09 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. palacios, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo) and 24/09 (C. Clemente, J. Mahíllo, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Long Eared Owl: one bird singing at Casatejada (Cáceres) on 19/09 (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo).
- Wryneck: one bird at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 7/09 and another at Portaje (Cáceres) on 16/09 (S. Mayordomo). On 18/09, one bird at Belvís de Monroy (Cáceres) (Javier Briz) and another at Valdesalor (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo). On 21/09, two at Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres) and one at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Sierra de San Pedro (Badajoz) on 25/09 (José Gordillo). One bird at Plasencia on 27/09 and 29/09 (Ricardo Montero).
- Iberian Chiffchaff: one bird at Valdesalor (Cáceres) on 18/09 and 19/09 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).
- Bluethroat: one bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 11/09 (E. Palacios, F. Yuste, J. C. Paniagua and S. Mayordomo). One male at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 22/09 and two males at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 25/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Redstart: one male at El Gordo (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Zorita (Cáceres) on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One male at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 19/09 (S. Mayordomo). One female at Guijo de Granadilla (Cáceres) on 21/09 (J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 23/09 (J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Río Ardila (Badajoz) on 24/09 (A. Núñez). Three at Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Tree Pipit: two birds on 13/09 and four on 28/09 at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) (J. Prieta). One bird at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 16/09, and on 20/09 one at Botoa (Badajoz) and another at Alburquerque (Badajoz) (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Tawny Pipit: four birds at San Vicente de Alcántara (Badajoz) on 05/09 (J. Gordillo). Nine at El Gordo (Cáceres) on 08/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo). Three at Llanos de Cáceres on 13/09, at Hinojal one on 15/09 and 16/09, and another at Sierra de Fuentes (Cáceres) on 17/09 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at El Canito (Badajoz) on 18/09 (J. Gordillo). On 19/09, two at Torrequemada (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo), one at Serrejón (Cáceres) (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo), four at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), (M. Kelsey), two at Villanueva del Fresno (Badajoz) (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and two at Ahigal (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco). At Campanario (Badajoz): five birds on 21/09 and three on 28/09 (José Luis Pérez-Chiscano and Juan Pablo Prieto). Six birds at Cáceres (Cáceres) on 22/09 (S. Mayordomo). At Trujillo: one bird on 23/09 (J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and S. Mayordomo) and several on 24/09 (M. Kelsey). At Torreorgaz (Cáceres): six birds on 26/09 and three on 28/09, and another two at Torremocha (Cáceres) on 26/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Yellow Wagtail: M. f. Flavissima subsp.: one male at Laguna de los Gañanes, Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), on 13/09 (J. Prieta); several at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/09 (A. Pacheco) and two at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 29/09 (J. Prieta). M. f. Thunbergii subsp.: one male at Santa Amalia (Badajoz) on 21/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). Flock: over 2000 birds at Badajoz (Badajoz) on 11/09/11 (Gabriel Silva).
- Waxbill: New breeding site: at Ribera de los Limonetes-Nogales, Torre de Miguel Sesmero (Badajoz) nine birds were seen on 15/09; seven, one carrying nesting material, on 18/09 and three, one with nesting material, on 20/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Yellow-crowned Bishop: at Puente de Palmas, River Guadiana, Badajoz (Badajoz); 12 birds on 18/09 and 20 on 24/09 (J. C. Paniagua).

FIRST WINTER VISITORS
- Greylag Goose: seven birds at Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Widgeon: three eclipse drakes and two females at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 26/09 (J. Prieta) and two pairs at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Pintail: on 19/09 six birds at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco) and five at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres) (E. Pérez-Balsalobre, M. García del Rey, M. Sánchez and S. Mayordomo).
- Hen Harrier: one bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 24/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Merlin: one bird at Belén, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 19/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Firecrest: one bird at River Jerte, Casas del Castañar (Cáceres), on 23/09 (J. Prieta).
- Meadow Pipit: three birds at Jerte Reservoir, Casas del Castañar (Cáceres), on 28/09 (J. Prieta).

LINGERING SUMMER VISITORS
- Black Kite: two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 25/09 (C. Fernández).
- Honey Buzzard: one bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 10/09 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Monfragüe on 23/09 (M. Kelsey).
- Nightjar: two birds at Portaje (Cáceres) on 10/09 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo) and one singing at Toril (Cáceres) on 30/09 (M. García del Rey).
- Bee-eater: flock flying over Piornal (Cáceres) on 15/09 (J. Prieta).
- Swallow: two birds at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 30/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Golden Oriole: one bird at Toril (Cáceres) on 11/09 (J. Porras) and two at Gargüera on 01/09 (J. Gayo).
- Woodchat Shrike: two young birds at Zorita (Cáceres) on 16/09 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and another two at Valdesalor (Cáceres) on 18/09 (S. Mayordomo).
- Bonelli's Warbler: one bird at Riomalo de Abajo (Cáceres) on 28/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Rock Thrush: two pairs at El Gasco, Las Hurdes (Cáceres), on 24/09 (A. Pacheco).
- Black-Eared Wheatear: several birds at Mohedas de Granadilla on 16/09 (A. Pacheco).

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PECTORAL SANDPIPER: THE THIRD AMERICAN

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), juvenile.
Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz), 21.10.11 (Sergio Mayordomo).

October continues to be American wader month in Extremadura. Now it's the turn of the Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), seen on 21 October 2011 at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz). The sighting was quite serendipitous, because the target bird of the visit was the White-Rumped Sandiper seen on the same pond the day before. The White-Rumped failed to appear but this Pectoral popped up instead. It was found in the morning by Sergio Mayordomo; in the afternoon it was seen at least by Miguel Rouco and on the next day (22 October) it was seen by quite a few more observers (Ángel Sánchez, Francis Prieto, Elvira del Viejo, A. Cangas, Agapito,...). And on this day there was also a Temminck's Stint around... just for good measure . .

Of this month's three Nearctic sandpipers (click here and here), the Pectoral is the commonest. In Spain it is still rated as a vagrant though perhaps not for much longer, since nearly 300 birds have been accepted up to 2008 while in September and part of October 60 more were seen, including several inland records (Burgos, Palencia, Navarra, Albacete...). This bird will be at least the eighth for Extremadura, all juveniles on autumn passage. The sighting of two birds on Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) in September 2010 was previously reported in this blog. To find out more about this previous sighting, all other Extremadura records and general info on the species, click here.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), juvenile.
Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz), 22.10.11 (Ángel Sánchez).

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This Week

An awful week where ringing has been concerned, the wind has been to strong for anything

except Swan catching, me and Kev caught a few Mute swans around the island on Tuesday with a few Mallards. We saw a Kingfisher in Peel inner Harbour on Tuesday so for a few hours on Thursday i went back down to see if i could get a few shots . Kingfisher on the isle of Man are few and far between with the odd one in Ramsey,  the one at Peel was easier to find and a bit closer at times. While i was there i got a text ” Sabine’s Gull at Peel” so i flew off to the breakwater to see if i could get a glimpse. What a glimpse as well 

see more at www.grayimages.co.uk

                                                  

A visit to the Whoosh site this morning before the wind got gale force, 14 New Goldfinch ringed and 10 new Linnets.  I stopped off at Ramsey and set the Gull trap

1  juv Herring Gull colour ringed as well.

Not bad for such a windy day

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WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: A FIRST FOR EXTREMADURA

White-Rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis).
Charca de Esparragalejo, Badajoz. 20-10-11 (Ángel Luis Sánchez).

In the last blog post we were "whining" about the lack of rare waders in September 2010; October now looks like being the month of American waders in Extremadura. On 19 and 20 October a juvenile White-Rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) turned up in the pond called Charca de Esparragalejo. It was found on the 19th by Francis Prieto and next day was seen by Francis Prieto again plus Ángel Sánchez and Ángel Luis Sánchez. This is the first known record for Extremadura. And this makes..... a fair few new species in the region since this blog kicked off.

The White-Rumped Sandpiper is a wader that breeds in the arctic region of Alaska and Canada, wintering in South America. It is as rare vagrant in Spain with 46 accepted records of 84 birds up to 2008, most in the Canary Islands (66 birds), where there was a "massive" irruption in October 2005 (over 50 birds). Two Portuguese records are also known up to 2007. Very few have turned up in 2011; only three other 2011 records are known up to 20 October: one young bird in Galicia in September and October and two adults in Delta del Ebro (Rare Birds in Spain). Up to 2003 there was only one record in inland Spain, in Fraga (Huesca) in October 2001 (Steve West and T. Nievas).

The best field marks are its intermediate size between Dunlin and Little Stint, its white rump, eye stripe and long-winged appearance with the primaries projecting beyond the tail when at rest.

Sources:
- De Juana, E. 2006. Aves raras de España. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona.
- Catry, P., Costa, H., Elias, G. y Matias, R. 2010. Aves de Portugal. Ornitologia do território continental. Assírio & Alvim. Lisboa.
- CR-SEO (Comité de Rarezas de SEO). 2010. Observaciones de aves raras en España, 2008. Ardeola 57(2).

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Today

Gale force winds all week, so i took camera out and had a good day.

Catching birds on film for a change

Down at Port Lewaigue i had a ringed Rock Pipit

left below Lime Red

This bird was ringed at Port Moore on July 28 2011

Then a trip to Ramsey Harbour to check on Mute Swans

7 ringed birds in Harbour

Y21 ringed on January 30 2011 in Ramsey Harbour

J23 ringed on 23 March 2011 in Castletown

B21 ringed December 21 Ramsey Harbour

C21 ringed ringed December 21 Ramsey Harbour

A86 ringed 22 October 2010 Ramsey harbour

A87 was re ringed in Ramsey on 22 October 2010 was first ringed as A68 back in 1998

and 

D23 ringed January 31 2011 at Billown Mansion born in 2010 here 

After that i walked up the river to see if the female Goosander was still showing

as i got to the bend there she was.

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I then drove up to the Point of Ayre for a spot of Sea watching. Just the norm a few Gulls Herring Common, Black Headed, Greater Black Backed, Gannets, Cormorant, Shag, Razorbill and Guillemot

on way home spotted

T4XG

and

T8XG

Herring Gulls at Ramsey Pier

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Goldfinch still being caught

Another good few hours up at the whoosh net site with 58 birds caught 

54 new Goldfinch and 1 re trap from Wednesday

 and 3 new Linnets.

179 new Goldfinch ringed at Point Of Ayre this October
228 since August

New from Andy back in Wharfedale Yorkshire
He started to catch Redwing and Redpoll yesterday

Anybody Recognise Ring Number V836383 on a Redpoll

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Waxham - 14 Oct 2011. Autumn at last!

I took the day off as I'd been gripped off the day before by not one, but two different birders telling me that they'd found Red-flanked Bluetails, so I thought I should give it a go. I headed out to East Norfolk early on and headed out on the Nelson Head track. Plenty of birds on the move, especially Meadow Pipits, lots of finches (Brambling and 27 Crossbills the highlight), quite a few Redwing and Fieldfare, Read Buntings, 1 Lapland Bunting and lots of Lesser Redpoll. There was also Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, White Wagtail, a couple of Chiffchaffs hanging around in various places too. I headed off to Horsey Gap after that, from where I walked north to Waxham. A single Barn Swallow was flying around the car park, but the rest of the walk was pretty quiet. A couple of Short-eared Owls came in off the sea and I had good views of a Great Grey Shrike that had been hanging around Waxham. Upon arriving at Waxham I found that there had been a Radde's Warbler in the church yard but after spending about an hour there I had one flight view and heard it call a few times. The end of the day brought me wishing I'd gone north, as late news emerged of a Rufous-tailed Robin had been found on East Hills (late as in it was found late in the day and late as in the fact that it was actually on Warham Greens, information that was nicely suppressed for ages before putting the correct new out. Thanks for nothing).

Great Grey Shrike Waxham, Norfolk

Great Grey Shrike Waxham, Norfolk

Great Grey Shrike Waxham, Norfolk

Short-eared Owl, fresh in off the sea, Waxham

Short-eared Owl, fresh in off the sea, Waxham

Short-eared Owl, fresh in off the sea, Waxham

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Rnging in Garden

Gt Tit TK42421 Island Movement

Another day of showers and mist so i decided to give the Point of Ayre a miss today and opened the nets in the garden around midday

First bird in was a Gt Tit  with a B ring on so i knew it had been ringed in a nest box some where.

TK42421 was ringed this year by Dave Sharpe as a chick in a box at Close Sarfield reserve 0n 20 May it was then recaught on the 27 September at The Colvin's site near Close Sartfield by me and Kev and 

now recaught again at Port e Vullen.

Garden So Far   ( ) = retraps

1 Wren
5 Goldfinch
8 Siskin (5)

2 Blue Tits (1)
2 Gt Tits (1)

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Feeding Station

After the rain this morning i shot up to the Point of Ayre and set the Whoosh net, plenty of finches about. 

38 birds caught

28 New Goldfinch 2 retraps from last week

8 New Linnets

as well as being a feeding station for the finches, today i had Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Merlin piling into the flocks of finches.

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Goldfinch Siskin Movement

Last few days i have caught a Siskin in my garden which i ringed at the Point of Ayre on the 19/10/2011 i then had a Goldfinch up at the Point of Ayre which i first ringed in my garden on 13/12/2010 and

today i caught another Goldfinch in my Garden which i had ringed at the Point of Ayre on 23/10/2011.

Nets open in the garden this morning, with 22 birds caught.

7  new Goldfinch 2 Retraps

2 new Gt Tits 1 retrap

2 new Siskin 1 retrap

1 new House Sparrow 1 retrap

3 new Blue Tits

1 new Chaffinch

1 retrap Coal Tit

1 Male Sparrow Hawk bounced twice oooohhhhh

Went for a seawatch in afternoon and ended back at Ramsey a couple of Wheatears on Harbour wall

plus  

Rock Pipit  RBRW LBCO  ringed on 16/09/2011

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BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER IN GALISTEO, CÁCERES

Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis), juvenile. Galisteo Lake, Cáceres, 05.10.2011 (Javier Prieta).

After a September with no news of vagrant waders in Extremadura, October kicked off with the interesting sighting of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 05.10.11. The lucky observer this time was the person writing this blog post (by name of Javier Prieta). This is the second ever record for the region after the first one in 2010, also in October, at Valdecañas on 15.10.10 (click here for more info). Both birds were juveniles, like most Spanish records. As on the previous occasion this Buff Breasted didn't stick around; birders who went there to see it that same afternoon lucked out.

As in 2010 this sighting coincides with a big influx of Buff Breasted Sandpipers in Spain. According to Rare Birds in Spain at least 30 different birds were seen in September and another 4 in the first days of October. All these sightings were in coastal provinces (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Catalunya, above all, Valencia, Cádiz, Canarias...), except for this Extremadura bird. The 2010 irruption was put down to successive Atlantic storms but there weren't any in 2011 so another explanation will have to be "invented". To find out more about this delicate American wader, see the 2010 post (click here).

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Trip to Peel

A trip to Peel for a spot of sea watching yesterday turned up two of our colour ringed 

Gulls in the harbour

 T1UB was ringed on the Calf of Man on 12/07/2011 

T6TX was ringed at the Point of Ayre gravel pits on 30/06/2011

I had the nets open in the garden this aft the wind died down a little,
6 Siskin 3 Goldfinch 1 chaffinch and 1 Coal Tit caught.

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Cormorants turning up thick and fast

Cormorant at Maughold Colony

Got a message of Kev today about 4 more confirmed sighting of Manx Cormorants and 2 probable sightings awaiting clarification.

At Seaforth NR, Liverpool Docks.

Z76 was seen there by Pete Kinsella on 04th October.

ZZN was reported by Steve White on 29th & 30th September.We are awaiting clarification of a further 2 sightings of what is probably one of our birds too - Z3R (reported as 23R) seen on 17th & 30th September

Photo Martin Bennet

A report from Hampshire from Martin Bennet and Bob Chapman. Z7P was photographed by Martin at Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, Ringwood, Hants on 25th September. A distance of 260 miles from Maughold, IOM.

I have driven past Ibsley many times on my way to Fordingbridge a local drinking hole of mine when i was in the Army.

Click on link to see Cormorants being ringed at Maughold Colony

Click on Link to see a map Kev has done with all the sightings of the colour ringed Cormorants so far

This project is proving to be a great success.

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