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30 May 12, Red-backed Shrike, Horsey Gap

I don't often make the effort to go birding out to the coast after work, but yesterday I thought I would. I packed my birding gear into my car in the morning and then headed out to East Norfolk after work. It was a lovely still sunny evening - just what I wasn't hoping for! I'd anticipated a bit of easterly wind and murky skies. I spent the first couple of hours at Waxham, but I'm pretty sure I didn't see a single migrant, so I drove south to Horsey Gap. I had about an hours worth of good light left, so I decided to bird the entrance track and bushes around the beach car-park. The entrance track was fairly quiet; a good mixture of breeding warblers, but nothing else, but when when I got to the car-park one of the first birds I saw was a shrike feeding in the fenced off area to the north-west. The bird was straight into the sun, so I wasn't 100% sure what species it was (although I suspected it was Red-backed). I moved round to the conifer strand to get a better view and sure enough - female Red-backed Shrike. I took a few photos, called Tim Allwood and put the bird out on RBA. Tim popped down for a quick look for the last half-hour of light and the bird was still there at 9pm when we all left.

Red-backed Shrike, female, Horsey Gap 30 May 12

Red-backed Shrike, female, Horsey Gap 30 May 12

Red-backed Shrike, female, Horsey Gap 30 May 12

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BOOTED EAGLES: THE HOMECOMING

A few weeks ago we spoke in this blog entry about the African odyssey of two satellite-tagged Extremadura Booted Eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) from September 2011 to February 2012. Like the other tagged birds in other Spanish provinces our two Booted Eagles have now come home safe and sound and seem to have got down to the task of breeding. Their return journeys were as follows.

Luna (a female, No.5 on the map) left her stable wintering area in Mali on 16 March. After passing through Mauritania, Western Sahara and Morocco she crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on 1 April, thereafter returning more slowly to her breeding territory in Alburquerque (Badajoz), where she arrived on the 6th. In total a 2700 km journey in 21 days at an average of 130 km per day and the longest stages of 344 km and 323 km on 18 and 20 March, smack in the middle of the desert. Progress within Spain was much slower, with a maximum daily stint of 120 km. In 2012 she has built a new nest only 250 m from the one used in 2011, which fell down last winter (Ángel Sánchez, pers. com.). 

Valiente (male, No.6 on the map) kicked off his trip from Nigeria on 19 March, then passing through Niger, Mali, Algeria and Morocco, crossing the Strait on 2 April and arriving back in La Roca de la Sierra (Badajoz) on 7 April. A long journey of 3500 km in 20 days, at a mean speed of 175 km per day and the longest stages of 420 and 418 km on 21 and 24 March. The longest day journey made in Spain was only 95 km. This was the swiftest moving of the six birds and one of the two with the most distant wintering area.

If we look at the whole set of six tagged birds (two in Badajoz and Madrid and one each in Castellón and Ávila) we find that the spring homecoming journey did not follow the same route as the autumn outgoing one, which was further west in all cases. The start day varied from 1 to 20 March (mean date of 13 March), the Strait crossing from 30 March to 11 April (mean date of 4 April) and the arrival on the breeding territory from 4 to 26 April (mean date of 10 April). The total distance covered ranged from 2725 to 3530 km (mean of 3095 km), the duration from 17 to 51 days (28 mean) and the average daily speed from 70 to 175 km (mean 126). Barring one bird that made the trip in two stages, stopping for a time in one of its two wintering areas, the rest came back directly, moving more rapidly through Africa and slowing down upon entering the Iberian Peninsula.

More information on the SEO/BirdLife project website "La migración de las aves" (Bird Migration).
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Another month ends

Another month ends and its been quite a good one last May was windy and wet and this one has been a lot better towards the end.
Highlights being 35 Wheatear ringed this month and 4 Whinchat also Chough Pulli ringing.

Whinchat


45 Siskin ringed mostly juvenile birds caught at Sulby Glen and in my Garden.
12 Herring Gulls colour ringed in the garden this month and hopefully loads more Gulls in June as the newly hatched birds get big enough to  colour ring.


As the month ends 5 Common Gull and 4 Oystercatcher ringed. 



Common Gull

Also the feeding projects at two Yellowhammer sites  {a bird that is very sparse in the Isle of Man}
has paid off with 4 now being ringed



Also 57 Jackdaw chicks ringed this month 
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What has 12 wings...

..and goes "Preeet-preet"?
The flock of 6 Bee-eaters I had flying over Waxham yesterday!
It was really nice to see the Bee-eater feeding from wires at Gladford last weekend, but finding 6 birds over Waxham, even though they just flew straight through, was much better. It had been a fairly quiet day. I'd been stood behind Shangri-la cottage for about half-an-hour looking for a possible Icterine Warbler that I'd heard brief song-snatches off. Listening for the song again I was aware of a "Preeet-preet" call coming from the sky and my thoughts turned immediately to Bee-eater, and sure enough there was the source of the call emerging from behind the nearby trees that were initially obscuring it from me. Just as I was about to lift my bins I noticed another bird behind it, then another....and another! I lifted my bins and sure enough all four birds were Bee-eaters, with gleaming yellow throats and aquamarine underparts. But then another bird flew into view and I dropped my bins to count exactly how may birds there were - six! I enjoyed the view of all 6 birds as they passed by and then tried to grab a couple of photos of the birds. Unfortunately, they were a bit too distant and my auto-focus wouldn't settle on them.

Bee-eater, Glandford, Norfolk, 20 May 2012

Bee-eater, Glandford, Norfolk, 20 May 2012

Bee-eater, Glandford, Norfolk, 20 May 2012

Bee-eater, Glandford, Norfolk, 20 May 2012

Even though I missed getting some snaps of today's Bee-eaters there were a few other photo-opportunities. A Turtle Dove has taken up residence in Waxham dunes and can be heard 'purring'. He sat up in the sun for me for some nice photos. Also a male Marsh Harrier flew uncharacteristically close to me today, obviously distracted by the Oystercatcher that was trying to drive it away from its nest.

Turtle Dove, Waxham Dunes 26 May 2012

Turtle Dove, Waxham Dunes 26 May 2012

Marsh Harrier, male, Horsey 26 May 2012

Marsh Harrier, male, Horsey 26 May 2012

Marsh Harrier, male, Horsey 26 May 2012

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6th Time Lucky? Masked Owl at last

Max and I have tried quite a few times for Masked Owl, from Bruny Island in Tasmania to Castle Cove only 30 minutes from home. Each time, we dip. A bit of a bogey Masked Owls are. Unfortunately, these beautiful birds are difficult to find. Max and I were invited by Grant up to *censored* for another shot.

Max had been birding all day with Grant and Rob, and managed to dip on both his main targets (Regent HE and Beach Stone Curlew). At 5:30, we met up and headed to the owl site, which wasn't where you'd expect to find Masked Owls to say the least. Under these streetlights, we searched for an hour.

Playback wasn't working particularly well in the wind (at least it wasn't as bad as the time we went to Dharug National Park on a windy rainy night), but then, finally, we heard a trill. Tense minutes passed, and suddenly, the characteristic rasping of a Masked Owl began not 100 metres from where we were standing. We stalked closer, and lit up the trees, which didn't reveal anything. Max asked if someone could shine closer to the tree trunk, and there she was. A beautiful female Australian Masked Owl! After 2 minutes, all high-fives had been exchanged and all photos had been taken, so we left her in peace to get back to whatever she might have been doing!!! As we walked away, she had a conversation with an unseen male a few trees away. What a fantastic night!






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ATLANTIC DEPRESSIONS AND WIND-BLOWN COASTAL BIRDS

Extremadura's last winter from December 2011 to March 2012 recorded an all-time low rainfall since records began. Luckily, April was fairly wet, saving a spring that was shaping up as dire. A succession of depressions swept in from the Atlantic in April 2012, rounded out by an explosive cyclogenesis on the 25th. The associated winds might have been responsible for the appearance in Extremadura of coastal migratory birds in the second half of April and first part of May. The phenomenon of coastal birds swept inland by winds usually occurs in winter, resulting in red-letter species for Extremadura like Great Northern and Black Throated Divers, Great Skua, Storm Petrel and Madeiran Storm Petrel. Spring episodes are pretty rare.

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). Adult at Valdecañas Reservoir, Cáceres, on 12.07.11 (Ángel Sánchez). 

The standout example this spring has been the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). Our April summary reports sightings in three different reservoirs, with maximums of ten birds at Guadiloba on 26 April (S. McAvoy/Birdwatch Ireland and G. Schreur), seven at Ahigal (A. Pacheco) and twelve at Portaje on 27 April(S. Mayordomo). On all occasions they were accompanied by Little Terns and Whiskered Terns, which may also have been wind driven but are more normal passage drop-ins inland. Subsequent visits to the same places did not turn up any Common Tern sightings. This brief influx, albeit modest, is the biggest recorded to date in Extremadura. In the eleven-year period running from 1998 to 2008 there were only five sightings of one or two Common Terms in April-May (without counting the breeding birds in Valdecañas Reservoir, the most recent in 2011).

Some coastal waders also turned up in greater-than-usual numbers in spring 2012, though relating these to the April storms is perhaps more a bit more fanciful. These included the Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), a very scarce but regular spring migrant in Extremadura. From 1998 to 2008 there were thirty sightings, the biggest being a flock of eight. In April 2012 it was seen in at least five sites, including the biggest flock ever recorded in Extremadura: 27 birds at Arrocampo Reservoir on 22 April (J. Julián). Much the same goes for the Sanderling (Calidris alba), with only 14 records involving 19 birds from 1998 to 2008 but with April 2012 records of six birds in three different places. That said, waders seem to be turning up in bigger numbers than usual in Extremadura this spring, this trend even continuing throughout May.
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CASE OF ILLEGAL HUNTING OF PROTECTED SPECIES

Published in the newspaper HOY 16.05.2012.

The Guardia Civil Nature Protection Service (Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza de la Guardia Civil: SEPRONA) has arrested four people and accused another two of alleged involvement in an offence against the fauna. They are accused of setting snares and noose traps, forbidden hunting methods, for trapping threatened and protected species. The six plaintiffs are the gamekeepers and managers of three big-game hunting grounds in "Dehesa de los Barrancos", Peñalsordo (Badajoz).

The police caught the current gamekeeper red-handed setting out the snares and arrested him on the spot. The same forbidden practice was also used by the previous gamekeeper, who has also been arrested. Metal snares set on raptor perching points (rocks and tree trunks) were also found, some with remains of dead birds still attached. Among those identified were a Golden Eagle, four Eagle Owls, one Buzzard and an Egyptian Mongoose. The hunting grounds concerned fall within a protected area of the Natura 2000 network, listed as a Site of Community Interest (SCI) and Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA). The 2242 hectares of land occupied by the three hunting grounds were combed by police and agents from Extremadura's Environment Ministry on the days following the arrest. Sniffer dogs were used in the search to look for any poison bait but none was found. More than 30 snares and nooses were found, however, set up in passage areas, together with four unauthorised cage traps, one of them with live bait inside (a chicken). Many snares and wire nooses were also found in the gamekeeper's car and in the estate lodge.
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Starlings a little more

These same Starlings continue to drop into the garden to feed. Since their first observed arrival mentioned in my previous post, it has been easy to identify the family group as being four fledgelings accompanied and looked after by two "adults". On that first occasion they were among a larger group of Starlings and other birds busily feeding. I have since been able to see them swoop down many
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Choughs and Stuff

This week Kev and i spent a full day down the south of the island checking some of the more accessible Chough nests. 17 Chicks were individually colour ringed as part of the long study which has been going on the Isle of Man for the past 15 years. Last evening we ventured up North of the island where we ringed another 2 broods of Chough one of 4 and one of 3. Two other nests were on eggs and 1 was deserted. So when all are revisited over 40 Chough Pulli should have been colour ringed.






The rest of the week has been spent spring Trapping Wheatear with over 40 now ringed this spring. 
Another Whinchat was a nice surprise at Ramsey Harbour this week with 4 now ringed.

Wheatear

Whinchat


A visit to the reed bed site was dreadful with only a Blackbird ringed in 3 and a half hours and no Sedge Warblers Heard or seen. We normally ring between 20>30 Sedge Warblers here.


The Large Whoosh net in the garden was in action today with 5 Herring Gulls being caught and Colour Ringed


Ouch!!!!

Gull in a Bag



Colour Ring

Two Ringed Plover Chicks were also ringed and 2 Adult as well 1 a new biird and 1a retrap from last May.






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First Young Starlings

Well the first young Starlings of the year have appeared in the garden today. It seems like they waited for a break in this incessant rain we have experienced lately to leave the warmth and safety of Ron's roof and fly down to our garden to be fed.

I expect the older birds (I think it is the yearling birds and not the parents that are responsible for feeding the fledglings) were anxious for them
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APRIL 2012: NOTABLE SIGHTINGS IN EXTREMADURA


Rufous-Tailed Bush Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes). Ahigal, 29.05.2011. By Sammy Langlois. 

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

- Shelduck: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), 16 birds on 08/04 (Sergio Mayordomo) and 22 on 19/04 (Ángel Sánchez). Present at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 22/04 (Francisco Lopo).
- Shoveler: Eight pairs at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez), one drake at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 20/04 (S. Mayordomo) and two pairs at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 29/04 (J. Briz). Breeding birds not ruled out.
- Pochard: On 20/04 a pair was seen at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres) and 40 birds at Los Arenales, Cáceres (S. Mayordomo). One pair at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 29/04 (A. Jiménez). Breeding birds not ruled out.

- Glossy Ibis: At Arrocampo Reservoir, one bird on 01/04 (José Luis Rivero), 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado) and 12/04 (Antolín Redondo), four on 15/04 (María Llorente, Javier Mahillo, César Clemente and Álvaro Díaz) and five on 22/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), eight birds on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado), ten on 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios), two on 09/04 (Martin Kelsey), seven on 22/04, one on 28/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 12 on 29/04 (Javier Briz). One ringed bird at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres), from 05/04 to 17/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Kelsey, Marisa, M. Llorente, Manuel Estébanez, Lidia Roncero, Javier Prieta, J. Mahillo, E. Palacios, Conchi, C. Clemente, A. Redondo, Á. Díaz; -photograph by M. Estébanez-). One bird at River Ardila (Badajoz) on 08/04 (Francisco Montaño). At River Guadiana, Badajoz, three birds on 15/04 and one on 21/04 and 28/04 (Juan Carlos Paniagua). Two birds at River Salor, Cáceres, on 27/04 (Sebastián Molano). One bird at El Paredón Reservoir, Campanario (Badajoz), on 29/04 (Juan Pablo Prieto). This makes it the biggest ever influx of this species in Extremadura. Several of the sightings were ringed birds, in all cases from Doñana.
- Bittern: One bird at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 12/04 (A. Redondo) and 22/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Squacco Heron: At Arrocampo (Cáceres), one bird on 17/04 (J. Prieta), five birds, four in breeding plumage, on 22/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and one on 29/04 (J. Briz).
- Great White Egret: Up to five birds in breeding plumage at Arrocampo (Cáceres) from 15/04 to 29/04 (Vicente Risco, S. Mayordomo, M. Llorente, Manuel García del Rey, J. Prieta, J. Mahillo, J. Briz, E. Palacios, C. Clemente and Á. Díaz).
- Osprey: One passage bird at Puerto de Piornal (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta). One bird at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 28/04 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Long-Legged Buzzard: One presumed bird at Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 15/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Goshawk: One bird at Herreruela (Cáceres) on 10/04 (Godfried Schreur). One female at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 28/4 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Montagu's Harrier: One dark morph bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/04 (A. Pacheco).
- Hobby: One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 26/04 (Ricardo Montero). On 28/04 one bird seen at Gabriel and Galán Reservoir (Cáceres), another at La Granja de Granadilla (Cáceres) and another at Talaván (Cáceres) (R. Montero). On 29/04 one bird seen at Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres) (J. Briz) and two at Majadas pinewood(Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Lesser Kestrel: New colony found at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 11/04, with eight males and six females (J. Prieta).
- Little Bustard: At Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), where the species stopped breeding a decade ago, two males singing on 02/04 (A. Pacheco) and two males and one female on 11/04 (J. Prieta).

- Spotted Crake: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 06/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 07/04 (C. Clemente -photograph-).
- Avocet: One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Grey Plover: One bird at Los Barruecos, Malpartida de Cáceres (Cáceres), on 27/04 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at El Paredón Reservoir, Campanario (Badajoz), on 29/04 (J. P. Prieto).
- Kentish Plover: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), 14 birds on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 72 birds on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez). Two pairs at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 27/04 (Á. Sánchez).
- Whimbrel: At Campo Lugar (Cáceres), four birds on 15/04 and 13 on 25/04 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Jerte Reservoir, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á, Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Two birds at Alburquerque (Badajoz) on 21/04 (G. Schreur). At Arrocampo (Cáceres), 27 birds, biggest flock over recorded in Extremadura, on 22/04 (Justiniano Julián) and eight on 27/04 (G. Schreur) and 28/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 26/04 (G. Schreur) and 29/04 (A. Jiménez).
- Spotted Redshank: Two birds at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 06/04 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Salor Reservoir, Cáceres, on 10/04, 12/04 and 18/04 (S. Mayordomo). At Laguna Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), five birds on 10/04, 2 on 18/04 and three, one completely in summer plumage, on 20/04 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres), two birds on 01/04 (J. Prieta), one bird on 03/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente), 6/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and 7/04 (C. Clemente), four birds on 11/04 (J. Prieta) and one on 13/04 (S. Mayordomo), 19/04 (Mario Alonso) and 22/04 (J. Prieta). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), three birds on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado), six on 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios), five on 09/04 (M. Kelsey), present on 15/04 (M. Llorente, J. Mahillo, C. Clemente and Á. Díaz), five on 17/04 (J. Prieta) and three on 28/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 15/04 (J. C. Paniagua).
- Common Sandpiper: Over 150 birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez).

- Sanderling: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 19/04 (M. Alonso). One bird at Charca de La Haba (Badajoz) on 24/04 (J. P. Prieto -photograph-). Four birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Curlew Sandpiper: One bird at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 19/04 (Á. Sánchez). Two birds at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 25/04 (Elvira del Viejo and Antonia Cangas).
- Temminck's Stint: At Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz), one bird on 06/04 (F. Montaño) and 11/04 (J. P. Prieto and Carmen Crisóstomo).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: One adult at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Common Tern: At Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 26/04 (S. Mayordomo and J. Prieta) and seven on 27/04 (A. Pacheco). Ten birds at Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, on 26/04 (G. Schreur). Twelve birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Long-Eared Owl: One bird on its nest at Saucedilla (Cáceres) from 14/04 to 20/04 (V. Risco, Pablo de la Nava, M. Llorente, M. García del Rey, José Carlos López, J. Mahillo, J. Briz., J. Prieta, C. Clemente and Á. Díaz).
- Green Woodpecker: One bird at Proserpina Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 03/04 (E. del Viejo). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 27/04 (D. Langlois). On 24/03 one bird at Valdastillas and two at Piornal, Cáceres (J. Prieta).
- Wryneck: One bird at Dehesa boyal de Ahigal (Cáceres) on 07/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 12/04, 17/04 and 25/04, and two on 30/04 (D. Langlois).
- Bearded Tit: One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado).
- Willow Warbler: At River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), three birds on 01/04 (J. Prieta), two on 02/04, one on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo) and one on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Three birds at Oliva de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 01/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 03/04 (S. Mayordomo). Four birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado). One bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 05/04 (M. Kelsey). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), four birds on 07/04 and one on 30/04 (D. Langlois). One bird at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 08/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at on Reservoir del Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Iberian Chiffchaff: One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramirez and E. Palacios). One bird at San Vicente de Alcántara (Badajoz) on 16/04 (G. Schreur). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 17/04 and 26/04 (D. langlois).
- Sedge Warbler: At River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), one bird on 01/04 (J. Prieta), two on 02/04 (S. Mayordomo), two on 06/04 (J. Prieta), one on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo), four on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios) and one on 26/04 (J. Prieta). At Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), one bird on 01/04 (J. Prieta), three on 03/04 (J. Mahíllo and C. Clemente) and also present on 07/04 (C. Clemente). One bird at Brovales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 02/04 (F. Montaño). Heavy fall at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado). Present on the final stretch of River Aljucén, Mérida (Badajoz), on 06/04 (F. Montaño). At River Guadiana, Badajoz, heavy fall of over 24 birds on 08/04 and several birds on 15/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Cerro Alto, Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 17/04 (J. Prieta).
- Spectacled Warbler: One territorial male at La Codosera (Badajoz) on 29/04 (G. Schreur).
- Black-Bellied Dipper: Breeding proven on River Jerte in the city of Plasencia: a pair with 3 chicks and another different adult carrying food on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo) and six birds in at least four possible territories, on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios).
- Ring Ouzel: One bird at Guijo de Santa Bárbara (Cáceres) on 08/04 (Jesús Calle).
- Robin: One leucistic bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 05/04 (J. C. Paniagua and C. Clemente).
- Redstart: One pair at Santa cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 06/04 (J. C. Paniagua). One male singing at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta). One male singing at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 28/04 (D. Langlois).

FIRST ARRIVALS OF SUMMER VISITORS
- Night Heron: Arrival at Arrocampo colony(Cáceres): six adults on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado).
- Honey Buzzard: One bird at Santibáñez el Alto (Cáceres) on 09/04 (Goyo Naharro). On 15/04 one bird seen at El Torviscal (Badajoz) (Luis Lozano, Lorenzo Alcántara, Justo García, F. Lopo, Francisco Castro and Borja Maldonado) and another at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, J. Prieta, Francisco Ramírez and E. Palacios). First bird at La Vera (Cáceres) on 30/04 (Dave Langlois).
- Little Tern: Present at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 22/04 (F. Lopo). Three birds at Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, on 26/04 and 27/04 (G. Schreur). One bird at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (A. Pacheco). One bird at Puente del Cardenal, Monfragüe (Cáceres), on 28/04 (Óscar Díaz).
- Gull-Billed Tern: Two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 06/04 (J. Briz). Nine at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 14/04 (L. Alcántara).
- Black Tern: At Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, five birds on 26/04 and three on 27/04 (G. Schreur). On 27/04 two also seen at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco), five at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) and three at Montijo Reservoir(Badajoz) (Á. Sánchez).
- Whiskered Tern: Three birds at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 03/04 (Tomás Montalvo). Present at Guadiloba Reservoir, Cáceres, on 26/04 (G. Schreur). Two birds at Ahigal Reservoir (Cáceres) on 27/04 (A. Pacheco).
- Swift: Two birds at Plasencia on 01/04 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 02/04 (D. Langlois). One bird at Guijo de Santa Bárbara (Cáceres) on 03/04 and eight the following day (J. Calle).
- Red-Necked Nightjar: One bird at Monesterio (Badajoz) on 28/04 (A. Pacheco). One bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 30/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Golden Oriole: On 15/04 one bird recorded at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) (D. Langlois) and two at Casas del Castañar (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Three birds at Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres) on 16/04 (G. Schreur).
- Short-Toed Lark: Scores of birds at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/04 (A. Pacheco). Present at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). Eleven birds at Llanos de Cáceres on 10/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Grasshopper Warbler: One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 01/04 (J. Prieta). One bird at Santa Cruz de Paniagua (Cáceres) on 05/04 (J. C. Paniagua and C. Clemente). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 07/04 (D. Langlois). One bird at Valdastillas (Cáceres) on 25/04 (J. Prieta).
- Great Reed Warbler: At Valdefuentes Gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), two birds on 01/04 (J. Prieta) and one on 03/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente). One bird at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado). One bird at River Guadiana, Mérida (Badajoz), on 05/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Melodious Warbler: One bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 23/04 (G. Schreur). Two birds at Valdastillas (Cáceres) on 25/04 and another two at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 26/04 (J. Prieta).
- Garden Warbler: At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 13/04, 17/04 and 20/04, and two on 25/04 and 30/04 (D. Langlois). Four birds at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios) and one on 26/04 (J. Prieta).

- Whitethroat: Birds on passage: One bird at River Viar (Badajoz) on 07/04 (Javier Salcedo and A. Pacheco). One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Two birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 29/04 (J. Briz). In breeding area: three males at Piornal (Cáceres) on 09/04 (J. Prieta).
- Rock Thrush: Three birds on passage at Sierra del Castellar, Zafra (Badajoz), on 17/04 (Joaquín Vázquez) and 19/04 (J. Vázquez and F. Montaño -photograph-).
- Spotted Flycatcher: One bird at Valdesalor, Cáceres, on 22/04 (Carlos Fernández -photograph-). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 25/04 (D. Langlois). On 29/04 one bird seen at Badajoz (J. C. Paniagua) and another at Majadas (Cáceres) (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Pied Flycatcher: On passage, one bird at Mérida (Badajoz) on 05/04 (M. Kelsey) and one pair at La Serena (Badajoz) on 15/04 (Santi Villa). In breeding areas, one male at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta) and one female at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 30/04 (D. Langlois).
- Rufous-Tailed Bush Robin: One bird in Montehermoso olive groves (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente).
- Tawny Pipit: One bird at La Serena (Badajoz) on 15/04 (S. Villa). One bird at Cáceres on 30/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ortolan Bunting: One bird at Puerto de Piornal (Cáceres) on 24/04 (J. Prieta). One bird on passage at La Aldea del Obispo (Cáceres) on 28/04 (S. Villa).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND MIGRANTS 
- Greylag Goose: One bird at El Borbollón Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/04 (A. Pacheco) and two at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Wigeon: Six birds, 4 drakes and 2 females, at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 08/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Teal: One pair at Sotillo Reservoir, Monroy (Cáceres), on 13/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Garganey: At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), one drake on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and Pepe Guisado) and 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and Eva Palacios). - Hen Harrier: One bird at Talaván (Cáceres) on 29/04 (A. Jiménez).
- Merlin: One female at Zorita (Cáceres) on 08/04 (M. Kelsey). One female or juvenile at Valdesalor, Cáceres, on 09/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Crane: Two birds, one lame and another with a swollen throat, at Malpartida de Plasencia (Cáceres) on 02/04 (M. Á. Muñoz and Daniel González). One adult and one immature at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 03/04 (J. Mahillo and C. Clemente).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: One bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz), on 06/04 (M. Kelsey) and another at El Ancho Reservoir, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Snipe: One bird at Laguna Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 18/04 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, Iván Mairlot, E. Palacios and Ana Ruiz).
- Skylark: Two birds at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 04/04 (S. Mayordomo and P. Guisado).
- Meadow Pipit: Two birds at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 15/04 (S. Mayordomo, M. Á. Muñoz, J. Prieta, F. Ramírez and E. Palacios). Five birds at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 17/04 and two at Torreorgaz (Cáceres) on 18/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Water Pipit: One bird at Saucedilla (Cáceres), on 07/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 13/04 (S. Mayordomo).
- Song Thrush: One bird at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 01/04 (J. Prieta). One bird at Toril (Cáceres) on 05/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Trujillo (Cáceres) on 10/04 (M. Kelsey).
- Bluethroat: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 06/04 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Chiffchaff: Two birds singing at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 29/04 (J. C. Paniagua).
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Last few days

Since Friday it has been very breezy so no mist netting but the Whoosh net and spring traps and worms are still working fine with 13 more Wheatear ringed at various sites and a male Whinchat at Smeale on Saturday. Also another Skylark ringed at Smeale



Tomorrow me and Kev are checking a few Chough Nests as some week old chicks were seen on the Calf of Man last week. 
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Sulby Glen

Met up with Kev at the Sulby Glen Site at 7:00 great few hours with 34 new birds ringed and 1 control
 24 Siskins ringed 16 of them 3j birds
(just Fledged)

2 new Lesser Redpoll 1 control ring number L765351

Controlled Lesser Redpoll
3 Gt Tits
1 Dunnock
1 Blackbird
1 Coal Tit
2 Chaffinch

We left here at 10.00 and headed up to Jurby to the Yellowhammer Site 
1 Female Ringed and a Male Whitethroat

Female Yelloehammer


Whitethroat


We then headed for the gravel pits to check on the Gull Colony there
a great  hour walking round checking all the Herring Gull and Lesser black Backed Gull nests
thanks to Chris Wade for allowing us access


Herring Gull Nest



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Spring has well and truly sprung

Actually, spring had pretty well arrived a week ago, with a good arrival of Common and Lesser Whitethroats, Swifts, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler and other common migrants, along with 2 White Storks at Damgate near Acle. Also a Merlin was an entertaining watch as it swooped and dived around Waxham dunes. This Early-May Bank Holiday weekend heralded a further arrival of migrants with Cuckoo, Turtle Doves, Redstart, Yellow Wagtails, lots of Swifts, hirrundines etc. I spent the Saturday at Waxham and today (Monday) up on the North Norfolk coast between Kelling and Stiffkey. Stiffkey Fen was quite good with 8 adult summer Med Gulls, an adult summer and 1st-summer Little Gulls plus lots of swift and hirrundines to look through.

Gannet, Waxham beach

Eurasian Kestrel, Salthouse

Eurasian Kestrel, Salthouse

Roe Deer, Waxham Dunes
Common Chiffchaff


Common Chiffchaff

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