best birds: OCTOBER 2013. Notable observations in Extremadura

OCTOBER 2013. Notable observations in Extremadura

Annotated list of the most interesting records in Extremadura in October 2013. Compiled and illustration by Sergio Mayordomo. Translated by Martin Kelsey

- Egyptian Goose: At Brovales reservoir, Jerez de los Caballeros (BA), three seen on 02/10, 07/10 (Francisco Montaño) and 27/10 (Genaro González). At Morante reservoir, Badajoz, one on 06/10 (Francisco Lopo) and two on 18/10 (Pablo Herrador). At Cubilar reservoir, Logrosán (CC), 20 seen on 18/10 (José Antonio Román) and eight on 27/10 (Jaime Cerezo, Jorge Ángel Herrera and Noelia Baeza).

- Garganey: A young bird at Moral reservoir, Santos de Maimona (BA), on 08/10 (F. Montaño).

- Red-crested Pochard: At Portaje reservoir (CC) a female seen on 04/10 (Sergio Mayordomo) and two females on 20/10 (Javier Prieta). At La Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (CC), six birds present on 05/10 (César Clemente and S. Mayordomo) and three on 29/10 (Marc Gálvez).

- Ferruginous Duck: Six present at Torrealba lagoon, Torremocha (CC), on 05/10 (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo). A pair at the Los Calles pool, Toril (CC), on 16/10 (J. Prieta). At La Atalaya, Aldea del Cano (CC), four seen on 28/10 (Alberto Puente de la Rosa) with a male remaining on 29/10 (M. Gálvez).

- Quail: One at Casas de Hitos, Navalvillar de Pela (BA), on 03/10 (Martin Kelsey). One heard at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 13/10 (Carlos Moreno, Natalia Franco, Óscar Llama, Rafael Vicente and Yasmina Annicharicco). Two at Cubilar reservoir, Logrosán (CC), on 27/10 (J. Cerezo, J. Á. Herrera and N. Baeza).

- Great Cormorant: 827 counted at Alange reservoir (BA) on 20/10 (J. Guerra). 250 birds at the roost at Gabriel y Galán (CC) on 28/10 (J. Prieta).

- Great Bittern: One at Arrocampo (CC) on 09/10 (S. Mayordomo).

- Squacco Heron: On Guadiana River where it passes through Badajoz one seen on 05/10 (SEO-Badajoz) and another on 31/10 (Juan Carlos Salgado). One at Arrocampo (CC) on 10/10 (Jesús Sánchez and José Luis Bautista). One at Galisteo lagoon (CC) on 31/10 (J. Prieta).

- Presumed hybrid Little x Western Reef Egret: One at the heron roost at Arrocampo on 09/10 (S. Mayordomo).

- Great Egret: At last 24 entering the heron roost at Arrocampo (CC) on 09/10 (S. Mayordomo) and 16/10 (J. Prieta).

- Glossy Ibis: Observations at Galisteo lagoon (CC) of between one and 14 birds from 02/10 to 31/10 (Alberto Pacheco, Carlos Martín, C. Clemente, Javier Mahillo, J. Prieta, Jenny Viskens, Luis Miguel Parejo, Michel Viskens, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Ricardo Montero, Keneth Sánchez and S. Mayordomo); the group of 14 was seen on 08/10 (R. Montero). On 09/10 at least ten entered the roost at Valdeobispo lagoon (CC) (J. Prieta). One at Arrocampo (CC) on 09/10 (S. Mayordomo). One at rice fields at El Batán (CC) on 20/10 (J. Prieta and R. Montero). Seven on rice fields at Santa Amalia (BA) on 30/10 (Fernando Yuste).

- Spoonbill: Post-breeding flocks: At Galisteo lagoon (CC) 20 seen on 02/10 (J. Prieta) and 05/10 (R. Montero), and between 40 to 50 on 06/10 (A. Pacheco). At Portaje reservoir 34 birds seen on 04/10 and 20 on 18/10 (S. Mayordomo). At Los Canchales reservoir (BA) 20 seen on 06/10 (Dolores Huerta, F. Lopo, José Guerra, M. Gálvez and Mariano Martínez) and on 12/10 (Antonia Cangas, Elvira del Viejo, F. Lopo, José Gómez Aparicio, J. Guerra, Lucas Gómez and M. Gálvez). At Brovales reservoir (BA), 27 birds on 11/10 (G. González). 33 flying over Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 19/10 (SEO-Badajoz).

- Greater Flamingo: 43 at the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 03/10 (F. Montaño) and 04/10 (J. A. Román), with 11 remaining by 12/10 (Joaquín Mazón and Juan Carlos Paniagua) and only four young birds present on l21/10 (F. Montaño and Joaquín Vázquez) and 23/10 (Andrés Vega, F. Montaño and J. Guerra). Three of these birds were marked: a 3º female from Doñana, an 8º year female from the Camargue (France) and an 18-year old female from Fuente de Piedra (Málaga). At Morante reservoir, Badajoz, a young bird was present on 06/10 (F. Lopo) and 11/10 (J. L. Bautista), and two young birds on 17/10 (J. L. Bautista -photo-) and 18/10 (P. Herrador). One at Los Canchales reservoir on 12/10 (A. Cangas, E. del Viejo, J. G. Aparicio, J. Guerra, L. Gómez and M. Gálvez).

- Black Kite: One at Charco Salado, Casatejada (CC), on 13/10 (C. Moreno, N. Franco, Ó. Llama, R. Vicente and Y. Annicharicco).

- Black Vulture: 97 birds, 31 perched and 66 in flight, at the Mérida refuse dump (J. A. Román).

Goshawk: One seen in Las Hurdes (CC) on 03/10 (A. Pacheco). At Alía (CC) one seen on 05/10 and another on 06/10 (J. Á. Herrera and N. Baeza). One at Valverde de Mérida (BA) on 20/10 (J. Guerra and Silvia Domínguez). One at Cubilar reservoir, Logrosán (CC), on 27/10 (J. Cerezo, J. Á. Herrera and N. Baeza).

- Osprey: One at Jerte reservoir (CC) and another nearby, along the N-110 road, on 01/10 (J. Prieta). At Los Canchales reservoir (BA), one seen on 02/10 (Ada Kouri and Carlos González), 03/10 (C. González and Fernando Díez) and 06/10 (D. Huerta, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and M. Martínez). One at Alange reservoir (BA) on 08/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez). One present at Arroyoconejos reservoir, Llerena (BA), on 12/10 (Miguel Corvillo). On Guadiana Riverwhere it passes through Badajozone seen on 13/10 (J. Mazón) and another on 19/10 (SEO-Badajoz). At Cubilar reservoir one seen on 18/10 (J. A. Román), 27/10 (J. Cerezo, J. Á. Herrera and N. Baeza) and 30/10 (Juan Pablo Prieto). One at Gabriel y Galán reservoir (CC) on 28/10 (C. Clemente, J. Montero, J. Prieta and S. Mayordomo).

- Common Coot: More than 1,000 at Orellana reservoir (BA) on 16/10 (Á. Sánchez).

- Black-winged Stilt: More than 700 present on rice fields at Santa Amalia (BA) on 30/10 (F. Yuste).

-Avocet: One at Alange reservoir (BA) on 01/10 (J. A. Román). One at Brovales reservoir (BA) on 02/10 (F. Montaño). Eight at the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 28/10 (Godfried Schreur).

- Stone Curlew: Roost with 150 birds at Montijo (BA) on 21/10 (P. Herrador). Roost with 100 birds at Mirandilla (BA) on 27/10 (Á. Sánchez).

- Kentish Plover: In the rice fields between Palazuelo (BA) and Campo Lugar (CC) 14 seen on 05/10 (J. Muddeman), 56 on 17/10 and 35 on 23/10 (M. Kelsey).

- Red Knot: At the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) one still present on 03/10 (F. Montaño), on 12/10 three were seen (J. Mazón and J. C. Paniagua -photo-), four on 13/10 (Paco Macías) and two on 21/10 (F. Montaño, J. Vázquez and J. C. Paniagua).

- Temminck´s Stint: One at Salor reservoir, Cáceres, on 27/10 (Antonio Ceballos).

- Curlew Sandpiper: One at the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 12/10 (J. Mazón and J. C. Paniagua). Three at Los Canchales reservoir (BA) on 13/10 (José Ángel Sánchez). One at Alange reservoir (BA) on 16/10 (J. Guerra). One at Morante reservoir, Badajoz, on 18/10 (P. Herrador).

- Spotted Redshank: At the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) four seen on 03/10 (F. Montaño) and 04/10 (J. A. Román), three on 21/10 (F. Montaño, J. Vázquez and J. C. Paniagua) and one on 23/10 (A. Vega, F. Montaño and J. Guerra). On the rice fields between Palazuelo (BA) and Campo Lugar (CC) 50 seen on 03/10 (M. Kelsey), more than 35 on 05/10 (J. Muddeman) and eight on 23/10 (M. Kelsey). On 05/10 one seen at Torrealba lagoon, Torremocha (CC), and three at Sotillo reservoir, Monroy (CC), (C. Clemente and S. Mayordomo). Two at Morante reservoir, Badajoz, on 18/10 (P. Herrador). 18 seen on the rice fields of Santa Amalia (BA) on 30/10 (F. Yuste).

- Marsh Sandpiper: Two at the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 18/10 (Francisco José Medina) and one on 20/10 (F. Montaño and J. Vázquez).

- Wood Sandpiper: One at the rice fields at Riolobos (CC) on 02/10 (J. Prieta). On the rice fields between Palazuelo (BA) and Campo Lugar (CC) one on 03/10 (M. Kelsey), four on 05/10 (J. Muddeman), six on 17/10 and 15 on 23/10 (M. Kelsey). One at the large lagoon at La Albuera (BA) on 23/10 (A. Vega, F. Montaño and J. Guerra).

- Audouin’s Gull: A juvenile at Mérida refuse tip (BA) on 14/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez -photo-) and on 17/10 (M. Gálvez).

- Yellow-legged Gull: At Mérida refuse tip (BA) one seen on 07/10 (M. Gálvez), two on 14/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez), one on 16/10 (Á. Sánchez and Ángel Luis Sánchez), two on 21/10 and six on 24/10 (M. Gálvez). One at Alange reservoir (BA) on 07/10 (M. Gálvez). Six seen at Valdecañas reservoir (CC) on 10/10 (Á. Sánchez, J. Guerrero and M. Flores).At least four present at Badajozrefuse tip on 19/10 (J. C. Paniagua). One on the rice fields between Palazuelo (BA) and Campo Lugar (CC) on 23/10 (M. Kelsey).

- Stock Dove: 11 at El Batán (CC) on 05/10 (R. Montero). At Galisteo (CC) three seen on 06/10 (A. Pacheco and S. Mayordomo), 16 on 14/10 and two on 27/10 (R. Montero). 11 birds at Casatejada (CC) on 27/10 (Javier Briz and Vicente Risco).

- Ring-necked Parakeet: One in the Plaza de España, Mérida (BA) on 10/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).

- Short-eared Owl: One seen at Los Canchales reservoir (BA) on 12/10 (A. Cangas, E. del Viejo, J. G. Aparicio, J. Guerra, L. Gómez and M. Gálvez).

- Wryneck: One at Plasencia (CC) on 17/10 and another at El Batán (CC) on 27/10 (R. Montero). At Salvatierra de los Barros (BA) one seen on 27/10 and 28/10 (F. Montaño).

- Ring Ouzel: Between two and four birds at Mérida (BA) on 14/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez -photo-). Between two and three were seen being seen on 15, 16 and 17/10 (Á. Sánchez, Á. L. Sánchez, F. Montaño, Lorenzo Alcántara and M. Gálvez).

- Iberian Chiffchaff: On 04/10 one seen at Arrocampo reservoir (CC) (J. Muddeman) and another at Santa Marta de Magasca (CC) (M. Kelsey). One at Toril (CC) on 16/10 and another at Galisteo (CC) on 31/10 (J. Prieta).

- Woodchat Shrike: An adult at Los Canchales reservoir (BA) on 10/10 (S. Pérez Gil) and another adult on Cáceres plains on 20/10 (Carlos Fernández).

- Common Crossbill: A group at Ladrillar, Las Hurdes (CC), on 03/10, on the border with Salamancaprovince (A. Pacheco).

FIRST POST-BREEDING OBSERVATIONS

- Greylag Goose: On 01/10 a group seen over Plasencia (CC) (Miguel Ángel Muñoz) and four over Cáceres (GIA-Extremadura). Three birds at Moral reservoir, Santos de Maimona (BA), on 08/10 (F. Montaño). 49 present at Valdecañas reservoir (CC) on 10/10 (Á. Sánchez, Javier Guerrero and Manolo Flores).

- Merlin: On 11/10 one seen at Malpartida de Plasencia (CC) (Andrés Rodríguez), and another at Torrefresneda (BA) (J. G. Aparicio), a female at Campo Lugar (CC) and another at Vegas Altas (BA) (Jesús Porras).

- Golden Plover: One at Fresnedillas, Oliva de Plasencia (CC), on 26/10 (S. Mayordomo).

- Water Pipit: Six around the upper plains of the Guadiana(BA/CC) on 05/10 (J. Muddeman). Two at Jerte reservoir, Casas del Castañar (CC), on 07/10 (J. Prieta). Two at Galisteo lagoon (CC) in 18/10 (S. Mayordomo).

- Redwing: At Mérida (BA), one on 14/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and two on 16/10 (F. Montaño). Two near Trujillo (CC) on 31/10 (M. Kelsey).

- Goldcrest: One at Vegas de Coria (CC) on 24/10 (A. Pacheco).

- Common Starling: One at Arrocampo reservoir (CC) on 10/10 (J. Sánchez and J. L. Bautista). One at Plasencia (CC) on 15/10 (J. Prieta). Two at Alange (BA) on 16/10 (J. Guerra).

- Bullfinch: Two at Valcorchero, Plasencia (CC), on 16/10 (S. Mayordomo). Two at Valverde de la Vera (CC) on 18/10 (D. Langlois). Three at Villanueva de la Vera (CC) on 31/10 (D. Langlois).

LATE SUMMER VISITORS

- Black Stork: Post-breeding flocks: 12 at Brovales reservoir (BA) on 02/10 (F. Montaño). Seven on Canal de Las Dehesas, Logrosán (CC), on 18/10 (J. A. Román). 14 at Orellana reservoir (BA) on 29/10 (Ángel Sánchez and Domingo Rivera).

- Honey Buzzard: One between Hornachos and Campillo de Llerena (BA) on 05/10 (D. Huerta, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and M. Martínez).

- Egyptian Vulture: Two at Galisteo (CC) on 04/10 (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). A juvenile at Monfragüe (CC) on 05/10 (M. Kelsey; M. García del Rey -photo-).

- Short-toed Eagle: One at Monfragüe (CC) on 16/10 (Inés García). One near the dam of Gabriel y Galán (CC) on 25/10 (Jesús Montero). One at El Carrascalejo (BA) on 26/10 (Jesús Solana).

- Booted Eagle: One at El Batán (CC) on 12/10 (R. Montero). A pale morph at Talavera la Real(BA) on 31/10 (J. Guerra).

- Lesser Kestrel: 12 seen at Santa Marta de Magasca (CC) on 04/10 (M. Kelsey). One at Coria (CC) on 17/10 (Juan José Chaparro). One at Almendralejo (BA) on 24/10 (J. A. Román).

- Hobby: At Villanueva de la Vera(CC) three seen on 05/10 (D. Langlois and Sammy Langlois) ans just one on 10/10 (D. Langlois). One at Alía (CC) on 06/10 (J. Á. Herrera and N. Baeza). One at Jerez de los Caballeros (BA) on 07/10 (F. Montaño). One seen at Monfragüe (CC) on 08/10 (John Muddeman). One at Los Canchales (BA) on 12/10 (F. Lopo, J. G. Aparicio, J. Guerra, L. Gómez and M. Gálvez). One at Montehermoso (CC) on 13/10 (C. Clemente and Juan Carlos López Alvar). One at Navezuelas (CC) on 17/10 (Á. Sánchez).

- Gull-billed Tern: One at Arrocampo reservoir (CC) on 13/10 (C. Moreno, N. Franco, Ó. Llama, R. Vicente and Y. Annicharicco).

- Whiskered Tern: A juvenile on the rice fields between Palazuelo (BA) and Campo Lugar (CC) on 23/10 (M. Kelsey).

- Scops Owl: One at Plasencia (CC) on 21/10 (J. Prieta).

- European Nightjar: Two between Riomalo de Abajo and Casares de Hurdes (CC) on 03/10 (A. Pacheco). One at Granadilla (CC) on 04/10 (José Casado).

- Red-necked Nightjar: One at Monfragüe (CC) on 03/10 (Manolo García del Rey).

- White-rumped Swift: On 05/10 one seen at Monfragüe (CC) (C. Clemente, M. Kelsey and S. Mayordomo) and another at Alange castle (BA) (D. Huerta, J. Guerra, M. Gálvez and M. Martínez). Four at Monfragüe castle (CC) on 06/10 (J. Muddeman). One at Cañamero (CC) on 09/10 (Sergio Pérez Gil).

- Short-toed Lark: One at Campo Lugar (CC) on 05/10 (J. Muddeman).

- Sand Martin: At Galisteo lagoon (CC) a group with other hirundines seen on 07/10 (C. Martín, J. Prieta and M. Á. Muñoz) and another group on 16/10 (S. Mayordomo).

- Barn Swallow: One at Rincón de Ballesteros (CC) on 25/10 (Francis Martín). One seen at Ventaquemada reservoir, Guijo de Granadilla (CC), on 26/10 (S. Mayordomo). One at Trujillo (CC) on 31/10 (M. Kelsey).

- Tawny Pipit: One at Campo Lugar (CC) on 05/10 (J. Muddeman).

- Tree Pipit: One at Galisteo (CC) on 06/10 (S. Mayordomo). In the olive groves at Montehermoso, one seen on 07/10 and 09/10 (C. Clemente).

- Yellow Wagtail: Three at Galisteo lagoon (CC) on 16/10 (S. Mayordomo). Two on rice fields at El Batán (CC) on 20/10 (J. Prieta and R. Montero). One at Alange reservoir (BA) on 22/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).

- Rufous Bush Robin: One at Almendralejo (BA) on días 29/09 and 30/09 (L. Alcántara). One at Montehermoso (CC) on 01/10 (C. Clemente).

- Common Redstart: A female at Piornal (CC) on 04/10 (J. Prieta). One at Bonhaval stream, Alange (BA) on 15/10 (M. Gálvez).

- Whinchat: On 20/10 one seen at El Batán (CC) (J. Prieta and R. Montero) and another at La Serena (BA) (C. Clemente, Eva Palacios and S. Mayordomo). On 27/10 one seen at La Serena (BA) (Antonio Núñez and Vanessa de Alba) and another at Talaván (CC) (P. Herrador).

- Black-eared Wheatear: One at Montehermoso (CC) on 01/10 (C. Clemente).

- Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush: One at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (CC), on 02/10 (Hugo Sánchez).

- Sedge Warbler: Two trapped for ringing at Salor River, Cáceres, on 02/10 (GIA-Extremadura)

- Reed Warbler: On the Huertas trail, Plasencia (CC), one seen on 17/10 (R. Montero and S. Mayordomo) and another on 31/10 (S. Mayordomo).

- Subalpine Warbler: One trapped for ringing at Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, on 19/10 (SEO-Badajoz).

- Whitethroat: On 04/10 one seen at Piornal (CC) (J. Prieta) and another at Galisteo (CC) (C. Clemente and J. Mahillo). Three at El Batán (CC) on 05/10 (R. Montero). One at Alange (BA) on 07/10 (M. Gálvez).

- Garden Warbler: On 03/10 two trapped for ringing at the Sierra de La Mosca, Cáceres (GIA-Extremadura), and at least four seen at Matachel River, Alange (BA) (M. Gálvez). One at Alía (CC) on 05/10 (J. Á. Herrera and N. Baeza). Two at Barquilla de Pinares (CC) on 20/10 (D. Langlois and S. Langlois).

- WillowWarbler: At Alange (BA) at least five seen on 15/10 (M. Gálvez) and two on 22/10 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).

- Spotted Flycatcher: At Alange (BA) two seen on 15/10 (M. Gálvez) and another two on 16/10 (J. Guerra). One at Guijo de Granadilla (CC) on 26/10 (S. Mayordomo).

- Pied Flycatcher: At Alange (BA) at least three seen on 15/10 (M. Gálvez) and several on 16/10 (J. Guerra). At least two in Parque de Príncipe, Cáceres, on 23/10 (M. Gálvez).