Messing around in Boats

Me and Kev went back to the small Cormorant colony at the gravel Pits yesterday. The rain stopped long enough for us to spend a few hours canoeing to the small island to ring the cormorants. As we left we noticed a lot of young Gulls on the water. We paddled towards them and managed to catch a few Common Gull chicks Greater Black-backed Gull Chicks, i say chicks (BIG)some were just about to fledge.

Greater Black backed Gull 

Common Gull Chick

Some of the Cormorants were still on eggs and very small chicks, 3 of the chicks we had ringed over 2 weeks ago were dead in the nest. This Summer has been bad news.

  A great afternoon with Kev messing around in boats

Birds Ringed

Cormorants 9

Common Gull 4

Herring Gull 14 

Greater Black-backed Gull 5

Today the sun came out in the afternoon so i canoed around to Maughold Lighthouse

2 More Herring Gull Chicks ringed

and another 

Greater Black-backed Gull Chick

Me and Kev went back to the small Cormorant colony at the gravel Pits yesterday. The rain stopped long enough for us to spend a few hours canoeing to the small island to ring the cormorants. As we left we noticed a lot of young Gulls on the water. We paddled towards them and managed to catch a few Common Gull chicks Greater Black-backed Gull Chicks, i say chicks (BIG)some were just about to fledge.

Greater Black backed Gull 

Common Gull Chick

Some of the Cormorants were still on eggs and very small chicks, 3 of the chicks we had ringed over 2 weeks ago were dead in the nest. This Summer has been bad news.

  A great afternoon with Kev messing around in boats

Birds Ringed

Cormorants 9

Common Gull 4

Herring Gull 14 

Greater Black-backed Gull 5

Today the sun came out in the afternoon so i canoed around to Maughold Lighthouse

2 More Herring Gull Chicks ringed

and another 

Greater Black-backed Gull Chick

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

WHITE STORK: 2012, A TERRIBLE YEAR

There are few easier birdwatching tasks than studying White Storks in Extremadura. Almost by inertia, therefore, monitoring of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) population in Plasencia and roundabout began back in 1998. 2012 therefore saw the culmination of 15 years' work. Sadly, however, for natural and man-induced reasons, it has been the worst season since the series started, with an all-time low of 74 occupied nests recorded. This figure is 40% lower than the peak of 122 nests in 2005 and 12% lower than the start of the study in 1998 (84 pairs). The reason for this fall is basically the systematic removal of nests from powerlines and buildings, since the White Stork population has continued to grow in neighbouring areas. In the grid QE22, for example (Valle del Alagón) it grew by 63% from 2004 to 2011 (from 87 to 142 pairs; Corchero, 2011) and the colony of Mirabel landfill site by 210% in the same period (from 42 to 130 nests).

 

The study zone almost coincides with IBA 304 "Plasencia y Sierra de San Bernabé" and takes in the built-up area of Plasencia (56 pairs in 2012 - see distribution by buildings in the image above - peaking at 75 in 2001-2002), three powerline colonies (13 pairs in 2012, peaking at 45 in 2005) and five isolated pairs on the churches of Casas del Castañar, El Torno, Valdastillas, Barrado and Gargüera. All nests were built on artificial structures barring one rock-based nest (active for five years but never with breeding success) and another in a Cork Oak (active for eight years), both associated with a powerline colony.

The above graph shows the population trend. There was a big increase in pairs in the first three seasons(1998-2000) the rise levelling off in the next five (2001-2005). The upward trend finally came abruptly to a halt in 2006, when 19 pairs were lost after the removal of 20 nests from the powerline of the N-110 road (eight new nests were built and this same number remains in 2012 though with continual changes of site after further nest-removal campaigns) and 15 from the Centro Universitario-Cuartel de la Constancia (seven new nests were built). Further destruction followed in March 2008 when all the nests (25) were removed from the Cathedral, the biggest colony in the area. Fortunately local ginger groups forestalled new dissuasive measures and 18 nests were rebuilt, remaining occupied in 2012. Fifteen nests were also removed from the powerline of El Robledo, Malpartida de Plasencia; eight were rebuilt and only four remain in 2012. After slight dip in 2011 the biggest percentage reduction came in 2012 when all nests were removed from the powerline of Gargüera (none rebuilt) with only two occupied of the 15 that once existed on the Centro Universitario. It is paradoxical that it should be an ostensibly educational institution perpetrating this persecution of the storks. In this period many of the buildings of Plasencia have lost their nests, some on blocks of flats, others on property of the bank Caja de Extremadura (hotel, auditorium, offices), several in the bishop's palace and some from stately homes. In general tolerance is higher in religious buildings than in civil buildings.

 

If we factor in the poor weather conditions it is now easy to explain the extremely low breeding success in 2012. The situation seems to have been similar in the rest of Extremadura and in other regions of Spain, and also with the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) in Cáceres too. White Storks began to breed in a poor physical state due to the dearth of food after a long and severe drought from November 2011 to March 2012. Untimely bursts of rain and cold snaps in April then exacerbated the situation and undoubtedly led to the death of small chicks in the nest, as shown by the graphs. The number of fledglings was the lowest ever, only 59, way below the 283 recorded in the exceptional year of 2001 and the mean figure of 162. This represents fewer than one chick per pair, specifically 0.8, half of the mean figure. The percentage of successfully breeding pairs (53%) is also the lowest in the 15-year series (mean of 75%); the same goes for the fledgling rate (number of chicks per successful pair). In 2012 only two pairs managed to rear three chicks. By way of comparison, in 2001 there were five nests with five fledglings and 21 with four. In general, the breeding parameters show a downward trend, especially after 2008; this might be bound up with the persistent removal of nests. In the last six years only three cases of four-fledgling nests have been observed, whereas this was fairly habitual up to 2006. Nonetheless, the breeding success is determined above all by the weather. The factors most detrimental to breeding success are wet springs (high chick death) low fledgling rate but with a high percentage of successfully breeding pairs; witness 2009) and drought (high nest failure, with a good fledgling rate, as in 2005). In 2012 both factors obtained, so the result was a dire breeding season across the board.

 

Sources: 

- Corchero, E. 2011. La cigüeña blanca en municipios de regadío del valle del río Alagón (NW Cáceres). Censo y parámetros reproductivos. Informe inédito.

There are few easier birdwatching tasks than studying White Storks in Extremadura. Almost by inertia, therefore, monitoring of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) population in Plasencia and roundabout began back in 1998. 2012 therefore saw the culmination of 15 years' work. Sadly, however, for natural and man-induced reasons, it has been the worst season since the series started, with an all-time low of 74 occupied nests recorded. This figure is 40% lower than the peak of 122 nests in 2005 and 12% lower than the start of the study in 1998 (84 pairs). The reason for this fall is basically the systematic removal of nests from powerlines and buildings, since the White Stork population has continued to grow in neighbouring areas. In the grid QE22, for example (Valle del Alagón) it grew by 63% from 2004 to 2011 (from 87 to 142 pairs; Corchero, 2011) and the colony of Mirabel landfill site by 210% in the same period (from 42 to 130 nests).

 

The study zone almost coincides with IBA 304 "Plasencia y Sierra de San Bernabé" and takes in the built-up area of Plasencia (56 pairs in 2012 - see distribution by buildings in the image above - peaking at 75 in 2001-2002), three powerline colonies (13 pairs in 2012, peaking at 45 in 2005) and five isolated pairs on the churches of Casas del Castañar, El Torno, Valdastillas, Barrado and Gargüera. All nests were built on artificial structures barring one rock-based nest (active for five years but never with breeding success) and another in a Cork Oak (active for eight years), both associated with a powerline colony.

The above graph shows the population trend. There was a big increase in pairs in the first three seasons(1998-2000) the rise levelling off in the next five (2001-2005). The upward trend finally came abruptly to a halt in 2006, when 19 pairs were lost after the removal of 20 nests from the powerline of the N-110 road (eight new nests were built and this same number remains in 2012 though with continual changes of site after further nest-removal campaigns) and 15 from the Centro Universitario-Cuartel de la Constancia (seven new nests were built). Further destruction followed in March 2008 when all the nests (25) were removed from the Cathedral, the biggest colony in the area. Fortunately local ginger groups forestalled new dissuasive measures and 18 nests were rebuilt, remaining occupied in 2012. Fifteen nests were also removed from the powerline of El Robledo, Malpartida de Plasencia; eight were rebuilt and only four remain in 2012. After slight dip in 2011 the biggest percentage reduction came in 2012 when all nests were removed from the powerline of Gargüera (none rebuilt) with only two occupied of the 15 that once existed on the Centro Universitario. It is paradoxical that it should be an ostensibly educational institution perpetrating this persecution of the storks. In this period many of the buildings of Plasencia have lost their nests, some on blocks of flats, others on property of the bank Caja de Extremadura (hotel, auditorium, offices), several in the bishop's palace and some from stately homes. In general tolerance is higher in religious buildings than in civil buildings.

 

If we factor in the poor weather conditions it is now easy to explain the extremely low breeding success in 2012. The situation seems to have been similar in the rest of Extremadura and in other regions of Spain, and also with the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) in Cáceres too. White Storks began to breed in a poor physical state due to the dearth of food after a long and severe drought from November 2011 to March 2012. Untimely bursts of rain and cold snaps in April then exacerbated the situation and undoubtedly led to the death of small chicks in the nest, as shown by the graphs. The number of fledglings was the lowest ever, only 59, way below the 283 recorded in the exceptional year of 2001 and the mean figure of 162. This represents fewer than one chick per pair, specifically 0.8, half of the mean figure. The percentage of successfully breeding pairs (53%) is also the lowest in the 15-year series (mean of 75%); the same goes for the fledgling rate (number of chicks per successful pair). In 2012 only two pairs managed to rear three chicks. By way of comparison, in 2001 there were five nests with five fledglings and 21 with four. In general, the breeding parameters show a downward trend, especially after 2008; this might be bound up with the persistent removal of nests. In the last six years only three cases of four-fledgling nests have been observed, whereas this was fairly habitual up to 2006. Nonetheless, the breeding success is determined above all by the weather. The factors most detrimental to breeding success are wet springs (high chick death) low fledgling rate but with a high percentage of successfully breeding pairs; witness 2009) and drought (high nest failure, with a good fledgling rate, as in 2005). In 2012 both factors obtained, so the result was a dire breeding season across the board.

 

Sources: 

- Corchero, E. 2011. La cigüeña blanca en municipios de regadío del valle del río Alagón (NW Cáceres). Censo y parámetros reproductivos. Informe inédito.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Swallow update

A steady few days checking the Swallow nests at the local farms near me. 111 Swallow Chicks ringed

so far and another farm to check and nests to go back to. A big thanks to all the Farmers involved for letting me rout around their Barns out buildings and sheds .

Farms taking part in Swallow Project

A steady few days checking the Swallow nests at the local farms near me. 111 Swallow Chicks ringed

so far and another farm to check and nests to go back to. A big thanks to all the Farmers involved for letting me rout around their Barns out buildings and sheds .

Farms taking part in Swallow Project

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Swallows

Last year with the help and thanks of Mr Les Kneale i started a small project on ringing Swallows in the nest around the farms close to me in the Maughold area. 

Les invited me down to ring the Swallows in his garage and then introduced me to most of the farmers in my area.

 96 Swallow Pulli ringed in 2011

 Today i started this years project at Les's House with 4 Swallow Chicks ringed.

The weather as we all know has been atrocious, rain rain rain and already we have had reports of dead  chicks in nests.

Today as i started i was surprised to see some good size broods of 5 and 6 and all in good shape with feathers Short {just started to emerge from sheaves}

31 Swallow Chicks {Pulli} ringed today and more farms to visit this week.

Just looked at the forecast and yes Rain Rain Rain for the next 3 days,  what a Summer.

Yesterday Kev and i were at the St Johns site with 54 new birds ringed

Siskins Gt Tits Blue Tit Coal Tit  Chaffinch and House Sparrows big thanks to Christine for all the tea and Cheese on Toast. We then went to Peel where 4 More Herring Gull were Colour ringed.

Last year with the help and thanks of Mr Les Kneale i started a small project on ringing Swallows in the nest around the farms close to me in the Maughold area. 

Les invited me down to ring the Swallows in his garage and then introduced me to most of the farmers in my area.

 96 Swallow Pulli ringed in 2011

 Today i started this years project at Les's House with 4 Swallow Chicks ringed.

The weather as we all know has been atrocious, rain rain rain and already we have had reports of dead  chicks in nests.

Today as i started i was surprised to see some good size broods of 5 and 6 and all in good shape with feathers Short {just started to emerge from sheaves}

31 Swallow Chicks {Pulli} ringed today and more farms to visit this week.

Just looked at the forecast and yes Rain Rain Rain for the next 3 days,  what a Summer.

Yesterday Kev and i were at the St Johns site with 54 new birds ringed

Siskins Gt Tits Blue Tit Coal Tit  Chaffinch and House Sparrows big thanks to Christine for all the tea and Cheese on Toast. We then went to Peel where 4 More Herring Gull were Colour ringed.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

THE GREAT BUSTARD IN BADAJOZ. 2011

Great Bustard (Otis tarda). Male in courtship display. By Ángel Sánchez. 

The veteran birdwatching review Quercus regales us in its April 2012 issue with an article on the current situation of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) in the province of Badajoz (Sánchez and García-Baquero, 2012). It sets out the results of a count conducted from 21 to 23 March 2011, throwing up a total of 1653 birds (677 males, 691 females and 285 unsexed). The authors conclude that the population is holding steady with a tendency to cluster in the best conserved areas to the detriment of the outlying and smaller populations.

The following table shows the results for the four provincial counts conducted in Badajoz over the last 23 years. Allowing for the fact that the effort and methodology are perhaps not strictly uniform and comparable across the four counts, and even though the findings for 1993 and 2002, were 25% down, the conclusion drawn is that the breeding population is currently stable. Geographically, there are six main clusters. The biggest three account for 90% of the total, with an upward trend in La Serena (+10%) and southern Badajoz (+12%) and a fall in La Campiña Sur (-14%). Many of the smaller populations are likewise declining, from 283 birds to only 128 (-55%).

As we pointed out in an earlier blog entry, the worldwide Great Bustard population adds up to about 50,000 birds. Spain accounts for the lion's share (32,000 birds; nearly half of them, 14,000, in Castilla y León). The recent rise recorded in the Iberian Great Bustard population can be put down largely to the increase in Castilla y León (+34% from 1998 to 2008), but also Castilla-La Mancha, though this is partly due to a better surveying performance (Martín et al., 2012; Alonso and Palacín, 2010).

Great bustard (Otis tarda). The only two adult males in the rump breeding population of Guijo de Coria-Calzadilla, Cáceres, in 2012. By Javier Prieta. 

Information on the important Extremadura population is imprecise. Monitoring has been patchy and sometimes partial or untimely. Only two complete regional counts of the breeding population have been conducted, in 1988 and 2002. Winter information is better, with eleven published counts, although ten of them are now fairly old (1985-1998) and the other dates from nine years ago (2003). There is therefore no trustworthy information on the Great Bustard's current population or trend. Another as yet unexplained factor is the glaring difference between the winter and spring counts, the former recording maximums of nearly 7000 birds and the latter only half that figure at 3500. This finding is repeated in all the studies carried out, including the abovementioned Badajoz 2011 count. Some put this down to a methodological error; others regard it as a bona fide finding. But little is known about the movements of Extremadura's Great Bustards so it has not been possible to confirm where they come from (the findings in other regions do not bear out this spring depletion) or where these thousands of Bustards hide in spring... While waiting for this mystery to be cleared up, we have recorded in two tables, for information purposes, all the figures on Extremadura's Great Bustard population to date (click on them to open them up).

To wind up, a brief comment on a second article from the same Quercus issue 314 on the impact of power lines and fencing on the Great Bustards of La Serena (Calderón, 2012). In 2010 members of the ANSER group surveyed 292 km of power lines and 100 km of fencing, finding 55 dead birds in the former, nine of them Great Bustards(16%), and 25 in the latter, seven of them Great Bustards(28%), with an estimate of 35-41 Great Bustards killed in fenced fields each year in the SPA of La Serena.

Sources: 

- Alonso, J. C. and Palacín, C. 2010. The world status and population trends of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda): 2010 update. Chinese Birds 1:141-147 

- Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C. and Martín, C. A. (Eds.). 2005. La avutarda común en la península ibérica: población actual y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid [PDF]. 

- Calderón, M. J. 2012.Tendidos y alambradas cercan a las avutardas en La Serena. Quercus 314:1622. 

 - Corbacho, C., Fernández, A., Costillo, E., Lozano, L., Acedo, F. and Gil,. A. 2005. La avutarda común en Extremadura: distribución, población y tendencias. En: Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C., y Martín, C. A. (Eds.). La avutarda común en la península ibérica: población actual y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF] 

- Martín, C. A., Martínez, C., Bautista, L. M. and Martín, B. 2012. Population increase of the great bustard Otis tarda in its main distribution area in relation to changes in farming practices. Ardeola 59:31-42. 

- Sánchez, Á, and García-Baquero, M. J. 2012.La avutarda en Badajoz: estabilidad, pero con matices. Quercus 314:1622.

Great Bustard (Otis tarda). Male in courtship display. By Ángel Sánchez. 

The veteran birdwatching review Quercus regales us in its April 2012 issue with an article on the current situation of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) in the province of Badajoz (Sánchez and García-Baquero, 2012). It sets out the results of a count conducted from 21 to 23 March 2011, throwing up a total of 1653 birds (677 males, 691 females and 285 unsexed). The authors conclude that the population is holding steady with a tendency to cluster in the best conserved areas to the detriment of the outlying and smaller populations.

The following table shows the results for the four provincial counts conducted in Badajoz over the last 23 years. Allowing for the fact that the effort and methodology are perhaps not strictly uniform and comparable across the four counts, and even though the findings for 1993 and 2002, were 25% down, the conclusion drawn is that the breeding population is currently stable. Geographically, there are six main clusters. The biggest three account for 90% of the total, with an upward trend in La Serena (+10%) and southern Badajoz (+12%) and a fall in La Campiña Sur (-14%). Many of the smaller populations are likewise declining, from 283 birds to only 128 (-55%).

As we pointed out in an earlier blog entry, the worldwide Great Bustard population adds up to about 50,000 birds. Spain accounts for the lion's share (32,000 birds; nearly half of them, 14,000, in Castilla y León). The recent rise recorded in the Iberian Great Bustard population can be put down largely to the increase in Castilla y León (+34% from 1998 to 2008), but also Castilla-La Mancha, though this is partly due to a better surveying performance (Martín et al., 2012; Alonso and Palacín, 2010).

Great bustard (Otis tarda). The only two adult males in the rump breeding population of Guijo de Coria-Calzadilla, Cáceres, in 2012. By Javier Prieta. 

Information on the important Extremadura population is imprecise. Monitoring has been patchy and sometimes partial or untimely. Only two complete regional counts of the breeding population have been conducted, in 1988 and 2002. Winter information is better, with eleven published counts, although ten of them are now fairly old (1985-1998) and the other dates from nine years ago (2003). There is therefore no trustworthy information on the Great Bustard's current population or trend. Another as yet unexplained factor is the glaring difference between the winter and spring counts, the former recording maximums of nearly 7000 birds and the latter only half that figure at 3500. This finding is repeated in all the studies carried out, including the abovementioned Badajoz 2011 count. Some put this down to a methodological error; others regard it as a bona fide finding. But little is known about the movements of Extremadura's Great Bustards so it has not been possible to confirm where they come from (the findings in other regions do not bear out this spring depletion) or where these thousands of Bustards hide in spring... While waiting for this mystery to be cleared up, we have recorded in two tables, for information purposes, all the figures on Extremadura's Great Bustard population to date (click on them to open them up).

To wind up, a brief comment on a second article from the same Quercus issue 314 on the impact of power lines and fencing on the Great Bustards of La Serena (Calderón, 2012). In 2010 members of the ANSER group surveyed 292 km of power lines and 100 km of fencing, finding 55 dead birds in the former, nine of them Great Bustards(16%), and 25 in the latter, seven of them Great Bustards(28%), with an estimate of 35-41 Great Bustards killed in fenced fields each year in the SPA of La Serena.

Sources: 

- Alonso, J. C. and Palacín, C. 2010. The world status and population trends of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda): 2010 update. Chinese Birds 1:141-147 

- Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C. and Martín, C. A. (Eds.). 2005. La avutarda común en la península ibérica: población actual y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid [PDF]. 

- Calderón, M. J. 2012.Tendidos y alambradas cercan a las avutardas en La Serena. Quercus 314:1622. 

 - Corbacho, C., Fernández, A., Costillo, E., Lozano, L., Acedo, F. and Gil,. A. 2005. La avutarda común en Extremadura: distribución, población y tendencias. En: Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C., y Martín, C. A. (Eds.). La avutarda común en la península ibérica: población actual y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. [PDF] 

- Martín, C. A., Martínez, C., Bautista, L. M. and Martín, B. 2012. Population increase of the great bustard Otis tarda in its main distribution area in relation to changes in farming practices. Ardeola 59:31-42. 

- Sánchez, Á, and García-Baquero, M. J. 2012.La avutarda en Badajoz: estabilidad, pero con matices. Quercus 314:1622.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Last few Days

A couple of Hours out with Kev on Monday saw us ringing a Brood of 3 Kestrel and 4 Gt Tit we then moved on to Peel where we set the Gull trap again, not many Gulls around but the weather was great so they were all off some where else 1 Herring Gull Caught then a  2nd year Gt Black-backed Gull landed in the middle of the trap and ate all the bread it stood there for 5 minutes until all that was left was the bread on the trigger. After what seemed like ages it pulled the bread. The first full grown GBB Gull to be ringed since we started the Large Gull colour ring Project.

Kestrel Pulli

2nd year Gt Black -backed Gull

A spot of Ringing in the garden was good as i started to catch a nice amount of newly fledged birds

Siskin, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Coal Tit, Gt Tit and Chaffinch.

29 Siskins ringed in the garden this year aged as 3J {Defiantly hatch this calendar year and still in Juvenile plumage}

3J Siskins

Yesterday Kev and i went back to the Cormorant Colony at Maughold

11 more Chicks Colour Ringed, some of them BIG and ready to fledge

The Colony is still busy with birds on Eggs and small young so we will go back 

68 Cormorants colour ringed here this year

In the afternoon i headed back up to the Point of Ayre to check on the Gull colony on the tip

8 More Herring Gull Chicks colour ringed, a stop off at Ramsey Harbour on the way home saw me grab another Herring Gull a 3rd Year bird and then 2 More ringed in the garden in the evening.

47 Herring Gulls Ringed in my Garden this Year so Far.

Herring Gull chick

A couple of Hours out with Kev on Monday saw us ringing a Brood of 3 Kestrel and 4 Gt Tit we then moved on to Peel where we set the Gull trap again, not many Gulls around but the weather was great so they were all off some where else 1 Herring Gull Caught then a  2nd year Gt Black-backed Gull landed in the middle of the trap and ate all the bread it stood there for 5 minutes until all that was left was the bread on the trigger. After what seemed like ages it pulled the bread. The first full grown GBB Gull to be ringed since we started the Large Gull colour ring Project.

Kestrel Pulli

2nd year Gt Black -backed Gull

A spot of Ringing in the garden was good as i started to catch a nice amount of newly fledged birds

Siskin, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Coal Tit, Gt Tit and Chaffinch.

29 Siskins ringed in the garden this year aged as 3J {Defiantly hatch this calendar year and still in Juvenile plumage}

3J Siskins

Yesterday Kev and i went back to the Cormorant Colony at Maughold

11 more Chicks Colour Ringed, some of them BIG and ready to fledge

The Colony is still busy with birds on Eggs and small young so we will go back 

68 Cormorants colour ringed here this year

In the afternoon i headed back up to the Point of Ayre to check on the Gull colony on the tip

8 More Herring Gull Chicks colour ringed, a stop off at Ramsey Harbour on the way home saw me grab another Herring Gull a 3rd Year bird and then 2 More ringed in the garden in the evening.

47 Herring Gulls Ringed in my Garden this Year so Far.

Herring Gull chick

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

MAY 2012. Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Red-Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Male. Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres-Ávila). By Javier Prieta. 

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

- Greylag Goose: Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir on 20/05 (Sergio Mayordomo and Eva Palacios). Feral birds cannot be ruled out.
- Egyptian Goose: On 06/05 two birds seen at Alqueva Reservoir (Badajoz) (Emilio Costillo) and another two at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) (Pablo Herrador and José Luis Bautista). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), two birds on 11/05 and one on 17/05 (S. Mayordomo). Four pairs, one with nine chicks, at La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Sergio Pérez, Miguel A. Sánchez, Fermín Sierra, Domingo Rivera, Demetrio Vázquez and Ángel Sánchez). Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 31/05 (Sebastián Molano).
- Shelduck: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (Martin Kelsey). At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez), 11 birds on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and two pairs on 22/05 (Vicente Risco and Javier Briz). Two at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Yolya Simón, Vanessa de Alba, Jesús Solana, Gerardo Pizarro and Antonio Núñez).
- Shoveler: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), two birds on 05/05 (M. Kelsey), one drake on 08/05 (John Muddeman) and 10 birds on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), one drake on 06/05 and one pair on 19/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), one drake on 11/05, 17/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Red-Crested Pochard: One bird at River Guadiana, La Zarza (Badajoz), on 03/05 (G. Pizarro). Two birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 05/05 (Antonio Calvo). Seven birds, 4 drakes and 3 ducks, at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista). At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), 11 birds, 7 drakes and 4 ducks, on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12 birds on 13/05 and two pairs on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). At a River Guadiana gravel pit (Badajoz), one pair con 9 chicks on 23/05 (Juan Pablo Prieto).
- Tufted Duck: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), one pair on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one drake and 2 ducks on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Pochard: At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), eight birds on 11/05, 15 on 17/05 and nine on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). Six at Sierra Brava (Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Los Arenales, Cáceres, three pairs on 17/05 and two drakes and one duck on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Glossy Ibis: At Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, up to 16 birds throughout May(Luis R. Hernández, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Mercedes Rodríguez, Juan Carlos Salgado, Atanasio Fernández). One bird at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 01/05 (V. Risco and J. Briz). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and José Luis Pérez Chiscano) and 13/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 08/05 (Elvira del Viejo and Antonia Cangas) and 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez). Roost at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), nine birds on 21/05 (Juani Lopo, J. Solana, G. Pizarro, Francisco Lopo and Francisco Castro), 10 on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez) and on 31/05 (A. Calvo). 24 birds on 31/05 in flight near Mérida (Á. Sánchez).
- Bittern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 17/05 (Manuel García del Rey) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, Enrique Fernández Larreta and Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre).
- Squacco Heron: One or two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 20/05 (S. Mayordomo, Samuel Langlois, J. Muddeman, Javier Prieta, E. Palacios and Dave Langlois). At Montijo Reservoir , Mérida, one bird on 14/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 31/05 (A. Calvo). One bird at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Great White Egret: One non-breeding bird at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta, E. Palacios and Antonio Jiménez). Birds in breeding plumage: One bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 06/05 (Javier Mahillo); one bird at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo); and another at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta), 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, E. Fernández Larreta and E. Pérez-Balsalobre).

- White Stork: Three nests on the ground at an island of La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (S. Pérez, M. A. Sánchez, F. Sierra, D. Rivera, D. Vázquez and Á. Sánchez -photograph-).
- Lammergeier: One immature at Los Hoyicios, Guadalupe (Cáceres), on 31/05 (Pilar Chamorro).
- Hen Harrier: One female at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Montagu's Harrier: One dark-phase bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Talaván (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Red-Footed Falcon: One male at Los Cerralbos, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 17/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Hobby: One bird at Zorita (Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman). One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Llanos de Cáceres on 27/05 (Justiniano Julián and Iván Solana).
- Little Bustard: At Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), one courting male and 2 females on 02/05 (J. Prieta).
- Purple Swamphen: One bird at Valdefuentesgravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Baillon's Crake: One possible bird with Little Crake at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Avocet: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), five on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman) and two on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 27/05 (J. Julián and I. Solana).
- Lapwing: At Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres), one bird from 02/05 to 21/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Mahillo and E. Palacios). Three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 09/05 and 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Kentish Plover: At Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz), four birds on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one pair on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). At Valdecañas Reservoir 20 pairs seen on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and three on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman) and another on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Redshank: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), six birds on 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Sanderling: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 13/05, 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Curlew Sandpiper: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), five birds on 05/05, 25 on 13/05 and one on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). On 06/05 ten birds seen at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) (Lorenzo Alcántara) and one at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Nine between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto -photograph- and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). Three in breeding plumage at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez).
- Temminck's Stint: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and another at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Turnstone: Two birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz), six birds on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez) and 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas).
- Mediterranean Gull: One second year bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05, 04/05 and 21/05 (M. Kelsey -photograph-).

- Audouin's Gull: One third-summer bird at La Pulgosa, Cáceres, on 12/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios -photograph-), second record for the province of Cáceres. - Yellow-Legged Gull: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several birds on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 36 on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One adult at Gabriel y Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/05 (J. Prieta).
- Common Tern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), a pair with courtship feeding on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and one immature on 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois).

- Long-Eared Owl: Two chicks in a nest at Saucedilla (Cáceres) from 01/05 to 17/05 (V. Risco, S. Mayordomo, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, M. García del Rey, J. Prieta -photograph, adult-, J. Briz and E. Palacios).
- Great Spotted Cuckoo: One chick in a nest with Raven chicks at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Green Woodpecker: One bird at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Antonio Cebrián).
- Wryneck: One bird at Madrigalejo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 12/05 and 14/05 (D. Langlois). One bird calling at Cheles (Badajoz) on 12/05 (L. R. Hernández and J. C. Paniagua). Proven breeding of one pair at Cornalvo (Badajoz) on 16/05 (José Ledo).
- Bearded Tit: One male at on Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Swallow: Two albino birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 07/05 (Roberto Cabo).
- Chiffchaff: At Soto del Guadiana, Badajoz, three birds on 01/05 and one on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05, a spot where singing males have now been detected in five non-consecutive summers (J. Prieta). - Olivaceous Warbler: Two birds at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Spectacled Warbler: One bird at Piornal (Cáceres) on 10/05 (J. Prieta). Two pairs at Llanos de Cáceres on 14/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Tierra de Barros (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Steve Fletcher, M. Kelsey and J. Porras). Twelve males at La Mesa, Piornal (Cáceres) on 19/05 (J. Prieta). Present at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (Ricardo Montero), at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 23/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Firecrest: One male singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05; first probable breeding record in Monfragüe (J. Prieta).
- Rock Thrush: Two males at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Rixte Boitenwerg and Heirdert Hindrik). One male at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 06/05 (Jesús Rodríguez). One male at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 06/05 and 23/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Redstart: On 06/05 two males seen at Losar de la Vera (Cáceres) (D. Langlois) and at La Lapa (Badajoz) (F. Montaño), and at least seven pairs on an urban stretch of River de los Ángeles, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco). One male and one pair at Gata (Cáceres) on 13/05 (J. Prieta). One male singing at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (R. Montero).

LAST SPRING ARRIVALS

- White-Rumped Swift: At Castillo de Monfragüe (Cáceres) one bird on 06/05 (J. Muddeman) and two on 11/05 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at River Guadarranque, Alía (Cáceres), on 12/05 (Jorge Ángel and Jaime Cerezo). One bird at Alange dam (Badajoz) on 18/05 (M. Kelsey and Jesús Porras). Two birds at Estrecho de la Peña, Alía (Cáceres), on 30/05 (J. Ángel). Photograph by Raymond de Smet, taken in Monfragüe on september 2011.
- Nightjar: One bird at la Sierra de San Serván, Mérida (Badajoz), on 06/05 (E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 11/05 (D. Langlois).
- Red-Backed Shrike: One pair at Puerto de Tornavacas (AV-Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND MIGRANTS
- Wigeon: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), two drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and a pair on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Pintail: One pair at Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres) on 05/05 and 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Grey Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), three birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), 13 on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman), 9 on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto). One bird at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (Francisco Montaño). Four birds at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Golden Plover: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and Ismael Sánchez). One bird with a broken wing at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Ringed Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), 125 birds, biggest flock ever recorded in Extremadura, on 21/05 (M. Kelsey), 15 on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Curlew: Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 08/05 (J. Muddeman).
- Whimbrel: One bird at Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), on 01/05 (P. Herrador). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), one bird on 05/05 and five on 08/05 (J. Muddeman). Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). Two at Montijo Reservoir , Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Greenshank: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez).
- Spotted Redshank: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (M. Kelsey) and 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). 24 birds between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Green Sandpiper: Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), two birds on 01/05 (P. Herrador) and one on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Ruff/Reeve: One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/05 (J. L. Bautista and Inmaculada Jerez). 30 birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Common Sandpiper: Three birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Dunlin: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 22/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black Tern: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. palacios). One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Palazuelo-Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). Three birds at the Gull-Billed Tern colony of Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Whiskered Tern: At Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), fifteen birds on 08/05 and 5 on 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and 20/05 (V. de Alba, S. Langlois, D. Langlois and A. Núñez). Two birds at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Tawny Pipit: One bird at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 09/05 and another at Torremocha (Cáceres) on 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Sedge Warbler: Two birds at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 01/05 and 05/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 04/05 (J. Muddeman). Present at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Garden Warbler: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 01/05 and 02/05, and three on 10/05 (D. Langlois). One bird at Guadiana, Badajoz, on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Wheatear: Four males at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (J. Prieta) and one female at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).

Red-Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Male. Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres-Ávila). By Javier Prieta. 

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

- Greylag Goose: Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir on 20/05 (Sergio Mayordomo and Eva Palacios). Feral birds cannot be ruled out.
- Egyptian Goose: On 06/05 two birds seen at Alqueva Reservoir (Badajoz) (Emilio Costillo) and another two at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) (Pablo Herrador and José Luis Bautista). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), two birds on 11/05 and one on 17/05 (S. Mayordomo). Four pairs, one with nine chicks, at La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Sergio Pérez, Miguel A. Sánchez, Fermín Sierra, Domingo Rivera, Demetrio Vázquez and Ángel Sánchez). Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 31/05 (Sebastián Molano).
- Shelduck: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (Martin Kelsey). At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez), 11 birds on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios) and two pairs on 22/05 (Vicente Risco and Javier Briz). Two at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Yolya Simón, Vanessa de Alba, Jesús Solana, Gerardo Pizarro and Antonio Núñez).
- Shoveler: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), two birds on 05/05 (M. Kelsey), one drake on 08/05 (John Muddeman) and 10 birds on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), one drake on 06/05 and one pair on 19/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), one drake on 11/05, 17/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata (Cáceres), on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Red-Crested Pochard: One bird at River Guadiana, La Zarza (Badajoz), on 03/05 (G. Pizarro). Two birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 05/05 (Antonio Calvo). Seven birds, 4 drakes and 3 ducks, at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista). At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), 11 birds, 7 drakes and 4 ducks, on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12 birds on 13/05 and two pairs on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). At a River Guadiana gravel pit (Badajoz), one pair con 9 chicks on 23/05 (Juan Pablo Prieto).
- Tufted Duck: At Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres), one pair on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one drake and 2 ducks on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Pochard: At El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), eight birds on 11/05, 15 on 17/05 and nine on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). Six at Sierra Brava (Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). At Los Arenales, Cáceres, three pairs on 17/05 and two drakes and one duck on 25/05 (S. Mayordomo). One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). One pair at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Ferruginous Duck: One drake at El Manantío, Aldea del Cano (Cáceres), on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Glossy Ibis: At Azud del Guadiana, Badajoz, up to 16 birds throughout May(Luis R. Hernández, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Mercedes Rodríguez, Juan Carlos Salgado, Atanasio Fernández). One bird at Charco Salado, Casatejada (Cáceres), on 01/05 (V. Risco and J. Briz). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 08/05 (J. Muddeman), 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and José Luis Pérez Chiscano) and 13/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 08/05 (Elvira del Viejo and Antonia Cangas) and 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez). Roost at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), nine birds on 21/05 (Juani Lopo, J. Solana, G. Pizarro, Francisco Lopo and Francisco Castro), 10 on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez) and on 31/05 (A. Calvo). 24 birds on 31/05 in flight near Mérida (Á. Sánchez).
- Bittern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), one bird on 17/05 (Manuel García del Rey) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, Enrique Fernández Larreta and Emilio Pérez-Balsalobre).
- Squacco Heron: One or two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 20/05 (S. Mayordomo, Samuel Langlois, J. Muddeman, Javier Prieta, E. Palacios and Dave Langlois). At Montijo Reservoir , Mérida, one bird on 14/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 31/05 (A. Calvo). One bird at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Great White Egret: One non-breeding bird at Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Prieta, E. Palacios and Antonio Jiménez). Birds in breeding plumage: One bird at Valdefuentes gravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 06/05 (Javier Mahillo); one bird at El Ancho, Arroyo de la Luz (Cáceres), on 11/05 and 25/05 (S. Mayordomo); and another at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta), 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois) and 28/05 (M. García del Rey, E. Fernández Larreta and E. Pérez-Balsalobre).

- White Stork: Three nests on the ground at an island of La Serena Reservoir (Badajoz) on 18/05 (S. Pérez, M. A. Sánchez, F. Sierra, D. Rivera, D. Vázquez and Á. Sánchez -photograph-).
- Lammergeier: One immature at Los Hoyicios, Guadalupe (Cáceres), on 31/05 (Pilar Chamorro).
- Hen Harrier: One female at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Montagu's Harrier: One dark-phase bird at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Talaván (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Red-Footed Falcon: One male at Los Cerralbos, Trujillo (Cáceres), on 17/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Hobby: One bird at Zorita (Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman). One bird at Plasencia (Cáceres) on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Llanos de Cáceres on 27/05 (Justiniano Julián and Iván Solana).
- Little Bustard: At Guijo de Coria (Cáceres), one courting male and 2 females on 02/05 (J. Prieta).
- Purple Swamphen: One bird at Valdefuentesgravel pit, Galisteo (Cáceres), on 30/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Baillon's Crake: One possible bird with Little Crake at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Avocet: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), five on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman) and two on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Los Arenales, Cáceres, on 27/05 (J. Julián and I. Solana).
- Lapwing: At Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres), one bird from 02/05 to 21/05 (S. Mayordomo, J. Mahillo and E. Palacios). Three birds at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Charca de Torrealba, Torremocha (Cáceres), on 09/05 and 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Kentish Plover: At Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz), four birds on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one pair on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). At Valdecañas Reservoir 20 pairs seen on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and three on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 05/05 (J. Muddeman) and another on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Redshank: One bird at Laguna de Galisteo (Cáceres) on 21/05 (S. Mayordomo). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), six birds on 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Sanderling: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), two birds on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and one on 13/05, 21/05 (M. Kelsey) and 23/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Curlew Sandpiper: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), five birds on 05/05, 25 on 13/05 and one on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). On 06/05 ten birds seen at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) (Lorenzo Alcántara) and one at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Nine between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto -photograph- and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). Three in breeding plumage at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez).
- Temminck's Stint: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05 (M. Kelsey) and another at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).

- Turnstone: Two birds at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). At Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz), six birds on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez) and 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas).
- Mediterranean Gull: One second year bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 01/05, 04/05 and 21/05 (M. Kelsey -photograph-).

- Audouin's Gull: One third-summer bird at La Pulgosa, Cáceres, on 12/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios -photograph-), second record for the province of Cáceres. - Yellow-Legged Gull: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), several birds on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and 36 on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One adult at Gabriel y Galán Reservoir (Cáceres) on 23/05 (J. Prieta).
- Common Tern: At Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres), a pair with courtship feeding on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and one immature on 20/05 (S. Langlois and D. Langlois).

- Long-Eared Owl: Two chicks in a nest at Saucedilla (Cáceres) from 01/05 to 17/05 (V. Risco, S. Mayordomo, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, M. García del Rey, J. Prieta -photograph, adult-, J. Briz and E. Palacios).
- Great Spotted Cuckoo: One chick in a nest with Raven chicks at Ahigal (Cáceres) on 30/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Green Woodpecker: One bird at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Antonio Cebrián).
- Wryneck: One bird at Madrigalejo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). At Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres), one bird on 12/05 and 14/05 (D. Langlois). One bird calling at Cheles (Badajoz) on 12/05 (L. R. Hernández and J. C. Paniagua). Proven breeding of one pair at Cornalvo (Badajoz) on 16/05 (José Ledo).
- Bearded Tit: One male at on Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Swallow: Two albino birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 07/05 (Roberto Cabo).
- Chiffchaff: At Soto del Guadiana, Badajoz, three birds on 01/05 and one on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05, a spot where singing males have now been detected in five non-consecutive summers (J. Prieta). - Olivaceous Warbler: Two birds at Montijo Reservoir, Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Spectacled Warbler: One bird at Piornal (Cáceres) on 10/05 (J. Prieta). Two pairs at Llanos de Cáceres on 14/05 (S. Mayordomo). One bird at Tierra de Barros (Badajoz) on 18/05 (Steve Fletcher, M. Kelsey and J. Porras). Twelve males at La Mesa, Piornal (Cáceres) on 19/05 (J. Prieta). Present at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (Ricardo Montero), at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 23/05 (A. Pacheco) and at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Firecrest: One male singing in a Serradilla pinewood (Cáceres) on 27/05; first probable breeding record in Monfragüe (J. Prieta).
- Rock Thrush: Two males at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 01/05 (Rixte Boitenwerg and Heirdert Hindrik). One male at Valcorchero, Plasencia (Cáceres) from 04/05 to 06/05 (Jesús Rodríguez). One male at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 06/05 and 23/05 (A. Pacheco).
- Redstart: On 06/05 two males seen at Losar de la Vera (Cáceres) (D. Langlois) and at La Lapa (Badajoz) (F. Montaño), and at least seven pairs on an urban stretch of River de los Ángeles, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) (A. Pacheco). One male and one pair at Gata (Cáceres) on 13/05 (J. Prieta). One male singing at Cabezabellosa (Cáceres) on 20/05 (R. Montero).

LAST SPRING ARRIVALS

- White-Rumped Swift: At Castillo de Monfragüe (Cáceres) one bird on 06/05 (J. Muddeman) and two on 11/05 (M. Kelsey). Two birds at River Guadarranque, Alía (Cáceres), on 12/05 (Jorge Ángel and Jaime Cerezo). One bird at Alange dam (Badajoz) on 18/05 (M. Kelsey and Jesús Porras). Two birds at Estrecho de la Peña, Alía (Cáceres), on 30/05 (J. Ángel). Photograph by Raymond de Smet, taken in Monfragüe on september 2011.
- Nightjar: One bird at la Sierra de San Serván, Mérida (Badajoz), on 06/05 (E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 11/05 (D. Langlois).
- Red-Backed Shrike: One pair at Puerto de Tornavacas (AV-Cáceres) on 26/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND MIGRANTS
- Wigeon: At Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres), two drakes on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez) and a pair on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Pintail: One pair at Sierra Brava Reservoir (Cáceres) on 05/05 and 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Grey Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), three birds on 04/05 (M. Kelsey), 13 on 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman), 9 on 08/05 (J. Muddeman) and one on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto). One bird at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (Francisco Montaño). Four birds at Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 10/05 (J. P. Prieto).
- Golden Plover: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and Ismael Sánchez). One bird with a broken wing at Palazuelo (Badajoz) on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Ringed Plover: At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres), 125 birds, biggest flock ever recorded in Extremadura, on 21/05 (M. Kelsey), 15 on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and one on 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Curlew: Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 08/05 (J. Muddeman).
- Whimbrel: One bird at Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), on 01/05 (P. Herrador). At Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres), one bird on 05/05 and five on 08/05 (J. Muddeman). Two birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). Two at Montijo Reservoir , Mérida (Badajoz), on 30/05 (F. Montaño, E. del Viejo and A. Ruiz).
- Greenshank: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Charca de Esparragalejo (Badajoz) on 27/05 (Y. Simón, V. de Alba, J. Solana, G. Pizarro and A. Núñez).
- Spotted Redshank: One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 04/05 (M. Kelsey) and 05/05 (M. Kelsey and J. Muddeman). 24 birds between Palazuelo and Puebla de Alcollarín (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Green Sandpiper: Two birds at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 10/05 (S. Mayordomo). Two birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Wood Sandpiper: At Laguna de Murtales, La Nava de Santiago (Badajoz), two birds on 01/05 (P. Herrador) and one on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Ruff/Reeve: One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 12/05 (J. L. Bautista and Inmaculada Jerez). 30 birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Common Sandpiper: Three birds at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 15/05 (Á. Sánchez). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Dunlin: Twelve birds at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 21/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Salor Reservoir (Cáceres) on 22/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black Tern: One bird at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 01/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. palacios). One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 06/05 (F. Lopo, E. del Viejo and A. Cangas). Two birds at Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), on 08/05 and 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Palazuelo-Puebla de Alcollarín ricefields (Badajoz) on 12/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano). One bird at Palazuelo-Campo Lugar ricefields (Badajoz-Cáceres) on 13/05 (M. Kelsey). Three birds at the Gull-Billed Tern colony of Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).
- Whiskered Tern: At Arroyoconejos-Llerena Reservoir (Badajoz), fifteen birds on 08/05 and 5 on 09/05 (F. Montaño). Two birds at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 17/05 (J. Prieta) and 20/05 (V. de Alba, S. Langlois, D. Langlois and A. Núñez). Two birds at Palazuelo ricefields (Badajoz) on 23/05 (J. P. Prieto) and 26/05 (J. P. Prieto and J. L. Pérez Chiscano).
- Tawny Pipit: One bird at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios). One bird at Torrequemada (Cáceres) on 09/05 and another at Torremocha (Cáceres) on 11/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Sedge Warbler: Two birds at River Guadiana, Badajoz, on 01/05 and 05/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 04/05 (J. Muddeman). Present at Charca de Morantes (Badajoz) on 06/05 (P. Herrador and J. L. Bautista).
- Garden Warbler: One bird at Los Canchales Reservoir (Badajoz) on 01/05 (F. Lopo, F. Castro and I. Sánchez). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 01/05 and 02/05, and three on 10/05 (D. Langlois). One bird at Guadiana, Badajoz, on 06/05 (J. C. Paniagua). One bird at River Jerte, Plasencia (Cáceres), on 08/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Wheatear: Four males at Guijo de Coria (Cáceres) on 02/05 (J. Prieta) and one female at Santiago del Campo (Cáceres) on 05/05 (S. Mayordomo and E. Palacios).

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