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April so far

So we are 11 days into April and not a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler or Sand Martin seen or heard let alone Ringed.

So far this month only 106 new birds ringed, yearly totals well down on this time last year.

April so Far

3 Wood Pigeons
21 Meadow Pipits
1 Dunnock
2 Robin
1 Stonechat
3 Wheatear
6 Coal Tit
3 Blue Tits
3 Gt Tits
1 House Sparrow
3 Chaffinch
14 Goldfinch
13 Siskin
28 Linnets
3 Twite
1 Lesser Redpoll



Can only get better.
So we are 11 days into April and not a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler or Sand Martin seen or heard let alone Ringed.

So far this month only 106 new birds ringed, yearly totals well down on this time last year.

April so Far

3 Wood Pigeons
21 Meadow Pipits
1 Dunnock
2 Robin
1 Stonechat
3 Wheatear
6 Coal Tit
3 Blue Tits
3 Gt Tits
1 House Sparrow
3 Chaffinch
14 Goldfinch
13 Siskin
28 Linnets
3 Twite
1 Lesser Redpoll



Can only get better.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

RARE GEESE IN EXTREMADURA. 2012-2013

The winter 2012-2013 has been excellent for wintering Greylag Goose (Anser anser) in Extremadura. This situation results in the arrival of geese scarce species, as it has been. Perhaps we are in the season with the highest number of geese observed in Extremadura and rare specimens seen for several months. Greylag apart, 26 individuals of six species of geese in eight locations are involved. Although these records have been published in our monthly summaries, it seems appropriate to group them into a single text. [See previous review on rare geese in Extremadura]


Bean Goose (Anser fabalis). Two individuals from two localities. The cumulative total is seven records and 13 birds.

An individual, possibly fabalis subspecies in the embalse de Borbollón (CC) between December 10, 2012 and January 23, 2013. Minimum 45 days. Cited on 10/12, 11/12, 15/12, 22/12, 17/01 and 23/01. Observers:
Goyo Naharro, Fernando Salas, Antonio Torrijo, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero, Hugo Sánchez, César Clemente (photo), Javier Prieta, Javier Mahíllo, Eva Palacios, José Guerra y Marc Gálvez.

An individual of first winter in Moheda Alta, Navalvillar Pela (BA), on January 4, and February 2, 2013. Minimum 30 days. Observers: César Clemente, Pepe Guisado, Pilar Goñi, Sergio Mayordomo, Guillermo Mayor, Jaime Tolosa, José Guerra, Julio Merayo, Marc Gálvez y María José Valencia.


Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchos). Third in Extremadura, all of an individual. [See post and photographs]

An individual in embalse de Valdecañas (CC) between November 2, 2012 and January 20, 2013. Minimum 80 days. Cited on 02/11, 03/11, 11/11, 16/11, 02/12, 07/12, 23/12, 15/01 and 20/01. Observers:
Vicente Risco, Javier Briz, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero, Eva Palacios, Javier Prieta (photo) y Martin Kelsey.



 

Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). Fifteen in four locations. It is the most common rare goose Extremadura, with a cumulative total of 65 individuals.

At least ten individuals in two areas of embalse de Valdecañas (CC): Bohonal de Ibor Bohonal (an adult and a juvenile) and El Gordo-Peraleda de la Mata (eight birds, largest group known in Extremadura). The stay together extends between November 11, 2012 and February 3, 2012. Minimum 85 days. Quotes from three adults on 11/11, a juvenile on 19/11, an adult and a juvenile on 23/11, seven birds on 02/12, eight on 16/12, eight on 23/12, one on 29/12, nine on 15/01, three on 26/01, one on 27/01 and two on 03/02. Observers: Samuel Langlois, Dave Langlois, Javier Prieta (photo), César Clemente, Sergio Mayordomo, Juan Diego Acevedo, Fernando Salas, Antonio Torrijo, Vicente Risco, Javier Briz, José Portillo y Manuel García del Rey.

Two individuals in embalse de El Borbollón (CC) between December 10, 2012 and February 11, 2013. Minimum 64 days. Cited on 10/12, 11/12, 13/12, 15/12, 22/12 and 11/02. Observers: Goyo Naharro, Fernando Salas, Antonio Torrijo, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero, Hugo Sánchez, César Clemente, Javier Prieta (photo), Javier Mahillo y Eva Palacios.

A bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar Pela (BA), on December 1, 2012 (Manuel García del Rey, Juan R. Suarez and David Cuenca) and January 8, 2013 in Vegas Altas (BA), which could be a distinct individual (Jose Guerra and Marc Gálvez).A goose on January 8, 2013 in Los Canchales (BA) (Francisco Montaño, Joaquín Vázquez and José Delgado).


Bar-headed goose (Anser indicus). A bird. Fifth in Extremadura, always an individual.One in Vega de Zarzalejos, Logrosan (CC), on November 11, 2012 (Sergio Mayordomo and Luis Salguero) and maybe the same in La Trebolosa, Madrigalejo (CC), on December 9, 2012 (Sergio Mayordomo).


Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). Two indivudual in two locations. Cumulative six registers and nine birds.


An individual in Vega de Zarzalejos, Logrosan (CC), the November 4, 2012 (Luis Salguero and Jose Angel Sanchez).


An individual in lagunas de Torremejía (BA) between November 24, 2012 and January 27, 2012. Minimum 65 days. Cited on 24/11, 02/12, 06/12, 08/12, 09/12, 06/01 and 27/01. Observers:
Fergus Crystal, Antonia Cangas, Vanessa de Alba, Francisco Montaño, Antonio Núñez Ossorio, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Jesús Solana, Eva Palacios, Ángel Sánchez, John Muddeman, Sergio Mayordomo, Antonio Matador, José Gómez Aparicio, José Guerra, Fernando Yuste, Luis Salguero y Marc Gálvez.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis). Five birds in four locations. Cumulative total of 24 records and 31 individuals.


One in Vega del Haza, Malpartida de Plasencia (CC), between November 19, 2012 and January 11, 2013. Minimum 54 days. Cited on 19/11, 22/11, 25/11, 03/12 and 11/01. Observers:
Javier Prieta, Antolín Redondo, Sergio Mayordomo y Chema Diu.

An individual in the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) between December 2, 2012 and January 15, 2013. Minimum 45 days. Cited on 02/12, 23/12, 25/12, 29/12 and 15/01. Observers: Vicente Risco, Javier Briz, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero y Javier Prieta (photo).

A bird in the embalse del Salor (CC) between December 30, 2012 and February 9, 2013. Least 42 days. Cited on 30/12, 01/01 (Charca de La Generala), 15/01 and 09/02. Observers:
Carlos Fernández, Marcelino Cardalliaguet, F. Javier Caballero, César Clemente y Sergio Mayordomo.

Two birds on the Embalse de Portaje (CC) on January 17, 2013 (Sergio Mayordomo).

The winter 2012-2013 has been excellent for wintering Greylag Goose (Anser anser) in Extremadura. This situation results in the arrival of geese scarce species, as it has been. Perhaps we are in the season with the highest number of geese observed in Extremadura and rare specimens seen for several months. Greylag apart, 26 individuals of six species of geese in eight locations are involved. Although these records have been published in our monthly summaries, it seems appropriate to group them into a single text. [See previous review on rare geese in Extremadura]


Bean Goose (Anser fabalis). Two individuals from two localities. The cumulative total is seven records and 13 birds.

An individual, possibly fabalis subspecies in the embalse de Borbollón (CC) between December 10, 2012 and January 23, 2013. Minimum 45 days. Cited on 10/12, 11/12, 15/12, 22/12, 17/01 and 23/01. Observers:
Goyo Naharro, Fernando Salas, Antonio Torrijo, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero, Hugo Sánchez, César Clemente (photo), Javier Prieta, Javier Mahíllo, Eva Palacios, José Guerra y Marc Gálvez.

An individual of first winter in Moheda Alta, Navalvillar Pela (BA), on January 4, and February 2, 2013. Minimum 30 days. Observers: César Clemente, Pepe Guisado, Pilar Goñi, Sergio Mayordomo, Guillermo Mayor, Jaime Tolosa, José Guerra, Julio Merayo, Marc Gálvez y María José Valencia.


Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchos). Third in Extremadura, all of an individual. [See post and photographs]

An individual in embalse de Valdecañas (CC) between November 2, 2012 and January 20, 2013. Minimum 80 days. Cited on 02/11, 03/11, 11/11, 16/11, 02/12, 07/12, 23/12, 15/01 and 20/01. Observers:
Vicente Risco, Javier Briz, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero, Eva Palacios, Javier Prieta (photo) y Martin Kelsey.



 

Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). Fifteen in four locations. It is the most common rare goose Extremadura, with a cumulative total of 65 individuals.

At least ten individuals in two areas of embalse de Valdecañas (CC): Bohonal de Ibor Bohonal (an adult and a juvenile) and El Gordo-Peraleda de la Mata (eight birds, largest group known in Extremadura). The stay together extends between November 11, 2012 and February 3, 2012. Minimum 85 days. Quotes from three adults on 11/11, a juvenile on 19/11, an adult and a juvenile on 23/11, seven birds on 02/12, eight on 16/12, eight on 23/12, one on 29/12, nine on 15/01, three on 26/01, one on 27/01 and two on 03/02. Observers: Samuel Langlois, Dave Langlois, Javier Prieta (photo), César Clemente, Sergio Mayordomo, Juan Diego Acevedo, Fernando Salas, Antonio Torrijo, Vicente Risco, Javier Briz, José Portillo y Manuel García del Rey.

Two individuals in embalse de El Borbollón (CC) between December 10, 2012 and February 11, 2013. Minimum 64 days. Cited on 10/12, 11/12, 13/12, 15/12, 22/12 and 11/02. Observers: Goyo Naharro, Fernando Salas, Antonio Torrijo, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero, Hugo Sánchez, César Clemente, Javier Prieta (photo), Javier Mahillo y Eva Palacios.

A bird at Moheda Alta, Navalvillar Pela (BA), on December 1, 2012 (Manuel García del Rey, Juan R. Suarez and David Cuenca) and January 8, 2013 in Vegas Altas (BA), which could be a distinct individual (Jose Guerra and Marc Gálvez).A goose on January 8, 2013 in Los Canchales (BA) (Francisco Montaño, Joaquín Vázquez and José Delgado).


Bar-headed goose (Anser indicus). A bird. Fifth in Extremadura, always an individual.One in Vega de Zarzalejos, Logrosan (CC), on November 11, 2012 (Sergio Mayordomo and Luis Salguero) and maybe the same in La Trebolosa, Madrigalejo (CC), on December 9, 2012 (Sergio Mayordomo).


Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). Two indivudual in two locations. Cumulative six registers and nine birds.


An individual in Vega de Zarzalejos, Logrosan (CC), the November 4, 2012 (Luis Salguero and Jose Angel Sanchez).


An individual in lagunas de Torremejía (BA) between November 24, 2012 and January 27, 2012. Minimum 65 days. Cited on 24/11, 02/12, 06/12, 08/12, 09/12, 06/01 and 27/01. Observers:
Fergus Crystal, Antonia Cangas, Vanessa de Alba, Francisco Montaño, Antonio Núñez Ossorio, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Jesús Solana, Eva Palacios, Ángel Sánchez, John Muddeman, Sergio Mayordomo, Antonio Matador, José Gómez Aparicio, José Guerra, Fernando Yuste, Luis Salguero y Marc Gálvez.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis). Five birds in four locations. Cumulative total of 24 records and 31 individuals.


One in Vega del Haza, Malpartida de Plasencia (CC), between November 19, 2012 and January 11, 2013. Minimum 54 days. Cited on 19/11, 22/11, 25/11, 03/12 and 11/01. Observers:
Javier Prieta, Antolín Redondo, Sergio Mayordomo y Chema Diu.

An individual in the embalse de Valdecañas (CC) between December 2, 2012 and January 15, 2013. Minimum 45 days. Cited on 02/12, 23/12, 25/12, 29/12 and 15/01. Observers: Vicente Risco, Javier Briz, Sergio Mayordomo, Ricardo Montero y Javier Prieta (photo).

A bird in the embalse del Salor (CC) between December 30, 2012 and February 9, 2013. Least 42 days. Cited on 30/12, 01/01 (Charca de La Generala), 15/01 and 09/02. Observers:
Carlos Fernández, Marcelino Cardalliaguet, F. Javier Caballero, César Clemente y Sergio Mayordomo.

Two birds on the Embalse de Portaje (CC) on January 17, 2013 (Sergio Mayordomo).

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

GREYLAG GOOSE IN EXTREMADURA. JANUARY 2013

 
The 2012-2013 winter has come to an end and it is time to talk about  the wintering birds in Extremadura. There are many who are interested after waterfowl, crane and cormorant censuses. I think its a good idea to start with the wintering greylag goose (Anser anser). The census of January 2013 recorded 23,173 individuals in Extremadura, almost triple that of January 2012 (8,020 birds). The graph shows the official census figures for January in the last 23 years. The interpretation must be made with caution, because of the large difference in census coverage over the years (very low in 2011 or 2009, for example, and several years without information). Still, there is a very clear upward trend, as already stated in a previous post. However, the distribution of the species is restricted to a few locations, the same as contained in the censuses of the early 1990s, over two decades ago.


The most prominent location is again Vegas Altas (#1), which has primarily rice stubble and, to a lesser extent, corn and other crops. Within the wide area available each year, most are concentrated in the eastern part of the county, it being too complicated to count scattered foraging areas and roosts (although in some seasons, as in 2007, there were more than 8,000 geese in Sierra Brava reservoir). On 14 and 15 January 2013, there were estimated 18,800 greylag geese, mostly at Logrosán municipality (15,000), and the rest between Madrigalejo (3000), Navalvillar de Pela (600) and other localities (200). This is the highest known, thanks to the good condition of the flooded rice fields. Quite the opposite during the dry winter before, when in January 2012, just over 4,000 geese were counted. The previous high dating back to January 2006, when there were 13,800 Greylag Geese.

Valdecañas reservoir (#2) also reached a peak in January 2013 (2,950 birds), perhaps helped by the low level of the reservoir and the large area of shoreline available. The geese were divided into two zones of the reservoir, a thousand in Bohonal de Ibor and two thousand in El Gordo-Peraleda de la Mata. Rare geese observations suggest little movement between the two sectors. Also, at the end of January the water level rose and some of the geese moved to the nearby pastures of Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata. The highest numbers of greylag at Valdecañas were known to be 2250 birds in January 2012 and 1,875 in January 2005.

The remaining traditional greylag locations for winter populations harbored more modest numbers and in no case exceeded previous highs. So, in the reservoir of El Borbollón (#3) 186  were counted compared to the 458 of 2005. In Gabriel y Galán reservoir (#4) there were only 156 birds, half the maximum of 300 in 2000. Portaje reservoir (#5) had 206 geese in 2013, and the maximum was 293 in 2006. In Salor reservoir (#6), and nearby wetlands, there were only 56 individuals. The geese wintering in Llanos de Cáceres may vary location according to the years, the last two being focused on Valdesalor, when before they were at the ebmalse de Guadiloba, with the most in the region (250 birds in 2006). Los Canchales reservoir (#7) was the third location in importance in 2013, with 377 individuals, still far from the 900 of January 2000. Meanwhile, the Torremejía lagoons (#8) had 206 birds, well below the 1,050 peak of January 1999. This subpopulation occupies both these lagoons as Alange reservoir depending on water levels. Finally, the Llerena-Arroyoconejos reservoir (#7) showed a figure of 120 geese, far below the 1,100 in 2002. Although in other locations there can be geese in winter, they are not regular wintering areas. So in the January 2013 census, there were19 sites, and in January 2012, 21 sites. Other censuses, show more than 80 places with a greylag presence, in some cases it could be semi-domestic geese.

Collaborators. Emilio Peña, Adrián Chaves, Alberto Pacheco, Amado Franco, Andrés Maestre, Ángel Luis Sánchez, Ángel Sánchez, Antonio Calvo, Benigno Cienfuegos, Carlos Fernández, Casimiro Corbacho, César Clemente, Daniel Vicente, Dave Langlois, Diego Recio, Domingo Jiménez, Domingo Rivera, Emiliano Godoy, Emilio Costillo, Eva Palacios, Federico Hernández, Felipe Paniagua, Fernando Yuste, Francisco Bernáldez, Francisco Montaño, Godfried Schreur, Heliodoro Barquero, Inés García, Iván Castro, Iván Sánchez, Jasper Quak, Javier Briz, Javier Caballero, Javier Fernández, Javier Mahíllo, Javier Prieta, Jesús Montero, Jesús Porras, Jesús Solana, Joaquín Fernández, Joaquín Vázquez, John Muddeman, José Antonio Román, José Carlos López, José Fernández, José Luis Bautista, José Luis Caballero, José Manuel Rama, José María Guerrero, José Guerra, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Juan Fernández-Blanco, Juan Fernando Trejo, Juan José Blanco, Juan Pablo Prieto, Juan Rodríguez, Julián Panadero, Lorenzo Alcántara, Luis Lozano, Luis Salguero, Manuel Flores, Manuel García del Rey, Manuel Gómez Calzado, Manuel Rodríguez, Marc Gálvez, Marcelino Cardalliaguet, María José Moreno, Martin Kelsey, Miguel Ángel Romo, Óscar Llama, Paula Rodríguez, Rafael Alberto Rubio, Samuel Langlois, Santiago Cáceres, Sergio Mayordomo, Sergio Pérez y Vicente Risco. Coordinador: Javier Prieta.
 
The 2012-2013 winter has come to an end and it is time to talk about  the wintering birds in Extremadura. There are many who are interested after waterfowl, crane and cormorant censuses. I think its a good idea to start with the wintering greylag goose (Anser anser). The census of January 2013 recorded 23,173 individuals in Extremadura, almost triple that of January 2012 (8,020 birds). The graph shows the official census figures for January in the last 23 years. The interpretation must be made with caution, because of the large difference in census coverage over the years (very low in 2011 or 2009, for example, and several years without information). Still, there is a very clear upward trend, as already stated in a previous post. However, the distribution of the species is restricted to a few locations, the same as contained in the censuses of the early 1990s, over two decades ago.


The most prominent location is again Vegas Altas (#1), which has primarily rice stubble and, to a lesser extent, corn and other crops. Within the wide area available each year, most are concentrated in the eastern part of the county, it being too complicated to count scattered foraging areas and roosts (although in some seasons, as in 2007, there were more than 8,000 geese in Sierra Brava reservoir). On 14 and 15 January 2013, there were estimated 18,800 greylag geese, mostly at Logrosán municipality (15,000), and the rest between Madrigalejo (3000), Navalvillar de Pela (600) and other localities (200). This is the highest known, thanks to the good condition of the flooded rice fields. Quite the opposite during the dry winter before, when in January 2012, just over 4,000 geese were counted. The previous high dating back to January 2006, when there were 13,800 Greylag Geese.

Valdecañas reservoir (#2) also reached a peak in January 2013 (2,950 birds), perhaps helped by the low level of the reservoir and the large area of shoreline available. The geese were divided into two zones of the reservoir, a thousand in Bohonal de Ibor and two thousand in El Gordo-Peraleda de la Mata. Rare geese observations suggest little movement between the two sectors. Also, at the end of January the water level rose and some of the geese moved to the nearby pastures of Lugar Nuevo, Peraleda de la Mata. The highest numbers of greylag at Valdecañas were known to be 2250 birds in January 2012 and 1,875 in January 2005.

The remaining traditional greylag locations for winter populations harbored more modest numbers and in no case exceeded previous highs. So, in the reservoir of El Borbollón (#3) 186  were counted compared to the 458 of 2005. In Gabriel y Galán reservoir (#4) there were only 156 birds, half the maximum of 300 in 2000. Portaje reservoir (#5) had 206 geese in 2013, and the maximum was 293 in 2006. In Salor reservoir (#6), and nearby wetlands, there were only 56 individuals. The geese wintering in Llanos de Cáceres may vary location according to the years, the last two being focused on Valdesalor, when before they were at the ebmalse de Guadiloba, with the most in the region (250 birds in 2006). Los Canchales reservoir (#7) was the third location in importance in 2013, with 377 individuals, still far from the 900 of January 2000. Meanwhile, the Torremejía lagoons (#8) had 206 birds, well below the 1,050 peak of January 1999. This subpopulation occupies both these lagoons as Alange reservoir depending on water levels. Finally, the Llerena-Arroyoconejos reservoir (#7) showed a figure of 120 geese, far below the 1,100 in 2002. Although in other locations there can be geese in winter, they are not regular wintering areas. So in the January 2013 census, there were19 sites, and in January 2012, 21 sites. Other censuses, show more than 80 places with a greylag presence, in some cases it could be semi-domestic geese.

Collaborators. Emilio Peña, Adrián Chaves, Alberto Pacheco, Amado Franco, Andrés Maestre, Ángel Luis Sánchez, Ángel Sánchez, Antonio Calvo, Benigno Cienfuegos, Carlos Fernández, Casimiro Corbacho, César Clemente, Daniel Vicente, Dave Langlois, Diego Recio, Domingo Jiménez, Domingo Rivera, Emiliano Godoy, Emilio Costillo, Eva Palacios, Federico Hernández, Felipe Paniagua, Fernando Yuste, Francisco Bernáldez, Francisco Montaño, Godfried Schreur, Heliodoro Barquero, Inés García, Iván Castro, Iván Sánchez, Jasper Quak, Javier Briz, Javier Caballero, Javier Fernández, Javier Mahíllo, Javier Prieta, Jesús Montero, Jesús Porras, Jesús Solana, Joaquín Fernández, Joaquín Vázquez, John Muddeman, José Antonio Román, José Carlos López, José Fernández, José Luis Bautista, José Luis Caballero, José Manuel Rama, José María Guerrero, José Guerra, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Juan Fernández-Blanco, Juan Fernando Trejo, Juan José Blanco, Juan Pablo Prieto, Juan Rodríguez, Julián Panadero, Lorenzo Alcántara, Luis Lozano, Luis Salguero, Manuel Flores, Manuel García del Rey, Manuel Gómez Calzado, Manuel Rodríguez, Marc Gálvez, Marcelino Cardalliaguet, María José Moreno, Martin Kelsey, Miguel Ángel Romo, Óscar Llama, Paula Rodríguez, Rafael Alberto Rubio, Samuel Langlois, Santiago Cáceres, Sergio Mayordomo, Sergio Pérez y Vicente Risco. Coordinador: Javier Prieta.
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Boxes Mipits and more Boxes

So March ends and the East wind still hits the island and the only migration going on is by Meadow Pipits so far.

24 Meadow Pipits ringed this week.



Two garden feeder sites visited this week and in all this cold and snow you would of thought we would of been busy, but NO.

16 new birds were ringed at the Sulby site Coal Tits Great Tits and 7 more Siskin.

4 hours spent at Ballanelson yesterday and only 15 new birds ringed with a few retraps

1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Blackbird, 1 Greenfinch, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Gt Tits, Blue Tits, and Robins.

In the afternoon i decided to visits a friends Farm out Andreas way. I set one net near their feeders and went for a quick look round.

10 new birds ringed Gt Tit, Blue Tit, Long tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Robin and a Tree Sparrow!!!, the first adult Tree Sparrow ringed on the island in nearly 2 years. They are having a bit of a hard time on the island with only one site out in the Curraghs that we know about,  hopefully now i know they are at this new site we can encourage them to increase their population with feeders and Nest Boxes.

Tree Sparrow
Today i went back and placed 5 Tree Sparrow nest Boxes up at the site also saw 3 Tree Sparrows
on Feeders.


On Friday i met up with Les and we placed another 2 Barn Owl Boxes up. A big thanks to Les for all the  help, contacts and knowledge he has.

 So numbers wise another 67 new birds ringed this week hopefully April will bring the Sun, the Wheatears and the Warblers.

So March ends and the East wind still hits the island and the only migration going on is by Meadow Pipits so far.

24 Meadow Pipits ringed this week.



Two garden feeder sites visited this week and in all this cold and snow you would of thought we would of been busy, but NO.

16 new birds were ringed at the Sulby site Coal Tits Great Tits and 7 more Siskin.

4 hours spent at Ballanelson yesterday and only 15 new birds ringed with a few retraps

1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Blackbird, 1 Greenfinch, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Gt Tits, Blue Tits, and Robins.

In the afternoon i decided to visits a friends Farm out Andreas way. I set one net near their feeders and went for a quick look round.

10 new birds ringed Gt Tit, Blue Tit, Long tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Robin and a Tree Sparrow!!!, the first adult Tree Sparrow ringed on the island in nearly 2 years. They are having a bit of a hard time on the island with only one site out in the Curraghs that we know about,  hopefully now i know they are at this new site we can encourage them to increase their population with feeders and Nest Boxes.

Tree Sparrow
Today i went back and placed 5 Tree Sparrow nest Boxes up at the site also saw 3 Tree Sparrows
on Feeders.


On Friday i met up with Les and we placed another 2 Barn Owl Boxes up. A big thanks to Les for all the  help, contacts and knowledge he has.

 So numbers wise another 67 new birds ringed this week hopefully April will bring the Sun, the Wheatears and the Warblers.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Last Week before the Snow

Thinks started to look up last week with 13 Meadow Pipits ringed and another 16 Linnets.
Last Thursday i caught the first Wheatear of the year with two cracking males showing well at Smeale.
Then Friday came and wham Power Cuts, roads closed, ferries cancelled so on.
So this week very little ringing going on but been out birding and doing a spot of photography.
Think the wind is forecast to die down for the weekend so will have to give the ringing a concerted effort.

Wheatear

Found a Little Gull at The Point of Ayre
and a Snow Bunting

Thinks started to look up last week with 13 Meadow Pipits ringed and another 16 Linnets.
Last Thursday i caught the first Wheatear of the year with two cracking males showing well at Smeale.
Then Friday came and wham Power Cuts, roads closed, ferries cancelled so on.
So this week very little ringing going on but been out birding and doing a spot of photography.
Think the wind is forecast to die down for the weekend so will have to give the ringing a concerted effort.

Wheatear

Found a Little Gull at The Point of Ayre
and a Snow Bunting

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PURPLE HERON IN EXTREMADURA


The purple heron (Ardea purpurea) was one of the species covered by the national census in 2011 ardeids promoted by SEO/BirdLife (Garrido et al., 2012). The registered population in Extremadura was 105 pairs, representing only 2% of total the Spanish population (5379 pairs). The most important regions were Andalusia (70%, mostly in Doñana) and, to a lesser extent, Catalonia (13%, 10% in the Ebro Delta). The purple heron trend in Spain is positive, although subject to significant fluctuations depending on the water situation in Doñana. There was an increase between 1960 and 1997 to 2003 and stability further increased in 2011. In Extremadura the heron was found in 11 colonies in eight locations. Most are in mixed colonies (except Zújar River and three isolated pairs) and the nesting sites were in marsh vegetation (90% of pairs), although in several colonies nests are built in trees and shrubs.


Breeding of the purple heron is a recent development in Extremadura, known only from the 1990s. The first colony was reported as Arrocampo reservoir, occupied first in 1992 and an estimated 50 pairs in 1994. The second colony, on the river Zújar, was discovered in 1996, reporting two pairs in 1998. The third location was the dam of Montijo, occupied by six pairs in 1997. Valdecaballeros  has had perhaps some nesting pairs since 1998 (for sure since 2004) and the Guadiana River in Badajoz since 2000. The Alqueva dam reported seven breeding pairs in 2007 and the two remaining colonies (Orellana and Los Molinos) were recorded for the first time in the 2011 census. Apart from these places, there have been casual reports of  the purple heron breeding  at the reservoirs of Portaje and Valuengo and Guadiana river, but not confirmed. There was a failed breeding attempt at the pond of La Calera, Toril (two pairs in 2007)


When assessing the regional trend it must be taken into account that there has been no previous censuses of the species. In 1994 it were estimated there were about 50 pairs in the only colony in Arrocampo. In 2002 it was estimated 70-80 pairs in three colonies: Arrocampo 50-60, Montijo reservoir 15 and River Zújar 5 couples. In 2007 there was a survey of breeding waterbirds, counting 142 adults purple herons in 52 Extremadura wetlands (11% of those sampled), mostly feeding sites close to breeding colonies. Thus in Arrocampo and its surroundings they were at at 14 sites, in the Guadiana between Merida and Alqueva in 18 locations, in two at Zújar River, four on the river Guadalupejo and 14 at other scattered locations. In 2008 the first census was conducted specifically at Arrocampo, with a count of 40-45 pairs, 26 of them successful (Garcia and Prieta, 2011). The second census was collected here in 2011 with 46 pairs, in line with all previous numbers, suggesting a high stability in this colony since its formation. At the Guadiana basin, the trend is positive, with the progressive occupation of new locations and a sharp increase in the number of breeding pairs, peaking (10 colonies and 59 pairs) in 2011.

As for the winter period, the presence of the heron is anecdotal in Spain and Extremadura. In January 2011, only three were found in Spain (Salamanca, Huelva and Malaga). In winter there are some records Extremadura, both adult and immature, aat Vegas Altas and Arrocampo.

Sources:
- Garrido, J. R., Molina, B. y del Moral, J. C. (Eds.) 2012. Las garzas en España, población reproductora e invernante en 2010-2011 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid.  [download]
- García del Rey, M. y Prieta, J.. 2011. Censo de garza imperial (Ardea purpurea) en el Parque Ornitológico de Arrocampo. En, Prieta, J. y Mayordomo, S. 2011. Aves de Extremadura, vol. 4. 2004-2008. SEO-Cáceres. Plasencia. [download]
- Aves de Extremadura. Volúmenes 1, 2, 3 y 4. Años 1998-2008. [download]

Collaborators 2011 survey: Coordinators: Javier Prieta (Cáceres) y José María Traverso (Badajoz). Badajoz: Alfredo Mirat, Antonio García-Ortiz, Antonio Núñez Ossorio, Carmen Galán, Casimiro Corbacho, Emilio Costillo, Fernando Yuste, Jesús Morena, Jesús Solana, José Ángel Salas, José Antonio Fimia, José Elías Rodríguez Vázquez, José Gordillo, José María Traverso, Juan Antonio Barquero, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Luis Galán, María J. García-Baquero, Patricia Gordón, Toribio Álvarez y Xurxo Piñeiro. Cáceres: Agustín Morena, Carmelo Fernández Martínez, César Clemente, Emilio Costillo, Helios Dalmau, Javier Briz, Francisco Javier Caballero, Javier Mahíllo, Javier Prieta, Jerónimo Jaén, Jesús Montero, Juan Manuel Brías, Julián Panadero, Manuel García del Rey, María José Moreno, Martín Kelsey, Sergio Mayordomo y Vicente Risco.

The purple heron (Ardea purpurea) was one of the species covered by the national census in 2011 ardeids promoted by SEO/BirdLife (Garrido et al., 2012). The registered population in Extremadura was 105 pairs, representing only 2% of total the Spanish population (5379 pairs). The most important regions were Andalusia (70%, mostly in Doñana) and, to a lesser extent, Catalonia (13%, 10% in the Ebro Delta). The purple heron trend in Spain is positive, although subject to significant fluctuations depending on the water situation in Doñana. There was an increase between 1960 and 1997 to 2003 and stability further increased in 2011. In Extremadura the heron was found in 11 colonies in eight locations. Most are in mixed colonies (except Zújar River and three isolated pairs) and the nesting sites were in marsh vegetation (90% of pairs), although in several colonies nests are built in trees and shrubs.


Breeding of the purple heron is a recent development in Extremadura, known only from the 1990s. The first colony was reported as Arrocampo reservoir, occupied first in 1992 and an estimated 50 pairs in 1994. The second colony, on the river Zújar, was discovered in 1996, reporting two pairs in 1998. The third location was the dam of Montijo, occupied by six pairs in 1997. Valdecaballeros  has had perhaps some nesting pairs since 1998 (for sure since 2004) and the Guadiana River in Badajoz since 2000. The Alqueva dam reported seven breeding pairs in 2007 and the two remaining colonies (Orellana and Los Molinos) were recorded for the first time in the 2011 census. Apart from these places, there have been casual reports of  the purple heron breeding  at the reservoirs of Portaje and Valuengo and Guadiana river, but not confirmed. There was a failed breeding attempt at the pond of La Calera, Toril (two pairs in 2007)


When assessing the regional trend it must be taken into account that there has been no previous censuses of the species. In 1994 it were estimated there were about 50 pairs in the only colony in Arrocampo. In 2002 it was estimated 70-80 pairs in three colonies: Arrocampo 50-60, Montijo reservoir 15 and River Zújar 5 couples. In 2007 there was a survey of breeding waterbirds, counting 142 adults purple herons in 52 Extremadura wetlands (11% of those sampled), mostly feeding sites close to breeding colonies. Thus in Arrocampo and its surroundings they were at at 14 sites, in the Guadiana between Merida and Alqueva in 18 locations, in two at Zújar River, four on the river Guadalupejo and 14 at other scattered locations. In 2008 the first census was conducted specifically at Arrocampo, with a count of 40-45 pairs, 26 of them successful (Garcia and Prieta, 2011). The second census was collected here in 2011 with 46 pairs, in line with all previous numbers, suggesting a high stability in this colony since its formation. At the Guadiana basin, the trend is positive, with the progressive occupation of new locations and a sharp increase in the number of breeding pairs, peaking (10 colonies and 59 pairs) in 2011.

As for the winter period, the presence of the heron is anecdotal in Spain and Extremadura. In January 2011, only three were found in Spain (Salamanca, Huelva and Malaga). In winter there are some records Extremadura, both adult and immature, aat Vegas Altas and Arrocampo.

Sources:
- Garrido, J. R., Molina, B. y del Moral, J. C. (Eds.) 2012. Las garzas en España, población reproductora e invernante en 2010-2011 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid.  [download]
- García del Rey, M. y Prieta, J.. 2011. Censo de garza imperial (Ardea purpurea) en el Parque Ornitológico de Arrocampo. En, Prieta, J. y Mayordomo, S. 2011. Aves de Extremadura, vol. 4. 2004-2008. SEO-Cáceres. Plasencia. [download]
- Aves de Extremadura. Volúmenes 1, 2, 3 y 4. Años 1998-2008. [download]

Collaborators 2011 survey: Coordinators: Javier Prieta (Cáceres) y José María Traverso (Badajoz). Badajoz: Alfredo Mirat, Antonio García-Ortiz, Antonio Núñez Ossorio, Carmen Galán, Casimiro Corbacho, Emilio Costillo, Fernando Yuste, Jesús Morena, Jesús Solana, José Ángel Salas, José Antonio Fimia, José Elías Rodríguez Vázquez, José Gordillo, José María Traverso, Juan Antonio Barquero, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Luis Galán, María J. García-Baquero, Patricia Gordón, Toribio Álvarez y Xurxo Piñeiro. Cáceres: Agustín Morena, Carmelo Fernández Martínez, César Clemente, Emilio Costillo, Helios Dalmau, Javier Briz, Francisco Javier Caballero, Javier Mahíllo, Javier Prieta, Jerónimo Jaén, Jesús Montero, Juan Manuel Brías, Julián Panadero, Manuel García del Rey, María José Moreno, Martín Kelsey, Sergio Mayordomo y Vicente Risco.
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Gull-tastic!

The highlight of today was seeing 10 species of gull (which included 3 Glaucous Gulls) at Sea Palling. There was a load of Razor Clams washed up during the week by the strong easterly winds and now thousands of gulls have arrived in the area to join in on the shellfish feast.
The rough totals were:
Glaucous Gull - 3 (all 1st winters, but there was also a 3rd-winter in the area that I didn't see).
Yellow-legged Gull - 7
Little Gull - 9
Mediterranean Gull - 6
Kittiwake - 10
Common Gull - 1000+
Black-headed Gull - 1000+
Herring Gull - 500
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 300
Great Black-backed Gull - 100

2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull

Adult Yellow-legged Gull (top), adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (middle), 1st-winter Herring Gull (lower-right) and 2nd-winter Common Gull (lower-left)

Oiled Adult Common Gull

Juvenile Herring Gull

Adult winter Little Gull

Juvenile Kittiwake

Adult Kittiwake (left), adult summer Mediterranean Gull (centre) and adult summer Black-headed Gull.

Adult Common Gulls

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

Add caption

1st winter Glaucous Gull

Gull watching

Some of the gulls.
Also on the beach were a few waders, including Sanderling and about 6 Purple Sandpipers.

Purple Sandpiper

On the way out to the coast I found 7 Cranes just north-west of Acle bridge feeding near the road. Here's some photos and a video of them.



The highlight of today was seeing 10 species of gull (which included 3 Glaucous Gulls) at Sea Palling. There was a load of Razor Clams washed up during the week by the strong easterly winds and now thousands of gulls have arrived in the area to join in on the shellfish feast.
The rough totals were:
Glaucous Gull - 3 (all 1st winters, but there was also a 3rd-winter in the area that I didn't see).
Yellow-legged Gull - 7
Little Gull - 9
Mediterranean Gull - 6
Kittiwake - 10
Common Gull - 1000+
Black-headed Gull - 1000+
Herring Gull - 500
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 300
Great Black-backed Gull - 100

2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull

Adult Yellow-legged Gull (top), adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (middle), 1st-winter Herring Gull (lower-right) and 2nd-winter Common Gull (lower-left)

Oiled Adult Common Gull

Juvenile Herring Gull

Adult winter Little Gull

Juvenile Kittiwake

Adult Kittiwake (left), adult summer Mediterranean Gull (centre) and adult summer Black-headed Gull.

Adult Common Gulls

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

Add caption

1st winter Glaucous Gull

Gull watching

Some of the gulls.
Also on the beach were a few waders, including Sanderling and about 6 Purple Sandpipers.

Purple Sandpiper

On the way out to the coast I found 7 Cranes just north-west of Acle bridge feeding near the road. Here's some photos and a video of them.



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