Wednesday 15 June 2011

MAY 2011: Notable bird sightings in Extremadura

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). Talaván Reservoir, Cáceres. 14.05.2011 (Eva Palacios).

A list of the most notable bird sightings in Extremadura in May 2011, most taken from the GOCE birdwatching forum. Compiled by Sergio Mayordomo

- Greylag Goose: flock of 7 adults and 2 chicks at Alqueva Reservoir(Badajoz) on 11/05 (Ángel Sánchez). First breeding record in Extremadura, although feral birds cannot be ruled out.
- Barnacle Goose: one bird seen during April at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) still there on 02/05 (Eva Palacios, Paco Ramírez, Javier Prieta, Miguel Ángel Muñoz and Sergio Mayordomo).
- Shelduck: up to 18 pairs seen at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres)on 05/05 and a pair with 2 chicks on 11/05 (Á. Sánchez, Francisco Hurtado, José Guerrero and Manuel Flores). First breeding record for Extremadura.
- Shoveler: 1 drake at La Albuera lakes (Badajoz) on 01/05 (José Guerra and Marc Gálvez). Three drakes and 1 duck at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo). One drake at Valdecañas Reservoir(Cáceres) on 05/05 (Á. Sánchez, F. Hurtado, J. Guerrero and M. Flores). One at Talaván Reservoir (Cáceres) on 20/05 (Antonio Núñez).
- Red-Crested Pochard: 5 drakes and 1 duck at River Guadiana, Talavera la Real (Badajoz), on 04/05 (G. Schreur). 10 drakes and 2 ducks at Alange Reservoir(Badajoz) on 17/05 (Á. Sánchez).
- Pochard: one drake at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo). 2 drakes at Aldea del Cano (Cáceres) on 13/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Tufted Duck: one pair at a small reservoir Zorita (Cáceres) on 11/05 (Á. Sánchez).
- Cormorant: 250 occupied nests counted at La Serena Reservoir Badajoz) in 2 colonies of 240 and 10 nests on 15/05 (Mª José Valencia and Xurxo Piñeiro) and 262 nests at the first of these colonies on 26/05 (Á. Sánchez, Domingo Rivera and Luis Lozano). This gives a total of 272 nests on this reservoir.
- Spoonbill: two new breeding colonies discovered, one with an estimated 12 nests at Valle del Tiétar on 04/05 (J. Prieta) and another at Valle del Alagón with 3 nests on 20/05 (César Clemente).
- Squacco Heron: one bird at Arrocampo Reservoir (Cáceres) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo), 2 on 11/05 (J. Prieta) and 1 on 15/05 (J. Briz). This makes at least 3 pairs present at this reservoir in spring 2011.
- Hobby: one at Dehesa Boyal de Montehermoso (Cáceres) in early May (Javier Mahillo). One at the dam of Valdecañas Reservoir(Cáceres) on 14/05 (G. Schreur). One at Alange on 18/05 and another at Santa Marta de Magasca on 19/05 (Martin Kelsey). Three birds seen at Talayuela (Cáceres) on 22/05 (Jesús Calle). One bird at Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres) on 28/05 (Dave Langlois).
- Purple Swamphen: one at River Guadiana, Talavera la Real (Badajoz), on 04/05 (G. Schreur).
- Lapwing: over 10 birds at La Albuera lakes(Badajoz)on 01/05 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 7 with breeding behaviour on 04/05 (G. Schreur). One at Torremejía Lake (Badajoz) on 02/05 (A. Núñez). One at Campo Lugar (Cáceres) on 14/05 (M. Kelsey). Three at Galisteo ricefields(Cáceres) on 22/05 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Kentish Plover: about 10 birds at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Headed Gull: 20 pairs with breeding behaviour at Alange Reservoir(Badajoz) during May (Á. Sánchez). 81 birds at Madrigalejo (Cáceres) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo). 40 birds on Yelbes ricefields(Badajoz) on 07/05 (Jesús Solana). 5 breeding-plumage adults at Portaje Reservoir(Cáceres) on 21/05 and 8 breeding-plumage adults at Galisteo ricefields(Cáceres) on 22/05 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Yellow-Legged Gull: 4 nests at Valdecañas Reservoir(Cáceres) on 05/05 (Á. Sánchez, F. Hurtado, J. Guerrero and M. Flores). Some immatures at Alange Reservoir (Badajoz) on 17/05 (Á. Sánchez).
- Long-Eared Owl: one at Alconchel (Badajoz) on 02/05 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- White-Rumped Swift: as well as numerous Monfragüe records, one bird was observed at Guijo de Santa Bárbara (Cáceres) on 08/05 (G. Schreur) and 22/05 (Jesús Calle) and 4 at los Canchos de Ramiro (Cáceres) on 22/05 (C. Clemente).
- Yellow Wagtail: several males singing at Casas de Hitos ricefields(Badajoz) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo) and 1 bird on 14/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Tree Pipit: One territorial male singing at Dehesa de Abajo, Tornavacas (Cáceres), on 10/05 (J. Prieta). Third likely breeding record for Extremadura.
- Skylark: several birds seen at Puerto de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 02/05 and one at Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo). One bird at Llanos del Convento, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 07/05 (Alberto Pacheco).
- Chiffchaff: one male singing in Holm Oaks next to Arroyo Fresnedoso, Talayuela (Cáceres) on 04/05 and another in a pinewood at Dehesa de Abajo de Tornavacas (Cáceres) on 10/05 (J. Prieta).
- Iberian Chiffchaff: one male singing at Puerto de Miravete (Cáceres) on 24/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Spotted Flycatcher: one at River Almonte, Trujillo, on 09/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Rock Thrush: one pair at Puerto de Esperabán, Pinofranqueado (Cáceres), on 05/05 (A. Pacheco). 2 males and 1 female at Pico Villuercas (Cáceres) on 13/05 (Fergus Crystal and Juan Pablo Prieto). One pair at Pitolero, Cabezabellosa (Cáceres), on 21/05 (Eric Quin) and 1 male in the same place on 22/05 (R. Montero).
- Redstart: several pairs at Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) during May (A. Pacheco). One male at La Codosera (Badajoz) on 06/05 (G. Schreur). Two males in a pinewood at 1550 m at Dehesa de Abajo, Tornavacas (Cáceres); 2 males in same place on 10/05 (J. Prieta) and 1 different male on 24/05 (Iván Solana and J. Prieta). At Brezo mountain refuge, Losar de la Vera (Cáceres), one male on 14/05 and 3 on 21/05 (D. Langlois). Three males at Sierra de Alor, Olivenza (Badajoz), on 15/05 (Juan Carlos Paniagua). One pair in a Cork-Oak wood at Sierra de Santa Catalina, Serradilla (Cáceres), on 20/05 (Alfredo Gómez).
- Wheatear: one pair at Santa Marta de Magasca (Cáceres) on 19/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Crossbill: one male singing at 1520 m in a pinewood at Dehesa de Abajo, Tornavacas (Cáceres), on 10/05 (J. Prieta) and a young bird seen there on 24/05 (I. Solana and J. Prieta). Second certain breeding record and site for Extremadura.

LINGERING WINTER VISITORS AND SPRING MIGRANTS
- Teal: One drake at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo) and a pair there on 13/05 (Godfried Schreur).
- Osprey: One bird at Arrocampo Reservoir(Cáceres) on 08/05 (Javier Esteban) and 09/05 (G. Schreur). One bird mobbed by a Raven at Borbollón Reservoir(Cáceres) on 11/05 (Rafael Vicente).
- Hen Harrier: one bird at Valverde de Leganés (Badajoz) on 04/05 (G. Schreur).
- Golden Plover: 3 birds in breeding plumage at Santa Amalia ricefields (Badajoz) on 02/05 (Fernando Yuste).
- Ringed Plover: 4 birds at a pond at Alange (Badajoz) on 11/05 and on 18/05 and two at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 14/05 (M. Kelsey). 14 birds at Galisteo ricefield (Cáceres) on 18/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Black-Tailed Godwit: one bird at La Albuera Lakes(Badajoz) on 01/05 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez).
- Redshank: one bird on a pond between Alange and Almendralejo (Badajoz) on 11/05 (M. Kelsey). One bird at Guadiloba Reservoir on 24/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Marsh Sandpiper: one bird at Casas de Hitos ricefields (Badajoz) on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo).
- Green Sandpiper: one bird at Galisteo Lake (Cáceres) on 18/05 (S. Mayordomo).
- Dunlin: one bird in breeding plumage at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz)on 02/05 (E. Palacios, P. Ramírez, J. Prieta, M. Á. Muñoz and S. Mayordomo) and 7 birds at Torremejía Lake(Badajoz) (A. Núñez). Two birds at a pond between Alange and Almendralejo (Badajoz) on 11/05 and one at Casas de Hitos (Badajoz) on 14/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Curlew Sandpiper: one bird at La Albuera lakes(Badajoz) on 01/05 (J. Guerra and M. Galvez). One bird at a pond between Alange and Almendralejo (Badajoz) on 11/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Little Stint: 4 at Torremejía Lake(Badajoz) on 02/05 (A. Núñez). Two birds on a pond between Alange and Almendralejo (Badajoz) on 11/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Sanderling: one bird on a pond between Alange and Almendralejo (Badajoz) on 11/05 (M. Kelsey).
- Lesser Black-Backed Gull: 2 birds at Torremejía lake(Badajoz) on 02/05 (A. Núñez). One bird at Yelbes ricefields (Badajoz) on 07/05 (J. Solana). Several at on Alange Reservoir(Badajoz) on 17/05 (Á. Sánchez). One immature at Galisteo ricefields (Cáceres) on 22/05 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Black Tern: 3 at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 21/05 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Whiskered Tern: 6 at La Albuera lakes (Badajoz) on 01/05 (J. Guerra and M. Gálvez) and 5 there on 04/05 (G. Schreur). Ten at Valdecañas Reservoir (Cáceres) on 05/05 (Á. Sánchez, F. Hurtado, J. Guerrero and M. Flores). Two at Valdesalor Reservoir on 06/05 (S. Mayordomo). One at Portaje Reservoir (Cáceres) on 21/05 (E. Palacios and S. Mayordomo).
- Whinchat: One female at Arrocampo (Cáceres) on 09/05 (G. Schreur), another female at Galisteo (Cáceres) on 13/05 (S. Mayordomo) and another at Cabezabellosa on 21/05 (E. Quin).
- Garden Warbler: 20+ birds feeding on blackberries in the hedgerows of River Guadiana at Talavera la Real (Badajoz), up to 9 birds in one bush, on 02/05 (G. Schreur).
- Sedge Warbler: one bird under the Roman Bridge of Mérida (Badajoz) on 11/05 (M. Kelsey).