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Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (male, left - female, right) |
Claudio informed us that Spanish Imperial Eagle would be very difficult to see in Donana this year as all but one of the nests had failed, so we were glad that we had put in the effort to see this species in Monfrague. He also informed us that he had recently seen a dark morph egret in the area, and later in the morning I was amazed to see the creature in question flying across the marismas. We managed to get some distant views of the bird, which showed an obvious white chin patch and scattered white feathers in the wings (primary coverts/bases, left alula, white slightly more extensive in the left wing), but it then flew much further away and we decided to move on as there were many other target birds to see. Near the Valverde centre Claudio showed us a pair of Crested (Red-knobbed) Coots with two young "knoblets"; one of the adults bore a neck collar (4M) to indicate that it was one of the c.150 individuals released in southern Spain as part of a reintroduction project. The other adult was uncollared and was therefore 'countable'! We enjoyed great views of the birds, which showed a blueish tinge to the bill and the characteristic red knobs above the frontal shield.
At the Valverde centre at Lucio Cerrado Garrido we enjoyed the fantastic heronry; in the last 5 or 6 years Glossy Ibis has colonised here, and there are now at least 50 pairs, along with large numbers of Purple, Grey, Black-crowned Night and Squacco Herons, Little and Cattle Egrets, and several pairs of Little Bitterns. This tremendous spectacle was augmented by Great Reed Warblers, Purple Gallinules, the ubiquitous Greater Flamingos and plenty of wildfowl. After a coffee we headed back c.200m along the track to the small bridge overlooking the lagoon where we'd seen the dark morph egret earlier. Gill had caught a glimpse of a "dark bird with white in the wings" dropping into a nearby channel, and sure enough it was the egret, this time showing extremely well and allowing me to get some video footage by pointing my camera down the telescope. The structure of the bill and all other features strongly suggested Western Reef Egret of the west African race gularis.
After studying the bird at length we headed back towards Coto del Rey, where we relocated the Red-necked Nightjar (which had returned to its nest) and enjoyed stunning views of the bird almost perfectly camouflaged on the ground. By this time (3pm) the heat was starting to increase and we drove back to the hotel in El Rocio for a two-hour siesta, during which we managed to catch up with highlights of England's victory over Argentina in the World Cup. Claudio returned at 5pm and we drove south of El Rocio to an area of grassy fields. As soon as we stopped the car, I heard a farting sound coming from the field (my ears must be used to it) and I immediately picked out the head of the culprit, a male Little Bustard, its neck swelling with each rasp. Apparently we had been quite lucky to pull this one back in Donana (after dipping in Extremadura), as this was the only one that Claudio had seen all year - they are declining quite sharply here. From here we headed back north, and drove around the northern marismas back to the Valverde centre via Stone Curlews, Spanish Sparrows, Lesser Short-toed Larks and more Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. By the time we got to the Valverde centre it was closed, but we scanned the various lagoons for the main final target, Marbled Duck. Claudio had warned us that these had become tricky in the last few weeks, so I was resigning myself to missing out on them until Claudio found a pair on the lagoon opposite where the dark morph egret was still performing. We got good binocular views of the Marbled Ducks, but as we were setting up the telescopes they disappeared, and after a further half hour of searching we realised we had lost our Marbles. All that remained was to drive back to the Coto del Rey for dusk, where we had fantastic roadside views of a young Tawny Owl. At dusk, at least two Red-necked Nightjars were performing their "kutok-kutok-kutok" display, and we had up to two birds flying around us. However, Claudio reckoned that they weren't performing at their best due to the strong breeze - I don't think we could complain too much though! What a day, and many thanks to Claudio for his patience and tireless efforts in showing us the birds.
8th June: After such a great day with Claudio we took it a little easier today, and spent the morning and early afternoon on the beach at Matalascanas. We then set off at 3pm towards Sevilla, then south to the Laguna de Medina near Jerez, arriving just after 4.30pm. From the car park I was able to scope our final quarry, White-headed Duck. By walking along the path that runs along the southern edge of the lagoon we managed to get good views of at least 3 males and a female, although they could be tricky at times as they kept close in to the near shore, and spent more time under the water than on top of it! Across the lagoon, there were two huge flocks of Coot that spread out like oil slicks across the surface, probably involving between 1500-2000 birds in total. This is supposed to be a good site for Crested Coot, but most of the birds were fairly distant and you would need a slice of luck and considerable patience to pick one out. The areas of water that did not contain Coots were filled with pairs of Black-necked Grebes and wildfowl including Red-crested Pochard. We spent the early evening in Jerez, walking around the Alcanaz fort with its picturesque gardens, before driving back to El Rocio for our final night at the Hotel Toruno.
9th June: Unfortunately the final morning in El Rocio was not a pleasant experience for me, as a combination of too much sun the day before and a particularly nasty stomach bug combined to spectacular effect. This meant that the 6-hour drive back to Madrid had to be done by Gill alone, while I curled up on the back seat of the car in a pretty sorry state. We checked into the Hotel Avion again, which was slightly expensive at 100 euros per night, but at least it was convenient for the airport.
10th June: Took the hire car back to the airport for 8.30am, and crawled onto the Easyjet back to Aberdeen via Luton. By the time we got home both of us were feeling the effects of the bug, although this unfortunate end to the holiday didn't spoil our enjoyment of what had been a great trip. Can't wait 'til we go back!
Systematic List:
Taxonomy and order of species follows that of the Collins Bird Guide (Mullarney et al. 1999).
1. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis. Several pairs at the Laguna de Medina 8/6.
2. Little Grebe Tachybaptus podiceps. First noted at a pool in Bujaraloz 29/5; also fairly common in Coto de Donana.
3. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. Only noted in Coto de Donana e.g. Laguna de Rocina.
4. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus. Singles at Laguna Primera de Palos and El Acebuche 6/7; c.3 at the Valverde Centre 7/6.
5. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. Fairly common around the Valverde Centre 7/6.
6. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Uncommon in Northern Spain, but common in Southern Spain with colonies at Merida and the Valverde Centre.
7. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides. Small numbers at the Valverde heronry 7/6.
8. Little Egret Egretta garzetta. 2 over Barcelona Playa de Catalunya 31/5; common in south.
9. Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis. A dark morph adult egret considered to be of this species on the marismas near the Lucio Cerrado Garrido Valverde Information Centre 7/6. Probably of the west African race gularis. Many thanks to the birders who have sent their comments to me on this bird following the photos I posted on surfbirds.com.
10. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. First recorded in the Ebro valley 29/5; common in southern Spain.
11. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea. Singles at Laguna Primera de Palos and El Acebuche 6/6. Many pairs at the Valverde heronry 7/6 including several fledglings.
12. White Stork Ciconia ciconia. Singles seen over the road between Madrid and Zaragoza 26/5 and in the Ebro Valley 29/5 were the only birds seen in the north, but almost every pylon in some regions of Extremadura had a pair, and the rooftops of Caceres and Trujillo had several pairs with young. Fairly common in Donana.
13. Black Stork Ciconia nigra. 1 Penafalcon, 3 Portilla del Tietar including a nesting pair on the cliff + 2 chicks 2/6; 1 over Trujillo 3/6.
14. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus. c.50 pairs Valverde heronry 7/6.
15. Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia. Fairly common around Donana.
16. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber. On our first night in El Rocio I counted at least 800 on the lagoon outside the hotel; common and conspicuous in Donana.
17. Greylag Anser anser. Small numbers in Donana 5-8/6 e.g. 4 Laguna de Rocina 5/6.
18. Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. One on the northern marismas in Donana 7/6, a late date according to Claudio.
19. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Common and widespread.
20. Gadwall Anas strepera. Fairly common in Donana.
21. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata. Small numbers in Donana 7/6.
22. Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris. A pair on the marismas near Lucio Cerrado Garrido 7/6.
23. Common Pochard Aythya ferina. Small numbers in Donana.
24. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. Flocks of c. 100 birds on the marismas 7/6 and at Laguna de Medina 8/6.
25. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. Only seen at Laguna Primera de Palos and El Acebuche 6/6.
26. White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. 3 males + 1 female Laguna de Medina 8/6.
27. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus. Single adults at Riglos 26/5; Boca de Infierno (3 sightings of possibly the same bird), 2 together Gabardito 27/5; single adult over Boca de Infierno 28/5.
28. Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus. A few seen en route from Madrid 26/5; common in the Pyrenees with excellent views at San Juan de la Pena, especially from the telecom post. Common and conspicuous in Monfrague, with possibly the best views at Penafalcon in the late afternoon. 2 were seen distantly in Donana 7/6.
29. Black Vulture Aegypius monachus. Several sightings in Monfrague 1-2/6, with Mirador de la Bascula being probably the best site (4+ on the evening of 1/6).
30. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus. Adults seen over Riglos 26/5 and the campsite at Hecho 28/5 and 29/5; 2+1 San Juan de la Pena 28/5; several sightings in Monfrague including nesting birds on the cliffs amongst the Griffons.
31. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos. A second calendar year bird near St Marta de Magasca 3/6.
32. Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti. An adult seen from the Mirador de la Bascula 2/6.
33. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus. Singles seen in various locations, fairly common in Monfrague.
34. Booted Eagle Hiareetus pennatus. Several light morph birds in the Pyrenees and Monfrague; the only definite dark morph birds we saw were at Portilla del Tietar 2/6 and in Donana 7/6.
35. Red Kite Milvus milvus. Common in the Pyrenees esp. in the Hecho Valley, less common in Southern Spain.
36. Black Kite Milvus migrans. Common and widespread.
37. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus. One flew across the 108 west of Navalmoral 1/6, but better views were had of two birds hunting near Monroy in the early evening 2/6.
38. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. First seen in the Ebro Valley 29/5; several Coto de Donana 5-8/6.
39. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus. A male seen from the Castillo de Loarre 26/5.
40. Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus. Small numbers in the Ebro Valley and around Belchite 29/5; common around the Caceres/Trujillo plains 3-4/6; also small numbers in Donana.
41. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. Fairly common and widespread.
42. Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. Singles at San Juan de la Pena 28/5 and Portilla del Tietar 2/6.
43. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Fairly common and widespread.
44. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni. Hunting parties of up to 12 birds over the Caceres/Trujillo plains near La Encinilla 3/6; 20+ Trujillo town centre 3/6; 10+ Caceres town centre 4/6.
45. Hobby Falco subbuteo. One sat in a field near Laguna la Playa 30/5.
46. Peregrine Falco peregrinus. Adult over Penafalcon 2/6.
47. Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa. Singles noted in various locations.
48. Quail Coturnix coturnix. One heard calling from the tent in Hecho 28/5.
49. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus. Fairly common in southern Spain.
50. Coot Fulica atra. Huge flocks at Laguna de Medina 8/6; large numbers in Donana.
51. Crested Coot Fulica cristata. Excellent views of a pair plus two young on the marismas near the Valverde centre 7/6. One of the adults was from the reintroduction scheme and carried a neck collar (4M).
52. Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio. Fairly common in Donana, esp. at the La Rocina pools, El Acebuche and around the Valverde Centre.
53. Great Bustard Otis tarda. 1+6 near La Encinilla; 2 north of Belen 3/6.
54. Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax. Excellent views of a calling male south-west of El Rocio 7/6. They are surprisingly difficult at this time of the year! Other British birders I spoke to had seen a male near La Encinilla.
55. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta. Several small parties in Donana.
56. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. First seen at small roadside pools near Sarinena 29/5; subsequently seen in various locations. Common in the south.
57. Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus. Heard at Belchite 29/5; 2 seen near Villamanrique 7/6.
58. Collared Pratincole Glareola praticola. 2 were seen from the hotel balcony at El Rocio 5/6; common around the fields and marismas of Donana 7/6; also a few over the road en route to Jerez 8/6.
59. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius. 2 El Acebuche 6/6.
60. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus. 2 Donana 7/6.
61. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. Only seen in and around Donana, where fairly common around the marismas.
62. Dunlin Calidris alpina. A distant party of small waders in Donana on 7/6 were probably of this species; another was seen at the La Rocina lagoon 5/6.
63. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. 1 on the river at Hecho 27/5 was the only one noted on the trip.
64. Common Redshank Tringa totanus. 2 in Donana 7/6.
65. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa. Several large flocks in Donana. Over 1000 were present at the La Rocina lagoon on the afternoon of 5/6 viewable from the hotel balcony.
66. Ruff Philmachus pugnax. A single bird in Donana 7/6.
67. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus. Fairly common and widespread except in the north.
68. Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans michahellis. Several were seen at El Garraf and Barcelona 30/5-1/6; also seen at La Rocina lagoon and along the coast between Matalascanas and Huelva. Also several were congregating at Laguna de Medina 8/6.
69. Little Tern Sterna albifrons. 1 at Laguna Primera de Palos 6/6; small numbers in Donana 7/6.
70. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis. 1 in Donana 7/6.
71. Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica. Several in Donana 7/6 over the marismas; also a colony of c. 50 pairs on the northern marismas.
72. Common Tern Sterna hirundo. Small numbers in and around Donana.
73. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus. The only species of marsh tern noted; fairly common in Donana and ever-present outside our hotel balcony and restaurant at El Rocio.
74. Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis. Several small parties were noted with excellent flight views, but never seen on the ground: 2 Belchite 29/5, 2+4+8+2 Laguna de la Playa 30/5; 3+2 La Encinilla 3/6.
75. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata. A party of c.8 birds were seen flying over Belchite on the evening of 29/5; another single in flight at La Encinilla 3/6. Excellent views of a party of c.13 birds in Donana on the morning of 7/6 enjoying dust baths at the roadside, candidates for birds of the trip; parties of 2+3 birds were seen in flight over the northern marismas in the afternoon of 7/6.
76. Rock Dove Columba livia. Small numbers of "genuine" birds at Riglos 26/5.
77. Stock Dove Columba oenas. Occasional flyover birds at various locations en route.
78. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus. Common and widespread.
79. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto. Common in the north; also esp. numerous around the monastery at La Rabida - I don't think I've ever seen so many!
80. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur. Fairly common and widespread, more often heard than seen.
81. Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus. Heard at various locations, also occasional birds seen flying over the road. Several were seen around La Encinilla, sadly none had great spots e.g. 1 on 3/6, 4 on 4/6.
82. Tawny Owl Strix aluco. 2-3 birds were heard calling from the tent every night at Hecho; excellent views of a grey morph bird in Donana 7/6.
83. Eagle Owl Bubo bubo. 2 recently fledged juveniles on the cliffs at Portilla del Tietar 2/6; also an adult heard calling there and another (possibly the adult) seen flying along the ridge.
84. Little Owl Athene noctua. Fairly common; several were seen around Los Monegros and also Monfrague and Donana. They seem to favour small piles of rocks in open fields.
85. Scops Owl Otus scops. One, possibly 2 heard from the rooftops at Hecho 28/5; also heard at Belchite on the morning of 30/5, and heard on most nights from the tent at Monfrague.
86. European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. One heard churring from the tent at Hecho at 4am 28/5.
87. Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis. One flying around a small clearing c.200m west of the Mirador de la Bascula 2/6; excellent views of a bird on 2 eggs in the Coto del Rey, Donana 7/6; 2-3 birds singing and flying around there in the evening.
88. Common Swift Apus apus. Numerous and widespread.
89. Pallid Swift Apus pallidus. Definite sightings near St. Marta de Magasca 3-4/6 and Merida 5/6.
90. Alpine Swift Apus melba. First recorded over Barcelona city centre with up to ten birds 31/5; excellent views around Monfrague and esp. at the Roman bridge in Merida 5/6.
91. White-rumped Swift Apus caffer. 4-5 birds viewed from the Sanctuario y Castillo de Monfrague 2/6.
92. Hoopoe Upupa epops. Common and widespread.
93. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. 2 at Laguna Primera de Palos 6/6.
94. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster. Seen almost daily (except in Barcelona area); fairly common and widespread.
95. European Roller Coracias garrulus. A superb adult right beside the car near Escatron 30/5; 1ad+1juv between La Encinilla and St. Marta de Magasca 4/6.
96. Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus. Over 20 sightings of this noisy resident of Barcelona at various locations in the city 31/5.
97. Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius. Heard only; 2 Gabardito 27/5, 1 heard at dawn from the campsite at Hecho 28/5.
98. (Sharpe's) Green Woodpecker Picus viridis sharpei. One flew over the road near Zaragoza 26/5.
99. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major. Singles noted at various locations e.g. Riglos 26/5, Gabardito 27/5, San Juan de la Pena 28/5, Sanctuario y Castillo de Monfrague 2/6.
100. Skylark Alauda arvensis. Fairly common and widespread.
101. Crested Lark Galerida cristata. The common lark, esp. abundant in Extremadura it is quite difficult to avoid running them over!
102. Thekla Lark Galerida theklae. Only definitely identified in Monfrague; most Galerida larks had to go down as "Creklas".
103. Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla. Common and widespread, esp. in Los Monegros.
104. Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens. 15-20 birds were seen at the roadside amongst the northern marismas in Donana 7/6, including several singing birds.
105. Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra. Excellent views of c. 4 birds displaying at Belchite 29-30/5; common around Los Monegros esp. at Laguna de la Playa, also seen in Donana with 2 on 7/6.
106. Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti. 3-4 singing at the Lomazas steppe reserve, Belchite from 8.30pm onwards; 6+ singing around the car park the next morning. Very brief views of one bird on the evening of the 29th; slightly better views of a bird on a track on the 30th.
107. Sand Martin Riparia riparia. Strangely, this bird was only recorded in small numbers in Donana near the Valverde centre 7/6.
108. Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris. Fairly common and widespread; excellent views in the Pyrenees and in Monfrague.
109. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. Common and widespread.
110. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica. Seen in various locations, but absent from the Pyrenees. Excellent views from the Sanctuario y Castillo de Monfrague 2/6.
111. House Martin Delichon urbica. Common near human habitation.
112. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris. Gill found a splendid displaying bird near the telecom post at San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
113. White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba. Fairly common and widespread.
114. (Spanish) Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae. Numerous around the marismas in Donana 7/6.
115. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea. Pair at Boca de Infierno 27-28/5; also seen in Monfrague 2/6.
116. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes. Common in the Pyrenees and wooded areas.
117. (Black-bellied) Dipper Cinclus cinclus. A pair were frequenting the gorge at Boca de Infierno 27-28/5.
118. Dunnock Prunella modularis. Fairly common only in the Pyrenees, not seen in Extremadura or Donana.
119. European Robin Erithacus rubecula. Fairly common in the Pyrenees and Extremadura.
120. Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos. Common in the Pyrenees, Extremadura and Donana (esp. at La Rocina and El Acebuche); a recent fledgling was seen at La Rocina 5/6.
121. Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus. Heard only near Hecho 28/5.
122. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros. Common and widespread.
123. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe. Fairly common in Los Monegros 29-30/5.
124. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe hispanica. A female near Castillo de Loarre 26/5; c.4 Monfrague 1-2/6.
125. Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura. A splendid male feeding young at the base of the cliffs at Riglos 26/5.
126. Stonechat Saxicola torquata. Small numbers seen in various locations; a family party at Laguna de Medina 8/6.
127. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius. Fairly common in Monfrague, with birds seen at Portilla del Tietar, Penafalcon and the Sanctuario.
128. Rock Thrush Monticola saxatalis. A single distant bird near Gabardito 27/5.
129. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos. Fairly common in the Pyrenees.
130. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus. Only recorded at Gabardito 27/5.
131. Blackbird Turdus merula. Common and widespread.
132. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla. Numerous in the Pyrenees and Monfrague.
133. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala. Seen and heard in various locations e.g. El Garraf 31/5, El Acebuche 6/6.
134. Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis. Seen and heard in various locations.
135. Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans. 2 at Mirador de la Bascula 2/6.
136. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis. Common and widespread.
137. Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides. Singing birds in Donana at El Acebuche and La Rocina (2+).
138. Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti. Fairly common, heard at various locations throughout.
139. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus. Family party of 4 birds at La Rocina 5/6.
140. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus. One at Laguna Primera de Palos 6/6; common around the Valverde centre 7/6.
141. Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli. Several singing birds in the woods around the lower monastery at San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
142. Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita. Singing birds in the Pyrenees at Gabardito 27/5 and San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
143. Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus brehmii. A singing bird below the Sanctuario y Castillo de Monfrague 2/6.
144. Goldcrest Regulus regulus. Fairly common in the Pyrenees.
145. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus. Small numbers at Gabardito 27/5 and several in the woods around the lower monastery at San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
146. Spotted Flycatcher Musciapa striata. Common in the woodlands around La Rocina 5/6.
147. Great Tit Parus major. Common and widespread.
148. Coal Tit Parus ater. Common in the Pyrenees.
149. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus. Common and widespread.
150. Crested Tit Parus cristatus. 2-3 Gabardito 27/5.
151. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus. A couple of family parties in Monfrague 2/6.
152. Nuthatch Sitta europaea. 2 San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
153. Treecreeper Certhia familiaris. Only certainly identified at San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
154. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia familiaris. 2+ San Juan de la Pena; also a confiding individual at the Monfrague campsite 3/6 giving its characteristic insistent, accelerating call. 2 heard in the Coto del Rey 7/6.
155. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio. Fairly common in the Pyrenees esp. in the Hecho Valley.
156. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. The commonest shrike, encountered throughout the trip.
157. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius (excubitor) meridionalis. First seen at Belchite, a single on 30/5; also seen in Monfrague 1-2/6 and 2 along the road to La Encinilla 4/6.
158. Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus. Common in Extremadura, and 10+ confiding individuals were seen daily around the campsite. Also seen daily in Donana, esp. at El Acebuche.
159. Black-billed Magpie Pica pica. The first bird seen on the trip in Madrid, common and widespread.
160. Jay Garrulus glandarius. Small numbers seen in various locations e.g. Portilla del Tietar 2/6.
161. Jackdaw Corvus monedula. Common throughout.
162. (Red-billed) Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Fairly common in the Pyrenees, and a nest with 3 well-developed young was found inside the walls of the Castillo de Monfrague 2/6.
163. Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus. Only seen at Gabardito 27/5 (c.15).
164. Carrion Crow Corvus corone. Fairly common throughout.
165. Raven Corvus corax. Small numbers seen in various locations throughout.
166. Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor. Common throughout; no definite Common Starlings were identified in Northern Spain.
167. House Sparrow Passer domesticus. The common sparrow, esp. around human habitation.
168. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniola. Local, but large flocks (500+) were seen around La Encinilla and St. Marta de Magasca 3-4/6; also seen nesting in a White Stork nest in northern Donana near Villamanrique. A site mentioned in the Gosney guide at a bridge over the Rio Almonte north of Caceres only had House Sparrows, but there were excellent views of Alpine Swifts here.
169. Tree Sparrow Passer montanus. Small numbers seen around the Ciudadela in Jaca 29/5.
170. Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia. Nesting in the walls of the Castillo de Loarre; 2 at the Hecho Campsite 28/5; large colony (c.100 pairs?) in the walls of the Ciudadela at Jaca 29/5.
171. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs. Common and widespread.
172. Linnet Carduelis cannabina. Fairly common, esp. at Merida 5/6.
173. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis. Common in gardens and parks.
174. Greenfinch Carduelis choris. Common in gardens and parks.
175. Siskin Carduelis spinus. Only recorded in the Pyrenees.
176. Citril Finch Serinus citrinella. Fairly common in the woods around San Juan de la Pena, esp. near the car park at the Upper Monastery (sometimes feeding on the gravel at the side of the track), and at the T-junction where the road leads off to the telecom post.
177. Serin Serinus serinus. Fairly common in gardens and woodland.
178. Bullfinch Pyrrhubla pyrrhula. 3 near Boca de Infierno 27/5.
179. Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes. 1+1 at Sanctuario y Castillo de Monfrague 2/6, including excellent views of one on the path. Another roadside single was seen in Monfrague on 4/6.
180. Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra. Heard only at Gabardito 27/5 and San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
181. Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. Only seen at Laguna de Medina 8/6.
182. Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus. Single in Monfrague 2/6.
183. Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra. Fairly common throughout esp. the plains around Trujillo/Caceres.
184. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia. Singles seen at various locations in the Pyrenees e.g. Castillo de Loarre 26/5, and Monfrague 1-2/6.
185. Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild. Good views of 4 seen from the Roman bridge in Merida 5/6.
Other Critters:
Montpelier Snake - 1 near Monroy 2/6. A couple of unid'd snakes were also seen on the road.
Wild Boar - 1 a little too close for our liking on the road up to the telecom post at San Juan de la Pena 28/5.
Red Squirrel - fairly common in the Pyrenees.