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Zahara de los Atunes

Costa de la Luz

Andalucia · Spain

 

28 Mar - 7 Apr 2016

 

Observers: F. Simpson

 

Introduction


 

This was another university field course trip based around the small town of Zahara de los Atunes, situated on the Costa de la Luz in the Strait of Gibraltar in Cadiz province in south-west Spain. Much of the time was spent around Zahara de los Atunes, Barbate and the Valle de Ojén in the Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales. Some time was possible for birding but in general the following notes document the observations at the various student study sites.

Previous Trip Reports:  2023 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003

eBlack-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) © Fraser Simpson

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Marismas del Barbate

 

 

Highlights


Balearic Shearwater, Night Heron, Great Egret, Purple Heron, Northern Bald Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Black-winged Kite, Purple Swamphen, Little Bustard, Collared Pratincole, Pomarine Skua, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Razorbill, Puffin, Black-eared Wheatear, Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Spanish Sparrow, Ortolan Bunting.

Click here for Systematic List

 

 

Itinerary


 

Day 01       28/03/16     London Gatwick > Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Day 02       29/03/16     Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra
Day 03       30/03/16     Zahara > Atlanterra > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Day 04       31/03/16     Zahara > Conila de la Frontera >
La Breña de Barbate Marismas del Barbate
Day 05       01/04/16     Zahara > La Zarzuela
Day 06       02/04/16     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Bolonia
Day 07       03/04/16     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Day 08       04/04/16     Zahara > Marismas del Barbate
Day 09       05/04/16     Zahara > Tarifa > La Janda
Day 10       06/04/16     Zahara > La Barca de Vejer > Marismas del Barbate

Day 11       07/04/16     Zahara > La Zarzuela > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda > Benalup > Malaga

 

 

Map of Main Locations


Map of Locations, SE Costa de la Luz, Cadiz Provence, Andalucia, Spain  ·  www.fssbirding.org.uk

1. Zahara de Los Atunes & Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary)

2. Playa de Zahara

3. Atlantera, Faro de Camarinal & Cabo de Gracia

4. La Zarzuela & El Almarchal

5. Bolonia

6. Cueva del Moro

7. Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

8. Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

9. Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

10. El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate

11. Marismas del Barbate

12. Río Barbate (river mouth) & Playa del Cañillo

13. West side of the Río Barbate, Marismas del Barbate

14. La Breña de Barbate

15. Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera)

16. La Barca de Vejer

17. Polistes study site

18. La Janda - entrance opposite Venta de Retín to Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar)

19. Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track)

20. Oxbow, near Benalup

21. La Janda - entrance at Km-47 on the N-340

22. Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa

 

 

Day 1                                                                                                                              
Monday 28 March 2016
Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Blue sky, no wind, max 22°C


Centauro Car Rental, Malaga 36° 40' 7.14" N  4° 28' 18.13" W
Waiting around for the courtesy shuttle to bring the rest of the group and book out the cars, I noted the first interesting birds of the trip in this industrial area of weedy patches and abandoned ground with Monk Parakeet, Red-rumped Swallow, Zitting Cisticola and Serin.

Zahara de los Atunes 36° 08' 07.8'' N  05° 50' 48.0'' W
The drive to Zahara via Algeciras and Tarifa was fairly quiet though a Little Owl was seen at Km-59 on the N-340 near Tahivilla.

 Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser SimpsonView from Zahara de los Atunes to Atlanterra, with Morocco in the distance

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser SimpsonDunes, Zahara de los Atunes

Castillo de las Almadrabas © Fraser Simpson

Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes

 

Zahara de los Atunes & Sierra de Retín © Fraser Simpson

Zahara de los Atunes & Sierra de Retín

 

Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara © Fraser Simpson

Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes

 

 

 

Day 2                                                                                                                              
Tuesday 29 March 2016
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra
Blue sky, Wind 2 mph E to 4 mph SE, max 20°C


Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes 36° 8' 8.53" N  5° 50' 51.85" W
Our introductory talk was held on the roof of the Hotel Gran Sol where 16 'garden bird' species were easily noticed including Crag Martin, Pallid Swift, Red-rumped Swift, Spotless Starling, Crested Lark and Cattle Egret.

Map of Zahara de los Atunes & Río del Cachón © Fraser Simpson

Map of Zahara de los Atunes & Río del Cachón

 

1. Río del Cachón - river mouth: a few waders/terns/egrets inc Caspian Tern

2. Sierra de Retín: end of the ridge good for raptors inc Griffon Vulture; Little Owls in outcrop above the road; Northern Bald Ibis occasionally pass.

3. Río del Cachón - upriver of bridge: tidal mud and saltmarsh holds small numbers of waders/egrets/wagtails, inc Black-winged Stilt and occasional Spoonbill.

4. Castillo de las Alamdrabas: Spotless Starling, Pallid Swift with regular Crag Martin and Red-rumped Swallow; occasional Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart on castle wall; roof of Gran Sol Hotel good for observing diurnal passage of many species - occasional Little Swift.

5. Playa de Zahara: low dunes good for arriving passerines inc Woodchat Shrike, Nightingale, Subalpine Warbler, Hoopoe, wheatears; breeding Kentish Plover and migrant Sanderling; offshore movements of gulls (inc Audouin's), terns (inc Gull-billed), Balearic & Cory's Shearwater, Gannet, skua, auks & waders. Exhausted raptors in strong easterly winds.

6. Río del Cachón -  bridge NE of town: marsh and grazing good for raptors, egrets and other migrants.

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 7' 5.26" N  5° 49' 59.19" W
A visit to the low dune system backed by Pistachia and Juniperus scrub revealled a pair of displaying Kentish Plovers, Gannets, Sandwich and Common Terns offshore, the usual singing Sardinian Warblers, Crested Larks and finches, and the first Bee-eaters of the trip.

Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra (Cistus study site around lighthouse) 36° 05' 24.5'' N  5° 48' 37.1'' W
Bee-eater migration over the lighthouse was evident with at least 137 north-west between 13:00 and 16:10, the largest single group consisting of around 45 birds. Two Crag Martins, Blue Rock Thrush and Hoopoe were also noted, with Griffon Vulture and Short-toed Eagle over the the ridge, and two Northern Bald Ibis flew south-east over the headland.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala), Cabo de Gracia © Fraser SimpsonSardinian Warbler  (Sylvia melanocephala)

Playa de Atlanterra © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Atlanterra, Bahia de la Plata

  

Umbrella Pine forest, Monte de Camarinal, Playa del Cañuelo & Faro de Camarinal © Fraser Simpson

Umbrella Pine forest, Monte de Camarinal, Playa del Cañuelo & Faro de Camarinal

 

 View to Morocco © Fraser Simpson

View across Umbrella Pines to Morocco

 

Umbrella Pine forest, Bolonia © Fraser Simpson

Umbrella Pine forest, Monte de Camarinal & Playa del Cañuelo

  

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N  05° 49' 59.5'' W
A return in the early evening found at least four Subalpine Warblers - all males - in the low dune scrub, and further arrivals since this morning included Hoopoe, Northern Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike and Nightingale. A Caspian Tern flew north-west.

 

 

Day 3                                                                                                                              
Wednesday 30 March 2016
Zahara de los Atunes > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Partly cloudy, no wind, max 18°C


Zahara de los Atunes
Brief walk around the town to pick up food for packed lunches. Sardinian Warbler and Crested Lark in the castle, Pallid Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, and Spotless Starling over the main streets.

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser SimpsonZahara de los Atunes

 

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
(Aquarius study site) 36° 08' 54.8'' N  5° 34' 57.1'' W
Los Alcornocales is a huge area of oak-cloaked hillsides and valleys with Cork, Holm and Algerian Oak. The track up to our pond skater study site had been resurfaced. An unexpected highlight was a group of six Siskins. Interesting passerines included Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest and Woodlark. Raptors were scarce though a soaring male Goshawk was the highlight among the more usual Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagle and Short-toed Eagle. On the drive back, a Black-eared Wheatear and Tawny Pipit were found near the Puerto de Ojén.

Butterflies included Moroccan Orange-tip, Spanish Festoon, Large Tortoiseshell, Provence Hairstreak, Cleopatra, Scare Swallowtail, Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Large White, Small Copper, and Common Blue.

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla), Arroyo del Tiradero © Fraser SimpsonCommon Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla)

 Oak forests in Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Oak forests in Valle de Ojén

 

Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Cork and Holm Oaks in Valle de Ojén

 

 

 

Day 4                                                                                                                              
Thursday 31 March 2016
Zahara > Conil de la Frontera > La Breña de Barbate > Marismas del Barbate
Blue sky, Wind 20-24 mph W, 19°C


Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N  05° 49' 59.5'' W
The wind had picked up this morning and birds moving offshore included Balearic Shearwater, Gull-billed Tern, Gannet, Sanderling and Ringed Plover. A male Whinchat had arrived and a Woodchat was still present.

Petrol station between Zahora and El Palmar turnoff A-2233 36° 13' 19.31" N  6° 2' 29.09" W
A brief refreshment stop saw more of the classic common countryside birds of this part of Spain: Woodchat Shrike, Crested Lark, Corn Bunting, Zitting Cisticola and Sardinian Warbler.

Polistes study site near Conil de la Frontera 36° 15' 10.71" N  6° 3' 53.18" W
A hemiptera-transmitted disease had decimated all of the Opuntia prickly pear hedges in the area and fewer wasp nests were located than usual. Migrants were represented by Redstart, migrating Collared Pratincoles and singing Melodious Warbler and Hoopoe. Three Collared Pratincoles were also hawking over a large ploughed field with Calandra Lark, Red-legged Partridge, Cattle Egret and Corn Bunting in the fallow fields.

Polistes study site near Conil de la Frontera © Fraser SimpsonPolistes study site near Conil de la Frontera

 

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate (Lavandula study site)  36° 11' 01.4'' N  5° 57' 32.5'' W
Serins and Sardinian Warblers were common in the canopy of the Umbrella Pines and both Iberian Green Woodpecker and Iberian Chiffchaff were heard.

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate

 

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side) - accessed from Km 3.2 on A-2231 Barbate-Zahara road
Itinerario el Cañillo 36° 10' 28.6'' N  05° 53' 34.6'' W
On returning to our beetle study site, I had to make a swift turn-off to the lagoons as a large number of Greater Flamingos were present - 114 birds in the nearest pool. The horse-grazed field next to the farm held 15 Northern Bald Ibis. Also present in the first lagoon were Collared Pratincole (80+), Black-winged Stilt (6), Avocet (2), Spoonbill (4) and Yellow Wagtail (20+). Later returned before dinner for further observations.

Greater Flamingos and Collared Prationcoles, Marismas del Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Greater Flamingos and Collared Prationcoles, Marismas del Barbate

 

Map of Barbate showing the river, marshes, lagoons and old saltpans © Fraser Simpson

Barbate: map showing the river, marshes, lagoons and old saltpans

 

1. Itinerario el Cañillo: Turn onto the track at km-3.2 on the A-2231. Bald Ibis often at the roadside. Follow through farm buildings to edge of lagoon for Greater Flamingo, waders (inc Collared Pratincole, Black-winged Stilts & Stone Curlew), gulls (inc Slender-billed), terns, egrets, herons & wagtails.

2. Itinerario el Cañillo: Continue for Calandra & Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Quail, Bee-eater. The tamarisks can hold migrant passerines.

3. Rio Barbate mouth: Turn onto track/rough parking area for gulls (including Audouin's & Mediterranean), terns (including Caspian), and waders.

4. Sports Stadium: Acess the estuary behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes (off Avenida Joaquín Blume) for best view of the main channel with waders (inc Marsh Sandpiper in 2008), gulls, terns (inc Lesser Crested in 2007), herons, egrets, wheatears, wagtails and hirundines

 

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary) 36° 8' 16.87" N  5° 50' 34.03" W
Two Avocet were at the estuary mouth as we drove into town.

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N  05° 49' 59.5'' W
The wind had increased to 24 mph since the morning and many gulls were moving. Also struggling west, close to land was a 1st-cy Pomarine Skua and an adult Puffin just 50 metres ofshore. At least 17 Sanderling were scurring along the surf's edge.

 

 

 

Day 5                                                                                                                        
Friday 1 April 2016
Zahara > La Zarzuela
Blue sky all day, wind 16 mph W, max 18°C


La Zarzuela A-2227 (Thebas pisana study transect) 36° 10' 13.7'' N  05° 48' 46.0'' W
At least five Calandra Larks were singing and displaying over the farmland at this site, a male Montagu's Harrier was over the hillside to the south and two Glossy Ibis flew south-west.

Cereal fields along the foot of the Sierra de Retin, La Zarzuela © Fraser SimpsonCereal fields with wild flower borders along the foot of the Sierra de Retín, La Zarzuela

 

Wind turbines and flower-rich ditch, La Zarzuela © Fraser Simpson

Wind turbines and flower-rich ditch, La Zarzuela

 

La Zarzuela A-2227 (village) 36° 9' 55.38" N  5° 48' 59.81" W
An abandoned farm house on a hill in the centre of the village and the stream running below has a real left-to-nature feel and has a wealth of birdlife including Little Owl, Nightingale, Serin, Bee-eater, Corn Bunting, Sardinian Warbler, Linnet, Zitting Cisticola, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Greenfinch, Spotless Starling and Blackcap, a group of 21 Cattle Egrets were following the donkeys around.

Ruined farm house, La Zarzuela © Fraser Simpson

Ruined farm house with Little Owls, La Zarzuela

 

Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes 36° 08' 07.8'' N  05° 50' 48.0'' W
This seems to be one of the few areas where Black Redstarts are scarce so I was pleased to find a female/immature type on the inner walls of the old castle. Photographed c25 House Martins and a few Swallows collecting mud from the sandy soil outside seaward side of the castle.

House Martins collecting mud, Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

House Martins collecting mud, Zahara de los Atunes

 

 

 

Day 6                                                                                                                              
Saturday 2 April 2016
Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Bolonia > Cueva del Moro
Blue sky, wind 3 mph S to 6 mph E, max 18°C


Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N  05° 49' 59.5'' W
A singing Nightingale greeted us this morning, 11 Bee-eaters flew over, another Subalpine Warbler was located and a Caspian Gull was circling around the Almadraba.

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
(Aquarius study site) 36° 08' 54.8'' N  5° 34' 57.1'' W
Few raptors around with just nine Griffon Vultures scattered over the Ojén and 10 circling low near the mirador. Tawny Pipit and Thekla Lark were on the causeway of the Almodovar reservoir.

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales  © Fraser Simpson

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

 

Bolonia & Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata 36° 05' 18.6'' N  05° 46' 32.3'' W
Most of the group headed to the fish restaurants, but I spent an hour crawling and waiting in wet sand to photograph a Kentish Plover in a small lagoon. Bee-eater passage was going well in the afternoon with 88 in of the sea in two hours. In contrast, the only raptor noticed was a Black Kite heading along the coast. The stream had at least 20 Spanish Pond Terrains and a Water Vole. The students found several Green Tree Frogs in the old well. Drove on up to the 'Swift' cave on the Sierra de Plata (36° 06' 03.2'' N  05° 47' 33.6'' W) and showed students the Griffon Vultures nests. Also Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting located.

Bolonia © Fraser SimpsonEnsenada de Bolonia

 

 Sierra de la Plata © Fraser Simpson

Griffon Vulture nesting site, Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N  05° 49' 59.5'' W
A fall of Woodchat Shrikes was evident with six birds in a short stretch of dunes though I didn't have time to count further.

 

 

 

Day 7                                                                                                                              
Sunday 3 April 2016
Zahara de los Atunes > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Partly cloudy, wind 5 mph W in morning, 18 mph W in the evening, max 20°C


Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
(Aquarius study site) 36° 08' 54.8'' N  5° 34' 57.1'' W
The skies above the Ojén were quiet again today. Made some sound recordings of Crested Tit, Woodlark, Short-toed Treecreeper, Bonelli's Warbler, Bee-eater, Sardinian Warbler, Stonechat. Other interesting passerines included Cirl Bunting, Nightingale, Firecrest and Woodchat Shrike. Kingfishers were again present along the Tiradero stream.

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales  © Fraser Simpson

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

 

 

Day 8                                                                                                                              
Monday 4 April 2016
Zahara de los Atunes > Marismas de Barbate
Thick cloud, heavy rain showers, Wind 24 mph E, gusting to 42 mph


Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes 36° 8' 8.53" N  5° 50' 51.85" W
A short 30 min observation from the hotel roof (before the rain/wind increased too much) saw 2 Razorbills, 11 Sandwich Terns, 27 Bee-eaters, 122 House Martins, 143 Barn Swallows, 4 Red-rumped Swallows, 12 Sand Martins, 282 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and 2 Audouin's Gulls.

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side) - accessed from Km 3.2 on A-2231 Barbate-Zahara road
Itinerario el Cañillo 36° 10' 28.6'' N  05° 53' 34.6'' W
The stormy weather had grounded many waders in the Barbate Estuary. Using the car as a hide (and shelter) I saw 20 species including Little Stint, Collared Pratincole, Spotted Redshank, Stone Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt and Avocet. Despite the light rain, activity was high with Slender-billed Gull (4), Purple Heron, Osprey, Ortolan Bunting, Spoonbill (29), Greater Flamingo (44), Bee-eater (65 resting in tamarisks), Northern Bald Ibis (13) and a Great Egret.

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) © Fraser SimpsonGreater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) in the rain at Marismas del Barbate

 

Río Barbate (river mouth) & Playa del Cañillo 36° 11' 03.7'' N  05° 54' 33.8'' W
Had a quick look around the river mouth and estuary downstream of the town. Among the Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gulls was an adult Mediterranean Gull and two Audouin's Gulls.

 

 

Day 9                                                                                                                              
Tuesday 5 April 2016
Zahara > Tarifa > La Janda > Zahara
Blue sky, wind 25 mph W wind, 22°C


Tarifa 36° 0' 44.22" N  5° 35' 57.66" W
Headed to Tarifa to try and locate Europe's only known breeding Common Bulbuls which first bread here in 2013. One was saw seen and heard briefly in the scrub around Finca Vista a Legre, opposite the Torre de los Maderos. Futher observation revealled them to be elusive - perhaps they were incubating at this time of the year.

Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa 36° 0' 43.50" N  5° 35' 45.22" W
Hirundine movement along the clifftop footpath saw 40 Red-rumped Swallows and 150 Barn Swallows fly west in 30 mins along with a few Sand Martins and House Martins. Five Black Kite, two Greater Short-toed Larks and a Yellow Wagtail arrived in off the sea. Lesser Kestrels were bringing food to nest sites in the old castle walls and a Peregrine flew over.

Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa © Fraser Simpson

Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa

 

La Janda (Venta de Retín-Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana-Puente de Celemín)
36º 13' 12.2'' N  05º 47' 5.4'' W
The Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar) is mostly fringed with Phragmites and some mud, depending on water levels. The first four kilometres (from the eastern access track opposite the Zahara road end) offer the best visibility, after which the reeds get quite high.

Fields were being prepared for rice growing and one area held some Spoonbills (7), Glossy Ibis (9) and Black-winged Stilts (45). Other highlights along the track along the canal included a male Golden Oriole, a roosing Black-crowned Night Heron, two singing Quails, two Purple Swamphens, 28 Bee-eaters, singing Great Reed Warbler, Wood Sandpier, Water Pipit and hunting Marsh Harrier

Around the farm on the hill and adjacent 'dehesa' patch provided Egyptian Mongoose, Booted Eagle (3), Black Kite (6), Griffon Vulture (4), Montagu's Harrier, Red Kite and Hoopoe.

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

La Janda

 

Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 - marsh at start of horse track 36° 17' 28.60" N  5° 47' 43.29" W
The marsh here was alive with birds this year including 101 Bee-eaters, 28 Glossy Ibis, 74 Cattle Egret, 32 Northern Bald Ibis, 13 Purple Swamphen, Montagu's Harrier, Black-winged Kite, Marsh Harrier and six Woodchat Shrike. A drier area held a male Little Bustard.

 

Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2, Benalup © Fraser Simpson

Marsh at start of Itinerario Ecuestre

 

 

Oxbow/pool near Benalup 36° 18' 10.0'' N  5° 47' 47.1'' W
The small pools of water here held six Spoonbills, two Little Egrets, and a pair of Black-winged Stilts among the commoner species.

 

 

 

 

Day 10                                                                                                                              
Wednesday 6 April 2016
Zahara de los Atunes > La Barca de Vejer > Marismas del Barbate > Zahara
Fog at dawn, clearing to blue sky mid-morning, wind 10 mph SW in morning, 15 mph S from noon, max 25°C


La Barca de Vejer 36° 15' 17.5'' N  05° 57' 29.5'' W
Arrived at dawn as several Northern Bald Ibis were leaving the colony on the north side of the village. At least 11 nests were probably in use with several incubating birds visible. Some were repairing old nests. Four Glossy Ibis were also regular overhead - perhaps nesting further along the river. Along the Rio Barbate at colony of at least 80 pairs of Cattle Egrets were building or incubating. Several species singing in the riverine scrub included Melodious Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Nightingale, Serin, Wren, and Sardinian Warbler

Nesting Northern Bald Ibis and Cattle Egrets, La Barca de Vejer © Fraser Simpson

Nesting Northern Bald Ibis and Cattle Egrets, La Barca de Vejer

 

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side)
Itinerario el Cañillo 36° 10' 28.6'' N  05° 53' 34.6'' W
Most of the migrant waders had moved on after Monday's bad weather, though the Collared Pratincoles now numbered at least 100. At least 24 Yellow Wagtails were present on the south side of the nearest lagoon.

Zahara & La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Zahara and La Janda

 

 

 

Day 11                                                                                                                              
Thursday 7 April 2016
Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga > London
Blue sky, wind 7 mph SW in morning, 12 mph S by later afternoon, max 21°C


Zahara > La Zarzuela > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda
Departure day, though a late flight meant we had all morning off. I did a short bird tour with some of the students to observe and photograph the ibises and look for water birds at La Janda. A Purple Heron was observed from the main bridge over the
Canal Colector del Este. The marsh at the start of the Benalup-Facinas horse track (Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2) now held over 100 Glossy Ibis and another Purple Heron flew over. Nearer Benalup, a Hobby and six Griffon Vultures were observed after finding a Little Ringed Plover on the oxbox.

Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga
The highlight of the return journey was an Egyptian Vulture over Algeciras.

Strait of Gibraltar © Fraser Simpson

 

 Iberian Water Frog, Stripeless Tree Frog, Viperine Snake © Fraser SimpsonIberian Water Frog (Pelophylax perezi) · Stripeless Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis) · Viperine Snake (Natrix maura)

 

Egyptian Mantis, Mole Cricket, Conehead Mantis © Fraser SimpsonEgyptian Grasshopper  (Anacridium aegyptiacum) · Mole Cricket  (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa) · Conehead Mantis (Empusa pennata)

 

 

 

Zahara de los Atunes & Costa de la Luz Systematic List  28 Mar - 7 Apr 2016


 

Mallard  Anas platyrhynchos

30+, Embalse de Almodovar, 2-Apr

200+, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

 

Northern Shoveler  Anas clypeata

4, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

 

Red-legged Partridge  Alectoris rufa

Common, La Janda

Pr, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

Several prs, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

Pr, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr 

 

 Red-legged Partridge  Alectoris rufa

Sonogram of Red-legged Partridge calls

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 49.5'' N  5º 51' 27.0'' E  5 April 2016

Clucking calls from males following a female.

[File name: redleggedpartridgeLS113462ecut]

    Red-legged Partridge

 

 

Sonogram of Red-legged Partridge calls

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 49.5'' N  5º 51' 27.0'' E  5 April 2016

Calls from a bird in flight.

[File name: redleggedpartridgeLS113465e]

    Red-legged Partridge 2

     

 

Common Quail  Coturnix coturnix

2, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Pheasant  Phasianus  colchicus

Common, La Janda

 

Cory's Shearwater  Calonectris diomedea

2 W, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

 

Balearic Shearwater  Puffinus mauretanicus

3 W, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

 

Northern Gannet  Morus bassanus

3 ads offshore, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

4 W, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

 

Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Great Cormorant  Phalacrocorax carbo

2, Embalse de Almodovar, 2-Apr

9, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis

Noted in most areas of grazed pasture.

80+ pairs nesting, La Barca de Vejer

8 east, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

c40, in ploughed fields between Zahara and Atlanterra, 31-Mar

9, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

21, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

3 NW, Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

40+, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), 2-Apr

60, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

75, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

 Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) flying from a nesting colony at dawn

 

 Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis

 Sonogram of breeding calls from a Cattle Egret breeding colony

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  12 April 2013

Breeding calls from incubating birds in a large heronry.

[File name: cattleegretLS110645ecut]

    Cattle Egret

 

 

 Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

 

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta

Small numbers daily in areas of freshwater around Zahara, Barbate and La Janda.

1, Bolonia, 2-Apr

14, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

2, oxbow near Benalup, 5-Apr

2, oxbow near Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) © Fraser Simpson

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary

 

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta 

 Sonogram of breeding calls from a Little Egret breeding colony

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  12 April 2013

Breeding calls from incubating birds in a large heronry.

[File name: littleegretLS1106484ecut]

    Little Egret

 

 

Great Egret  Casmerodius albus

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) © Fraser Simpson

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), La Janda-Benalup

 

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea

1 west, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

11, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

1, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

2, oxbow near Benalup, 5-Apr

1, oxbow near Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 7-Apr

1, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 7-Apr

 

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) © Fraser Simpson

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), Canal Colector del Este, La Janda

 

White Stork  Ciconia ciconia

Regularly noted along the A-2227 between Zahara de los Atunes and Venta de Retín. Several nests along the N-340 between Tarifa and Vejer de la Frontera.

1, Embalse de Almodovar, 2-Apr

58, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

1, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr 

 

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus

2 SW, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

9, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

28, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

4, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

100+, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 7-Apr

2, oxbow near Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) © Fraser SimpsonGlossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), La Barca de Vejer

 

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus

 Sonogram of calls from a Glossy Ibis

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36º 14' 24.6'' N  5º 56' 53.5'' E  3 April 2012  1700h

Calls from a Glossy Ibis taking flight in windy conditons along with a Mallard.

[File name: glossyibis0403170030e]

    Glossy Ibis

 

 

Northern Bald Ibis  Geronticus eremita

Minimum of 11 prs nest-building/incubating on cliffs on the north-west side of La Barca de Vejer

2 SE, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

15, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 31-Mar

13, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

32, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

16, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), La Barca de Vejer

 

Eurasian Spoonbill  Platalea leucorodia

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 31-Mar

29, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

6, track between Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

6, oxbow near Benalup, 5-Apr

30, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

8, oxbow near Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Greater Flamingo  Phoenicopterus roseus

114, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 31-Mar

44, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

76, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) © Fraser Simpson

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), Marismas de Barbate

 

Eurasian Griffon Vulture  Gyps fulvus

Regularly seen from Zahara over Sierra de Retín & Sierra de la Plata.

2, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

2, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

3, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

18, Arroyo del Tiradero-Puerto de Ojén, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 2-Apr

1 nest with brooding adult, cliffs at Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata, 2-Apr

6, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

4, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

3, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

13, over hillsides around Presa de Celemin, 5-Apr

6, over Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Egyptian Vulture  Noephron percnopterus

1, near Algeciras, 7-Apr

 

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Short-toed Eagle  Circaetus gallicus

1, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

2, Arroyo del Tridaero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

 

Booted Eagle  Aquila pennata

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

3, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

2, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Black Kite  Milvus migrans

1, flying west along coast, Bolonia, 2-Apr

5, in off the sea at 12:04, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

6, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Red Kite  Milvus milvus

1, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Western Marsh Harrier  Circus aeruginosus

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

2, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Montagu's Harrier  Circus pygargus

1m, wind farm on NE side of La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

1m, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

1f, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Common Buzzard  Buteo buteo

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 2-Apr 

 

Northern Goshawk  Accipiter gentilis

1m, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk  Accipiter nisus

1, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 2-Apr

 

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus

1, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Common Kestrel  Falco tinnunculus

1, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

1, Bolonia, 2-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

4, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Lesser Kestrel  Falco naumanni

Several prs nesting, Tarifa, 5-Apr

4, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) © Fraser Simpson

Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni), Tarifa

 

Lesser Kestrel  Falco naumanni

 Sonogram of Lesser Kestrel calls

Tarifa, Andalucia, Spain  51° 39' 29.9" N  0° 02' 43.9" W  5 April 2016

Two call types from a male returning to the nest with a lizard shortly before the female had departed: repeated high-pitched 3 and 4 element phrases and single and double harsh screeches.

[File name: lesserkestrelLS113455e]

    Lesser Kestrel

     

 

 Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) © Fraser Simpson

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Tarifa

 

Hobby  Falco subbuteo

1, near Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Peregrine  Falco peregrinus

1, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus

1, Bolonia, 2-Apr

2, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

8, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

2, oxbow near Benalup, 5-Apr

 

Eurasian Coot  Fulica atra

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

 

Purple Swamphen  Porphyrio porphyrio

2, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

13, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) © Fraser Simpson

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) La Janda

 

 Purple Swamphen  Porphrio porphyrio 

 Sonogram of Purple Swamphen calls

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  12 April 2013

Calls (at 1.2 and 10.8 seconds) from a pair in the Canal Colector del Este.

[File name: purpleswamphenLS110621ecut]

    Purple Swamphen

     

 

Little Bustard  Tetrax tetrax

1 heard, start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Eurasian Stone-curlew  Burhinus eodicnemus

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

 Stone-curlew  Burhinus oedicnemus

Sonogram of Stone-curlew flight call

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36° 10' 28.6" N  05° 53' 34.6" W  17 April 2015

Single call from a bird passing in flight.

[File name: stonecurlewLS113282e]

    Stone-curlew

 

 

Black-winged Stilt  Himantopus himantopus

6, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 31-Mar

12, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

45, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

Pr, oxbow near Benalup, 5-Apr

6, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

Pr, oxbow near Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Black-winged Stilt  Himantopus himantopus

 Sonogram of Black-winged Stilt flight calls

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36º 14' 24.6'' N  5º 56' 53.5'' E  3 April 2012  1909h

Calls from a bird in flight over probable breeding site.

[File name: blackwingedstilt0403190950ecut]

    Black-winged Stilt

 

 

Pied Avocet  Recurvirostra avosetta

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 31-Mar

23, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

16, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Eurasian Oystercatcher  Haematopus ostralegus

2 NW, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

 

Collared Pratincole  Glareola pratincola

4 NW + 3 hawking, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

80+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 31-Mar

5 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

22, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

100+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Marismas del Barbate

 

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Marismas del Barbate

 

 

 Collared Pratincole  Glareola pratincola

 Sonogram of Collared Pratincole flight calls

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 49.5'' N  5º 51' 27.0'' E  4 April 2012  1307h

Flights calls from a migrant party of 22 birds settling over a ploughed field.

[File name: collaredpratincole0404130729ecut]

    Collared Pratincole

 

 

Little Ringed Plover  Charadrius dubius

1, oxbow near Benalup, 7-Apr

 

Ringed Plover  Charadrius hiaticula

1 E, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

14, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

10+, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

 

Kentish Plover  Charadrius alexandrinus

Pr displaying, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

2 prs, Bolonia, 2-Apr

6, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

6+, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

10+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr 

 

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) © Fraser Simpson

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) Bolonia

 

 Kentish Plover  Charadrius alexandrinus

Sonogram of Kentish Plover

Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, Andalucia, Spain  36° 08' 16.3" N  05° 50' 57.4" W  16 April 2015

Calls from a pair, possibly in alarm.

[File name: kentishploverLS113228e]

    Kentish Plover

  

 

European Golden Plover  Pluvialis apricaria

12, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Sanderling  Calidris alba

4 E, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

17, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

6, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Little Stint  Calidris minuta

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

3, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus

1, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

 

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres

5, rocks below Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

Knot  Calidris canutus

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Curlew Sandpiper  Calidris ferruginea

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Dunlin  Calidris alpina

22, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

12, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Ruff  Philomachus pugnax

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochrupus

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

 

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Spotted Redshank  Tringa erythropus

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Common Redshank  Tringa totanus

5, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Pomarine Skua  Stercorarius pomarinus

1st-cy, west low in strong gale, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

 

Great Skua  Stercorarius skua

1 E, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

 

Almadraba, Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Almadraba (tuna fishing using a maze of nets), Zahara de los Atunes

 

Mediterranean Gull  Larus melanocephalus

1st-s NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

Ad, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

 

Slender-billed Gull  Larus genei

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Yellow-legged Gull  Larus michahellis

Common along the coast.

Several overhead, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

Several overhead, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

12, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

73, around Almadraba, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

86, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

4, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull  Larus fuscus

1 NW, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

14 W, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

c120 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 1-Apr

302 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

34, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

 

Audouin's Gull  Larus audouinii

2 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

2, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

 

Sandwich Tern  Sterna sandvicensis

7 fishing, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

3, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

2 W, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

9 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

1, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

16, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica

1 W, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

 

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia

1 NW at 17:31, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

1, off Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

4 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

 

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo

4, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

2, Río Barbate mouth, 4-Apr

 

Razorbill  Alca torda

2 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

 

Atlantic Puffin  Fratercula arctica

ad, flying west c50 offshore in gale, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

 

Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon  Columba livia/C. livia domesticated

Common around human habitation.

4, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

 

Wood Pigeon  Columba palumbus

6 over, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

5, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Collared Dove  Streptopelia decaocto

Common around human habitatation.

Noted at Zahara, Atlanterra, La Zarzuela, El Almarchal, Tahivilla, Facinas, Benalup, Barbate, Los Caños de Meca, El Palmar, Rehuelga.

2 singing, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

Several singing, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

 

Monk Parakeet  Myiopsitta monachus

Pr over, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

 

Common Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus

1 singing, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

 

Little Owl  Athene noctua

1, Km-59 in N-340, near Tahivilla, 28-Mar

1, derelict farmhouse on hill, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

Pr, derelict farmhouse on hill, La Zarzuela, 7-Apr

 

Tawny Owl  Strix aluco

1 calling, La Breña de Barbate (pine woods)

 

Common Swift  Apus apus

Noted arriving on the coast most days.

 

Pallid Swift  Apus pallidus

Noted in small numbers most days

6, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

4, Arroyo del Tridaero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

c25, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

 

Eurasian Hoopoe  Upupa epops

1, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

1, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

1, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

 

European Bee-eater  Merops apiaster

8 NW in morning, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

137+ NW at 13:00-16:10, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

8 NW at 16:40, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

Heard, Arroyo del Tirader, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

2, wind farm on NE side of La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

5, over La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

11, Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

4 N, Arroyo del Tirader, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 2-Apr

88 in off the sea, 14:00-17:15, Bolonia, 2-Apr

15, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), 2-Apr

65 over, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

27 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

65 resting in tamarisks during storm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

28, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

101, resting on fence along the marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

 European Bee-eater  Merops apiaster

 Sonogram of European Bee-eater calls

Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  36° 08' 59.4" N   05° 35' 00.6" W  9 Apr 2011, 1533h

Calls from a small feeding party.

[File name: beeeater110409153355e]

    European Bee-eater1

 

 

Iberian Green Woodpecker  Picus viridis sharpei

1 heard, La Breña de Barbate (pine woods), 31-Mar

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopus major

2 drumming, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

1 drumming, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

1, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

 Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopus major

   Sonogram of drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker

Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  36º 08' 52.0'' N  05º 35' 01.2'' W  15 Apr 2010  1228h

Territorial drumming on mature Cork Oak; 15-17 taps in each 0.80-0.85 second roll (up to 11 rolls per minute).

[File name: gswoodpecker0415122847ecut]

    Great Spotted Woodpecker

     

 

Crested Lark  Galerida cristata

Common in many habitats.

Noted almost everywhere including Zahara, La Zarzuela, El Almarchal, Facinas, La Janda, Benalup, Barbate, Los Caños de Meca, El Palmar, Bolonia.

Pr, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

 

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) © Fraser Simpson

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata), Zahara de los Atunes

 

Thekla Lark  Galerida theklae

Pr, Embalse de Almodovar, 2-Apr

Pr, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 2-Apr

1, Bolonia, 2-Apr

 

Woodlark  Lullula arborea

1 singing, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

1 singing, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

Pr, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

1 singing, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

 

Greater Short-toed Lark  Calandrella brachydactyla

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

2, in off the sea, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

Greater Short-toed Lark  Calandrella brachydactyla 

Sonogram of Greater Short-toed Lark song

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36° 10' 28.6" N  05° 53' 34.6" W  17 April 2015

Territorial/advertising 'short' song uttered in flight composed of one to second phrases of 'dry' warbles, often preceeded by a longer, more 'musical' element.

[File name: greatershorttoedlarkLS113275ecut]

    Greater Short-toed Lark 1

  

Sonogram of Calandra Lark perched song

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36° 10' 28.6" N  05° 53' 34.6" W  17 April 2015

Short, soft 'chip' calls uttered in flight.

[File name: greatershorttoedlarkLS113277e]

    Greater Short-toed Lark 2

 

 

Calandra Lark  Melanocorypha calandra

2 displaying, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

Several displaying in fields bordering the A-2227 between La Zarzuela and Venta de Retín 1-Apr

5 displaying, wind farm on NE side of La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

3 singing, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Calandra Lark  Melanocorypha calandra

  Sonogram of Calandra Lark aerial song

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36° 10' 28.6" N  05° 53' 34.6" W  17 April 2015

Territorial/advertising song; continuous, melodious outpouring produced in display flight over coastal grassland.

Contains mimicry from several species.

[File name: calandralarkLS113287ecut]

    Calandra Lark 1

  

Sonogram of Calandra Lark perched song

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36° 10' 28.6" N  05° 53' 34.6" W  16 April 2015

Territorial/advertising song from a perched bird; varied output of clear, strident/piercing whistles with occasional chirps and wheezes.

[File name: calandralarkLS113254ecut]

    Calandra Lark 2

  

 

 Sonogram of Calandra Lark calls

Marismas del Barbate, Abdalucia, Spain  36° 10' 28.6" N  05° 53' 34.6" W  16 April 2015

Calls from a bird in flight. Two types: shrill tree elements followed by rolling, electrical-like buzzes.

[File name: calandralarkLS11326054e]

    Calandra Lark 3

 

Sand Martin  Riparia riparia

2, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

12 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

2, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

10+, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Eurasian Crag Martin  Ptyonprogne rupestris

2, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

2, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

 

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Common throughout.

1, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

4, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

6, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

143 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

35 NW, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

150 W in 30 mins, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

115, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis daurica

2, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

2, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

1, Playa de Zahara, 30-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodovar, 2-Apr

1, Bolonia, 2-Apr

4 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

40 W in 30 mins, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

2, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

House Martin  Delichon urbicum

Common around villages and towns.

10+, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

100+, petrol station near El Palmar, 31-Mar

c25, gathering mud, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 1-Apr

122 NW in 45 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

10+, Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

House Martin (Delichon urbicum) © Fraser Simpson

House Martin (Delichon urbicum), Zahara de los Atunes

 

Tawny Pipit  Anthus campestris

1, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodovar, 2-Apr

 

Meadow Pipit  Anthus pratensis

1 in off the sea, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

1, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Water Pipit  Anthus spinoletta

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

White Wagtail  Motacilla alba

1 E, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Iberian Yellow Wagtail  Motacilla flava iberiae

20+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 31-Mar

1 N, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

14, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

24, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

Yellow Wagtail  Motacilla flava flava

1 m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 6-Apr

 

 Iberian Yellow Wagtail  Motacilla flava iberiae

 Sonogram of Iberian Yellow Wagtail calls

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36° 10' 28.6" N  05° 53' 34.6" W  17 April 2015

Calls from a perched bird.

[File name: yellowwagtailLS113278ecut]

    Iberian Yellow Wagtail2

 

 

European Robin  Erithacus rubecula

Abundant in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, and La Breña de Barbate.

 

Common Nightingale  Luscinia megarhynchos

1 non-vocal, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

1 singing, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

1 singing, Bolonia, 2-Apr

1, Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

1, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

2 singing mm, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

  Nightingale  Luscinia megarhynchos

Sonogram of Nightingale song

Montenmedio, Km 42.5 N340 Vejer de la Frontera, Andalucia, Spain  20 April 2010  1324h

c70 second excerpt of song from a continuous five minute bout from deep in evergreen scrub.

[File name: nightingale0420132447ecut]

    Nightingale1

 

 

Northern Wheatear  Oenanthe oenanthe

1 m, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

 

Black-eared Wheatear  Oenanthe hispanica

1, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

 

Whinchat  Saxicola rubetra

1 m, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

1 f, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Common Stonechat  Saxicola torquatus

Present in most localities.

Particularly common along the A-2231 coast road between Zahara and Barbate, and around Puerto de Ojén.

f + juv, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

3 prs, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

 

 European Stonechat  Saxicola rubicola

Sonogram of Stonechat song

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 49.5'' N  5º 51' 27.0'' E  4 April 2012  1238h

Territorial song uttered from telegraph wire in a largely treeless landscape.

[File name: stonechat0404123854ecut]

    Stonechat

     

 Sonogram of female Stonechat and juvenile calls

Valle de Ojén, Andalucia, Spain  36° 0.8' 54.8" N  05° 34' 57.1" W  15 April 2015

Female alarm calling with broadband 'chack' sounds and short whistles at 5.2 kHz. Also weak, burry trills from a fledgling at 2.9, 5.4, 6.1, 8.2 secs.

[File name: stonechatLS113177ecut]

    Stonechat4

     

 

Blue Rock Thrush  Monticola solitarus

1 singing, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1 m, Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata, 2-Apr

 

Common Blackbird  Turdus merula

Common in woodland and matorral habitats.

Noted at Breña de Barbate, Atlanterra, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, Bolonia.

1 singing, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar - 7-Apr

1 singing, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1 singing, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

 

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) © Fraser Simpson

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), Zahara de los Atunes

 

Blackcap  Sylvia atricapilla

Abundant in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

1 singing, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1 f, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

8 (migrants), Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

Common Whitethroat  Sylvia communis

3 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

1 singing, oxbow near Benalup, 5-Apr

 

Sardinian Warbler  Sylvia melanocephala

Abundant in suitable habitat.

Noted at Playa de Zahara, Atlanterra, La Breña de Barbate, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, Cabo de Gracia.

1, Castillos de las Almadrabas, 30-Mar

1 singing, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

1 singing, Castillos de las Almadrabas, 1-Apr

 

  Sardinian Warbler  Sylvia melanocephala

  Sonogram of Sardinian Warbler song  Sonogram of Sardinian Warbler song

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Andalucia, Spain  36° 08' 46.4" N   05° 35' 04.3" W  11 Apr 2011, 1337h

Territorial song from skulking male in thorny, evergreen scrub on open cork oak slopes. Fast, chattering, scratchy warblers, each strophe lasting 3-8 seconds, mostly utter from within cover.

[File name: sardinianwarbler110411133715ecut1]

    Sardinian Warbler

     

  Sonogram of Sardinian Warbler calls

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Andalucia, Spain  36° 08' 46.4" N   05° 35' 04.3" W  11 Apr 2011, 1337h

Call, probably used in alarm, from the same individual above: each strophe consisting of a short buzz, followed by four harsh couplets.

[File name: sardinianwarbler110411133715ecut2]

    Sardinian Warbler2

     

 

Subalpine Warbler  Sylvia cantillans

4 mm, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

2 mm, Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

1 m, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis

Fairly common and widespread. Noted at Zahara, La Zarzuela, El Almarchal, Barbate, La Janda, Cortijo Los Villares, El 2, 1 displaying, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

1 displaying, petrol station near El Palmar, 31-Mar

3 displaying, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

2, displaying, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

6 singing mm, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

1 displaying, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

 Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis

  Sonogram of Zitting Cisticola song

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 49.5'' N  5º 51' 27.0'' E  4 April 2012  1303h

Territorial/advertising song uttered in flight over flat agricultural land.

[File name: zittingcisticola0404130323e]

    Zitting Cisticola1

      

 

Cetti's Warbler  Cettia cetti

4 singing mm, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

1 singing, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

European Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus scirpaceus

1 singing, track between Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

 

Great Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus arundinaceus

1 singing, track between Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

 

Melodious Warbler  Hippolais polyglotta

1 singing, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

 

  Melodious Warbler  Hippolais polyglotta

 Sonogram of Melodious Warbler song

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 55.9'' N  5º 56' 44.4'' E  3 April 2012  1832h

Territorial song uttered at 2.5 metres from a large patch of Giant Reed Arundo donax and thorn scrub.

[File name: melodiouswarbler0403183215ecut1]

    Melodious Warbler

 

 

  Sonogram of Melodious Warbler calls

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 55.9'' N  5º 56' 44.4'' E  3 April 2012  1832h

Calls from the same male above, before launching into another bout of continuous song.

[File name: melodiouswarbler0403183215ecut2]

    Melodious Warbler2

 

 

 Sonogram of Melodious Warbler calls

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain  36º 13' 55.9'' N  5º 56' 44.4'' E  3 April 2012  1832h

More calls from the same male above, with sparrow-like churrs and Barn Swallow mimicry..

[File name: melodiouswarbler0403183215ecut3]

    Melodious Warbler3

 

 

Sedge Warbler  Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

1 singing, oxbow near Benalup, 5-Apr

1 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Western Bonelli's Warbler  Phylloscopus bonelli

Fairly common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

 

  Western Bonelli's Warbler  Phylloscopus bonelli

Sonogram of Western Bonelli's Warbler song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  

36° 9' 35.16" N  5° 34' 55.40" W  3 Apr 2012, 1421h

Territorial song from cork oak woodland. Note long time intervals between strophes.

[File name: bonelliswarbler0403142137ecut]

    Western Bonelli's Warbler2

     

Sonogram of Western Bonelli's Warbler song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 08' 46.8" N   05° 34' 58.2" W  11 Apr 2011, 1307h

Territorial song from cork oak woodland. Strophes repeated 5-6 times per minute (background chaffinches edited from sonogram).

[File name: bonelliswarbler110411130746ecut]

    Western Bonelli's Warbler1

 

     

Sonogram of Western Bonelli's Warbler call

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 08' 46.8" N   05° 34' 58.2" W  15 Apr 2015

Calls from two birds in pursuit of each other, in shrub layer of cork oak woodland.

[File name: westernbonelliswarblerLS113159ecut]

    Western Bonelli's Warbler3

 

 

Common Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus colyybita

1 calling, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 

 

Iberian Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus ibericus

Fairly common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

1 singing, La Breña de Barbate, 31-Mar

 

 Iberian Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus ibericus

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 09' 31.9" N  5° 35' 15.2" W  10 Apr 2014

Territorial song from holm oak woodland. Note this individual shows little or no slurring of elements compared with birds below. Part of a 10 minute recording where bird sang from four different regular song perches.

[File name: iberianchiffchaffLS111908son]

    Iberian Chiffchaff5

     

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 9' 35.16" N  5° 34' 55.40" W  2 Apr 2012, 1445h

Territorial song from cork oak woodland. Note the slower delivery from this bird compared to previous recordings below.

[File name: iberianchiffchaff0402144541ecut]

    Iberian Chiffchaff4

     

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song  Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 08' 46.8" N   05° 34' 58.2" W  11 Apr 2011, 1209h

Territorial song from cork oak/holm oak woodland. This bird was singing with continual variation between successive strophes. Note the rapid delivery with more elements than is typical in the first strophe.

[File name: iberianchiffchaff110411120906ecut]

    Iberian Chiffchaff3

 

 Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff calls

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 09' 42.4" N   05° 34' 55.0" W  10 Apr 2011, 1204h

Call from a bird feeding very low in undergrowth of Cork Oak slope.

[File name: iberianchiffchaff110410120439ecut]

    Iberian Chiffchaff2

     

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 09' 42.4" N   05° 34' 55.0" W  15 Apr 2010, 1132h

Territorial song from cork oak/holm oak woodland. This strophe composed of seven notes rhythmically decending in pitch, followed by faster phrase of four to five higher notes.

[File name: iberianchiffchaff0415113229ecut]

    Iberian Chiffchaff1

     

 

Firecrest  Regulus ignicapilla

Fairly common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

 

Common Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) © Fraser Simpson

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla), Valle de Ojén

 

 Firecrest  Regulus ignicapilla

Sonogram of Firecrest song

Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  36° 9' 35.16" N  5° 34' 55.40" W  2 Apr 2012, 1504h

Territorial song from cork oak oak woodland.

[File name: firecrest0402150403ecut]

    Firecrest2

     

Sonogram of Firecrest call

Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  36° 9' 35.16" N  5° 34' 55.40" W  16 Apr 2015

Calls from cork oak oak woodland.

[File name: firecrestLS113209ecut]

    Firecrest3

     

 

Eurasian Wren  Troglodytes troglodytes

Fairly common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

2 singing mm, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

Black Redstart  Phoenicurus ochruros

f, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 1-Apr

 

Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) © Fraser Simpson

Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Castillo de las Almadrabas

 

Common Redstart  Phoenicurus phoenicurus

1st-cy m, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

 

Long-tailed Tit  Aegithalos caudatus

Pr, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

 

Blue Tit  Cyanistes caeruleus

Common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Pr, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

Great Tit  Parus major

Fairly common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Pr, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

Crested Tit  Lophophanes cristatus

Pr, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

 

 Crested Tit  Lophophanes cristatus

 Sonogram of Crested Tit calls

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  3 April 2016

Two call types from a pair: typical short trill and a higher-pitched squeakly double-element at 6 kHz.

[File name: crestedtitLS113415ecut]

    Crested Tit

 

 

Eurasian Nuthatch  Sitta europea

Fairly common, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

 

Short-toed Treecreeper  Certhia brachydactyla

Common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

Also heard and seen in La Breña de Barbate (Umbrella Pine woods).

 

 

Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla), Valle de Ojén

 

 Short-toed Treecreeper  Certhia brachydactyla

Sonogram of Short-toed Treecreeper song

Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  36° 09' 42.4" N   05° 34' 55.0" W  1 Apr 2012, 1210h

Territorial song from cork oak/holm oak woodland.

[File name: shorttoedtreecreeper0401121044e]

    Short-toed Treecreeper1

     

Sonogram of Short-toed Treecreeper song

Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain  36° 09' 42.4" N   05° 34' 55.0" W  15 Apr 2010, 1200h

Territorial song from cork oak/holm oak woodland.

[File name: sttreecreeper0415120015ecut]

    Short-toed Treecreeper2

     

 

Golden Oriole  Oriolus oriolus

1 m, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda 5-Apr

 

Woodchat Shrike  Lanius senator

1 m, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

1 m, Playa de Zahara, 31-Mar

1 m, petrol station near El Palmar, 31-Mar

1 m, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

6 mm, Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

1 m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

9, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

6, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Common Bulbul  Pycnonotus barbatus

1, in scrub at Finca Vista Alegre, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

Eurasian Jay  Garrulus glandarius

Fairly common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

 

Western Jackdaw  Corvus monedula

Common, cliffs around La Breña de Barbate & La Barca de Vejer.

4, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

5, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

Several prs nesting, Castillo Guzman El Bueno, Tarifa, 5-Apr

8, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

16, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

40, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

 Western Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) © Fraser Simpson

Jackdaws (Corvus monedula) sharing a nesting ledge with Northern Bald Ibis

 

Common Raven  Corvus corax

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

Pr, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

Pr, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

Spotless Starling  Sturnus unicolor

Common around human habitatation, agricultural areas, and semi-natural grassland.

Noted at Zahara, Atlanterra, Barbate, El Almarchal, Facinas, La Janda, Benalup, Barbate, Los Caños de Meca, El Palmar, Bolonia.

4, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

200+, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

16, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

25, Bolonia, 2-Apr

Several prs nesting, Castillo Guzman El Bueno, Tarifa, 5-Apr

 

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus

Common around human habitatation, agricultural areas, and semi-natural grassland.

25+, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

30+, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

40+, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

 

Spanish Sparrow  Passer hispaniolensis

2, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 5-Apr

 

Common Chaffinch  Fringilla coelebs

Common in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

 

Common Linnet  Carduelis cannabina

2 E, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

9, in off the sea, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

3, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

Pr, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

16, wind farm on NE side of La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

9, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

Pr, Bolonia, 2-Apr

1 singing, Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

Pr, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

 Common Linnet  Carduelis cannabina

 Sonogram of Linnet song  Sonogram of Linnet song

Montenmedio, Vejer de la Frontera, Andalucia, Spain  20 Apr 2010, 1223h

Territorial song from Umbrella Pine woodland; a continuous rambling series of squeaky notes interspersed with short trills (e.g. 5.1 to 5.5 secs) and whistles (e.g. at 6.7 sec).

[File name: linnet0420122329ecut]

    Linnet

     

 

European Goldfinch  Carduelis carduelis

Common throughout the area with both breeding birds and arriving migrants.

2, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

10+, Hotel Gran Sol/Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

6, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

60, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

140, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

200+, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

 

Eurasian Siskin  Carduelis spinus

6, Arroyo del Tridaero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

 

European Greenfinch  Carduelis chloris

Fairly common throughout the area with both breeding birds and arriving migrants.

Displaying, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

Displaying, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

4, Cortijo Los Villares, between El Palmar and Conil de la Frontera, 31-Mar

23, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 5-Apr

 

European Serin  Serinus serinus

Widespread and fairly common in most areas.

1 singing, Centauro car rental car park, Malaga, 28-Mar

3 singing, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

Several singing, La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

Pr, Bolonia, 2-Apr

4 singing mm, marsh at start of Benalup-Facinas horse track, 5-Apr

3 singing mm, La Barca de Vejer, 6-Apr

 

Hawfinch  Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Heard calling, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

 

 Hawfinch  Coccothraustes coccothraustes

 Sonogram of Hawfinch song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain

36° 08' 46.8" N   05° 34' 58.2" W  1 Apr 2012, 1405h

Inconspicuous and simple song uttered from Holm/Cork Oak woodland.

[File name: hawfinch0401140529ecut]

    Hawfinch2

     

 

Cirl Bunting  Emberiza cirlus

1 singing, Arroyo del Tridaero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 30-Mar

1 singing, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 2-Apr

1 singing, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 3-Apr

 

Rock Bunting  Emberiza cia

1, Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata, 2-Apr

 

Ortolan Bunting  Emberiza hortulana

1 m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Corn Bunting  Miliaria calandra

Common and widespread in most open habitats including coastal dunes, rough pasture, agricultural fields & marshes.

Noted around Zahara de los Atunes, La Zarzuela, El Almarchal, Parque Eolico, Venta de Retín, La Janda, Benalup, Barbate, Cortijo Los Villares, El Palmar, Facinas, Embalse de Almodóvar, Bolonia.

1 singing, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

16 in flock, Playa de Zahara, 30-Mar

4 singing, north side of , La Zarzuela, 1-Apr

32 in flock, Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr

 

Corn Bunting  Emberiza calandra

Sonogram of Corn Bunting song

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain  36° 14' 12.70" N  5° 48' 57.54" W  31 March 2012  1307h

Terrirorial/advertising song from low vegetation beside the Canal Colector del Este, La Janda.

[File name: cornbunting0331155106ecut]

    Corn Bunting

     

 

 

Butterfly List > Zahara de los Atunes & Costa de la Luz


 

Scarce Swallowtail  Iphiclides podalirius

Spanish Festoon  Zerynthia rumina

Large White  Pieris brassicae

Small White  Artogeia rapae

Green-veined White  Artogeia napi

Bath White  Pontia daplidice

Western Dappled White  Euchloe crameri

Green-striped White  Euchloe belemia

Moroccan Orange Tip  Anthocaris euphenoides

Clouded Yellow  Colias crocea

Brimstone  Gonepteryx rhamni

Cleopatra  Gonepteryx cleopatra

Provence Hairstreak  Tomares ballus

Small Copper  Lycaena phlaeas

Long-tailed Blue  Lampides boeticus

Holly Blue  Celastrina argiolus

Brown Argus  Aricia agestis

Common Blue  Polyommatus icarus

Monarch  Danaus plexippus

Large Tortoiseshell  Nymphalis polychlorus

Red Admiral  Vanessa atalanta

Painted Lady  Vanessa cardui

Speckled Wood  Pararge aegeria

Wall  Lasiommata megera

 

 

 

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Playa de Zahara sunset © Fraser Simpson

All photographs © 2016  F. S. Simpson

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