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Zahara de los Atunes

Costa de la Luz

Andalucía · Spain

 

28 Mar - 6 Apr 2017

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 Cádiz province, Andalucía. 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. The course was one day shorter than usual and we left early on the final day, and with calm, sunny conditions throughout, fewer species were noted than usual.

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

 Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) © Fraser SimpsonKentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Playa de Zahara

 

 

Highlights


Balearic Shearwater, Great Egret, Purple Heron, Northern Bald Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Hen Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Black-winged Kite, Purple Swamphen, Collared Pratincole, Audouin's Gull, Caspian Tern, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Black-eared Wheatear, Spectacled Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Spanish Sparrow.

 

 

Itinerary


 

Day 01       28/03/17     London Gatwick > Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Day 02       29/03/17     Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > Conil de la Frontera > La Breña de Barbate
Day 03       30/03/17     Zahara > Facinas > Embalse de Almodóvar > La Zarzuela > Atlanterra
Day 04       31/03/17     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales >
Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary
Day 05       01/04/17     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Bolonia > Cueva de Mora
Day 06       02/04/17     Zahara >
Marismas del Barbate > La Janda
Day 07       03/04/17     Zahara >
Marismas del Barbate
Day 08       04/04/17     Zahara > Marismas del Barbate > La Janda >
Río Barbate mouth & Playa del Cañillo
Day 09       05/04/17     Zahara > La Barca de Vejer > Marismas del Barbate
Day 10       06/04/17     Zahara > Tarifa > Algeciras > Malaga

 

 

Map of Main Locations


Map of Locations, SE Costa de la Luz, Cádiz Provence, Andalucía, 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 (Casa la Palmera)

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                                                                                                                              
Tuesday 28 March 2017
Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Blue sky, Wind 7mph E in afternoon, max 21°C


Highlights
Griffon Vulture, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow & Osprey.

Drive from Malaga to Zahara, via Tarifa
Best sightings on the drive were 50+ Griffon Vultures kettling near Estepona, 60+ Black Kite arriving at Mirador de Estrecho, just east of Tarifa, and two Booted Eagles over the road just inland of Tarifa.

Strait of Gibraltar, from Mirador de Estrecho © Fraser Simpson

View south over the Strait of Gibraltar to Jebel Musa, Morocco from Mirador del Estrecho, Spain

Zahara de los Atunes 36° 08' 07.8'' N  05° 50' 48.0'' W
Had our introductory talk on the roof of Hotel Gran Sol with a single Crag Martin and two Red-rumped Swallows along with the common hirundines. An Osprey flew in from the sea after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar from the African continent.

 

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 Almadrabas: 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, skuas, 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.

 

 Zahara de los Atunes, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Playa de Zahara, Sierra de la Plata, from the roof of Hotel Gran Sol © Fraser Simpson

View south-east over the Castillo de las Almadrabas towards the Sierra de la Plata from Zahara de los Atunes

 

 

Day 2                                                                                                                              
Wednesday 29 March 2017
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > Conil de la Frontera > La Breña de Barbate
Blue sky, Wind 16 mph E, max 18°C


Highlights
Northern Bald Ibis, Black Stork, Spanish Sparrow, Black-eared Wheatear, Black-winged Stilt, Melodious Warbler, Iberian Green Woodpecker & Red-rumped Swallow

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 7' 5.26" N  5° 49' 59.19" W
Low dune system backed by Pistachia and Juniperus scrub. Not many migrants around bar a Woodchat Shrike and Red-rumped Swallow, though a light movement of finches. A group of seven Sandwich Tern were fishing near the Almadraba nets.

Playa de Zahara © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Zahara

Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra (Cistus study site around lighthouse) 36° 05' 24.5'' N  5° 48' 37.1'' W
The highlight here was a female Black-eared Wheatear at the lighthouse. A Raven and seven Griffon Vultures were over the Sierra de la Plata.

Bahia de la la Plata, Atlantera, from Cabo de Gracia © Fraser Simpson

Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra

Drive: Zahara to Conil
Two Northern Bald Ibis were in a roadside field near the military zone entrance, eight Black-winged Stilts were glimpsed in a roadside lagoon at Marismas del Barbate, and five Black Kites were over the town of Barbate.

Casa la Palmera (Polistes study site near Conil de la Frontera)  36° 15' 10.71" N  6° 3' 53.18" W
One year on and the Opuntia cactus hedges had not recovered from the hemiptera-transmitted infection which has devastated the region. A Black Stork and Northern Bald Ibis passed over, a noisy group of 14 Spanish Sparrows were roaming around, migrant Redstart and Willow Warbler feeding up for the next leg and a Melodious Warbler was singing. The non-bird highlight was a one metre long Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris) which showed very well in short grassland.

Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris) © Fraser Simpson

Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris)

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate (Lavandula study site)  36° 11' 01.4'' N  5° 57' 32.5'' W
Time constraints meant we didn't spend long here. Iberian Green Woodpecker, Serin, Great Tit, Sardinian Warbler and Black Kite noted.

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 7' 5.26" N  5° 49' 59.19" W
Barn Swallow passage was evident in the evening with 17 noted coming in off the sea in a short while. Eight Pallid Swifts were feeding overhead, three Gannets were diving offshore and a single Kentish Plover was on the beach.

Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Hotel Gran Sol

 

 

Day 3                                                                                                                              
Thursday 30 March 2017
Zahara de los Atunes > Embalse de Almodóvar > Atlanterra > La Zarzuela > Venta de Retin
Blue sky, wind 13 mph E - gusting to 17mph, max 19°C


Highlights
Thekla Lark, Calandra Lark, Montagu's Harrier, Booted Eagle, Crag Martin, Bee-eater, Balearic Shearwater & Spoonbill.

Embalse de Almodóvar, 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 has been resurfaced but is now closed to vehicles, with a locked gate at the reservoir. While we had obtained a permit, we'd neglected to read that a key was needed - to be obtained by phoning a contact mentioned in the document. We decided to come back tomorrow. At the reservoir we noted Booted Eagle, Thekla Lark, Black Kite and Common Sandpiper.

 

Parque Natural de los Alcornocales © Fraser Simpson

Cork Oak woodland, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Drive: Facinas to Zahara
The first Bee-eaters of the trip were seen with 16+ over Tahivilla, two Calandra Larks were seen along the A-2227, and Woodchat Shrike, Griffon Vulture, Black Kite were seen. Back in Zahara, three Monarch butterflies were found.

Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra (Cistus study site around lighthouse) 36° 05' 24.5'' N  5° 48' 37.1'' W
Raptor passage was evident today with 8 Sparrowhawk seen arriving in off the sea during two short visits along with 24 Black Kites, a male Montagu's Harrier and two Booted Eagles. Crag Martin and Red-rumped Swallow were hawking around the lighthouse and another six Bee-eaters arrived. On the sea itself, Balearic Shearwaters, Gannets, Yelllow-legged Gulls and Sandwich Terns were moving.

Punta Camarinal and Umbrella Pine woods from Cabo de Gracia © Fraser Simpson

Snail transect: N-340 to Zahara along road A-2227
Highlights from various stops along this 10 km road included 94 Bee-eaters heading inland in 50 minutes, singing Quail, Woodchat Shrike, Red-rumped Swallow, Spoonbill, Griffon Vulture, Serin, Raven and more Black Kites!

N-340 to Zahara along road A-2227 © Fraser Simpson

 

 

 

Day 4                                                                                                                              
Friday 31 March 2017
Zahara > Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Blue sky, Wind <4 mph W in morning; up to 12mph W in afternoon, 22°C


Highlights
Western Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch, Woodlark & Firecrest.

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
While the students worked in the Arroyo del Tiradero, I made a recce along the route to the Los Barrios side to look for new Aquarius sites. Highlights were singing Cuckoo, Woodlark, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Hoopoe, Nuthatch, Golden Oriole and Cetti's Warbler. Also a group of 21 Grifffon Vultures, a single flock of 32 migrant Bee-eaters, Hawfinch, Short-toed Eagle, Red-rumped Swallow, Serin, Booted Eagle, and of course, numerous Stonechats.

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

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

 

 

Day 5                                                                                                                        
Saturday 1 April 2017
Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Bolonia > Cueva del Moro
Blue sky, wind 10-21 mph W, max 20°C


Highlights
Spectacled Warbler, Western Subalpine Warbler, Egyptian Vulture, Griffin Vulture, Blue Rock Thrush, Tawny Pipit, Cirl Bunting, Audouin's Gull & Woodchat Shrike.

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N  05° 49' 59.5'' W
More activity this morning with a more obvious arrival of migrants. Highlights included a male Spectacled Warbler, four Subalpine Warblers, seven male Woodchat Shrikes, and a male Northern Wheatear. And, unsual for me at this site, a Robin and a Blue Tit in treeless dune habitat - presumably both migrants. An Audouin's Gull flew north-west and more Bee-eaters were arriving.

Playa de Zahara © Fraser Simpson

Serndero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
(Lavandula study site) 36° 09' 47.4'' N  5° 34' 56.7'' W
Birdsong output from Iberian Chiffchaff, Short-toed Treecreeper, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Firecrest, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Crested Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wood Pigeon and drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. Three Cirl Bunting were perched on roadside barbed wire at the Puerto de Ojen and a Tawny Pipit was seen at Embalse de Almodovar.

Serndero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales © Fraser Simpson

Bolonia & Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata 36° 05' 18.6'' N  05° 46' 32.3'' W
After looking for Chameleons and climbing the ever-growing dune at Bolonia, we headed up to the famous cave site in the mountain, observing eight perched Griffon Vultures (2 nests), Egyptian Vulture, Blue Rock Thrush and singing Rock Bunting.

Duna del Lancon, Bolonia © Fraser Simpson

Duna del Lancon, Bolonia, with Morocco on the horizon © Fraser Simpson

Cueva de Moro, Sierra de la Plata © Fraser Simpson

BIOL7008 students observing Egyptian and Griffon Vultures, Cueva de Moro, Sierra de la Plata © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N  05° 49' 59.5'' W
Most of the migrants had recuperated and moved on with just two Woodchat Shrikes and a single Subalpine Warbler in the evening.

 

 

 

Day 6                                                                                                                              
Sunday 2 April 2017
Zahara > Marismas de Barbate > La Janda
Blue sky, wind <10 mph W in morning; to 11 mph E later in afternoon, max 21°C


Highlights
Collared Pratincole, Greater Flamingo, Great Egret, Northern Bald Ibis, Greater Short-toed Lark, Stone Curlew, Short-toed Eagle, Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Hoopoe & Great Reed Warbler.

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side)
Itinerario el Cañillo 36° 10' 28.6'' N  05° 53' 34.6'' W
Much less water in the lagoons this spring. Driving a kilometre inland along the track revealled more water and birds. Highlights included 77+ hawking Collared Pratincole, 7 Greater Flamingo, 2 Great Egret, 3 Northern Bald Ibis, 16 Iberian Yellow Wagtail, 35 Bee-eaters, 8 Short-toed Lark (3 singing), 5 singing Calandra Lark, 11 Woodchat Shrike, 2 Stone Curlew, 8 Northern Wheatear, 5 Subalpine Warbler, 3 Audouin's Gull, Tawny Pipit and a Short-toed Eagle.

 

Map of Barbate showing the river, marshes, lagoons and old saltpans (Marismas del Barbate) © 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

 

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Marismas del Barbate

 

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side) - Itinerario el Cañillo © Fraser Simpson

 

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side) - Itinerario el Cañillo © Fraser Simpson

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. Apart from the main canal, there were no pools visible. The highlight was a ringtail Hen Harrier and an Egyptian Mongoose. I only checked the main canal to the N-340 exit at Km-47 with the best being a single Purple Swamphen, 10 Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Great Egret, Short-toed Eagle, and 2 Hoopoe. Warblers singing hear included Reed, Great Reed, Cetti's and Whitethroat.

Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda © Fraser Simpson

 

 

 

Day 7                                                                                                                              
Monday 3 April 2017
Zahara de los Atunes > Marismas del Barbate
Blue sky, wind max 17 mph E, gusts to 25 mph, max 18°C


Highlights
Caspian Tern, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Glossy Ibis, Wood Sandpiper, White Stork, Short-toed Eagle & Booted Eagle.

Marismas del Barbate
Río Barbate (river mouth) 36° 11' 03.7'' N  05° 54' 33.8'' W
Viewed the river mouth and estuary downstream of the town. Waders included Whimbrel, Kentish Plover, Turnstone, Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. Five Griffon Vultures were drifting south-east from the pine woods to the Sierra de Retin. Virtually no gulls or terns present this time. The marshes on the other side of the road had more activity including 84 Black-winged Stilts on one small pool and two Common Snipe.

Río Barbate (river mouth) © Fraser Simpson

Marismas del Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Marismas del Barbate (west side)
Marshes view from behind the sports stadium 36° 11' 45.7'' N  05° 54' 40.9'' W
This vantage point allows an alternative view on the west side of the Río Barbate (I once had Lesser Crested Tern here). In the nearest pool, 29 Black-winged Stilts, 8 Avocet and a Greenshank were feeding. Further out on the mud, at least 3 Caspian Tern, 28 Grey Plover, c60 Ringed Plover, 10+ Kentish Plover and c25 Dunlin.

Marismas del Barbate - view from behind the sports stadium © Fraser Simpson

Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta) 36° 14' 01.5'' N  5° 56' 46.8'' W
Accessed from Km 2.2 on A-314 La Barca de Vejer-Barbate road.
13:15-14:00h. The marshes have been completey dry for several years now - only a large ditch (with Spanish Terrapins Mauremys leprosa) holds any water. However, crammed into one small stretch were 3 Glossy Ibis, 8 Black-winged Stilt, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper and 6 Moorhen. At least 5 prs of White Stork were nesting on pylons. While watching a Short-toed Eagle perched on a pylon, I heard a sudden rush of air as a Booted Eagle plunged down into the stilts just a few metres in front of me. It was unsuccessful.

Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta) © Fraser Simpson

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) © Fraser SimpsonBlack-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Marismas del Barbate

 

 

Day 8                                                                                                                              
Tuesday 4 April 2017
Zahara de los Atunes > La Janda > Marismas del Barbate > La Janda > Río Barbate mouth
Blue sky, wind max 18 mph E wind, 18°C


Highlights
Black-winged Kite, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Bonelli's Eagle, Turtle Dove, Spanish Sparrow, Quail, Collared Pratincole, Greater Flamingo, Water Pipit, Hoopoe, Calandra Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, Great Egret, Spoonbill & Montagu's Harrier.

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side)
Itinerario el Cañillo 36° 10' 28.6'' N  05° 53' 34.6'' W
Much less water in the lagoons this spring but still lots of activity with over 100 Collared Pratincoles, singing Quail and larks. A Curlew Sandpiper was located with the Dunlin. A migrant or late-wintering Water Pipit and a male Whinchat were present, while the Woodchat Shrikes and Wheatears had moved on. Another Stone Curlew was seen, this one flying out of the grazing fields in the military land adjacent to the lagoons.

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side) - Itinerario el Cañillo © Fraser Simpson

Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta) 36° 14' 01.5'' N  5° 56' 46.8'' W
Accessed from Km 2.2 on A-314 La Barca de Vejer-Barbate road.
Much the same birds as yesterday - Wood Sandpiper still present.

La Janda (Km-47 entrance on N-340-Cortijo de la Mediana-Puente de Celemín)
36º 13' 12.2'' N  05º 47' 5.4'' W
A pair of Montagu's Harrier were hunting around Km-47 on the N-340 but the track to the canal was fairly quiet apart from singing Great Reed, Reed and Cetti's Warblers. The farm on the hill at Cortijo de la Median provided the highlights with my first Great Spotted Cuckoo in this area (this is normally a very early migrant just passing through here), a fantastic Black-winged Kite and the only Turtle Dove of the trip. Further on, a 1st-cy Bonelli's Eagle passed over.

Rush hour, La Janda © Fraser Simpson

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 virtually lifeless compared with last spring. No swamphens were located.

Oxbow/pool near Benalup 36° 18' 10.0'' N  5° 47' 47.1'' W
The small pool here appears to have been re-landscaped with virtually no birds here. This had always been a good little site in previous springs.

 

Marismas del Barbate
Río Barbate (river mouth) 36° 11' 03.7'' N  05° 54' 33.8'' W
Most of yesterday's Black-winged Stilts appeared to have moved on. Caspian Tern was the best bird this evening.

 

 

Day 9                                                                                                                              
Wednesday 5 April 2017
Zahara > La Barca de Vejer > Marismas de Barbate > Río del Cachón, Zahara
Blue sky, wind max 18 mph E wind, 19°C


Highlights
Northern Bald Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Collared Pratincole, Great Egret, Black-eared Wheatear & Kentish Plover.

La Barca de Vejer 36° 15' 17.5'' N  05° 57' 29.5'' W
Arrived just before the sun hit the Bald Ibis colony. Breeding seemed to be further advanced this year with all birds incubating. No nest building activity. Returns of the mates, while we were there, were few and far between and so poor for photography.

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

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
Just a very quick look in on the way back to allow NS to photograph the Collared Pratincoles. Possibly because of the lack of water this spring - and hence more dry, cracking mud - the pratincoles were widely scattered over the area. Just a few were resting close to the entrance track.

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary) 36° 8' 16.87" N  5° 50' 34.03" W
Walked from the river mouth to the upper reaches of the estuary where the shacks borders the south side.

 Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary)  © Fraser Simpson

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary)  © Fraser Simpson

Sunset from Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

 

 

 

Day 10                                                                                                                              
Thursday 6 April 2017
Zahara de los Atunes > Tarifa > Algeciras > Malaga
Blue sky, wind 26 E, max 19°C


Drive: Zahara de los Atunes > Tarifa > Algeciras > Malaga
Usual species noted on the drive back including Raven, Woodchat Shrike, Zitting Cisticola, Red-rumped Swallow, Crested Lark, Bee-eater, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture & White Stork.

 

 

Strait of Gibraltar, from Mirador de Estrecho © 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 - 6 Apr 2017


 

Mallard  Anas platyrhynchos

Pr, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

Pr, Embalse de Almodóvar, 30-Mar

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

2, Embalse de Almodóvar, 1-Apr

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

25, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

5, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

1, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

2, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

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

6, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

7, Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

3, Oxbow near Benalup, 4-Apr

5, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Red-legged Partridge  Alectoris rufa

Pr, Facinas, 30-Mar

Pr, Parque Eólico, Km 2.5, A-2227, 30-Mar

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-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

1 singing, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

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

 

Pheasant  Phasianus  colchicus

Common, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

 

Balearic Shearwater  Puffinus mauretanicus

7 E, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

 

Northern Gannet  Morus bassanus

3, off Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

4 W, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

2, off Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

 

Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

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

 

Great Cormorant  Phalacrocorax carbo

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 1-Apr

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

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

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Apr

1, Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis

Noted in most areas of grazed pasture.

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

9, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

8, El Almarchal, 29-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 30-Mar

30+, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, N-340-Zahara road, 30-Mar

11, Km-1, A-2227, N-340-Zahara road, 30-Mar

2 NW, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

55+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

87, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

1, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

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

4, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

3, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

45, Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

80+ pairs nesting, La Barca de Vejer, 5-Apr

4, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

 Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) flying into the 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.

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara  via Tarifa, 28-Mar

2, Rio del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes, 29-Mar

2, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

3, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 1-Apr

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

3, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

2, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

1, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

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

1, Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-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

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

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

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

 

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) © Fraser Simpson

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), Marismas del Barbate

 

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 1-Apr

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

4, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

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

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

 

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) © Fraser Simpson

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

 

White Stork  Ciconia ciconia

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

Pr in nest, Zahora, 29-Mar

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

6, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

2, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

5 AON, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

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

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Black Stork  Ciconia nigra

1, over Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

 

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

3, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

1, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-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 9 incubating on cliffs on the north-west side of La Barca de Vejer

1, over Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

2, nr military zone entrance between Zahara and Barbate, 29-Mar

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

2 NW, Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

 

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

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

 

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

Jackdaw attempting to steal twigs from Northern Bald Ibis nest

 

Eurasian Spoonbill  Platalea leucorodia

2, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

10, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

2 + 1 NW, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Greater Flamingo  Phoenicopterus roseus

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

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

6, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 5-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.

50, kettling near Estepona, 28-Mar

7, Sierra de la Plata, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

3, over Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

1, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

2, Parque Eólico, Km 2.5, A-2227, 30-Mar

5, 'Amphibian Pool', Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

21, Los Barrios entrance to Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

7, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 1-Apr

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

5, over Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

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

3, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) © Fraser Simpson

Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Sierra de la Plata

 

Egyptian Vulture  Noephron percnopterus

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

 

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus

1, over Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

1, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

 

Short-toed Eagle  Circaetus gallicus

1, between 'Amphibian Pool' and GR-7 Los Barrios trail, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 1-Apr

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

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

 

Booted Eagle  Aquila pennata

2, inland of Tarfia, 28-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 30-Mar

2, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

1, Los Barrios entrance to Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 1-Apr

1, stooped on Black-winged Stilts, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

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

1, Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Bonelli's Eagle  Hieraaetus fasciatus

1st-cy, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 4-Apr

 

Black Kite  Milvus migrans

60+, arriving at Mirador del Estrecho during a 20 min stop, 28-Mar

25+, inland of Tarifa, 28-Mar

2, over Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

1, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

5, over Barbate, 29-Mar

1, over Breña de Barbate, 29-Mar

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 30-Mar

6, on drive from Zahara to Facinas, 30-Mar

5, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

9, flying high inland, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

24, flew in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

9, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

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

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Western Marsh Harrier  Circus aeruginosus

1 f, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

 

Hen Harrier  Circus cyaneus

1 ringtail, caught a small passerine, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

 

Montagu's Harrier  Circus pygargus

m, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

Pr, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

 

Common Buzzard  Buteo buteo

1, 'Amphibian Pool', Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

2, Los Barrios entrance to Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

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

 

Northern Goshawk  Accipiter gentilis

1 m, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 30-Mar

 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk  Accipiter nisus

8, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 30-Mar

1, in off the sea, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus

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

 

Common Kestrel  Falco tinnunculus

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

3, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1, Bolonia, 1-Apr

1, SW end of Sierra de Retín, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

1, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

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

1, Oxbow near Benalup, 4-Apr

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

Pr nesting, La Barca de Vejer, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Lesser Kestrel  Falco naumanni

f, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-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, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

 

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus

3, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

6, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

6, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

3, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

1, Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

 

Purple Swamphen  Porphyrio porphyrio

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-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

     

 

Eurasian Stone-curlew  Burhinus eodicnemus

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

2, 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

8, roadside pool at Marismas de Barbate, 29-Mar

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

84, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

29, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

8, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

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

6, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

15, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

 

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) © Fraser Simpson

 

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) © Fraser SimpsonBlack-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Marismas del Barbate

 

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

8, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

 

Collared Pratincole  Glareola pratincola

12, hawking over coastal grassland along A-2231, between Zahara de los Atunes & Barbate, 2-Apr

78+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

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

100+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 5-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, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

 

Ringed Plover  Charadrius hiaticula

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

4, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

4, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

c60, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

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

 

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) © Fraser Simpson

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) Marismas de Barbate

 

Kentish Plover  Charadrius alexandrinus

1, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

2 prs, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

7, Bolonia, 1-Apr

7+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

7, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

5, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

10+, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

20+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-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

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

 

Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola

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

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

28, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

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

 

Sanderling  Calidris alba

1, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

1, Bolonia, 1-Apr

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

5, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

9, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Apr

 

Sanderling (Calidris alba) © Fraser Simpson

Sanderling (Calidris alba) Marismas del Barbate

 

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Apr

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 5-Apr

 

Whimbrel (Nunmenius phaeopus) © Fraser Simpson

Whimbrel (Nnmenius phaeopus) Marismas del Barbate

 

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

 

Curlew Sandpiper  Calidris ferruginea

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

 

Dunlin  Calidris alpina

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

2, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

2, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

25+, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

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

 

Common Snipe  Gallinago gallinago

2, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

 

Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochrupus

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

4, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

 

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola

1, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

1, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

 

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 30-Mar

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

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

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

2, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

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

1, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

2 prs (territorial), Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

6 SE, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Spotted Redshank  Tringa erythropus

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

 

Common Redshank  Tringa totanus

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

2, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

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

 

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia

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

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

1, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

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

 

Mediterranean Gull  Larus melanocephalus

1st-cy, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

 

Black-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus ridibundus

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

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

 

Yellow-legged Gull  Larus michahellis

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

82 E, in 80 mins, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

19 NW, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

7 NW, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

350+, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

3, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Ap

47 SE, 11:35-12:05h, Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull  Larus fuscus

2, off Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

 

Audouin's Gull  Larus audouinii

1 NW, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

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

 

Sandwich Tern  Sterna sandvicensis

3, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

7, fishing along Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

8 E/1 W, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

3, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

3, off Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

 

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia

3, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

1, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Apr

 

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo

1, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

 

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

Common around farm building but not in residential areas.

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

60+, El Almarchal, 29-Mar

5, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Wood Pigeon  Columba palumbus

Fairly common in Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales

1, over oak slopes of Sierra de Retin, 30-Mar

4, over N-340 near Montenmedio, 3-Apr

1, Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

 

Collared Dove  Streptopelia decaocto

Fairly common around human habitation throughout.

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara  via Tarifa, 28-Mar

2, bridge over Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

8, from the roof of Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

9, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

European Turtle Dove  Streptopelia turtur

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

 

Common Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus

1 singing male, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

 

Great Spotted Cuckoo  Clamator glandarius

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

 

Little Owl  Athene noctua

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

 

Common Swift  Apus apus

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

5, from the roof of Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

 

Pallid Swift  Apus pallidus

8, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

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

20+, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

20+, Barbate, 4-Apr

10, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Apr

21, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Swift sp.  Apus sp.

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Eurasian Hoopoe  Upupa epops

1, near Los Barrios entrance to Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

2, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

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

 

European Bee-eater  Merops apiaster

16, Tahilvilla, 30-Mar

6, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 30-Mar

42 (13+14+8+7), flew inland in 20 minutes, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

52 (19+4+12+7+10), flew inland in 30 minutes, Parque Eólico, Km 2.5, A-2227, 30-Mar

32, Los Barrios entrance to Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

8 NW, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

12, over Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 1-Apr

25 NE (8+10+17), El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

20+, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

2, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

40 NE (5+11+3+21), El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

17, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

23, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

49 N (10+12+27), Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-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 sharpei

1 heard, La Breña de Barbate, 29-Mar

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopus major

1 drumming, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1 drumming, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradrero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1, GR-7 Los Barrios trail, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1 drumming, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 1-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.

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

4 singing mm, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

9, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) © Fraser Simpson

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata), Zahara de los Atunes

 

Thekla Lark  Galerida theklae

Pr, Embalse de Almodóvar, 30-Mar

 

Woodlark  Lullula arborea

1 singing male, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1 singing male, 'Amphibian Pool', Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

 

Greater Short-toed Lark  Calandrella brachydactyla

3 singing mm + flock of 5, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

4 singing mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-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, noted on drive along A-2227 from Zahara, 30-Mar

5 singng mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

5+, 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

1, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

2, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

1, El Almarchal, 29-Mar

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

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

4, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

 

Eurasian Crag Martin  Ptyonprogne rupestris

1, Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

1, Faro de Camrinal, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

 

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Common throughout.

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

20+, Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

17, in off the sea Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

7, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

7, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

7, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

20+, from the roof of Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

8, Río Barbate (river mouth), 4-Apr

4 in off the sea, Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

49, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis daurica

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara via Tarifa, 28-Mar

2, Mirador del Estrecho, 28-Mar

2, Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

2, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

7, El Almarchal, 29-Mar

4, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

8, Los Barrios entrance to Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

2, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, over N-340 near Montenmedio, 3-Apr

2, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

4, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

House Martin  Delichon urbicum

25+, Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

14, bridge over Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

8 AON joined in a continuous 'super-structure', Calle Cachón/CA-2216, Zahara de los Atunes, 31-Mar

6, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

40+, from the roof of Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

28, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

House Martin (Delichon urbicum) © Fraser Simpson

House Martin (Delichon urbicum), Zahara de los Atunes

 

Tawny Pipit  Anthus campestris

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, 1-Apr

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

 

Tree Pipit  Anthus trivialis

1, in off the sea and calling, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

 

Meadow Pipit  Anthus pratensis

2, over Zahara de los Atunes, 30-Apr

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

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

 

Water Pipit  Anthus spinoletta

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

 

White Wagtail  Motacilla alba

1, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

1, Parque Eólico, Km 2.5, A-2227, 30-Mar

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

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

 

Iberian Yellow Wagtail  Motacilla flava iberiae

21 (inc singing mm), El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

2 singing mm, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

4, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

2, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

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

2 singing mm, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Yellow Wagtail  Motacilla flava

1 NW, Playa de Zahara, 1-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.

1, migrant in dune scrub, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

 

Common Nightingale  Luscinia megarhynchos

1 singing m, Bolonia, 1-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, 1-Apr

7 (4mm/3ff), El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

1 f, Río Barbate (river mouth), 3-Apr

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

 

Black-eared Wheatear  Oenanthe hispanica

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

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

 

Whinchat  Saxicola rubetra

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

2, Mirador del Estrecho, 28-Mar

Pr with FY, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

2 singing mm, rocky slope above Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-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

1m, Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata, 1-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.

2 singing, Avenida de la Playa, Zahara de los Atunes, daily 28-Mar to 6-Apr

1 singing, rocky slope above Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

5 mm, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

 

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) © Fraser Simpson

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), Zahara de los Atunes

 

Blackcap  Sylvia atricapilla

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

1 singing, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

1, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

1 singing m, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

 

Common Whitethroat  Sylvia communis

3 singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

2 singing mm, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-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.

Several, Mirador del Estrecho, 28-Mar

Many singing, dune scrub along Playa de Zahara to Plata de Atlanterra, 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

     

 

Western Subalpine Warbler  Sylvia inornata

4 (1f), migrants in dune scrub, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

5 mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 2-Apr

1, west side of Río Barbate (behind sports stadium), Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

1, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

 

Spectacled Warbler  Sylvia conspicillata

1 m, migrant in dune scrub, Playa de Zahara, 1-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 song-flighting, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

5 displaying, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

1 song-flighting, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

1 song-flighting, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

3 singing mm, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

3 singing m, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

1 singing m, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) © Fraser Simpson

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis), Marismas del Barbate

 

 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

2 singing mm, Los Barrios entrance to Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

4 singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1 singing m, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 4-Apr

5 singing mm, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

1 singing m, Itinerario Ecuestre IE-027.2 (marsh at start of horse track), 4-Apr

1 singing m, La Barca de Vejer, 5-Apr

 

European Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus scirpaceus

3 singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

3 singing mm, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

 

Great Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus arundinaceus

2 singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

3 singing mm, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

 

Melodious Warbler  Hippolais polyglotta

1 singing, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-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

 

 

Western Bonelli's Warbler  Phylloscopus bonelli

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

1 singing, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 4-Apr

 

  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, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 4-Apr

 

Iberian Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus ibericus

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

 

 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

     

 

Willow Warbler  Phylloscopus trochilus

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

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

1, start of Sendero Marismas del Barbate, Km-2.4 on A-314, 3-Apr

 

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.

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

1 singing, end of Sierra de Retín, above A-2231, Zahara de los Atunes, 31-Mar

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

 

Common Redstart  Phoenicurus phoenicurus

2, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

 

Long-tailed Tit  Aegithalos caudatus

2 heard, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

 

Blue Tit  Cyanistes caeruleus

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

Feeding young in the nest, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

1, migrant in dune scrub, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

 

Great Tit  Parus major

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

Heard singing, La Breña de Barbate 29-Mar

 

Crested Tit  Lophophanes cristatus

Pr, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 1-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 singing, between 'Amphibian Pool' and GR-7 Los Barrios trail, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-Mar

 

Woodchat Shrike  Lanius senator

1, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

1, noted on drive along A-2227 from Zahara, 30-Mar

1, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

2, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

7, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

2, along CA-8202 between Cueva del Moro & El Lentiscal, Sierra de la Plata, 1-Apr

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

4, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

2, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

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

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-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.

11, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

40+, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 4-Apr

60+, La Barca de Vejer, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

 Western Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) © Fraser Simpson

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

 

Common Raven  Corvus corax

1, over Sierra de la Plata, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

Pr, Venta de Retin, Km-0, A-2227, 30-Mar

1, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

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

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

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

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-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.

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara  via Tarifa, 28-Mar

20+, Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

Many pairs nesting in Castillo de las Alamdrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar to 6-Apr

200, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

28, on wires at bridge over Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

Carrying food for young, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

68, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus

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

Noted, on drive from Malaga to Zahara  via Tarifa, 28-Mar

30+, Castillo de las Almadrabas, 28-Mar

10, bridge over Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 31-Mar

23, lawn of holiday apartment, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

40+, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

34, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

Spanish Sparrow  Passer hispaniolensis

14, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

2, La Janda, Km-47 entrance on N-340 to Canal Colector del Este, 4-Apr

 

Common Chaffinch  Fringilla coelebs

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

 

Common Linnet  Carduelis cannabina

1, Atlanterra, 29-Mar

2 NW, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

4 NW, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

Pr, El Almarchal, 29-Mar

19, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, 30-Mar

1, Km-1, A-2227, 30-Mar

25, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

1, Marismas around Río Barbate river mouth, 3-Apr

4, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 5-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, Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 28-Mar

30+, in off the sea, Playa de Zahara, 29-Mar

17, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar

20+, Parque Eólico, Km 2.5, A-2227, 30-Mar

8 in off the sea + 19 in dune scrub, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

85, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-Apr

 

European Greenfinch  Carduelis chloris

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

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

10, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 2-Apr

 

European Serin  Serinus serinus

Widespread and fairly common in most areas.

 

Hawfinch  Coccothraustes coccothraustes

1 heard, 'Amphibian Pool', Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 31-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

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

 

Rock Bunting  Emberiza cia

1 singing m, Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata, 1-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.

4 singing, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 29-Mar 

1 singing, Playa de Zahara, 1-Apr

Noted, on drive from Zahara to Malaga via Tarifa, 6-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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Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris) © Fraser Simpson

 

CdlL Textures  © Fraser Simpson

All photographs © 2017  F. S. Simpson

Fraser's Birding Website · fssbirding.org.uk

 

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