Birding News in Andalucia

Species: White Wagtail – Motacilla alba – Lavandera blanca White Wagtail M.a.alba Polytypic. Nominate M.a.alba , continental Europe, Iceland, Faeroes, Asia Minor, and Levant, grading into dukhunensis in Urals, lower Volga basin, western Caucasus, and eastern Turkey; yarrellii ,Britain, Ireland, and locally on coasts of western continental Europe; subpersonata Morocco. Locally common breeding bird, but can be surprisingly scarce or even absent in some areas. Numbers greatly increase during late autumn and winter with the arrival of birds from northern Europe. During the winter the species is abundant and widespread. Our breeding population M.a.alba is thought to be resident; although it is likely some migrate the short distance into Morocco and possibly further south. Especies: Lavandera blanca – Motacilla alba – White Wagtail Politípica. Nomina M.a.alba , Europa continental, Islandia, Islas Feroe, Asia Menor y el Levante, la clasificación en dukhu...

Species: Black Redstart – Phoenicurus ochruros – Colirrojo Tizón Polytypic. P. o. gibraltariensis , western and central Europe east to Latvia and Crimea, south to northern Spain , Sicily , and Greece ; also north-west Africa and (probably this race) western Asia Minor; aterrimus , Portugal and southern and central Spain north to Valladolid . Common breeding species, restricted by suitable habitat. Larger breeding densities confined to and most common in mountain and rocky areas, some birds breed in urban areas. Resident race¹ P.o.aterrimus is joined by more northerly race P.o.gibraltariensis during periods of migration and winter, indeed our resident birds are frequently outnumbered by the visiting gibraltariensis . Occurs most commonly (abundant) and is widespread throughout the province in autumn and winter. ¹ Sources give P.o.aterrimus as sedentary. There is evidence however to suggest some of the population may migrate to Morocco during winter. During unus...

Greater Flamingo Pheonicopterus ruber ( Flamenco común ) Anyone fortunate enough to have witnessed the large flocks of Greater Flamingo at Fuente de Piedra cannot have failed to have been left with a lasting impression of wonder. Their pale colour suddenly transformed when outstretched wings reveal a deep and striking pink contrasting with their pale body colour and emphasised by black wing tips. Of course their size and unique shape make them instantly recognisable to almost all of us. Greater Flamingo first colonised Fuente de Piedra back in 1963 and has since made the area a star attraction for many visitors. With a maximum count of some 34,000 birds being present in the past then it is not surprising why many people want to make this area a ‘must see’ site during their stay in Andalusia. Since the first breeding in 1963 the lake and its attraction to wildlife in general has become increasing important to the local economy with many thousands of visitors coming specifically...

Spain including Majorca Trip Report - Spanish Nature – 5th April to 20th April 2008 Majorca – Extremadura – Doñana – Ronda – Granada Trip Report Author – Mick Richardson www.spanishnature.com Day One 5th April 2008. Salinas de Levante, Colonia San Jordi and Salinas Colonia San Jordi. Weather: Bright and sunny but windy later. After a swift and eventless pick up at Palma airport the five of us headed out south west via Campos to Salinas de Levante, an area of working and disused saltpans. We first parked just off the main road to Colonia San Jordi and walked down what is still known as Eddies Track (After Eddie Watkinson who first regularly watched the area). Just passed the buildings the first birds seen were a pair of Thekla Larks feeding on a rough field, other birds seen on the fields included European Stonechat, Barn Swallow, Corn Bunting, European Serin and European Greenfinch. We then moved out into the saltpans, most of which are disused along this track. The sides of the pans ...