Costa de la Luz Birding Trip Report 2014 > Fraser's Birding Website


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Zahara de los Atunes Costa de la Luz Andalucia · Spain
2 -12 Apr 2014
Observers: F. Simpson

INTRODUCTION

This was another university field course trip based around Zahara de los Atunes on the Costa de la Luz in Cadiz province in south-west Spain. Much of the time was spent around Zahara, 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.

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Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) © Fraser Simpson

Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

ITINERARY

Day 01       02/04/14     London Gatwick > Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Day 02       03/04/14     Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > Barbate
Day 03       04/04/14     Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > El Palmar > Barbate
Day 04       05/04/14     Zahara > Atlanterra > Faro de Camarinal > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Day 05       06/04/14     Zahara > Atlanterra > Faro de Camarinal > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Day 06       07/04/14     Zahara > Bolonia > Zahara > La Breña de Barbate
Day 07       08/04/14     Río Barbate/Barbate Estuary > Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate > La Janda
Day 08       09/04/14     Zahara > El Almarchal > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Zahara
Day 09       10/04/14     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Los Barrios > Zahara
Day 10       11/04/14     Zahara de los Atunes > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda > Benalup > La Janda > Zahara

Day 11 12/04/14 Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga

Day 1
Wednesday 2 April 2014
Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Cloudy, showers, max 15°C

Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Very little noted on the journey west along the A-7 peaje. Stopped at the Mirador El Estrecho just east of Tarifa but no bird movements were noted. The extent of the rainfall and high sea was evident on arrival at Zahara de los Atunes where the estuary was well above normal levels and the river was flooded well inland to the new Zahara 'bypass'. Species noted on the drive: Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Collared Dove, Cattle Egret, Kestrel sp, White Stork, Stonechat, Magpie, Feral Pigeon and Yellow-legged Gull. Checking into my hotel room, there were several Owl Midges (Psychodidae) on the walls.

Zahara de los Atunes
Stormy will big waves crashing on the Playa de Zahara. Yellow-legged Gull, Dunlin and Sanderling passing.

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Carmen, Zahara de los Atunes

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Zahara, 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
Thursday 3 April 2014
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > Barabate
Cool & cloudy with showers AM, sky clearing afternoon, strong winds, max 16°C

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site)
Very windy. In 15 minutes, 78 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 12 Yellow-legged Gulls flew NW along the coastline. Few passerines in the low dunes and foreshore scrub - Sardinian Warbler, Crested Lark and Greenfinch. The coniferous plantation strip at Camping Bahia de la Plata has now been felled. This would often shelter a few migrants in the Spring.

Playa de Atlanterra (2nd beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
Very windy with big waves crashing. In 75 mins, the following were observed passing: Gannet (69 NW), Slender-billed Gull (2 NW), Audouin's Gull (1SE), Cory's Shearwater (1 NW), Sandwich Tern (2 SE), Cormorant (2 SE), Yellow-legged Gull (28 NW). A Booted Eagle was over the Sierra de la Plata but most passerines were lying low in the matoral slopes.

Zahara > Barabate A-2231 road (Thebas pisana study transect)
Spent most of the afternoon sampling along this busy road which crosses some nice coastal grassland lying within inaccessable military land. Best birds were: Short-toed Eagle hunting at Km 7.5, and Gull-billed Tern (8) and Spoonbill (3) in the estuary at Barbate.

Playa de Atlanterra © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Atlanterra

Cabo de Gracia, Playa de Atlanterra © Fraser Simpson

Cabo de Gracia, Faro de Camarinal, Playa de Atlanterra

Sierra de Retín © Fraser Simpson

Sierra de Retín

Snail site near Barbate

Day 3
Friday 4 April 2014
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > El Palmar > La Breña de Barbate
Blue sky, v. light wind, max 22°C

Playa de Atlanterra (Beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
Little wind today with less seabirds passing except and Arctic Skua and 51 Yellow-legged Gulls NW in 45 minutes. Short-toed Eagle, Griffon Vulture (2) and Common Kestrel above Atlanterra over the end of the Sierra de la Plata. A Mole Cricket was observed in the low dune.

Playa de Zahara (Playa del Carmen) 36° 08' 06.3'' N 5° 50' 55.2'' W
In 25 mins seawatching: Lesser Black-backed Gull (26 NW), Yellow-legged Gull (38 NW), Sandwich Tern (2 SE), Audouin's Gull (6 NW), Gull-billed Tern (5 NW). Had a quick look for the usual breeding Kentish Plovers but none located. On the south side of the Castillo de las Almadrabas, a pair of Crag Martins were hawking low with 8 Barn Swallows over and area of Giant Reed, Fig trees and Prickly Pears.

El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, off the A-2233 (Polistes study site) 36° 14' 02.6'' N 6° 03' 04.8'' W
This was a new site for the course. This area comprises overgrazed Asphodel pasture with areas of Dwarf Fan Palm scrub, Prickly Pear hedges, Giant Reed, evergreen scrub and Eucalyptus trees. Six Collared Pratincoles were hawking overhead, Melodious Warbler and Woodchat Shrike were the most interesting passerines, and a migrant Pied Flycatcher and White Wagtail (scarce in this area in Spring) were feeding around a dung heap. Lots of butterflies including Spanish Festoon, Clouded Yellow and Bath White. Several Oil Beetles crawling around the rough pasture.

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate (Barbate Umbrella Pine woods) 36° 11' 02.2'' N 5° 57' 33.0'' W
We check this site out most years and today looked promising for a Lavendar project with lots of pollinators buzzing around. This large area of Umbrella or Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) covering dunes and limestone cliffs has a limited understory of Cistus, Juniper, Dwarf Fan Palm and Pistachia under a mostly closed canopy. More open areas, particularly along the cliff edge have a richer flora. There are spetacular view from the clifftop looking southeast towards Barbate, Zahara, Atlanterra and beyond. Bird life is normally quiet here but a Tawny Owl was calling in full sunshine, and singing birds included Short-toed Treecreeper, Sardinian Warbler, Serin, Wren, Blackbird, Greenfinch and Great Tit.

El Ciruelo Polistes wasp study site © Fraser Simpson

El Ciruelo Polistes wasp study site

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Dwarf Fan Palm under Umbrella Pines in Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate

View from pine woods to Barbate © Fraser Simpson

View from the pine woods to Barbate and Sierra de Retín

Day 4
Saturday 5 April 2014
Zahara > Atlanterra > Faro de Camarinal > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Overcast at dawn, clearing to blue sky by noon, light wind on coast, windier in Valle de Ojén, max 22°C

Playa de Atlanterra (Beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
In the morning, a Hoopoe was seen flying over gardens in Atlanterra nearest the Cabo de Plata and another was flushed from the small ravine/gully at the sound end of the beach towards Cabo de Gracia. Only a few Yellow-legged Gulls offshore but more passerines singing with Sardinian Warbler, Blackbird, Wren, Greenfinch, Barn Swallow, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Spotless Starling and Collared Dove.

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary) 36° 08' 16.3'' N 5° 50' 57.4'' W
A 25 minute look around the estuary on the downstream side of the bridge produced two Little Owls perched on the largest rock face at the roadside on the north side along with four Black-eared Wheatears, a single Northern Wheatear, and a male Blue Rock Thrush on the boulders where the Sierra de Rétin drops down to the sea. Higher up, a Short-toed Eagle was hunting while a Black Kite, a White Wagtail, and seven Cormorants passed over. Four hirundine species were hawking up and down the hillside with Crag Martin (2), Barn Swallow (12), House Martin (4) and Sand Martin (2). Also noted: Stonechat, Crested Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Goldfinch, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, and Collared Dove.

Drive to Valle de Ojén via Facinas
A group of 14 Griffon Vultures were dropping down in to a field west of La Zarzuela and a flock of Bee-eaters (c8) flew north at Tahivilla.

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 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 highlight was 105 Griffon Vultures in view together at 14:47h. Later, 64 of these birds were observed suddenly rising about 800 metres away in the valley as they were spooked from a feeding site in the open oak hillside. Surprisingly the only other raptor species noted was a Common Kestrel. Not many migrant warblers were present but single Iberian Chiffchaff and Bonelli's Warbler were heard singing. Many common passerines singing including Blackcap as well as three male Firecrests. Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were present along the stream. Two Alpine Swifts were hawking with a larger group of 20+ Pallid Swifts and hirundines. Many butterflies on the flower-rich Asphodel slopes including Scarce Swallowtail, Spanish Festoon, Cleopatra, Provence Hairstreak and Moroccan Orange Tip.

Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary) © Fraser Simpson

Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary)

Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Cork and Holm Oaks in Valle de Ojén

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales © Fraser Simpson

Alders along Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Day 5
Sunday 6 April 2014
Zahara > Atlanterra > Faro de Camarinal > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Blue sky, no wind on coast AM, windier in Valle de Ojén, max 24°C

Playa de Atlanterra (Beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
In the morning I heard the first Nightingale of the week in the Pistachia and Juniperus scrub on the lower slopes near the beach. Returning in the evening, three male migrant Woodchat Shrikes had arrived and were actively feeding.

Faro de Camarinal (Lighthouse) 36° 05' 24.5'' N 5° 48' 37.1'' W
The walk up to the lighthouse produced three Northern Wheatears, two Black-eared Wheatears and a party of 40+ Bee-eaters flew inland. The Short-toed Eagle was again hunting above the Sierra de la Plata. From the lighthouse, an Egyptian Vulture, a Peregrine, and two Griffon Vultures were observed over the ridge between 11:15 and 12:00h.

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 08' 54.8'' N 5° 34' 57.1'' W
On the drive up the crumbling track, a Little Ringed Plover was on the causeway at Embalse de Almodovar. In the Ojén, less Griffon Vultures were in view today with a maximum of 16 at once but raptor diversity was better with singles each of Bonelli's Eagle, Booted Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, and Common Kestrel. A Large Tortoiseshell was seen in addition to all the butterflies previously noted.

Faro de Camarinal © Fraser Simpson

Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia

Holm Oaks in Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales © Fraser Simpson

Holm Oaks in Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales

Day 6
Monday 7 April 2014
Zahara > Bolonia > Zahara > La Breña de Barbate
Blue sky, fairly strong E wind all day, max 22°C

Zahara de los Atunes
From late morning it was clear that many Black Kites were arriving over the Straits. This was the first movement I noticed over Zahara this week. Bee-eaters were also heading up the coast. Didn't have time to do any counts though.

Bolonia 36° 05' 19.2'' N 5° 46' 22.1'' W
Went for lunch at Restaurant Otero and enjoyed the continuing Black Kite migration with 83 birds NW in 40 mins from 15:10h. Bee-eaters also passing overhead, mostly heard but a flock of 14 observed. A Short-toed Eagle was hunting over the Sierra de la Plata and a Common Kestrel was hovering over the Cattle Egrets in the Roman ruins at Baelo Claudia.

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate (Lavandula study site) 36° 11' 01.4'' N 5° 57' 32.5'' W
At 17:35, the Black Kite and Bee-eater migration was still proceeding with 30 Black Kites and 64 Bee-eaters in 30 minutes. A loose group of c230 Yellow-legged Gulls were in the sea below the cliffs. However the highlight of the day was not a bird but a Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon).

View to Morocco © Fraser Simpson

View across Umbrella Pines to Morocco

Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) © Fraser Simpson

Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

Day 7
Tuesday 8 April 2014
Río Barbate/Barbate Estuary > Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate > La Janda
Blue sky, light wind, max 23°C

Río Barbate/Barbate Estuary
• Main bridge over the river 36° 11' 27.2'' N 5° 54' 44.3'' W
Scanned upstream for various waders, gulls and terns with Spoonbill (3), Black-winged Stilt (21), Caspian Tern (7), Avocet (4), Cormorant (10) and distant Greenshank and Redshank. Two Griffon Vultures drifted over and another four were later seen over Barbate.

• Marshes view from behind the sports stadium 36° 11' 51.2'' N 5° 54' 39.1'' W
Better views were obtained here of Caspian Tern (7), Avocet (8), Golden Plover (2), Grey Plover (1), Dunlin (2), Kentish Plover (2), Greenshank (2), Redshank (2) and Black-tailed Godwit (1). A group seven Northern Wheaters were resting in the salt-tolerant vegetation.

• Sendero Marismas del Barbate 36° 14' 01.5'' N 5° 56' 46.8'' W
The marshes were almost completely dry with only a distant small pool and the track-side ditch holding any water. Consequently, waterbirds were absent except for Moorhen (10) and Black-winged Stilt (2). However the highlight was an immature female Goshawk trying to catch Spotless Starlings and Feral Pigeons before heading north into the forested hills. Nightingale, Melodious Warbler, and Cetti's Warbler were singing from a scrubby area of Elm, Giant Reed, Tamarisk, Fig and Phragmites. A male Cuckoo passed through along with 42 Bee-eaters in 1h 40mins. Three Lesser Kestrels from the Vejer colony were hunting. Other migrants included Common Whitethroat, Subalpine Warbler and Woodchat Shrike.

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate (Lavandula study site) 36° 11' 01.4'' N 5° 57' 32.5'' W
And then like buses... another Chameleon! This individual (~25cm head-tail) found by Henry, Lewis, Angus and Robert. At least 14 Black Kites were hawking low overhead and 56 Bee-eaters were counted heading N/NE in 1h 35mins.

La Janda 36º 13' 12.2'' N 05º 47' 5.4'' W
Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar) 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. This year was almost entirely dry with ploughed fields. No egrets were nesting at the former colony. The only flooded field (36° 13' 48.0'' N 5° 48' 13.35'' W) held Glossy Ibis (12), Spoonbill (12), Great Egret (1), Little Ringed Plover (8) and Black-winged Stilt (2). Two Purple Swamphens were in the canal along with singing Reed, Great Reed and Cetti's Warbler. A few larks were singing including Calandra, Short-toed, and Crested.

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Barbate

Barbate Estuary © Fraser Simpson

Barbate Estuary

Track towards La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Track towards La Janda

Reedbed, La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Reedbed, La Janda

Day 8
Wednesday 9 April 2014
Zahara > El Almarchal > Valle de Ojén > Zahara
Cloudy-partly cloudy, mod wind, max 19°C

El Almarchal (Polistes study site) 07:10 before sunrise
Two Little Owls heard calling - one later observed on small white farm building at sunrise.

Playa de Zahara-Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary)
A quick look before breakfast revealled 8 Sanderling and 6 Sandwich Terns heading north-west and a single female Kentish Plover in the low dunes. At the estuary, a Little Owl was perched on the rock face nearest the rounadbout and a Glossy Ibis flew north.

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 08' 38.2'' N 5° 35' 38.9'' W
Cirl Buntings were singing from areas of gorse/whin, a Tawny Pipit was located at the Puerto de Ojén and four migrant Meadow Pipits were noted along with two Woodlarks, 19 Griffon Vultures, Thekla Lark, Cuckoo, Black Kite and Short-toed Eagle.

Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 09' 33.9'' N 5° 34' 54.8'' W
Checked for potential pond skater pools. In addition to common woodland species, the following were located: Iberian Chiffchaff, Golden Oriole, Hawfinch, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail, and Crested Tit. At least 120 Speckled Woods were counted along the trail and three Large Tortoiseshells.

Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanca, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 09' 47.9'' N 5° 34' 56.6'' W
Similar species to site above plus 3-4 Hawfinches, singing Bonelli's Warbler, and Jay.

Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Cork and Holm Oaks in Valle de Ojén

Cabo de Gracia © Fraser Simpson

Cabo de Gracia

Day 9
Thursday 10 April 2014
Zahara > Valle de Ojén > Los Barrios > Zahara
Partly cloudy-cloudy, mod wind, max 20°C

Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 09' 15.1'' N 5° 37' 59.1'' W
On the drive up, two Montagu's Harriers were seen near Tahivilla - surprisingly scarce this year. At the reservoir, an Osprey was circling and 87 Griffon Vultures were down on a carcass at the eastern end - most with bloody heads. Thekla Lark, Woodchat Shrike, and Little Ringed Plover were also seen.

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 08' 54.8'' N 5° 34' 57.1'' W
In addition to the species mentioned previously for this site, an adult Golden Eagle was overhead for several minutes and a 'dull' male Pied Flycatcher was seen (non-vocal migrant).

Río Palmones, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 12' 34.9'' N 5° 32' 37.6'' W
Two Red-rumped Swallows were hawking around Puente de Hierro and two Nightingales and Cetti's Warbler were singing from the riverine scrub. Raptors overhead here included Peregrine, Griffon Vulture and Booted Eagle.

Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanca, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales 36° 09' 47.9'' N 5° 34' 56.6'' W
Made some extended recordings of a singing Iberian Chiffchaff here. Four Hawfinches were still present along with Nuthatch, Crested Tit, Cuckoo, and distant Tawny Owls chicks and adult (heard).

Broomrape © Fraser Simpson

Broomrapes in the low dunes, Zahara de los Atunes

Wind Turbines, Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Wind Turbines, Zahara de los Atunes

Costa de la Luz © Fraser Simpson

Costa de la Luz

Day 10
Friday 11 April 2014
Zahara de los Atunes > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda > Benalup > La Janda > Zahara de los Atunes
Cloudy-partly cloudy, mod wind, max 20°C

La Barca de Vejer 36° 14' 59.3'' N 5° 57' 10.1'' W
I arrived at one of the Bald Ibis breeding cliffs (south-east of the village) at 08:40 but most of the bird seemed to be out foraging but four birds were sitting, probably on eggs.

N-340, eastbound from Vejer de la Frontera
A Hoopoe flew over at Km-42 near Montenmedio and an Ibieran Green Woodpecker flew over at Km-44.

La Janda 36° 13' 22.4'' N 5° 52' 07.9'' W
The highlight here (and of the trip) was a juvenile Spanish Imperial Eagle at 36° 15' 51.8'' N 5° 49' 05.7'' W, a pair of Black-winged Kites and 26 Collared Pratincoles.

Oxbow/pool near Benalup 36° 18' 10.0'' N 5° 47' 47.1'' W
This small, muddy pool usually has some water in April and today it had attracted Spotted Redshank (1), Wood Sandpiper (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Common Sandpiper (2), Little Ringed Plover (4), Black-winged Stilt (24), Glossy Ibis (3), Spoonbill (1), and White Stork (2).

Bald Ibis breeding site near La Barca de Vejer © Fraser Simpson

Bald Ibis breeding site near La Barca de Vejer

Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) © Fraser Simpson

Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti)

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

La Janda

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

La Janda

Pool near Benalup © Fraser Simpson

Oxbow/pool near Benalup attracting migrant waders and Glossy Ibis

Day 11
Saturday 12 April 2014
Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga > London
Partly cloudy, mod wind, max 20°C

Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga
Left at 10:00 for the drive back to Malaga noting Bee-eater, Black Kite, Montagu's Harrier and White Stork among others.

Zahara and Sierra de la Plata viewed from the cliffs at Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Zahara and Sierra de la Plata viewed from the cliffs at Barbate

Mediterranean Chameleon, Iberian Water Frog, Spanish Terrapin © Fraser Simpson Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) · Iberian Water Frog (Pelophylax perezi) · Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa)

Solanum herculeum, Grey-leaved Cistus, Shrubby Pimpernel © Fraser Simpson Solanum herculeum · Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus) · Shrubby Pimpernel (Lysimachia monelli)

Zahara de los Atunes & Costa de la Luz Systematic List 2-12 April 2014

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

81, La Janda, 8-Apr

3 mm, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

40+, 1, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

18, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Pr, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

Pr, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Pr, La Janda, 8-Apr

3 prs + 1 dead, La Janda, 11-Apr

Dead Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) © Fraser Simpson

Dead Red-legged Partridge at the side of a track at La Janda

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

1 singing, La Janda, 11-Apr

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Common/introduced, La Janda, 8-11 Apr

Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea

1 NW, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

69 NW in 75 mins, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

2 NW in 45 mins, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2 NW at 18:00, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2 NW at 10:05, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

8, feeding offshore, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

2, offshore, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

2 SE, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

1 NW, Zahara-Barbate, 3-Apr

7 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

1 NW + 1 SE, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

10, Barbate Estuary, 8-Apr

1, flying downstream below the Alder canopy, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 9-Apr

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Much less common than last year with no large breeding colony at La Janda.

Noted in most areas of grazed pasture.

100+, daily between along Rio de la Zarzuela and Arroyo del Candalar, inland of Zahara de los Atunes.

Many birds leaving a roost site near La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr.

12, in fields along the CA-2216 between Atlanterra and Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

Several, Roman ruins at Baelo Claudia, Bolonia, 7-Apr

28, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

Cattle Egret at La Janda

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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

5, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

3, La Janda, 8-Apr

2, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 11-Apr

Great Egret Casmerodius albus

1, La Janda, 8-Apr

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

1, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

1, La Janda, 8-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

1, La Janda, 11-Apr

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

1, flying NE between Zahara and La Zarzuela, 3-Apr

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.

3, La Zarzuela, 7-Apr

11, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

4, La Janda, 8-Apr

2, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

7, La Janda,

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

12, La Janda, 8-Apr1

1 NW, rockface nearest on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

3, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

2, La Janda, 11-Apr

3, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 11-Apr

Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

Minimum of 4 incubating on cliffs on the south-east side of La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

Northern Bald Ibis pair at nest site in cliffs, La Barca de Vejer

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

3, Barbate estuary, 3-Apr

4, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

13, La Janda, 8-Apr

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

1, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

1, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 11-Apr

Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus

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

14, between Zahara de los Atunes and La Zarzuela, 5-Apr

105, in view at once, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

16, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

2, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

4, over Barbate town, 8-Apr

3, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

11, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

87, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

2, Los Barrios entrance, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) © Fraser Simpson

Some of the 87 Griffon Vultures on a carcass at Embalse de Almodóvar

Egyptian Vulture Noephron percnopterus

1, Sierra de la Plata, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

Ad, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti

1 juv, La Janda (36° 15' 51.8'' N 5° 49' 05.7'' W), 11-Apr

Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) © Fraser Simpson

Juvenile Spanish Imperial Eagle at La Janda, 11/04/14

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

1, hunting over coastal grassland at Km-7.5 on the A-2231 road between Zahara and Barbate, 3-Apr

1, Atlanterra, Sierra de la Plata, 4-Apr

1, over Sierra de Retín on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

1, Sierra de la Plata, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2, La Janda, 8-Apr

1, Sierra de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Booted Eagle Aquila pennata

1, Atlanterra, Sierra de la Plata, 3-Apr

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

2, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

1, Los Barrios entrance, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

1, La Janda, 11-Apr

Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

Black Kite Milvus migrans

1, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

83, arrived in off the sea 15:10-15:40, Bolonia, 7-Apr

24, circling over La Breña de Barbate, 7-Apr

3, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

14, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 8-Apr

1, La Janda, 8-Apr

4, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

32, La Janda, 11-Apr

Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 8-Apr

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

Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

Scarce this year.

2, near Tahivilla, 10-Apr

3, La Janda, 11-Apr

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

1 imm f, chasing pigeons and starlings, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

1 m, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, 9-Apr

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus

Pr, near Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 11-Apr

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

1, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1, La Janda, 8-Apr

1, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Pr, at nest in cliff at La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

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

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

3, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

1, Sierra de la Plata, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

1, Los Barrios entrance, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

10, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

10+, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 8-Apr

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

1, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 8-Apr

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

2, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 8-Apr

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

21, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

6, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

2, La Janda, 8-Apr

24, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

6, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

6, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

4, displaying over southern end of Atlanterra, 4-Apr

26, in ploughed field, La Janda, 11-Apr

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

8, La Janda, 8-Apr (inc displaying bird)

Pr, 1, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

4, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

1, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

2, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

2, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

2, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

1, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Sanderling Calidris alba

7, flew NW, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr.

8, flew NW, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

3, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Dunlin Calidris alpina

4, flew NW, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 2-Apr.

2, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

1, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

1, La Janda, 8-Apr

1, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

1, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

2, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

1, pool/oxbow (Río Celemín), near Benalup, 11-Apr

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

3, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

3, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus

1 NW, Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

Almadraba, Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

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

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

12, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei

2 NW, Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

Common along the coast.

12 NW on 75 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

28 NW in 75 mins, Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

51 NW in 45 mins, Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

38 NW in 35 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

230+, in sea of Barbate cliffs, 7-Apr

30+, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

78 NW on 65 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

9 NW in 45 mins, Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

26 NW in 35 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii

1 SE, Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

6 NW in 35 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

Little Tern Sternula albifrons

1 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

2 SE, Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2 SE in 35 mins, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

4 SE, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

6, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

8, Barbate estuary, 3-Apr

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

7, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

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

Common around human habitation.

14, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

38, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus

2, over pine woods near Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-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, Conil de la Frontera,

14, perched in a single tree, Camping Bahía de la Plata, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

22, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

1 m (non-vocal), Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, 9-Apr

Barn Owl Tyto alba

1 dead, in middle of the N-340 at Km-46

Little Owl Athene noctua

Pr, rocks on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

2 calling 07:20 (1 seen 07:47), El Almarchal, 9-Apr

1, rockface nearest on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

Tawny Owl Strix aluco

1, calling at 16:25, La Breña de Barbate, 4-Apr

Ad + fledglings calling, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, 9-Apr

Common Swift Apus apus

Noted arriving on the coast most days.

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus

4, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

20+, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

15, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

4, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Alpine Swift Apus melba

2, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

Little Swift Apus affinus

2, over end of Sierra de Retín, on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

1, Cabo de Gata, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

1, over the N-340 at Km-42, near Montenmedio

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

8, near Tahivilla, 5-Apr

40+, flew inland 10:05-10:40, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

33 N, between 14:14-15:44, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 6-Apr

12, over Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

14 N, Bolonia, 7-Apr

64 N, 17:35-18:05, La Breña de Barbate, 7-Apr

42, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

61 N/NE 15:00-16:35, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 8-Apr

15, La Janda, 8-Apr

4 N, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

Heard overhead, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, 9-Apr

12, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

12, La Janda, 11-Apr

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis sharpei

1, over the N-340 at Km-44

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

Fairly common in Parque Natural de los Alcornocales.

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, Conil de la Frontera, Bolonia.

Thekla Lark Galerida theklae

2, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

2, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Woodlark Lullula arborea

2, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla

2, displaying, La Janda, 8-Apr

2, displaying, La Janda, 11-Apr

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra

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

1, displaying at Km-5 on road A-2231 between Zahara and Barbate, 4-Apr

2, displaying, La Janda, 8-Apr

4, displaying, La Janda, 11-Apr

1, displaying, El Almarchal, 9-Apr

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

2, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

1, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonprogne rupestris

2, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

2, over rocks on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Common throughout.

8, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

Bird carrying down feathers to line nest, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

12, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

16, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

12, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

10+, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

85, La Janda, 11-Apr

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica

2, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

2, Punete de Hierro, Río Palmones, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

House Martin Delichon urbicum

Common around villages and towns.

4, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

6, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

40+, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

1, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

4, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

White Wagtail Motacilla alba

1, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

1, over Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

Iberian Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae

2, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 5-Apr

1, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

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 singing m, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

1, singing m, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

2 singing mm, Punete de Hierro, Río Palmones, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

3 singing mm, La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

1, rocks on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

3, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

12, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

2, La Janda, 11-Apr

Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica

4, rocks on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

2, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

1, La Janda, 11-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.

4 mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

5 singing mm, Puerto de Ojén-Venta de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarus

1 m, scrub on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-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 mm, scrub on north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

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

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis

1 f, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

6 singing mm, La Janda, 11-Apr

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala

Abundant in suitable habitat.

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

Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans

Pr, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

1 m, La Janda, 11-Apr

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Fairly common and widespread.

Noted at Zahara, La Zarzuela, El Almarchal, Barbate, La Janda, Cortijo Los Villares, El Palmar, Conil de la Frontera, Bolonia.

5 singing mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Prickly Pear (Opuntia) hedge

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti

1 singing m, Barbate estuary, 8-Apr

3 singing mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

5 singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Punete de Hierro, Río Palmones, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

7 singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 11-Apr

2 singing mm, La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

2 singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 8-Apr

10+ singing mm, Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar), La Janda, 11-Apr

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

1 singing m, La Janda, 8-Apr

3 singing mm, La Janda, 11-Apr

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta

1 singing m, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli

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

Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus

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

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 other birds in this area. Part of a 10 minute recording where bird sang from four different regular song perches.

[File name: iberianchiffchaffLS111908son]

Iberian Chiffchaff

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

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

Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

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

2 singing mm, north bank of Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr

Several singing, Atlanterra-Cabo de Gracia, 6-Apr

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

1 m, migrant at dung heap, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

1 dull m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

Great Tit Parus major

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

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

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

Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus

Pr, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europea

1 calling, 3-4, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, 9-Apr

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.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

1, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

3, Atlanterra, 6-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

3, La Janda, 11-Apr

1, Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr

8, La Janda, 11-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, 7-Apr

70, on cliffs at La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

20+, Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 11-Apr

Common Raven Corvus corax

Pr, La Janda, 11-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, Conil de la Frontera, Bolonia.

26, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

18, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

Several pairs nesting in cliffs at La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus

1 m, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

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

Many nesting in the Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes.

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis

2, La Janda, 11-Apr

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

1, La Janda, 11-Apr

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

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

Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Pr, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

Pr, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

23, La Janda, 11-Apr

Pr, Playa del Carmen/Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

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

12+, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

22, Barbate estuary, 3-Apr

14, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

20, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

23, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

39, La Janda, 8-Apr

7, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

110+, La Janda, 11-Apr

European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

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

12, Sendero Marismas del Barbate, 8-Apr

26, La Janda, 8-Apr

European Serin Serinus serinus

Widespread and fairly common in most areas.

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes

1, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

3-4, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, 9-Apr

4, Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, 10-Apr

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

1 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 9-Apr

Pr, near Los Barrios entrance, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-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, Conil de la Frontera, Facinas, Embalse de Almodóvar, Bolonia.

25, in single flock, El Ciruelo, near El Palmar, 4-Apr

Butterfly List > Zahara de los Atunes & Costa de la Luz 2-12 April 2014

Swallowtail Papilio machaon

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

Black-eyed Blue Glaucopsyche melanops

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

Mallow Skipper Carcharodus alceae or False Mallow Skipper C. tripolinus

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