Costa de la Luz Birding Trip Report 2015 > Fraser's Birding Website


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Zahara de los Atunes Costa de la Luz Andalucia · Spain
8 -18 Apr 2015
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 Straits of Gibraltar in Cadiz province in south-west Spain. Much of the time was spent around Zahara de los Atunes, Barbate and the Valle de Ojén in the Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales. Some time was possible for birding but in general the following notes document the observations at the various student study sites.

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Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Balearic Shearwater, Great Egret, Purple Heron, Northern Bald Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Little Swift, Calandra Lark, Spectacled Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Spanish Sparrow, Ortolan Bunting.

Click here for Systematic List

ITINERARY

Day 01       08/04/15     London Gatwick > Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Day 02       09/04/15     Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > La Zarzuela
Day 03       10/04/15     Zahara > Atlanterra > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Day 04       11/04/15     Zahara > La Breña de Barbate > El Palmar > Valle de Ojén > Atlanterra
Day 05       12/04/15     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Bolonia > Atlanterra
Day 06       13/04/15     Zahara > Atlanterra > Sendero Marismas del Barbate > Atlanterra
Day 07       14/04/15     Zahara > La Janda > Benalup-Casas Viejas > Zahara
Day 08       15/04/15     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Zahara
Day 09       16/04/15     Zahara > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda > Marismas de Barbate
Day 10       17/04/15     Zahara > Marismas del Barbate > Zahara

Day 11 18/04/15 Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga

Day 1
Wednesday 8 April 2015
Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Overcast with showers, Wind 19 mph ESE - gusts to 40 mph, max 15°C

Zahara de los Atunes 36° 08' 07.8'' N 05° 50' 48.0'' W
After a brief stop at Mirador del Estrecho (little visibility and no birds) a quick look around the Hotel Gran Sol, Castillo de las Alamdrabas and Playa del Carmen saw the common species of Zahara: Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Pallid Swift, Goldfinch, Barn Swallow, Crested Lark, Yellow-legged Gull, Sardinian Warbler and Kentish Plover.

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Playa del Carmen, Zahara de los Atunes

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Dunes, Zahara de los Atunes

Castillo de las Almadrabas © Fraser Simpson

Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes

Zahara de los Atunes & Sierra de Retín © Fraser Simpson

Zahara de los Atunes & Sierra de Retín

Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara © Fraser Simpson

Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes

Day 2
Thursday 9 April 2015
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > La Zarzuela
Cloudy with some sunny breaks (heavy overnight rain), Wind 15 mph ESE - gusts to 22 mph, max 16°C

Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes 36° 08' 07.8'' N 05° 50' 48.0'' W
09:30h. Our introductory talk was held in the fifteenth century fort in windy and overcast conditions as visible bird migration started overhead with the first Montagu's Harrier and Bee-eaters of the trip. Six Griffon Vultures drifted over from the Sierra de la Plata to the Sierra de Retín. In the castle itself the resident House Sparrows and Spotless Starlings were joined by 9-10 Crag Martins, a Pallid Swift, and a singing Crested Lark.

Castillo de las Almadrabas © Fraser Simpson

Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 07' 06.9'' N 05° 49' 59.5'' W
10:58h. A visit to the low dune system backed by Pistachia and Juniperus scrub saw a profusion of parasitic Orobanche probably helped by the wet spring. A migrant Yellow Wagtail flew north-west and a Serin arrived in off the sea.

Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra (Cistus study site around lighthouse) 36° 05' 24.5'' N 5° 48' 37.1'' W
11:25-12:40h. Insect as well as bird migration was apparent over the headland with 14 Painted Ladies and six Hummingbird Hawkmoths observed passing. Seabirds passing included 32 Balearic Shearwaters, single Gull-billed Tern, Audouin's Gull, and Great Skua. Raptors arriving along the coast or in off the sea included Black Kite (9), Booted Eagle (3), and Marsh Harrier. In the scrub among the abundant Sardinian Warblers, Nightingale and Willow Warbler were located.

Playa de Atlanterra © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Atlanterra, Bahia de la Plata

La Zarzuela A-2227 (Thebas pisana study transect) 36° 10' 13.7'' N 05° 48' 46.0'' W
14:37-16:15h. Lots of activity in the fallow, grazing and cereal fields around the small village. Around 60 Bee-eaters passed over in 90 minutes and an obvious steady trickle of Barn Swallows and Painted Ladies continued with a group of Red-rumped Swallows (4) heading north. Melodious Warbler and Hoopoe singing in the village. Along the damp roadside verge inland, Zitting Cisticola, Corn Bunting and Stonechat were common. Overhead Griffon Vulture (3), Short-toed Eagle and Marsh Harrier drifted over.

Cereal fields along the foot of the Sierra de Retin, La Zarzuela © Fraser Simpson

Cereal fields with weedy borders along the foot of the Sierra de Retín, La Zarzuela

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

Wind turbines and flower-rich ditch, La Zarzuela

Ruined farm house, La Zarzuela © Fraser Simpson

Ruined farm house with singing Hoopoe, La Zarzuela

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary) 36° 08' 16.3'' N 5° 50' 57.4'' W
A Spoonbill and at least 17 Little Egrets were feeding inland of the bridge.

Day 3
Friday 10 April 2015
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Mainly blue sky - more cloud in the mountains, Wind 16 mph E, max 19°C

Playa de Atlanterra/Bahia de la Plata (Beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
10:00-11:05h. Highlight was a Little Swift on the north side of Atlanterra. A migrant female Redstart was in the Pistachia and Juniperus scrub and a Yellow Wagtail flew in off the sea. Around 250 Balearic Shearwaters flew east in on hour, Four Audouin's Gulls and seven Gannets were offshore. One immature Gannet, diving close to shore was repeatedly kleptoparasitised by Yellow-legged Gulls when it surfaced with a fish. The Painted Lady movement continued.

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
(Aquarius study site) 36° 08' 54.8'' N 5° 34' 57.1'' W
Los Alcornocales is a huge area of oak-cloaked hillsides and valleys with Cork, Holm and Algerian Oak. The track up to our pond skater study site continues to deteriorate. Bud-burst on the trees seemed later this year, even though we were a week later, but the Asphodel slopes were in full flower and buzzing with insects. Silver-Y moths were abundant and butterflies included Moroccan Orange-tip, Spanish Festoon, Large Tortoiseshell, Provence Hairstreak, Cleopatra, Scare Swallowtail, Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Large White, Small Copper, and Common Blue. Bee-eater passage continued with 121 north in two and a half hours. Raptors over the valley included Griffon Vulture (6), Short-toed Eagle (3), Booted Eagle (3), Bonelli's Eagle (1), Goshawk (f), Black Kite (2) and Common Buzzard (2). No Iberian Chiffchaffs were heard singing but Common Chiffchaff still seem to be passing through. Bonelli's Warbler, Hawfinch, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper and migrant Redstart were located.

Oak forests in Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Oak forests in Valle de Ojén

Day 4
Saturday 11 April 2015
Zahara > La Breña de Barbate > El Palmar > Atlanterra
Weather, Wind 10 mph ENE, max 19°C

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate (Lavandula study site) 36° 11' 01.4'' N 5° 57' 32.5'' W
10:25-11:15h. Painted Ladies were abundant along the cliff-top here with 20+ in just a few square metres of Lavandula.

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

Painted Lady © Fraser Simpson

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), 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

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Barbate

Polistes study site near El Palmar 36° 13' 04.1'' N 06° 02' 04.0'' W
11:55-14:50h. This site is a rocky, flower-rich, tumble-down farmyard ruin with Opuntia, Pistachia, Olive, Fig and Orange trees. Three Nightingales were singing in the hear of the noon day sun. Hoopoe, Cuckoo, Corn Bunting, Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Serin, Sardinain Warbler and Calandra Lark were all singing while two Collared Pratincoles flew overhead. Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) also noted.

Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra (Cistus study site around lighthouse) 36° 05' 24.5'' N 5° 48' 37.1'' W
15:30-17:00h. Painted Ladies continued to arrive at the headland at Cabo de Gracia. At least 57 Yellow-legged Gulls flew south-east in 30 mins and six Bee-eaters flew inland. A pair of Crag Martins were flying around the lighthouse.

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary) 36° 08' 16.3'' N 5° 50' 57.4'' W
18:45-19:45h. More interest than usual at this site. Feeding in the mud were eight Yellow Wagtails (5 iberiae, 2 flava & 1 flavissima), five White Wagtails, six Common Sandpipers and five Little Egrets. Two Caspian Terns flew in from the sea and made a brief sortie of the whole estuary before flying back out to the mouth.

Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary) © Fraser Simpson

Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary)

Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Zahara de los Atunes

Day 5
Sunday 12 April 2015
Zahara > Atlanterra > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Bolonia > Cueva del Moro > Atlanterra
Cloudy & light showers in the mountains, sunny on the coast, Wind 21 mph E, max 16°C

Playa de Atlanterra/Bahia de la Plata (2nd beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
10:00-10:15h. In the short time we were here, three Yellow Wagtails flew in off the sea.

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
(Aquarius study site) 36° 08' 54.8'' N 5° 34' 57.1'' W
11:35-12:45h. Cool and showery - bird activity was low and no Iberian Chiffchaff were heard singing.

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

Bolonia & Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata 36° 05' 18.6'' N 05° 46' 32.3'' W
14:05-16:10h. Had lunch at one of the fish restaurants while viewing the sea - no visible passage of birds, unlike last year. Found several Green Tree Frogs on the old well. Drove on up to the 'Swift' cave on the Sierra de Plata (36° 06' 03.2'' N 05° 47' 33.6'' W) and showed students the Griffon Vultures nests - one chick was visible. Also Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and Cirl Bunting present.

Bolonia © Fraser Simpson

Ensenada de Bolonia

Sierra de la Plata © Fraser Simpson

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

Playa de Atlanterra/Bahia de la Plata (2nd beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
17:35-18:30h. It was quiet here until I went for a closer look at some distant 'Sandwich Terns' at Cabo de Gracia. This turned out to be a very good move as these birds were actually two Lesser Crested Terns!

Day 6
Monday 13 April 2015
Zahara > Atlanterra > Sendero Marismas del Barbate > Atlanterra
Blue sky all day, Wind 17-20 mph SE, max 24°C

Playa de Atlanterra/Bahia de la Plata (Beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
10:00-10:35h. The two Lesser Crested Terns were still present around Cabo de Gracia this morning though ranging much further south of the headland. Also three Sandwich Terns present for comparison.

Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis), Atlanterra © Fraser Simpson

Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis), Atlanterra

Cabo de Gracia © Fraser Simpson

Cabo de Gracia

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary)
Stopped at the mouth of the estuary on the way to Barbate as a Caspian Tern was flying up river.

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Zahara de los Atunes

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 were almost dried out again this year with only a large ditch (line with Spanish Terrapins Mauremys leprosa) holding any water. The few visible water birds comprised of a pair of Black-winged Stilts, Grey Heron, Moorhen and Mallard. However, at least 10 Red-rumped Swallows were present along with some Lesser Kestrels from the Veher colony and a singing Sedge Warbler.

Playa de Atlanterra/Bahia de la Plata (Beetle study site) 36° 05' 42.0'' N 5° 48' 46.7'' W
18:10-19:00h. No sign of the Lesser Crested Terns but two Monarch butterflies were see along the road through the villas and gardens.

View to Morocco © Fraser Simpson

View across Umbrella Pines to Morocco

Umbrella Pine forest, Bolonia © Fraser Simpson

Umbrella Pine forest, Monte de Camarinal & Playa del Cañuelo

Day 7
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Zahara de los Atunes > La Janda > Benalup-Casas Viejas > Zahara
Partly cloudy, Wind 26 mph ESE at dawn - dropping to 5 mph ESE at dusk, max 16.5°C

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
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. Again this year, the area was completey dry with ploughed fields. No egrets were nesting at the former colony. A single Purple Swamphen was located in the canal along with singin Great Reed, Reed and Cetti's Warblers. The highlight was a singing (briefly) Spectacled Warbler in a regenerating post-fire area of Cistus above the dam near Km-47 on the N-340.

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

La Janda

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

La Janda

Reedbed, La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Reedbed, La Janda

Oxbow/pool near Benalup 36° 18' 10.0'' N 5° 47' 47.1'' W
This small, muddy pool usually has some water in April though it much more overgrown this year. Larger wading birds included a Great Egret and two Spoonbills, plus two Marsh Harriers, a pair of Little Ringed Plover and a single Wood Sandpiper.

Pool near Benalup © Fraser Simpson

Oxbow/pool near Benalup attracting Great Egret and Spoonbill

Rehuelga (farm on right after oxbow) 36° 18' 32.4'' N 05° 47' 44.7'' W
A large, dry field with cattle at the farm entrance was attracting many rabbits and birds due to the straw/feed supplied and, in all probability, lots of spilled grain. The highlight was a couple of Turtle Doves feeding with the Collared Doves and at least four male Spanish Sparrows among the 200+ House Sparrows. Also two Lesser Kestrels, a Woodchat Shrike and another pair of Red-legged Partridges. On the return drive a Short-toed Eagle was hovering at Km-53 on the N-340.

Day 8
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales > Zahara
Weather, Wind, max 4 moh ESE 14.5°C

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
(Aquarius study site) 36° 08' 54.8'' N 5° 34' 57.1'' W
Conditions in the hills today were unusually calm so I made some sound recordings. Best birds here included Hobby,Tawny Pipit, Thekla Lark, Woodlarkm Crested Tit, and Short-toed Eagle.

Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Cork and Holm Oaks in Valle de Ojén

Day 9
Thursday 16 April 2015
Zahara > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda > Marismas del Barbate > Zahara
Blue sky, Wind 7-12 mph WNW, max 24.5°C

La Barca de Vejer 36° 15' 17.5'' N 05° 57' 29.5'' W
07:45h. Arrived at dawn as several Bald Ibis were leaving the colony on the north side of the village. At least 10 nests were probably in use with several incubating birds visible. Along the Rio Barbate at colony of at least 70 pairs of Cattle Egrets were building or incubating. Several species singing in the riverine scrub included Melodious Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Nightingale, Serin and Sardinian Warbler.

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

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

La Janda 36º 13' 17.8'' N 05º 52' 16.8'' W
Km-47, N-340 entrance: went back to get a sound recording of the Spectacled Warbler but could not locate it.

Track towards La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Track towards La Janda from Km-47, N-340

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
This site was more productive than visits in previous years several interesting species. Stealing the show were the Collared Pratincoles with around 150 birds resting on the mud and hawking over the surrounding fields of wild flowers. Several Calandra and Greater Short-toed Larks were singing backed by the usual chorus of Corn Buntings and Zitting Cisticolas. Yellow Wagtails seemed to be everywhere. Highlights included Spoonbill (22), Great Egret (1), Night Heron (2), Avocet (14), Black-winged Stilt (12), Tawny Pipit (2), Grey Plover (2), Golden Plover (24).

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Marismas del Barbate

Marismas del Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Marismas del Barbate

• 2nd stop 36° 10' 56.5'' N 05° 53' 20.0'' W
Further inland, a second stop produced Greater Flamingo (1), Purple Heron (1), Stone Curlew, singing Quail, Whinchat (pr), another Tawny Pipit and more larks.

Orobanche creanta © Fraser Simpson

Broomrapes (Orobanche densiflora) 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 17 April 2015
Zahara de los Atunes > Marismas del Barbate > Zahara de los Atunes
Fog at dawn, clearing to blue sky mid-morning, Wind 1-8 mph SW, max 25°C

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side)
• Itinerario el Cañillo 36° 10' 28.6'' N 05° 53' 34.6'' W
An almost constant feature of this coast is the wind, relentless at times, but this morning very calm allowed a low fog to hang around till mid-morning. After photographing the Little Egrets in the estuary at the Zahara de los Atunes I explored the estuary at Barabte. Several migrant passerines and waders had dropped in overnight and the lack of wind allowed me to make some sound recordings of Calandra and Greater Short-toed Larks. Highlights included Great Egret, Collared Pratincole (150+), Stone Curlew, Northern Bald Ibis (4), Black-winged Stilt (40+), Dunlin (81), Sanderling (14), Knot (1), Kentish Plover (6 prs).

• Itinerario el Cañillo - 'Tamarisk migrant trap' 36° 10' 36.0'' N 05° 53' 18.7'' W
An area of Tamarisk (Tamarix) shrubs held quite a few migrants including Ortolan Bunting (m), Subalpine Warbler (m), Whinchat (2 mm), Willow Warbler (3+), Woodchat Shrike (3 mm), Whitethroat (m), and two Black-eared Wheatears on the adjacent track.

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincoles (Glareola pratincola) feeding over grazing pasture, Marismas del Barbate

Marismas del Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Tamarisk migrant trap, Marismas del Barbate

• Marshes view from behind the sports stadium 36° 11' 45.7'' N 05° 54' 40.9'' W
This vantage point allowed an alternative view on the west side of the Río Barbate. Two Slender-billed Gulls flew up river and two Northern Wheatear were resting on the saltmarsh vegetation. A loose group of 14 Black-winged Stilts were feeding in the near pool along with Greenshank, Redshank and Whimbrel.

Barbate Estuary © Fraser Simpson

Barbate Estuary

• Río Barbate (river mouth) & Playa del Cañillo 36° 11' 03.7'' N 05° 54' 33.8'' W
Had a quick look around the river mouth and estuary downstream of the town. Waders included Whimbrel, Greenshank, Kentish Plover, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Turnstone. Around 27 Pallid Swifts were hawking overhead and the only Common Tern and Sand Martin of the trip were seen here. Out in the bay at least 110 Yellow-legged Gulls were loafing and Greater Short-toed Larks were located in the dunes south of the river mouth.

Río Barbate/Marismas del Barbate © Fraser Simpson

Río Barbate

Day 11
Saturday 18 April 2015
Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga > London
>

Zahara de los Atunes > Malaga
An early start to get back to the airport. A Hoopoe flew over the Zahara road near Venta de Retin. A brief stop at Mirador del Estrecho - again Morocco wasn't visible through Wrens were heard singing from the gorse in the fog below. Finally at Malaga Airport, Serin and Pallid Swift were noted at the car rental return.

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

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

Zahara de los Atunes & Costa de la Luz Systematic List 8-18 April 2015

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

7 (6mm/1f), Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

23, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

200+, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

4, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Pr, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

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

Pr, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Pr, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

1 singing, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Common, La Janda, 14-Apr.

Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea

1 SE, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12:35h, 9-Apr.

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus

32 SE, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12:35h, 9-Apr.

c250 E, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10:00-11:05h, 10-Apr.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

7, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

1, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 11-Apr.

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12-Apr.

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

2 over, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

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

3, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Noted in most areas of grazed pasture.

2 NW, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

19, on football pitch, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

12, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

80+ pairs nesting, La Barca de Vejer, 16-Apr.

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in full breeding plumage.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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

17, Río de Cachón, Zahara estuary, 9-Apr.

5, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

8, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

1, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

5, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

2, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) © Fraser Simpson

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

Great Egret Casmerodius albus

1, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) © Fraser Simpso

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), La Janda-Benalup

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

1 imm, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

1 juv, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

1 ad, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-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.

5 occupied nests, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

1, over Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

Minimum of 9 incubating on cliffs on the north-west side of La Barca de Vejer, 16-Apr

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

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita)

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

1, Río de Cachón, Zahara estuary, 9-Apr.

2, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

22, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

1 imm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus

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

6, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

3, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

6, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

2, Atlanterra, 11-Apr.

14, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 12-Apr.

2 nests with single chicks, cliffs at Cueva del Moro, Sierra de la Plata,12-Apr.

1, Atlanterra, 12-Apr.

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

8, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Egyptian Vulture Noephron percnopterus

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

1, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

1, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

1, Km-53 on N-340, between Vejer de la Frontera and Tahivilla, 14-Apr.

2, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

1, Zahara-Barbate, 16-Apr.

Booted Eagle Aquila pennata

3, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

3, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

Black Kite Milvus migrans

9 over, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12:19h, 9-Apr.

2, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

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

Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

1 f, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12:31h, 9-Apr.

1 imm f, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

1 m, Km-61, N-340 near Tahivilla, 12-Apr.

2 ff, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

1 NW, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 09:48h, 9-Apr

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

Pr, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

3, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

1 f, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

1, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

Pr, Cueva del Moro, 12-Apr.

2, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

2, first 1 km of trail, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

3, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

Pr, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Hobby Falco subbuteo

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

4 visible (more calling), Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

3 prs, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

7, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

Pr, Embalse de Almodóvar, 14-Apr.

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus eodicnemus

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-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

Pr, Barbate estuary, 11-Apr.

Pr, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

12, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

50+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

14, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

14, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

1, Barbate estuary, 11-Apr.

1, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

2 over, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

1 SE, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 13-Apr.

150+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-17 Apr.

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Marismas del Barbate

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Pr, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

2 prs, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

9, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Pr, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

Pr, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

6 prs, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

5, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

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

24, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

1, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Sanderling Calidris alba

14, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

1, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

1, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Curlew Numenius arquata

1, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

7, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr

Knot Calidris canutus

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

10, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

81, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

1, oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

6, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), 11-Apr.

5, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

1, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

4, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

2, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

3, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

1, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

1, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Great Skua Stercorarius skua

1 SE, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 11:57h, 9-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

2 SE, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei

2, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

Common along the coast.

17 NW, 2 SE, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

10+, Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

77 (mostly imms) SE, , Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

6, kleptoparasitising an imm Gannet, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

57 SE, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 16:00-16:30h, 11-Apr.

18, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

30+, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

110, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

4, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii

Ad SE, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12:00h, 9-Apr.

4, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

1, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), 11-Apr.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

3 NW, Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

3, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

2 E, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

1, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 11-Apr.

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12-Apr.

3 SE, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12-Apr.

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 13-Apr.

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

1 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 13-Apr.

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis

2 (ad + 1st-cy), Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12-13 Apr.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

1, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

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

Common around human habitation.

12, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

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

120, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus

Pr, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

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

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Common around human habitatation.

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

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

2, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

1 singing, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

1 singing, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

1 singing, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 12-Apr.

2 singing, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Little Owl Athene noctua

1, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

Tawny Owl Strix aluco

1 calling, La Breña de Barbate (pine woods), 10-Apr.

Common Swift Apus apus

Noted arriving on the coast most days.

2, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus

2, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

30+, Puerto de Barbate, 11-Apr.

2, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

27, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Alpine Swift Apus melba

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

Little Swift Apus affinus

1, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

1 singing, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

1 singing, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

1, flew over the Zahara road near Venta de Retin, 18-Apr

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

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

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

6 NW, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

31, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 11:54-1157h, 9-Apr.

80, migrants flew inland, La Zarzuela, 14:36-16:15h, 9-Apr.

111 N, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 12:40-16:12h, 10-Apr.

10+, La Breña de Barbate (pine woods), 10-Apr.

2, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

6, in off the sea, Atlanterra, 11-Apr.

8, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus viridis sharpei

1 heard, La Breña de Barbate (pine woods), 10-Apr.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

3 drumming, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

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.

Thekla Lark Galerida theklae

Pr, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Woodlark Lullula arborea

Pr, Arroyo del Tiradrero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla

5 singing, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-17 Apr.

4, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-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

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

2 singing, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

1 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

6 singing, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-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, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonprogne rupestris

9-10, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

2, Atlanterra, 11-Apr.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Common throughout.

Steady movement inland, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

Arriving in off the sea, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

23, collecting mud, Río del Cachón (Zahara estuary), 11-Apr.

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica

4 N, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

2, La Zarzuela, 10-Apr.

3-4, Km-1, A-2223, 11-Apr.

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 13-Apr.

10, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

2, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

House Martin Delichon urbicum

Common around villages and towns.

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

Pr, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

3, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

1 singing, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba

5, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

2, Embalse de Almodóvar, 12-Apr.

2, Embalse de Almodóvar, 14-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (unidentified subspecies)

1 NW, Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

1, in off the sea, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

3, in off the sea, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 11-Apr.

Iberian Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae

1 NW, Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

1 in off the sea, Bahia de la Plata, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

5, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

3, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

50+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-17 Apr.

6, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flava

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

British Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-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, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

3 singing, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

1 singing, Atlanterra, 11-Apr.

1 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

2 singing, La Barca de Vejer, 16-Apr.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

2, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica

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

2, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

2 (m/f), El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

3 mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-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.

3 prs, first 1 km of trail, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

5 prs, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

2 fledged broods, Puerto de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarus

1 m, Cueva del Moro, 12-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.

Pr + b/2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-Apr.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

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

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis

6 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

1 m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-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.

Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans

1 m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Fairly common and widespread. Noted at Zahara, La Zarzuela, El Almarchal, Barbate, La Janda, Cortijo Los Villares, El Palmar, Bolonia.

4 displaying, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

3 displaying, first 1 km of trail, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

18 displaying, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

Prickly Pear (Opuntia) hedge

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti

3 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

1 singing , oxbow/pool near Benalup, 14-Apr.

2 singing, La Barca de Vejer, 16-Apr.

European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

1 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

4 singing, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

1 singing, La Barca de Vejer, 16-Apr.

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta

1 singing, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

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

1 singing, La Barca de Vejer, 16-Apr.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

1 singing, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli

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

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus colyybita

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

Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus

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

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 12:35h, 9-Apr.

1, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

3, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

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, Mirador del Estrecho, 18-Apr.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

1 f, Atlanterra, 10-Apr.

1 f, 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

6, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europea

1 calling, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-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 (Umbrella Pine woods).

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

2, Bolonia-N-340, 12-Apr.

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

1, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

1, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 16-Apr.

3 mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius

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

6, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 15-Apr.

Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Common, cliffs around La Breña de Barbate, 7-Apr

20, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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

Many pairs nesting, La Barca de Vejer, 16-Apr.

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

Common Raven Corvus corax

1, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

1, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

1 calling, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 12-Apr.

2 prs, Cueva del Moro, 12-Apr.

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

2, track between Canal Colector del Este-Cortijo de la Mediana, La Janda, 14-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.

10+, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

46, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 11-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.

40+, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

200+, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis

4 mm (min), Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

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

Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina

1, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

2, Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

Pr, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 9-Apr.

2 prs, La Zarzuela, 9-Apr.

Pr, Polistes study site near El Palmar, 11-Apr.

4, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

7, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

Pr, Rehuelga, near Benalup, 14-Apr.

Pr, behind Estadio Municipal de Deportes/Avenida Joaquín Blume, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

Pr, Río Barbate mouth, Marismas del Barbate, 17-Apr.

European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

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

5, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 9-Apr.

14, first 1 km of trail, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

92, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

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

6, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (Marisma Alta), 13-Apr.

17, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 14-Apr.

European Serin Serinus serinus

Widespread and fairly common in most areas.

1, in off the sea, Playa de Zahara, 9-Apr.

Many displaying, La Breña de Barbate (pine woods), 10-Apr.

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

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Heard calling, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, 10-Apr.

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus

1 singing, Cueva del Moro, 12-Apr.

Rock Bunting Emberiza cia

1 singing, Cueva del Moro, 12-Apr.

Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana

1 m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 17-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.

24 singing, Venta de Retin > Canal Colector del Este > Km-47, N-240, La Janda, 14-Apr.

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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