Costa de la Luz Birding Trip Report 2018 > Fraser's Birding Website


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Zahara de los Atunes Costa de la Luz Andalucía · Spain
2-12 April 2018 Observers: F. Simpson

Introduction

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

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

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

Highlights

Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Great Egret, Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Northern Bald Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Greater Flamingo, Rüppell's Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Goshawk, Lesser Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Caspian Tern, Scops Owl, Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark, Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Western Subalpine Warber, Spanish Sparrow.

Itinerary

Day 01       02/04/18     London City Airport > Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Day 02       03/04/18     Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > La Breña de Barbate > Conil de la Frontera
Day 03       04/04/18     Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > Cabo de Gracia
Day 04       05/04/18     Zahara > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Day 05       06/04/18     Zahara de los Atunes > El Almarchal > La Janda
Day 06       07/04/18     Zahara > Marismas del Barbate > La Janda
Day 07       08/04/18     Zahara de los Atunes > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Day 08       09/04/18     Zahara de los Atunes > La Janda > Marismas del Barbate > Río Barbate mouth
Day 09       10/04/18     Zahara de los Atunes > La Breña de Barbate
Day 10       11/04/18     Zahara de los Atunes > Laguna de la Paja > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda

Day 11 12/04/18 Zahara de los Atunes > Tarifa > Algeciras > Malaga

Map of Main Locations

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

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

2. Playa de Zahara

3. Atlantera, Faro de Camarinal & Cabo de Gracia

4. La Zarzuela & El Almarchal

5. Bolonia

6. Cueva del Moro

7. Embalse de Almodóvar, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

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

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

10. El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate

11. Marismas del Barbate

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

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

14. La Breña de Barbate

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

16. La Barca de Vejer

17. Polistes study site (Casa la Palmera)

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

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

20. Oxbow, near Benalup

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

22. Sendero Colada de la Costa, Tarifa

Day 1
Monday 2 April 2018
London City Airport > Malaga > Algeciras > Tarifa > Zahara de los Atunes
Partly cloudy, Wind 7mph WSW in afternoon, max 18°C around Tarifa

Highlights
Griffon Vulture, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Bee-eater, White Stork, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling.

London City Airport
Two Canada Geese flying low down the runway was a bit disconcerting, but not surprising given all the water around in the Docklands.

Drive from Malaga to Zahara, via Tarifa
Around 100 Griffon Vultures were kettling high in the hills above Estepona, with a pair of Ravens skirting much lower. From Algericas, the first Bee-eaters were regularly seen heading north over the road. A brief stop to stretch the legs at a service station revealled a White Stork, Little Egrets and two Bee-eaters in a small marshy area behind.

Brief stop at Mirador de Cazalla, Tarifa
Several Sardinan Warblers chattering from scrub patches and wind-sculpted tree 'fragments'. Raptors were represented by two Griffon Vultures, two Black Kites, a Booted Eagle, and a distant Kestrel species. Numberous Corn Buntings and three Blackbirds, a Crested Lark, and a Stonechat were singing from the verdant slopes below, Red-legged Partridges were calling and a couple more Bee-eaters passed over. On reaching the lower land between Tarifa and Zahara, the high water table from the winter rains was evident. Several Little Egrets and numerous Cattle Egrets in roadside fields.

Strait of Gibraltar, from Mirador de Estrecho © Fraser Simpson

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

Day 2
Tuesday 3 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > La Breña de Barbate > Conil de la Frontera
Cloudy with showers in the morning, brighter in the afternoon: wind 7-20 mph W to WSW, min 12°C, max 18°C

Highlights
Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Hoopoe, Greater Flamingo, Audouin's Gull, Crested Lark, Woodchat Shrike, Western Subalpine Warbler, Serin, Short-toed Treecreeper, White Stork, Turtle Dove, Pallid Swift, Woodchat Shrike, Calandra Lark, Pied Flyctcatcher, Redstart, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, Melodious Warbler, Stone Curlew, Water Pipit, Bee-eater.

Zahara de los Atunes 36° 08' 07.8'' N 05° 50' 48.0'' W
Had our introductory talk on the roof of Hotel Gran Sol which was soon abandoned due to rain. Clouds were low, covering the end of the Sierra de Retin. Four Griffon Vultures and a Short-toed Eagle were circling and a Sardinian Warbler chattered from the Castillo de las Almadrabas. A walk to pick up some packed lunch supplies saw the usual wolf-whistling Spotless Starlings and 12 migrant Bee-eaters flew north-west.

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

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

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

Map of Zahara de los Atunes & Río del Cachón

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

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

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

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

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

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

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 7' 5.26" N 5° 49' 59.19" W
Low dune system backed by Pistachia and Juniperus scrub. The short drive a few kilometres south-east of the town towards Atlanterra produced a Hoopoe and several roadside Cattle Egrets. Large winter tides had dumped a lot of sand on to the dunes and much vegetation had disappeared. The scrub behind the dunes held some migrants which were not going anywhere during this showery morning, including Western Subalpine Warbler, six Woodchat Shrike, and another Hoopoe. Two groups of Greater Flamingos (16 and 100) flew north-west about 500 metres offshore. Two Audouin's Gull were loafing on the beach and another flew past, along with four Gannets, two Razorbills and a single Sandwich Tern.

Playa de Zahara © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Zahara

Parque Natural La Breña de Barbate (Lavandula study site) 36° 11' 01.4'' N 5° 57' 32.5'' W
From the A-2233 Barbate to Los Canos de Meca road, there is a trail (Sendero del Tajo) through the Umbrella/Stone Pine forest which soon arrives at a more open area around the clifftop. The weather had improved in the afternoon but there was no obvious movement of anything overhead. Best here was a Tawny Owl calling in broad daylight, Short-toed Treecreepers piping their piercing songs, several song-flighting Serins and the first migrant Willow Warbler of the trip. Sardinian Warblers were abundant, particularly in the Dwarf Fan Palms in the clearings and in the Retama brooms along the cliff top.

La Breña de Barbate © Fraser Simpson

La Breña de Barbate

La Breña de Barbate © Fraser Simpson

La Breña de Barbate

Casa la Palmera (Polistes study site near Conil de la Frontera) 36° 15' 10.71" N 6° 3' 53.18" W
Two years on and the Opuntia cactus hedges had not recovered from the hemiptera-transmitted infection which has devastated the region. In fact, the decaying vegetation of the hedges had all but collapsed. This small site appeared to be heaving with migrants, probably dumped by the heavy overnight rain. The olive and fig scrub held six Woodchat Shrike, two Western Subalpine Warbler, five Commen Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, five Willow Warbler, two Common Chiffchaff, Melodious Warbler and Nightingale. The flooded depression behind farm was equally interesting with migrant Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Sand Martin, Little Ringed Plover, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, Water Pipit and Turtle Dove. The highlight here was a Stone Curlew. Calandra Lark and Corn Bunting were singing from the drier fields of agriculture beyond.

Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera © Fraser Simpson

Casa la Palmera

Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera © Fraser Simpson

Former Opuntia hedge, Casa la Palmera

Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes © Fraser Simpson

Hotel Gran Sol

Day 3
Wednesday 4 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > Atlanterra > Cabo de Gracia
Blue sky, wind 6-9 mph WSW, min 12°C, max 20°C

Highlights
Western Subalpine Warbler, Kentish Plover, Audouin's Gull, Greater Flamingo, Gull-billed Tern, Short-toed Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Peregrine.

Playa de Zahara (1st beetle study site) 36° 7' 5.26" N 5° 49' 59.19" W
Low dune system backed by Pistachia and Juniperus scrub. Much quieter today in terms of migrants with little movement overhead. The fine weather (and clearer skies last night) and light westerly winds probably meant that most birds were making a more direct route across at Tarifa/Gibraltar. A single Subalpine Warbler was found and a Yellow Wagtail flew in off the sea. On the beach, 16 Sanderling were scurrying along the tideline, a pair of Kentish Plover were standing sentinel-like at their breeding site on the edge of the dune, and three Sandwich Terns were fishing around the Almadraba.

Playa de Zahara © Fraser Simpson

Playa de Zahara

Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra (Cistus study site around lighthouse) 36° 05' 24.5'' N 5° 48' 37.1'' W
Normally a good site for observing Bee-eater passage at this time of the year, only six birds were seen heading north-west. The sea held most of the interest with a spectacular flock of 110 Greater Flamingos flying northwest over the deep, blue sea. Also heading along the coast were two Gull-billed Terns, seven Sandwich Terns, and three Audouin's Gulls. A few finches and Barn Swallows were arriving in off the sea and a female Wheatear was resting up. The end of the Sierra de la Plata here had three Short-toed Eagles, four Griffon Vulture, and a Common Kestrel.

Atlanterra and Bahia de la Plata © Fraser Simpson

Atlanterra and Bahia de la Plata

Punta Camarinal, from Cabo de Gracia © Fraser Simpson

Punta Camarinal, from Cabo de Gracia

Day 4
Thursday 5 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Blue sky, wind 12 mph WSW, min 12°C, max 20°C

Highlights
Rüppell's Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Black Kite, Hobby, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch, Woodlark, Firecrest, Cirl Bunting, Tawny Pipit, Thekla Lark, Montagu's Harrier.

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

Valle de Ojen, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Arroyo del Tiradero, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Asphodel pasture, Valle de Ojén © Fraser Simpson

Valle de Ojen, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

Day 5
Friday 6 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > El Almarchal > La Janda
Partly cloudy, wind 2-12 mph SW-W, min 11°C, max 17°C

Highlights
Red-rumped Swallow, Hoopoe, Western Subalpine Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Calandra Lark, Bee-eater, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Short-toed Eagle.

Castillo de las Almadrabas > Playa de Zahara
Out before breakfast at 07:45 checking Sardinian Warbler territories for a student project. Walked the boardwalk from the castle south-east through the dunes. Of note among the usual species: Western Subalpine Warbler, Nightingale, Common Chiffchaff, two Red-rumped Swallow, two White Wagtail, Hoopoe and Woodchat Shrike.

Playa de Zahara © Fraser Simpson

Dune scrub, Playa de Zahara

La Janda > Zahara de los Atunes (Theba 10 Km study transect along road A-2227)
• Km-0, 'Edge of La Janda', 36° 12' 41.2'' N 5° 47' 24.2'' W
A 'rapid inventory' at each site, while students collected snail samples, produced some quality birds from the roadside stops (off-road on access tracks, as there is no stopping on the A-2227 itself): 2-cy Spanish Imperial Eagle, five Bee-eater N, Yellow Wagtail N, and Calandra Lark.

• Km-1 'El Conejo', 36° 12' 04.7'' N 5° 47' 24.2'' W
Highlights here included a male Montagu's Harrier and four Bee-eaters north.

• Km-2, 'Parque Eólico', 36° 12' 41.2 N 5° 47' 24.2'' W
A futher 56 migrant Bee-eaters heading north, 52 unidentified Swifts at a fair height, five Griffon Vultures, four displaying Calandra Larks, and single Lesser Kestrel, Short-toed Eagle and Booted Eagle.

Río del Cachón, Zahara de los Atunes (Zahara estuary) 36° 8' 16.87" N 5° 50' 34.03" W
The water itself held few birds (two Little Egrets), though three pair of Kentish Plover, two migrant Common Sandpipers, and five White Wagtails were along the lower sandy and upper muddy edges. Good numbers of common species including 158 Spotless Starlings, 130+ Barn Swallows, and 200+ House Sparrows were pesent. Highlights were two Western Subalpine Warblers, Woodchat Shrike, Short-toed Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Red-rumped Swallow and an Iberian Yellow Wagtail.

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

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

Day 6
Saturday 7 April 2018
Zahara > Marismas del Barbate > La Janda
Blue sky, wind <10 mph W in morning; to 11 mph E later in afternoon, min 21°C, max 21°C

Highlights
Hoopoe, Greater Flamingo, Black Kite, Bee-eater, Pallid Swift, Woodlark, Crested Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Scops Owl, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Short-toed Treecreeper, Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Goshawk, Egyptian Vulture, Bee-eater, Curlew Sandpiper, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Stone Curlew, Caspian Tern, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Collared Pratincole, Northern Bald Ibis, Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark.

Castillo de las Almadrabas > Playa de Zahara
Out before breakfast at 07:20 checking Sardinian Warbler territories for a student project. Heavy rain, so waited until 08:00. Walked the boardwalk from the castle south-east through the dunes. A group of 70 Greater Flamingos flew north west along the coast, looking more pink than usual against the dark grey and blue water. Lots of migrants flitting among the giant reeds: 12+ Subalpine Warbler, 10+ Willow Warbler, 8+ Common Chiffchaff, 2 Iberian Chiffchaff and a Hoopoe.

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 Alcornoles is a huge area of oak-cloaked hillsides and valleys with Cork, Holm and Algerian Oak. The highlight was Scops Owl singing intermittently in broad daylight! Two Hoopoes were in a field of Aspodels along wih two pairs of Woodlark and another Woodchat Shrike (four were seen on the drive through the park). Less vultures this morning but 45 in the sky was still very impressive, along with Goshawk, Short-toed Eagle, Common Buzzard and Raven. Spent some time observing Sardinian Warbler territories.

Bolonia 36° 05' 26.8'' N 05° 46' 46.6'' W
Time was limited on this visit where previously we've visited Cueva de Moro and Duna de Bolonia. Most of the group went to a fish restaurant while I explored an area on the north side of the Umbrella Pine forest. Many Serins were song-flighting and migrants in the form of Subalpine Warbler, Willow Warbler and Woodchat Shrike were evident. No raptors were moving/arriving but the nearby Sierra de la Plata had an Egyptian Vulture, nine Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Eagle and Common Kestrel.

Duna de Bolonia © Fraser Simpson

Stone Pine forest, Duna de Bolonia

Duna de Bolonia © Fraser Simpson

Looking towards San Bartolomé

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side)
• Main bridge over Rio Barbate (Km 0 on A-2231) 36° 11' 35.4'' N 05° 54' 46.9'' W
Large open expanse of tidal mud and salt marsh which quickly narrows just downstream/west of the bridge. The star attractions here were four Slender-billed Gull, seven Audouin's Gull, a Caspian Tern and two Spoonbill. Twelve species of wader were showing well just north of the bridge: Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Stone Curlew, Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Common Sandpiper. A couple more migrant Western Subalpine Warblers were in roadside scrub.

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side) from main bridge over the river © Fraser Simpson

Marismas del Barbate/Río Barbate

• Itinerario el Cañillo (Km 3.2 on A-2231) 36° 10' 28.6'' N 05° 53' 34.6'' W
The track along the reformed lagoons and old salt pans is getting in poor condition. With all the rain and mud I didn't progress further than about 1000 metres. Plenty more waders here fattening up for the journey north including 30 Sanderling and six Curlew Sandpipers. Around 33 vocal Collared Pratincoles were hawking overhead. A single Northern Bald Ibis flew over and a v-formation of 21 Cormorants flew the other way. Over the wild fields of yellow mustard flowers, four Calandra Larks were displaying, with two displaying Greater Short-toed Larks over the adjacent dried mud around the lagoon edge.

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

Marismas del Barbate - Itinerario del Cañillo

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 7
Sunday 8 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Partly cloudy, rain early in the morning, wind max 15 mph WSW, min 7°C, max 16°C

Highlights
Nightingale, Western Subalpine Warbler, Kingfisher, Crested Tit, Hawfinch, Short-toed Eagle, Hoopoe, Firecrest, Nuthatch, Iberian Chiffchaff, Cuckoo, Short-toed Treecreeper, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Griffon Vulture.

Castillo de las Almadrabas > Playa de Zahara
Out before breakfast at 07:30 - still dark. Walked the boardwalk from the castle south-east through the dunes. Quieter this morning with just four Western Subalpine Warblers found but three singing Nightingales and a fourth calling. A group of 24 Sandwich Terns were fishing in the breaking waves and two adult Gannets were heading out of the Strait.

Castillo de la Almadrabas © Fraser Simpson

Castillo de las Almadrabas

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. No more Western Bonelli's Warblers seem to have a arrived. Many Firecrests and Short-toed Treecreepers singing. Additions today included Cuckoo, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch and Long-tailed Tit. Made some sound recordings but typically windy.

Day 8
Monday 9 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > La Janda > Marismas del Barbate > Río Barbate mouth
Calm at dawn before the wind picked up and showers moved in, including a hail storm! Wind max 8-17 mph W, min 8°C, max 15°C

Highlights
Gull-billed Tern, Purple Swamphen, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Great Reed Warbler, Lesser Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Garganey, Whiskered Tern, Spotted Redshank, Bee-eater, Calandra Lark, White Stork, Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Quail, Black Kite, Spanish Sparrow, Red-rumped Swallow, Caspian Tern, Audouin's Gull, Stone Curlew, Great Egret, Collared Pratincole.

La Janda (Km-47 entrance on N-34-Canal Colector del Este) 36º 13' 12.2'' N 05º 47' 5.4'' W
The Canal Colector del Este (Río Almodóvar) is mostly fringed with Phragmites and some mud, depending on water levels. The first four kilometres (from the eastern access track opposite the Zahara road end) offer the best visibility, after which the reeds get quite high. However, this track is probably not passable in a normal hire car from the Zahara de los Atunes road-end entrance. Today I entered from Km-47 on the N-340. Some water remained from the winter rains attracting 23 Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, 17 Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, two Spoonbill, 24 Little Egret, 236 Cattle Egret, 24 White Stork and Garganey. A single Purple Swamphen was in the reeds at the bridge over the Canal Colector. I didn't venture as far as Cortijo de la Mediana on the route to Benalup as the road was flooded quite deeply after the egret colony.

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

La Janda

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

La Janda

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. This site isn't what it used to be but I'm glad I made a quick check as I discovered nine Spanish Sparrows here.

Marismas del Barbate (west side)
• Marshes view from behind the sports stadium 36° 11' 45.7'' N 05° 54' 40.9'' W
This vantage point allows an alternative view on the west side of the Río Barbate (I once had Lesser Crested Tern here). The immediate pool had two teams with long legs: 27 Black-winged Stilts and 19 Avocet, while six Caspian Terns were lazing on the mud with seven Audouin's Gull and numerous Yellow-legged Gulls. Two Stone Curlews were resting in an area of dry mud.

Marismas del Barbate
• Río Barbate (river mouth) 36° 11' 03.7'' N 05° 54' 33.8'' W
A further two Caspian Terns were fishing in the sea at the river mouth while nine vocal Whimbrel flew over. A female Kentish Plover showed me the safe way with her broken-wing distraction display.

Marismas del Barbate (south-east side)
• Itinerario el Cañillo 36° 10' 28.6'' N 05° 53' 34.6'' W
The nearest lagoon had completely dried out. The highlight was a flock of 110 Sanderling in the next lagoon and three Greater Short-toed Larks showing well on the track.

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

Marismas del Barbate - Itinerario del Cañillo

Day 9
Tuesday 10 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > La Breña de Barbate
Thick overcast cloud, wind max 16 mph WSW a.m., later 27mph SW, min 11°C, max 19°C. Heavy continous rain from 12:30 for 12hrs min.

Highlights
Little Owl, Serin, Sardinian Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper, Yellow-legged Gull.

Zahara de los Atunes-Atlanterra
Short trip at 07:00 to drop off a student for the Sardinian Warbler project. Numerous Blackbirds singing in gardens all over the urbanised hillside of Atlanterra. Little Owl flew up from the road into a palm between Atlanterra and Zahara.

La Brena de Barbate 36° 10' 43.6'' N 05° 58' 24.1'' W
Walked the Sendero del Acantilado (Pistachia and Juniperus scrub with Spanish Broom/gorse/Cistus/Wild Olive/Stone Pine) along the base of Barbate cliffs up to the lighthouse/tower and returned along the Sendero Torre del Tajo (through Stone/Umbrella Pine forest). Fairly quiet but around 31 Sardinian Warbler territories noted along with singing Serin, Greenfinch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Blackcap, Wren, Blackbird and Great Tit.

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Day 10
Wednesday 11 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > Laguna de la Paja > La Barca de Vejer > La Janda
Partly cloudy, wind max 8-17 mph W, min 9°C, max 16°C

Highlights
Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Marsh Harrier, Green Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Northern Bald Ibis, Great Reed Warbler, Purple Heron, Spanish Sparrow, Gull-billed Tern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Spoonbill, Great Egret, Bee-eater, Griffon Vulture.

Laguna de la Paja 36° 23' 33.8'' N 06° 07' 43.9'' W
Shallow lagoon with temporary water mainly hidden by reeds and tamarisks, southeast of Chiclana de la Frontera. Some water was present (seen glistening in occasional sunshine) but there was no clear view of the open water. I accessed it from Camino de los Montes Universales off Callejon de Borreguitos on the western side. The track and cereal fields here were flooded from yesterday's extensive rain. Almost all species were seen in flight, with male ducks chasing females, and the Marsh Harriers and White Stork flushing others into view. The highlights were five Ferruginous Duck, three Purple Swamphen, three Red-crested Pochard, and a Glossy Ibis.

Laguna de la Paja © Fraser Simpson

Laguna de la Paja

La Barca de Vejer 36° 15' 17.5'' N 05° 57' 29.5'' W
Observed the sandstone cliffs where the reintroduced Northern Bald Ibis has naturally taken to nesting on ledges about a busy road! At least 11 AON contained incubating birds at the site on the north side of the village. On the opposite side, the scrubby trees along the Río Barbate containing the breeding colony of Cattle Egrets was not occupied (at least not at this stage of the spring).

La Barca de Vejer © Fraser Simpson

La Barca de Vejer

La Janda (Km-47 entrance on N-34-Canal Colector del Este) 36º 13' 12.2'' N 05º 47' 5.4'' W
Entered from Km-47 on the N-340 and drove to the main bridge over the canal. The solid half day of rain and flooded the fields, ditches and last year's rice paddies and this was the closest I've see the former Laguna de la Janda resembling at wetland! However, due to the weather no new birds had arrived or stopped off since my visit two days previous.

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Canal Colector del Este, La Janda

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Canal Colector del Este, La Janda

La Janda © Fraser Simpson

Old rice paddies, La Janda

Day 11
Thursday 12 April 2018
Zahara de los Atunes > Tarifa > Algeciras > Malaga

Drive: Zahara de los Atunes > Tarifa > Algeciras > Malaga
Left early for the lunchtime flight home, noting Bee-eater, Calandra Lark, Corn Bunting, Stonechat, Cattle Egret, Black Kite, Griffon Vulture, White Stork, Spotless Starling, etc.

Zahara de los Atunes & Costa de la Luz Systematic List 2-12 Apr 2018

Gadwall Anas strepera

pr + 2mm/1f, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

1 f, La Janda, 11-Apr

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

1 m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 3-Apr

12, Embalse de Almodovar, 5-Apr

40, Embalse de Almodovar, 12-Apr

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

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

500+, La Janda, 9-Apr

2, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

2, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

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

5, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

c300, La Janda, 11-Apr

Garganey Anas querquedula

1 f, La Janda, 9-Apr

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

2 mm/1 f, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina

1 m, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Common Pochard Aythya ferina

p + m, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca

5, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

pr, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

pr, Tahivilla, 7-Apr

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Sonogram of Red-legged Partridge calls

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

Clucking calls from males following a female.

[File name: redleggedpartridgeLS113462ecut]

Red-legged Partridge - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Red-legged Partridge calls

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

Calls from a bird in flight.

[File name: redleggedpartridgeLS113465e]

Red-legged Partridge 2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

2, La Janda, 9-Apr

Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea

None seen this year.

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus

None seen this year.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

5 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

5 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

6 NW/1 SE, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

1, Canal Colector del Este, La Janda, 11-Apr

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

1 NW, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

1, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

21 W, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

3 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

2, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

1, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Noted in most areas of grazed pasture.

10, Atlanterra-Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

60, Tahivilla, 5-Apr

2 NW, Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

236, La Janda, 9-Apr

4, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) flying into the nesting colony at dawn

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Sonogram of breeding calls from a Cattle Egret breeding colony

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain 12 April 2013

Breeding calls from incubating birds in a large heronry.

[File name: cattleegretLS110645ecut]

Cattle Egret - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) © Fraser Simpson

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

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

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

1, Atlanterra-Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

1 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

1, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

26, La Janda, 9-Apr

3, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

2, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

1, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr3

3, La Janda, 11-Apr

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) © Fraser Simpson

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

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Sonogram of breeding calls from a Little Egret breeding colony

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain 12 April 2013

Breeding calls from incubating birds in a large heronry.

[File name: littleegretLS1106484ecut]

Little Egret - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Great Egret Casmerodius albus

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

2, La Janda, 11-Apr

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) © Fraser Simpson

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), Marismas del Barbate

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

3, La Janda, 9-Apr

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, La Janda, 11-Apr

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) © Fraser Simpson

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

White Stork Ciconia ciconia

1 AON, Zahora, 3-Apr

1 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

1, Tahivilla, 5-Apr

1, Km-0 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

24, La Janda, 9-Apr

5 AON, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

1, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

3, La Janda, 11-Apr

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

17, La Janda, 9-Apr

14, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

1, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

64, La Janda, 11-Apr

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

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Sonogram of calls from a Glossy Ibis

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

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

[File name: glossyibis0403170030e]

Glossy Ibis - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

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

Minimum of 11 incubating on cliffs on the north-west side of La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

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

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) © Fraser Simpson

Jackdaw attempting to steal twigs from Northern Bald Ibis nest

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

2, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

2, La Janda, 11-Apr

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

113 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

110 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

70 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) © Fraser Simpson

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), Marismas de Barbate

Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus

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

3, La Atalaya, south-west end of Sierra de Retín, 3-Apr

5, Sierra de la Plata/Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

171, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr - flew SW, many descending into the valley to a hidden carcass 16:20h.

5, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

45, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

9, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2, El Almarchal, 7-Apr

8, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

1, La Janda, 11-Apr

Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) © Fraser Simpson

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

Rüppell's Vulture Gyps rueppellii

imm, NW with Griffons, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

Egyptian Vulture Noephron percnopterus

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti

1 juv, La Janda, 6-Apr

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

1, La Atalaya, south-west end of Sierra de Retín, 3-Apr

3, Sierra de la Plata/Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

3, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

Booted Eagle Aquila pennata

1, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

8, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr1

1, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

Black Kite Milvus migrans

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1, Tahivilla, 7-Apr

1, El Almarchal, 7-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

2, La Janda, 9-Apr

pr, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

m, Tahivilla, 5-Apr

m, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

pr, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

pr, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1, Sierra de la Plata/Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

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

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

1, La Janda, 11-Apr

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

1, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

4, La Janda, 9-Apr

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) © Fraser Simpson

Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni), Tarifa

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

Sonogram of Lesser Kestrel calls

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

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

[File name: lesserkestrelLS113455e]

Lesser Kestrel - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) © Fraser Simpson

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Tarifa

Hobby Falco subbuteo

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

2-cy, N over Castillo de las Almadrabas, 4-Apr

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

2, La Janda, 9-Apr

4, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

2, La Janda, 11-Apr

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

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

3, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) © Fraser Simpson

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) La Janda

Purple Swamphen Porphrio porphyrio

Sonogram of Purple Swamphen calls

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain 12 April 2013

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

[File name: purpleswamphenLS110621ecut]

Purple Swamphen - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus eodicnemus

1 calling, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

2, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-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 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

20, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

22, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) © Fraser Simpson

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

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Sonogram of Black-winged Stilt territorial calls

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain 36º 14' 24.6'' N 5º 56' 53.5'' W 9 April 2018

Calls from two pairs disputing territory.

[File name: blackwingedstilt114885ecut]

Black-winged Stilt - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Black-winged Stilt flight calls

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

Calls from a bird in flight over probable breeding site.

[File name: blackwingedstilt0403190950ecut]

Black-winged Stilt - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

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

16, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

19, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

1, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

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

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

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

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Marismas del Barbate

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) © Fraser Simpson

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Marismas del Barbate

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

Sonogram of Collared Pratincole flight calls

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

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

[File name: collaredpratincole0404130729ecut]

Collared Pratincole - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

17, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

44, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

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

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) © Fraser Simpson

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) Marismas de Barbate

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

pr, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

2 prs, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

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

f, distraction display, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) © Fraser Simpson

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) Bolonia

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Sonogram of Kentish Plover

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

Calls from a pair, possibly in alarm.

[File name: kentishploverLS113228e]

Kentish Plover - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

1, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

1, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

2, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Sanderling Calidris alba

16, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

8, Bolonia, 7-Apr

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

1, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

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

Sanderling (Calidris alba) © Fraser Simpson

Sanderling (Calidris alba) Marismas del Barbate

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

1, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

9, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Whimbrel (Nunmenius phaeopus) © Fraser Simpson

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Marismas del Barbate

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

1, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

5, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

5+, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 9-Apr

Dunlin Calidris alpina

75, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

4, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

2, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochrupus

2, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

1, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

81, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

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

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

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

45, on sea around almadraba, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

Many passing, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

2, over Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

68, on sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

7, Bolonia, 7-Apr

62 NW, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

74, La Janda, 9-Apr

Numerous offshore and along cliffs, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

1, over Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

38 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

7, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

22, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

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

2, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

1 ad, La Janda, 9-Apr

Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii

3, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

4 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

7, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

7, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

1, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

1, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

3, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

7 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

24, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

1, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

2 NW, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

23, La Janda, 9-Apr

6, La Janda, 11-Apr

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

Sonogram of Gull-billed Tern calls

La Janda, Andalucia, Spain 36° 14' 44.8" N 05° 50' 7.1" W 9 April 2018

Calls from birds hawking over old flooded rice paddies.

[File name: gullbilledtern114868e]

Gull-billed Tern - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

6, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

2, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Whiskered Tern Childonias hybrida

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

Razorbill Alca torda

2 NW, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

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

4, Sierra de la Plata/Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

3, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

11, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

7, La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

3, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

9, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

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

2 singing mm, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

2, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singng m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1 singing m, La Janda, 9-Apr

Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops

1, singing at 05:00 in palm outside Hotel Gran Sol, Zahara de los Atunes, 5-Apr (GL).

1, singing briefly in daylight, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

Little Owl Athene noctua

1, in palm at La Mama restaurant/club, Zahara de los Atunes, 10-Apr

Tawny Owl Strix aluco

1, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

Common Swift Apus apus

2, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus

14, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

Still screaming over Hotel Gran Sol at 21:10h, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

4, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

142, La Janda, 9-Apr

Swift sp. Apus sp.

10, Zahora, 3-Apr

52, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

80+, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1-2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Sonogram of Kingfisher calls

Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, Andalucia, Spain 39° 13' 00.7" N 26° 14' 30.2" W 8 Apr 2018

Calls from a bird flying along an Alder-lined stream. Composed of single, sharp, downslurred 'dog whistle-like' piercing element at 4.9-6.6kHz.

[File name: kingfisher114798e]

Kingfisher - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

1, Camping Bahia de la Plata, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

1, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

1, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

12 NW, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

4 NW, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

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

26 N, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

5 N, Km-0 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

4 N, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

27, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

2, Embalse de Almodovar, 7-Apr

4, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

6, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

35, La Janda, 9-Apr

4, La Janda, 11-Apr

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

Sonogram of European Bee-eater calls

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

Calls from a small feeding party.

[File name: beeeater110409153355e]

European Bee-eater1 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus sharpei

1 heard, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

4, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

Sonogram of drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker

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

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

[File name: gswoodpecker0415122847ecut]

Great Spotted Woodpecker - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

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.

9, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

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

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

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) © Fraser Simpson

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata), Zahara de los Atunes

Thekla Lark Galerida theklae

Pr, Embalse de Almodovar, 5-Apr

Woodlark Lullula arborea

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

2 prs, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla

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

2 singing mm + 3 on track, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 9-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 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

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 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra

3 singing m, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Km-0 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

4 singing mm, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

3 singing mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

1 singing m, La Janda, 9-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 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

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 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

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 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

25+, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonprogne rupestris

2, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Common throughout - though less numbers around due to late Spring this year.

4, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

2, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

19, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

20+, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

2, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

130, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

24+, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

20+, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

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

100+, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica

4, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

2, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

2, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

House Martin Delichon urbicum

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

4, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

80+, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

House Martin (Delichon urbicum) © Fraser Simpson

House Martin (Delichon urbicum), Zahara de los Atunes

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

1, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

1, over Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

3, Embalse de Almodovar, 5-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

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

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

1, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

White Wagtail Motacilla alba

2, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

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

1, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

Iberian Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae

2, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

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

3, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

3, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

1, Rio Barbate mouth, 9-Apr

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

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

2 N, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

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

1 N, Km-0 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

1, over Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1, over Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Iberian Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae

Sonogram of Iberian Yellow Wagtail calls

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

Calls from a perched bird.

[File name: yellowwagtailLS113278ecut]

Iberian Yellow Wagtail2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

European Robin Erithacus rubecula

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

3 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

1 singing m, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1 singing m, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

3 singing mm + 1 calling, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

4 singing mm, La Janda, 9-Apr

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

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

Sonogram of Nightingale song

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

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

[File name: nightingale0420132447ecut]

Nightingale1 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

1 m, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1 f, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica

1 m, La Janda, 9-Apr

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

1 f, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

Common Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

Present in most localities.

1, Atlanterra-Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

pr, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

pr, Embalse de Almodovar, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1 singing m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

pr + b/3, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

pr + singing m, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

Sonogram of Stonechat song

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

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

[File name: stonechat0404123854ecut]

Stonechat - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of female Stonechat and juvenile calls

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

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

[File name: stonechatLS113177ecut]

Stonechat4 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

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.

4 singing mm, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

Several singing mm, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

3 singing m, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1 singing mm, Faro de Camarinal, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

3 singing mm, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

1 singing m, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

Many singing before sunrise, Atlanterra, 10-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

1 singing m + 4 observed, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) © Fraser Simpson

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), Zahara de los Atunes

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

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

1 singing m, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

4 mm, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

6 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

4 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

1 singing mm, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

4 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis

2 singing mm, La Janda, 9-Apr

1 singing m, La Janda, 11-Apr

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala

Abundant in suitable habitat.

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

3 singing mm, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

2 singing mm, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

9 singing mm, in one selected area, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

4 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

4 singing mm/prs, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Km-0 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

Numberous, Bolonia-El Lentiscal, 7-Apr

4 singing mm/prs, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

9 singing mm/10 calling mm/5 observed, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

6 singing mm/6 calling mm, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

1 singing m, La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala

Sonogram of Sardinian Warbler song

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

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

[File name: sardinianwarbler110411133715ecut1]

Sardinian Warbler - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Sardinian Warbler calls

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

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

[File name: sardinianwarbler110411133715ecut2]

Sardinian Warbler2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Western Subalpine Warbler Sylvia inornata

6 (4mm/2ff), Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

2 mm, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 4-Apr

1, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

12+, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

3, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

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

1, La Janda, 9-Apr

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Fairly common and widespread.

3 singing mm, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Km-0 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

2 singing mm, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

1 singing m, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1 singing m, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

11 singing mm, La Janda, 9-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

1 singing mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 9-Apr

3 singing mm, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis), Marismas del Barbate

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Sonogram of Zitting Cisticola song

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

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

[File name: zittingcisticola0404130323e]

Zitting Cisticola1 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti

10 singing mm, La Janda, 9-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

1 singing m, La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

2 singing mm, La Janda, 9-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

2 singing mm, La Janda, 9-Apr

1 singing m, La Janda, 11-Apr

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta

1, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta

Sonogram of Melodious Warbler song

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

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

[File name: melodiouswarbler0403183215ecut1]

Melodious Warbler - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Melodious Warbler calls

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

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

[File name: melodiouswarbler0403183215ecut2]

Melodious Warbler2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Melodious Warbler calls

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

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

[File name: melodiouswarbler0403183215ecut3]

Melodious Warbler3 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli

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

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli

Sonogram of Western Bonelli's Warbler song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 9' 35.16" N 5° 34' 55.40" W 3 Apr 2012, 1421h

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

[File name: bonelliswarbler0403142137ecut]

Western Bonelli's Warbler2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Western Bonelli's Warbler song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 11 Apr 2011, 1307h

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

[File name: bonelliswarbler110411130746ecut]

Western Bonelli's Warbler1 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Western Bonelli's Warbler call

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 15 Apr 2015

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

[File name: westernbonelliswarblerLS113159ecut]

Western Bonelli's Warbler3 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus colyybita

2, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

8+, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus

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

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

2, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

3 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Sendero Canuto de Risco Blanco, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 09' 31.9" N 5° 35' 15.2" W 10 Apr 2014

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

[File name: iberianchiffchaffLS111908son]

Iberian Chiffchaff5 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff call

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 8 Apr 2018

Downslurred calls at 3.3-5.4 kHz.

[File name: iberianchiffchaff114841e]

Iberian Chiffchaff6

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 9' 35.16" N 5° 34' 55.40" W 2 Apr 2012, 1445h

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

[File name: iberianchiffchaff0402144541ecut]

Iberian Chiffchaff4 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 11 Apr 2011, 1209h

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

[File name: iberianchiffchaff110411120906ecut]

Iberian Chiffchaff3 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff calls

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 09' 42.4" N 05° 34' 55.0" W 10 Apr 2011, 1204h

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

[File name: iberianchiffchaff110410120439ecut]

Iberian Chiffchaff2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Iberian Chiffchaff song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 09' 42.4" N 05° 34' 55.0" W 15 Apr 2010, 1132h

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

[File name: iberianchiffchaff0415113229ecut]

Iberian Chiffchaff1 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

1, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

5 (inc one singing), Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

10+, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 7-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

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

3 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

4 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla), Valle de Ojén

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

Sonogram of Firecrest song

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

Territorial song from cork oak oak woodland.

[File name: firecrest0402150403ecut]

Firecrest - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Firecrest call

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

Calls from cork oak oak woodland.

[File name: firecrestLS113209ecut]

Firecrest - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

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

1 singing m, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

1 singing m, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

5 singing mm, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

5 (3mm/2ff), Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

1 m, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

pr, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

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

1, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

Great Tit Parus major

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

1 singing m, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

3 singing mm, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus

2 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus

Sonogram of Crested Tit calls

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

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

[File name: crestedtitLS113415ecut]

Crested Tit - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europea

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

pr, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-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).

4 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

3 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

3 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

1 singing m, Sendero Arroyo San Carlos del Tiradero, 8-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

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

Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla

Sonogram of Short-toed Treecreeper song

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

Territorial song from cork oak/holm oak woodland.

[File name: shorttoedtreecreeper0401121044e]

Short-toed Treecreeper1 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Sonogram of Short-toed Treecreeper song

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

Territorial song from cork oak/holm oak woodland.

[File name: sttreecreeper0415120015ecut]

Short-toed Treecreeper2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

6, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

6, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

2, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

4, Embalse de Almodovar - Puerto de Ojén, 7-Apr

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

4, Bolonia, 7-Apr

5, La Janda, 9-Apr

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius

1, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula

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

8, La Janda, 9-Apr

2, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

Several pairs nesting, La Barca de Vejer, 11-Apr

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

Common Raven Corvus corax

2, Sierra de la Plata/Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2, over Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

1, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2, La Janda, 9-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.

158, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

20, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

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

60+, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

20+, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

40, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

18, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

30+, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

200+, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis

9, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

2, La Janda, 11-Apr

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis

Sonogram of Spanish Sparrow calls

Marismas del Barbate, Andalucia, Spain 36º 14' 24.6'' N 5º 56' 53.5'' W 9 April 2018

Calls from a male Spanish Sparrow adjacent to a calling House Sparrow. Spanish calls are higher-pitched and upslurred, while House calls are lower-pitched and downslurred.

[File name: spanishsparrow114876e]

Spanish Sparrow - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

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

6 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Sonogram of Chaffinch song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 8 Apr 2018

Territorial/advertising song from Cork Oak woodland.

[File name: chaffinch114850ecut]

Chaffinch - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina

pr, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

pr, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

2 singing mm, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

1, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

2, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

4, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

pr, Bolonia, 7-Apr

pr, La Janda, 9-Apr

1, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Sonogram of Linnet song

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

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

[File name: linnet0420122329ecut]

Linnet - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

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

10 NW, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

6, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

5, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

20, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

40, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

69, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

7, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

22, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 7-Apr

9, Bolonia, 7-Apr

16, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

10, La Janda, 9-Apr

28, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

2, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

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

2, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

7, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 3-Apr

4 singing mm, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

26, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

6, in off the sea, Cabo de Gracia, Atlanterra, 4-Apr

4, Km-1 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

1, Km-2 on A-2227, Zahara de los Atunes, 6-Apr

3 singing mm, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2, Rio Barbate (from A-2231 bridge), Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

7, La Janda, 9-Apr

8, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

1, Marismas del Barbate, behind the Estadio Municipal de Deportes, 9-Apr

5 singing mm + 5 observed, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

4, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

2, Laguna de la Paja, 11-Apr

European Serin Serinus serinus

Widespread and fairly common in most areas.

3 N, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

4 singing mm, La Breña de Barbate, 3-Apr

1 singing m, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

5 singing mm, Bolonia, 7-Apr

2 singing mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

6 singing mm + 13 observed, Sendero del Acantilado, Barbate Cliffs, 10-Apr

4 singing, Sendero Torre del Tajo, La Breña de Barbate, 10-Apr

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes

4, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

2, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 8-Apr

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Sonogram of Hawfinch song

Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales, Andalucia, Spain 36° 08' 46.8" N 05° 34' 58.2" W 1 Apr 2012, 1405h

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

[File name: hawfinch0401140529ecut]

Hawfinch2 - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus

2 singing mm, Arroyo del Tiradero, Valle de Ojén, 5-Apr

pr, Puerto de Ojén, 5-Apr

1 singing m, Embalse de Almodovar, 5-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.

2 singing mm, Playa de Zahara, Zahara de los Atunes, 3-Apr

3 singing mm, Casa la Palmera, Conil de la Frontera, 3-Apr

4 singing mm, Río del Cachón, Zahara estuary, 6-Apr

5 singing mm, El Cañillo, Marismas del Barbate, 7-Apr

3 singing mm, boardwalk east of Castillo de las Almadrabas, Zahara de los Atunes, 8-Apr

Many singing mm, La Janda, 9-Apr

3 singing mm, Sendero Marismas del Barbate (from Km 2.4 on N-314, SE of Vejer de la Frontera), 9-Apr

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra

Sonogram of Corn Bunting song

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

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

[File name: cornbunting0331155106ecut]

Corn Bunting - change your settings to allow Flash to play the mp3 file

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

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)

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