Birds of Andalucia Spring 2016 Volume five, issue two

100+ ... A Challenge Identification Puzzle Migration Watch, Algeciras - Tarifa

The Quarterly editorial journal of the andalucia bird society 1 .

Front Cover Photograph In this issue.... Photo courtesy: Stephen Powell Notice Board 2 Chairman - Peter Jones From the Editor`s Chair Important dates for your diary 3 The flight, long It is with great sadness that I have to inform you On behalf of all ABS members, I would like wings and forked of the death of one of our founder members, to start my tenure by thanking Brenda for all 100+ ... A Challenge 4 tail of this wader the hard work she has put into building this Eileen Hair (wife to Frank Hair our Field Meetings looks similar to a Officer). The Society has lost one of it’s most magazine since its inception over 5 years In search of the Belgian Nutcracker 8 ago, it’s something to be very proud of and, tern in shape, but of treasured members. Eileen’s bubbly character Migration Watch, Algeciras - Tarifa 12 course we know it and endless energy will be sorely missed. Our as a bonus to me, she has offered to remain in charge of advertising. I would not have taken as a locally condolences go to Frank. Identification Puzzles 14 on this onerous task if it wasn’t for the full summer visitor and support of Barbara, her secretarial skills and Expat Birds 16 migrant. Membership Secretary Bob writes... patience dwarf mine and I was also very pleased Collared Pratincole What a start to the New Year. With the first quarter to receive the offer from John to act as My Local Patch 18 Glareola pratincola just about completed we have seen a marvellous sub editor - of course I accepted, wouldn’t you? increase in membership with 23 joining the Society I don’t propose too many changes, after all including a new Affiliated Member. Welcome to Brenda did such a good job, but mindful that ABS Photographic Competition - Summary of Judge Commentary you all and we trust that you get lots of enjoyment the magazine caters for all levels of birding skills I thought it useful to start a series of those What a wonderful selection of photographs and bird species we received for this edition’s photo competition. as you meet your fellow birders and see some of With each edition’s competition our lives as jury members become more difficult as it’s progressively the magnificent birds to be found in Andalucia. ‘difficult’ identities. So starting with this issue we get to grips with Common or Pallid Swift. I harder to find a clear winner. We apply strict criteria to our judging starting with composition, then And some of these new members have already also hope many of our members will act upon moving on to technical aspects and degree of difficulty, each of the jury marking from 1 to 10 each of the 3 experienced the wonders of the region attending the challenge that ‘Team Malaga’ have set in the elements to give a grand total. The marks of each judge are then added together to produce our winner. It the February meet near Osuna where both Little article ‘100+ A Challenge’ which you will find is surprising how consistent the marks have appeared from each of the jury members and mostly the top and that majestic of iconic birds, the Great Bustard, on page 4 of the magazine. It was fun to do and 3 photographs have been marked as clear winners by each of our judges. were seen. Then it was on for a week-end in Cabo de something that I’m sure will appeal to all levels For our Spring Edition 2016 we all agreed the photograph of Collared Pratincole gave us a clear winner, Gata where many saw that rare wintering wader the of birders. I look forward to receiving reports although one or two other photographs pushed hard to adorn our front cover. Many of us so look forward from all provinces of Andalucia over the next Dotterel, even if we were somewhat disappointed to the return of our breeding pratincoles and quite apart from being an excellent study of this species, not to locate a friendly Trumpeter Finch this year. few months and hope it may become an annual event. Perhaps you feel you can contribute we felt the winning photo is evocative of the season. We hope you agree and congratulations to Stephen White-headed Ducks, Purple Swamphens and even Powell for providing us with another opportunity to include his work on the cover of ‘Birds of Andalucia’. Red-knobbed Coots are taken for granted by many to the magazine? A ‘My Patch’ article or a and in April our new and older members will once particularly enjoyable birding day you have had recently and it doesn’t matter if you don’t have again experience the arrival of thousands of raptors photos we can always find file ones to suit. So, returning from Africa, not to mention both White time to be creative - whether you live in Spain Important dates for your diary and Black Storks. So, if you like your birds why not or further afield, share your of birds with Attendance of all Field Meetings and meetings are free to members of Andalucia Bird Society. come and join us in a friendly Society where all help us and above all remember that this is your each other and experience that special friendship magazine. If there’s anything you would like to April 27th, Wednesday. Sierra de Loja and surrounding area. Meet at 0930hrs. Abades Service Area on the that comes with regular meetings throughout see included in future issues please let me know A92 [km.189], Granada direction. Leader for the day Mick Richardson. Andalucia. by email to the ABS address. Derek Etherton May 21st, Saturday. El Torcal and surrounding area. Meet at Bar El Oasis – Villanueva de la Concepción, on the road to Almogía. First call 0600hrs to try for Eagle Owl and other early raptors. Second call 0930hrs for general birding. Full meeting details on the forum. Leader for the day Luis Alberto Rodriguez. Officers of ANDALUCIA BIRD SOCIETY: President: Alfredo Carrasco Vice President: Peter Jones Treasurer: Luis Alberto Rodriguez June 18th, Saturday. La Mancha. Meet at CEPSA service station in Almagro [CM 413] at 0800hrs. Leader for Secretary: Helen Wallbank Membership Officer: Robert Wright Field Meeting Officer: Frank Hair the day Vicente Malagon. Full driving instructions are on the forum. Editor: Derek Etherton Other Committee Members: Brenda Jones, Pieter Verheij, John Brooks, Lindsay Pheasant and Laycock July 10th, Sunday. Finca Algaba, Ronda. Field meeting and General Assembly (EGA). Entrance on Crta. A369 To learn more about the society’s activities visit our website: www.andaluciabirdsociety.org (Ronda - Algeciras) km 4.5. Field Meeting starts at 0930hrs meeting in the car park of the main reception area at Algaba. The leader for the day will be Peter Jones. The EGA starts at 1300hrs. The photography hide is open for Advertising 2016 Membership Fees Contact us members during the whole day. AndaluciaContact Birdus Society SpainContact the Society for advertisement 1/4Ordinary page € 45 € 25 ApartadoAndalucia de Bird Correos Society 375 E-mail:1/4 page [email protected] € 45 1/2Joint page € 80 € 30 More details on the Forum. 29400Apartado Ronda de (Málaga)Correos 375 Advertising1/2 page € 80 FullAffiliated page € 140 € 40 Full page € 140 BackJunior page € 180 € 10 Spain29400 Ronda (Málaga) Contact the Society for advertisement Let us know via the E-mail: [email protected] Back page € 180 Life € 300 Please see the Forum for more details and any changes a few days before each meeting. Forum if you are attending any of these meetings, as we need to know numbers beforehand.

2 3 100+ ...A Challenge! Since living full time in Spain I have considered a good this so the X-Trail was put to good but were we content? No of course not, use climbing the 600+ meters to the rock but by now [17:00hrs] time was against number of species for a birding day to be in the low 50’s face. Blue Rock Thrush were singing and us, so maybe a change of plan would and an exceptional day to be in the low 70’s. However it had a lone Dartford Warbler made a fleeting help. Originally we were to end the day entered my mind a few times if it would be at all possible to bush top visit before scuttling back down at the Guadalhorce but allowing for safe to safety as we walked by. Within minutes parking and walking to the hides meant obtain a three figure number in one single day. LA had located the male Golden Eagle that too much time would be wasted, so displaying and defending his territory plan B was initiated, Zapata! I had pondered this for some months and the Montes de Malaga are at six in the and as we watched enthralled (birds of Travelling down the Guadalhorce valley just by chance mentioned it whilst making morning, the car temperature gauge read prey always get this attention) we became we called into a known Bonelli’s Eagle small talk one evening with Luis Alberto 3ºC, but trust me it felt minus that. aware of a Short Toed Eagle entering nesting site in the hope of one more eagle Rodrigues [LA], Mick Smith [MS] and, of A stumble up the rocky path illuminated Team Malaga its airspace. Not a happy bird was he! to add to our burgeoning list. No sooner course, she who must be obeyed, Barbara by the most incredible night sky (and a Soaring stopped and it was full forward had we set up the ‘scopes it was noticed [B]. The gist of my idea for this was for a couple of glow worms) to the owls nesting thrust to see off the interloper - wonderful that the female was obviously sitting on team of four people (any mix of birding area and, bless them, within a couple of to witness. However this sort of thing is eggs and a little restless. As we watched levels), one vehicle and one complete minutes they did the business. So it was time consuming and spare time is what her move around, the male bird suddenly calendar day to bird in one of the eight back to the car, defrost, drink tea, watch we didn’t have, so it was backtrack to the appeared over the cliff edge to display to provinces that make up Andalucia. Was a lone fox wander past the car and wait car, descend the mountain and clock up her then she immediately left the nest to it possible? I wasn’t really sure because for the first glimmer of light. As it broke (from left to right) Luis Alberto Rodrigues [LA], Barbara Etherton[B], Derek Etherton, Mick Smith [MS] the Great Crested Grebes on one of the join him swooping up and down. What a so much depended on the time of the the dawn chorus started in all its majesty. Ardales lakes whilst heading off to the Rio fantastic sight to witness. year and, to a lesser degree in Spain, the Blackbird, Cirl Bunting, Robin, Wren, Magpie, Corn Bunting, Griffon Vulture legged, Black-headed along with a couple Grande. Good old Zapata, it never lets me down weather. As the conversation continued Firecrest, Coal, Blue & GreatTit and Long and Red-legged Partridge to our growing of Mediterranean hidden among them. Now, earlier in the day we’d had a and on arriving we drove in from the reed the idea of presenting this as not only Tailed a little later. In the growing light list. By now it was 12:45hrs and time to leave little side wager on what would be the bed end when MS remarked on another a challenge to ourselves but to all ABS of day the large Poplar Tree so beloved by Fuente at 09:30hrs, even after sustenance, Fuente so we travelled via the north hundredth bird and my estimate was bird of prey sitting on one of the wooden members grew, so we decided to go for it birds became the focal point, an amazing was cold - believe me the wind cut side having already counted the Stone a Great [White] Egret as I had smugly power cable poles. Thinking it would be and go quickly - I needed it the magazine! four Hawfinches, Siskin, Serin, three through you and the stated 3ºC seemed Curlew, to check for Little Bustard and worked out the odds that we’d be at the the Osprey with its supper we stopped, Good old [he’s the youngest one of the Crossbills and Great Spotted Woodpecker more like -10ºC! Remind me, who was Lesser Kestrel in the fields around the Rio Grande. Wrong! However, I only erected the ‘scopes and stood in complete team!] LA quickly produced a spread perched in the tree top vying for the first that politician who said we didn’t need abandoned farm buildings. No luck missed by a few, because the first bird wonder at what was in front of us, even sheet and the team name, Team Malaga. rays of the sun, whilst high in the sky three a winter heating allowance in Spain? in finding bustards, but a dozen or so The first week of March was suggested Sparrowhawks were busy displaying. A Anyway, back to the birding. Jackdaws, Lesser Kestrel wheeling and feeding sure and as it fitted everybody’s timetable, quick walk down into the woods provided Stone Curlew and Common Kestrel compensated. Taking one of the back agreement was quickly made for Tuesday Blackcap, Nuthatch, Gold & Greenfinch were busy flying around the entrance tracks to Campillos we hoped to find the road, probably trying to keep warm like elusive birds as well as, we hoped, a Black- us, whilst on the shallow winter pools winged Kite. Sadly not to be, but a flock Are you up for the challenge? If so here are the few, simple rules that we Barn & Red-rumped Swallows hawked of some fifty Corn Buntings were quite a devised; for flies. Waders were few, but included surprise as was the second fox of the day • Your team should consist of 4 people with at least 2 being ABS members, all Redshank and Little Ringed Plover whilst devouring some unfortunate critter in the travelling together in one vehicle. many Coots and Shovelers were joined middle of a field. • Select the province of Andalucia that you live in, holiday in or bird in. No by a good contingent of Teal. Walking Arriving at Teba Rock by 13:30hrs, it was crossing provinces. around the lower parts we discovered time for a and cake. As we sat • The challenge must be completed in one calendar day. many Golden Plover in the muddy field munching away patiently waiting for • All birds to be seen and confirmed by at least 2 members of the team. constantly being disturbed by active Choughs to show, Crag Martins, Rock • The magazine editor wants a report from you, please. Common Buzzards. Walking further on Doves and more Griffon Vultures kept by the edge of the water we soon found us amused. Finishing lunch - have to If there is enough enthusiasm and response we hope to run this as a yearly event, so Yellow [Iberian] Wagtail and then a gem keep your strength up for this malarkey - it’s up to you dear member. for the day, a Wryneck. Feeling buoyed by ‘scopes were employed to search the rock Nr. 100 this, we continued round to the Laguneta face for the usual Peregrine Falcon. Bless Grey Wagtail to discover many Greater Flamingos, it, because as usual, it was in its favourite 8th – 05:30 hrs at Plaza Mayor, OK for and a very insistent Green Woodpecker. Pochard, Mallard, Purple Swamphen, little cave and almost at the same time a you? No complaints on anyone’s lips. So Time was of an essence, so back to the a lone Glossy Ibis and Marsh Harrier few Choughs made a welcome appearance. up at silly o’clock on the day as the agreed car and on turning around we were able amongst others. Returning to the visitor So onwards and upwards, literally, plan of attack started with the calling to view the aforementioned GW in its full centre for warmth and the necessary because next stop was one of LA’s little spied here was the aforementioned GWE LA had to pinch himself at the sight, a bird Tawny Owls high above Malaga and we glory climbing the Poplar Tree. amenities, we viewed many Common gems, a back track close to El Chorro, in and that was followed by Little and Cattle never seen before by B or myself at Zapata, needed to meet and be gone, after all the By now it was 08:30hrs so onward to our Crane feeding in the muddy waters the hope of both Bonelli’s and Golden Egret and then - ta dah! drum roll, etc. – a Goshawk! A superb second plumage best birding is early morning. Although next planned venue, Fuente de Piedra, along with Greater Flamingos. Quickly Eagles, Egyptian Vulture [will it have bird number 100, a humble Grey Wagtail. bird, looking exactly as the ‘Collins’ guide we had several layers of clothing with us I with a breakfast stop en route of course. checking through the resting gulls returned yet?] plus the smaller mountain The smiles on our faces, the high fives and illustrates, stared back at us from its safe don’t think anyone realised just how cold On the way we added Azure-winged produced Lesser Black-backed, Yellow- birds. The track has deteriorated a bit general celebrations were just amazing, distance all the time stabbing the life out 4 5 Advertisement Iberian GreyIberian Shrike Goshawk

Greenshank of a poor Collared Dove. It was truly an amazing sight and many distant photos were taken to record this event. So excited were we that we almost, but not quite, missed the Little Bittern flying behind us. Deciding that 15 minutes was too long for one bird we moved on a few metres to check where the Little Bittern had landed only to find the first of three Bluethroats all in the same area - no further sign of the Bittern but let’s not be too greedy!! Off down to the ford. Nothing new to add here, but sitting in the middle of the water [in the car of course dear reader] with the windows open and Martins and Swallows zooming around, almost through the open windows, was as near perfect and peaceful way to end an amazing day even though a hoped for Night Heron didn’t materialise. So, that was that, the daylight had deserted us. It was return to Plaza Mayor where we had started our trip some 14 hours

Greater Flamingo previously - in some ways it seemed weeks ago but in others only a couple of hours, but we all agreed what an amazing day and fabulous experience it had been and the grand total we clocked up? A super 107 species.

Derek Etherton – ABS Member Our 107 species seen Azure-winged Magpie, Barn Swallow, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black-headed Gull, Black-winged Stilt, Blue Rock Thrush, Bluethroat, Blue Tit, Bonelli’s Eagle, Cattle Egret, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Chough, Cirl Bunting, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Buzzard, Common Crossbill, Common Sandpiper, Coot, Cormorant, Corn Bunting, Crag Martin, Crane, Crested Lark, Dartford Warbler, Firecrest, Flamingo – Greater, Gadwall, Glossy Ibis, Golden Eagle, Golden Plover, Goldfinch, Goshawk, Great Crested Grebe, Great Egret, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Green Sandpiper, Green Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Greenshank, Grey Wagtail, Griffon Vulture, Hawfinch, Hoopoe, House Martin, House Sparrow, Iberian Grey Shrike, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel - Comon, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Lesser Kestrel, Linnet, Little Bittern, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Mediterranean Gull, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Nuthatch, Peregrine Falcon, Pintail, Pochard, Purple Swamphen, Raven, Red-legged Partridge, Red-rumped Swallow, Redshank, Robin, Rock Bunting, Rock Dove, Sand Martin, Sardinian Warbler, Serin, Shelduck, Short-toed Eagle, Short-toed Treecreeper, Shoveler, Siskin, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Spotless Starling, Stone Curlew, Stonechat, Tawny Owl, Teal, Thekla Lark, Water Pipit, White Wagtail, White-headed Duck, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Wryneck, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow-legged Gull, Zitting Cisticola

6 7 wrong, such as a sudden crop failure of gone through the breeding season their staple diet of pine nuts, the whole why should they move on? Would the populations can erupt out of range. This resulting juveniles even know from where aspect will be dealt with later when we try their parents had arrived? And what of and reconcile the High Ardennes with the those from the original irruption? One area identified above. can only presume that most perished as We may all be familiar with the stories they were unable to return to their former of Jackdaws and Magpies “stealing” territories in Russia and Siberia. On the coloured/shiny objects and hiding them other hand, a number of the caryocatactes and those of squirrels burying nuts subspecies must have survived as the area as a means of storage for later use but still holds flocks of Nutcrackers today. these tales utterly fail to compare with Maybe “empty” territories were gradually the storage and caching abilities of the taken over by juveniles and with future Nutcracker. Just as we hear about the supplies far outweighing demand there above corvids hiding their steals and then was room for increased brood sizes. No forgetting where they are so too do most doubt somebody knows the answer to this squirrels, but some are stolen by other conundrum! squirrels and or grubbing animals and In the almost fifty years since the 1968 many, we suspect, are simply forgotten. irruption much has been done locally to Not so the Nutcracker who needs every try and discover the breeding and feeding single nut it stores if it is to successfully habits of the Nutcracker in the High survive the winter, raise a family and still Ardennes, its preferred habitats, its social be healthy enough to restart the process life, etc. For this I am most grateful that all over again come the following autumn. Marieke was able to pass on a mass of So why are we able to find this very information in Dutch, full of photographs, static bird in the Belgian Ardennes? We illustrations, diagrams and graphs have already discussed the fact that the covering all the above aspects. Fortunately, European Nutcracker is found in two the work undertaken by Guido Bulteel in main areas; Russia/Siberia where the birds his “Nutcrackers Nucifraga caryocatactes Nutcracker. Photo: Glenn Vermeersch feed on the seeds of various pines, mainly in the High Ardennes” also included an species of white pines with large seeds such abstract in English so I am able to extract as the arolla and central Europe where the the following, plus my own comments food is almost exclusively hazelnuts. Well, and observations, to give a better idea of the pine crop in Russia failed in 1968 and how the local population survives. with no means of supporting the flock The High Ardennes are characterised for the coming twelve months there was by cool climate and are today largely a mass irruption of birds into Europe in dominated by Norwegian Spruce forests In search of the Belgian Nutcracker search of an alternative food supply. No with a rich rural landscape of hazel hedges doubt the eastern birds mixed with their in the valleys. This offers both a food European cousins and continued on source and potential breeding territory with their search for food taking many and source for caching the collected nuts. The first week of September 2015 was bar of milk chocolate, and with lovely Hooded and even Magpie, but the the necessary food stock for the coming of the European Nutcrackers with them. A solidly constructed nest, well insulted spent in the High Ardennes, Belgium with white spots covering its body. By slight most obvious sounds can be identified twelve months. Indeed, as part of this irruption over 300 by layers of humus soil and decayed wood, our dear friend and fellow ABS member, contrast it has dark chocolate, almost in early spring when a characteristic call Our, sometimes called, Spotted Nutcrackers were recorded as visiting is completed in time for, on average, the Marieke Berkvens with the hope and belief black, coloured crown and primaries. resembling a drawn-out, hard rolling Nutcracker has an extensive range Britain that autumn/winter. first of 3 or 4 eggs to be laid by mid- that, during the coming week, Jenny and I Both sexes are alike as are the juveniles. sound with an almost machine-like forming a broad swathe west-east from Whether by chance or not the European March. The Belgian birds seem to have a would have some wonderful views of the Its broad and rounded wings assist in quality, “krrrreh”, often repeated a few Scandinavia right across northern Europe, birds discovered that there was a ready success fledging rate of about 2.5 per pair local population of Nutcrackers Nucifraga its direct flight, often high up and with times in rapid succession (*) Siberia and on to eastern Asia including and plentiful supply of hazelnuts in the with a lower figure following years with a caryocatactes. For our stay we were based fluttering, slightly hesitant wing beats (*) Collins Bird Guide 2nd Edition Lars Japan. Our European birds tend to be High Ardennes of Belgian and, at the poor hazelnut crop. in an old, converted water mill, Neu recalling a Jay. (*) Seen from below one Svensson Published by Harper Collins, centred on the mountains of central and same time, accompanying pine forests Hazelnuts form the staple diet and Moulin, on the outskirts of Ruy du Moulin, should be able to identify the white vent London 2009 south-east Europe including the Alps, that offered both protection for the gathering usually starts during the first surrounded by wooded hills with flowing and tail tips. Whereas our European These mainly sedentary birds breed in Carpathians and those of the Balkan coming winter months and potential week of September. A foraging flight streams and picturesque stone villages at Nutcracker has a heavy bill, the Siberian close proximity to their nesting habitat Peninsular. The global population, if nesting sites for the following spring. One takes about thirty minutes but this does an approximate altitude of 300 metres. sub-species macrorhynchos has a more in thick pines which also need to be close one includes the additional sub-species can only speculate that whilst the Siberian little to confirm what is actually involved. From our base we had every confidence uniformly narrow and slightly longer bill to their main food source which will found in both the western Himalaya birds continued their search for sufficient Individual Nutcrackers will fill their that we were in the right place and at the and its white tail tips are a little broader be either hazel nuts or arolla pine seeds and China (Large-spotted Nutcracker pine seeds, possibly always on the move, throats with as many as fifteen good nuts right time to see these nut-loving corvids. by comparison. The bird is basically silent depending upon whether the birds are Nucifraga caryocatactes), is certainly those European birds that had followed and continue gathering until every single But why were they here in the first place and reclusive so finding them is difficult of the European or Siberian race. The large with the European population in their wake found a new breeding area nut on the tree has been removed. A pair and what do we know about this member at most times of the year but it does have a birds are omnivorous in summer and accounting for between 800,000 and which they happily colonised. Here was of Nutcrackers works as a team and it has of the crow family? call which is very reminiscent of the high- they breed early, usually in February, for 1,700,000 individuals. There is also a a ready supply of hazelnuts that could been professionally estimated that each The Nutcracker is just about the same pitched call of the Jay. Many observers very practical reasons. Come autumn, the third sub-species, the Clark’s Nutcracker be cached for the coming year which, pair will need at least 14,000 nuts to see size as our well-known Jay Garrulus are able to find similar comparisons to juveniles have to be sufficiently developed Nucifraga columbiana which is found of necessity, meant that the birds were them successfully through the coming glandarius but less striking in colour a certain extent with other members of to be in their future territory and able to in western North America. These birds committed to remaining in their new year. Remember, the birds also have to being mainly a light brown, just like a the corvid family, including Jackdaw, forage for themselves in order to amass are not migratory but when things go territories. And once having successfully feed at this time so that makes for an even 8 9 Advertisement greater number. Based on the evidence, the forests amidst a rich and hardly exploited final day as we drove back to Brussels pair then creates as many as 9,000 caches. hazel coppice. The population depends for our return flight to Malaga. A walk To achieve this target, and remember it upon this isolated habitat and whilst the after breakfast on the first day brought Bird watching has to be completed within a six-week forest is a worked crop there seems to a brief view of our first Nutcracker but period, based on the above numbers and be no plan to regenerate and or increase from then onwards it became an almost assuming 7,000 nuts per individual with the provision of hazel trees. As far as I frantic search to find any more. Where Bird photography each carrying the maximum 15 per flight know there has been no specific study were the birds? As we enjoyed beautiful between gathering and caching, then an to establish the present number of walks in the green valleys with their average of twelve journeys per day for Nutcrackers but best estimates from local burbling brooks and climbed the local about 40 days would be required to reach ornithologists seem to suggest a breeding hills, never mind the car runs into the a total of 7,200 nuts. Put another way, population of about 600 pairs. gorgeous neighbourhood, it soon became fifty percent of the Nutcracker’s waking So, with a fairly stable population there evident that something was amiss. We hours for this six week period is foraging. should have been no in Jenny and found regular discarded clusters of nuts, Caches contain one to three (average me finding Nutcrackers when we stayed but instead of the occasional nut left in a Special offer for ABS members! 1.57) nuts per cache and almost without with Marieke in Ruy du Moulin from 9th cluster of four we were finding three if not all four nuts. Closer inspection revealed that many were either very light in weight or had the tell-tale hole of some sort of worm infestation. Nutcrackers only take quality nuts. It would seem that our visit was going to suffer a double whammy! Not only did it appear to be a very bad hazel nut crop for the year but the nuts, Ideal for visiting judging by the empty trees, had matured Odiel marshes, Doñana National Park early and, on the whole, been gathered Castro Marim, Portugal earlier than usual. Eventually, we did find Nutcrackers but these are birds that Marieke knows well For further information contact Marta Jariod so she knew where to take us, from one Email: [email protected] Tel: 0034 959 31 40 56 / 615 20 61 50 hillside spot to another. We did see Website: www. spanishnature.com Email: [email protected] Nutcrackers in flight and typically posed Website: www. apartamentoscostaluz.com at the top of pine trees where they seem to observe what is going on around them and, it seemed to me, if working in pairs then one was waiting to take over from the other using the same flight paths to the hazel trees being searched. But with or without Nutcrackers this is a beautiful countryside in the High Ardennes and we very much enjoyed the scenery and visiting some of the local Nutcracker Cache. Photo: Marieke Berkvens to 16th September last year. Marieke had villages and beauty spots. We were taken exception every cache is found by its done all the hard work in booking rooms for walks alongside flowing streams, owner. Nutcrackers evaluate every nut as at the old mill right in the centre of perfect through pine forests and high moor-like soon as it is taken from the tree and all territory. How do I know? Unlike those hills. Beautiful and a holiday that we will light, empty, bad or unsatisfactory nuts who are good at recognising bird calls, long remember. are rejected at source; only sound nuts are you have to have another skill to find I could not finish this article without cached. Now that’s a busy bird! the Nutcracker. Not the previous day acknowledging our great debt to our Caches are always in the birds’ territory but back in the winter months Marieke friend Marieke who made us so welcome and the climate is such that they can spent a number of occasions in the area in her country. It was she who not only Your place to stay in Ronda always be found even during the worst surveying suitable territories where there undertook all the “leg work” earlier in the The best to combine a visit to the historical weather. The nuts themselves are opened were spruce woods and nearby hazel year to discover where the Nutcrackers City and birding in the Serrania de Ronda on preferred hacking sites such as tree trees. At this time it was a question of were residing but also organised the stumps, broken trunks, etc by cleaving the finding signs of the actual caches so she accommodation and provided the nut shells very efficiently in two halves. would walk the woods looking for those transport from and to the airport in Almost never were any bad nuts found tell-tale signs of empty holes. That done, Brussels. Similarly, it is to Marieke that I • Reformed recently near these hacking sites or caches proving we were now ready for the chance to see owe a big thank you for sending me copies • Ensuite rooms the efficient selection of the stored nuts the birds and, hopefully actually get some from the original publication in Dutch of • TV and free Wifi and, indeed, only hazelnuts are stored, no photographs. the Nutcracker study in the Ardennes • Economical acorns so avoiding any competition with Arriving late on Tuesday 8th September along with its English abstract and lots the local Jays. we awoke the following morning to enjoy of illustrations and graphs and tables as It can be truly said that the Nutcrackers four beautiful, clear sunny days, the next referred to in the script. C/ Sevilla 51 - Ronda. Tel. 952871538 – 608454005 found in the Ardennes found a vacant two a mixture of cloud and occasional niche in the shape of introduced Spruce showers with continuous rain on the Bob Wright - ABS Member www.hotelmorales.es - [email protected] 10 11 Vulture migration peaks in November. * MIGRATION WATCH Be prepared for the unexpected such as Ruppell’s Vultures or Long-legged ALGECIRAS - TARIFA Buzzards. It’s spring and you are standing 20m above using thermals and cannot sustain flight birds struggling to reach land and failing. The spring migration is generally best the sea on the Spanish side of the Strait for long by beating their wings. Gulls will often take advantage of the for photographers as the birds usually gazing across to the Moroccan coast and Also birds will not cross when they can’t stragglers and attack these weaker birds, arrive much lower down and closer to the the Riff Mountains. The weather and wind see the other side, therefore the very forcing them down into the sea to drown. observer. direction are perfect for the migration of best time to go migration watching is However, these are the exceptions. The In autumn they leave Spain at much birds going north for the summer. immediately after bad weather has delayed vast majority cross without a problem, greater altitudes and can sometimes You wait – but there is nothing in sight. birds, so long as the visibility is good and but to see these birds come soaring in just Listed below are some of the main locations from which to watch the migration in be difficult to see well. However, larger Then unexpectedly quite close by, you see the wind favourable. above your head is an unforgettable and safety. There are other sites, but these generally lack the concentration of observers numbers pass through at this time as a Short-toed Eagle below you. It is flapping Then all the birds that have arrived on the deeply moving sight. As soon as they have that often helps you see, and identify the birds. They are all based on the N340 coastal they include many young birds. It also hard and you can feel its struggle to reach northern coast of Morocco, over the bad passed, they disappear behind you as if road. Gibraltar is not included, as all the main species can be seen perfectly well from tends to be a better season for rarities (e.g. safety. And then, faster than expected, it weather days, will launch themselves in a in a hurry to get to the north. However, the Spanish coast without having to cross the border. They are described from east Ruppell’s Vulture, rare eagles, etc). Delay rises up on the coastal thermal and comes matter of a few hours across the Strait. sometimes the weaker birds will just find (Algeciras) to west (Tarifa), but note that for most you can only gain access from one in the autumn means thousands of birds soaring over only Metres above your First though they have to gain great a branch/post and sit there to recover; in direction. Algeriras to Tarifa wanting to cross being forced to wait, just head before disappearing rapidly beyond height over the land before risking the sea these cases you can get excellent close-ups Puntas del Canero and Secreta - at the first roundabout after leaving Algeciras inland on the Spanish side and can lead to the hill behind you. You turn back to the crossing, when they start arriving you will of practically any species. take the CA224 to Getares. At the first roundabout turn right and follow the road excellent birding. Strait, Black Kites and Booted Eagles have initially only see a few birds, but look again Then after a few hours the backlog of birds for 5kms. Park by the lighthouse, or you can use the pull-in on a sharp right-hand In times of strong easterly winds, migrating now started to appear and are rising up and in spring you will see hundreds, if not from Morocco will dry up and then only bend. This is Punta Canero. Punta Secreta is further on and on the otherside of the birds arriving towards the Tarifa area above the sea. thousands of birds, streaming towards a few birds will be seen. These are the village. Here park your car and walk westwards for up 3.5kms and you come to Punta can sometimes be seen battling up-wind The Riff Mountains stand out clearly you. It is as if there were a motorway in ones arriving in the North of Morocco Acebuche. This is an excellent area for small birds feeding up after the crossing, as towards Algeciras, before attempting the across the Strait, which is only 14km wide the sky several hundred Metres wide as in the afternoon who, finding conditions well as for viewing the migration. crossing. Watching the weather reports at this point, and this is the main crossing they come in at all heights. favourable take the opportunity to cross, Algarrobo - Km 99.1. - this ‘official’ observation point is one of the two primary will help you to decide the best days as point in Western Europe for soaring birds The fit birds come in higher up, but the but most stay to feed before trying to cross observation points (the other is Cazalla). It is only accessible from Algeciras and there will be times of unfavourable or to migrate to and from Africa. majority come in low down, many only the following morning. However, if bad has to be approached with extreme care as it is easy to miss this turning. Take the no winds, which will cause a substantial For these soaring birds it can be a matter Metres above the waves, and they only conditions change at midday, the mass rough track at the 80km speed sign. It’s a very sharp turn and if somebody is exiting build-up of birds waiting to cross. This of life or death as thermals do not form gain height as they reach land and ride the migration will happen in the afternoon, when you arrive it can be too dangerous to turn into. Drive along the track for 500m applies to both northerly and southerly over the open sea. Birds such as eagles, thermals along the cliffs. Some are not so so you can be unexpectedly lucky. Being passing through gates to “Observatorio Algarrobo”. Often well manned it has the crossings. kites, storks, vultures, and buzzards fly lucky and it is the saddest sight to see huge in the right place at the right time is advantage of many expert eyes looking for raptors. Note – improvements in access The best viewing can be had at the everything. have recently been promised by local politicians (see Cazalla), but only time will tell downwind end of the Strait in the spring So far I have only mentioned the larger, whether this becomes a reality. and the upwind end in the autumn. more spectacular, soaring birds, but Huerte Grande, Pelayo (c97 km) - this is the only place where, thanks to an Sometimes a short drive of 2 or 3kms can all the time swallows, martins, swifts, underpass, you can change direction without risking crossing the busy carriageways make all the difference to the numbers of Sparrowhawks, Peregrine Falcons, on the N 340. Huerte Grande is signposted from both directions as you enter Pelayo birds you see. kestrels, harriers and more are continually (although from the east the sign is small and easily missed). Arriving from Algeciras A good weather site to visit is “windguru” streaming across. use the underpass then continue west through Pelayo and then take the minor road as it is for sailors and gives wind direction All this is only half the story as the besides the N 340 to reach Huerte Grande. Unlike other sites this is not an ‘official’ and speed in 4 hour blocks. ** majority of the smaller migratory birds watchpoint, but an excellent exhibition on migration in the straits in the small Driving along the N 340 road from cross on cloudless nights. Many of these information centre makes it worth the stop. The venta here is run by a multi-lingual Algeciras to Tarifa you will see migrating smaller birds need to forage during the couple very sympathetic to birding and has been the venue for several bird fairs. birds, but the road is narrow and it is too day; atmospheric conditions, predator Footpaths here running down to the coast can be good for migrants. dangerous (and illegal) to pull over and avoidance and orientation by using the Mirador del Estrecho (Km 91) - the mirador and cafe, which are roughly half-way stop. stars have been proposed as explanations between the two towns, is accessible only from the direction of Tarifa. It is a good I hope this gives you a feel for the for the widespread occurrence of ‘unofficial’ watchpoint although be prepared to field questions from curious tourists. migration, but as for so many things in nocturnal migration. So always check Guadalmesi (Km 89.5) – Guadalmesi is only accessed from the direction of Tarifa. life, being in the right place at the right the trees/undergrowth for migrants Less than a kilometre from the turning a track up to a radio mast on a small hillock time is everything. Good birding. recovering and feeding up after their gives excellent views across the area. Since the closure of the military base it is now crossing. Wagtails, larks, pipits and possible to drive through to reach the coast. John Brooks - ABS member finches can be everywhere, and you may Cazalla (Km 87) - this ‘official’ observation point is only accessible from the direction maps and data by John Cantelo be lucky to see Bee-eaters, Hoopoe or of Algeciras. With Algarrobo it is one of the two most important watchpoints and is Rollers speeding inland. accordingly well manned. It has ample parking, and a specially constructed shelter * The migration periods of individual In fact, millions of birds, of all shapes and for birders. Previously access has been denied due to fears about road safety, but a species can be found at: http://www. sizes, cross the Strait twice a year. The new entrance road has resolved these issues. A secondary watchpoint on the other birdcadiz.com/wp-content/uploads/ season is long and typically lasts from side of the road, accessed by a very rough track, has been used in the past, but with GUIADEAVESDELESTRECHO March to May going north in spring, the new developments may no longer be manned in the future.- EdicionRevisada2012.pdf? which is a ‘virtual’ and returning south again in August Trafico/Punta Camorro (Km 85) – accessed only from the direction of Tarifa. copy of the excellent bilingual “Guia de Aves to October. However, there are certain Follow the military road for just over a kilometre to a track on the right where the del Estrecho de Gibraltar/Field Guide to the species, which migrate at different times Trafico watchpoint is located. However, this watchpoint has largely been superseded Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar” so you always stand a chance of seeing by the new centre and purpose built shelters on the coast at Punta Camorro. The something. For example Great Spotted scrub here is also excellent for passerines and seawatching is possible too. This ** www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc= Cuckoos and Crag Martins can be seen location can easily be reached on foot from Tarifa. 43&sty=m_spot from December to March and Griffon 12 13 Advertisement

On finding a suspected Pallid surprisingly obvious. Swift amongst Common Swifts Identification Puzzles When you get a “good un” keep (or vice versa) in southern Spain following it as it flies away and there are several tricks that a Pallid vs Common Swift conditions become less good. birdwatcher uses to deal with It’s now that subtle elements like one of the most problematic of “species come October. So the tyro Pallid Swift shape and flight pattern come into their pairs” to identify. In this short note I’ll identifier would do well to get themselves own. It is though, worth waiting until try to cover all of these eventualities and somewhere along the coast in late late March when you’ve something to hopefully reach a point where the reader February or early March settle themselves compare it with! If identifying Pallids by will feel better able to pick out a genuine comfortably and grill all the swifts they the subtleties of colour is distinctly A-level Pallid Swift. can find. Don’t worry about Common, standard birding (with apologies to any The first option, and one which many they should all still be in Africa! Better non-Brit birders) then doing so using birders are loathe to admit to, is to quickly still pick an overcast day when the light’s some of the other clues is encroaching on look the other way! Distinguishing these flatter, there’s less glare and the birds may degree level! That said with perseverance two birds is often tough, you’ll make well be flying lower – details are more and, above all practice, you may be able mistakes and, to be realistic, sometimes easily seen against a darker background to note that Pallids are slightly broader in the conditions make an accurate diagnosis than a brilliant azure sky. the head, body and wing (which are also of colour and even shape exceedingly So having found an ideal spot with blunter tipped) and their wingbeats are difficult. Remember though, that we’re plenty of early swifts, what next? If light inclined to be subtly slower, their glides all allowed to make mistakes and it’s conditions are good you should soon note flatter and turns slower. Scanning a mixed not a hanging offence to leave birds that the birds are more brownish than flock be aware of these traits and if you unidentified. So learn to pick your battles. blackish, that they often show a distinctly feel you’ve a Pallid follow it until other If you’re unfamiliar with the species try darker ‘saddle’ (compared to the rump and features are visible (if at all). By doing so to tackle them in ideal conditions when lower back) and there’s a darker looking you may just tune into the Pallid Swift’s features can more easily be noted. Pallid is wedge on the outer wing (think Sandwich unique gestalt. a “Jekyell and Hyde” species – blindingly Tern!) which is even more obvious from Of course, like all things, it’s not always obvious at times, but can quickly become below. The underwing coverts (‘armpits’) that easy. Conditions often make plumage a real challenge as the conditions change! often also look darker than the feathers details impossible to be certain about. If you’re still unsure have a quick peek to its rear. If they’re really close check Common Swifts can and do vary with at your calendar and a road map. Pallids the pale head which shows a darker age (and race) with some looking paler, start arriving in mid-February with most mask round the eye, a relatively large ill having pale edged feathers below (esp. on arriving in March, are concentrated along defined whitish throat patch and as they the flanks) and juveniles (or birds with a (but not unique to) coastal areas and they zoom past note that on the underside of full crop) may seem to have larger pale have a second brood in September with the body feathers are pale tipped giving throat patches. Don’t forget that you can stragglers hanging on as late as November. a bold ‘herringbone’ pattern (esp on the always look away, but if you do so you’ll In contrast Common Swifts arrive in late belly). They can also show an obvious deny yourself the excitement and pleasure March, numbers only build up by mid to paler forehead (although juv. Commons of discovery! late April and most decamp in late August/ can show this albeit less pronounced). September with very few stragglers left When conditions are right birds can be John Cantelo - ABS member. 1. In ideal light the overall impression of Pallid is of a mousy-brown rather than sooty-brown bird, BUT there is some variation in Common so don’t be fooled by an odd marginally paler bird and remember that agains a bright sky both can look blackish! 2. Viewed from above Pallid often shows a subtle dark ’saddle’ contrasting with paler head and lower back. Common is uniform sooty-brown. 3. Pallid’s paler head combined with a darker feathering round the eye can give a ‘masked’ appearance. Common never shows this as the eye is hidden by surrounding dark feathers. 4. Pallid has a larger more diffuse whitethroat patch with a whitish forehead (hard to see). Common’s patch is smaller and more sharply defined and only juvs show white on forehead (less than Pallid), BUT beware Common with full crops making the throats appear larger! 5. Note the subtle darker wedge on Pallid’s forewing. 6. In good light the pale tips to feathers on the belly and flanks of Pallid are diagnostic, BUT don’t be fooled by the odd Common with paler

Illustration: John Cantelo feather tips which are never so bold and strongest on undertail & flanks, not the belly. 7. Shape - Pallid has a subtly different shape; the body is slightly more robust, the tail a tad shorter, the outer wing marginally broader and the tip blunter, BUT often very hard to judge (esp. on windy days). 8. Pallid has marginally less rapid wingbeats, is less agile, slower in turns & has flatter glides. Very hard to judge, but sometimes allows you to pick out a Pallid without knowing quite why

14 15 I have a sneaking affinity for non native bird Brazo del Este, an area of great biodiversity. Formerly an eastern While looking through photos from the Weaver colony I noticed branch (brazo) of the Guadalquivir it is now a reed-fringed one with slightly different configuration of yellow and black. It species that like me, have successfully adapted turned out to be a Yellow Crowned Bishop, another Sub Saharan to life in a new country, i.e. become expatriot species similar to and often seen in the company of Weavers. residents of sunny Spain. Expat Birds Talking of African species I should mention “Paco” the Superb Probably the most conspicuous of these is the noisy Monk in Andalucia I would suggest the magnificent Parque Maria Starling, well known to Golfers at the Parador Golf Course

Parakeet whose raucous screeching call is a familiar sound Luisa in Seville. Black-headed Weaver (male) Less well known perhaps are the various species of small cagebirds that have escaped and established Spanish breeding colonies. TheCommon Waxbill for example is a beautiful little finch from Southern Africa, popular because it is cute and easy to keep. Wild flocks are now very common in Southern Portugal and are becoming widespread throughout Andalucia. They like to be near water with a plentiful supply of grass seed, fruit and small insect food. I have seen them in many locations and

lagoon and wetland area surrounded by rice plains and farmland. Over 230 bird species have been recorded and it was here that we stumbled upon a large nesting colony of Black-headed Weavers. This attractive expat is a native of Sub Saharan Africa but

escapees from the cagebird trade established breeding colonies Superb Starling in Southern Portugal and Spain. Males are conspicuous in bright yellow with black faces. Personally I prefer the females because Common Waxbill

near Malaga Airport. Obviously an escapee he lived there quite happily in the company of native starlings for several years. I first Black-headed Weaver (female) spotted him pulling worms from the 18th green (Him, not me) in February 2013. I don’t know if he still survives* but even if so

Monk Parakeet his chances of ever finding a mate must be nil, so Superb Starling recently spotted a close relative, the Black Rumped Waxbill at is not likely to become listed as a breeding species in Spain. the Charca de Suarez Reserve near the Port of Motril in Granada Province.

It was also in and around the Charca de Suarez that I first saw in and around most large towns or cities in Andalucia. This my favourite expat bird, the Red Avadavat. This attractive little gregarious and highly intelligent bird first appeared in Spain species likes tall grasses and the proximity to water which exists about forty years ago when it become popular for its ability to here in abundance around the mouth of the Rio Guadalfeo of their large, clear bright eyes. I attach a couple of photos to mimic human speech. Captive birds can routinely acquire an between Motril and Salobrena. Male Avadavats in breeding illustrate this feature. The males weave pendulous nests from extensive vocabulary of words and phrases and they largely plumage are resplendant in silver-studded bright scarlet plumage, rush strands and the females line the interiors with soft down. replaced the Cockatiel and the very expensive African Grey appearing like rubies in the tall grass. Non breeding males are They are another species that require water nearby and we have Parrot for this purpose. Escapees have adapted well to the urban seen them around the Rio in the Algarve, and on one environment where they are now very common. occasion at the Rio Guadalhorce near Malaga. TheRose Ringed Parakeet was another imported talking parrot IbisBald and escapees are now breeding successfully in a few well watered parks and large city gardens. I have seen them in the grounds of the Royal Palace of Madrid, and should anyone wish to find them Finally I should mention the Bald Ibis. Strictly speaking not an expat but the two eggs laid by an introduced breeding pair in 2008 were thought to be the first in Spain for over 500 years. Thirty birds had been released in the La Janda area to try to re- Red AvadavatRed establish the species in parts of its former range. Great efforts have been made to save them from extinction since the only truly wild population in Morocco dwindled to just 59 pairs in 1998.

Yellow-crowned Bishop They had disappeared from the wild in Turkey by this time. A Rose Ringed ParakeetRose former small wild population in Syria, thought to have died out, mostly brown but still have the silver studding and a red rump. was rediscovered in 2002. sadly, along with many of the human Females are less conspicuous in greys and browns but may also population they are unlikely to have survived recent events in show a red rump and in Summer a bright red bill. Originating that Country. in the Indian Sub-continent they are usually sold as Strawberry Finches and are popular for their colour and attractive song. Stephen Powell - ABS member 20 km south of Seville in the Guadalquivir River Delta is the * Now deceased - Editor 16 17 It took me 7 years to discover my patch ABS trips of course) that is the question! I do hope the other is not a victim of the and only 12 strides to be in the middle of inappropriately named “hunters”. Even it! Some time ago I read that here in campo Such is the strength of this case for the if like me you abhor the shooting of wild Spain it was a waste of time to hang out My local patch defence that the prosecution or spoil creatures a true hunter will use stealth and A dozen strides from where, I hear you feeders, as I had been doing and as folks sports wish to withdraw their opposition. patience to hunt down a single quarry. ask? Patience reader, all will be revealed do in the UK, as birds would be much Thank you. The “hunters” in our area stand on a ridge shortly. more appreciative of a regular supply of and blast away at anything that dare fly clean fresh water. is my Home So here goes. Overhead have been seen overhead. How I despise them. Perversely I will begin with negative migrating Honey Buzzard. We have sightings. A journey to a Chinese supermarket very rocky , poor quality soil , 80k from really good splash about. Others that regular summer sightings of Short- toed Sorry, I’ll climb down from my soap box! procured a large kingfisher blue (don’t Malaga, 40k to Ronda, seem to like a bath are Blackbirds, Cirl and and Booted Eagles. A pair of Kestrels On my patch I have never recorded any ask) plastic bowl and a smaller cazuela Rock Buntings. Not so keen on bathing annually nests in the foothills of the Sierra The long hot summer months sees the waterfowl, or waders, or any sea- going or type bowl. The large plastic bowl was OK here goes. Plenty of Gold, Green and but forever turning up for a drink from de las Nieves and glide and hover over our usual collection of Barn Swallows, House marsh-visiting birds. Yet covering a small buried in the ground, a number of large Chaffinches, Blue, Great and Crested Tits, the smaller bowl we welcome the green land in search of the ubiquitous common Martins and Swifts screeching in the clear area of 15,000 square meters my patch has rocks were placed in the bowl and fresh Willow and Sardinian Warblers (“Sardies” female and striking scarlet-coloured male lizard, or large insects. blue sky. to date revealed 46 species. water was added. Instant pond!! The nest in our dilapidated sheep pen). Also Crossbill. smaller bowl was positioned on a large among the regulars at the drinking Every so often one, two or even three Trotting down our track with eight or nine I realise that, unless your name is Lee level tree stump and also filled with water. station, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Black Those that have made only a fleeting Griffon Vultures stray from their haunts youngsters in tow on one occasion were Evans*, and I have no issues with that All of this in an area shielded by pinsapo, Redstart (two pairs currently roost on the single appearance at the “pond” include in Ronda and grace us with their ugly Mum and Dad Red-legged Partridge, they august gentleman, counting and ticking walnut and olive trees. external lamps outside our front door in (Common) Cuckoo, Great Spotted beauty. are also seen without young during the off species is not everyone’s idea of winter). Others recorded on a regular Woodpecker, Mistle and Song Thrush, year. birding. But my number count is confined The results were immediate and very basis are Robin, White Wagtail, Serin Grey Wagtail and possibly our special We would love to claim that Peregrines to sightings in the square meters of our rewarding. (Mum and Dad bought their brood of 5/6 guest, a single resplendent Rock Thrush. have been seen but when one only We have from time to time been blessed residence. Crikey man, nearly 10 lines and for inspection last summer, as did Blue catches a milli-second glimpse of a raptor with Bee-eaters (overhead), Hoopoe nary a mention of a bird. Do come to the At last he’s actually going to name some and Great Tits). We were most surprised Those of you with a calculator on their through the foliage it’s not a guaranteed foraging around not 20 meters from our point!! birds! to see how aggressive and argumentative mobiles (who hasn’t) will be saying, ID. But of surer ID, Sparrowhawks front door, and the occasional Black the White Wagtails were, bullying and “Hang on, that’s only 25. Where’s the other have been regularly observed Redstart doing the same. I nearly forgot The point is that from my perspective No, not quite. Since the spring of 2015 attacking everything that dared intrude 20 plus?” scaring the tits et al in the fir copse the cheeky House Sparrows, the stunning I don’t do any birding on my patch. I’ve been visited by nearly all the usual on their boozing. adjacent to our land. Stonechat and the flighty, delicate Spotted Conversely, it’s the birds who indulge in suspects that you would expect to see Well here comes the contentious part. Flycatcher visits us too. their form of “humaning”. In other words on my patch which perches some 850m Those princes among birds, the Jays, Is it “cricket” to count birds seen on and Whilst on the subject of raptors, one of the birds come to me, rather than me above sea level in the foothills of the Sierra are very regular drinkers and frequently from within the boundaries of our land our prized sightings on more than one Further regular visitors are Crested Larks going out to look for them. (Apart from de las Nieves and is composed of arid , commandeer the large bowl, having a that don’t alight on our land or come and occasion has been an Eagle Owl. It sat in and Thekla Larks. We’re so lucky to be drink or bathe? the same leaf- barren castana [chestnut] able to observe these at very close quarters about 300 meters away each time around through my bins and scope and pick out The case for the defence makes a the same hour at twilight. A pair of the differences between the two. Glancing comparison with birding in say, the Ravens is seen nearly every day sailing out of a rear window at some scrubby land, enclosed parts of the Doñana and seeing a serenely over the valley between our casa not 5 meters away, I was lucky enough to bird 50 meters away beyond the confines and the village. However as I write I have see and study for 5 minutes or so a pair of of the reserve. To count or not to count, only seen a single Raven in the past week. Wood Larks (once only).

All of these observations of feeding, drinking and bathing birds (the first 25) have been whilst I was sitting at my computer and therefore haven’t had to move a Metre. Lazy birding indeed! But as I’m not on my computer each and every day, it begs the question, what have I missed that might have visited my patch?

So that’s it. Nothing for the RSPB or the BTO or even the ABS to get particularly excited about but MY PATCH is my home.

And as a final thought, how many birders yearn to see a Wood Pigeon or a Starling, Corn Bunting or Collared Dove on their patch so that, in my case, I can get to the magical 50?

Terry Osborne - ABS Member *For readers not abreast of the UK ‘twitching scene’, Lee Evans is Britian’s top “lister” - Editor

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Andalucia Bird Society Spring 2016.indd 1 24/03/2016 14:27