Andalucia 11 th -18 th April 2016

Transcription

1 Andalucia 11 th -18 th April 2016 Introduction This report covers an 8-day birding trip to Andalucia, mainly spent in Doñana and the Sierra de Andújar, but also taking in sites in Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga and Seville provinces. The trip was primarily a birding one, with the specialities of the area the main targets, as well as a casual look for Iberian Lynx. The trip was a massive success, with 176 species logged, and the few targets that were not seen were replaced by other birds I was not expecting to see. The weather was very good, with only Saturday (showers and overcast) a day without prolonged sunshine. Both mornings in El Rocio began grey and foggy, but quickly cleared. A very dry winter meant much of Donana was dry, keeping bird numbers down. However, for any naturalist, I d highly recommend visiting both Doñana and Andújar, if anything for the scenery and sheer density of birds. I have scaled down this report, but for accounts of each day with more specific information (as well as some poor photos!) please visit my blog godalmingareabirds.blogspot.com. Accommodation and transport In order to cover the area, and given it was in fact cheaper, I flew from Gatwick to Gibraltar on the Monday evening, and back from Malaga to Gatwick on the Tuesday morning. As a result, I worked my way across eastwards. For the first 5 days, I used public transport, with a private tour on the Wednesday enabling me to get around the key sites in Doñana. The local bus system was efficient and well-priced. On the Friday, I hired a car from Bruno s car hire, as they offered a competitive rate for a Gibraltar collection and Malaga drop off. This proved a very simple pick up, and the car ran smoothly throughout. However, there was much confusion when it came to dropping the car off at Malaga, and a few hours had to be spent in order to clarify this. Aside from 2 nights in the Sierra de Andújar, I stayed in hotels. After a night in Hotel Miramar in La Linea, I stayed in the renowned Hotel Toruño in El Rocío for 2 evenings, before a night at Hotel un Patio al Sur in Seville. I then moved onto the Sierra de Grazalema and stayed in the Plaza de Toros in Ronda, and the last night was at the Petit Palace Plaza in Malaga. The two days prior to Malaga were spent in a fantastic self-catering lodge, near Andújar, which I highly recommend for its wild feel, mod-cons and great on-site restaurant. All the hotels were good those used for brief stop-overs were generally basic. I spent little time in any of them. Literature I strongly recommend the following, all were of use: A Birdwatching Guide to Doñana (Butler, 2007) Birding and Nature Trails in Sierra Morena 2: Sierra Morena de Jaén (Porrino, 2011) Birding Cadiz Province: Winter/Spring 2016 (Cantelo, 2015) Finding Birds in Andalucia (Gosney, 2009) Where to Watch Birds in Doñana (Moreno & Gutiérrez, 2006) Where to Watch Birds in Southern & Western Spain (Garcia & Paterson, 2008, third edition) Itinerary

2 Monday 11 th April Arrived at Gibraltar airport at 20:35. Walked to hotel in La Linea for the night. Tuesday 12 th April 07:30 bus from La Linea to Seville, arrive 11:30. Lunch in Seville city centre before 16:00 bus to El Rocio, arrive 17:30. Madre de las Marismas (El Rocio lagoon) until sunset. Wednesday 13 th April A full day tour of the Doñana area, via Discovering Doñana (José Antonio Sánchez), from 07:45-19:00. José was highly recommended following an online search, and he was simply brilliant. Briefly at Madre de las Marismas afterwards. Thursday 14 th April A later than planned start due to fog. Madre de las Marismas and La Rocina before 17:30 bus from El Rocio to Seville. Night in Seville. Friday 15 th April 09:30 bus from Seville to La Linea, arrive 13:30. Walk to Gibraltar, Upper Rock until c.19:30. Friend s flight delayed meant car collected from La Linea late, and left at c.11:00. Arrived at Ronda at c.00:30. Saturday 16 th April Dawn at Ronda, drove into Sierra de Grazalema. Departed for Andujar at c.15:30. Stopped for 1 ½ hour stop at Osuna farmlands en route. Arrived in Andujar c20:30. Sunday 17 th April c.09:00 start at the Encinarejo trail. Finished c.15:00, drove to La Lancha, until c.19:00. Monday 18 th April Dawn start at the Encinarejo trail. Depart c.11:00, arrive Cordoba c.12:30. Lunch in the city centre. Depart c.14:15, arrive Laguna del Rincón c.15:00. Leave c:16:15, arrive Rio Guadalhorce c:17:30 until c.19:00. Tuesday 19 th April Flight departure from Malaga at 10:10, arrive Gatwick at 12:30. Highlights White-headed Duck, Black Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli s Eagle, Crested Coot, Purple Swamphen, Great Bustard, Black Wheatear, Western Olivaceous Warbler & Azure-winged Magpie. Species List 1) Greylag Goose small numbers on the 12 th and 13 th on Madre de las Marismas, and 4 at La Rocina on the 14 th. 2) Shelduck 1 drake on Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13 th. 3) Mallard common on water bodies throughout 4) Gadwall 4 on Madre de las Marismas on the 12 th, 40+ throughout on the 13th 5) Pintail 3 drakes on Madre de las Marismas on the 14 th

3 6) Shoveler a few at the José Antonio Valverde & Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13th 7) Teal c.15 at the José Antonio Valverde on the 13th 8) Garganey a pair at the José Antonio Valverde on the 13th 9) Pochard present in decent numbers on deeper water bodies throughout 10) Red-crested Pochard common in small numbers in the Donana area, with pairs on the Rio Guadalquivir at Cordoba, Laguna del Rincon and Rio Gualdhorce on the 18th 11) White-headed Duck seen on 2 dates, at 3 different sites. A drake was on Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13 th, with c.5 at Laguna del Rincon and 9 at Rio Guadalhorce on the 18 th. 12) Red-legged Partridge seen often throughout 13) Quail 8 singing throughout the Donana area on the 13th 14) Black-necked Grebe c.20 on Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13 th, and pairs on Laguna del Rincon and Rio Guadalhorce on the 18th 15) Little Grebe seen on the deeper water bodies throughout 16) Great Crested Grebe seen on the deeper water bodies on 3 dates 17) Cory s Shearwater 1 seen from the southern Upper Rock on Gibraltar on the 15th 18) Cormorant small numbers seen away from the coast 19) Shag 2 were seen distantly on cliffs on the southern tip of Gibraltar on the 15th 20) Night Heron 1 s and 2 s on each day in Donana, and a single over the Rio Guadalquivir at Cordoba on the 18th 21) Cattle Egret very numerous throughout towards the coast, probably seen on the 13th 22) Squacco Heron singles at José Antonio Valverde and Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13 th, and Madre de las Marismas on the 14th 23) Little Egret fairly numerous throughout 24) Great White Egret 4 on the 13 th (Madre de las Marismas x 2, Corredor Verde & Puente Dos) 25) Grey Heron common throughout 26) Purple Heron 3 on the 13 th (Madre de las Marismas, Corredor Verde & Cañada de Rianzuela), and 2 at La Rocina on the 14th 27) White Stork very numerous throughout towards the coast, less inland 28) Glossy Ibis numerous in El Rocio/Donana 29) Bald Ibis c.8 at their cliffside colony at La Barca de Veyer on the 15 th. Introduced 12 years ago, the bus happened to stop for about 10 minutes right next to the birds! 30) Spoonbill numerous in El Rocio/Donana 31) Greater Flamingo very numerous in El Rocio/Donana. Also a few on the bus drives through Bahia de Cadiz and 2 at Rio Guadlhorce on the 18th 32) Griffon Vulture numerous throughout, more inland 33) Black Vulture 5+ in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 34) Egyptian Vulture 1 N over Gibraltar on the 15th 35) Osprey 1 near Corredor Verde on the 13th 36) Golden Eagle 2 in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 37) Spanish Imperial Eagle 1 adult in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 38) Short-toed Eagle several seen throughout 39) Booted Eagle seen often throughout 40) Bonelli s Eagle 1 adult at Llanos de Libar, Grazalema, on the 16th 41) Red Kite 2, both in Donana 42) Black Kite very numerous throughout 43) Marsh Harrier several seen throughout

4 44) Common Buzzard a handful seen throughout 45) Honey Buzzard 1 early bird N over Gibraltar on the 15th 46) Sparrowhawk 3 N over Gibraltar on the 15th 47) Goshawk 1 in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 48) Black-winged Kite - 1 near the Corredor Verde in Donana on the 13th 49) Kestrel many seen throughout 50) Lesser Kestrel seen at a few places throughout, with big colonies at Seville cathedral, Donana and Osuna farmlands 51) Peregrine 1 over the Upper Rock at Gibraltar on the 15th 52) Water Rail 1 squealing at Laguna del Rincon on the 18th 53) Moorhen a handful seen throughout 54) Coot - very numerous on the water bodies throughout 55) Crested Coot 3+ birds seen on 3 different dates, though only 1 thought genuinely wild. A 1 st -year male was with Eurasian Coots at close range on Madre de las Marismas on the 12 th, a collared bird on Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13 th and 1+ on Laguna del Rincon on the 18 th (introduced). 56) Purple Swamphen moderately common and surprisingly showy at Madre de las Marismas (12 th -14 th ), La Rocina (14 th ) and Corredor Verde, José Antonio Valverde & Cañada de Rianzuela (13 th, 30+ in total) 57) Great Bustard 2 displaying males near Osuna farmlands on the 16th 58) Avocet seen at a couple of sites 59) Black-winged Stilt numerous throughout Donana and at Rio Guadalhorce 60) Stone Curlew a nesting pair near Osuna farmlands on the 16th 61) Collared Pratincole a few seen in Donana area (12 th -14 th ) including a 30+ flock over Madre de las Marismas on the 14 th. 62) Little Ringed Plover small numbers in Donana (13th), Embalse de Zahara (16 th ) and Rio Guadalhorce (18 th ) 63) Ringed Plover 150+ in Donana on the 13th 64) Kentish Plover 10+ in Donana on the 13 th, and 3 at Rio Guadalhorce on the 18th 65) Dunlin 200+ in Donana on the 13 th, and c.30 at Madre de las Marismas on the 14th 66) Curlew Sandpiper 5+ on Madre de las Marismas on the 12 th, and 80+ in Donana on the 13th 67) Temminck s Stint 1 feeding with a huge mixed wader flock in Donana on the 13th 68) Little Stint - 3+ on Madre de las Marismas on the 12th, and 50+ in Donana on the 13th 69) Wood Sandpiper 2 on the 13 th, 1 at José Antonio Valverde and 1 at Madre de las Marismas, and 2 at Madre de las Marismas on the 14th 70) Green Sandpiper 1 near El Rocio on the 13th 71) Common Sandpiper up to 2 on Madre de las Marismas from the 12 th -14 th, and 2 at Embalse de Zahara on the 16th 72) Redshank 70+ in Donana on the 13 th and 2+ at Rio Guadalhorce on the 18th 73) Spotted Redshank 30+ in Donana on the 13th 74) Greenshank c.10 in Donana on the 13th 75) Black-tailed Godwit at Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13th 76) Curlew 1 in Donana on the 13th 77) Whimbrel 20+ in Donana on the 13th 78) Snipe 3 on Madre de las Marismas on the 12th 79) Ruff c.20 on José Antonio Valverde on the 12th 80) Black-headed Gull c.10 at Rio Guadalhorce on the 18th

5 81) Yellow-legged Gull very numerous at coastal locations 82) Lesser Black-backed Gull a few at Gibraltar and Malaga 83) Gull-billed Tern 2 in Donana on the 12 th, 30+ near Osuna on the 16 th and 1 at Rio Guadalhorce on the 18th 84) Whiskered Tern 1 at Cañada de Rianzuela on the 13 th and 1 over the Rio Guadalquivir at Cordoba on the 18th 85) Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon common throughout 86) Woodpigeon common throughout 87) Collared Dove common throughout 88) Turtle Dove 2 in Sierra de Andujar, on the 17 th and 18th 89) Cuckoo several in Sierra Andujar on the 17 th and 18th 90) Great Spotted Cuckoo 1 in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 91) Rose-ringed Parakeet small numbers in the big cities 92) Monk Parakeet common in Seville (12 th ) and Rio Guadalhorce/Malaga (18 th ) 93) Tawny Owl a few in Sierra de Andujar from the 16 th -18th 94) Swift common throughout 95) Pallid Swift fairly common throughout, particularly near the coast 96) Alpine Swift a few near Osuna on the 16th 97) Hoopoe fairly common throughout, but incredibly numerous in Sierra de Andujar from the 16 th -18th 98) Kingfisher 1 in Donana on the 13th 99) Bee-eater numerous throughout 100) Roller 2 near Osuna on the 16th 101) Iberian Green Woodpecker 1 at Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 102) Great Spotted Woodpecker a few inland 103) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 1 calling at La Rocina on the 14 th, and 2 at Sierra de Andujar on the 18th 104) Crested Lark numerous throughout 105) Thekla Lark 3 at Donana on the 13 th, 2 at Sierra de Grazalema on the 16 th and 1 at Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 106) Woodlark a few seen throughout 107) Short-toed Lark a few at Donana on the 13 th, and near Osuna on the 16th 108) Lesser Short-toed Lark 2+ at Donana on the 13th 109) Calandra Lark 3 in Donana on the 13 th and 7+ near Osuna on the 16th 110) Sand Martin numerous throughout 111) Crag Martin 30+ in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 112) Swallow numerous throughout 113) Red-rumped Swallow fairly numerous throughout 114) House Martin numerous throughout 115) Meadow Pipit 1 at Donana on the 12th 116) White Wagtail a couple seen throughout 117) Yellow Wagtail fairly common in Donana from 12 th -14th 118) Grey Wagtail a few seen throughout 119) Robin a few seen in Sierra de Andujar and Gibraltar 120) Nightingale numerous throughout 121) Black-eared Wheatear - 2+ in the Sierra de Grazalema on the 16th 122) Black Wheatear 2 in the Sierra de Grazalema on the 16th 123) Whinchat 1 male in Donana on the 13th

6 124) Stonechat fairly numerous throughout 125) Song Thrush 1 at La Rocina on the 14th 126) Mistle Thrush small numbers in Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de Andujar 127) Blackbird fairly numerous throughout 128) Blue Rock Thrush fairly numerous at Gibraltar (Upper Rock) on the 15 th and Sierra de Andujar on the 16th 129) Garden Warbler a few throughout 130) Blackcap a few throughout 131) Whitethroat 2 in Donana on the 13th 132) Sardinian Warbler numerous throughout 133) Subalpine Warbler singles at La Rocina and Sierra de Grazalema (14 th and 16 th ), and 2 in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 134) Dartford Warbler 2 at La Rocina on the 14th 135) Sedge Warbler a few at wetland sites throughout 136) Zitting Cisticola numerous at wetland sites throughout 137) Grasshopper Warbler 1 reeling at La Rocina on the 14th 138) Savi s Warbler 2+ singing at La Rocina on the 14th 139) Cetti s Warbler very numerous throughout 140) Reed Warbler a few throughout 141) Great Reed Warbler a few in Donana (12 th -13 th ) and Laguna del Rincon (18 th ) 142) Melodious Warbler a few throughout 143) Western Olivaceous Warbler 4, on 2 dates. 3 were in Donana on the 13 th (2 at La Cigueña and 1 at Cañada de Rianzuela), and 1 at Laguna del Rincon on the 18th 144) Willow Warbler 2 in Donana on the 13th 145) Western Bonelli s Warbler 2 in Donana on the 13 th and 2 in Sierra de Grazalema on the 16 th, all singing 146) Iberian Chiffchaff 147) Wren numerous throughout 148) Spotted Flycatcher 1 at La Rocina on the 14 th 149) Great Tit fairly numerous throughout 150) Blue Tit a few seen throughout 151) Crested Tit birds in Donana (13 th ) and Sierra de Andujar (18 th ) 152) Long-tailed Tit a few in the Sierra de Andujar 153) Short-toed Treecreeper a few throughout 154) Iberian Grey Shrike a few seen throughout (Donana, Osuna & Andujar) 155) Woodchat Shrike numerous throughout 156) Azure-winged Magpie decent numbers in Donana (12th-14 th ) and very numerous in Sierra de Andujar from the 17 th -18 th 157) Magpie numerous throughout 158) Jay a few in Sierra de Andujar 159) Jackdaw a few throughout 160) Chough a few in Sierra de Grazalema (16 th ) and Sierra de Andujar (17 th ) 161) Raven a few seen throughout 162) Spotless Starling very numerous throughout 163) Golden Oriole a few singing in Sierra de Andujar on the 17 th and 18 th 164) House Sparrow very numerous throughout 165) Spanish Sparrow a huge colony in Donana on the 13 th, and big flock near Osuna on the 16th

7 166) Tree Sparrow a few in Donana on the 13 th and La Rocina on the 14th 167) Rock Sparrow 8+ in Sierra de Andujar on the 16 th and similar numbers in Sierra de Andujar on the 17 th 168) Chaffinch very numerous throughout 169) Linnet seen fairly often throughout 170) Goldfinch very numerous throughout 171) Greenfinch very numerous throughout 172) Serin numerous throughout 173) Cirl Bunting 2 in Sierra de Grazalema on the 16 th 174) Corn Bunting very numerous throughout 175) Rock Bunting 1+ in Sierra de Andujar on the 17th 176) Common Waxbill 2 in Donana on the 13th Targets My list of targets was very long, but the key birds are described below. White-headed Duck this increasing species was secured on my tour of Donana on the 13 th, but it turned out they were easy to find at other sites (Laguna del Rincon and Rio Guadalhorce). At the latter site, I obtained extremely close views from the first hide. Black Vulture another increasing species, it took only a couple of hours to bag a few in Andujar, on the Encinarejo trail. Spanish Imperial Eagle one of the highlights of the trip was finding and identifying an adult on the Encinarejo trail in Andujar, where the highest density of breeding pairs occurs. Distant initially, it took over an hour before I conclusively ID ed over Golden Eagle. Bonelli s Eagle an adult showed fairly well after 45 minutes along the Llanos de Libar in Sierra de Grazalema, and I have John Cantelo s notes to thank for showing me this site. Black-winged Kite only 1 seen on my tour in Donana, so time wasn t investing looking for this species in other areas after the 13 th. Lesser Kestrel fairly numerous throughout. The Seville cathedral colony was a particular highlight Crested Coot probably joint highlight with the Spanish Imperial Eagle was finding my own on Madre de las Marismas on the 12 th. I thought Crested Coot would be the hardest target to find (not including introduced birds). Indeed, I saw 2 more, both introduced (13 th at Canada de Rianzuela and 18 th at Laguna del Rincon). Purple Swamphen numerous in Donana, and fairly easy to find. Lesser Short-toed Lark a couple seen on the tour offered a good guide to splitting from Great Short-toed in the field. However, not enough time in suitable Lark habitat meant no more where seen after. Black Wheatear again thanks to John Cantelo, his notes suggesting 2 sites in Sierra de Grazalema, where I saw 2 individuals. Western Olivaceous Warbler another species that I anticipated would be harder. 3 were seen on the tour day in Donana, including 1 seen briefly. Another was singing at Laguna del Rincon on the 18 th. Once the song is nailed, they were easier than expected in the right habitat (tamarisks!)

8 Rock Sparrow fairly easy in Sierra de Grazalema (Llanos de Libar) and Sierra de Andujar (dam at the end of the Encinarejo trail) Dips Marbled Duck always likely to be tough, and with Donana being largely dry there were none there. I didn t have the opportunity to visit the more reliable sites, unfortunately. Barbary Partridge none on the Upper Rock on the 15 th, though with almost all of these introduced in the last few years it was not a massive disappointment. Little Bittern biggest surprise on the omission list, and very much related to the dry winter. None at Donana in 3 days. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse another one that was to be tough, much scanning appropriate fields on the 13 th brought no joy. Summary A truly memorable experience. Andalucia (and particularly Donana) features heavily on most birders wish-lists, and it s clear why. The vast number of birds, the easiness in seeing them and the plentiful opportunity to find your own, often in beautiful landscapes where you are alone, made it fantastic. Add in the cheap prices of accommodation, and how simply getting to and around southern Spain is, I d thoroughly recommend it, and will be back. Any targets not seen were countered by surprise birds (Bald Ibis, Great Bustard etc) and the sheer volume of other species that are very unusual or simply not present in Britain.