Little Bustards and Stone-curlews

[Mick]

Hi All.

I know it’s not strictly migration but in the area around Loja we have some good flocks of Little Bustard and Stone-curlews over the winter. Small numbers of Stone-curlew breed but the winter numbers have already started to build on the same fields as they have for the last three winters. Last year we had 900+ birds, this year 110 have turned up so far but most don't get here till the end of September. The Little Bustards have also started to arrive with the first five on the Lucerne fields to the east of the town. In most years this flock increases to about 200 / 250 ish.

All the best Mick.

[Derek]

Mick,

Never really got good sightings of Little Bustard and might make a effort to get and look around the Granada area later in September. Is there a best time in the year for these birds?

Derek

[Mick]

Hi Derek

The main flock usually shows up in the last week of Sept or the first week of Oct.

Mick.

[Mick]

Hi All.

The Little Bustard flock is now starting to grow, found 72 birds yesterday sitting low in one of the Lucerne fields during an heavy rain storm.

All the best Mick.

[Peter]

Hi All.

The Little Bustard flock is now starting to grow, found 72 birds yesterday sitting low in one of the Lucerne fields during an heavy rain storm.

All the best Mick.

Good to hear Mick. Will tell the Dutch rascal next door!

Peter

[sherloklewis]

It is a medium-sized wader with a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes which give it a "reptilian", or "goggle-eyed" appearance, and cryptic plumage. The bird is striking in flight, with black and white wing markings. Despite being classed as a wader, this species prefers dry open habitats with some bare ground. It is largely nocturnal, particularly when singing its loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of that of curlews. Food consists of insects and other small invertebrates. It will also take small reptiles and rodents. It lays 2-3 eggs in a narrow scrape in the ground.

[Peter]

It is a medium-sized wader with a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes which give it a "reptilian", or "goggle-eyed" appearance, and cryptic plumage. The bird is striking in flight, with black and white wing markings. Despite being classed as a wader, this species prefers dry open habitats with some bare ground. It is largely nocturnal, particularly when singing its loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of that of curlews. Food consists of insects and other small invertebrates. It will also take small reptiles and rodents. It lays 2-3 eggs in a narrow scrape in the ground.

Hi sherlocklewis, yes I read this full article on the following link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Eurasian_Stone-curlew

The full article is an excellent read.

Peter