January Rarities 2010

[Peter]

Little (Barolo's) Shearwater Puffinus (assimilis) baroli  
Cádiz A corpse appeared stranded at Cortadura beach, Cádiz, on 2.1 (Manuel Jiménez Cintado).

Presumed Hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret Egretta gularis x garzetta
Cádiz. On 12.1, there was one individualclose to Barriada Meadero de La Reina, Bahia de Cadiz Rio Zurraque area, Cadiz, Andalucia (Stephen Daly, Waine Foster, Susan Edwards). This bird might be the same seen on 14.1 at Salina San José del Palmar, Cádiz which is the usual bird reported in the bay (Rafael García Costales). Note: Photograph by Stephen Daly looks good for Egretta gularis

Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor
Málaga There were 2 adults at Fuentedepiedra lagoon on 2.1 (Andy Paterson).
Sevilla. There were 4 birds altogether at Veta la Palma, Espacio Natural Doñana, La Puebla del Río, Sevilla on 14.1 (Rubén Rodríguez, Antonio Martínez, José Luis Arroyo, Iván San Martín, Ana Pérez de Vargas, Adrián Ramos y Evans Bnechley).

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus
Cádiz The bird seen at Los Barrios, Cádiz from 4-15.11.2009 was at the same place on 15.1.2010. This bird had already overwintered the previous season 2008-2009 and it may well be a case of a resident 'former' vagrant (Javier Elorriaga)

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Almeria One individual was found at Cabo de Gata saltpans the weekend 16-17.1 (Mariano Paracuellos) and was still in the area on 19.1 (Raimundo Martín)

Little Swift Apus affinis
Cádiz There were 2 at Chipiona, Cádiz on 9.1 (Rafael García Costales, Pablo Barrena, Mariana Cubero y Carlos Moreno)

BELTED KINGFISHER Ceryle alcyon  FIRST FOR SPAIN AND SOUTH EUROPE.
Murcia.The bird last seen at Murcia on 6.12 was relocated after some weeks of search on 4.1.2010 (Miguel Ángel Muñoz) and 5.1.2010 (Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Antonio Jesús Hernández). The individual had left the Mar Menor coast to fish in a more cost/benefit favourable area: the irrigating ponds in the area, 15,39 km to the East of the initial site. Still there on 6.1 (Antonio J. Hernández). Seen again on 9.1.2010 midday at the 'new' place (Ana C. Narciso, Antonio Ceballos). Seen and photographed again on 11.1 (Richard Howard), 13.1 (Malcolm Palmer, Barry Chambers, Howie Eliott, Mary Brazier et al, 14.1 (Clemente Álvarez Usategui, Richard Howard) and 16-17.1 (Kris De Rouck; Eduardo van Boheemen).  Seen on 19-20.1 (Hugues Dufourny, Fabien Ruysschaert). Also seen on 23.1 (Richard Bonser, Lee Gregory; Christian Leth), 24.1 late afternoon (Mª José Valencia, Xurxo Pinheiro) but the bird has become more mobile and it was only seen briefly after many hours of wait. Still there on 29.1 (Pablo P.).

Source: Rare Birds Spain

Peter