There was a good turnout for our October 2010 Field Meeting with a total of 19 members joining us, braving the grey clouds in the hope of seeing some of the newly arrived winter migrants as well as the rich variety of resident species. It was especially nice to be able to welcome another new Spanish member, Pepe, who had arisen at 6am and driven all the way over from Cadiz.
Having firstly overwhelmed the small local venta (Venta El Hondon) with demands for breakfast we set off driving through some spectacular scenery. All in all a very pleasant and rewarding trip with even the weather holding off to allow us to stay dry and comfortable and thus satisfied with our morning we returned to the venta for a tasty and filling “menu del dia” to equally satiate our stomachs. Always hungry work birding!
Whilst at Venta El Hondon
Robin, Erithacus rubecula, Petirrojo Europeo – heard at least 3 birds calling. 1 was also singing.
Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, Pinzón Vulgar – heard 1 adult bird calling from trees.
Blackbird, Turdus merula, Mirlo Común – 1 adult, male bird flew from trees.
Serin, Serinus serinus, Verdecillo – 4 adults heard in the trees, singing.
Great Tit, Parus major, Carbonero Común – Adult male and female feeding together.
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gorrión Común – 1 adult male perched on Venta roof.
Llanos de Libar
Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa, Perdiz Roja – We heard at least four birds calling.
Spotless Starling, Sturnus unicolor, Estornino Negro – Flocks were flying about us throughout the trip. In total about 100 birds.
Blue Rock-thrush, Monticola solitarius, Roquero Solitario – Very numerous, both male and female. In total we saw about about 30 birds.
Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus, Buitre Leonardo – Two adults and a juvenile were seen perched on ledges on a vertical rock face. Later two adults glided overhead.
Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, Tarabilla Común – Three adult males, two adult females & one 1st winter bird were seen.
Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia, Escribano Montesino – Two adult birds were heard calling.
Eurasian Crag Martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris, Avión Roquero – Very numerous flying along the cliff faces. In total we saw about 150 birds.
Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus, Mirlo Capiblanco – An adult male and female were perched on a hawthorn bush and rock outcrops.
Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, Bisbita Común – They were numerous and were usually seen feeding on the ground. There were also occasional flocks flying. In total we saw about 40 birds.
Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe, Collalba Gris – Three adult males and one adult female were seen individually. All were in winter plumage and running on the ground catching insects.
White Wagtail, Motacilla alba alba, Lavandera Blanca – Five adult birds were seen on the ground. All were in winter plumage.
Black Redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros, Colirrojo Tizón – We saw one adult male and three adult females. Usually perched on a fence.
Chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, Chova Piquirroja – Six adults were seen flying overhead together, calling.
Water Pipit, Anthus spinoletta, Bisbita Alpino – Six adult birds were flying around a small pond and wetland area. They were calling.
Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, Aguilucho Pálido – One adult male was gliding high above us.
Bonelli’s Eagle, Hieraaetus fasciatus, Águila-Azor Perdicera – One adult was perched on cliff edge about 120 metres above us.
Mistle Thrush, Turdus viscivorus, Zorzal Charlo –Three adult birds were perched in a large hawthorn bush in farmland. They flew as we approached showing a white patch on their under-wing.
Iberian Wagtail, Motacilla flava iberiae, Lavandera Boyera Iberica – Two juveniles were feeding together on a grassy area.
Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, Jilguero – We saw a flock containing about 25 adult birds.
Robin, Erithacus rubecula, Petirrojo Europeo – Heard a lot of birds making their “tutting” call from dense shrubs and scrub. In total about 20 birds.
Sardinian Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala, Curruca Cabecinegra – We heard about 10 birds calling from thick shrubs and scrub during the trip. We also saw one adult male flying from cover to cover.
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gorrión Común – As we were leaving Montejaque there was a flock containing three adult males and five adult females.
Rock Dove, Columba livia, Paloma Bravía – We saw a flock containing 21 adult birds. Some birds were perched on ledges on a vertical cliff face and others were flying in front of the cliff face.
Rock Sparrow, Petronia petronia, Gorrión Chillón – A large flock of about 50 Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón) was apparent on the way up to the pond but they’d headed off to some other area by the time we returned so unfortunately they were not seen by all members.
Black Wheatear, Oenanthe leucura, Collalba Negra – Two adult birds were seen separately, perched on rocks beside the track.
Birds seen on the day 29 species
David Hird