Reflections On The Seasons Past

Autumn reflections - Llanos de Libar

As the sun gently lowers itself into a winter’s sky, casting long shadows to soften the rugged mountain landscape surrounding my home I, like so much of my natural world here in Andalusia, settle into a less hectic period and quieten myself into a cosy existence. It is a good time to reflect on the seasons past, namely summer and autumn.

This year the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema produced yet another great birding experience. Several species were added to our local list for birds in the area and celebrities putting in an appearance were Moussier’s Redstart, near to Grazalema and Yungerra, both Little Swift and Audouin’s Gull (normally a coastal bird) were firsts for here with Alpine Chough making a surprising pit stop in the Llanos de Libar, where it was constantly harassed by the resident and common Red-billed Chough.



Rüppell's Vulture (top)  & Griffon Vulture

An adult Rüppell's Vulture has been seen throughout most of the year and has been joined recently by a juvenile (or two). Although the Rüppell's was the star turn for the area, at least more encouraging was the presence throughout the year of adult (at least 3 individuals) Black Vulture, which was a great bonus for me and went a small way to compensate for yet another disaster for Egyptian Vulture, who yet again suffered from the mindless and monstrous activity of poison baiting. A female and chicks were found dead at the nest near to Teba. The latest bad news was hailed as seeing this fine species of vulture officially disappear as a breeding species for Malaga province, but I know of two successful nest sites for 2010 (one is debatable as some consider it is in Cadiz province), which will now remain secret for fear of disturbance!

An Osprey was seen throughout the summer at Zahara reservoir and some encouraging summer sightings were made and breeding suspected for both Spanish Imperial Eagle and Black Stork. Best news comes last, a first breeding record for Long-legged Buzzard was confirmed this year, with another nest also found, by others, not too far from my nest site! Before anyone asks, I will not reveal either the area or even close location/s of these birds. However, winter sightings of this species are now becoming relatively common throughout the Serranía and Sierra.



Fuente de Piedra

Other very good news for the current year has included the good water levels at several lagoons and reservoirs. Perhaps the most encouraging has been the continued high water level at both Fuente de Piedra and Laguna Dulce. In fact I have never seen such high levels in the past 8 years. These high levels of water have had the beneficial effect of seeing several aquatic bird species enjoying a successful breeding season, not least Greater Flamingo with no less than 30,000 individuals present throughout the summer. It was interesting to see several waders, particularly Black-winged Stilts and Avocets, being opportunistic using temporary lagoons, which had appeared for the first time in years, to breed.



Eurasian Spoonbill

As I write, the levels at all these lagoons remain high and are full of good birds such as Crested Coot (Red-knobbed), Red-crested Pochard, Marbled Teal and include very high numbers of White-headed Duck (Laguna Dulce – max count 74+). There has also been small numbers of Black Tern floating over the waters and a visit here now is highly recommended!!

Guided day tours are available in the above mentioned areas and more; see the links below:

Day Tour - Serrania de Ronda

Day Tour - Mountains to Lagoons

Day Tour - Journey into Steppe Country

To contact Peter direct, please us this link: Contact us

For tours in Spain or tours worldwide see this link: SN Tours




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A Comparative Field Guide



Common Kestrel - juvenile

Andalucia, the most southern part of Spain, is an extremely special place for birds. A great many species, rare or even absent in northern Europe, visit this birding Mecca either as a migrant or to find safe and specialist areas to winter or breed. Unsurprisingly the region attracts a great many birders from around the world and can offer challenges to even the most experienced birder, resident or visitor!

Among the species that regularly cause identification problems, for example, are Pallid Swift, Thekla Lark and Lesser Kestrel. These species are particularly difficult due to similarities with closely related birds i.e. Lesser Kestrel and Common Kestrel. On behalf of the Andalucia Bird Society I will be publishing various identification guides for these more difficult birds in the future and hope members of the society and visitors to Spain will find them useful and of practical assistance when out in the field watching birds. For now, I help discribe the key feature that help distinguish Lesser Kestrel from the more widespread Common Kestrel.



Lesser Kestrel male (left) - Common Kestrel male (right)

The photograph, Figure 1, to the right shows an adult male Lesser Kestrel (left, LK photo Juan Luis Muñoz) and an adult male Common Kestrel (right). Simple enough to see the difference, but in the field it can be hard to separate them. The females and juveniles can sometimes be nigh impossible, even for the most experienced observer. As well as giving comparative detail of these 2 species for the Andalucia Bird Society, I have also given species accounts and descriptions, hoping that the combination of information will help those who find these particular birds hard to separate.





Flight identification. Lesser Kestrel when soaring shows more rounded wings than Common Kestrel, also whilst soaring or hovering it appears to be bulkier in the body, both sexes appear paler on the underwing, the male very markedly white compared to dark breast and with more distinct black wing tips. In flight and more especially when hovering, Lesser Kestrel show wide and triangular tail-band, Common Kestrel nearly always shows fan-shaped tail-band. In silhouette the bulkier and shorter body is useful to distinguish both sexes and juvenile Lesser Kestrel from Common Kestrel. When hanging in a headwind Lesser Kestrels give the appearance of a small Peregrine with their shorter tail, plump body and pointed wings swept back in scimitar shape. Of course the male Lesser Kestrel has very distinctive features such as grey head, little or no moustache stripe, grey upperwing coverts (remarkably difficult to see at a distance) and with spotless upperparts. Photograph to the left shows Lesser Kestrel male, note the triangular black terminal band.

Author's note: Whilst watching flying birds always stay focused and wait for the bird to spread its tail, either when it pauses to hover or using it to manoeuvre, it is then possible to view the shape of the black subterminal bar to tail, a very useful aid to successful id. Plumage differences are discussed below.



Claw colours

Identification of perched birds. See Figure 1 for comparison of both species of male. A good guide is Lesser Kestrel can be distinguished by longer wings, either reaching or nearly reaching the tip of the tail. Caution is necessary though for 2nd year birds in spring that may have replaced their tail with longer feathers! The normal upright posture of both these Kestrels will normally allow the observer to see the wing length in relation to tail tip. Claw colour is another very positive, although sometimes difficult to see, identification feature; very pale or grey with Lesser Kestrel and black with Common Kestrel. Adult male Lesser Kestrel have spotless upperparts with part grey upperwing coverts and tertials; head is uniform grey, but can occasionally show a faint moustache, never with pale cheeks as with Common Kestrel. Both females and juveniles can be separated from Common Kestrel by head pattern and feather pattern to upperparts; head is plain except for dark moustache below the eye and pale cheek patch reaching the crown, no dark eye-line as in Common Kestrel; upperparts finely barred i.e. much narrower than rufous interspaces.

The above is an extract from A Comparative Field Guide written by Peter Jones for the Andalucia Bird Society. Work is in progress to include additional pages for Thekla Lark / Crested Lark, Pallid Swift / Common Swift. Plans are well advanced to do similar pages dealing with the complicated Sylvia group of warblers, especially the females and juveniles, Sub-alpine Warbler, Spectacled Warbler and Sardinian Warbler are all members of this group which can present challenges in the field. If you live in Spain or plan to visit why not join the ABS and enjoy free access to the completed article and other useful resources of the Society? For more information follow this link.

I hope the reader may have found this blog article of some use! Peter.

Martial Eagle - Lord of the African Sky

The Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus is the largest of all African eagles and can grow to 83cm in length and has a huge wingspan of up to 260cm. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus and is confined to sub-Saharan Africa. Immature birds take up to 7 years to develop their adult plumage and even although they become independent once they leave the nest, they often stay in their natal area for up to 6 months. It is a bird of open country; the Martial Eagle usually will seek some large tree to build its nest, although in the absence of trees it will use electricity pylons i.e. in the Karoo desert (South Africa). The nest is a massive construction and is used year after year, it can measure over 2m in diameter and 1m deep!

The Martial Eagle usually hunts by soaring high above its territory and will stoop rapidly to surprise its prey, less frequently they will use high vantage points, such as trees, from which to survey the ground for prey. Food mostly comprises of medium sized animals and birds such as hares, mongoose, hyrax, francolin, guineafowl and bustards, but they are known to take birds up to the size of a stork and on several occasions they have been seen taking animals up to the size of young impala photograph to the right, a fearsome predator! The size of territory depends on the all year abundance of prey, but generally they measure around 1000 km², although in the most favourable areas some nests can be as close as 10km apart.

Although the Martial Eagle can be found in all sub-Saharan Africa, they are most common in the more southerly areas such as Kenya, Botswana and South Africa. They are more easily seen in protected areas and large parks wherever the food is abundant and the environment is suitable. It prefers open savannah and semi desert regions, although some trees are necessary for nesting. These eagles have a very slow reproduction rate, laying a maximum of one egg every two years. Incubation takes around 45 days and the chick is normally fledged at 100 days. There are concerns over the future for this species, especially where they come into contact with man. It suffers from shooting and poisoning as they are accused of killing livestock, though in truth domestic animals form a small part of their diet.

Conservation is mostly concentrated on the education of farmers and direct protection of nest sites. Apart from the threats posed by illegal shooting and poisoning, the species also suffers from collision with power lines and more frequently drowning in steep sided farm reservoirs. It is estimated that the population in South Africa has reduced by 20% in the last three generations! Why not join us at Spanish Nature and accompany us on one of our tours to see this magnificent eagle?

Some recommended links for tours to see this, the lord of the sky in Africa:

Botswana keep an eye to this website for news on a upcoming recce tour for Botswana during 2011 

Gambia

Kenya

Wheatears, glorious Wheatears

Without doubt wheatears of the genus Oenanthe are among the most popular model objects studied in ornithology. I guess one of the reasons for this is they live in open landscapes where they can be easily observed, although their bold markings and often confiding nature must surely also add to their attraction. Some of the most prominent world ornithologists have dealt with these birds discussing such things as wheatear taxonomy and a range of biological problems i.e. genetic polymorphism and evolutionary origin. Some 14 species of wheatear inhabit the Paleartic region, 15¹ if you count Oenanthe seebohmi as a separate species.

My introduction to this remarkable family began with various studies concerning Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe. For me, this species will always stand apart from its relatives as something very special, for instance it has the most extensive breeding range of any of the wheatears and is regarded by many as a pioneer species and has even colonised new continents! It is a species which is astonishing for its ability to cover huge distances during their seasonal migrations; birds nesting in Alaska and wintering in Equatorial Africa complete a twice yearly journey of not less than 20 to 30 thousand kilometres, staggering for such a small bird!

In more recent times I have been fortunate to travel to various countries throughout the world and this has allowed me to see a wide range of wheatears. With Spanish Nature, excursions to Morocco occur on a regular basis and, for me at least, seeing several wheatear species in this exotic destination is a constant source of excitement. Observing Red-rumped Wheatear O.moesta in spring and again in the autumn is a privilege with such fine colours and birds always confiding, although constantly busy! These large sized wheatears are readily distinguished from all other Oenanthe by the unusual and considerable amount of white on the median and greater wing coverts, clearly visible both when perched and in flight. During a good tour of Morocco it is not unusual to see no less than 8¹ species of wheatear and this can make any visit worthwhile.

Being based in Andalucia, I also have 3 species of breeding wheatears here on my doorstep and along with Northern and the very handsome Black-eared Wheatear O.hispanica, the largest among all the Paleartic representatives of the genus, Black Wheatear O.leucura, is an ever present and locally common resident. Untypical of wheatears in general, the Black Wheatear is heavily built and with a weight of around 40 g² it matches the size of another bird of the mountains here Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis! It is a source of amusement to see such a heavy wheatear with untypical short wings taking reluctant flight from one part of its territory to another, rather like watching an overloaded plane taking off.

So, if like me, you want to observe members of this stunning family of birds, why not join us on tours to Morocco or here in my heartland of Spain?

Suggested tours suited for observing wheatears and of course many other species of birds:

Morocco Autumn Migration

Morocco Spring Safari

Serrania de Ronda – Day Tours

¹ The figure of 8 species does not include Seebohmi Wheatear, which the author considers a separate species.

² The author has controlled and released an individual male Black Wheatear weighing 50 g!

Andalusia my Andalusia!

Andalusia, the most southerly province in Spain, is one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe. It is a province rich in wildlife diversity, history and culture from the Phoenicians to the Spanish Civil War. It is the home of flamenco and bull fighting traditions and was the most favoured area in Spain for such characters as Hemmingway and Orson Wells. Due to an extremely pleasant climate, its natural beauty, as well as exquisite cuisine, Andalusia is one of the most attractive areas on the Mediterranean.

However, all of these great assets pale in comparison to some of the richest and most diverse natural areas in the Paleartic. As a meeting point of Europe and Africa, Andalusia offers a very impressive variety of unusual fauna and flora. Here the normally mild Mediterranean clashes, in the famous Strait of Gibraltar, with the wild and unpredictable Atlantic Ocean forming large salty lagoons and wide rivers. Extensive forests, open cultivated plains, olive trees, oaks, pinsapo (Spanish) firs, high cliffs, secluded beaches and the most important sand dunes and marshes in Europe can be found in this region. The highest mountain ranges in all of Iberia are also found here, climbing to more than 12,000 feet above sea level.

For the bird watcher the southern reaches of Andalusia hold the most fantastic opportunities to witness one of life’s natural wonders ‘bird migration’. Europe and Africa are separated by only 14kms of ocean at the Strait of Gibraltar’s narrowest point and for millions of years this has served as a short and natural crossing point for thousands of birds during autumn and spring migration periods. Most impressive of the birds crossing the Straits are thousands of raptors including Short-toed and Booted Eagles who are joined by Egyptian and Griffon Vultures, with Honey Buzzard and White Stork also flocking in their thousands. It is an exciting spectacle that all should see once in their lifetime. The area is also significant for its geology, where Africa still pushes north towards Europe, also where the visitor can take timeout to explore Roman ruins such as the ancient city of Baelo Claudia and old Moorish lime kilns and water cisterns.

Westwards, further along the coast from the Strait of Gibraltar, lies the famous Doñana National Park, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Here in these wetlands such endangered species as the endemic Spanish Imperial Eagle and the emblematic Spanish Lynx maintain a foothold and are complimented by a wonderful variety of wading and water birds. The large breeding colonies of various heron species such as Squacco Heron and Purple Heron make this ‘a must visit area’ in spring, but with so many species congregating here in large numbers during all seasons, then a visit is recommended at any time of year!

Inland, but within easy reach from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, is the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema. The central town here is the historically famous Ronda and could make for the perfect base for exploring the wonderful mountain areas that surround the town. Typical birds of the area are the rare Bonelli’s Eagle, Black Wheatear and one of the largest resident populations of Griffon Vulture, a spectacular bird with a wingspan of 9ft. During late spring and summer many of the regions breeding birds and wildflowers (over 2000 species) attract a large number of enthusiasts and with such colourful birds as Bee Eater, Hoopoe and Golden Oriole then this is hardly surprising. The number of warbler species taking up summer residency is very impressive and together with the high number of raptors species breeding in this area, then it can be a favourite time for many to visit. Some of those hard to find warblers include Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Olivaceous and Western Orphean Warbler, Sub Alpine and Spectacled Warblers. The old town also has so much of historical and cultural interest including Spain’s first ‘round’ bullring, like both Hemmingway and Orson Wells, you should not miss Ronda.

Each province within Andalusia has its own appeal and the variety of landscape and climate can vary enormously between each of them. For example, from the high sierras of Jaén, home of the largest of Europe’s vultures the Lammergeier, and mountains of Granada to the open plains of Sevilla and Huelva you can experience a diversity of landscape and different climatic conditions within just a few kilometres. Even travelling from north to south along the coastal route can produce stunning changes to the landscape. In the northeast Almeria holds the only true desert in Europe and has bird species such as Trumpeter Finch normally found only in Africa, whilst Málaga province has some of the most scenic mountains in all of Iberia. Cordoba with its softer landscape has much of the famous Sierra Morena within its confines and is well worth a visit at any time of year. It goes without saying Granada and its world renowned Alhambra and surrounding Sierra Nevada are very popular with visitors, whilst Cordaba has an equally famous architectural site La Mezquita (Great Mosque of Cordoba) and of course Seville was the scene in 1492 when Christopher Columbus set-off on his expedition of the New World from Seville Port.

Winter sees many birds from the north favouring the temperate climate of the region and none are more impressive than the vast flocks of waterfowl that can be observed here, particularly on coastal wetlands. Other birds too are perhaps relatively easier to find such Alpine Accentor and Ring Ouzel in the mountains near to the coast and even some raptors are now choosing to winter here such as Booted and Short-toed Eagles. Some of the area’s specialities including Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Great Bustard and White-headed Duck remain for the winter and add to the attraction at a time of the year when there are fewer tourists. During late winter and spring the wildflowers form carpets of colour and change constantly depending on the area, nothing is as evocative as seeing the blood red Poppy covering huge tracks of land. To sum-up, any time of year is a good time to visit this marvellous and compelling region of Spain.