BirdingInSpain

Little Bustard   Tetrax tetrax
The Little Bustard is a localised resident bird in northeast Spain, breeding mostly in the Ebro valley drylands in Catalonia and Aragón. After breeding the Little Bustard gradually deserts dryland areas and disperses around the surrounding areas, with major concentrations preferring alfalfa fields. Large winter flocks sometimes in excess of 1,000 birds have been found in some years, particularly in the area between Balaguer and Tàrrega.
BirdingInSpain.com birding itineraries where Little Bustards can be found in the breeding season: Drylands of Lleida, Monegros Alcolea and Candasnos, Monegros Bujaraloz.

A Whitethroat in an almond tree, a Willow Warbler calling from deep in the thicket, a Booted Eagle spiralling over the town of Balaguer. In the last few days the signs have been there for those who can read them: these migratory birds are flying south because they can feel the ripples of autumn, and the sight of them in my part of southern Europe conveys the message to me and people like myself.

I have been hearing Bee-eaters calls from my flat since early July, but now their calls seem irregular and impatient. Last evening a party of 12 Honey Buzzards flew low over our terrace with their characteristic, almost laboured, flapping flight. My wife and I interrupted our game of ping pong to watch them pass.

Dotterel have appeared on their passage through the drylands of Lleida. I’m sure they do so every year, although some years no local birder gets out and looks for them.

I’m now approaching my 20th autumn in this Mediterranean land. Time enough for me to have studied the local bird migration and to know what to expect. I could say the same about the spring migration. I tell myself that these birds will return next spring, although the uncertainties of our world make me hope more than expect.

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata

Photo courtesy of Dr. Chris Gibbins

The Pin-tailed Sandgrouse is present all year round in steppe country in the Ebro valley, often forming large flocks in the winter months. Sadly though, it is declining in the region in both range and abundance, due mostly to habitat loss to intensive, irrigated farming. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse inhabit a single site in Catalunya, but are more widespread in Aragón.

Birding itineraries where the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse can be found: Drylands of Lleida, Monegros: Alcolea and Candasnos, Monegros: Bujaraloz, Belchite steppes.

Dear Steve

Photo by Eva Solanes

I have just finished reading your book (Flying over the Pyrenees
Standing on the Plains) and must let you know how much I enjoyed it. I
found it to be informative, interesting and very amusing in parts. I
must say I can empathize with you about the nappy incident as I had a
similar experience whilst on holiday on the beach in Puerto Pollensa
when our daughter got a touch (well a lot really) of Franco’s
revenge and I had to bury the remains of her clothing on the beach, we
have never been back there and I have always felt hugely embarrassed and
ashamed as I know the Med is not tidal like the North Sea!

You have found yourself a really lovely part of the world to migrate to,
my husband and I enjoyed our day out with you immensely on our last visit to Spain and wish you every success with your book and look forward to reading the next one.

Regards

Kathleen
SCARBOROUGH UK

What nappy incident is Kathleen refering to? And how can nappies be related to Lesser Grey Shrikes? The answers are in “Flying over the Pyrenees, standing on the plains” .

Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinni

Photo courtesy of Peter Dunn

The Audouin’s Gull is present in Catalonia (Catalunya), northeast Spain, all year round. The world’s most important breeding colony is in the Ebro delta and consists of more than 10,000 pairs. Much smaller numbers remain in the region in the winter. The Audouin’s Gull is frequent in small numbers elsewhere along the coast in Tarragona, becoming irregular or scarce further north to Cap de Creus on the coast of Girona.

Birding itineraries from the BirdingInSpain.com web site where the Audouin’s Gull can be seen: Ebro delta north and south, Llobregat delta.

Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Cattle Egret – could all be nesting in a wetland near Lleida that used to be a rubbish tip. It was going cheap so Lleida City Council bought it, but they don’t really know what to do with it. While they’re sitting thinking about it at least the birds have shown enough initiative to use it as a nesting site.

So for the time being it’s just the odd poacher, the shepherd, the bird counter (me) and the birds. Until some rich, progressive-minded benefactor comes up with the cash to give it a facelift. As long as the birds keep coming, I don’t mind it too much as it is. I can listen to the Golden Orioles, the Melodious Warblers, and may even get a glimpse of the Kingfisher. There aren’t many places with more birds than people so close to Lleida city.

On Friday the 20th June Gorka Gorospe, Byron Palacios and myself observed an adult Audouin’s Gull at the Laguna de Pitillas, in the east of Navarra,  in northern Spain.  According to Gorka, a local birder and the brain behind the Birding Navarra initiative, the species had never before been recorded in the region. In other words it was a first for Navarra. Congratulations, Gorka (he spotted it first!).

I should also say a thing or two about Pitillas itself. What a great birding site! It’s the largest and most important wetland site in Navarra, and just a stone’s throw from the semi-desert of the Bardenas Reales (that’s another story though). It has a reception area, a hide and marked trails and most important of all a lot of interesting birds. Apart from the Audouin’s Gull, which won’t be there when you visit, we also saw Bittern, Bearded Tit, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, Montagu’s Harrier, Red-crested Pochard, Calandra Lark, Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Little Ringed Plover, Bee-eater, Great Reed Warbler….

And with the San Fermines approaching, need I say more?

Because of rising house prices in Spain, exacerbated by last year’s mortgage crisis and the slump in the construction trade decent affordable accommodation is getting hard to find. That’s especially so in the countryside and for new arrivals attempting to make themselves a home where they can raise a family. By means of illustration take a look at this notice found hanging on an almond tree in the drylands of Bellmunt:

“Fertile adult female Roller seeking dazzling adult male Roller. Must be home owner, preferably of sizeable hole in old tree, although new nest box also accepted. Ability to catch large insects and lizards and to carry out aerial displays will also be valued, although home ownership is a pre-requisite for breeding consent. Non-territorial male Rollers, and all female Rollers, please abstain.”

Luckily Rollers can still be seen in the drylands of Bellmunt, as well as in other dryland areas around Lleida, although decent nest sites are obviously scarce. Apart from the extent of suitable habitat, this is probably the single most important factor limiting the size of the Roller populations in northeast Spain.

Birders who have visited Extremadura are probably familiar with the nest boxes located on telegraph poles by the side of the road in certain areas. These nest boxes are largely aimed at Rollers and have been very successful. Isn’t it time to follow their example and put up some nest boxes for the Rollers reaching northeast Spain every spring?

This year’s breeding season is well under way, but it’s never too late to plan ahead and prepare to set up some Roller nest boxes before the drylands get plastered with signs like the one above.

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

The Collared Pratincole is a summer visitor to northeast Spain, normally present from April to September. Small numbers appear irregularly on spring passage at non-breeding sites. There is only one regular breeding site for Collared Pratincoles in the region.

Birding itineraries in northeast Spain where you can see the Collared Pratincole: Ebro delta south and north

Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus

In Spain the Lammergeier is currently restricted to the Pyrenees and pre-Pyrenees, where it is present all year round. Double-figure gatherings may occur at certain vulture restaurants.

Birding itineraries in northeast Spain where you can observe the Lammergeier: Gistaín to Aínsa, Ordesa National Park, Hecho and Ansó valleys, Benasque, Rincón de Belagua, Selva de Iratí and Ori, Serra del Cadí, Aigüestortes west and east, Montsec range, Sierra de Guara west and east.