http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports Birdwatching in the Alpujarras, Sierra Nevada Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:27:21 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2012/01/happy-new-year-from-the-birdwatchalpujarras-team/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2012/01/happy-new-year-from-the-birdwatchalpujarras-team/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:26:40 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5535
A very happy New Year to all our readers...and what better way to pass on our season's greetings than with this familiar character? The Robin is a year-long, breeding resident across most of Iberia, but like elsewhere in mainland Europe it's a shy and wary woodland bird in Spain and can be difficult to see [...]]]>
A very happy New Year to all our readers...and what better way to pass on our season's greetings than with this familiar character? The Robin is a year-long, breeding resident across most of Iberia, but like elsewhere in mainland Europe it's a shy and wary woodland bird in Spain and can be difficult to see well over the summer. Northern birds can be migratory, and many spend the winter around the Mediterranean. Some birds from the UK probably reach southern Spain every year, and the bolder, winter birds we're seeing around our village gardens are most likely seasonal visitors, and with us temporarily for the colder months. It's great to be back for another year of birding down here in southern Spain. If you think a birdwatching trip or holiday in Andalucia might be for you this year, you can find out how to join us for a visit by clicking here. Don't forget to check the blog for all our latest news and reports...and here's hoping we have another amazing year!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2012/01/happy-new-year-from-the-birdwatchalpujarras-team/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/nuthatch-firecrests-and-a-southern-grey-shrike-december-on-the-hillsides-of-lanjaron/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/nuthatch-firecrests-and-a-southern-grey-shrike-december-on-the-hillsides-of-lanjaron/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:32:19 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5521
With a flight booked for Christmas in the UK, I've still had time for one last trip up the mountain before the break, and we headed off last week on familiar tracks for Puente Palo. The hillsides had a bleak, exposed feel to them that day... and it has to be said as we wound [...]]]>
With a flight booked for Christmas in the UK, I've still had time for one last trip up the mountain before the break, and we headed off last week on familiar tracks for Puente Palo. The hillsides had a bleak, exposed feel to them that day... and it has to be said as we wound our way up towards the tree-line the birds were few and far between. A few House Sparrows around the scattered buildings as we climbed away from village of course, and just a few tough little Stonechat and the odd Black Redstart stood guard along the track...so it was great to see our local Southern Grey Shrike again before we left open ground. We heard and then saw at least one Firecrest soon after we entered the tree-line, and picked up a couple of Rock Bunting as we continued on up to the conifers and pines of Puente Palo... ...where we stopped for lunch, and watched Blue, Coal, Great and Long-tailed Tits foraging in the tree-tops. We heard the shrill, laughing call of an (Iberian) Green Woodpecker before we left, and had great views of a Nuthatch before tackling the slow drive back down. Flocks of churring, suspicious Mistle Thrushes - truly wild, and very difficult to approach - flapped away noisily as we wound our way downhill, and both a Kestrel and a Buzzard showed well on roadside perches before we left the woodland behind and headed down the mountainside to the village. Thanks to our birdwatching friend Terry for the terrific shot we finish with today. Merry Christmas to all our readers...we're already looking forward to the New Year, so please keep reading our posts when we return in January. And if you'd like to know more about the birdwatching trips and holidays we offer down here in southern Spain...all the details are only a click away!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/nuthatch-firecrests-and-a-southern-grey-shrike-december-on-the-hillsides-of-lanjaron/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/new-shots-of-the-chiffchaff-a-favourite-winter-visitor/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/new-shots-of-the-chiffchaff-a-favourite-winter-visitor/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:48:18 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5189
A pale stripe over the eye, a dark stripe through the eye, and a pale crescent beneath it...regular readers of our posts will be more than familiar with the ID mantra of today's familiar species, the Chiffchaff. We reported on the annual arrival of this seasonal visitor back in October, and huge numbers of this [...]]]>
A pale stripe over the eye, a dark stripe through the eye, and a pale crescent beneath it...regular readers of our posts will be more than familiar with the ID mantra of today's familiar species, the Chiffchaff. We reported on the annual arrival of this seasonal visitor back in October, and huge numbers of this Phylloscopus warbler are with us once again for the winter. A common enough sight now in the gardens, olive groves and orchards around the village, it was no surprise to find them in the varied habitat of the Padul marshlands on our recent visit...what was amazing was the sheer amount of this species that we saw during our day there. Like many other warblers the Chiffchaff can be secretive and difficult to spot on its summer breeding territories, but they can be far more confiding on their wintering grounds... Social to the point of almost foraging together in flocks, they've occupied the reedbeds, thickets and stands of trees all over the reserve, and largely oblivious to our presence gave fantastic views allowing us to enjoy their subtle beauty to the full. A typical species of the colder months for us down here in southern Spain...and we'll be hearing their soft, sweet "hweet...hweet" calls until early spring. If you'd like more information about the birdwatching trips and holidays we run in Andalucia, al the details you need are only a click away, and we'll be reporting on all our birding news - there's always plenty going on, whatever the time of year!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/new-shots-of-the-chiffchaff-a-favourite-winter-visitor/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/our-first-ever-shot-of-a-fan-tailed-warbler/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/our-first-ever-shot-of-a-fan-tailed-warbler/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:07:30 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5186
The Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis is something of an oddity in Europe, being the sole, regional representative of a widespread African and Asian genus. Also known rather gloriously as the "Zitting Cisticola", this slightly strange looking character was one of no less than five warbler species we recorded recently at the Padul marshlands, and makes [...]]]>
The Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis is something of an oddity in Europe, being the sole, regional representative of a widespread African and Asian genus. Also known rather gloriously as the "Zitting Cisticola", this slightly strange looking character was one of no less than five warbler species we recorded recently at the Padul marshlands, and makes a welcome appearance on our list for the closing month of the year. Fan-tailed Warblers occur around most of the Mediterranean region, across much of Spain and Portugal and up the Atlantic coast of France. It favours quite flat, open country with stretches of tall grasses, along with marshes and cereal fields, so the varied habitat of the Padul reserve suits it perfectly. We've picked up this species before at this location, and in the spring its ID can be a straightforward affair. A deeply undulating song-flight, with a single, characteristic "zeet!" given on each bound, usually leaves little room for doubt, but at this time of year brief glimpses of a rather heavily-streaked little bird flitting around the flooded patches of scrub had me reaching for the guidebooks when I got home. Pale and dark stripes on its back help conceal it amongst reeds and other stems. In the shot shown here, the dark brown and buff stripes on its head are just about visible, and the plain, pale underside and long, thin pink legs helped clinch the ID. It's great to finally have a shot of this interesting species to post for you today: another example of how varied the birding in southern Spain can be, whatever the time of year. For more information on our birdwatching trips and holidays in this wonderful region, simply click on the link...and for all the latest news over the coming weeks, please keep checking our posts!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/our-first-ever-shot-of-a-fan-tailed-warbler/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/cettis-warbler-the-elusive-talented-songster-of-the-padul-wetlands/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/cettis-warbler-the-elusive-talented-songster-of-the-padul-wetlands/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:32:47 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5157
For birdwatchers new to the hobby, the warblers can sometimes be quite a daunting challenge. Small, wary, and often - but by no means always - muted and rather nondescript in colour, there's no doubt that correctly identifying many species can be a frustrating excercise. The rich habitat of the marshlands at Padul are a [...]]]>
For birdwatchers new to the hobby, the warblers can sometimes be quite a daunting challenge. Small, wary, and often - but by no means always - muted and rather nondescript in colour, there's no doubt that correctly identifying many species can be a frustrating excercise. The rich habitat of the marshlands at Padul are a perfect place to start however, so let's take a closer look at one of the five species we recorded on our last visit... Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti typifies many of the problems that can be encountered with this family. This year-long resident never strays that far from water, and occurs in a variety of damp locations such as reedbeds, stands of papyrus and bamboo, and dense bushes and thickets along ditches, rivers and lakes. Views of this secretive bird are often limited to quick flashes, as it darts from one bush only to disappear again into thick cover...and it could easily be overlooked were it not for its unique and extraordinary song. It sings loudly all year long, delivering an explosive, liquid series of notes - ""chwee! pity-chwee! pity-chwee-chwee-chwee-chwee!" - that once heard for the first time is unmistakable, and we heard them throughout the day on our recent visit to the reserve. With the leaves starting to fall from the trees they were a little easier to find than at other times of the year, and even allowed us a sporting chance with our cameras! My apologies for the quality of the shots I have included here - in fact, the first of this species I've ever managed - but there are still some clues to assist with identification. Cetti's Warbler does, I promise, have a distinctive, reddish-brown back and tail, and a thin, pale stripe over the eye. When seen well, its ID can in fact be fairly straightforward...and even in silhouette, its habit of cocking its tail over its back can be of considerable assistance. Worth persisting with, without a doubt...and this surprisingly vocal species is a favourite "must-see" - or, at least, a "must-hear" - at this wonderful stretch of local wetland. The reserve at Padul is just one of many exciting birding locations we return to on a regular basis, and if you would like to see for yourself just how varied the birdwatching in southern Spain can be, our trips and holidays could be the perfect introduction. Click here for more details...and please, as always, keep checking our posts for all the latest news!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/cettis-warbler-the-elusive-talented-songster-of-the-padul-wetlands/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/a-marsh-harrier-patrols-the-reedbeds-of-padul/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/a-marsh-harrier-patrols-the-reedbeds-of-padul/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:34:44 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5150
Graceful but deadly...this female Marsh Harrier caused consternation amongst the water birds at Padul on our recent visit, and although these shots are far from perfect it's great to have this elegant, reedbed specialist on the list for the new month! The size of a Buzzard, the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus is the largest of [...]]]>
Graceful but deadly...this female Marsh Harrier caused consternation amongst the water birds at Padul on our recent visit, and although these shots are far from perfect it's great to have this elegant, reedbed specialist on the list for the new month! The size of a Buzzard, the Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus is the largest of the European harriers, with rather long, broad wings and a long tail - note the proportions in the shot shown above. As the name implies it has a close association with marshland and especially reedbeds, but can occur over a wide range of flat, open country: in recent years, maybe as a response to habitat loss, it has in some areas colonized flat pastures and arable fields. This species has a year-long presence over much of Spain and Portugal but breeding birds from the north and eastern Europe are long-distance migrants, wintering in the south with many reaching Africa. Like other Harriers the sexes show markedly different plumages. The male has distinct, "tri-colour" wings, light brown with large grey patches and black wing tips, while the dark, chocolate-brown female is larger, with a pale, straw coloured head and leading edges on the wing: just about identifiable in the shot shown above. They hunt low over their territories, dropping suddenly out of the air to take small birds, wildfowl, small mammals and even frogs. Even when soaring higher up, the wings are often held up in a characteristic "V" shape, and the view captured in the third of today's shots is typical. Regular readers of our posts will know how much we love our raptors, and it's wonderful to have yet another species for you today. We'll be returning to Padul on a regular basis so please keep checking the posts, and if you'd like more information on our birdwatching trips and holidays, all the details are just a click away...]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/a-marsh-harrier-patrols-the-reedbeds-of-padul/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/another-new-species-the-little-grebes-of-the-padul-marshlands/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/another-new-species-the-little-grebes-of-the-padul-marshlands/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:55:11 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5139
We continue today with another new species from the wetland reserve of Padul, a key, local marshland habitat that's providing some fantastic seasonal birdwatching. Smaller than a Moorhen, the Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis had eluded us until our recent visit, and it's great to have this delightful species on our lists at last... Small, dark [...]]]>
We continue today with another new species from the wetland reserve of Padul, a key, local marshland habitat that's providing some fantastic seasonal birdwatching. Smaller than a Moorhen, the Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis had eluded us until our recent visit, and it's great to have this delightful species on our lists at last... Small, dark and short-billed, the Little Grebe is usually a secretive species that will often dive suddenly and swim to cover in the margins rather than take to the air. The new hides at the reserve gave us terrific views today however, and the charming individual shown above remained remarkably confiding before finally up-ending with a "plop" and disappearing completely. They're in winter plumage now, but still retain some key ID points to look for. The dumpy, round body is brown, and they show a dark crown with paler, buff-brown neck and cheeks. The bill is small and straight, and distinct from the up-turned bill of the Black-necked Grebe, which is far more localized in Spain. The almost total lack of a tail assists the bird with buoyancy, and note too the characteristic white "powder-puff" on the rear end - just visible in the shot shown above. They hunt underwater for small fish, molluscs, aquatic insects and their larvae...often diving with a little leap and popping back up like a cork. They have a widespread, year-long distribution over much of Europe, although some eastern birds are migratory and disperse onto larger western European waters in the autumn. It's terrific to be writing about new species currently, and we've still more to come so please keep reading our blog. Joining us for one of our birding tours couldn't be easier - even in winter the local birdwatching is as exciting as ever - so simply click on the link and you'll find all the information you need about our trips and holidays. We run them throughout the year!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/another-new-species-the-little-grebes-of-the-padul-marshlands/feed/ 1 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/the-bluethroat-a-brand-new-species-for-december/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/the-bluethroat-a-brand-new-species-for-december/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:35:06 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5130
Every so often, the time and effort we put into this wonderfully addictive hobby pays off...and so it was at Padul last Thursday. I can't remember how long I've wanted to see a Bluethroat, and after talking about this very species the day before, we found this handsome fellow towards the end of a productive [...]]]>
Every so often, the time and effort we put into this wonderfully addictive hobby pays off...and so it was at Padul last Thursday. I can't remember how long I've wanted to see a Bluethroat, and after talking about this very species the day before, we found this handsome fellow towards the end of a productive and hugely enjoyable day at this important wetland reserve. This long-distance migrant breeds locally in France and the Low Countries, up into Scandinavia, northern Europe and Siberia, and on into Asia. There are pockets of distribution in central and northern Iberia where it appears to have a year-long presence, and while most western birds winter in NE Africa, some - as we can confirm today! - spend the colder part of the year in southern Spain. The Bluethroat Luscinia svecica is a bird of wet woodland, thickets, swamps and reedbeds...so the marshland habitat of the Padul reserve provides it with perfect, seasonal surroundings. The white spot on the throat shows this individual to be of the southern European race - northern birds have a red patch, eastern birds none - but its hard to speculate on how far this winter visitor has travelled. The ring on its right leg could hold some interesting information... The bright, blue plumage on the chest made the ID straightforward to say the least of course, but the long thin, legs and bold, white stripe over the eye are also key points to look for. Females and juveniles are rather more muted in colour...and I have to say I'm thrilled that on this occasion we didn't have to struggle too hard! A life-list first for me, and a fantastic start to the new month. We'll continue to look at some of the other seasonal species from the Padul reserve over the next few days, so keep please keep reading our posts, and if you'd like more information on our birdwatching trips and holidays, click here...we can share some terrific birding whatever the time of year!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/the-bluethroat-a-brand-new-species-for-december/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/the-water-pipit-a-first-ever-sighting-from-the-wetlands-of-padul/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/the-water-pipit-a-first-ever-sighting-from-the-wetlands-of-padul/#comments Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:15:29 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5123
Correctly identifying the streaky brown pipits is one of the tougher birdwatching challenges, and with both Meadow and Water Pipits wintering on the Padul reserve good views are required to be absolutely certain. Our recent trip brought precisely that however, and it's great to have this new species confirmed for the December list. The Water [...]]]>
Correctly identifying the streaky brown pipits is one of the tougher birdwatching challenges, and with both Meadow and Water Pipits wintering on the Padul reserve good views are required to be absolutely certain. Our recent trip brought precisely that however, and it's great to have this new species confirmed for the December list. The Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta nests in high mountainous areas, and breeds locally in the Balkans, Italy, the Alps and the Pyrenees. In winter however the birds descend to lower habitats right across southern and western Europe, and occur around lagoons, reservoirs and coastal marshes. The seasonal, flooded pools of Padul suit this species perfectly, and completely absorbed in their task they picked tiny insects from the muddy margins around the new hide throughout the day, depsite the constant clicking of our cameras... Note the yellow on the beak and the strong white stripe over the eye, and the clear, white bib just visible in some of the shots shown here. Note also the streaked chest and flanks, clean white underparts and the white edges of the tail. The two thin, white wing bars and quite pale, red-brown legs - sometimes, apparently, confusingly grey or even black! - are also considered key points to look for, but there are inconsistencies in the literature and as is often the case with less obviously marked species, it's a whole combination of factors that finally confirms the ID. The "altitudinal" migration of the Water Pipit can, unusually, take it in any direction towards the colder part of the year, even northwards... and intriguingly, birds from eastern Europe are often seen here in Spain. Fascinating to ponder where the individuals shown here spent the summer... We'll have more from this important local reserve over the next few days so please keep checking the blog, and as ever if you're interested in exploring this wonderful region yourself, our birdwatching trips and holidays could be the perfect introduction. Click here for more information!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/the-water-pipit-a-first-ever-sighting-from-the-wetlands-of-padul/feed/ 0 http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/trip-report-magical-winter-birdwatching-at-the-padul-wetland-reserve/ http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/trip-report-magical-winter-birdwatching-at-the-padul-wetland-reserve/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:04:20 +0000 Chirper http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/?p=5114
As our birdwatching friend Marianne and I stepped out of the car at Padul this morning, I made a point of suggesting we might be lucky with one of our regular species at this wetland habitat, the Southern Grey Shrike. As it happened, the shrike never made an appearance...but was quickly forgotten as we enjoyed [...]]]>
As our birdwatching friend Marianne and I stepped out of the car at Padul this morning, I made a point of suggesting we might be lucky with one of our regular species at this wetland habitat, the Southern Grey Shrike. As it happened, the shrike never made an appearance...but was quickly forgotten as we enjoyed a fabulous walk, and listed nearly thirty species for the day! The site was heavily flooded after a few days of seasonal rain, but the recently completed duck-board walkways turned exploring the water-logged reserve into a relaxing, leisurely stroll. We parked at the new visitors centre and started the day-list with many everyday species. Feral Pigeons, Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows were quickly followed by Blackbirds and Stonechats, and bright, streaky yellow Serin. The lake itself had good numbers of Coot, with a few Moorhen and Mallards for company. One of the new lakeside hides brought wonderful views of a Little Grebe - a first for me in Spain - and some close-up glimpses of Cetti's Warblers, the first of no less than five warbler species we identified through the day. Large numbers of migrant Chiffchaff and Blackcap have joined resident Sardinian Warblers for the winter, and we picked up a Fan-tailed Warbler within no time at all. Robins, Great Tits and a nice group of Long-tailed Tits all showed well in the flooded stands of trees, and we swiftly added White Wagtails along the way. Another superbly positioned new hide proved to be highly productive, with great views out over the reedbeds and the muddy lake margins. Finches and other songbirds - including Goldfinch and this rather nice female Linnet - came down to forage and bathe in the shallows. Cattle Egrets passed by, Grey Herons stood watching motionless from favourite perches and Cormorants dived for fish out on the open water. A female Marsh Harrier was a superb addition to the day, and confirming the ID of winter plumage Water Pipits gave us another first ever sighting for the new month. All in all a wonderful few hours, but the day had one more fantastic surprise in store. A male Bluethroat, a life-first for me and without a doubt a highlight of the birdwatching year! A truly memorable day - 27 species in all, and ample proof that the birding down here in southern Spain can bring some fantastic surprises at any time of year. We'll take a good look at some of today's marvellous species over the next few days so please keep checking our posts, and if you'd like to come and enjoy our spectacular birdlife yourself, the details of our birdwatching trips and holidays are only a click away!]]> http://www.birdwatchalpujarras.com/reports/2011/12/trip-report-magical-winter-birdwatching-at-the-padul-wetland-reserve/feed/ 1