September 1, 2008
The Birdman of Alcossebre – July and August, 2008 Bird News.
I saw 56 species in July and 60 species in August.
The undoubted highlight was an unusual plumaged Shrike which turned up for three days in August. See photos.
There is still much debate about it´s identity.
I was hoping it would turn out to be a race of the Isabelline Shrike called the Turkestan Shrike, because if that was the case it would be a first for Spain!
However, more and more it´s looking like a very odd Woodchat Shrike?
If anybody reading this wants to venture an opinion, please fell free to do so.
Apart from the Shrike other highlights of the month were – A juvenile Short-toed Eagle continued to show well through out July and August.
An Eleonora´s Falcon flying East on the 30th July, was my first July record, likewise an Oystercatcher flying South on the 19th July.
Ten Curlews flying South on the 15th July signalled the start of the Autumn wader movements.
A Southern Great Grey Shrike on the 9th July was the first of the Autumn/Winter season. It was joined by another on the 29th August.
A juvenile Hobby on the 27th August was my first August record.
A Northern Wheatear also on the 27th August was my earliest Autumn record here.
The first Common Starlings returned to winter on the 4th August, outnumbering the resident Spotless Starlings.