August 2, 2009
The Birdman of Alcossebre - Another exotic to the list!
52 Species were seen in the Alcossebre area this July.
One new species was added to the Alcossebre list - a Rosy-faced Lovebird - obviously an escape, more usually seen in Angola,Namibia and South Africa.
It landed one morning in the garden of friends Andy and Sylvia - so thanks to Andy for the photograph.
Another exotic parrot - a Patagonian Conure was a first July record.
Autumn migration began here on the 20th July, when a flock of 14 Greater Flamingos flew south, and the first Common Sandpiper was seen.
Thereafter there were more autumn firsts.
Two Mediterranean Gulls flew south on the 17th July.
A Whimbrel and 24 Cormorants flew south on the 24th July.
Two Purple Herons flew south on the 27th and 10 Little Egrets flew south on the 30th July.
For the first time in seven years there were no July sightings of Northern Gannet.
Up to two Short-toed Eagles provided some good photographic opportunities during the month. Even staying still long enough for my friend Paul Harvey to get some good shots when he was over on holiday.
A single male Montagu's Harrier hunted regularly over the farmland.
Unlike the Short-toed Eagle it never perched to get it's photo taken!
Another photographic opportunity occurred when a family party of Black-winged Stilts took up residence in the sewage pond, from the 4th to the 23rd July. They eventually got driven way by an aggressive pair of Moorhens who were looking after a brood of nine young!
Audouin´s Gulls were in there lowest July numbers in seven years, with a maximum of 17 birds counted. In July 2005 374 birds were counted.
In contrast Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves were at a seven year high, with 17 Wood Pigeons and 98 Collared Doves, maximum for the month.
One or two pairs of summer visiting Turtle Doves was about average numbers.
A late adult Great Spotted Cuckoo was seen on the 14th July, and single juveniles were seen throughout the month.
Daily sightings off up to three pairs of Little Owls were normal numbers.
I saw my first juveniles (Two) on the 30th July when accompanied by my friend Paul Harvey.
Up to two pairs of Red-necked Nightjars were still actively calling up to the month end.
At least one of the two breeding pairs of Bee eaters were successful, and autumn Bee eater passage began on the 30th July when 12 birds flew south.
The local breeding Barn Swallows had an average breeding season with up to 70 birds counted in family groups.
House Martins were in above average breeding numbers with a maximum of 30 birds counted.
After the frenzy of Nightingale song heard in previous months I didn't hear or see one in July!
The Fan-tailed Warbler numbers continue to be at a seven year high with a maximum of 17 birds counted, compare that with July 2003, when I only counted 5 birds.
With up to three pairs of Melodious Warblers still alarm calling, meant they were also having a good breeding season.
Up to 10 pairs of Sardinian Warblers counted was above average breeding numbers.
Likewise three pairs of Spotted Flycatcher were good numbers. I saw the first juveniles on the 14th July.
After a really good breeding year in 2008, three pairs of Golden Oriole this year meant a return to average numbers.
It's also been a poor year for breeding Woodchat Shrikes. It seems there was only one successful pair with one juvenile.
Common Magpies just seem to go from strength to strength, with a maximum of 18 birds counted. They continually harry the Short-toed Eagles.
The finches were having an up and down year. July numbers for Greenfinches were up, but Goldfinches and Serin numbers were well down.
A lot of that could be that they have seeked out deferent feeding areas.
The buntings continue to have a poor breeding season. Only one sighting of Corn Bunting and no Cirl Buntings seen for the second month in a row.
Alcossebre Weather in July, 2009.
The first week in July was hot with an average temperature of 33C (91F).
The second week in July was a bit unsettled with the only rain of the month, on the 8th,9th and 14th, but only amounting to 0.3 inches (8 mm). It was 4 c cooler, with an average day temperature of 29C (84F).
The third week in July returned to the hot weather with an average day temperature of 32c (89F).
The fourth week in July broke the seven year record since I have been here, with the 23rd reaching 47C in the sun and 42C in the shade!
The last three days of July continued hot, with an average day temperature of 33C (91F).
The average daytime temperature was 32.5C (89F)
The highest day temperature was on the 23rd at 40C (104F)
The coldest day was on the 8th at 24C (75F).
The average night temperature was 23C (73F).
The coldest nights were on the 18th and 19th at 20C (68F).
The warmest nights were on the 25th and 30th at 26C (78F).
Total rainfall for the month was 0.3 inches (8mm) over four days. On three of these days there was only a trace of rain ( not enough to register).
The heaviest rain fell on the 9th with 0.3 inches (8mm).
Wind strengths were mainly light and gentle throughout the month.
Wind directions were nearly always variable from morning to afternoon. Mainly North-westerly in the early morning, turning to the east or south east from mid morning.
On the 23rd the wind was from the south- west and very warm, increasing the temperature substantially.
It was the same average night temperature as 2008, but 2C warmer in the day temperature. There was less rainfall (0.3 inches) compared to 2008 with 1.1 inches.