The Birdman of Alcossebre (Spain)

August 2009 Bird News.Another new species added and the start and more Autumn migrants.

59 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in August, 2009.
One new species was added - Red-crested Pochard.

First August records of Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Roller, and Red-rumped Swallow were seen.
The full list of birds seen with comments follows.
A single Northern Gannet seen on the 27th was the norm for August.
One to three Great Cormorants seen daily were normal numbers.
An adult Black-crowned Night Heron, seen at the Sewage Pond on the 14th was only my second August record.
A total of 75 Grey Herons passed through, numbers varied from single birds to 30 birds - 30 birds flew south on the 23rd.
Two Purple Herons passed through. One flying east on the 13th, and one south on the 24th.
Two Greater Flamingos flew east on the 20th August, and a solitary bird flew south on the 22nd (an unusual sight for these social birds).
Up to ten Cattle Egrets were noted in rural farmland during the month. Well below the 46 birds seen last August.
A total of 20 Little Egrets passed through. Single birds flew south on the 14th & 29th, and 18 birds on the 30th.
Two Red-crested Pochard flew into Capycorp Lagoon on the 4th August. This was a long awaited first record for the Alcossebre area.
One to two Short-toed Eagles were seen on overhead pylons throught out the month.
A female Sparrowhawk on the 29th August was my first August record here.
One to three Common Kestrels were seen throuh out the month.
An Eleonora´s Falcon was seen hunting over the rural farmland on the 15th August - probably from the Columbretes Islands.
The above average brood of nine juvenile Common Moorhens were still surviving at the Sewage pond.

The only record of Black-winged Stilt was of two adults and a juvenile at the Sewage Pond on the 9th August.
Three Curlews flying south on the 4th August were the first this Autumn, followed by a single bird south on the 17th.
Out of a total of 39 Black-headed Gulls counted, 8 birds were feeding locally off shore , the rest were seen heading south.
Both Audouins´s and Yellow-legged Gulls were seen in much lower numbers than usual for August - a maximum of 22 Audouin´s and two Yellow-legged.
Sandwich Terns were also below normal August numbers at 33 birds. (seven year average 45 birds).
Wood Pigeons on the other hand were well above the seven year avearage (8 birds) with a maximum of 22 birds counted.
Collared Doves were also increasing in numbers over the seven years, with a maximum of 61 birds counted.
One or two Turtle Doves were seen up to the 16th August. Numbers wise they continue to decline.
Up to four Little Owls could be seen, or heard daily. Slowly increasing in numbers.

The last Red-necked Nightjar of summer was seen on the 5th August.
Like wise the last parties of local nesting Common and Pallid Swifts were gone by the 12th August. ( We do get some late stragglers from elsewhere passing through up to late October).
Two single Kingfishers were seen, the first on the 14th August, at the side of
my swimming pool! See Photo. The second at the Sewage pond on the 17th.

Bee eaters were very common this month with a total of 294 birds seen. Maximum daily count was 43 birds on the 25th August. I never tire of watching these beautiful birds in flight.

A Roller on overhead pylon wires on the 15th August was only my third record here, and my first Autumn record.
A maximum of eleven Hoopoes counted was above the seven year average of 6 birds.
10 Crested Larks was the maximum daily count, average numbers.
Local Barn Swallow numbers peaked at 96 birds with no major passage south as yet.
Single Red-rumped Swallows passing south on the 15th and the 20th were my first August records.
Like the Barn Swallows, House Martins peaked at 50 local birds, with no visible southerly movements.
The first Blue-headed Wagtails of the Autumn were seen on the 17th and the 23rd August.
A family party of White Wagtails took up residence at the Sewage Pond from the 9th August until the end of the month.

Fan-tailed Warblers at 11 birds max. were above the seven year avearage.
One or two Reed Warblers were present at the Sewage Pond from the 14th August, the first this autumn.
Single Melodious Warblers were seen up to the 18th August.
Single Subalpine Warblers were seen from the 13th August, the first this Autumn.

A maximum of 19 of the resident Sardinian Warblers were counted, well above the seven year average.
Up to three Willow Warblers were seen from the 18th August, the first this Autumn.

Spotted Flycatchers at a maximum of 9 birds, were well up on the August avearage.
A female Pied Flycatcher seen on the 30th August was the first this Autumn.

A maximum of 11 Great Tits was another seven year high.
Where as three Golden Orioles was just below average numbers.
View image

The first Southern Great Grey Shrike was seen from the 4th August, in one of their favourite places, the dry river bed of Rio San Miquel.
Up to three Woodchat Shrikes were seen up to the 23rd August.

The first flock of Common Starlings returned to winter from the 8th August. Just in time to enjoy the ripening Figs.
Both House and Tree Sparrows were joining together in ever increasing flocks in the rural farmlands.
A maximum of 20 Greenfinches and 48 Goldfinches were above average numbers.
The only record of Linnet was two birds on the 25th August.
A maximum of 22 of the resident Serins was above the seven year average.
As is usual here no Buntings were seen during August, we await the winter influx.

Alcossebre Weather in August, 2009.
The first week in August started off with mainly cloudy conditions in the mornings, clearing to fine, sunny and hot by mid day.
The second week in August continued in the same pattern as the first week, but then fine sunny and hot was the norm.
The third week in August was consistently fine, sunny and hot, with a usual day temperature of 34C (93F).
The fourth week in August was again mainly fine, sunny and hot. With the exception of the 25th which gave us the first rain for 110 days (15th May)!
The last three days of August had more cloud than sunshine, but still hot and humid.
The average daytime temperature was 32.C (89F)
The highest temperature was on the 14th and 19th at 35C (95F).
The coolest days were on 5 days at 30C (86F).
The average night temperature was 23C (73F).
The coldest night were on the 19th at 21C (68F).The warmest nights were on 8 nights at 25C (77F).
Total rainfall for the month was one inch (25 mm) on the 25th.
Wind strengths were mainly light and gentle throughout the month.
Wind directions mainly North-westerly in the early morning, turning to the east or south east from mid morning.
Dying out most evenings.

Compared to 2008 it was 1C warmer and a lot drier - 1inch of rain compared to 3.2 inches last August.