Raptor migration in Gibraltar and birding in the Iberian Lynx home. 31.8.-8.9.

2013

Foto: Christoph ROLAND

Raptor migration in Gibraltar and birding in the Iberian Lynx home. 31.8.-8.9.2013

Egyptian Vulture. Adult. Photo: Christoph ROLAND

Guides, bus-drivers and authors of this trip report: Christoph ROLAND (BirdLife-Austria) and ngel SALLENT (BirdingMurcia) Team members: Helga Adam Herbert Ehrlich Ingeborg Ehrlich Erika Eisenreich Dr. Wolfgang Gschwandtner Karin Gschwandtner Ursula Kalaminec Thomas Kessler Robert Konecny Hannelore Meinhart Dr. Gernot Ruschl Dr. Ingeborg Ruschl Christine Summer Robert Wolmerstorfer

The guides C. ROLAND and . SALLENT in a coffee break. Photo: Robert KONECNY

Route: 31st August: the trip starts at Seville airport where we rent two vans. We drive from Seville directly to Doana ational Park. A quick stop in Hostal Cristina, our accommodation in El Rocio, and very soon we begin our birding walking along the marsh that by this time of the year is almost dry. At Puente de La Canaliega we have our first spanish specialities, 2 adults and 1 juvenile of the Spanish Imperial Eagle and the first Red-rumped Swallows. From there we cross the road to La Rocina Visitor Center where we see several species included 20 Iberian Blue Magpie, 80 Bee-eater, Sardinian and Dartford Warbler, Cettis Warbler, the introduced breeding Common Waxbill, Crested Lark, 2 Southern Grey Shrike and 5 Black Stork.

El Rocio and La Rocina - Photos: Christoph ROLAND

. 1st September: breakfast at Hostal Cristina at 7 and before 8 we are on the way to the sourrandings of Doana ational Park where many birds are gathering by this time of the year. Our first stop is near Villamanrrique where we have a Roller sitting on a power line. Not far from there we stop in a stepe-land area where we have a walk that produce 1 singing Quail, 6 Pint-tailed Sandgrouse, Short-toed and Crested Lark, 1 Melodious Warbler and 1 Short-toed Eagle. From there we go to Dehesa de Abajo. These place usually keeps water by this time of the year when most of the marshes of Doana are dry. That makes the places one of the best places for birding with thousands of birds. We have a great view of hundreds of White Stork, Flamingo, Glossy Ibis or Spoonbill. Also big numbers for Night and Great Heron, minimun of 6 Purple Heron and 10 Great Egrett. Here we find one of the goal species of the trip, 9 Murbled Duck! Other ducks seen are 30 Red-crested Pochard, 20 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 10 Common Teal, 30 Mallard, 1 female Gadwall and 1 juvenile Pintail. Within the waders hundreds of Black-winged Stilt, 50 avocet or 30 Ruff, 2 Gull-billed Tern and many Whiskered Tern. Also we have 2 males of the introduced Yellow-crowned Weaver that by this time of the year are breeding. After having lunch we pointed to the rice crops that are around the village of Isla Mayor. Many birds are foraging there although in September the rice is high and birding is not easy. Driving through the dirt roads we see many Squacco and Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis and White Stork, 3 Black Stork, Osprey, Marsh and Montagus Harrier, around 30 Green Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail of the subspecie iberiae and many Zitting Cisticola. On the way back to El Rocio we have our first sighting of the trip of one Black-winged Kite.

Dehesa de Abajo Photos: Wolf GSCHWANDTNER and Christoph ROLAND

2nd September: after breakfast in Hostal Cristina we point the Odiel Marshes in the town of Huelva. Odiel river flows into the Atlantic Ocean creating a bast marshes that atract thousand of waders during the Autumn migration. First stop is in Laguna de Calatilla that produces the Slender-billed and Black-headed Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, many Ringed and Kentish plover, Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin. Our second stop is directly in the marshes with low tide and good light for birding. Here we have many species of waders included Oystercatcher, Little Ringed, Ringed, Kentish and Grey Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone and Ruff plus one Osprey. Following the road that cross the marshes we find Sanderling and Turnstone at the beach and 2 Little Tern. The road continues through a long dyke that goes into the ocean for several kilometers (Espign Juan Carlos I). There are two flat areas beside the dyke where hundreds of gulls are resting. Here we see Audouins, Yellow-legged, Mediterranean and Lesser Black-backed Gull and a flock of Common and Sandwich Tern. At the end of the dyke there is a lighthouse perfect for a quick seawatching that gives us 6 Gannet. On the way back to El Rocio, we stop at Parador de Mazagon where we drink a coffee surrounding by a flock of Iberian Blue Magpie. Later we stop in El Acebuche Visitor Center where we see yet another flock of Iberian Blue Magpie and many Red-rumped Swallow. We finish the day with a nice walk around the El Palacio de El Acebrn that produces some species as the Great-spotted Goodpecker, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Nightingale, Cettis Warbler, Treecreper, Great and Crested Tit or Chaffinch.

Odiel Marshes Photos: Wolf GSCHWANDTNER

3rd September: early in the morning we walk to the border of the marsh in El Rocio to listen to the Red Deers yawning. On this day we leave El Rocio and Doana and lead to Tarifa. On the way, we stop in Brazo del Este where we stay birding during the morning. Brazo del Este is a bast area of rice crops at the East side of Guadalquivir river. In our firs stop at Ro Guadaira we have a very good sighting of a Black-winged Kite sitting on a power line and later, probably the same bird, hunting over the crops. Whe have also very good sigthings of the Pallid Swift, Little Owl and the Purple Swamphen. Along Brazo del Este we see most of the herons included Night (40), Squacco (7) and Great Heron (20), Little Bittern (1 juvenile), White (hundreds), Great (20) and Cattle Egrett (hundreds). Also hundreds of Glossy Ibis, White (20) and Black (4) Stork, Snipe, Wood and Green Sandpiper, Whiskered Tern, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Sand Martin, Zittis Cisticole, Cettis Warbler, Yellow Wagtail (iberiae) and the introduced Golden Bishop. After lunch we drive to our accommodation in Hostal La Torre in Tarifa without time for any birding. 4th September: first day in Tarifa and the wind is very strong from the East so the raptors are not crossing the Strait of Gibraltar during this day. After breakfast in Hostal La Torre, we decide to walk through the Canuto del Guadalmes, one of the green valleys near Tarifa that are very good for raptor watching when the winds are strong as the birds are gathering here and waiting for better weather conditions. During this 3 hours easy walk we have very good sightings of Short-toed and Booted Eagle, Griffon and Egyptian Vulture, Black Kite, Goshawk and Sparrowhawk. The walk also produce some small paserines as Robin, Wren, Blackcap, Firecrest, Treecreper, Nuthatch, Grerat, Blue and Crested Tit, Chaffinch and Jay.

Cork oak at Canuto del Guadalmes Photo: Wolf GSCHWANDTNER

From there, we check the best watchpoints for the migration, first Cazalla and later Algarrobo. Despite the extremly strong wind in Cazalla we could see 40 Egyptian Vulture plus Black Kite, Short-toed and Booted Eagle. In Algarrobo the wind was not too strong and we can stay longer seeing our first Honey Busards and most of the previus species. From there, we drive Sierra de la Plata near Bolonia. Here, both species Little and White Rumped Swift have bred in recent years although not in 2013. Anyway, its still one of the best places in Europe for try them. We walk along the cliffs untill we reach the Cueva del Moro. At the end of the day we have a short shigting of one swift with white rump that seems to be a Little Swift. Unfortunately, the view is not good enough and we cannot confirm the species. In the area, there is a Griffon Vulture colony and we can see some of them sitting on the cliffs as well as two Egyptian Vulture in a small cave. Also here, we have 2 Blue Rock Thrush and Sardinian Warbler. Without any time for more birding, we go to our hostal. 5th September: early in the morning we go to Los Lances beach for an easy walk that starts in the town of Tarifa. These is a good place for waders, gulls and terns but from midday many kitesurfers are in the area so the best moment for birding is in the morning. This walk produces some waders as 3 Oystercatcher, Sanderling (100 aprox,one bird with colour rings), 10 Kentish plover, 3 Great Heron and 1 Flamningo. Within the gulls, 200 Yellow-legged, 5 Black-headed , 20 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 15 Audouins Gull (1 ringed) plus Sandwich and Common Tern. 2 Corys Shearwater are seen gliding over the see. On the way back to Tarifa we have some passerines as 7 Short-toed Lark, 4 Tawny Pipit, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Zitting Cisticole, Northern Wheatear. We already have our first raptors crossing. Today the wind is no so strong and seems to be a good day for raptors. At 11 a.m. we go directly to Cazalla expecting many birds as this is the best time of the day (from 11 to 17). As we expected, hundreds of birds are crossing. Right after arriving to this place a huge flock of 850 White Stork is departing to Africa. The passage of Short-toed, Booted Eagle and Black Kite is continue. In Algarrobo we stay from 13:00 to 17:00 aprox. enjoying the great espectacle of raptors migration in what is probably the best day of this year in Tarifa. On this day 14000 Honey Buzzard (7000 while we are there) and 450 Short-toed Eagle passed are counted only in Algarrobo (personal comunication of Alejandro Onrrubia, Fundacin Migres). And here we have one of the goals of the trip, one adult male of Pallid Harrier is seen and photographed. This specie is considered a raritie in Spain and the record has been summited. Also 5 Marsh and 10 Montagus Harrier and 7 Sparrowhawk are recorded and 6 Common Kestrel at El Mirador del Estrecho. We go for a coffee at the cross of the Bolonia road. From the terrace we can see yet another flock of 200 White Stork and 1 Red Kite. Right from this place we finish the day walking through a nice area of farms with patches of wild olive trees where is known that the Rufous Bush Robin breeds. By now is late for this specie but the walk produces other species as Serin, Crested and Thekla Lark, 1 juvenile of Woodchat Shrike, Northern Wheatear and Chiffchaff.

Algarrobo watchpoint and Short-toed Eagle Photos: R.KONECNY und C.ROLAND

6th September: we start the day with a birdwatching from Cazalla early in the morning. Short after, we go to Tarifa for a two hours boat trip with Turmares, a touristic company that are practicing a respectful whalewatching. Tha main objetive of this trips are the dolphins and the Killer Whale in the Gibraltar Strait but many seabirds can be seen. During our trip we have 11 Corys and 2 Balearic Shearwater, 3 Gannet, 20 Yellow-legged Gull and 10 Common Tern plus 3 groups of Long-finned Pilot Whale and a group of Bottlenose Dolphin. After the trip and a short walk in the town of Tarifa we go again to Cazalla for having lunch. Here we have very much the same species than the day before but in smaller numbers. From there we go to Laguna de La Janda that once was the biggest lagoon of Spain but today is just a big area with rice crops. Anyway is very good place for birding and many birds use the area for resting before crossing to Africa. Driving through the dirt roads and stoping every one or two kilometers we have hundreds of White Stork, Glossy Ibis (the specie has breed here in 2013), Cattle and white Egrett, 5 Grey Heron, 5 Black Stork, 8 Marsh and 8 Montagus Harrier. Within the waders, 80 Black-winged Stilt, 5 Lapwing, 2 Ruff, 10 Common Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 10 Green Sandpiper and 3 Whiskered Tern.

Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egret in Laguna de la Janda Photo: W. GSCHWANDTNER

We have also a very good sighting of one Blak-winged Kite and unfortunatelly we found another one dead by collision with a power line. After the rice crops we enter an area with alfalfa crops and ploughs where we find a group of 6 Little Bustard (2 males) and a flock of Red-legged partridge. 7th September: before leaving Tarifa area, we go for a short and nice walk around Huerta Grande Visitor Centre where we see and hear many small passerines. Near the coffee shop we have a great view of an Iberian Chiffchaff, first heard and finally seen. From Tarifa we have a long trip to Andujar of more than 4 hours. We drive along the coast direcction Malaga and then heading North. On the way, we cross the town of Antequera and we decide to have lunch in Parque atural the Antequera. This is 40 minutes from the town but its wonderful landscapes worth to be seen. Up there we have a dense fog and unusual low temperatures for begining September. In spite of the fog, we see a couple of Blue Rock Thrush and three Spanish Ibex. After this quick stop, we continue to Andujar for two and a half hours more. Once in Andujar we stop quickly in our accommodation Hostal Los Pinos and we go to La Jndula to try the Iberian Lynx, the most endangered cat on Earth. On the way, we see very close from the car three Imperial Spanish Eagle. Griffon Vulture is very common everywhere. Once in La Jndula we were waiting there till dusk in one of the best places

where the Lynx can be seen. No luck with this but we enjoy a couple of Black Vulture that cross the sky above us, a couple of Spanish Imperial Eagle sitting on a tree plus many Iberian Magpie and Red-legged Partridge. We finish our day with a goodby dinner in a tipical spanish tapas restaurant near our accommodation. 8th September Before leaving Andujar and lead to Sevilla Airport, of course that we have to try the lynx early in the morning. We went to another famouse place where the lynk is seen very often at the Guadalquivir River. No luck again but we have some other nice birds as the Iberian Green Woodpecker (only heard). Without time for more birding we go to Sevilla Airport.

umber of bird species: 163

Bird list of all the birds seen or heard during the trip. Only are included species that are detected for at least two members of the group. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: 2 at Dehesa de Abajo and 6 at Brazo del Este. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus: 20 at Dehesa de Abajo and 2 at Brazo del Este. Corys Shearwater Calonectris diomedea: 2 from Playa de los Lances and 11 during the boat trip. Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: 2 during the boat trip. Gannet Morus bassanus: 6 from Espign Juan Carlos I and 3 during the boat trip. Great Cormoran Phalacrocorax carbo: minimun 6 at Dehesa de Abajo. 3 at Laguna de La Janda Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus: 1 juv. at Brazo del Este ight Heron ycticorax nycticorax: very common in Dehesa de Abajo, more than 40 at Brazo del Este. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides: very common in Dehesa de Abajo, 2 at Odiel Marshes, 7 at Brazo del Este. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis: very common in Dehesa de Abajo, Brazo del Este and laguna de La Janda, 5 in La Rocina, 44 in Tarifa area, 31 in Andujar.

Cattle Egret and Squacco Heron Photo: Christoph ROLAND Little Egret Egretta garzetta: very common at Dehesa de Abajo, Odiel Marshes and laguna de La Janda, 1 at Puente de La Canaliega, more than 20 at Brazo del Este and 5 at playa de Los Lances. Great Egret Casmerodius alba: 2 at La Rocina, more then 10 at Dehesa de Abajo, 1 at Odiel Marshes and 2 at Brazo del Este.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: 3 in La Rocina, very common at Dehesa de Abajo, 5 at Odiel Marshes, 20 at Brazo del Este, 3 at Playa de los Lances, 5 at laguna de La Janda, 5 at Andujar. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea: more than 6 at Dehesa de Abajo and at the rice crops of Isla Mayor, 7 at Brazo del Este. Black Stork Ciconia nigra: 9 in La Rocina, 3 at Dehesa de Abajo, 4 at Brazo del Este, 30 at Cazalla (05.09.2013), 5 at Cazalla (06.09.2013). White Stork Ciconia ciconia: Many in Dehesa de Abajo and Laguna de La Janda, 11 in La Rocina, more then 33 in Odiel Marshes, more than 20 in Brazo del Este, a flock of 850 crossing in Cazalla and 200 in Bolonia. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: very common at Dehesa de Abajo, Brazo del Este and Laguna de La Janda.

Glossy Ibis (1 Ind. with ring) and Black-winged Stilt Photo: Christoph ROLAND Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia: very common at Dehesa de Abajo, 6 at La Rocina, 5 in Odiel Marshes, 4 juveniles at Bolonia. Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus: very common in Dehesa de Abajo, 20 at La Rocina, more then 50 at Odiel Marshes, more than 80 at Brazo del Este, 1 in playa de Los Lances, 2 juveniles at Laguna de La Janda. Wigeon: Anas penelope: 3 in Dehesa de Abajo. Gadwall Anas strepera: 1 female at Dehesa de Abajo and 15 at Brazo del Este. Teal Anas crecca: more than 10 at Dehesa de Abajo and 1 female in Odiel Marshes Mallard Anas platyrhynchos: 5 at La Rocina, 30 at Dehesa de Abajo, more than 10 at Odiel Marshes, 20 at Brazo del Este and 15 at Laguna de La Janda. Pintail Anas acuta: 1 juvenile at Dehesa de Abajo and 2 females at Brazo del Este. Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris: 9 at Dehesa de Abajo. Pochard etta rufina: more than 30 at Dehesa de Abajo and 4 at Brazo del Este. Shoveler Anas clypeata: more then 20 at Dehesa de Abajo, 4 at Odiel Marshes and 10 in Brazo del Este. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus: 1 near Dehesa de Abajo, 1 at Brazo del Este, 1 at laguna de La Janda plus one dead by colision with power line. Black Kite Milvus migrans: 4 at Brazo del Este, in Tarifa area the passage is continue on 05.06.2013, around 100 on 04.06.2013 and around 50 on 06.09.2013. Red Kite Milvus milvus: 1 at Bolonia. Egyptian Vulture eophron percnopterus: many in Canuto del Guadalmes and Cazalla (04.06.2013), 2 in Sierra de La Plata, 30 in Cazalla (05.06.2013) and 5 in Cazalla (06.09.2013). Black Vulture Aegypius monachus: 1-2 in Andujar on 07.09.2013

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus: 2 at Puente de La Canaliega, 2 at Dehesa de abajo, 30 at Sierra de La Plata, at Tarifa area (Cazalla and Algarrobo) 20 on 05.09.2013 and 15 on 06.09.2013, 30 in Andujar. Osprey Pandion haliaetus: 1 at the rice crops around Brazo del Este, 1 at Odiel Marshes, 2 at Tarifa area. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus: 2 near Dehesa de Abajo, 2 at Brazo del Este, in Tarifa area, 50 on 04.09.2013 (very common in Canuto del Guadalmesi), continue passage on 05.09.2013 and 30 on 06.06.2013. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus: 7 in the rice crops of Isla Mayor, 1 female in Odiel Marshes, 10 in Brazo del Este, 5 in Tarifa area on 05.09.2013 and 8 in Tarifa area and Laguna de La Janda on 06.09.2013 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus: 1 adult male at Algarrobo on 05.09.2013. The record has been sent to the Spanish Commitee of Rarities.

Honey Buzzard, adult male of Pallid Harrier and Short-toed Eagle Photos: C ROLAND Montagus Harrier Circus pygargus: more than 10 around Dehesa de Abajo and rice crops of Isla Mayor, at Tarifa area 10 on 05.09.2013, 8 on 06.09.2013 and 1 on 07.09.2013. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis: 1 in Canuto del Guadalmes. Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus: In Tarifa area, 2 on 04.09.2013, 7 on 05.09.2013 and 3 on 06.09.2013. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: 1 near Dehesa de Abajo, 2 at Brazo del Este and 1 at Andujar. Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus: At Tarifa area, 20 on 04.09.2013, 20 on 06.09.2013 and 20 on 07.09.2013. On the 05.09.2013 the passage is continue. Only at Algarrobo, staff from Fundacin Migres counted 7000 while we were there and 14000 during that day! Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti: 2 adults and 1 juv. from Puente de La Canaliega, 5 in Andujar. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus: 1 from Puente de La Canaliega, 6 around Dehesa de Abajo, 1 at El Acebrn, 8 at Brazo del Este, in Tarifa area, continue passage on 04 and 05.09.2013 and ca. 30 on 06.09.2013, 1 in Andujar. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus: 5 around Dehesa de Abajo, 2 at Odiel Marshes, 3 at Brazo del Este, at Tarifa area, 3 on 04.09.2013, 6 on 05.09.2013 and 7 on 06.09.2013. 1 in Andujar. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus: 1 at Cazalla on 05.09.2013. Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa: 1 at Sierra de La Plata, 20 at Laguna de La Janda, 13 at Andujar. Quail Coturnix coturnix: 1 heard near Dehesa de Abajo. Pheasant Phasianus colchicus: 20 at Laguna de La Janda Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: 6 at Dehesa de Abajo, 2 at Odiel Marshes and 10 at Brazo del Este. Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio: minimun 2 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 7 at Brazo del Este. Coot Fulica atra: 30 at Dehesa de Abajo, more than 5 at Odiel Marshes, very common at Brazo del Este and 10 at Laguna de La Janda.

Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax: 2 males and 4 female/juvenile at Laguna de La Janda. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus: more than 5 at Puente de La Canaliega, very common at Dehesa de Abajo, more than 20 at Odiel Marshes, 5 at Brazo del Este and 80 in Laguna de La Janda. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta: 1 at Puente de La Canaliega, 50 at Dehesa de Abajo, 15 at Odiel Marshes and more than 25 at Brazo del este. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius: more than 6 at Dehesa de Abajo and very common in Odiel Marshes. Ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula: 1 at Dehesa de Abajo, very common in Odiel Marshes, 6 at Playa de Los Lances and 1 at Laguna de La Janda. Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus: more than 30 at Odiel Marshes and 10 at Playa de Los Lances.

Ringed and Kentish plovers Photo: Wolf GSCHWANDTNER Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola: more than 40 at Odiel Marshes. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus: 1 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 20 at Brazo del Este and 5 at Laguna de La Janda. Knot Calidris canutus: more than 15 at Odiel Marshes. Sanderling Calidris alba: minimum 25 at Odiel Marshes and more than 100 at Playa de los Lances. Litle Stint Calidris minuta: 1 at Dehesa de Abajo and minimum 3 at Odiel Marshes. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea: minimum 5 at Dehesa de Abajo and minimun 5 at Odiel Marshes. Dunlin Calidris alpina: minimum 40 at Odiel Marshes and 3 at Playa de los Lances. Ruff Philomachus pugnax: 30 at Dehesa de Abajo and 2 at Laguna de La Janda. Snipe Gallinago gallinago: 4 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 3 at Brazo del Este and 10 at Laguna de La Janda. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa: 15 at Dehesa de Abajo, 20 at Odiel Marshes, more than 10 at Brazo del Este and 2 at Laguna de La Janda. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica: minimun 7 at Odiel Marshes. Whimbrel umenius phaeopus: more than 80 at Odiel Marshes. Curlew umenius arquata: minimum 2 at Dehesa de Abajo and more than 50 at Odiel Marshes. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus: 1 at Odiel Marshes and 2 at Laguna de La Janda. Redshank Tringa totanus: more than 50 at Odiel Marshes. Greenshank Tringa nebularia: 10 at Odiel Marshes and 1 at Laguna de la Janda. Green SandpiperTringa ochropus: more than 30 at rice crops around Isla Mayor, 1 at Odiel Marshes, 1 at Brazo del Este and 10 at Laguna de la Janda. Tringa glareola: 3 at Brazo del Este. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: 2 at Puente de la Canaliega, minimun 6 at rice crops around Isla Mayor, 5 at Odiel Marshes and 2 at Brazo del Este. Turnstone Arenaria interpres: minimum 20 at Odiel Marshes.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus: 1 at Odiel Marshes. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus: very common at Dehesa de Abajo and Odiel Marshes, 5 at Playa de los Lances. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei: minimum 11 at Odiel Marshes. Audouins Gull Larus audouinii: very common at Odiel Marshes, 15 at Playa de los Lances.

Yellow-legged and Audouis gulls Photo: Wolf GSCHWANDTNER

Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus: more than 50 at Dehesa de Abajo, very common at Odiel Marshes, more than 5 at Brazo del Este and 20 at Playa de los Lances. Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis: minimum 1 at Dehesa de Abajo, 2 at Odiel Marshes, more than 200 at Playa de los Lances and 20 during the boat trip. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica: minimum 2 at Dehesa de Abajo. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis: minimum 20 at Odiel Marshes and 1 at Playa de los Lances. CommonTern Sterna hirundo: minimum 30 at Odiel Marshes, 1 at Brazo del Este, 1 at Playa de los Lances and 10 during the boat trip. Little Tern Sterna albifrons: 2 at Odiel Marshes. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus: very common at Dehesa de Abajo, 6 at Brazo del Este and 3 at Playa de La Janda. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata: 6 near Dehesa de Abajo. Feral Pigeon Columba livia (forma domestica): very common. Recorded every day. Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus: more Than 15 at el Acebrn and El Acebuche, 20 at Laguna de La Janda, 5 in Andujar. Collared Dove Steptopelia decaocto: very common. Recorded every day. Turtle Dove Steptopelia turtur: 1 at Bolonia, 4 at Laguna de La Janda and 1 in Andujar. Little Owl Athena noctua: 1 at Brazo del Este and 2 at Andujar. Tawny Owl Strix aluco: 1 ind. calling early in the night at Andujar. Swift Apus apus, 5 at Brazo del Este, at Tarifa area 4 on 04.09.2013, 5 on 05.09.2013 and 5 on 06.09.2013. Pallid Swift Apus pallidus: 27 at Brazo del Este, at Tarifa area, 20 on 04.09.2013, 10 on 05.09.2013 and 30 on 06.09.2013. Little Swift Apus affinis: 1 swift with white rump is seen at Sierra de La Plata. The sighting is very quick and identification can not be comfirmed as the White-rumped Swift is also possible there. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis: 1 near Dehesa de Abajo, 1 at Odiel Marshes, 1 at Palacio del Acebrn, 3 at Brazo del Este and 1 at Laguna de La Janda.

Bee-eater Merops apiaster: more than 80 at La Rocina, minimum 3 at Dehesa de Abajo, 5 at El Acebuche, 13 at Brazo del Este, in Tarifa area, 170 on 04.09.2013, 600 on 05.09.2013 and 31 on 06.09.2013 and 10 in Andujar. Roller Coracias garrulus: 1 near Dehesa de Abajo. Hoopoe Upupa epops: 5 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 1 at Odiel Marshes, 4 at Brazo del Este, 2 7 in Tarifa area and 1 in Andujar. Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus viridis sharpeii: 3 or 4 birds are heard in Andujar. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major: 1 at El Acebrn and 1 at Canuto del Guadalmes. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla: minimum 7 near Dehesa de Abajo and 7 at Playa de los Lances. Crested Lark Galerida cristata: minimum 3 at La Rocina, 50 near Dehesa de Abajo and rice crops, minimum 10 at Odiel Marshes, 20 at Brazo del Este, 10 at Bolonia, 2 at Laguna de la Janda. Thekla Lark Galerida theklae: 7 at Bolonia and 2 at Laguna de la Janda. Sand Martin Riparia riparia: very common at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 30 at Brazo del Este, 10 at Tarifa and 20 at Laguna de la Janda. Rock Martin Ptynoprogne rupestris: 1 at Sierra de la Plata. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: more than 10 at La Rocina, 50 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 1 at Brazo del Este, very common in Tarifa area. Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica: minimum 30 at La Rocina, 10 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, minimum 20 at El Acebrn, 35 at Brazo del Este

Roller, Red-rumped Swallow and Pallid Swift Photos: Wolf GSCHWANDTNER (Central) and C. ROLAND

House Martin Delichon urbicum: very common in La Rocina, minimum 3 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 80 at El Acebrn, very common in Brazo del Este, 1 at Sierra de la Plata and 20 at Laguna de la Janda. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris: 4 at Playa de los Lances. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava: 3 at La Rocina, 30 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor (both subspecies, flava and iberiae), 2 at Odiel Marshes, 5 at Brazo del Este, 6 at Playa de los Lances and 15 at Laguna de la Janda (included subspecie flavissima). Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea: 1 in Andujar. White Wagtail Motacilla alba: 1 at El Acebrn. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes: 2 at Canuto del Guadalmes and 1 in Andujar. Robin Erithacus rubecula: 3 at Canuto del Guadalmes and 1 in Andujar. Luscinia megarhynchos: 1 at El Acebrn. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros: 1 female or juvenile at Parador de Mazagn. Winchat Saxicola rubetra: 2 near Dehesa de Abajo. Stonechat Saxicola torquata: 1 at La Rocina, 1 near dehesa de abajo, minimum 5 at Odiel Marshes, in Tarifa area, 7 on 04.09.2013, 12 on 05.09.2013 and 25 on 06.09.2013 and 1 in Andujar. orthern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe: 1 at Odiel Marshes, 3 at Playa de los Lances and 3 at Laguna de La Janda.

Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica: 1 male at El Acebrn , 1 at Playa de los Lances and 1 at Facinas. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius: 2 at Sierra de la Plata and 2 at Torcal de Antequera. Blackbird Turdus merula: 2 at El Acebrn, 2 at Canuto del Guadalmes, 8 in Tarifa area. Cettis Warbler Cettia cetti: minimum 5 at La Rocina, minimum 5 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 5 at El Acebrn, 5 at Brazo del Este, 1 at Laguna de La Janda and 1 at Huerta Grande. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis: minimum 30 at the rice crops around Dehesa de Abajo, 2 at Odiel Marshes, 5 at Brazo del Este, 2 at Playa de los Lances and 10 at Laguna de la Janda. Great Reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus: 1 at Dehesa de abajo. Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta: 1 near Dehesa de Abajo.

Blue-rock Thrush, Iberian Blue Magpie and Melodious Warbler Photos: Wolf GSCHWANDTNER und Christoph ROLAND (Melodious Warbler)

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata: 1 at La Rocina and 1 at El Acebrn. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala: 3 at La Rocina, 1 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 1 at El Acebuche, in Tarifa area, 3 on 04.09.2013, 5 on 05.09.2013 and 5 on 06.09.2013 and 4 in Andujar. Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata: 1 at Cazalla. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla: 2 at Canuto del Guadalmes and 8 at Huerta Grande. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita: 2 at bolonia and 1 at Huerta Grande. Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus: 1 at Huerta Grande. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus: 5 at Brazo del Este. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus: 2 at Canuto del Guadalmes and 5 at Huerta Grande. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata: 1 at La Rocina, 1 at El Acebrn, 3 at Brazo del Este, 1 at Canuto del Guadalmes and 1 at Huerta Grande. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus: minimum 5 at La Rocina. Crested Tit Parus cristatus: 1 at El Acebrn, 1 at Canuto del Guadalmes and 1 at Huerta Grande. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus: 2 at La Rocina, 1 at Canuto del Guadalmes and 1 at Huerta Grande. Great Tit Parus major: minimum 10 at La rocina, 1 at the rice crops around Isla Mayor, 1 El Acebrn, 2 at Canuto del Guadalmes, 4 Bolonia and 2 at Huerta Grande. uthatch Sitta europaea: 2 at Canuto del Guadalmes. Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla: minimum 3 at La Rocina, minimum 4 at El Acebrn, 4 at Canuto del Guadalmes, 1 at Bolonia, 1 at Huerta Grande and 1 in Andujar. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus: 1 male at La Rocina, 1 male at Laguna de La Janda and 1 in Andujar. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis: 2 at La Rocina, 2 El Acebrn and 1 in Andujar. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator: 3 juveniles around Dehesa de Abajo, 1 juvenile at Bolonia and 2 at Laguna de la Janda.

Iberian Blue Magpie Cyanopica cooki: minimum 20 at La Rocina, minimum 6 on the way to Dehesa de Abajo (near El Rocio), 50 in Parador de Mazagn and el Acebuche and 25 in Andujar. Jay Garrulus glandarius: 2 at Canuto del Guadalmes. Magpie Pica pica: 3 at Dehesa de Abajo, 20 at El Acebuche and El Acebrn, 2 at Brazo del Este, 20 in Andujar. Jackdaw Corvus monedula: minimum 70 at Dehesa de Abajo, very common at Vejer (on the way from Brazo del Este to Tarifa) and 10 at Laguna de La Janda. Raven Corvus corax: 1 at Puente de la Canaliega, 4 at Dehesa de Abajo and 5 at El Algarrobo. Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor: very common everywhere. Recorded every day. House Sparrow Passer domesticus: very common everywhere. Recorded every day. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis: 1 at Brazo del Este. Yellow-crowned Weaver Euplectes afer: introduced specie: 2 males at Dehesa de Abajo and 15 at Brazo del Este. Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild: minimum 40 at La Rocina and 2 at Brazo del Este. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs: minimum 5 at El Acebrn, 10 at Canuto del Guadalmes, 16 in Tarifa area, 3 at Huerta Grande. Serin Serinus serinus: 7 at Bolonia and 10 in Andujar. Greenfinch Carduelis chloris: minimum 20 at La Rocina, 5 at El Acebrn, 10 at Brazo del Este, 5 at Bolonia and 20 at Laguna de la Janda. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis: very common everywhere. Recorded every day. Linnet Carduelis cannabina: 10 at Laguna de la Janda. Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra: 1 near Dehesa de Abajo, 7 at Bolonia and ca. 300 at Laguna de la Janda.

BirdLife trip team - Photo: Christoph ROLAND

Terrestrial mammals: Granada Hare Lepus granatensis, European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, Iberian Ibex Capra pyrenaica, Beech Marten Martes foina (dead on the road), European Badger Meles meles (dead on the road), Red Deer Cervus elaphus, Wild Boar Sus Scrofa. Whales and Dolphins (from the boat trip at the Gibraltar Strait): Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas and Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus.

Long-finned Pilot Whale Photos: Christoph ROLAND und Wolf GSCHWANDTNER

Bottlenose Dolphin Photo: Wolf GSCHWANDTBER

Bird of the trip: Black-winged Kite Ranking:

Art Black-winged Kite Spanish Imperial Eagle White Stork Little Bustard Pintail Sandgrouse Yellow-crowned Weaver Egyptian Vulture Booted Eagle Short-toed Eagle Griffon Vulture Honey Buzzard Glossy Ibis Black Vulture Points 31 24 24 15 14 14 11 9 9 9 7 6 5 Position 1 2 2 4 5 5 7 8 8 8 11 12 13

Blue Rock Thrush Migration Iberian Blue Magpie Audouins Gull Purple Heron Red-legged Partridge Sardinian Warbler Iberian Chiffchaff

5 5 4 4 4 2 2 1

13 13 16 16 16 19 19 21

ngel SALLENT und Christoph ROLAND; Murcia / Wien 12.2013