60 species were seen in January 2021. Star bird of the month was a female Blue Rock Thrush, the first since January 2017. 100`s of birds arrived from the colder north to enjoy the milder climate. The full list of birds seen this month with comments follows. Only a single Red-legged Partridge was seen this month. 10 Balearic Shearwaters were seen flying east on the 7th January. Sightings of Northern Gannet were scarce this month – a single bird on the 13th January. Unlike the Gannet, Great Cormorants were seen daily either at their favourite roosting sites or passing through. Single Grey Herons were seen at Capycorp lagoon/beach. One or two Little Egrets were seen throughout the month at Capycorp lagoon, or Torre estate pond. Up to three Cattle Egrets were seen in the Rural farmlands. Five species of birds of prey were seen this month. Single Marsh Harriers were seen on the 5th and 11th January. A male Hen Harrier was seen flying east over the sea on the 11th January. A single Common Buzzard continues to winter. A Booted Eagle was also wintering – it´s not every year that happens. Up to five resident Common Kestrels were seen daily. A maximum of 14 Common Moorhens continue to winter at the Torre estate pond. Up to 40 Stone Curlews were seen in the dry Rio San Miquel river bed – impressive numbers. Four species of Gull were seen this month. A maximum of 8 Black-headed Gulls were seen along the coast or at Capycorp beach. Mediterranean Gulls were wintering in very good numbers, up to 140 birds could be seen either resting on the sea, or at Capycorp beach. Audouin´s Gulls and Yellow-legged Gulls were seen daily in low numbers – maximum of 8 birds for each species. Wintering Sandwich Tern numbers were good – up to 120 seen daily along the coast or at Capycorp lagoon. Resident Common Wood Pigeon numbers were increased by winter birds – maximum of 194 birds counted. Collared Dove numbers were also good – maximum of 82. Single resident Little Owls were seen or heard daily. Single Common Kingfishers were seen almost daily either at Capycorp lagoon or Torre estate pond. Resident Hoopoes were seen daily – up to 4 birds. A Southern Grey Shrike arrived to winter on the 5th January, it choose the dry Rio San Miquel river bed to hunt. Resident Common Magpies were in good numbers – maximum 22 birds. Up to 6 resident Crested Larks were seen daily, preferring the artichoke fields to feed in. Wintering Skylark numbers were lower than previous years – maximum 55 birds. Three Wood Larks continue to winter, sometimes in company with Crested Larks. Wintering Crag Martins were in very low numbers – maximum 6 birds. A pair of Coal Tits in the almond groves on 4th January were the first seen here since the 2nd January 2013! Up to four resident Great Tits were seen daily. Wintering Common Chiffchaff numbers were low, maximum 11 birds. Resident Zitting Cisticolas numbers were also low – one to three birds seen daily. In contrast, wintering Blackcap numbers were at an all time high with up to 47 birds counted daily. One or two Dartford Warbler continue to winter in the coastal scrubland. Resident Sardinian Warbler numbers were good, with up to 15 birds seen daily. Wintering Robin numbers were low – up to four birds seen daily. In contrast wintering Black Redstart numbers were better, up to 15 birds seen daily. Up to 13 Common Stonechats continue to winter, mainly along the coastal scrubland and rural farmlands. On the 19th January a female Blue Rock Thush arrived to winter on the local stone tower in Capycorp. The first since the 28th December, 2017. Resident Common Blackbirds were much scarcer (one or two) than the wintering Song Thrushes (up to 9 birds). Wintering Common Starlings were seen in flocks of 100`s while resident Spotless Starlings were much lower, only up to five birds. One or two Grey Wagtails continue to winter, one seen daily by the side of my swimming pool – see photo. Resident White Wagtail numbers were augmented by winter birds – maximum 15 birds. Up to 26 Meadow Pipits continue to winter in the coastal scrubland. Three species of Bunting are wintering. One or two male Rock Buntings. Up to 19 Reed Buntings and one to four Corn Buntings. Five species of Finch were seen this month. Wintering Common Chaffinch numbers peaked at 70 birds. Resident Greenfinch numbers were much lower, with only 5 birds seen or heard daily. Resident Goldfinch numbers were augmented by winter birds, up to 100 birds seen daily.
Wintering Linnet numbers were also high, up to 80 birds counted. Resident Serin numbers were also augmented by winter birds, 120 birds counted daily. |
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