52 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in June 2020. The highlight of this month was finding a pair of Eurasian Rollers holding territory. This is the first time they have done that here . There were first of the year records for Greater Flamingos and Common Redshank. A very late Pied Flycatcher was the first this spring. The full list of species seen with comments follows. There are still three pairs of Ring-necked Pheasants holding territory, another first for Alcossebre. Three Greater Flamingos flying east over the sea on the 13th June were the first this year. A further 21 birds flew east on the 15th June. Single Northern Gannets were seen throughout the month. Great Cormorant numbers were very low this month, only a total of six birds noted. A Purple Heron was an unexpected visitor to the Torre estate pond on the 17th June. One Great Egret flew south over the sea on the 11th June. Only one Little Egret was seen this month, feeding along the coast. Likewise only one Cattle Egret was seen over the rural farmland. Four Glossy Ibis passed through this month. One flew east inland on the 3rd June, and three flew east over the sea on the 15th June. A female Marsh Harrier was seen hunting over the Rio San Miquel on the 9th June – nearest nesting site is the El Prat Cabanes reserve at Torrenostra. Four pairs of Common Kestrel were still holding territories, average numbers for here. A pair of Common Moorhens had three young at the Torre estate pond. A pair of Stone Curlews were holding territory in the rural farmland, only the second time in twenty years. A Black-winged Stilt turned up at the Torre estate pond on the 9th June. A Common Redshank at Capycorp lagoon on the 24th June was the first this year. Only one Black-headed Gull was seen this month, on the 28th June. A total of 25 Audouin´s Gulls were seen this month, average numbers for this month. Yellow-legged Gulls were seen in larger numbers – a total of 170 birds. This included 40 birds in the rural farmland, this is the first time I´ve seen them inland. Single Little Terns were seen off shore on the 18th and 21st June – nearest breeding site El Prat Cabanes at Torrenostra. A passage Whiskered Tern was seen flying east inland on the 8th June, and seven birds flew east over the sea on the 15th June. Sandwich Terns were seen daily – maximum 10 birds. Common Wood Pigeon numbers were growing daily as more young birds appeared – maximum daily count 64 birds. Likewise Collared Doves numbers were increasing - maximum daily count 47 birds. The first juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo appeared on the 21st June, being fed by two Common Magpies. There are four pairs of Little Owl holding territory. June is a good month for seeing them as they hunt for food in the daytime to feed their young. Common and Pallid Swifts were seen daily with flocks of several hundred feeding over the rural farmlands. No Bee eaters are nesting within the Alcossebre area this year, but they are nesting between here and Torrenostra. However we do have a pair of Eurasian Rollers nesting for the first time. Will be interesting to see how many young they rear. At least six pairs of Hoopoe are holding territory, no young seen yet. Up to seven pairs of Golden Oriole are nesting. The first juvenile birds have been seen. Common Magpie numbers are high with at least 12 pairs nesting. One pair brought up a Great Spotted Cuckoo. Resident Crested Lark numbers are about average with four pairs nesting, all in rural farmland. Barn Swallow numbers are good with the first young appearing on the 19th June. In contrast House Martin numbers are low with only six pairs nesting at the Capycorp apartments and four pairs nesting at the San Antonio apartments. Four pair of Great Tits are holding territory, average for here. I´m puzzled by Melodious Warbler this year. At one point there was three pairs holding territory up to the end of May, but this month there was only one male heard singing on the 21st June. The resident Zitting Cisticolas are deceptive numbers wise – you never see more than two or three birds on any one day, yet 8 pairs are holding territory. Resident Sardinian Warblers breeding numbers are easier to plot, with at least 20 pairs holding territory. A late female Pied Flycatcher on the 3rd June was the first this spring. Common Nightingale is another species having a poor breeding season, with only two pairs nesting, both within the Torre estate. The Common Blackbird population is not very high here, with only three pairs nesting. Resident Spotless Starlings have had a good nesting season and flocks of adults and young birds are searching for one of their favourite foods dates. The resident White Wagtails don´t appear to be nesting locally, just and odd single bird seen. Finch numbers are on the low side. Six pairs of Greenfinch, seven pairs of Goldfinch and 16 pairs of Serins. Both House and Tree Sparrows have had a successfull breeding season. Alcossebre weather in June 2020.
We had average temperatures this month but record rainfall. The first week in June gave us record rainfall . On five days we had a mixture of fine and sunny weather and high thin cloud. On the 4th and 7th of June we had thunderstorms and torrential rain, giving us a total of 2.4 inches – the June average is 1.8 inches! Winds were light or gentle. Temperatures were 3C below the average night and 2C below the average day. The second week in June was settled with fine, sunny and warm weather. There was moderate to strong winds on four days. Temperatures were 3C below the night average, and 1C below the day average. The third week in June was mixed with yet more rain. There was not one day with fine sunny weather. Most days were cloudy. There was a moderate easterly wind on the 17th and 20th. The 16th June gave us another thunderstorm with torrential rain – 2.1 inches. Night temperature was average -19C, but 2C below the day average. The fourth week in June saw summer weather arrive at last, with fine, sunny and hot days. Winds were light or gentle. Temperatures 1C above the day average, and 2C above the night average. Average day temperature was 28C (82F). Average night temperature was 19C (66F). Highest day temperature was 33C (91F) on the 27th June. Highest night temperature was 24C (75F) on the 30th June. Coldest day temperature was 22c (72F) on the 4th June. Coldest night temperature was 14C (57F) on the 9th June. Total ranifall was 4.5 inches (115mm) over three days. Average rainfall for June is 1.8 inches!
0 Comments
|
Archives
February 2022
Categories |