52 species of bird were seen in the Alcossebre area in August 2021. No new species were added to the list. Autumn migration has begun and there were some post breeding movements of birds. The first Willow Warbler of autumn appeared on the 20th August. The first Western Bonelli´s Warbler appeared on the 31st August. 40 Great Cormorants flew south over the sea on the 23rd August. Grey Herons three flew south on the 23rd, and 7 flew south on the 25th, both over the sea. One Purple Heron flew south over the sea on the 18th August. Glossy Ibis were the most notable passage bird this month. 18 south on the 3rd August, 4 east on the 5th August, 12 east on the 11th August and 50 east on the 23rd August. Black-headed Gulls 10 flew east on the 4th August, 8 flew south on the 21st August. One Mediterranean Gull flew south on the 4th August. One Short-toed Eagle was seen soaring over Rural Capycorp on two days. The breeding Stone Curlews were not heard or seen after the hunting season began in mid August. The hunters also had an effect on the Wood Pigeons – pre hunting a maximum of 166 counted, after hunting 33 birds. Post breeding Common Kingfishers were seen on the Torre estate pond from the 26th August. Up to 12 Bee eaters were seen locally up to the month end. The last Roller was seen on the 21st August. Single juvenile Woodchat Shrikes were seen up to the month end. One to five Golden Orioles were seen up to the month end. The local Barn Swallow population was being augmented by birds from elsewhere, up to 50 birds seen daily. Up to four Red-rumped Swallows were keeping company with the Barn Swallows. Local House Martin numbers were also increasing with up to 32 birds seen daily. Single Spotted Flycatchers were seen almost daily, but so far no migrant Pied Flycatchers. Breeding Rufous Nightingales were still alarm calling up to the 23rd August. Finch numbers were also being augmented by other birds, with to 60 Goldfinches counted. Alcossebre Weather for August 2021.
A hot, sticky month with well above average rainfall due to three thunderstorms. The first week in August was fine, sunny and hot. The exception was the 6th August when it was mainly cloudy all day. Winds were gentle throughout, either easterly or south easterly. Temperatures were 2C above the day average, but 3C below the night average. The second week in August was a mixture of sunny/cloudy spells. The only fine, sunny day was the 9th August. Winds were mainly gentle, with a moderate north east on the 8th August. Temperatures were again 2C above the day average, but still 2C below the night average. The third week in August was mainly fine, sunny and hot. The 18th of August started off overcast and dull, but cleared to fine and sunny. A thunderstorm on the 19th of August brought with it the first rain of the month. Winds were mainly light or gentle, with a moderate north easterly on the 15th August. Temperatures 3C above the day average , but still 2C below the night average. The fourth week in August had five days of hot sticky weather, breaking down on the 24th and 25th August. There was some light rain on the 24th, but a another thunderstorm with torrential rain brought us more than the months average rainfall. Winds were light and gentle. Temperatures were average for the daytime, but still 2C below the night average. The last three days of August were very poor weather wise, particularly the 30th when we had a thunderstorm during the night and then another late pm. Both were accompanied by torrential rain giving us double the average rainfall. The average day temperature was 31C (87F) – 1C above the average. The average night temperature was 19C (66F) – 3C below the average. The warmest day was 37C (98F) on the 12th August. The warmest night was 24C (75F) on the 8th August. The coldest day was 26C (78F) on the 39th August. The coldest night was 13C (55F) on the 1st August. Total rainfall was 7.7 inches (195mm) over six days. The heaviest rain fell on the 30th August with 4.3 inches. The monthly average is 2 inches.
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July 2021 was mainly sunny and hot. The day temperatures were just slightly above the average, but the night temperature was well below average.
Four thunderstorms this month combined with some torrential rain gave us an above average monthly rainfall. The first week in July was mixed throughout. Most days started with cloudy conditions clearing to mainly sunny. The first rain of the month came with a thunderstorm on the 7th July. Winds were gentle mainly east or south east. Temperatures were average for day (32C) and 2C below the night average of 22C. The second week in July was mainly fine sunny and warm. We had three days of moderate north east winds. Temperatures were again average for daytime, but 4C below the night average. The third week in July was again mainly sunny and hot. The exception was the 20th July with cloudy conditions and an evening thunderstorm with some rain. Winds were light or gentle throughout. Temperatures were 2C above the day average, but 5C below the night average. The fourth week in July was again for the most part sunny and hot. The 26th July brought overcast and dull conditions, with a thunderstorm, torrential rain and a moderate north east wind. Temperatures were 1C above the day average, and 3C below the night average. The last three days in July were mixed with cloudy spells, but also some sunny and hot spells. There was another thunderstorm with torrential rain on the 31st July. Temperatures were 2C above the day average and 1C below the night average. Average day temperature was 32C (89F). Average night temperature was 19C (66F). Highest day temperature was 36C (96F) on the 21st, 22nd,28th and 29th of July. Highest night temperature was 24C (75F) on the 31st. Total rainfall was 3.6 inches (92mm) over four days. The average rainfall for July is 1.6 inches. 51 species were seen in the Alcossebre area this July. July is usually a quiet month with birds going through the moult prior to undertaking their autumn migration. There was some post breeding movements, and some species were having second broods. A full list of birds seen with comments follows. A single Red-legged Partridge was seen in the rural farmlands on the 14th July. No sign of young. Northern Gannet and Great Cormorant were scarce this month, just two Gannets and one Cormorant seen. Two Grey Herons and four Purple Herons flew south over the sea on the 23rd July. Up to 22 Cattle Egrets were seen in the rural farmlands, but no Little Egrets. A juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was seen at the Torre estate pond on the 3rd July – and posed well for a photo! 30 Glossy Ibis flew east over the sea on the 16th July. A Short-toed Eagle was seen on the 7th July, perched on a favourite pylon. A male Montagu´s Harrier was seen hunting over the dry river – Rio San Miquel, on the 10th and 12th July. The first of autumn Northern Sparrowhawk was seen on the 31st July. Up to 9 Common Kestrels were seen daily – a mix of adults and juveniles. The pair of Common Moorhens at the Torre estate pond only raised one young – seen on the 6th July. Stone Curlews were heard calling most days from the dry river bed – Rio San Miquel. Difficult to know how many young they raised. Four species of Gull were seen this month. Up to 11 Black-headed Gulls, up to 12 Audouin´s Gulls, up to 62 Yellow-legged Gulls, but only three Mediterranean Gulls. Sandwich Terns numbers were low - maximum of 6 birds seen daily. The resident Wood Pigeon numbers were swollen by incoming birds with up to 200 birds seen daily. One or two Turtle Doves were seen daily. Collared Dove numbers were lower than normal, with a maximum of 46 birds. Only single Little Owls were seen. The bird in the photo was killed by a dog the day after. Single Scops Owls were heard calling on the 12th and 16th July in rural farmland. No sign of young birds. Breeding Red-necked Nightjars were seen and heard up to the 27th July. Hundreds of Common and Pallid Swifts were seen feeding over the rural farmlands most days. As well as the three nesting pairs of European Bee eaters a further 20 birds flew south on the 28th July. It looks as if the two pairs of European Rollers were unsuccessful in breeding, no sightings this month – disappointing. Up to five pairs of Hoopoe were seen daily. Having a good breeding season. An adult Woodchat Shrike was seen on the 27th July, and the first juvenile was seen in a tomatoe field from the 29th to the month end. Golden Orioles were also having a good season with five pairs seen daily. The resident Common Magpie numbers were increased by fledged young with up to 28 birds seen daily. Crested Larks continue to struggle with only one or two birds seen. Barn Swallows were having an average season, increasing in numbers as young are fledged, up to 34 birds seen daily. There is only one pair of Red-rumped Swallows breeding, near the bowls club. House Martin numbers are also average, with up to 12 pairs seen daily. Great Tit numbers were well down with only two birds seen. Sardinian Warblers were having a good season, with up to 9 pairs seen daily. There only seems to be one pair of Spotted Flycatcher nesting, down on the average of 3 or 4 pairs. Common Nightingales were last heard alarm calling on the 6th July, they are very elusive when nesting.At least three pairs nesting. One or two Common Blackbirds were still singing this month – second broods. Spotless Starlings were in good numbers with adults and juveniles raiding fig and olive trees for their fruit. The first juvenile White Wagtail appeared on the 18th July. All the resident Finches had reared young and numbers were increasing daily – 15 Greenfinches, 58 Goldfinches, but only 4 Linnets, and 19 Serins. Both species of Sparrow (House and Tree) were having a good season, some with second broods. The two escaped Lovebirds were seen daily in the rural farmlands -Rose-faced Lovebird and Dutch Blue Lovebird.
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