57 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in October 2018. No new species were added to the Alcossebre list, which stands at 244 species. There was a first of the year record for Common Snipe. There were first of autumn records for Eurasian Buzzard, Stone Curlew, Skylark, Crag Martin, Common Chiffchaff, European Robin, Black Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Chaffinch. The first Balearic Shearwaters of the autumn were seen on the 17th October, when 30 flew east. Only single Northern Gannets were seen, off shore. A total of 371 Great Cormorants passed through this month, with 120 flying south on the 29th October. Two Grey Herons flew south over the sea, on the 21st. A Great White Egret flew south with the Grey Herons on the 21st. Up to 14 Cattle Egrets were seen in the Rural farmlands through out the month. One or two Northern Sparrowhawks were wintering. The first Eurasian Buzzard arrived to winter on the 16th, joined by another on the 28th Up to five Eurasian Kestrels were seen throughout the month. Three adult and two juvenile Moorhens were seen daily at the Torre de Capycorp pond. Seven Stone Curlew in the Rural farmlands on the 18th October was the first this autumn. A Common Sandpiper was seen on the 4th October at Capycorp lagoon. A Common Snipe flying over the Rural farmlands on the 3rd October, was the first seen this year. Four species of Gull were seen this month. A total of 36 Black-headed Gulls passed through. In contrast only three Mediterranean Gulls passed through. Up to 20 Audoiun´s Gulls were seen daily either roosting opposite the Juvenile camp site or at Capy Corp lagoon/beach. Yellow-legged Gulls were seen daily. A total of 124 birds flew east on the 21st, ahead of an impending thunderstrorm! Sandwich Terns were seen daily, with up to 30 birds seen either at the Juvenile camp roost or off shore. Resident Wood Pigeons numbers were increased by wintering birds, numbers rising from the 20s to 176 by the end of the month. Collared Doves numbers were at an all time high, with a peak of 202 birds counted One or two Little Owls were seen or heard during the month. Only one Common Kingfisher was seen, one at Torre de Capycorp pond on the 14th October. Up to six Hoopoes were seen daily. Common Magpie numbers continue to rise with 75 birds seen coming from the Juvenile camp roost on the morning of the 4th October. Up to 10 resident Crested Larks were seen daily. Four Skylarks on the 29th October were the first this winter. The first of the wintering Crag Martins arrived on the 23rd October - five birds. The last of the summer Barn Swallows were seen on the 17th October. Single Red-rumped Swallows were seen up to 4th October. The last summer House Martins were seen on the 6th October. It was a very poor month for Warblers, both in numbers and number of species. Only one passage Willow Warbler was seen on the 21st October. One or two Common Chiffchaffs arrived to winter from the 18th October. A single Zitting Cisticola on the 9th October, was very low number for this resident species. Wintering Blackcaps increased to 12 birds on the 12th October. Only one passage Subalpine Warbler was seen, on the 9th October. Resident Sardinian Warblers peaked at 11 birds on the 25th October. We are still awaiting the arrival of wintering Cetti´s Warblers and Dartford Warblers. The first of the winter Robins arrived on the 4th October, four birds maximum by the month end. The first wintering Black Redstarts arrived on the 15th October and increased to 12 birds by the month end. Two passage Northern Wheatears were seen on the 21st October and a single Whinchat were very poor numbers for these two species - usual seen in double figures. Wintering Stonechats arrived from the 4th October building up to seven birds by the month end. Wintering Song Thrushes arrived from the 23rd and peaked at eight birds by the month end. Resident Blackbirds were scarce with only single birds seen. One or two Grey Wagtails arrived to winter from the 16th October. Resident White Wagtails were added to by some wintering birds, peaking at 12 birds on the 23rd October. Two or three wintering Meadow Pipits arrived from the 25th October. Wintering Common Chaffinches arrived from the 18th October, and peaked at 19 birds on the 25th. Alcossebre Weather in October 2018. October started off well with above average temperatures, but from the second week on the weather deterioated, with the third week giving us real problems. The first week in October was fine sunny and warm with above average temperatures. The first two days had moderate north east winds, and on the 7th it was strong north east. The night temperature was 1C below the average, but the day temperature was 4C above the average. The second week in October was a bit more unsettled, with some light rain of the 14th, and a thunderstorm with rain on the 14th. The other days were a mixture of sunny/cloudy spells. There was a moderate easterly wind on the 8th, the rest gentle winds. The night temperature was again 1C below the average, the day temperature 1C above the average. The third week in October will be remembered for violent thunderstorms and mases of rain. The first three days of the week were pleasant, mainly sunny. The 18th began with overnight rain, and remained dull and overcast with a moderate easterly wind. the 19th continued with an overnight thunderstorm, torrential rain and a strong easterly wind. That was nothing compared to the 20th with more thunderstorms and torrential rain - over 12 inches. It only takes 7 inches of rain for the dry rivers to flow, so add another 5 inches and widespread flooding occurs. Temperatures were 1C below night and day average. The fourth week in October returned to more normal weather for October. From the 22nd to the 26th it was mainly fine and sunny. On the 27th we had more rain, and the 28th started off overcast and dull, but cleared later. Night temperatures dropped down to 4C below the average of 16C. day temperatures were only 1C below average. The last three days of October were mixed with sunshine and showers. Temperature remained below the average. Average day temperature was 24C (75F). Average night temperature was 14C (57F). Highest day temperature was 30C (86F) on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Highest night temperature was 18C (64F) on the 13th and 14th. Coldest day temperature was 15C (59F) on the 30th. Coldest night temperature was 7C (44F) on the 30th. Total rainfall was 16.11 inches ( 440mm) over seven days. The average rainfall for October is 4.1inches!! The Rio San Miquel in full flow! There is a road under that water!
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