68 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in November 2016. There were first of the year records for Common Scoter, Peregrine Falcon, Green Sandpiper, Wood Lark and Long-tailed Tits. There were first autumn records for Common Crane and Dartford Warbler. November is the month that winter birds build up numbers, they go from hundreds of birds to sometimes thousands of birds. There are more birds in winter in the Alcossebre area than in summer. This is because the winters here are much more milder than further north, so that when birds are frozen out their habitats they move south. In some years their breeding areas don´t freeze over so they remain there. Two species normaly seen by now Rock Bunting and Blue Rock Thush have not arrived, indicating that their mountain habitats are still unfrozen. Two duck species were seen this month Red-crested Pochard and Common Scoter. Three Red-crested Pochard flew south over the sea on the 21st November, and four Common Scoters flew east on the 30th November. One to three Northern Gannets were seen this month. A total of 1239 Great Cormorants passed through this month, 270 in one flock was impressive on the 13th November. One to two Grey Herons were seen this month, most passing through, one visited Torre de Capycorp pond for three days. Three Great Egrets flew south on the 8th November over the sea. One to two Little Egrets were seen through out the month. Up to 50 Cattle Egrets were seen in the rural farmlands following the tractors or sheep/goat herds. Three Glossy Ibis on the 2nd November and 60 on the 7th flew south over the sea . There were six birds of prey seen this month. One female Marsh Harrier flew east inland on the the 4th November. Single Sparrowhawks were seen through out the month. Two Common Buzards were holding winter territories, One Booted Eagle was seen on the 1st November. Four Common Kestrels were seen most days. A Peregrine Falcon was seen along the coast on the 21st November and quickly disappeared over the sea. 12 Common Cranes flew south inland on the 24th November were the first this winter. One or two Northern Lapwings were seen throug out the month, and 12 birds flew east on the 29th. A Green Sandpiper turned up in the most unlikely place on the 10th November - beside my swimming pool! See photo. The only other wading bird seen this month - Common Snipe - was seen overflying rural Capycorp on the 1st November. Gull numbers usually increase in winter so 70 Mediterranean Gulls, 83 Yellow-legged Gulls were not a surprise. Sandwich Terns, the only tern seen here in winter peaked at 100 on the 29th . Dispite being hunted by numerous hunters, Wood Pigeon and Collared Doves peaked at 141 and 136 respectively. One or two Little Owls were still annoucing there precence this month. Two very late Pallid Swifts were amonst a flock of Crag Martins on the 29th November. Common Kingfishers were seen almost daily, two together at Capycorp lagoon on the 18th November. Up to 10 Hoopoes were seen daily. Common Magpies were seen daily. The much rarer Common Raven was seen on the 16th November when two flew over the sewage pond. The resident Crested Lark was now out numbered by wintering Common Skylarks - max , Crested Larks 10 birds, max. Skylarks 86 birds. Four passage Woodlarks were seen on the 2nd November. Wintering Crag Martins were still in low numbers at 21 birds. The last passage Barn Swallows went through on the 13th November -five birds. Up to three Cetti´s Warblers were wintering by now. The first of this year Long Tailed Tits appeared on the 9th November and reappeared on the 13th and 26th. A single Firecrest appeared on the 10th November. Common Chiffchaff numbers were well down on winter numbers with only a maximum of 10 birds seen. The same comment was true for Blackcaps with only a maximum of 10 birds seen. One or two Dartford Warblers were were wintering. Resident Sardinian Warblers were surviving well with up to 10 birds seen daily. Wintering Robin numbers peaked at 24 birds. Wintering Black Redstart numbers peaked at 23 birds. Wintering Stonechat numbers peaked at 16 birds. Wintering Song Thrush numbers well down with a peak of 9 birds. One or two wintering Grey Wagtails were normal winter numbers. Resident White Wagtail numbers were suplemented by winter birds and peaked at at 19 birds. Wintering Meadow Pipits peaked at 53 birds. Wintering Common Chaffinch peaked at 43 birds. Resident Goldfinch numbers were supplemented by winter birds and peaked at 120 birds. Wintering Linnet numbers peaked at 80 birds. The weather in Alcossebre for November 2016.
As November is normally our wettest month here we thought after three weeks of fine sunny days, we were going to be rainfree. The last week in November changed that thought, with the months coming over three or four days! A feature of the month was the number of days with strong seas running. This brought a rare sight to Alcossebre - surfers!
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