56 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in November 2017. Because the moderate to strong winds are no good for a proper census of the birds, I lost eight days of observation. So only 22 days counted this month. The bird of the month was the Balearic Shearwater with a record 8,000 seen offshore on the 25th November! Other highlights this month were a Wryneck the first this year, and Hawfinches were seen almost daily, both species rare winter visitors here. There was a first November record for Common Shelduck - two birds flying south on the 25th November. Passage birds included Great Cormorants - a total of 456 seen this month. Five single Grey Herons, and Six Glossy Ibis flew south on the 1st November. Wintering birds increased in numbers as colder weather in the north drove them south to warmer climes. Two female Eurasian Sparrowhawk´s, three Common Buzzard´s and four Common Kestrel´s were seen throughout the month. Common Woodpigeon´s increased to a maximum of 166 birds, and there seemed to a influx of Collared Doves with up to 170 counted. One or two Little Owl´s were seen daily, including one that enjoyed the early morning sunshine on the Capycorp apartment´s roof. A single Common Kingfisher was seen at Torre estate pond on the 24th November. Up to four Hoopoe´s were seen daily. Resident Crested Lark´s (9 birds) were outnumbered by wintering Common Skylark´s (40 birds). Crag Martin numbers had built up, and 120 birds could be seen roosting in Alcossebre town centre apartments. Wintering Cetti´s Warbler numbers were below average, with only two birds seen. Small flocks of wintering Long-tailed Tit´s (6 to 8 birds) were seen in the rural farmland. One bird I photographed was about the scruffiest bird I had seen! Wintering Common Chiffchaff numbers were also well down, maximum of five birds. While Blackcap numbers were about average at 12 birds daily. Resident Sardinian Warbler numbers were good with up to 14 birds seen daily. There was a late Pied Flycatcher seen on the 1st and 2nd November. Two wintering birds seen in gardens were in good numbers - Robin max. 11 birds and Black Redstart max. 26 birds. Common Stonechat´s were holding winter territory´s along the coastal scrubland and rural farmlands with a max. of 11 birds. Resident Blackbird number´s were low, max. two birds, while wintering Song Thrush numbers reached 11 birds. One or two wintering Grey Wagtail´s were outnumbered by resident White Wagtail´s, max. 10 birds. Meadow Pipits were well below winter numbers at a max of 17 birds. A single Reed Bunting was the lowest number for seven years. Corn Bunting number´s were higher at 12 birds, all in the rural farmlands. Finch number´s were slowly increasing with maximum´s of 73 Chaffinch, 30 Greenfinch, 60 Goldfinch, 40 Linnet and 40 Serins. November 2017 Weather in Alcossebre
We had the driest and most sun this November since 2006! The first week in November. Apart from the 1st, which had light overnight rain and overcast conditions for a while, the week had fine sunny weather through out. From the 4th to the 7th moderate to strong north easterly winds meant it was a lot cooler away from sheltered sunny spots, Temperatures were 1C above average night, and 2C above average day. The second week in November was dominated by moderate to strong north east winds through out. Wind apart every day was fine and sunny. Temperatures were average for the month. The third week in November continued with fine and sunny weather, and the wind was light or gentle. Night temperatures dropped to below average at 7C, but day temperatures were normal. The fourth week in November was mixed ranging from overcast and dull - two days, sunny/cloudy spells - two days, and fine and sunny - three days. there was a trace of rain on the 24th. Winds were the normal pattern of gentle north east am, and light or gentle east or south east pm. Night temperatures were still below average, with the days being average. The last two days in November started off with light overnight rain on the 29th, and the moderate/strong north east wind returned on the 30th. Average day temperature was 19C (66F). Average night temperature was 9C (48F). Highest day temperature was 24C (75F) on the 4th and 12th. Highest night temperature was 16C (60F) on the 11th. Coldest day was 16C on the 28th, 29th and 30th. Coldest night was 4C (39F) on the 15th and 27th. Total rainfall was 0.4 inches (10mm). Over three days. Average rainfall for November is 7.1 inches!
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