Murcia, Spain 13th to 31st December 2011 - Part 2

Booted Eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus, El Hondo

Murcia December 2011 gallery

SPECIES RECORDED

Birds - 130 species

'Common', scarce', etc, refers to our observations at the time, and may or may not reflect the true status/abundance throughout the year – see reference sources.

*Seen only El Hondo or Jaca (Pyrenees), not in Murcia.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Common La Manga salinas, c34 16/12; smal numbers San Pedra salinas, common El Hondo.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
1 m. 2 f. San Pedro salinas 19/12.

*Gadwall Anas strepera
Small numbers El Hondo.

*Common Teal Anas crecca
Small numbers El Hondo.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Small numbers throughout, including the Mar Menor.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta
8 (4 pairs) San Pedro salinas, 25/12, small numbers El Hondo.

*Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Fairly common El Hondo.

*Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
Common El Hondo.

*Common Pochard Aythya ferina
Common El Hondo.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
1 m. Mar Menor near Pan Pedro salinas, 25/12.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa
Fairly common on wasteland and scrub, common Guadalentin.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Small numbers Guadalentin only, common El Hondo.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Common on the Mar Menor.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Common on the Mar Menor and salinas; a flock of c180 at San Pedro salinas throughout. 2 Cabo de Palos 24/12. Common El Hondo.

Black-necked Grebes, San Pedro salinas

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus
3 Cabo de Palos 24/12.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
Common offshore throughout - mostly adults.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Common, large flocks on the Mar Menor.

European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis ssp. desmarestii
1 1st-winter close inshore Cabo de Palos 24/12.

*Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
1 in flight and calling El Hondo 28/12.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Common throughout. c50 on small pond Guadalentin 27/12.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Small numbers and scattered individuals, throughout

*Great Egret Egretta alba
1 camino south of the South Gate, El Hondo, 28/12.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Common throughout

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
1 juvenile San Pedro salinas 19/12.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus
Good numbers on all three salinas.

Greater Flamingo adult, San Pedro salinas

*Red Kite Milvus milvus
Common Pyrenees and SW to Zaragoza.

*Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus
1 adult south of Somport tunnel 13/12, 3 St Juan, Jaca 31/12.

*Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
10+ near Jaca 13/12, 30+ St Juan 31/12.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture adult, Jaca

Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Occasional over coastal reedbeds of Mar Menor, also Guadalentin and San Pedro salinas. Very common El Hondo.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
1 f. El Hondo 21/12, 1 f. Guadalentin 27/12, 1 f. near Zaragoza 30/12.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
Scarce in Murcia (no trees!). 2 Guadalentin 18/12 and 27/12, 1 El Hondo 28/12.

Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
1 sub-adult near visitor centre, El Hondo, 28/12. This was Tonn, with the satellite aerial showing clearly.

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
Occasional around the Mar Menor, common El Hondo.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Common throughout.

*Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
5+ heard El Hondo 21/12.

*Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Common El Hondo only.

*Purple Swamp-Hen Porphyrio porphyrio
3 near visitor centre, El Hondo 28/12.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
A small flock on the Mar Menor near the airport, throughout. Very common El Hondo.

Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax
9 Guadalentin 18/12, groups of 6 and 36 there on 27/12.

Little Bustards, Guadalentin

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Common San Pedro and La Manga salinas, occasional Mar Menor, Guadalentin, El Hondo.

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Common San Pedro and La Manga salinas, 5 Salinas del Rasall 17/12.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus
Small group Los Narejos throughout, 1 La Manga salinas 16/12, a group of c120 Guadalentin 18/12 and 27/12, c20 San Pedro salinas 24/12, 6 El Hondo 28/12.

Stone Curlew, Guadalentin

Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Fairly common on the salinas and around the Mar Menor. A ringed bird at Los Urrutias 16/12. c50 San Pedro salinas/marshes 19/12, 25/12.

Common Ringed Plover 1st-winter, Mar Menor

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Scarce; 4+ La Manga salinas 16/12 and 23/12; 10+ San Pedro saltmarsh/beach 25/12.

Kentish Plover 1st-winter, San Pedro

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
A flock of c140 over Los Narejos calling, >west.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
San Pedro saltings; 2 19/12, 3 20/12, 50+ 25/12; occasional around Mar Menor coast.

*Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
El Hondo; c20 21/12, c5 28/12. 100+ near Zaragoza 13/12.

Sanderling Calidris alba
Common San Pedro salinas and surrounding beaches.

Sanderling, San Pedro salinas

Little Stint Calidris minuta
Common San Pedro and La Manga salinas, max. c150 San Pedro 19/12.

Dunlin Calidris alpina
Common San Pedro and La Manga salinas, max. c300 San Pedro saltings 19/12.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
1 m. San Pedro salinas 15/12 and 19/12.

*Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
1 El Hondo 21/12, 2 28/12.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
18 San Pedro salinas 15/12, 1 19/12, 18 again 25/12.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
c15 San Pedro saltings 25/12

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
1 San Pedro beach 25/12.

Whimbrel, San Pedro

Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
1 Los Alcazares 14/12, San Pedro saltings; 1 19/12, 3 20/12, c30 25/12.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Salinas del Rasall; 10 17/12, 5 20/12, 2 San Pedro salinas 19/12.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus
San Pedro salinas; 2 15/12, 4 19/12, 4+ 25/12; La Manga salinas; 1 16/12, 4+ 23/12; Salinas del Rasall 1 17/12, 2 20/12.

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Los Urrutias >6 throughout; La Manga salinas 3 23/12.

Common Greenshank, Mar Menor

*Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
1 camino south of the South Gate, El Hondo 29/12.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
1 Los Urrutias 22/12.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Common on salinas and beaches; 60+ San Pedro 25/12.

Great Skua Stercorarius skua
1 over Cabo de Palos 24/12 on strong north-easterlies

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Scarce; 1 2W Los Urrutias 16/12, 2 adults San Pedro salinas 19/12

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Common throughout, very common El Hondo.

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
Common on salinas and the Mar Menor, sometimes outnumbering L. ridibundus, although no large gatherings seen. Dominated L. ridibunduswhen feeding, often plunge diving for small fish.

Slender-billed Gull adult-winter, Mar Menor

Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii
Small numbers on all three salinas, 36 Salinas del Rasall 17/12 and 40+ there 20/12.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Fairly scarce throughout, but a roost of 30+ San Pedro saltings 25/12 (mostly graellsii). At least three other sightings of intermediusthroughout.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
Very common throughout, some large evening gatherings on the Mar Menor. 2 near Zaragoza were more surprising.

Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
5+ (1 1W) Cabo de Palos 24/12 on strong north-easterlies.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Common offshore, the salinas and the Mar Menor

Razorbill Alca torda
7+ Cabo de Palos 16/12, c20 there 24/12 on the north-easterly blow.

Rock Dove (feral pigeon) Columba livia
Common throughout. Occasional flock of domestic (kept) birds looked like fruit pigeons.

Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus
Fairly common throughout.

Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Common throughout.

Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus (Introduced)
4 (2 pairs) La Manga salinas 16/12, 10+ there 23/12

Little Owl Athene noctua
Scarce; 2 Guadalentin 27/12.

Little Owl, Guadalentin

*Tawny Owl Strix aluco
1 heard early morning, entrance to ornithological trail, El Hondo 28/12.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Singles seen on all visits to salinas. Common El Hondo

Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Singles seen most days throughout. 3 Guadalentin 18/12.

European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
Only 1 heard Los Narejos 22/12.

*Gt Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
2 St Juan, Jaca 31/12.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Common throughout; in suitable habitat, no Thekla Larks seen.

*Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
20+ near Zaragoza 30/12.

Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Very common over all reedbed areas and salinas.

Eurasian Crag Martin, La Manga salinas

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Very common on suitable winter habitat; 100+ military zone, Los Alcazares 14/12.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
Scarce; 1 San Pedro saltings 20/12, 2-3 there 25/12.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Scarce; 1 Espuna 26/12, 2 El Hondo 28/12.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Common throughout. 200+ El Hondo 21/12.

*White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus
1 near Somport tunnel, 13/12, 1 there again 31/12.

*Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
1 St Juan 31/12.

European Robin Erithacus rubecula
Small numbers throughout. 8+ on fruiting tree, Cartagena cemetery 23/12.

*Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
1 m. El Hondo 21/12, 2 males there 28/12.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Very common throughout.

Common Stonechat Saxicola torquatus
Very common throughout.

Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura
Scarce; 2 (a pair) Calblanque 17/12 and 20/12; 2 (a pair) Cartagena cemetery 23/12.

Black Wheatear male, Cartagena cemetery

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
2 (a pair) Cartagena cemetery 23/12.

Common Blackbird Turdus merula
Fairly common throughout. 4+ on fruiting tree, Cartagena cemetery 23/12, 10+ El Hondo 21/12. 1 m. Espuna summit 27/12. Very common around Jaca.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
3 Espuna summit 27/12, common St Juan, Jaca 31/12.

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
Fairly common around the salinas and reedbeds. Common El Hondo.

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Common around salinas, the Mar Menor and El Hondo.

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata
Fairly common around the salinas, Guadalentin and Calblanque, common El Hondo.

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala
Common throughout, very common El Hondo.

Sardinian Warbler male, La Manga salinas

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
4+ on fruiting tree, Cartagena cemetery 23/12, 1 f. El Hondo 28/12.

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Large wintering population throughout the area, very common also at El Hondo; hundreds there on 28/12.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla
1 Espuna 18/12, 3+ St Juan, Jaca 31/12.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
4 Espuna 27/12.

Crested Tit Parus cristatus
1 Espuna 18/12.

Coal Tit Parus ater
1 Espuna 18/12, 2+ there 27/12; 1 St Juan, Jaca 31/12.

Great Tit Parus major
1 Espuna 18/12.

*Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea
2 St Juan, Jaca 31/12.

Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla
2 Espuna 18/12.

Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis
Common throughout, including wasteland in urban areas. c6 Guadalentin 18/12, c6 El Hondo 21/12.

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
Low density, Espuna only. 3+ St Juan, Jaca 31/12.

Common Magpie Pica pica
Common throughout

Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
6+ near Somport tunnel, 13/12, 2 Espuna summit 26/12.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone
2 La Manga salinas 16/12, 2+ El Hondo 21/12; several from Zaragoza northwards, 30/12.

*Common Raven Corvus corax
3+ Zaragoza area 30/12.

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Small flocks sometimes seen around the Mar Menor. Large flocks of roosting birds El Hondo 28/12 looked to be all of this species.

Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor
Very common throughout.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Very common throughout.

Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
6+ Espuna/Guadalentin 18/12, 1 f. Catagena cemetery 23/12, 3+ El Hondo 28/12

European Serin Serinus serinus
Very common throughout, with large numbers feeding/roosting in all reedbeds.

European Serin, presumed female, Mar Menor

European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Common throughout, often feeding/roosting with Serins.

European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Very common throughout.

Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Very common throughout.

Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
1 m. Espuna 18/12.

Rock Bunting Emberiza cia
1 near Somport tunnel 31/12.

Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Very common throughout.

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra
10+ Guadalentin 18/12.

Other observations

Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum
Several seen around reedbeds and salinas

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

Brown Hare Lepus europaeus

Weasel Mustela nivalis
1 El Hondo 21/12.

Mouflon Ovis orientalis musimon
c30 Espuna 27/12.