12 November, the Guadalhorce again

Yet another morning at the Guadalhorce ponds, although actually the first for me since 26 October although I have walked along the river bank on three or four occasions with my little hairy friend and seen 5 Long-tailed Tits on 30 October, a single Swallow going east on 10 November and a Greylag Goose the same afternoon, which I saw and the dog ignored the following morning in front of the Parador de Golf. There are Chiffchaffs all over the place, thousands of 'em and I have seen several Black Redstart, including a stunning male which graced the garden for 48 hours before deciding it didn't want to live near me.

I had arranged to meet Stephen and Charles, visitors from London who were put in touch with me by our birding priest, Manolo (I haven't dared ask him if he prays for good birding yet and if I tried the lack of success would be extreme!), in whose company they had seen the Great Bustard that overflew the ponds last Sunday (perhaps he does pray for good birding as he managed to photograph it too!). So with a start just after 0930, at which time I started the day list but forgot to put things down so there were at least 31 spp. seen although it is true that there were notable gaps. Nevertheless, the last part of the morning really was the best by a fair way.

We walked along the eastern bank first and here was not a lot to see.although we did get vfleeting views of an hyperactive 1st winter male Bluethroat - these are super little birds but they will not stay still be properly appreciated. I had a very brief view of a Squacco Heron. From there we saw the Osprey fly into the dead eucalyptus with a rather small fish and also logged at least 2 Common Buzzards during the morning, whilst I saw another and a 1st winter Marsh Harrier and 2 very distant vultures, most probably Griffons, after I left them. We also saw the Booted Eagle with a coloured wing tag which, I think, was marked about 4 years since but while the tag is still the original orange on the underwing, the upperwing part has faded to yellow, so be warned if you see a bird with one. We later saw another without tags, so 2 of those.

From the east bank we walked back round to the laguna Escondida, meeting Eric Lyon who had escaped from his wife while shopping and had done the sensible thing. He'd seen little to that moment but we sat down at the hide and scanned the laguna. And we were rewarded. Ten minutes before Eric had not seen the Purple Boghen (also known as Purple Swamphen or better still Purple Gallinule) but hey presto! There it was, standing half way up on the left as though it owned the place and did so before slowly stalking off out of sight. Later it swam slowly across but we missed it and all we sawwas the white stern vanishing under the tamarisks.

There was at least one Kingfisher present I rather think that there were two, but all we we were treated to was the sight of electric blue butts disappearing around corners rather than one spending a couple of minutes sitting and showing itself off.

Of waders there was very, very little to see, things go from bad to worse. There were 2 Ringed Plovers, only 2 Stilts(!), probably 3 Common Sandpipers, one of which deigned to be photographed, 3 Dunlin, and what was most probably the most abundant wader of the day, at least 4 Snipe, one of which showed beautifully instead of cowering under the reeds.

From there we went to the hide at the laguna Grande and met another photographer, Birgit Kremer who has a superb web page with super photos of birds and other beasts. Take a look at it on www.iberia-natur.com , you won't be disappointed. The snipe in particular delighted Stephen as it is his favourite bird.

At the laguna Grande, where the all these photos were taken, we could see the Osprey sitting in the usual tree and surrounded by interloping Cormorants, of there are many. But when the Osprey took to the air, the clag hit the fan and there was a mass panic by the Cormorants and they were all over the sky before eventually settling, rather nervously, it must be said, on the water.
Altogether a most satisfactory morning with gloriously unseasonally sunshine.

illegal bird trapping

I think that all of us who live on the coast (and inland also) have seen these persons who trap small passerines, allegedly for having them as singing species, although some definitely do not and many end up in the pot, or rather the frying pan, as the infamous pajaritos fritos. It therefore gives me great pleasure to do a rough translated resumé of and comment upon the following reported actions undertaken by agents of Seprona (the wildlife protection arm of the Guardia Civil) in the region of La Janda (Cádiz).


THE GUARDIA CIVIL INTERVENES 195 PROTECTED BIRDS

Seprona has denounced 15 people for the illegal capture of the creatures Agents of the Guardia Civil belonging to the Service for the Protection of Nature (Seprona) have, in the past few days, carried out activities against the illegal trapping of finches in the region of La Janda and the north-west coast which has permitted the seizure of 195 protected birds and denounced 15 persons for said capture. The actions took place after denouncements by ecologist organisations and as well as members of the public against the 'indiscriminate killing' of these birds in the period when exceptionally the legal capture of song birds is legally allowed, one of the persons denounced being the president of a wildlife society (sic) from Chipiona. This person claims that it was all perfectly legal and the society had the pertinent licence granted by the Junta de Andalucía (and that's another appalling and permissive story!) and that all was in order.

The Guardia Civil announced that indiscriminate and uncontrolled capture of other protected species, as is shown by the fact that 71 of the birds seized had been plucked and prepared for consumption. Also according to the Guardia Cvil, another fact which corroborates the previous is the use of prohibited hunting methods of protected species wich cause immediate death, such as those known as 'perches or ribs'. These are also widely used elsewhere in Andalucía, Valencia, Malta and throughout the Med.. Amongst the other effects seized were 69 'perches', eight methods of reproducing bird song (type not specified), two mist nets of 30 x 4m (only allowed and sold to accredited ringers), a clap net and an air rifle. Amongst the species seized there were pipits, linnets, goldfinches, sparrows, greenfinches and serins, 124 of these being later released.

So you see, Seprona and the Guardia Civil do take trapping seriously, do check and do follow up reports. The Guardia Civil number is 062 and ask for Seprona to report possible infringements. Watch from a distance, note time and place, do not try to remonstrate personally as you may face violence, take photos with telephoto lenses, car registration numbers in order to back up your denuncia.

Well done, Seprona. But please take care. Remember that cowards live longer!

new light on scientific investigation

As I have not been anywhere birding and except for the Chiffchaffs moving through the garden and a nice little party of 5 Long-tailed Tits down by the river last Friday and rather busier than I would like, I thought that those with some stamina might be amused to some slight degree by the below.

THE BROWN TIT (Mamma morena)

Introduction
The Brown Tit Mamma morena belongs to the family Mammidae and is one of four widely distributed species of which this is particularly prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions. The other three species are the numerous Oriental Tit M. orientalis, the Dark or Chocolate Tit M. nigra which appears to be in regression in many parts of its natural habitat, and the scarce Indigenous Tit M. ignobilis which is either totally ignored or persecuted, especially in its range in the Americas and the relict South African, Australian and New Zealand populations. Although all have bred interspecifically, at times producing some interesting specimens, in general they have all maintained their specific identity. It is with the Brown Tit that this paper is concerned although reference will be made to the other two species. Evidence will be given of demographic increase, the races and morphs to be found and the correlation of these with climatic condition throughout the range of the species, as well as discussing the various and varied morphs.

Historical
The Brown Tit was first described in detail in a series of written communications, none of which are quotable, towards the end of the 19th century by the Reverend Augustus Sludgeworthy, B.D., sometime vicar of the deservedly inundated village of Peeling Bogmarsh. Sludgeworthy commented upon his observations to a small but like-minded group of observers in southern and eastern England and in particular to one George 'One-eye' Midgely who was for many years a privileged guest of H.M. Prison Service as he had been sentenced to a long term of penal servitude as a result of attempting to carry out in situ nocturnal observations of the species at the home of the Hon. Mrs. Willington-Smythe in South Kensington, something which was regarded as extreme folly by those who knew the lady in question, the custodial sentence imposed coming soon after his release after several weeks in Charing Cross Hospital.

In those far-off days, the species was exceedingly rare and more often than not the specimens observed were considered to be albinistic or at the very least leucistic. They were also considered to be separate species by some and more than one observer referred to them as the Pallid or Glaucous Tit M. alba. More recent observations along the shores of the Mediterranean and southern and western North America have shown that this is a purely transitory phase caused by lack of ultra violet light (u/v), as will be shown later.

Research in those days was limited by the confines of the meteorology in southern England as well as by the lack of optical instruments suitable for long range observation of a species which then was known for its exceptionally shy and retiring nature. It is interesting to note that in the past thirty years there has been a radical change in the behaviour and this will be considered briefly.

The tenacity with which Sludgeworthy and his small band of fellow enthusiasts carried out their work is all the more praiseworthy, especially in view of the objections raised by the very subjects of thier study and the exceedingly dim view with which the judicial system regarded their activities. Suffice to recount one of these tales to show the difficulties which this ardent band of watchers, or voyeurs as they were then known, met.

The incident in question took place on the shingle of the Chesil Beach in the county of Dorsetshire during the course of the Whitsuntide Bank Holiday of 1897. The Rev. Sludgeworthy, having espied what he took to be an example of the albinistic form of the species some way along the beach and which was occasionally showing itself from behind a large, yellowish boulder, decided to stalk it with the aim of carrying out a series of close range observations aided by his binoculars with a magnification of 2.5, the aforementioned boulder concealing him from view.

Boldly ignoring the gaze of the occasional stroller and the bothering attentions of a depraved Golden Retriever, he stalked the occasional tantalising flashes of white along the shingle until, by his calculations, the specimen in question could only be a few yards away on the other side of the yellowish boulder. Raising himself inch by inch, he was able to catch fleeting glimpses of the rara avis until, ever vigilant as it was in those days, it uttered its sharp alarm call.

One can well imagine the amazement of Sludgeworthy when the large boulder (on which he was resting his elbows with the natural reaction of steadying his fieldglasses because of the shaking of his nerves in the excitement of the moment) suddenly came to life beneath him. He had been, in fact, resting his elbows on the recumbent form of a sumo wrestler from the Land of the Rising Sun who was touring England with an aim of popularising that sport. Sludgeworthy may indeed be forgiven for thinking, as he expressed himself later to the judge after he had come out of hospital, that a miniature but particularly violent earthquake was taking place beneath him. The vision of the large oriental gentleman pursuing Sludgeworthy along the Chesil Beach conjures up unforgettable images.

Neither the physical damage to which he was subjected, nor a term in the local prison, nor the comments made by the judge about 'a man of the cloth' appear to have dampened his ardour for such esoteric research and it was shortly after this that he commenced his correspondence with 'One-eye' Midgely. It was entirely due to the very christian efforts of Sludgeworthy that, in the course of his long confinement during Her Majesty's pleasure, Midgeley was able to metaphorically keep abreast of current developments in research, although he often lamented the absence of the possibilities of ‘hands-on’ fieldwork in his replies.

It was not long after Midgeley's release that they collaborated on a paper which was presented at a reunion held at the summer residence of the Count of Foudre-les-Deux near Cap Ferrat in which they suggested the creation of the subspecies Mamma morena alba. This subspecies is now regarded as being the one to which the majority of specimens of England and northern Europe belong. On this trip they were both able to observe at close range specimens which closely resembled descriptions given from the type locality and were privileged to take biometric measurements of a captive specimen maintained by the Count himself, although it was apparently given to fits of hysteria when observed by strangers.

Sludgeworthy was also one the observers, along with some 200 more and thus proving that twitching is not a modern phenomenon, of the first British record of M. nigra on 24th December 1908 at the Finchley Music Hall. Sludgeworthy was, like the rest of the observers, overcome by excitement and failed to take the detailed notes. By the standards of modern ornithological requirements for a modern rarities committee there would have been doubt about the record but corroborative evidence was given by the heir to the Duchy of Cornwall and his accompanying party from the Brigade of Guards.

Until the early 1960s little more work of a scientific nature was done in northern Europe, most observers being unsuitably qualified amateur practictioners and certainly its distribution was little known. It was thought to be patchy at the very least and certainly related to climatic conditions although there was, and still is, a certain aberrance in its southern Scandinavian and north German origin. Since then much more work has been carried out on its populations and their distribution.

Evidence for population increase.
As noted above, the species was certainly rare throughout northern Europe until at least the middle of the 20th century and there is some scanty evidence that the same could be said for southern Europe also. This scarcity is attributed to the social mores as well as correlating with a lack of affluence and lack of suitable air travel.
However, since the mid 1950s and early 60s and coincident with the last two factors noted above, much work has been done on the distribution of the species and its populations, an expansion most visible on the northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, although absent on the southern shores of that sea and in all countries of the Moslem faith (eg: Khomeini, A., 1980). Concurrent with the population increase has been a change in the habits of the species with a massive reduction in its timidity and where once shy and retiring it now positively flaunts itself (eg: Penthouse, 1965 et seq.; Playboy, 1961, et seq.).

The massive explosion of northern Mediterreanean populations, comprised in large part by the sporadic migratory habits of examples of northern European origin, seems to have occurred as a result of sudden social affluence and acceptance of the change in social liberty which has continued to the present and looks like continuing. There has been no such massive change in southern and western regions of North America and this appears to be governed by puritanical factors and it is still very often restricted to very localised areas with few inhabitants and an ample supply of sand dunes. Conversely, in South America and, notably, in Brazil it is often seen and the greatest affluence coincides with the carnival time where it is often observed in brilliant, if not scanty, partial plumages.

Subspecies and dominance
Taxonomically the existence of the superspecies M. morena remains open to discussion according to some authors. There seems to be little doubt that the original stock came from Africa as long as four million years ago and from which the other species developed (eg. Leakey et al., various publications), which means that M. nigra must have taxonomic priority, although in itself it was almost certainly a descendent of ignobilis. Actual development of M. morena appears to have taken place in Europe several tens of thousands of years ago, possibly as much as 750.000 years, and with subsequent migrations into northern Europe. M. occidentalis originated from ignobilis stock when some of the population migrated from eastern Asia into North and then South America in the last 25.000 years. There have also been small, localised migrations of orientalis in to the Americas in the past 150 years. Migration of morena into the same areas in the past 500 years and enforced migration of nigra took place in the period between 1600 and 1800.

The major irruptive waves of M. morena into Africa in the past 500 hundred years resulted in a struggle for dominance with the endemic M. nigra and it is only in the past 40 years that morena has lost its apparent dominance and nigra itself seems to be intent on wiping itself out.

The superiority of M. morena in the Americas has continued in most areas although demographic increase of nigra in the north has gone some way towards palliating the former dominance of morena. Former theories of specific dominance in both Europe and North America as proposed by A. Hitler in 1925 in Mein Kampf and by the KKK in North America are still to be found.

With exception of ignobilis, which is only just holding its own or generally declining in many areas of its range, there is ample evidence of the demographic increase of the remaining three species. In the case of orientalis there has been extreme fecundity which has resulted in population saturation in many parts of its range (eg. Japan, China and India) with the resultant habitat degradation. Evolution of nigra has had similar degrading environments results in many parts of its habitat although ultimately disease and genocidal tendencies are also reducing its population in several areas (eg. Somalia, Sudan and Ruanda). In the case of morena, demographic increase in Europe is stagnating and it has been postulated that this is favouring great demographic expansion of nigra in the years to come, as in many areas morena is showing a tendency to depend upon such input, although not necessarily favouring its full specific integration.

Races or morphs?
It has been suggested by several observers, largely as a result of field observations rather than by detailed biometric data and the handling of the species in the field, that there should be at least three races of Mamma, as indeed there are of the other species: maxima, media and minor. However, it has been shown that these morphological features are unstable from one generation to the next and that classification is impossible in juvenile females unless one wishes to emulate 'One-eye' Midgely, and it is not until the species is in virtually adult plumage that such assignation be effectively carried out. Even when adult, all races are highly vociferous and invariably reject and attempt at serious biometric measurement on a quantitative basis by casual observers, all of which factors pose grave problems, especially in the satisfactory determination of subspecific status where the case is borderline. It is, therefore, better to regard all the four species as polymorphic with regard to size.

The suggestion of subspecific status for the forms flaccidus and erectus is not regarded as valid. These are, in any case, preceded taxonomically by the same names in Homo sapiens, the former being a substitute for nointeressans and the second for excitans and this, in particular, is purely temporal on a very short-term basis. It is perhaps better to treat all of these as polymorphic variations, just as it is with undoubted colour morphs such as alba, ruber and pallidus.

However, it is still possible to arrive at some overall, although somewhat generalised, conclusions as to the classification and distribution of the species morena and nigra and the morphs of these from fieldwork in Europe and North America, as well as occasional casual evidence of vagrant orientalis, these mostly of Japanese origin, in both of those regions.

In the case of morena, the spread of the forms maxima, media and minor seems to be fairly evenly spread across the population, with regional preponderances of the first two on beaches in California, Florida and parts of the Mediterranean. In the case of nigra, there are big differences, the most well known being the so-called 'mammy' phase of monumental proportions, often shown in old Hollywood films (eg. 'Gone with Wind', 1939), which is still to be found in parts of the southern USA and Caribbean. However, this seldom extends to the native African population where wide scale malnutrition makes this morph somewhat difficult to encounter except on a very localised basis in specimens at the very top of hierachal scale. It is interesting to speculate what might happen should the nutritional availability change, which seems most unlikely on the basis of current evidence. The species orientalis appears to vary between media and minor, maxima being extremely rare and and virtually unknown in Europe, its natural shyness making field encounters difficult.

The concurrence of the morphs alba and ruber appears to occur only in morena as far as is known, the presence of these being present in orientalis is still under investigation. The morph alba is nothing more than a leucistic or even albinistic form of morena. Detailed research along the shore of the northern Mediterranean has conclusively shown that, when subject to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, irrruptive members from northern Europe show a transient period, more or less prolonged, of the morph ruber. The colouration of this phase varies between a pale pink and bright scarlet before finally attaining the brown shades of a typical morena. Such u/v exposed specimens often exhibit a strong dermal moult. It is interesting to note that endemic Iberian specimens show less evidence of the ruber morph and rapidly move through this to the morena morph.

Temporal distribution
There is, in virtually all cases, a strong correlation between the 25ºC isotherm and distribution, although certain Nordic specimens have been observed at lesser temperatures. Studies along northern Mediterranean shores show that as the ambiental air temperature increases, so does the number of specimens in any given area of sandy shore. Along the southern Mediterranean shore this species is never observed as all potential records have been strongly suppressed by the religious authorities, these being encouraged in some regions by the use of lapidation.

There is always a strong winter loss of colour from September or early October onwards, although there are occasional winter specimens to be seen without any loss of the morena plumage. These may be found in sheltered sites when the weather is fine and sunny and wind protection is available but with the increasing awareness of skin cancer possibilities, there appear to be fewer of these in recent years (unless they have already succumbed).

The first spring records usually occur on fine, sunny days from late March onwards with the appearance of the first alba and occasional ruber morphs. although this is usually regained rapidly in spring from March or April onwards in the case of Iberian specimens, these often reaching full morena status by late May or early June in the case of the more advanced specimens, and this lasts until as late as October in many cases.

More detailed study shows a much greater incidence in favoured areas from mid May onwards. Maximum abundance occurs from mid June and especially between mid July and the end of August. This abundance is coincident with localised Iberian irruptive movements and also longer range ones from northern Europe to the Mediterranean coasts. During this period, large quantities of all morphs in their many combinations may be easily observed without the aid of optical apparatus at very close range from mid morning onwards (sunrise plus 4 hours) until sunset.

Numbers decline quantitatively during September and by the end of that month there are fewer to be seen. Remaining specimens are often geriatric examples, often in a state of advanced decay. Selective culling of these geriatric specimens as a deterrent and with the aim of keeping a healthy and attractive breeding stock has often been suggested but authorities are quick to decline such ideas.

Warning The use of optical apparatus in the flocking areas should be undertaken with care, as irate mates have been known to be extremely aggressive. In such case, long range work should take place.

Conclusion
The elevation of the morphs maxima, media and minor to subspecific label is not recommended. This is seen as a folly and a sop to 'splitters', most of whom must also be 'twitchers' without the necessary stamina to carry out prolonged fieldwork, tied as they are to their car steering wheels or other forms of transport.

Until such time as future research shows it feasible, observers will have to be content with seeing the species Brown Tit Mamma morena with, for example, morphs media and ruber visible in the same specimen. Splitting serves only to confuse the issue, which is the continued enjoyment of field observation by all watchers until they go blind or insane. It is strongly recommended that intensive fieldwork be carried out in order to closely monitor future trends.

Warning The use of optical apparatus in the flocking areas should be undertaken with care, as irate mates have been known to be extremely aggressive. In such case, long range work should take place.

26 October, Guadalhorce

Today a brief entry in to the Guadalhorce ponds in company of Manolo Quintana who is down here from the cool and damp of Asturias to the ever-lasting summer that we are experiencing. When will it stop and we see some real rain? Not a shower. I hadn't been over the weekend as I am trying to get these damned illustrations finished and am at last starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel - about 1mm in diameter but it's there! So, as I want to get some more work done this evening after doing at least 4 hours this afternoon, this will be brief and cover the salient points of the 49 spp. which we managed to see.

Although the temperatures belied it, there were ornithological signs of movement and the place was crawling with Chiffchaffs, there had obviously been a decent fall, and the same fall brought in the first Black Redstarts, Song Thrushes, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks of the autumn that I have seen (I am well aware that others who read have been out more and probably seen all of these at this date). Cormorant numbers continue to crawl upwards and there were 5 Spoonbills, one of which bore a set of colour rings and I am awaiting the data on this bird - I sent the e-mail 10 minutes since and such is the efficiency of Otto that I may have its history by the time I finish this off! (See note at the end.) The Osprey was in its usual tree and we saw a single Booted Eagle and a Peregrine Falcon overflew, apart from the usual Kestrels.

For waders, it was about as exciting as watching paint dry - 2 Greenshanks, 3-4 Common Sandpipers and a less frequent Green Sandpiper, a couple of Avocets and the same number of Snipe, and the single Oystercatcher that has been hanging around for several weeks now, plus a few Stilts and a couple of imm. Little Ringed Plovers. Add to those the usual selection of gulls and good views of the Southern Grey Shrike which is still with us, and that's the lot.

Short and sweet, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Good birding!

NOTE: Told you Otto was fast, the Spoonbill was ringed as a chick on the Dutch island of Terschelling on 13 June this year.

15 October, Guadalhorce and bits

Yes, I know, 15 October there and writing it up on 21 October, laziness? No, a lot on, what with those damned illustrations and correcting articles for the Spanish scientific bird publication Ardeola. For example, this morning, between 0730 and now, 1030, I have corrected an article on aging and moult in Sparrowhawks and prepared a description for the Rarities Committee of a House Bunting in Nerja (more of that in a bit), which has included at least two e-mails in each direction between Denmark and self this morning. However, here goes with what happened last Thursday at the Guadalhorce in the always very agreable company of Ann and Dave Jefferson.

This time the late start (1045) was my fault as I had been with the Reichfüherin to health centre for anti-flu vaccinations and they were running late. Most of the birding was actually fairly run of the mill the stuff, nothing really outstanding but one or two nice bits such as the colour ringed Spoonbill - there were actually 7 around - and, as usual, I had a reply about its provenance (a juvenile ringed in Holland this year) from the super-efficient Otto Overdijk who runs the European Spoonbill colour ring network.

As for raptors, the same very attractive female Marsh Harrier, photoed last week, was still around and David has reminded me that they saw a second female after I had pushed off in search of sustenance and I also saw one of them again yesterday and today when walking by the river with the dog. . We also saw another very dark and by now rather late Honey Buzzard, plus, of course, the Osprey which spent a lot of time flying around with a fish slung like a torpedo under its body and a Booted Eagle (I saw a dark phase bird fly over when by the river yesterday afternoon).

There were quite a lot of Willow/Chiffs around, all that I managed to specifically identified appeared to be Willow Warblers. It was nice to see a Robin, I've also got one that has taken up residence in my garden and I found one dazed by the roadside this Monday, which fortunately recovered. Also, lots of Greenfinches and Goldfinches, as well as good numbers of Fan-tailed Warblers (a.k.a. Zitting Cisticolas, I've made my feelings clear on this name before). Ann was happy to get pretty good views of the electric blue rump and also other parts of a Kingfisher which several times shot across in front of us like an Exocet missile.

Numbers of Cormorants and Grey Herons are on the increase, as is to be expected, and this week I've had counts of up to >60 of the former, and it was nice to see 4 Black-necked Grebes amongst the masses of Little Grebes. After the dearth of waders last week, it was nice to see at least some of the usual ones, including 2 each of Turnstones, the ever elegant Greenshanks and Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers, a solitary Oystercatcher and also 1 each of Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin, 4 Avocets, as well as at least 3 Common Sandpipers.

The total: 47 spp. if I have added up correctly.

Now for other odds and sods. I have already mentioned the increases noted in Cormorants and the Robins. The same afternoon, 15 October, I saw a solitary Barn Swallow on full afterburn heading westwards towards the Strait and in the garden this week I have had several Willow/Chiffs and also some Blackcaps, although getting a good view of the latter is difficult as they tend to shoot into the densest part of a tree or bush in a kamikaze-like dive.

In the Strait of Gibraltar they are still seeing Rüppell's Vultures and it is worthwhile remembering that the Griffon Vulture passage, several thousand of them, will be moving in that direction between now and the beginning of November, so don't be surprised if you see some where normally you would not expect to do so. Young ones get exhausted quite easily and are often found sitting on buildings or even in the middle of the road! I once saw a string of an estimated 800 or so down near Tarifa and as I was sufficiently daft to go through them one by ten, I found a juvenile Bearded Vulture / Lammergeir which had joined them and great was the joy!

The most interesting bird to be reported is,without any doubt, a House Bunting, seen and photographed in calle de Los Huertos in Nerja on 13 October by a Danish birder. This is, I believe, only the second Spanish record. If anyone living in that area feels lke going around and having a walk around and hits gold,I'd love to hear of it, preferably with a photo to help clinch the identification.

And as there no photos this week, I attach one not very good one of one of the skua plates for the book to titillate your jaded appetites. Good birding!

7 October, Guadalhorce

Things have been (and are) a bit on the busy side and therefore this brief account of a late entry brief trip in to the Guadalhorce last Thursday, 7 October, in the very pleasant company of Ann and David Jefferson and, in my case, a deadline to be out means a not great list. It's amazing how much one does not see when there is a time limit and we didn't even get as far as the río viejo.

Before we even got in, there was one Booted Eagle sitting by the river and obviously pondering on the meaning of life. We started off at the laguna grande and when looking across at the row of eucalyptus trees, not only was there the Osprey but 3 more Booted Eagles, all in the same row of trees and with the rather bonny adult female Marsh Harrier that has been around for a while floating back and forth. Indeed, this last gave the photo shot of the day as she flew towards us when we stopped at the laguna escondida. and later another from the second hide on the río viejo when she flopped down and sat with her feet and lower legs in the water. The raptor parade was finished off with a very black Honey Buzzard flying strongly westwards.

There has been an increase in Cormorants and also Grey Herons, inded we had a flock of c.20 of the latter come in from the east and plonk down to rest around the laguna grande where we had to be quick to see 3 Teal as they shot across like bullets. A pair of Spoonbills flew over and it was nice to see 2 Black-necked Grebes. The wader count was obviously incomplete as I was unable to finish off by getting down to the lower reach of the río viejo, but there were 2 Greenshanks, a single Little Ringed Plover, a minimum of 3 Common Sandpipers and no less than 7 Avocets.

I had to cut short because of family commitments but we are meeting earlier this coming week and should see rather more, so be warned! I am not going down to the ponds this morning, Sunday, as book illustrations call, rather, demand my attention.

7 October, Cabo de Gata; Arboleas Birding Group

Received yesterday evening (Friday), I haven't had time to put this up until this afternoon. Dave himself had troubles with his computer but, as they say, better late than never, and here is his account of the Arboleas Birding Group trip to Cabo de Gata on Wednesday, 7 October.

The last two times the Arboleas Birding Group had visited Cabo de Gata, the water levels had been very low. The waders had looked like distant LBJs! After the recent heavy rains in the area we were hoping for better. Sure enough as Gilly and I and two other members arrived at the first hide we could see the waters had risen so much that even the scrubland on the opposite side of the road was awash! Countless Barn Swallows and Sand Martins were stocking up for their oversea journey to North Africa. Only the long legged Black-winged Stilts were able to cope with the water, but a lonesome Ringed Plover sat on the causeway. We saw the first of numerous Stonechats and possibly our last Turtle Dove of the year was spotted. A scan over the flattish sea proved fruitless. On the beach some Lesser Black-backed Gulls had joined the resident Yellow-legs. The first of our only bird of prey for the day was spotted as we walked towards the second hide. I took a photo as it was flying off.
Later I was surprised to see it was ringed. A small flock of various finches was feeding nearby. It comprised of two Trumpeter Finches, about half a dozen Corn Buntings, numerous Greenfinches and a solitary Robin. A non chiffchaff was spotted in the shrubs. Identification is so much easier if you get a photo, enlarge on the computer with "Collins" by your side. It turned out to be a Reed Warbler!
On the wader front a flock of 40+ Curlew was seen flying between the shoreline & the savannah. Due to the high water not many waders were outside the public hide. Gilly did spot a Dartford Warbler in the bushes. Thank god for my 4x4. The track round the rear of the reserve was muddy, rutted and very wet! Both Slender-billed and Audouin's Gulls were seen. The most numerous species was 100's of eclipse plumaged Shoveler. There were a few Avocets, also Little Stint, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Kentish and Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit and a solitary Turnstone. 15 Shelducks doing a fly-past completed our 44 species list. A very good day....just got to get the water level sorted!! Dave & Gilly

NOTE: Dave and Gilly are off to England from next Wednesday (about 14 October if my maths is right), for 5 weeks, travelling on the "Pride of Bilbao". A Black-browed Albatross and a Barolo (Little) have been seen from it this autumn. They are heading for Cley (Norfolk) and hope to see Richard Gunn. Next report from Almería will be the end of November.