April / Abril 2020
Destacats / Highlights
Remember when..
Fa 15 anys / 15 years ago
Fa 10 anys / 10 years ago
Fa 5 anys / 5 years ago
Novetats Abril / Bird News April 2020
Destacats / Highlights
El COVID19 ens té confiNATs a casa la majoria del mes. Les observacions que es fan no tenen res a veure amb el que s’ha vist en anys anteriors i que teniu a la secció ‘Remember when’ però esperem veure algun ocell des de casa com ara les graules de Figueres o les cornelles emmantellades que volten pel Baix Llobregat. Amb tot es va citar una arpella pàl·lida russa a l’Alt Empordà i quatre capsigranys balears, dos a L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, provant que pot aparèixer qualsevol cosa a qualsevol lloc, un al Maresme i un al Baix Ebre. La llevantada d’abans de Sant Jordi ens va deixar el que sembla ha estat una arribada important de papamosques de collar, vist els que s’han detectat des de casa o com a subproducte de fer feies autoritzades. També ha aparegut algun papamosques gris balear i s’han conegut cites de limícoles raríssims com el térrit camallarg i tres tetolets becllargs.
[The COVID19 have all of us at home. Most if not all April we’ll be stucked at home. Sightings this 2020 month will not match any previous April. You have the ‘Remember when’ section to see what was seen in previous years. However, we look forward to see a few birds from home as the Rooks of Figueres or the Hooded Crows of Baix Llobregat. A Pallid Harrier was found at Alt Empordà while four Balearic Woodchat Shrikes were seen, two at L’Hospitalet de Llobregat -proving that anything can be found elsewhere-, one at Maresme and another at Baix Ebre. The eastern gale of the days before Saint George (the 23rd), brought a number of Collared Flycatchers, mostly seen from homes of the observers -how many had reached the country will remain unknown – and a few Balearic Spotted Flycatchers. Late news from Ebre delta included the 2nd Catalan Stilt Sandpiper and three Long-billed Dowitchers]
Remember when…
- Fa 15 anys / 15 years ago
One Presumed hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret Egretta gularis x garzetta present at least for two years was seen at La Tancada area, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià on 8.4.2005 (Rafael Armada, Jane Nethercote) coming from March (C.Jensen/Audouin Birding Tours).
On 8.4 a Great Snipe Gallinago media was seen at Besós river, Barcelonès (Xesco Macià). On 10-11.4.2005 one was present at P.N. Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà (Jordi Martí-Aledo; Alex Ollé)
The Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis featured last month as present at Sant Antoni de Calonge, Baix Empordà was still at that place of Palamós bay on 2-3.4 (Miquel Angel Domingo) to 16.4 and last seen on 23.4 (Miquel Angel Domingo).
On 28.4.2005 a Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cinctura was found at Cala Murtra, PN Cap de Creus, Roses, Girona (Sylvain Maury). The bird was digiscoped using Leica APO Televid 77 and Canon A95. It is the fourth for Spain after two in the Canary Islands and one at Mallorca but the 1st for mainland Spain
On 6.4.2005 two adult Black-headed Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava feldegg were reported at Tordera river mouth, Blanes, Selva (Maite Garrigós, Alfons Delgado). On 9.4 one was seen at Estanys del Matà, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Jordi Martí-Aledo) and on 25.4 a bird was seen at veïnat de Baix, Sant Andreu de Salou, Gironès (Quim Vilagran).
On 30.4.2005 afternoon one Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla was seen and photographed at ca l’Arana, Delta del Llobregat, Baix Llobregat (Xavier Larruy, Juan Bécares). See a photo below (Juan Bécares)
- Fa 10 anys / 10 years ago
At last, after a good bunch of years without any claim of a pure bird, a pure Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis was seen and photographed at PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà on 15.4 (Fran Trabalón; Alex Ollé). See a photo below (Àlex Ollé). It was still in the area but at Europa lagoon on 17.4 (Guillermo Rodríguez, Àlex Ollé, Martí Rodríguez, Teresa Montràs, Albert Cama i Jordi Martí-Aledo) and 18.4 (Gerard Dalmau).
A Presumed Hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret Egretta gularis x garzetta was at El Cortalet lagoon, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park on 4.4 (Joan Ramon Sanz, Jorge García, Mireia Jiménez, Laura Font, Jordi Martí-Aledo, Ignasi Batet, Enric Capalleras i Albert Campsolinas; Joan Ventura).See a photo below (Joan Ventura Linares)
The presumed hybrid that frequents the Tancada saltpans, at Ebre delta, where it is seen intermitently, was seen again during holy week 9-11.4 (Ricardo Rodríguez).
One Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor was found at Punta de la Banya Nature Reserve, Ebre delta Natural Park, Montsià on 4.4 (Carles Domingo) and on 18.4 (Manolo García-Tarrasón). Moved to Tancada lagoon on 22.4 (comm. to Jordi Martí-Aledo).
On 23.4 one Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus was found within Punta de la Banya reserve, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià (Jordi Martí-Aledo). Seen later and photographed (Manolo García-Tarrasón). See a photo below
On 7.4 a Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus was found at Punta de la Banya, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià (Jordi Martí-Aledo). On 8.4 it was seen again again (Jordi Martí-Aledo; Manolo García-Tarrasón). Seen again on 20.4 (Ricard Gutiérrez, Manolo García-Tarrasón, Noelia Granado) and 23.4 (Jordi Martí-Aledo). On 16.4 another individual (according to moult stage) was seen also at Punta de la Banya, (Manolo García-Tarrasón). See a photo below (Manolo García-Tarrasón).
A Black-headed Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg was seen at Llobregat delta on 24.4 (Ferran López) and a bird was seen at Besós river mouth on 26.4 (Xavier Larruy).
One 2nd calendar year Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola male was found on 10.4 at El Matà, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà (Lionel Maumary). The author showed the bird to several local observers who saw the bird briefly.See a photo below (L.Maumary).
A putative Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis was trapped and ringed at Remolar-Filipines reserve, Llobregat Delta, Baix Llobregat on 17.4 (Joan Castelló; Armand Ramal, Pedro Bescós). See a photo below (Joan Castelló). The bird was latter heard in the reserve (Joan Castelló). It was seen again in the wild on 18.4 (Marcel Gil).
- Fa 5 anys / 5 years ago
The adult Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus found at La Massona, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà on 13.12.2014 remained there on 2.4.2015 (Xavier Idígora) and 4.4 (Joan Goy ; Guillem Saguer @ ornitho.cat). On 7.4 it remained present at La Massona, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Girona (Olivier Le Gall @ ornitho.cat) and on 10.4 (Brigitte & Matthias Schoebinger) and 12.4 (Anthony Faure @ornitho.cat) too. On 15.4 it was seen again at La Massona, PN Aiguamolls, Girona (Antony Faure @ ornitho.cat) and on 16.4 too (Antony Faure; Christian Kerihuel @ ornitho.cat), while on 18.4 it was seen in flight from Estany Europa, PN Aiguamolls, Girona (Antony Faure @ ornitho.cat). Still present on 21.4 (Jordi Vives @ ornitho.cat ; Christian Kerihuel @ ornitho. cat) and 24.4 (Mireia Jiménez, Berto Minobis,Jordi Martí-Aledo) to 26.4 (Pau Garcia Campderròs).
A number of Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus were recorded: On 1.4 a male was reported from El Rebost hut, Bagà, Berguedà (pers.com. to Carles Oliver @ ornitho.cat). On 4.4 a male was seen at Navata, Alt Empordà (Ramon Aguilar @ ornitho.cat). On 9.4 a 2cy was seen at Esclet, Cassà de la Selva, Girona (Fran Trabalón). See a photo below
On 14.4 a ♀type was seen at Estany Europa, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà (Ramòn Aguilar @ ornitho.cat). On 18.4 a 2cy ♂ was seen at Mas de Melons, Castelldans, Lleida (Jesús Foncubierta). See a photo below.
On 20.4 a 1w was at El Panadell, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Jorge García). On 29.4 a 2cy ♂ was seen at Alfés, Segrià (Sergi Sales).
The 1st Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus for Catalunya was found on 18.4.2015 evening at Mas Carles ricefields, Pals, Baix Empordà (Joan Estrada Jofra, Víctor Estrada, Montse Jofra). See a photo below. Not relocated the following day despite over 20 people search.
Six Broad-billed Sandpipers Calidris falcinellus were seen: a bird on 15-18.4 at Punta de la Banya, Delta de l’Ebre (Jordi Martí-Aledo). See a photo below (Jordi Martí-Aledo).
Three more birds, in a different moult stage, were seen altogether on 19.4 at Punta de la Banya, Delta de l’Ebre (Jordi Martí-Aledo). And two new individuals also at Punta de la Banya, Delta de l’Ebre on 30.4 (Jordi Martí-Aledo).
Thirteen Great Snipes Gallinago media were recorded: On 6.4.2015 there were two at Esclet, Cassà de la Selva, Gironès (Gerard Dalmau) and one remained on 7.4 (Bernat Iglesias). On 7.4 a bird was seen at Riumors, Alt Empordà (Àlex Ollé). On 12.4 a bird was at El Matà, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Quique Carballal, Jordi Sala, Daniel González Martín, Jaume Castellà). On 15.4 another bird was at PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Àlex Ollé). On 18.4 a bird was seen at El Raurell, Folgueroles, Osona (Martí Franch, Jordi Faus @ornitho.cat ). Later seen and photographed with Pere Baucells, Jordi Baucells, Pere Vila & Andrés García. On 18.4 a bird was at Parc de l’Agulla, Manresa, Bages (Marc Illa @ ornitho. cat). On 19.4 a bird was found at Pals, Baix Empordà (Ferran López et al). On 20.4 a bird was at Calldetenes, Osona (Ramon Prat, Pere Baucells, Jordi Faus @ ornitho.cat). On 21.4 there were two at Llacuna d’en Margarit de Can Morgat, Porqueres, Pla de l’Estany (Gerard Dalmau; Carles Quer). On 23.4 a bird was seen at Rabós, L’Albera, Alt Emprodà (Àlex Ollé). On 30.4 a bird was seen at Delfià, Alt Empordà (Cristian Kerihuel @ ornitho.cat)
On 15.4.2015 two Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus were found at Punta de la Banya, Delta de l’Ebre (Jordi Martí-Aledo). On 16.4 a 3rd bird joined the group (Jordi Martí-Aledo).
On 9.4 a Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg -type bird was seen at Torre Torre d’en Dolça, Vila-Seca, Tarragona (Jordi Jover). Perhaps the same bird was seen again on 10.4 (Jordi Jover).
On 9.4 a superciliaris form-like was seen at El Matà, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, (Jordi Martí-Aledo, Fran Trabalón). See a photo below.
On 30.4 a Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri was seen at l’Aufacada, Delta de l’Ebre,Tarragona (David Erterius,J Juan Saiz,Alberto Bueno).
On 30.4 a Marmora’s Warbler Sylvia sarda was seen at El Trabucador, Delta de l’Ebre (David Erterius, Alberto Bueno et al)
On 28.4 a Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus humei, the 1st for Catalunya, was seen at Montjuïc, Barcelona (Manolo García-Tarrasón, Lucy Brzoska; Marcel Gil).
The Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus relocated on 9.2.2015 was still present at Deltebre, Baix Ebre, by the river Ebre, in April: on 2.4 (Àlex Mascarell @ornitho.cat), 3.4 (Ramón Servitje; Miguel Grande, Oscar Llama, Alfredo Sanchez Galán, Iván Sarabia, Jose Ramon Martin y Ricardo Rodríguez, see a photo below and thumbnails here), 4.4 (Àlex Ollé; Javier Train) and 5.4 (Frederic Sánchez Juanpere; Joan Mestre Querol). See a thumbnail here (Joan Mestre). See photos below. The bird continued at the lemon orchard on 11.4 (Antonio Rodríguez Sinovas @ ornitho.cat). The bird was seen again on 17.4 (Miquel Rafa, Mariano Cebolla) but not on 18.4.
Novetats Abril 2020 / Bird News April 2020
Last update 10 May 2020 / Darrera actualització 10.5.2020.
- Arpella pàl·lida russa / Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus (n=3)
(1) Alt Empordà. There was a male near the Turtle recovery center of Garriguella on 8.4 (Joan Budó @birdingemporda.com).
(2) Maresme. A ♀ bird was seen at Premià de Mar, Maresme on 13.4 (Alexis Camacho @ ornitho.cat). See photos in his tweet here.
(3) Baix Empordà. A 2cy male was seen at Bellcaire d’Empordà, Baix Empordà, on 18.4 (Jorge García @birdingemporda.com).
- Rasclet / Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla (n=1)
(1) Garraf. A flyover calling individual was unexpectedly recorded using NOCMIG techniques at downtown Vilanova i la Geltrú, Garraf, at 01:01 AM of 17.4.2020 (Albert Cama). See an enclosed sonogram of the call , and reproduce it in the embedded player (Albert Cama).
- Stilt Sandpiper / Territ camallarg Calidris himantopus (n=1)
(1) Montsià. The 2nd for Catalunya, a 2cy, was present on 13.4 at Buda island, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià (David Bigas). See photos below.
- Long-billed Dowitcher / Tetolet becllarg Limnodromus scolopaceus (n=3)
(1-3) Montsià. From 29.3 to 4.4 there were two 2cy Long-billed Dowitchers at Buda island, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià (David Bigas). Probably the same birds seen in previous months. But from 5-9.4. they were joined by a third individual (David Bigas). The 1st record of this kind in Catalunya. See photos below.
The three birds were relocated at the same place on 28.4 (David Bigas).
- Becadell gros / Great Snipe Gallinago media (n=1)
(1) Alt Empordà. On 29.4 a bird was seen at PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Castelló d’Empúries, Alt Empordà (Àlex Ollé).
- Capsigrany balear / Balearic Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator badius (n=12)
(1) Maresme. On 7.4 a bird showing features of this subspecies was seen at Premià de Dalt, Maresme. The bird continued there on 8.4 (Daniel Roca @ornitho.cat).
(2) Baix Ebre. One was seen and photographed at Camarles, Baix Ebre, on 8.4 (Harold Wijts @ornitho.cat).
(3) Barcelonès. The first for the city of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelonès, a 2cy male, was seen eating a bumblebee at a school garden at El Gornal on 9.4 (Ramon Homs). See photos below.
(4) Barcelonès. Another different bird was seen also at L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelonès on 11.4 at the same El Gornal site (Ramon Homs). See photos below. It remained there on 12.4 (Ramon Homs).
(5) Barcelonès. A bird was seen at Barcelona on 14.4 (Sergio Hoces @ornitho.cat).
(6) Montsià. An adult female was seen at Buda island, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià, on 3.4 (David Bigas). See a photo below.
(7) Montsià. An adult male bird was seen at the Eucaliptus road, just in front of Riet Vell reserve, Amposta, Montsià, on 8.4 (David Bigas).
(8) Montsià. A 2cy male was seen at camí del Matà, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià on 6.4 (David Bigas).
(9) Montsià. On 11.4 a 2cy male was seen at El Violí, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià (David Bigas).
(10) Montsià. A 2cy male was seen at Buda island, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià, on 13.4 (David Bigas).
(11) Montsià. On 17.4 an adult male was trapped and ringed at Buda island, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià (David Bigas).
(12) Montsià. A 2cy female was seen at Eucaliptus road, off Muntells, Amposta, Montsià, on 18.4 (David Bigas).
- Graula / Rook Corvus frugilegus (n=6)
(1-6) Alt Empordà. Three were seen at Figueres, Alt Empordà on 4.4 (Gerard Carrión @ornitho.cat). On 11.4 at least one remained there (Gerard Carrión @ornitho.cat). Four were seen again on 18.4 (Gerard Carrión @ornitho.cat) and 6 on 25.4 (Gerard Carrión @ornitho.cat).
- Cornella emmantellada / Hooded Crow Corvus cornix (n=5)
(1-2) Baix Llobregat. At least one bird was seen again at Viladecans on 4.4 (Daniel Jiménez Pulido @eBird). It was a bird flying SE. A territorial pair was seen near Nelson Mandela bridge, El Prat de Llobregat all month long (Ferran López @Delta Llobregat bird news blog) while another or one of them was at S Barcelona harbour on 19.4 (Sergio Hoces @ Delta Llobregat bird news blog). On 26.4 one was at Viladecans (Daniel Jiménez @ornitho.cat) and on 28.4 there were two at Parc de la Muntanyeta, Sant Boi de Llobreat (Carlos Martínez Valls @ornitho.cat). One was at the mouth of Llobregat river, El Prat, on 29.4 (Ferran López @Delta Llobregat bird news blog). There appear to be two pairs at least: one at El Prat, by the Delta, and another -unknown breeding site- between Sant Boi de Llobregat and Viladecans (ed. comment).
(3) Maresme. A bird was unexpectedly seen at Premià de Mar, Maresme, on 4.4 (Arnau Bonan @ornitho.cat). It may be the same bird, or not, seen on 14.4 at Calella, Maresme flying over the beach, heading South (Javier Romera @ornitho.cat). Probably a same bird on the move was seen on 24.4 at three different places: Calella, Maresme (Javier Romera @ornitho.cat), Mataró (Pep Arcos @eBird) and Montgat (Lluís Xavier Toldrà @ornitho.cat).
(4) Segrià. A bird was reported from Arboretum Pius Font i Quer, Lleida, on 9.4 (J.A. Conesa).
(5) La Selva. A bird was seen at Riells i Viabrea, Selva, on 12.4 (David Caballé @ornitho.cat).
- Moltoni’s Warbler / Tallarol de Moltoni Sylvia subalpina (n=2)
(1) Tarragonès. On 22.4 a presumed individual was found injured and then released at Tarragona city (Laura Solé @ornitho.cat).
(2) Baix Empordà. A bird was seen on 28.4 at Castell-Platja d’Aro, Baix Empordà (Jaume Ramot @ornitho.cat).
- Papamosques gris balear / Balearic Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa tyrrhenica balearica (n=5)
(1) Montsià. On 15.4 a bird was seen at Buda Island, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià (David Bigas). See two photos below.
(2) Baix Empordà. A bird was seen at Calonge, Baix Empordà, on 23.4 (Xavier Idígora).
(3) Alt Empordà. A bird was seen at Roses, Alt Empordà, on 24.4 (Àlex Ollé @ornitho.cat).
(4) Baix Llobregat. A bird was at Calaixos de Depuració del Llobregat, RN la Ricarda – Ca l’Arana, Llobregat Delta, Baix Llobregat, on 24.4 (Ferran López @ Delta del Llobregat bird news blog).
(5) Barcelonès. There was a bird at Parc del Litoral, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelonès on 24.4 (Javier Oliver @ornitho.cat).
- Papamosques de collar / Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis (n= 23)
(1) Maresme. On 20.4 a male was seen at Teià, Maresme (Freddy Rivas). See a thumbnail enclosed.
(2) Alt Empordà. From 21-22.4 a bird was seen at Roses, Alt Empordà (Sara Vergonyós). See a thumbnail enclosed.
(3) Barcelonès. The 1st ever record for the city of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat was that of a 2cy male found at El Gornal on 21.4 (Ramon Homs). See photos below. The bird remained there on 22.4 (Ramon Homs).
(4-7) Alt Empordà. Four birds (a female, a male, a 2cy male and an adult male) were seen at different places near La Massona within PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Castelló d’Empúries, Alt Empordà on 22.4 (Albert Burgas).
(8) Alt Empordà. A male was seen at Llançà on 22.4 (Pau Calero). Still there on 23-24.4 (Pau Calero).
(9) Barcelonès. A bird was seen at Parc de la Pau, Sant Adrià de Besós, Barcelonès on 22.4 (Xavi Larruy @ornitho.cat).
(10-11) Baix Empordà. Two different males were seen near Riera de Calonge, Baix Empordà, on 22.4 (Xavier Idígora). See photos enclosed. One remained into 23.4 (Xavier Idígora).
(12-13) Alt Empordà. Two birds: a 2cy male and an adult female were seen at PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Castelló d’Empúries, Alt Empordà on 22.4. The male was at El Mas Trencat and the female was between Mas Trencat and la Rierata (Àlex Ollé).
(14) Barcelonès. A female was seen near Gran Via, Barcelona on 23.4 (David Moret @ornitho.cat).
(15) Barcelonès. A female was seen near Parc de l’Escorxador, Barcelona on 23.4 (Quim Minoves).
(16) Baix Llobregat. A bird was seen at Can Dimoni, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat, on 23.4 (Xavier Larruy @ornitho.cat).
(17) La Selva. A bird was seen at Tordera river mouth, Blanes, on 23.4 (Arnau Tolrà @ornitho.cat).
(18) Barcelonès. A male was seen ata Piferrer street, Barcelona, on 23.4 (Juan Bécares).
(19) Alt Empordà. A male was seen near Cinclaus, L’Escala, on 23.4 (Fran Trabalón @birdingemporda.com).
(20) Maresme. A male was observed perched and feeding from the branches of a death tree behind a mountain road at Sant Pol de Mar, Maresme, on 23.4 (Pedro Plans @eBird).
(21) Barcelonès. On 23.4, at 23:07 hours, a bird was recorded using nocmig protocol near Plaça d’Espanya, Barcelona (Quim Minoves). See the sonogram and the voice enclosed.
(22) Barcelonès. From 28-29.4, a male was seen at Parc Fluvial del Besòs, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelonès (Xavier Larruy @ornitho.cat).
(23) Maresme. A malewas seen at Mataró on 24.4 (Antonio de la Cruz @ornitho.cat).
- Papamosques menut / Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva (n=1)
(1) Baix Ebre. One was reported at Camarles, Baix Ebre, on 4.4 (Harold Wijts @observado.es/ornitho.cat).
- Piula grossa / Bisbita de Richard Anthus richardi (n=1,2)
(1) Montsià. One adult type was present at Buda Island, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià from 8-11.4 (David Bigas). See two photos below.
(2) Baix Llobregat. A bird was seen at El Prat’s Barcelona airport, El Prat de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat, on 23.4 (Xavier Larruy @ornitho.cat).
