December/ Desembre 2019

Destacats / Highlights
Remember when..
Fa 15 anys / 15 years ago
Fa 10 anys / 10 years ago
Fa 5 anys / 5 years ago
Novetats Desembre / Bird News December 2019

 

Destacats / Highlights

El mes comença amb ocells que havien estat trobats el novembre com el bec de serra gros i un nou sit blanc a Castelldefels però la trobada d’un còlit del desert en mig d’arrossars del delta de l’Ebre va causar molta sensació i va atraure molta gent. Els darrers dies del mes es va trobar una fredeluga gregària al Pla d’Urgell.

[December begun with the rarities found the previous month, namely the Goosander at Ebre delta, but the finding of a Desert Wheatear there too raised a lot of interest and brought a number of twitchers too. In the very last days a Sociable Plover was found at Lleida plains]

 

Remember when…

 

• Fa 15 anys / 15 years ago

The drake Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis found on 2.11.2004 at El Cortalet lagoon, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà was seen again on 29.12.2004 (Anthony McGeehan, Tom McGeehan, John).

 

On 8.12 a Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor, was found near El Clot de la Unilla area, Alguaire, Segrià (Jordi Moix). The 2nd for Catalonia, thumbnail enclosed. It was also seen on 9.12.2004, when photographed (Rafael Armada) , 10.12 (E.Farré, G.Bota, O.Clarabuch, S.Sales) and on 11.12 (F.López,J.L.Copete, J.Castelló, Gemma, F.Capdevila; X.Dot,A.Cama,J.Vázquez; Q.Carballal,J.Moix, Jaume Bonfil).

There were at least 2 Richard’s Pipits Anthus richardi on 12.12 (Albert

Cama) and at least 3 different at Erms de la Tancada, Delta de l’Ebre, Tarragona on 15.12 (Ricard Gutiérrez, Emma Guinart, David Camps). The area is holding these days four birds (David Bigas, com.pers.), see a thumbnail enclosed.

Another was seen on 14.12 at Besós river mouth, Sant Adrià del Besós, Barcelonès (Xavier Larruy). The bird was still there on 15.12 (Quique Carballal) and on 29.12 (Xavier Larruy).

 

 

•  Fa 10 anys / 10 years ago

A drake Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris was found at an irrigating pond at Alcarràs, Segrià, with more diving ducks on 15.12.2009 (José Guerra, Marc Gàlvez).There is a youtube video here (José Guerra).Still there on 16.12 (Marc Bonjonch) and 18.12 (Sergi Sales). Seen again on 20.12 (Francesc Moncasí).

On 12.12 a Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga was seen flying over Pedret pond, Pedret i Marzà, Alt Empordà, flying towards Mornau, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park (Àlex Ollé).

• Fa 5 anys / 5 years ago

There was a drake Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris at La Massona lagoon, the same of the Pygmy Cormorant, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, on 31.12.2014 (Xavier Idígora).

An adult Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pigmeus, the 1st for Catalunya, was found at La Massona, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà, on 13.12.2014 (Gerard Dalmau, Elisabet Tetas). Seen later by more authors and photographed (e.g. see below, Quim Martínez). On 14.12 it rested in the area where seen intermitently (José Portillo, José Gómez Aparicio, Toni Alonso, Dani Roca, Àlex Ollé, Grabi de Jesús, Joan Goy; Ferran López). The bird remained the following week until 19.12 at least (Ponç Feliu, Joan Goy, Manel Barrios, Oriol Clarabuch, Ferran López, Eikel Delgado, Sergio Romero, Miquel Bonet, Joan Ventura, Carles Llopis; Mario Alonso) and 20.12 (Vittorio Pedrocchi) and the Christmas week too: 21.12 (Manuel Caamaño @ornitho.cat), 24.12 (Marc Gàlvez; Enric Badosa, Pau García; Francisco Pou, Ramón Aguilar, Antonio Rodríguez Sinovas et al), 26.12 (Josep Bosch, Ramón Aguilar; Santi Guallar @ ornitho.cat). On 31.12 it was still present at PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Girona (Marc Casas @ ornitho.cat).

On 2.12 a Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus was seen at Passeig St. Salvador, Sta.Coloma de Farners, Selva (Alfons Delgado) and on 4.12 another was seen at downtown Barcelona at Gran Via/Bac de Roda streets junction (Carles Oliver).

 

Novetats Desembre 2019 / Bird News December 2019

Latest update: 5 January 2020 / Darrera actualització: 5 gener 2020

• Èider / Eider Somateria mollissima (n=1)

  

(1) Baix Ebre.  An adult male was seen at Fangar bay on 7.12 (Cristian Jensen; Joan Balfagón, see a record thumbnail enclosed). Seen again at El Fangar on 15.12 (Carles Durà). On 16.12 it was seen again (Sergi Sales). See a photo enclosed. The eider was seen again on 23.12 (Lluís Duran, photo enclosed), 26.12 (Aitor Mora) and 28.12 (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch). It continued in the area into 2020.

• Goosander / Bec de serra gros Mergus merganser  (n=1)

(1) Baix Ebre.  The female type bird found at l’Ampolla bay, Baix Ebre on 22.11, moving between the harbour and Les Olles lagoon mouth and El Goleró was seen again on 1.12 (Pere Baucells, Ramon Prat Espelt @ornitho.cat), 4-6.12 at l’Ampolla (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch) and 6.12 at El Goleró – Port Illa de Mar (Xavier Parra, Montse Gutiérrez, José Ramón Martín, Quique Carballal, Javier Valladares, Lluís Toldrà @ornitho.cat; Arcado Calvo, see a photo below). Still at Illa de Mar harbour on 7.12 (Eio Ramón, photos below; Jordi Castellet @ornitho.cat) and 8.12 (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch, Jaume Albaigés, Goyo Chaguaceda, Joan Balfagón, Javier Plumez, Felipe Rosado, Miguel Angel Martin, Carmen Livero, Pau Albaigès, Marc Albaigès; Fernando Alonso, Ramon Ruiz @ornitho.cat, Eugeni Capella @eBird; Mercè Postiguillo @eBird et al). Seen the following week too off port d’Illa de Mar, Deltebre, Baix Ebre: 10.12 (Jana Marco, see a photo below; Manuel Caamaño @ornitho.cat; ), 11.12 (Oriol Soler @ornitho.cat; José Guerra & Marc Gálvez @eBird), 12.12 (Francesc Moncasí; Alejandra Rendón @eBird, Rafael Armada), 14.12 (Freddy Rivas @ornitho.cat; Jana Marco; Vicente Francisco Tamarit @ornitho.cat, Ramon Homs @ornitho.cat, Marcel Gil @eBird, Yanina Maggiotto @eBird) and 15.12 (Harold Wijts, Carles Durà @ornitho.cat, Àlex Sastre @ornitho.cat; Jaume Albaigès; Jesús Nieto @eBird, ). Seen again on 16.12 (Sergi Sales) to 17.12 (Roger Guillem @ornitho.cat). The bird continued in the Port d’Illa de Mar the last days of the year. Seen again on 24.12 (Javier Subirats), 25.12 (Javier Subirats), 26.12 (Joan Carles Bellido @ornitho.cat, Aitor Mora et al -photo enclosed-); 27.12 (Thomas Kuppel @ornitho.cat; Jordi Jover, Joan Gimestells); 28.12 (Oriol Soler; Antoni Abad @ornitho.cat). It continued in the area into 2020.

• Híbrid de Martinet dels Esculls i Martinet blanc/ Presumed hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret Egretta gularis x garzetta (n=1)

(1) Montsià.  On 7.12 a bird was seen at camí de Pescadors, sèquia de l’Agulla bridge, Amposta (Eugeni Capella, Joan Barrachina). Still present the following week. Seen on 8.12 (Javier Subirats) and 13.12 (Cristóbal Mestre @ornitho.cat).

• Arpella pàl·lida russa / Pallid Harrier  Circus macrourus (n=2)

(1) Alt Empordà. There was a 1w at Vilaüt, Pau, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà on 7.12 (Jana Marco, Oriol Palau). See two images enclosed.

(2) Baix Llobregat. A very probable bird was seen at Filipines marsh, Llobregat Delta, Viladecans on 14.12 (Sergio Hoces @ Llobregat Delta blog bird news).

• Fredeluga gregària  / Sociable Plover  Vanellus gregarius (n=1)

(1) Noguera. Onb 26.12 a bird was found at Penelles, Noguera (Toni Nievas). Seen by more observers the same day (Roger Guillem, Javier Subirats, Pau Garcia Campderròs @ornitho.cat); Víctor Iglesias, Jaroa López). Still present on 27.12 (Xavier Parra, Montse Gutiérrez @ornitho.cat; Quim Minoves -photos enclosed-; Ramón Ruiz; Marc Gàlvez @ornitho.cat). Last seen at 17hours over Ivars lagoon, Ivars d’Urgell, Pla d’Urgell (Aitor Mora).

• Territ fosc  / Purple Sandpiper  Calidris maritima  (n=1)

(1) Barcelonès. The perhaps returning bird seen last winter and found at Olympic harbour, Barcelona, Barcelonès on 20.11 was seen again on 1.12 (Ángel Luceño, Robert Álvarez, Jaume Albaigés, Fernando Medrano @ornitho.cat) and 3.12 (Guillem Saguer @ornitho.cat). Still present the following week: 7.12 (Josep Bujons @ornitho.cat), 8.12 (Òscar Pérez @ornitho.cat), 10.12 (Ricardo Ramos @eBird), 14.12 (Freddy Rivas @eBird) and 15.12 (Ricard Gutiérrez, photos below; Jordi Vázquez; Martí González @ornitho.cat, Juan Miguel Díaz @ornitho.cat, Carlos Nos @eBird; Martí González @ornitho.cat). Still present the next week: 16.12 (Montserrat Gonzàlez @ornitho.cat), 17.12 (ornitho.cat); 21.12 (ornitho.cat) and 22.12 (Carles Grande; Francesc Moncasí). Seen again on 26.12 (Israel Estopà @ornitho.cat). It continued in the area into 2020.

• Gamba groga petita  / Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes  (n=1)

(1) Baix Empordà. The bird was found near Mas Pinell, Baix Empordà ricefields, on 28.11 remained there on 1.12 (Gerard Dalmau) and on 2.12, near Mas Pla (Quim Felip @birdingemporda.com). Seen again on 8.12 near Basses d’en Coll, Pals (Gerard Dalmau).

• Gavià de potes roses  / Herring Gull Larus argentatus (n=9)

(1) Tarragonès. A 2w, perhaps the bird found on 9.11, was seen at Tarragona harbour on 1.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat). Seen again on 8.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat). Still there on 21-22.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat).

(2-3) Tarragonès. An adult and a 1w were seen at Tarragona harbour, on 6.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat). Seen again on 8.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat). The adult was seen again on 15.12 (Raül Aymí @ornitho.cat) and the 1w was seen again on 21-22-25.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat).

(4) Noguera. A 2w qwas seen at Pantà 5 de regulació del canal Algerri-Balaguer, at Algerri, Noguera, on 13.12 (Quim Minoves).

(5) Pla de l’Estany. A 1w was sene at Puigpalter dump, Porqueres, on 14.12 (Guillem Saguer @ornitho.cat).

(6) Pla d’Urgell. An adult was seen at Estany d’Ivars i Vila-Sana, Ivars d’Urgell, Pla d’Urgell on 18.12 (Marc Gálvez @ornitho.cat). Seen again on 21.12 (Marc Gàlvez @ornitho.cat) and 27.12 (Xavier Parra @ornitho.cat; Quim Minoves -see a photo enclosed-).

(7) Tarragonès. A new 1w was found at Tarragona harbour on 21.12 (Raül Aymí @ornitho.cat). Still around on 22.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat).

(8) Tarragonès. A 3rd 1w was found at Tarragona harbour on 22 and 25.12 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat).

(9) Alt Empordà. A 1w was seen at Pedret i Marzà dump, Alt Empordà, on 21.12 (Àlex Ollé, Joan Goy). See two photos enclosed (Àlex Ollé).

• Gavià caspi / Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans (n=1)

(1) Pla de l’Estany. A 1w was seen at Puigpalter dump, Porqueres, Pla de l’Estany, on 7.12 (Guillem Saguer @ornotho.cat). On 25-26.12 it was at Estany de Banyoles, Pla de l’Estany (Gerard Dalmau). See two photos below.

• Graula / Rook Corvus frugileus (n=6)

(1-6) Alt Empordà. There were six at Figueres, Alt Empordà, on 6.12 (Manel Barrios @birdingemporda.com). One was at El Far d’Empordà, Alt Empordà, on 18.12 (Albert Campsolinas @birdingemporda.com).

• Cornella emmantellada / Hooded Crow Corvus cornix (n=2)

(1-5) Baix Llobregat. There was a bird at Sant Boi de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat on 9.12 (Nat Argullós @ornitho.cat). On 21.12 a bird was seen at Cal Tet, El Prat de Llobregat (Rafael González de Lucas @ornitho.cat), while two were at Sant Boi de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat on 24.12 (Martí Gonzàlez @ornitho.cat).  Interestingly, five were at Parc de la Muntanyeta, Sant Boi de Llobregat, on 26.12 (Iván Vega @ornitho.cat) so it’s not clear if we’re talking of 5 or 6 birds -even 7- in the comarca.

(6) Baix Empordà. A bird seen in previous months was at Mas Pla, Torroella de Montgrí, Baix Empordà on 8.12 (Gerard Dalmau; Joan Goy @birdingemporda.com). Seen again on 26.12 (Albert Burgas @ornitho.cat) and 28.12 at Mas Gelabert ricefields, Pals (Joan Goy @birdingemporda.com).

• Mosquiter comú siberià / Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis (n=2)

(1) Maresme. A calling bird was seen at Tordera, Maresme, on 15.12 (Arnau Tolrà @ornitho.cat).

(2) Alt Empordà. A bird showing characters of tristis was seen at la Massona lagoon, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà on 31.12 (Jordi Martí-Aledo @birdingemporda.com).

• Mosquiter de doble ratlla / Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (n=3)

(1) Tarragonès. A bird was seen at Punta de la Móra, Tarragona, Tarragonès on 7.12 (Ferran Gonzàlez-Prat @ornitho.cat).

(2) Maresme. A bird was heard calling at Tordera, Maresme on 15.12 (Arnau Tolrà @ornitho.cat).

(3) Baix Ebre. On 28.12 one was reported heard and seen at Camarles, Baix Ebre (Harold Wijts @ornitho.cat).

• Còlit del desert / Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti (n=1)

(1) Montsià. A bird was found on 7.12 in the middle of Delta de l’Ebre, Amposta, Montsià, at camí de Pescadors, sèquia de l’Agulla bridge (David Bigas, Pere Baucells, Carles Martorell, Genís Cunill i Josep Maria Pérez). See photos below. Twitched the same afternoon (Mayca Martí, Joan Balfagón, Cristian Jensen, Joan Barrachina et al). Seen again on 8.12 (Josep Crusafont, Manolo Sánchez-Blanch, Jordi Jover, Jaume Albaigés, Maria Caba; Xavier Parra, Pau García Campderròs, Javier Subirats, Ramon Ruiz @ornitho.cat, Màrius Domingo @ornitho.cat; Eio Ramón – see a photo below-; Toni Pons @eBird, Gregorio Chaguaceda @eBird, Juan Carlos Bellido @eBird, Fátima Garrido @eBird ); 10.12 (Jana Marco, see a photo below; Oliver Hernández  @ornitho.cat), 11.12 (Jana Marco, Manuel Caamaño, Oriol Soler @ornitho.cat; José Guerra & Marc Gàlvez @eBird), 12.12 (Francesc Moncasí, Rafael Armada; Alejandra Rendón @eBird), 14.12 (Jana Marco, Jordi Sala, Vicente Francisco Tamarit @ornitho.cat; Marcel Gil @eBird, Yanina Maggiotto @eBird) and 15.12 (Eduard Villar; Àlex Sastre @eBird; Carles Durà, Lluís Vilamajó, Pere Baucells, David  Bigas @ornitho.cat; Iván García, Oliver Hernández @ornitho.cat). The bird remained at its site, feeding actively on any kind of insects the following week: 16.12 (Sergi Sales), 18.12 (Juan Miguel Díaz @ornitho.cat), 21.12 (Mayca Martí, Emiliano Sabán; Ricard Gutiérrez, Ariadna Gutiérrez, see photos below; Josep Polo). Seen again on 24.12 (Víctor Esteller @ornitho.cat), 26.12 (Aitor Mora et al, photo below), 27.12 (Thomas Kuppel @ornitho.cat; Joan Gimestells; Lluís Toldrà @ornitho.cat) and 28.12 (Thomas Kuppel, Diego Callau @ornitho.cat; Pancho Pou, Bernat Iglesias; Antoni Ferro de la Fuente @ornitho.cat). It continued in the area into 2020.

• Cuereta citrina / Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (n=1)

(1)  Alt Empordà. On 15.12 one was reported at Closes de cal Guit, Castelló d’Empúries, Alt Empordà (David Caballé @ornitho.cat).

• Piula grossa / Richard’s Pipit  Anthus richardi (n=2)

(1) Montsià. On 7.12 a bird was heard at camí del Matà, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià (David Bigas, Pere Baucells, Carles Martorell, Genís Cunill i Josep Maria Pérez).

(3) Montsià. On 7.12 a bird was flushed at camí de Pescadors, sèquia de l’Agulla bridge, Amposta, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià (David Bigas, Pere Baucells, Carles Martorell, Genís Cunill i Josep Maria Pérez).

• Sit Blanc / Snow Bunting  Plectrophenax nivalis (n=1)

(1) Baix Llobregat. On 6.12 there was a bird at Castelldefels, Baix Llobregat (Claudio Bracho). Perhaps the same was seen at Remolar beach , Viladecans, on 10.12 (Albert Vàzquez).