March / Març 2019

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

Destacats / Highlights

El març ha de ser un dels mesos forts de moviment primaveral. A principis de mes però el que es detecta són les espècies hivernals algunes de les quals marxaran durant el mes. A finals de mes ens van visitar unes cueretes interessants i durant el mes va començar la nidificació de la graula i de la cornella emmantellada]

[March is one of the good migration months in Catalunya. In early March though, most of the recorded species are those having overwintered amongst us. By late March some itneresting wagtains visited us and both Rook and Hooded Crow had begun  breeding]

 

Remember when…

 

  • Fa 15 anys / 15 years ago

The drake Falcated Teal Anas falcata seen at Llobregat delta on 17.1.2004 was relocated on 5.3 (Daniel Burgas)It was seen again at calaixos de depuració de cal Tet, Llobregat delta on 30.3 with a party of c.27 gadwalls (A.strepera), c. 2 km from former site (X.Larruy).

There were 2 Slavonian Grebes Podiceps auritus on 2.3 off ca l’Arana beach, El Prat de Llobregat, Llobregat delta, Barcelona (X.Larruy; F.López, A.Crory). Seen again one on 3.3 (X.Larruy) and 5.3 (R.Gutiérrez, F.X.Santaeufemia, D.Burgas) when photographed (see a photo below, © Ricard Gutiérrez). still there on 13.3 (D.Burgas) and 18.3 (X.Larruy). Last seen on 19.3 (D.Burgas)

© Ricard Gutiérrez

There was a Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena at badia de Roses, off PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà on 17.3 (T.Montràs, S.Sales i J.Martí-Aledo) to 18.3.2004 (S.Sales, J.Martí-Aledo, O.Clarabuch).

Two Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus were seen, both at Alt Empordà: one was seen at estany de Palau, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà on 18.3.2004 (J.Martí-Aledo, T.Montràs, O.Clarabuch, S.Sales) and on 31.3 a male was at Tres Ponts area, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Girona (Oriol Clarabuch i Suni García).

The Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes found on 28.2.2004 at Clot de la Unilla, Lleida, was still there on 3.3 (Rafel Rocaspana) and 6.3 (A.Ollé, M.Llobet, T.Mampel).It was still there on 14.3 (Enric Farré) and 15.3 (Gerard Bota) and 20.3 (E.Farré, T.Nievas, A.Sebé).Last seen on 28.3 (F.López, E.Lagunas). See a photo below.

© Ferran López

The overwintering Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus at the Ebre Delta was seen again on 29.2 and 1.3 at Masia Blanca ricefields, near Canal Vell, Delta de l’Ebre, Tarragona (David Bigas).

There was a male Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg at estany del Cortalet, Alt Empordà, on 31.3 (O.Clarabuch i Suni García) and at prats del Mas Trencat on 1.4 (Jordi MartíAledo).

Birds of the month were two Marmora’s Warbler Sylvia sarda recorded at Llobregat delta, the 2nd and 3rd for Catalaunya: on 13.3 a bird was seen at close range at cal Tet lagoon, El Prat de Llobregat Barcelona (Xavier Larruy) and on 17.3 a bird was seen coming from the sea and landing in coastal saltmarsh scrub less than a km from the former site (X.Larruy) Seen again on 18.3 (D.Burgas). On 19.3 the bird was relocated (F.López, R.Armada).See a photo below. Still there on 24.3.2004 v  (F.X.Santaeufemia) and 25.3 (X.Larruy).

© Rafael Armada

 

 

  • Fa 10 anys / 10 years ago

The then regular hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret seen near the Tancada lagoon the winter 2008-2009 was seen at Trabucador sandbar coast on 17.3.2009 (Stephen Cristopher).It was still there on 20.3 (Ricardo Rodríguez), see a photo below.

© Ricardo Rodríguez

 

Two Caspian Gulls were seen at Solius dump, Girona: A 2w was found on 1.3 at Solius dump, Llagostera – Santa Cristina d’Aro, Girona (Carlos Álvarez Cros) and an adult from 7-8.3 (Carlos Álvarez Cros).

 

  • Fa 5 anys / 5 years ago

There was a drake Blue-winged Teal Anas discors on 28.3.2014 at PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà. Alt Empordà (Marc Rovira, Gemma Hurtado @ornitho.cat). Later photographed (Joan Ventura, Eikel Delgado).

An influx of Pallid Harriers included : On 28.3 a 1w was seen flying North over Sant Climent Sescebes, Girona (Joan Budó @ornitho.cat); on 29.3 a ♂ was seen at Olván, Berguedà (Joan Rovira @ ornitho.cat), the also the last days of the month, a 3cy male was found at on 30.3 Cinclaus, L’Escala, Alt Empordà (Gerard Dalmau) and on 31.3 a ♂ was at Viladamat, Alt Empordà too (Fran Trabalón). See a photo below. Finally on 31.3 there was another male at Mollet de Perelada, Girona (Gerard Carbonell @ornitho.cat).

© Fran Trabalón, 31.3.2014

There was a Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus at Tancada Saltpans, Delta de l’Ebre, Tarragona on 14.3 (Jordi Martí-Aledo). This bird was seen again on 16.3.2014 (Josep Tantull, Roser Solé).

 

Novetats Març 2019 / Bird News March 2019

Latest update: 23 March 2019 / Darrera actualització: 23 de març 2019

 

 

  • Cigne cantaire / Whooper Swan  Cygnus cygnus (n=1)

(1) Vallès Occidental. Then adult that landed exhausted in downtown Barcelona on 10.1.2019 remained was about to be released the weekof 4-10.3.2019 (CRFS Torreferrussa) . The swan was released into the wild once recovered and gained 3,4 kg, totalling 9,4 kg at Estany d’Ivars i Vila-Sana, Pla d’Urgell on 5.3 (Ricard Gutiérrez, Sergi Sales, Ponç Feliu, Gabri de Jesús, Eva Reñé, Enric Morera, Quim Minoves, Pau García Campderròs et al; Joan Estrada @ornitho. cat), see photos below. News were broadcasted in the media. Still there on 6.3 (Roger Guillem, Xesco Puigdomenech; Víctor Iglesias) and 7.3 (César Piñol, Quim Minoves; Sergi Sales). Not seen on 8.3 nor later.

© Ricard Gutiérrez, 5.3.2019
© Ricard Gutiérrez, 5.3.2019
© Sergi Sales, 5.3.2019
  • Èider / Eider Somateria mollissima (n=2)

(1-2) Baix Ebre The adult drake and the subadult found some time ago were seen again from El Goleró, Deltebre on 2.3 (Quique Carballal). The subadult was still there on 10.3 (Quique Carballal, Javier Valladares).

  •  Cabussó orellut / Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus  (n=3)

 (1-2)  Baix Ebre. On 2.3 two were reported off Càmping l’Ampolla, Baix Ebre (Manolo Sánchez Blanch @ornitho.cat).  On 9.3 they remained there (Manolo Sánchez Blanch).

(3)  Montsià. The bird seen at Badia dels Alfacs, from El Trabucador sandbar, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Montsià last month was reported again on 3.3 (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch @ornitho.cat).

 

  •  nMartinet dels Esculls / Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis (n=1)

 (1)  Baix Ebre. On 23.3 a pure bird was seen somewhere at Deltebre, Baix Ebre (location supressed for breeding season safety reasons) (Manolo Sánchez Blanch). Seen again on 30.3 (Xavier Subirats).

  • Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarius (n=1)

(1) Alt Empordà. A bird was seen at El Cortalet lagoon, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà, on 17.3 (Joan David Tàbara, Fiona C. Thomas). See a photo enclosed.

© David Tábara 17.3.2019

 

  • Purple Sandpiper  Calidris maritima (n=1)

(1) Barcelonès. Presumably the same overwintering bird was surprisingly rediscovered at the Barcelona’s Port Olímpic  on 18.3 (Jordi Jover). See three photos below.

© Jordi Jover, 18.3.2019
© Jordi Jover, 18.3.2019
© Jordi Jover, 18.3.2019
  • Gavià argentat de potes roses / Herring Gull  Larus argentatus (n= 9)

(1) Pla de l’Estany . On 1.3 a 2cy was seen at Puigpalter dump, Pla de l’Estany  (Joan Goy). See two photos below.

© Joan Goy, 1.3.2019
© Joan Goy, 1.3.2019

(2) Pla de l’Estany. A 2 cy , the usual wintering birds at Estany de Banyoles, Pla de l’Estany, was seen again on 1-2.3 (Gerard Dalmau). A different bird from (1). Seen again on 5.3 (Guillem Saguer @ornitho.cat).

(3) Baix Ebre. One of the 2w with red PVC ring seen last month at Los Bascos ricefields, Deltebre, Delta de l’Ebre, Baix Ebre, was seen again on on 3.3 at the same place (Albert Cama).

(4-6) Tarragonès. On 2.3 there were two 1w and a 2w at Tarragona harbour, Tarragonès (Albert Cama, Camilo Albert, Pau Garcia @ornitho.cat). The 2w was seen again on 9.3 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat) while on 10.3 there were four: the adult, the 2w and the two 1w (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat). nThe adult and the 1w bird were seen again on 17.3 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat).

(7) Baix Ebre. Probably one of the 1w birds seen before was spotted again at El Goleró, Deltebre, Delta de l’Ebre, Baix Ebre on 10.3 (Quique Carballal, Javier Valladares). See a photo enclosed. Perhaps the same bird was seen also on 13.3 (Eulàlia Maspons @ornitho.cat).

© Quique Carballal, 10.3.2019

(8) Tarragonès. On 9.3 a new 3cy was seen at Tarragona harbour (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat). This 3w bird was seen again on 17.3 (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat).n Seen again on 23.3 (Raül Aymí @ornitho.cat).

(9) Tarragonès. The wintering adult was seen again on 10.3 at Tarragona harbour (Camilo Albert @ornitho.cat).

 

  • Gavià Caspi / Caspian Gull  Larus cachinnans  (n=4)

    © Albert Cama, 2.3.2019

(1-2) Tarragonès.  Two birds were seen at Tarragona harbour, Tarragonès, on 2.3 (Albert Cama, Camilo Albert, Pau Garcia), see a photo of one enclosed.

(3) Pla d’Urgell. A 2 cy was found at Ivars i Vila-Sana lagoon on 16.3 (Quim Minoves). Photos enclosed.

© Quim Minoves 16.3.2019
© Quim Minoves 16.3.2019

n(4) Garraf. On 20.3 a 1w was seen at Vilanova i la Geltrú harbour, Garraf (Quique Carballal). Seen again on 21.3 (Vittorio Pedrocchi, Xavier Parra @ornitho.cat).

 

© Quique Carballal, 20.3.2019
© Quique Carballal, 20.3.2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Botxí d’Estepa / Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris  (n=1)

 (1) Montsià. The 2nd for Catalunya, a 1w presumed female found on 22.11.2018 at Tancada marshes, Amposta, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià remained there on 1.3 (Pat Harrison; Quique Carballal), 2.3 (Santi Hernández @ornitho.cat) and  3.3 (Manolo Sánchez Blanch; Harold Wijts). Seen again on 4.3 (Pere Soler @ornitho.cat), 6.3 (Lluís Vilamajó @ornitho.cat), 7.3 (Vicente Francisco Tamarit @ornitho.cat). The bird was still there on 9.3 (Quique Carballal, Javier Valladares) and 10.3 (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch; Quique Carballal, Javier Valladares; Harold Wijts @ornitho.cat) to 14-15.3 (Eulàlia Maspons @ornitho.cat) and 16.3 (Diego Callau @ornitho.cat). Seen again on 17.3 (Manolo Sánchez Blanch), 18.3 (Sergi Sales – photo below- ; Mayca Martí), 19.3 (Vicente Francisco Tamarit @ornitho.cat), 20.3 (Javier Subirats) and 22.3 (Vicente Francisco Tamarit @ornitho.cat). nSeen again on 24.3 (Xavier Parra, Xesco Puigdomènech @ornitho.cat).

 

© Sergi Sales 18.3.2019

 

  • nCapsigrany balear / Balearic Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator badius (n=1)

 (1) Montsià. A male was found on 30.3 at Tancada marshes, Amposta, Delta de l’Ebre (David Bigas, Enric Pena).

 

  •  Graula / Rook Crow Corvus frugileus (n=4)

(1-3) Alt Empordà . There were four at El Far d’Empordà, Alt Empordà on 1.3 (Guillem Arrufat @ornitho.cat).  Three were at Figueres on 3.3 (Pol Vaqué @ornitho.cat). Two of the birds built a nest at Figueres downtown on 1.3, perhaps from 28.2. The other two birds are paired but so far they have not begun breeding. Sex of the four birds is unknown (Àlex Ollé, Manel Barrios, Albert Campsolinas, Guillem Arrufat). The birds continued breeding within Figueres, when photographed on 14.3 (Josep Maria Dacosta, see a photo below). On 15.3 three were seen too (Santi Hernández @ornitho.cat). Seen again on 17.3 (Dora Salvador @ornitho.cat). nOn 23.3 (Gerard Carrión @ornitho.cat) and 24.3 two birds were seen at Figueres (Pere Baucells; Carles Martorell @ornitho.cat) and also two were seen by one of the nests on 27.3 (Xesco Puigdomenech @ornitho.cat). Two  nests were seen on 27.3 too (Sergi Sales).

© Josep Maria Dacosta, 14.3.2019

 

  • Cornella emmantellada / Hooded Crow Corvus cornix (n=6)

(1-4) Baix Llobregat. At least a pair was breeding at the last part of the Llobregat river at El Prat de Llobregat on 8.3 (Ferran López). Third in-a-row breeding  year. Four birds were seen in the area on 12.3 (Raúl Bastida). Seen two at cal Tet area on 17.3 (Joan Carles Bellido @ornitho.cat) and on 19.3 (Eloi Iglesias @ornitho.cat) then again near the nest on 21.3 (Ferran López, Ricard Gutiérrez; Raúl Bastida @ornitho.cat). See two photos below (Ricard Gutiérrez). Agan near the Nelson Mandela bridge, El Prat, on 22.3 (Manel Álvarez @ornitho.cat). nTwo birds seen again on 23.3 (Joan Carles Bellido @ornitho.cat; Xavier Riera and others @ornitho.cat). On 24.3 three were seen  too (Quique Carballal, Javier Valladares @ornitho.cat) while on 26.3 two were at Cal Nani, El Prat (Pau Esteban @ornitho.cat). One was seen again on 30.3 (Jana Marco et al). See two photos below.

© Ricard Gutiérrez, 21.3.2019
© Ricard Gutiérrez, 21.3.2019
© Jana Marco, 30.3.2019
© Jana Marco, 30.3.2019

 

(5-6) Baix Llobregat. A bird was seen at Sant Boi de Llobregat villae, at Osca street (Susana Esteller @ornitho.cat). Two birds were seen over Parc de la Montanyeta, Sant Boi de Llobregat on 11.3 (Carlos M.V. @ ornitho.cat) raising doubts about the possibility of a 2nd pair established somewhere in or near Sant Boi (ed.comment). A single bird was also seen at Sant Boi on 14.3 (Nat Argullós @ornitho.cat). On 21.3 a nest was found at Sant Boi de Llobregat’s Llobregat delta area. Two birds were at the nest (Sergi Sales).

n(7) Barcelonès. A bird was seen at Besòs river park, Sant Adrià de Besòs, on 26.3 (Xavier Larruy @ornitho.cat) and 29.3 morning (07:15 AM), (Guillem Saguer @ornitho.cat).

 

  •  Garsa blava / Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cooki (n=1)

    © Irene Barnosell, 16.3.2019

 (1) Alt Empordà. The bird seen at Llançà, Alt Empordà on 2.2 was seen again at the same place on 6-7.3 (Miguel Hidalgo @ornitho.cat) to 8.3 (Hugo Foxonet @ornitho.cat). Seen again on 9.3 (Anthony Chaillou @ornitho.cat) and on 10.3 (Xavier Parra, Pol Vaqué, Andreu Duclau @ornitho.cat). The bird remained in company of two magpies near the village institute on 15.3 (Ponç Feliu) and on 16.3 (Irene Barnosell). See a photo enclosed. Seen again on 17.3 (Josep Crusafont, Sergi Arís @ornitho.cat) and 18-21.3 (Ponç Feliu @ornitho.cat),

 

  • Mosquiter de doble ratlla / Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (n=1)

 (1) Baix Llobregat. A bird was heard calling at Maresma de les Filipines, Viladecans, Barcleona on 11.3 (Ferran López).

 

  • Mosquiter de Hume / Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus humei (n=1)

(1) Baix Llobregat. The bird found calling at Barris garden center, Gavà last month remained there on 1.3 (Santi Hernández @ornitho.cat).

 

  • nCuereta groga ‘xantophrys’ / Xantophrys Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava ‘xantphrys/superciliaris’ (n=1)

(1) Baix Llobregat. A bird was seen near Can Dimoni, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat, on 27.3 (Quique Carballal). See photos enclosed.

© Quique Carballal, 27.3.2019
© Quique Carballal, 27.3.2019
© Quique Carballal, 27.3.2019
  • nCuereta groga balcànica / Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg (n=2)

(1) Baix Llobregat. On 26.3 a bird was seen at Cal Tet marsh, Llobregat delta, Baix Llobregat (Ferran López). See photos enclosed.

 

© Ferran López, 26.3.2019
© Ferran López, 26.3.2019
© Ferran López, 26.3.2019

(2) Barcelonès. On 26.3 a bird was seen at Besòs river park, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelonès (Xavier Larruy @ornitho.cat). See againlater (Javier Valladares @ornitho.cat).

 

  • Cuereta blanca endolada / Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii (n=2)

(1) Alt Empordà. There was a bird at Aguait Gall marí , PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà on 2.3 (Freddy Plédran @ornitho.cat).

(2) Pallars Jussà. A bird was reported from Fígols de Tremp dump, Pallars Jussà on 14.3. It was within a 10 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba group (Jordi Castilló @ornitho.cat).