October / Octubre 2018

October / Octubre 2018

Destacats / Highlights
Remember when..
Fa 15 anys / 15 years ago
Fa 10 anys / 10 years ago
Fa 5 anys / 5 years ago
Novetats Octubre / Bird News October 2018

Destacats / Highlights

Un èider va animar els primers dies del mes, encara amb calor anticiclònica, al delta de l’Ebre on també restava, per a sorpresa de tothom, el badius vist el mes passat. No obstant això, el pas de l’ex-huracà ‘Leslie’ ens va dur pluges que potser van fer aturar migrants escassos com els mosquiters de doble ratlla o un papamosques menut trobat a Montjuïc, Barcelona. A partir del dia 18-20.10 es desferma la bogeria: un mosquiter reietó, un altre papamosques menut i un taxon nou per a Catalunya: la forma oriental del tallarol xerraire. Tot això amanit amb un total de 31 mosquiters de doble ratlla…]

[An Eider brought some interest in early October in an otherwise still warm and quiet early month but still with a surprising Balearic Woodchat Shrike around. However, after ‘Leslie’ ex-hurricane by mid month, the rain and storms brought not American but European birds, namely a Red-breasted Flycatcher and different Yellow-browed Warblers. From 18-20.10 one of those blessed Autumns came to Catalunya: a Pallas’s warbler, another Red-breasted Flycatcher and an oriental Lesser Whitethroat, first for Catalunya. And at least 31 YBW amongst other things!]

Remember when…

• Fa 15 anys / 15 years ago

On 31.10.2003 a  Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis , presumably a returning Drake, was found at la Massona lagoon, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà (Jordi Martí Aledo). On 20.10.2003 a drake White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala was at Canal Vell lagoon, Ebre Delta, Baix Ebre (Sergi Sales).

A Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos was found on 29.10.2003 at Masia Blanca ricefields, Canal Vell area, Delta de l’Ebre, Baix Ebre (David Bigas).

Two Citrine Wagtails Motacilla citreola were seen in October 2003: the 1st winter bird  from Llobregat delta found in September and last seen on 1.10.2003 (X.Pinheiro, R.Gutiérrez et al) and another 1w found at Ebre delta, Baix Ebre near El Goleró (R.Gutiérrez, F.López), see a photo below.

A single Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus was trapped and ringed at Estanys de Jordà, PN de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, Girona (Oriol Clarabuch, Grabi de Jesús, Fran Trabalón) on 19.10.2003, after a certain invasion having been registered in N Europe.

On 2.10.2003 a juvenile Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla was trapped and ringed at RN Sebes i Meandre de Flix, Flix, Ribera de l’Ebre (Marc Pérez López).

• Fa 10 anys / 10 years ago

On 25.10. 2008 a Canada Goose Branta canadensis was found at Buda Island, PN Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià (Cristian Jensen, Iben Hove Sørensen). The White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus seen during September 2008 at Aiguamolls de l’Empordà moved to Lleida where found on 10.10 at Vallcalent recovery center pond, Lleida (Carles Solà), 217 km from PN Aiguamolls direction SE. It left the area in company of White Storks the same day (Jaume Bonfil). On 14.10 (Jordi Arnau; Marc Gàlvez) and 15.10 it was seen at Montoliu de Lleida dump (Roger Guillem).The bird was still there on 21.10 (Vittorio Pedrocchi) and on 23.10 (Cristian Jensen) but was also seen during the day at Santa Teresita church, Lleida town, with storks ! (Marc Gálvez). It was still around at the dump on 27.10 (Quique Carballal).

There were two records of presumed Hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret Egretta gularis x garzetta. The presumed hybrid bird from the Tancada saltpans was seen again on 10.10.2008 (Edu Gracia Tinedo) and 26.10.2008 at the same area (Alfredo Sánchez Galán). A bird showing hybrid characters that had been lingering around Besós river, Llobregat delta, the zoo and Diagonal Mar park died in the last area on 1.9.2008.

On 19.10.2008 a Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarius was seen at El Cortalet, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Gerard Dalmau). Perhaps it was the same bird seen at Torroella de Montgrí, Baix Empordà, on 25-26.10 -and possibly since 18.10 afternoon – (Julio Pérez Cañestro, Albert Burgas).

A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos was found on 15.10.2008 at El Matà area, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Jordi Martí-Aledo, Ricard Gutiérrez). See a photo below (R.Gutiérrez).

Big surprise was the finding of a Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor on 19.10.2008 at El Sabogal hide, Ca l’Arana Natural Reserve, Delta del Llobregat, Baix Llobregat (Pedro Bescós, Maria José Valencia and José A. Flores Galan), the 1st for the area. The bird was relocated from the same place on 21.10 (Ricard Gutiérrez, Armand Ramal, Mike O’Neill; Pedro Bescós, Juan Bescós, Raúl Bastida). See a photo below (Ricard Gutiérrez) and it remained in the same place on 22.10 (Marc Gàlvez, Manolo García, Javier Cotín).

An adult Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola was seen at Gualta ricefields, Baix Empordà, on 14.10 (Àlex Ollé).

Warblers included a Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca seen at close range on 2.10 at Filipines marsh, Llobregat Delta, Viladecans, Baix Llobregat (Ferran López). Possibly the same bird was trapped and ringed at the same area on 6.10 (Joan Castelló). Three Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus were seen: one ringed on 5.10.2008 at “La Torreta”, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Montsià (Joan Antó, Cinta Pascual, Harald Sternberg, Odette Vidal, Adrià Antó i Elna Antó), another trapped and ringed at La Sínia, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, on 21.10 (Sergi Sales, Marc Pérez) and a further bird seen at El Garxal, PN Delta de l’Ebre, Baix Ebre on 25.10 (Cristian Jensen and Iben Hove).

• Fa 5 anys / 5 years ago

An odd goose, assumed to be a presumed hybrid Cackling x Barnacle Goose Branta hutchinsii x leucopsis , of dubious origin, was seen on 11.10.2013 at PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Oriol Clarabuch). It remained several days at the Cortalet lagoon and it was last seen on 23.10 (Angel Pérez Pallarés at ornitho.cat). See a photo below (Àlex Ollé).

A presumed hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret Egretta gularis x garzetta was relocated at Riera de Sant Climent, Viladecans, Baix Llobregat from 12-27.10.2013 (Rafael González de Lucas @ ornitho.cat; Grup local SEO/BirdLife Barcelona).

The Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva found on 28.8.2013 at Migjorn grassfields, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Montsià was relocated on 8.10 (Cristian Jensen/Audouin Birding Tours) and on 9.10 with 32 Golden Plovers P.apricaria (Ricard Gutiérrez), just before the start of hunting season. The bird was relocated on 27.10 quite far from the initial place at Illa de Riu, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Delta de l’Ebre, Tarragona (Josep Tantull, Roser Solé) where it was still present on 27.10.2013 (Jordi Martí-Aledo).

A Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus was seen on 13.10.2013 at Estany d’Ivars d’Urgell, Pla d’Urgell (Sergi Sales, Alba Pera & Marc Collado).

A Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca was on 13.10 at Santa Pau, La Garrotxa, Girona (Oriol Clarabuch, Miquel Àngel Lucena).

Four Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus were recorded: one was ringed at Illa de Ter, Girona on 8.10 (Josep Maria Bas); on 11.10 one was trapped & ringed at Torre de Cabdella, Vall Fosca, Pallars Jussà (Pere Josa); one was found on 13.10.2013 at Camping Almatà, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Guillermo Rodríguez, Manolo García-Tarrasón, Martí Franch & Jordi Martí-Áledo) and another was on 15.10 at Grau de Santa Margarida, La Rubina, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Àlex Ollé).

Novetats Octubre 2018 / Bird News October 2018

Latest update: 27 October 2018 / Darrera actualització: 27 octubre 2018

• Oca de bec curt / Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus (n=1)

(1) Alt Empordà. The unknown origin bird first seen on 26.6.2018 at La Gallinera, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà, then in other parts of the park by el Matà area remained there during October : 3.10 (Pere Labian @ornitho.cat) and 4.10 (Oriol Clarabuch; Raül Calderón @ornitho.cat; Jordi Martí-Aledo @birdingemporda.com). Still present in the area the following days: 6.10 (Carles Feo @ ornitho.cat) ,7.10 (Quico Serra @ ornitho.cat), 11.10 (Oriol Clarabuch @birdingemporda.com) and 12.10 (Muriel Friland @ornitho.cat; Jordi Martí-Aledo @birdingemporda.com). Still there on 16.10 (Oriol Clarabuch, Raül Calderón @ornitho.cat). Still present on 19.10 (Muriel Friland, Oriol Baena, Natàlia Pérez @ornitho.cat) and 20.10 (Jean-Claude Tocabens; Santiago Garcia, Adrien Pajot @ornitho.cat). Still at El Matà on 24.10 (Lluís Vilamajó @ornitho.cat) and 28.10 (Jozef Leestmans, Irene Barnosell, Manuel Caamaño @ornitho.cat) to 30.10 (Pere Soler @ornitho.cat) and into November.

• Èider / Eider Somateria mollissima (n=2)*

* This species is not a rarity considered by the CAC, but in our opinion the paucity of records in the last years grant future inclusion in the website.

(1) Baix Ebre. A 1st summer was found in late April 2018 in the Fangar bay area, Deltebre, Baix Ebre (David Bigas).  The bird has rested in the Fangar bay all the summer and has went unnoticed. However this 1s/2w was seen at close range at El Goleró, L’Ampolla/Deltebra,  Baix Ebre on 5.10 (Mariska Huub de Graaf) and it was later seen by more authors (Sergi Sales; Josep Tantull, Roser Solé; Màrius Domingo). See photos below. Not seen on 6.7-10.2018 but present again at El Goleró on 12.10 (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch, Mariska de Graaf).

(2) Baix Ebre. An adult male was seen at close distance from the beach off El Fangar, Deltebre, Delta de l’Ebre, Baix Ebre on 10.10 (David Bigas, Yago Brugnoli). See a record smartphone shot enclosed (David Bigas).

• Flamenc menut / Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor (n=1)

(1) Montsià. There was a bird at Punta de la Banya, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià on 9.10  (David Bigas, Thomas Kuppel). See a photo enclosed (David Bigas).

• Arpella pàl·lida russa / Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus (n=1)

(1) Gironès. A 1w was seen at Esclet, Cassà de la Selva, Gironès, on 13.10 (Antoni Mariné @ornitho.cat).

• Daurada petita del Pacífic / Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (n=1)

(1) Montsià. The returning adult seen again as in previous years at Migjorn grassfields, Sant Jaume d’Enveja from 18.8 was seen again on 6.10 with a party of 11 Pluvialis apricaria (Quique Carballal; Ricard Gutiérrez, Helena Arbonés), see photos below. On 7.10 it was still there (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch).  Seen again on 13.10 (Martí Franch @ornitho.cat).

• Xatrac bengalí / Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis (n=1)

(1) Baix Ebre. A bird was seen and photographed at El Goleró area, Deltebre, Delta de l’Ebre, on 11.10 (Robert Manzano, Helena Navalpotro). See a photo enclosed (Robert Manzano).

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

(1) Montsià. The female seen and photographed at Muntells, Sant Jaume d’Enveja, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià on 13.9.2018 was surprisingly relocated in the same area on 2.10 (David Bigas).

• Graula / Rook Corvus frugileus (n=4)

(1-4) Alt Empordà. On 31.10 four birds were found at Figueres, Alt Empordà, near the fair area (Narcís Garriga @ornitho.cat). Seen later by more authors  (Albert Campsolinas).

• Cornella emmantellada / Hooded Crow Corvus cornix (n=3)

(1) Baix Llobregat. On 29.10 a bird was sene again at El Prat de Llobregat, where sightings have been scarce these last weeks (Anna Carretero@ ornitho.cat).

(2-3) Baix Llobregat. On 30.10 two birds were seen near Viladecans graveyard, quite far from usually birding areas (ornitho.cat). This fact may be after lack of sightings in regular areas more into the Llobregat delta (ed. comment).

• Mosquiter comú siberià / Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis (n=1)

(1) Segrià. One bird showing tristis features was seen at Lleida, at Arborètum Dr.Pius Font i Quer, Segrià on 18.10 (Quim Minoves).

• Mosquiter reietó / Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus (n=1) 3rd for Catalunya

(1) Alt Empordà. On 21.10 a bird was ringed at Cala Montjoi, Roses, Alt Empordà (GACO/Roger Jutglà, Joan Aymerich, Judit Roquet, Xevi Rifà, Carles Durà, Ivet Roquet, Bet Font). See a photo below. On 22.10 it was seen again (Ponç Feliu, Gerard Dalmau, Francesc Dalmau, Pau Calero, Toni Mallol i Fina Bonet; Pau Garcia Campderròs, Gabri de Jesús, Joan Ventura, Ferran Vaquero; Vittorio Pedrocchi). Seen again on 23.10 (Enric Fontcuberta, Dani Roca i Toni Alonso; Ponç Feliu; Miquel Casas, Ferran Fontelles, Joan Padró, Daniel Mañas; Jordi Faus). Last seen on 24.10 (Manel Barrios et al).

• Mosquiter de doble ratlla / Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (n=38)

(1) Gironès. A bird was heard calling by the Ter river at Can Salvatella, Sarrià de Ter, Gironès  on 6.10 (Guillem Saguer @ornitho.cat). Still there on 7.10 (Hubert Mas @ ornitho.cat). Still there on 8.10 (Ponç Feliu @ornitho.cat).

(2) Vallès Oriental. A bird was found at Mogent river, near Sant Josep, Llinars del Vallès on 7.10 (Daniel Roca). See a photo below. Still there on 12.10 (Daniel Roca; Quique Carballal @ornitho.cat) and 13.10 (Josep Crusafont, Sergi Arís @ornitho.cat). Still at La Roca on 28.10 (Daniel Roca @ornitho.cat).

(3) Pla de l’Estany. One was seen at Resclosa de Serinyà, Fluvià river, Serinyà, Pla de l’Estany on 11.0 (Pancho Pou @ ornitho.cat).

(4) Gironès. At least one bird was heard at Ter river by Illa de Ter, Girona city, Gironès, on 12.10 (Guillem Saguer @ornitho.cat). Perhaps the same bird or another still around on 20.10 (Guillem Saguer @ornitho.cat).

(5) Barcelonès. A bird was found on 15.10 morning at Parc del Migdia, Montjuïc, Barcelona (Helena Navalpotro, Robert Manzano). Seen later the same day (Sergi Sales) and during the afternoon (Jordi Sala, Xavier Escobar et al). See a photo below (Jordi Sala). Seen again on 16.10 (Daniel Roca et al) and 17.10 (Carles Oliver; Ferran Pujol and others).

(6) Barcelonès. Another bird was found on 15.10 at Montjuïc mountain, this time near Fundació Miró, Barcelona, Barcelonès (Biel Bernat).

(7) Pla de l’Estany. A bird was seen, heard and taped on 16.10 at Banyoles, Pla de l’Estany, between Font de la Puda and l’estanyol de la Cendra (Gerard Dalmau). Still present on 19.10 (Gerard Dalmau) and 21.10 (Irene Barnosell).

(8-9) Pla d’Urgell. On 17.10 two birds were seen in the western part of Estany d’Ivars i Vila-Sana, Pla d’Urgell (Sergi Sales).

(10) Baix Ebre. On 17.10 a bird was seen at Urbanització Ampolla-mar, L’Ampolla, Baix Ebre (Manolo Sánchez-Blanch).

(11) Barcelonès. A bird was found at Barcelona Zoo, Barcelona on 17.10 (Santi Guallar). Still present on 18.10 (Quique Carballal @ornitho.cat).

(12) Alt Empordà. On 16.10 one was seen at Montjoi, Roses, Alt Empordà (Oriol Clarabuch, Raúl Calderón). Still there on 18.10 (Aleix Comas @ornitho.cat).

(13) Gironès. On 17.10 one was seen and  heard at Montilivi, Girona, Gironès (Miguel Angel Fuentes, Jordi Bermejo).

(14-15) Barcelonès. From 19-20.10 there were two individuals at  ‘els roures’, Parc del Migdia, Montjuïc, Barcelona (Manolo Garcia, 19.10, two birds; 2-3 ind on 20.10 Albert Manero, Jordi Vàzquez et al).

(16-18) Alt Empordà. On 19.10 three different birds were seen at Cap Gros, El Port de la Selva, Alt Empordà (Ponç Feliu, Gerard Carrión).

(19) Montsià.  On 19.10 one was present at Buda island, Delta de l’Ebre, Montsià (David Bigas).

(20) Baix Ebre. On 19.10 one was reported at Camarles,  Baix Ebre (Harold Wijts @ornitho.cat).

(21) Baix Llobregat. On 20.10 one was seen at Cal Tet, El Prat de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat (Jordi Jover, Toni Aparicio).

(22) Pallars Jussà.  On 20.10 a bird was seen at la Vall Fosca, Pallars Jussà (Pere Josa).

(23) Baix Empordà. On 20.10 a bird was seen at Mas Tinell, Torroella de Montgrí, Baix Empordà (Martí Franch, Guillermo Rodríguez).

(23-25) Alt Empordà. On 20.10 one or two were seen and heard at Cadaqués, Alt Empordà (Gerard Dalmau).

(26-27) Alt Empordà. On 20.10 there were 2-3 birds at Rabós, Alt Empordà (Àlex Ollé, Enric Capalleras, Manel Barrios).

(28) Baix Llobregat. Also on 20.10 a bird was seen at Bassa de l’olla del rei, Castelldefels, Baix Llobregat (Carles Oliver).

(29) Vallès Occidental.  On 20.10 one was at Sant Cugat del Vallès, Vallès Occidental (Javier Oliver @ ornitho.cat).

(30) Alt Empordà. On 21.10 a bird was found at Parc de les Aigües, Figueres, Alt Empordà (Manel Barrios @ birdingempordà.com).

(31) Pallars Jussà.  On 22.10 a bird was trapped and ringed at La Vall Fosca, Pallars Jussà (Pere Josa, Lucia Soliño). See a photo enclosed.

(32) Baix Llobregat. On 24.10 one was found at Parc Nou, El Prat de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat (Ferran López). See a thumbnail enclosed.

(33) Vallès Oriental. On 25.10 one was seen at La Llagosta, Vallès Oriental (Arnau Tolrà @ornitho.cat).

(34-35)  Baix Llobregat. On 25.10 two were found at Can Dimoni, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat (Ferran López). Later seen and heard by more authors.

(36)  Baix Llobregat. On 25.10 a bird was found at Cal Nani, El Prat de Llobregat (Àlex Rollan @ornitho.cat).

(37)  Baix Ebre. On 26.10 one was found at L’Ampolla harbour, Baix Ebre (Manolo Sánchez Blanch).

(38) Pla de l’Estany. A  bird was seen on 30.10 at Llacuna de l’Artiga de Can Morgat, Porqueres, Pla de l’Estany (Gerard Dalmau).

• Tallarol xerraire oriental / ‘Oriental’ Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca blythi/halimodendri* (n=1) FIRST FOR CATALUNYA

(1) Alt Empordà. A bird from eastern origin (blythi or halimodendri ) was seen and photographed on 20.10 at Cala Joncols, PN Cap de Creus, Alt Empordà (Gerard Dalmau, M.Angel Fuentes, Jordi Bermejo). On 22.10 it was seen again (Pau Calero, Francesc Dalmau, Gerard Dalmau, Oriol Clarabuch, Aleix Comas; Pau García Campderròs). See photos enclosed (Miguel Àngel Fuentes). This is to date the 1st presumed eastern race Lesser Whitethroat to be photographed and recorded in Catalunya. Seen again on 23.10 (Enric Fontcuberta, Daniel Roca, Toni Alonso; Joan Padró, Dani Mañas, Ferran Fontellas,Miquel Casas i Ponç Feliu). On 26.10 it was seen again and diferent photos point towards subspecies halimodendri (Àlex Ollé), see a thumbnail enclosed.

* IOC states: Tentatively included as a subspecies of morphologically similar S. curruca with which it is frequently synonymized (e.g. Aymí & Gargallo, 2006). However, mtDNA studies show it to be quite distinct (Olsson et al, 2013). Whether this represents a case of convergent evolution or misleading gene tree, remains to be resolved. The taxonomy of the entire Lesser Whitethroat complex may require revision.

• Papamosques menut / Red-breasted Flycatcher  Ficedula parva (n=2)

(1) Barcelonès. A 1w bird was found at Parc del Migdia, Monjuïc, on 15.10 morning (Helena Navalpotro, Robert Manzano). The bird attracted tens of birdwatchers to attempt watching it. Seen later in the day by more authors, and properly photographed, see below (Sergi Sales; Xavier Escobar, Biel Bernat, Rafa Armada, Jordi Cebrian, Ricard Gutiérrez; Jordi Sala, Joan Pujol, Ponç Feliu, Marc Noguera, Josep Bel et al). Seen again on 16.10 (Daniel Roca; Quique Carballal; Mireia Martín, Pau García Campderròs, Gabri de Jesús, Enric Fontcuberta et al). Not seen on 17.10.

(2) Baix Llobregat. On 20.10 a 1w was found at Bassa de l’olla del rei, Castelldefels, Baix Llobregat (Carles Oliver). See two record shots enclosed. Seen later again (Marta Segarra @ornitho.cat).

• Piula grossa / Richard’s Pipit  Anthus richardi (n=3)

(1-2) Alt Empordà. On 20.10 there were two at Prats de Can Comes, PN Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Alt Empordà (Martí Franch, Guillermo Rodríguez @ ornitho.cat).

(3) Alt Empordà. One was at Can Turies meadows, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà on 25.10 (Àlex Ollé @birdingemporda.com).