Axarquia Bird Group

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Published January 2010

Axarquia BirdGroup

2009 Annual Report

Compiled by

R C N Wright BA AdvDipEd CertEd


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The Axarqua immediately to the east of Malaga

Cover photograph:Marsh Harriers over the Guadalhorce, Malaga

Avocet

Night Heron


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Further References

Website: www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com

Blog: http://birdingaxarquia.blogspot.com

Where to watch Birds: Southern & Western Spain - 3d Editionby Ernest Garcia and Andrew Paterson

Published by A & C Black, LondonISBN: 978-0-7136-315-8

Collins Bird Guideby Lars Svensson, Peter Grant, Killian Mullarney & Dan Zetterstrom(Translated by David Christie)

Published by Harper CollinsISBN: 0-00-711332-3

Both the above books may be purchased from www.amazon.co.uk at very favourableprices with, at the present time, free delivery to UK addresses.

Crane at Puente de Piedra

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Contents

Background to the Axarquia Bird Group

The Axarquia

Overview of 2009

Summer Migration dates

Site Descriptions

Introduction to the Systematic List

Systematic List for the Axarquia Bird Group

Participants and Contributors

Further References

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Photo: Ian Kirk

NOTE: This is the first publication of the Axarquia Bird Group and itsfuture success and or continuation very much depends upon thesupport of the Group. Please do offer your constructive comments,suggestions, observations, criticisms, etc to the author, preferably byemail, to: [email protected]

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Chaffinch Pinzon Vulgar Fringilla coelebs CVery common but quite localised. VZ, AG and forest of El Robledal.

Brambling Pinzon Real Fringilla montifringilla OVery occasional visitor when, if you look carefully, you may find asmall number feeding in a mixed flock with Chaffinches. The birdsare not likely to be in breeding plumage so it is the white, rather thangreen, rump that is the giveaway. Seen in 2009 at VZ.

Serin Verdecillo Serinus serinus CCommon and wide-spread in most parts including all sites.

Greenfinch Verderon Comun Carduelis chloris CUsually seen in small flocks at GM, RVand AG.

Goldfinch Jilguero Carduelis carduelis CVery abundant in winter months when large flocks can be seen atGM, RV, VZ and CS. Also at AG and FP.

Linnet Pardillo Comun Carduelis cannabina CGood-sized flocks seen in winter months at VZ plus smallernumbers at other times of the year at RV, AG, etc.

Crossbill Piquituerto Comun Loxia curvirostra RLocalised with flocks and/or individuals found at AG and El Robledal.

Corn Bunting Triguero Emberiza calandra CCommon in countryside, usually sitting for long periods on fencesand /or trees. VZ, AG, GM and FP.

Rock Bunting Escribano Montesino Emberiza cia CBunting of the mountains ad recorded at VZ.

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You will see elsewhere in this report that from such humblebeginnings the Axarquia Bird Group has grown in strength from theoriginal ten members to the present thirty plus. There is no upper

ceiling in terms of numbers but, surely, as we grow many will wish, orprefer, to do their birding in smaller groups and report back so thatothers may benefit from their experience. Indeed, it is so pleasing tosee so many new friendships developing as a result of these initialbirding filed visits. Long may it continue.

Hoopoe

Griffon Vulture

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time of the year will, most likely, also produce both Little Bustard andStone Curlew.

Spring and summer also bring good numbers of waders, especiallybreeding Avocet, Gull-billed Terns and many passage migrants.

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

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Greater Flamingo Flamenco Comun Phoenicoptcerusoseus

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The bird of FP with as many as 20,000 present in a good year whichcan result in over 15,000 young. In such years, organised ringing formigration and longevity studies takes place with as many as 5,000being rounded up by the team undertaking the scientific study. Birdsmove away as the water levels drop and small groups, especially juveniles, can be found on most undisturbed waters, including CSand RV.

White Stork Ciguena Blanca Ciconia ciconia CRegular visitor in very small numbers to FP. Usually no more thnfour pairs, best seen early in New Year upon return to site.

Spoonbill Espatula Comun Platalea lencorodia CRegular visitor to GM in Winter months. Often tagged individualswhich can be traced back to their Dutch breeding ground.

Squacco Heron Garcilla Cangrejera Ardeola ralloides COften missed but present in small numbers, especially at CS.

Cattle Egret Garcilla Bueyera Bubulcus ibis CAbundant numbers seen, specially on feeding fields occupied bycattle and/sheep or when land being ploughed or harrowed. Largeroosts at both CS and RV and best seen just after da break beforebirds move away to feed for day.

Grey Heron Garza Real Ardea cinerea CCommon to all shallow waters in the area and regularly seen at GM,AG, RV and CS. Large numbers can occur at both GM and Cs.

Little Egret Garceta Comun Egretta garzetta CRegularly seen in good numbers at both GM and CS nad often in

single numbers at RV.

Great Cormorant Cormoran Grande Phalacrocorax carbo CPresent mainly in Winter when numbers at GM can reach in excessof 200 at any one time. Usually a handful to be found feeding at RVand the odd bird at AG.

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Stonechat

Sanderling

Black-winged StiltBlack Redstart

Purple Swamphen

Zitting Cisicola

Spoonbill

Dunlin

Grey Heron

Red Avadavat

Axarquia Bird Group

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