Species - October

This list focusses on the last week of the month which is when our 2006 visit will be taking place.

This is a transitional point in the calendar. Some birds which are clearly summer visitors will still be present - Booted Eagle, Swallow, Martins. This time of the year may well still be warm; it is a peaceful and tranquil period after the intense heat of the summer.

Crane - over the past 3 years there has already been a good number of cranes by the end of the month, ranging between 1,000 and 8,000 birds according to the weather patterns. The roosts are still fairly small; the birds tend to use the shallow reaches on the reservoirs. In 2004 two ringed cranes from Germany were observed.
Greylag goose - some present on maize fields, often in amongst the cranes
Black stork - small groups (we have seen up to 5 in a group; more often 2 or 3) usually close to water in undisturbed areas. This is a good time for observation.
White storks - birds which do not migrate in winter can be seen in areas under irrigation. Roosts may comprise several dozen birds.
Acuatic birds - concentrations of between 2,000-3,000 birds may be seen on some reservoirs made up of Mallard, with Pochard, Great Cormorant, Little Grebe and perhaps Red-crested Pochard. Most of the over-wintering acuatic birds have not yet arrived.
Great Bustard and other steppe species - small groups of up to 10 individuals although the large winter groups have not yet come together. Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Little Bustard are also starting to form winter groups.
Black-shouldered Kite - frequently seen across habitual locations
Hen Harrier and Red Kite - both species have normally arrived by now and may be seen in the area, although their numbers will increase greatly as winter approaches. The same is true for Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk.
Griffon Vulture - may be seen in usual areas frequented by the colonies. The birds are sedentary throughout the year.
Golden Eagle - individuals or pairs may be seen close to Orellana.
Azure-winged Magpie are common residents. Raven - last year a group of 40 adolescent birds was observed. Red-billed Chough is less common but should be locatable.
Eagle Owl may possibly be seen by day. Also during the day the call of the Little Owl is often heard.
Other birds which may be seen during this week are White Wagtail, Southern Grey Shrike, Hoopoe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Zitting Cisticola, Red Avadavat, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Green Sandpiper, Crag Martin (in large numbers), Black Redstart, Wood Lark, Crested Lark, Chiffchaff, Red-legged Partridge, Green Woodpecker, Stonechat, Lapwing (large numbers have usually arrived), Linnet, Goldfinch, Sardinian Warbler.