Roy Bottomley, Ronnie Irving, Ian Kinley and Dave Thexton

General Comments

This was the fourth successive autumn trip to Andalucia for two of us - in this case familiarity has definitely not bred contempt! As ever, the trip proved very enjoyable with excellent birding throughout. Though the raptor migration proved less spectacular than in the past - perhaps due to the at times gale force easterly winds - we nevertheless saw three Ruppell's Vultures, a Lanner Falcon and eight Black-shouldered Kites: the sight of two Black-shouldered Kites hovering against the backdrop of a gorgeous sunset at La Janda will live long in the memory. The wetland sites on the east side of the Guadalquivir were better than ever: here we found a Red-necked Phalarope and a White-winged Black Tern along with the more expected species.

Weather

Dry and mostly sunny throughout and rarely too hot to bird. However, strong, mostly easterly, winds reached near gale force at times around Tarifa, making birding very difficult and surely affecting the raptor migration. Birding light lasted from about 08.00 to about 20.30.

Travel

We flew from Liverpool to Malaga with easyJet www.easyjet.com (£121 per person return, booked over the internet, as always in our experience very efficient and virtually hassle-free). At Malaga airport, we picked up a hired Ford Focus Wagon diesel from Europa Goldcar (283.50 euros for 11 days plus another 10 euros to cover damage to tyres/wheels). This was booked over the internet with Carjet www.carjet.com and again proved very smooth and efficient apart from some argument over the state of the vehicle when we returned it - they seemed surprised it was coated in dust inside and out and muttered about extra valeting charges. Try birding in Southern Spain for 11 days without getting your car dirty!

Accommodation

Although confident we did not need to pre-book any accommodation, we planned to spend the first few days in Tarifa and so booked into La Codorniz where we'd stayed the previous two years. After that we just turned up and found somewhere on the day. After failing to contact anyone at the seemingly deserted Hostal Alcazar where we'd stayed in the past, we did struggle slightly at Chipiona, where the first few places we tried were full.

We stayed at the following: -

Hotel La Codorniz (situated alongside N340 just west of Tarifa) Tel. (34) 956 68 47 44 http://www.lacodorniz.com/default_ingles.htm email lacodorniz@cherrytel.com Six nights in total; 80 euros per night per twin-bedded bungalow apartment including continental breakfast (served theoretically from 08.00, but actually available from about 07.30 so allowing just enough time before it got light enough to bird). Superb, very comfortable with an excellent restaurant and pool and brilliant location. Easily the best place we stayed but reflected in the price though all the hotels along the stretch of coast just west of Tarifa are relatively high-priced and La Codorniz is by no means the most expensive. Birds seen actually from the hotel grounds included Black Stork, Griffon Vulture, Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Red-rumped Swallow and Bee-eater.

Hostal Arca, Chipiona Two nights; 48 euros a night per twin-bedded room. Comfortable (with air-conditioning) and decent value. No restaurant but there is plenty offering excellent value in Chipiona itself (try El Aleman for huge helpings at very reasonable prices). The only drawback is finding your way in and out of Chipiona, which is something of a nightmare.

Hotel Al-Andalus at Los Palacios y Villafranca Two nights; 45 euros per night per twin-bedded room Very comfortable and still good value though rather more expensive than last year. Bar but no restaurant though the friendly owner happily served early morning coffee and tostades and Los Palacios has everything from take-aways and burger bars upwards (the Chinese proved a rather surreal experience but was good value). On-street parking proved very difficult at times.

Sites Visited

Los Lances (Tarifa Beach)

Adult and 2nd-winter Audouin's Gulls at Los Lances © Ronnie Irving

Birds seen on or from the beach and in the nearby dunes and fields included Cory's and Balearic Shearwaters, Audouin's Gull, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Bee-eater, Roller, Tawny Pipit, Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark and a variety of common waders.

The inlet behind Playa Palomas, which is essentially an extension of Los Lances about 8km north of Tarifa was also visited a couple of times and provided a surprise White-rumped Swift as well as two Bonelli's Eagles over the nearby crags. The hills just to the west, accessed by a road marked as "private military only" or some such but clearly widely used by the public, were good for Blue Rock Thrush.

Cazalla Watchpoint, Tarifa (referred to as Ciguena Negra in our previous trip reports)

Cazalla Watchpoint with Program Migres  'workers' ©  Ronnie Irving

We did most of our raptor watching here and recorded, in addition to the usual selection of raptors, Black and White Storks, Pallid and Alpine Swifts, Red-rumped Swallow and Blue Rock Thrush.

El Algarrobo Watchpoint..

Visited just once when species included Ruppell's Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle and Red-rumped Swallow.

La Janda

One of our two visits was ruined by gale force winds but the second visit, on the evening of 20th, was very productive, with super views of no less than eight Black-shouldered Kites undoubtedly one of the highlights of the whole trip. We also recorded Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Hen Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Alpine Swift, Bee-eater, Red-rumped Swallow, Calandra Lark, Woodchat Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike and Spanish Sparrow. The newly created wetland area noted on our trip last year actually seemed to have shrunk rather than expanded though our views of this area were severely hampered by the wind.

Jara Valley

This provided some shelter from the strong easterlies that made birding at the usual raptor watchpoints so difficult. Species seen included Ruppell's Vulture and Bonelli's Eagle among a good selection of raptors.

Bonanza Salinas

Slender-billed Gulls and Black-winged Stilt at Bonanza Salinas © Ronnie Irving

Superb as ever and still, apparently, largely neglected by visiting birders. Highlights here included Red-necked Phalarope, Slender-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Black, Whiskered and White-winged Black Tern along with the more expected species. This is also a terrific site for disgusting smells and hordes of flies!

Juvenile White-winged Black Tern at Bonanza Salinas © Ronnie Irving

Trebujena Marismas (apparently better known as Adventus Marshes and El Puntal Marshes) and Algaida Salinas

One of the lagoons at Trebujena Marismas © Ronnie Irving

Another very rewarding and apparently under-visited area (even more surprising since several birders told us the Coto Donana was completely dry). Though water levels were lower than on previous visits, there was still plenty of water and plenty of birds. We were pleased to find a Crested Coot (without a neck collar) plus Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, Melodious and Spectacled Warbler as well as the more expected Black Storks, Marbled and White-headed Ducks, Whiskered Terns and Lesser Short-toed Larks, plus a variety of raptors and other waterbirds.

Laguna de Tarelo.

Reliable as ever for White-headed Duck and also produced Black-necked Grebe, Night Heron and Slender-billed Gull.

Algaida Pinewoods

Plenty of Pied Flys but of course no Azure-winged Magpies!

Brazo del Este/Isla Menor

Marbled Duck at Brazo del Este © Ronnie Irving

No water shortage here and, as always, plenty of birds. The rice harvest had yet to get underway but seemed imminent at Isla Menor, judging by the amount of activity. Two visits produced Spoonbill, Squacco Heron, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Black Stork, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Booted Eagle, Purple Gallinule, Marbled Duck, Temmink's Stint, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, Penduline Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike, Spanish Sparrow, Common Waxbill, Golden Bishop and much more.

Laguna de la Mejorada (apparently also known as Lago de Diego Puerta and referred to as Los Palacios Laguna in our 2004 trip report).

Laguna de la Mejorada © Ronnie Irving

The huge Cattle Egret roost again proved spectacular whilst other species included a surprise Little Bustard as well as Red-rumped Swallow, Penduline Tit, Common Waxbill and Western Olivaceous Warbler.

Sierra de la Plata/Bolonia/Atlanterra/Zahara de los Atunes

Despite dawn and dusk visits, we again failed with Little and White-rumped Swifts though six Little Swifts were seen by other birders at Zahara during our trip. Species we did see included Cory's and Balearic Shearwaters, Honey Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Audouin's Gull, Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush and Melodious Warbler.

Site details can be found on our September 2004 trip report at http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/Spain/andalucia8/and-sept-04.htm and/or Where to watch birds in Southern and Western Spain by Garcia and Patterson. This is excellent and still pretty up to date, with, in addition to details on individual sites, much useful background information.

See also John Butler's website at www.donanabirdtours.com which gives some site information and includes up-to-date trip reports from the Donana area. John Butler and others also kindly provided some additional information via www.birdforum.net The Rare Birds in Spain website www.rarebirdspain.net gives info on the latest rarities. Other websites that provide useful background information and some details of recent sightings include http://www.discoveringdonana.com/Index.htm and www.andalucianguides.com whilst trip reports - always a useful source of information - can be found at travellingbirder.com amongst other sites.

Daily Itinerary

September 12th Liverpool-Malaga-Tarifa. Half day's birding spent at El Algarrobo, Cazalla and Punta Paloma. Highlights: Black Stork, Ruppell's Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle, White-rumped Swift, Blue Rock Thrush. Daily total 55 species. Overnight at Tarifa.

September 13th Birding at Los Lances, Cazalla, La Janda, Bolonia and Sierra de la Plata. Highlights: Cory's Shearwater, Black Stork, Lesser Kestrel, Audouin's Gull, Roller, Tawny Pipit, Calandra Lark. Daily total 66 species. Overnight at Tarifa.

September 14th Birding at Bolonia, Sierra de la Plata, Cazalla, Tarifa, Jara Valley. Highlights: Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Bonelli's Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Audouin's Gull, Blue Rock Thrush. Daily total 48 species. Overnight at Tarifa.

September 15th Tarifa-Chipiona. Birding at Los Lances, Jara Valley, Bonanza Salinas. Highlights: Cory's Shearwater, Greater Flamingo, Ruddy Shelduck, Red-necked Phalarope, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Caspian Tern, Short-toed Lark. Daily total 53 species. Overnight at Chipiona.

September 16th Birding at Trebujena Marismas (including Adventus and El Puntal Marshes), Algaida Salinas, Algaida Pinewoods and Laguna de Tarelo. Highlights: Black Stork, Night Heron, Greater Flamingo, Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Crested Coot, Slender-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark, Tawny Pipit, Melodious Warbler, Spectacled Warbler. Daily total 91 species. Overnight at Chipiona 

September 17th Chipiona-Los Palacios y Villafranca. Birding at Bonanza Salinas and Laguna de la Mejorada. Highlights: Night Heron, Greater Flamingo, Little Bustard, Red-necked Phalarope, Slender-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, White-winged Black Tern, Penduline Tit, Western Olivaceous Warbler, Common Waxbill. Daily total 81 species. Overnight at Los Palacios.

September 18th  Birding at Brazo del Este and Laguna de la Mejorada. Highlights: Great White Egret, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Black Stork, Greater Flamingo, Marbled Duck, Purple Gallinule, Temminck's Stint, Whiskered Tern, Penduline Tit, Western Olivaceous Warbler, Common Waxbill, Golden Bishop. Daily total 90 species. Overnight at Los Palacios.

September 19th  Los Palacios-Tarifa. Birding at Brazo del Este, Isla Menor, Punta Paloma and adjacent hills. Highlights: Great White Egret, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Black Stork, Greater Flamingo, Purple Gallinule, Temminck's Stint, Penduline Tit, Blue Rock Thrush, Common Waxbill, Golden Bishop. Daily total 90 species. Overnight at Tarifa.

September 20th Birding at Los Lances, Cazalla, La Janda. Highlights: Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Black Stork, Lesser Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Audouin's Gull, Roller, Tawny Pipit, Calandra Lark. Daily total 78 species. Overnight at Tarifa

September 21st: Birding at Bolonia, Cazalla, Jara Valley, Zahara, Atlanterra. Highlights: Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Black Stork, Audouin's Gull, Crag Martin, Melodious Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush. Daily total 55 species. Overnight at Tarifa.

September 22nd: Tarifa-Malaga-Liverpool after a morning's birding at Los Lances, Tarifa and Cazalla. Highlights: Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Audouin's Gull, Roller, Tawny Pipit, Calandra Lark. Daily total 45 species.

Species List

We recorded a total of 163 species (not counting a dead Quail!), listed below. The figures in brackets represent the number of days each species was recorded e.g. (4/11) means that a species was seen on four days during our 11 day trip (bearing in mind that the first and last days were really only half-days of birding) and gives a crude indication of how easy each species was to see. More details are given of the rarer or more interesting species.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (3/11) Records included a communal fishing flock of c.100 birds at Brazo del Este on 18th.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus (2/11)

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (3/11) Up to 9 at Bonanza Salinas and 6 at Laguna de Tarelo.

Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea (6/11) Ever present in small numbers off Los Lances and Tarifa itself. Also seen off Bolonia and Atlanterra.

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus (6/11) Small numbers off Los Lances, Atlanterra and Tarifa

Gannet Morus bassanus (6/11)

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (3/11)

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (4/11) Sightings included 100+ leaving the roost at Laguna de la Mejorada and 10 at Laguna de Tarelo. Smaller numbers than in the past seen at Brazo del Este.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (2/11) Just small numbers at Brazo del Este and 1 or 2 at Laguna de la Mejorada.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (11/11) Widespread. Huge roost of 3000+ at Laguna de la Mejorada made an impressive sight.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta (8/11) Widespread. Most numerous at Brazo del Este,

Great White Egret Ardea alba (2/11) One at Brazo del Este on 18th and 19th.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (10/11)

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (1/11) Just small numbers at Brazo del Este.

Black Stork Ciconia nigra  (7/11) 9 at Punta Paloma on 12th; a flock of 41 in flight near Bolonia on 13th; 5 at Trebujena Marismas on 16th; 2 + a flock of 21 in flight at Brazo del Este on 18th; 3 at Brazo del Este on 19th; 19 (8+6+5) at the Cazalla Watchpoint on 20th; 47 (38+9) at the Cazalla Watchpoint and 5 over Hotel La Codorniz on 21st.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia (8/11) Widespread but mostly in relatively small numbers apart from a huge flock of c5000 in an uncut rice field at Isla Menor on 19th.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (2/11) c120 at Brazo del Este on 18th and c200 at Isla Menor on 19th that were mostly in flight on the other side of the Guadalquivir.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (4/11) 300+ at Algaida Salinas on 16th and 80+ at Bonanza Salinas on 17th. Much smaller numbers at Brazo del Este and La Janda.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber (5/11) 500+ at Algaida Salinas; 200+ at Bonanza Salinas and smaller numbers at Brazo del Este. Also seen whilst travelling past Cadiz Bay on the N IV

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (1/11) One at Bonanza Salinas on 15th.

Wigeon Anas Penelope (1/11)

Gadwall Anas strepera (1/11)

Teal Anas crecca (3/11)

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (5/11)

Pintail Anas acuta  (3/11)

Shoveler Anas clypeata (6/11)

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (2/11) c30 at Trebujena Marismas on 16th; just 2 at Brazo del Este on 18th.

Pochard Aythea farina (1/11)

White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (1/11) 20 at Trebujena Marismas and 19 at Laguna de Tarelo on 16th.

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus (8/11) Seen regularly and at many locations, mostly in relatively small numbers but including 200+ at El Algarrobo on 12th and 100+ at the Sierra de la Plata on 13th.

Black Kite Milvus migrans (9/11) Seen regularly at a variety of locations, mostly in small numbers but including 100+ in the Jara Valley on 14th.

Red Kite Milvus milvus (2/11) 1 at Bonanza Salinas on 15th and at least half a dozen at Trebujena Marismas/Algaida Salinas on 16th

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus (1/11) No less than 8 birds perching on the sprinkler systems and hunting over the cut maize fields at La Janda on 20th provided one of the undoubted highlights of the trip. The birds were concentrated close to the main canal near the turn off to ?

Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (4/11) Surprisingly scarce compared to previous trips. Seen at several sites but with a maximum of just 12 at Cazalla Watchpoint on 20th.

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (8/11) Seen in small numbers at many sites.

Ruppell's Vulture Gyps rueppellii (2/11) 2 at El Algarrobo on 12th and 1 in the Jara Valley on 21st. We also had several more possible sightings of birds not seen well enough to confirm the ID. The second year running we've connected with this species that seems to be becoming a regular feature in the Straits area. Up to 6 individuals were said to be present in September 2005.

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (8/11) Seen at many locations, mostly in fairly small numbers. Our peak count was c200 at Cazalla Watchpoint on 20th. Other interesting sightings included cracking views of 4 birds roosting in trees at the head of the Jara Valley at dusk on 14th.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (8/11) Widespread. Most numerous at Brazo del Este and, though in smaller numbers than in past years, at La Janda.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus (1/11) 3+ ringtails at La Janda on 20th.

Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus (5/11) Seen at several sites but most numerous at La Janda with 6+ on 20th.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (9/11)

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo  (8/11)

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (11/11) Seen every day and at many locations, mostly in fairly small numbers. Our peak count was c100 at Cazalla Watchpoint on 20th. As with Short-toed Eagle and several other raptors, passage was less spectacular than on past trips.

Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus (2/11) An immature bird at El Algarrobo on 12th; 2 adults over crags viewed from Punta Paloma on 14th (birds seen at same site in 2003) and an adult in the Jara Valley also on 14th.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus (5/11) Particulary in evidence on this trip and seen at a number of sites, most notably Trebujena Marismas/Algaida Salinas and Brazo del Este where at least half a dozen were to be seen.

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (3/11) Seen at a number of sites, including 30+ at La Janda,.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (11/11)

Peregrine Falco peregrinus (5/11)

Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus (1/11) An adult seen in flight at Tarifa during a seawatch on 14th came as a real bonus.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa (5/11)

Quail Coturnix coturnix (1/11) A dead bird was found impaled on a fence at Brazo del Este on 19th.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus (1/11)

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (4/11)

Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio (2/11) Common at Brazo del Este though less obvious than on past trips due to high water levels and the fact that the rice harvest had not yet begun. Maximum of c25 on 19th.

Coot Fulica atra (4/11)

Crested Coot Fulica cristata (1/11) One (without a neck collar) at Trebujena Marismas on 16th.

Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax (1/11) One seen in flight at Laguna de la Mejorada on 17th came as a surprise. Despite searching, we failed to find any at the supposedly more favoured locations such as La Janda.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (7/11) Present in good numbers at Bonanza Salinas and Algaida Salinas with smaller numbers at Brazo del Este.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (4/11) Present in good numbers (500+) at Bonanza Salinas, smaller numbers at Algaida Salinas and Brazo del Este.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius (5/11)

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (10/11)

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (10/11)

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (3/11)

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (2/11)

Knot Calidris canutus (3/11)

Sanderling Calidris alba (9/11)

Little Stint Calidris minuta (7/11) Records included c150 at Brazo del Este on 19th

Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii (2/11) One at Brazo del Este on 18th and 3 there on 19th.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (6/11) Records included 149 on one lagoon at Bonanza Salinas on 17th.

Dunlin Calidris alpina (10/11)

Ruff Philomachus pugnax (5/11) Most numerous at Brazo del Este.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago (2/11)

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (4/11) Just moderate numbers recorded.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (/11)

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (2/11)

Curlew Numenius arquata (2/11)

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythopus (3/11)

Redshank Tringa tetanus (4/11)

Greenshank Tringa nebularia (5/11) 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus (5/11)  

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (3/11) 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  (7/11)

Turnstone Arenaria interpres (4/11)

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus (2/11) A juvenile/1st-winter at Bonanza Salinas on 15th and 17th was a nice find.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus (1/11) A 1st-winter at Bolonia on 14th.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus (8/11)

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei (3/11) 20+ at Bonanza Salinas on 15th; 11 at Laguna de Tarelo on 16th and 100+ at Bonanza Salinas on 17th.

Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii (7/11) Ever present on Los Lances with a maximum count of 120 on 20th. Much smaller numbers seen at Bolonia and Atlanterra.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus (8/11)

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans (10/11)

Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica (2/11) At least 6 at Algaida Salinas on 16th and a ghostly  adult in full winter plumage at Bonanza Salinas on 17th.

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia (3/11) 7 at Bonanza Salinas on 15th; 3 at Trebujena Marismas/Algaida Salinas on 16th and 5 at Bonanza Salinas on 17th.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis (8/11)

Common Tern Sterna hirundo (1/11)

Little Tern Sterna albifrons (4/11) 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (5/11) Up to 20 seen at La Janda, Bonanza Salinas, Trebujena Marismas/Algaida Salinas and Brazo del Este.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger (4/11) Small numbers at Bonanza Salinas, Trebujena Marismas/Algaida Salinas and Brazo del Este.

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (1/11) A juvenile at Bonanza Salinas on 17th was a welcome, surprise find and gave cracking views alongside Whiskered Terns.

Feral Pigeon Columba livia (11/11)

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus (3/11)

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto (11/11)

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur (10/11)

Little Owl Athene noctua (1/11)

Common Swift Apus apus (7/11)

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus (5/11) Still quite widespread with small numbers at many sites.

Alpine Swift Apus melba (6/11) Seen at many sites, most notably 100 at Bolonia on 13th.

White-rumped Swift Apus caffer (1/11) At least one seen rather distantly from Punta Paloma on 12th provided our only sighting despite dawn and dusk visits to Bolonia, Zahara and the Sierra de la Plata.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (4/11)

Bee-eater Merops apiaster (8/11) Frequent, often sizeable, flocks of up to 100 birds passing over especially in the first few days, with much reduced numbers by the end of the trip. Few perched birds were seen.

Roller Coracias garrulous (3/11) Sightings of a juvenile at Los Lances on 13th, 20th and 22nd probably all related to the same bird.

Hoopoe Upupa epops (8/11) Widespread including 6 together at Pinzon on 18th..

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis sharpei (1/11) One in Algaida Pinewoods on 16th.

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra (3/11) Seen at La Janda, Trebujena Marismas and Los Lances; by far the largest flock being 200+ at Los Lances on 20th.

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (1/11) c40 at Los Lances on 15th.

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufesc/ens (1/11) Common at Trebujena Marismas/Algaida Salinas.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata (11/11)

Sand Martin Riparia riparia (9/11)

Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris (1/11) Several at Atlanterra on 21st.

Swallow Hirundo rustica (11/11) Sightings included many hundreds going to roost at last light in the tamarisks at Laguna de la Mejorada on 18th.

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica (7/11) Small numbers seen at most sites including the Hotel La Codorniz.

House Martin Delichon urbica (10/11)

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris (6/11) Up to half a dozen seen most mornings at Los Lances and 1 or 2 at Trebujena Marismas.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (11/11) Records included regular flocks at Los Lances and roosting birds at Laguna de la Mejorada.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba (1/11)

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (3/11)

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra (6/11)

Stonechat Saxicola torquata (11/11)

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (6/11)

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (4/11) Seen at Cazalla Watchpoint, the hills near Punta Paloma and Atlanterra.

Blackbird Turdus merula (10/11)

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti (5/11)

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis (11/11)

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus (2/11)

Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida (2/11) At least 2 at Laguna de la Mejorada on 17th and 18th.

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta (2/11) Singles at Trebujena Marismas on 16th and Bolonia on 21st.

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata (1/11) One alongside a Melodious Warbler and a Whitethroat at Trebujena Marismas on 16th.

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala (11/11)

Whitethroat Sylvia communis (2/11)

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin (1/11)

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (6/11)

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus (3/11)

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa sriata (7/11)

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca (8/11) Migrants seen in a wide variety of locations and habitats.

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus (1/11)

Great Tit Parus major (1/11)

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus (3/11) Heard at Laguna de la Mejorada on 17th. Good views of several birds at Brazo del Este on 18th and 19th.

Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla (2/11) Seen in Algaida Pinewoods and the woods opposite Hotel La Codorniz.

Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis (6/11) Small numbers at a number of sites.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator (4/11) Small numbers, all juveniles, at several sites.

Magpie Pica pica (1/11)

Jackdaw Corvus monedula (1/11)

Carrion Crow Corvus corone (1/11)

Raven Corvus corax (2/11)

Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor  (11/11) Very numerous

House Sparrow Passer domesticus (11/11)

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis (3/11) Small numbers found at Brazo del Este and La Janda. Probably much more widespread and numerous if we'd looked harder.

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus (1/11)

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (5/11)

Serin Serinus serinus (5/11)

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris (5/11)

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis (10/11)

Linnet Carduelis cannabina (2/11)

Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra  (7/11)

Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild (3/11) Easy to find at Laguna de la Mejorada and Brazo del Este.

Golden Bishop Eupletes afer (2/11) Very obvious with some stunning males, and much dowdier females, at Brazo del Este.