Cadiz Birding Blog Page

Europe's Birds - Wildguides - To be Published May 2021

26/11/2020

Ever since the publication of the original edition of 'Britain's Birds' by Rob Hume et al I've been banging on about the desirability of a 'European' version. My pleas were renewed when the much improved second edition of the book appeared (see here) so I'm pleased to hear that publication of what should be a ground breaking guide is now scheduled for 25th May 2021. With just over 600pp it will be an even heftier tome that the British version but the price is still a reasonable £20 (although pre-publication offers from online booksellers should knock several pounds off the price). Here's the publisher's 'blurb':-

Covering more than 900 species, and illustrated with over 3,800 photographs, this is the most comprehensive, authoritative and ambitious single-volume photographic guide to Europe's birds ever produced. Detailed descriptions provide the information necessary to identify the birds of Europe in all their plumages - male, female, breeding, non-breeding, adult and immatures, as well as distinctive subspecies- yet the book is easy-to-use, practical and accessible. Birdwatchers of any ability will benefit from the clear text, details on range, status and habitat, and an unrivalled selection of photographs. Chosen to be as naturalistic and informative as possible, the images are also stunning to look at, making this a beautiful book to enjoy, as well as an up-to-date and essential source of identification knowledge.
The authors include top-class wildlife photographers, writers and editors, and an imaginative, highly skilled designer. All are experienced birdwatchers themselves, who know what is needed and what is useful in an identification guide for birdwatchers living or travelling in Europe.

Covers all 914 species ever recorded in Europe, including established introductions
Describes all distinctive plumages and subspecies
Provides details of vocalizations, flight action and favoured habitats
Features more than 3,800 photographs, including comparison pages of birds in flight
Includes 540 maps, prepared in association with BirdLife International
Enables direct comparison of similar species

Covering over 900 species in the sort of detail needed to match the original British guide in only a little more than 600 pages seems a very tall order to me. I admit that I was hoping that extreme rarities would be excluded to give more space to birds you are actually likely to see on a European jaunt. However, Wildguides have a world beating team and you can be sure that whatever compromises necessary (and there are always some) to produce this guide will be well considered and judged. Naturally, as soon as I get a copy I will review it here.

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Identification of Greater & Lesser Short-toed Larks in Iberia

4/7/2020

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To the untutored eye all larks look quite alike sharing a broadly similar structure, gait, tweedy plumage pattern and, more often than not, a crest of some sort. Skylark, Crested and Thekla’s Lark are generally noticeably larger (in length and in bulk) than ‘short-toed’ larks (although a small Thekla’s can overlap in length) and the latter two at least have a more obvious crest. Woodlark is a similar length but generally heavier and has distinctive plumage markings. So even with a modest amount of experience it should be possible to recognise that the bird in question is one of the ‘short-toed’ variety.

As so often in these matters when a bird is seen can provide a useful clue (although caution is needed as this can sometimes be a ‘false friend’). Greater are a summer migrant to Iberia which appears from mid-March onwards but only starts to arrive in force in April. Autumn passage starts by mid-August with most leaving in September (although a few linger into October). Lesser are residents so any small lark observed between mid-October and early March should be that species. Should be, but not necessarily will be since wintering Greater have recently been seen in consecutive years in the Osuna area (Seville) and there is, of course, a possibility that global warming will make such instances more frequent. That said, in practical terms the exceedingly rare records of wintering Greater can be safely ignored.

Similarly, habitat and range can help too. Birds found in agricultural areas with a little scrub, on ploughed fields, fallow, set aside, grassy areas, vineyards or even orchards will, in almost all instances, be a Greater. Lesser is predominantly an habitué of natural vegetation that’s dominated by low salt-resistant scrub with little grass on poor soils and, particularly in the west, has a preference for salt marsh. This is reflected in the Spanish name for Lessers, Terrera Marismeňa (similarly helpful is the name for Greater are Terrera comun which reflects its relatively widespread status). Accordingly, a good rule of thumb in Andalucia is that any small lark found beyond c25 km from the coast or away from estuarine saltmarsh will be a Greater. An exception must be made, however, for the Hoya de Guadix and Hoya de Baza (Granada) which are both shallow basins where saline conditions dominate providing good habitat for Lessers. (The applies to similar habitat in central and eastern Spain, the Ebro valley and across the species’ range in Asia). Just to confuse matters in winter Lesser sometimes appear in the ‘wrong’ habitat such as ploughed fields (fortunately when Greater should be absent). Greater also do their bit to confuse by inhabiting dune systems near salt marshes and along grassy embankments that intrude into “typical” Lesser habitat. For example, the first Lessers I ever saw were in a grassy dune slack on the Ebro delta where there were also Greaters. Conversely, a Greater I saw on the Barbate estuary one recent spring flew from its typical grassy habitat to feed in the sort of saltmarsh habitat that Lessers generally prefer. However, even when all these caveats are considered, habitat preference remains a useful clue. These habitat preferences are clearly evident in the two species distribution in Andalucia.

So once you’ve found a “short-toed” lark, setting aside consideration of the season and habitat, how can you go about confirming its identity? There are three main factors that should help you resolve identification; the presence or absence of streaking across the chest, the presence of a dark spot on the neck and the structure of the birds’ wings. There are other helpful pointers concerning plumage and structure plus variations in voice and sometimes behaviour (but these are secondary to the three are clinching points noted above). However, although these differences may be small small and sometimes confusing in themselves, collectively tend to give the two species a different ‘feel’ or ‘jizz’.

Taking plumage first the key plumage distinction to look for is the pattern of streaking (or its absence) on the chest and the side of the neck. Greater tends to have streaks restricted to the side of the neck or, when present, only very faint, thin streaks running towards (rarely across) the centre of the chest. On the side of the Greater’s neck the streaking usually coalesces to form a dark ‘spot’ and, although posture can make this more or less obvious, most birds show this feature. Those Greaters that don’t have a dark spot have such indistinct and sparse streaking that this alone rules out Lesser. In contrast, Lesser lacks the dark spot (although occasionally might briefly seem to have one when the breeze exposes its darker underlying downy feathering) but always has strong streaking across the entire chest (including the centre) forming a distinct ‘gorget’ contributing to its resemblence to a female/juvenile Linnet) and such streaking often extends along the flanks.

The Greater’s head pattern is usually subtly stronger with a bolder, more extensive buff-white supercilium highlighted by a darker eyestripe below plus more striking whitish ‘spectacles’. An exception are the ear-coverts (= cheeks) which are rather plain on Greater but more distinctly streaked on Lesser. Greater also often (but not always!) has a warmer or even distinctly ‘ginger’ crown which Lesser never shows. This is mirrored in the general tone of the two species’ upperparts (in Iberia) as Lesser tends to be a greyer, less warm brown than Greater (but without direct comparison and with varying light conditions this can be very hard to judge). Although wear and bleaching can reduce the distinctions, the general impression is that Greater‘s head appears more lark-like whilst Lesser‘s more resembles a Linnet. Another subtle clue in a bird’s plumage that can be looked for is the pattern of the “median coverts” (roughly the feathers that run across the centre of the closed wing). In both species these show dark centres but in Lesser this is often confined to the shaft streak or rather diffuse whilst in Greater it’s bolder, darker and so more obvious. This may seem to be obscure but in the right conditions on some distant birds it can be the first clue you notice.

The presence or absence of a distinct ‘primary projection’ is the third critical feature to look for. The term primary projection may seem technical but in simple terms it means whether and how far the primary feathers (colloquially the ‘wing tip’) extend beyond the cloaking feathers of the inner wing (‘tertials’) when the bird is at rest. On Lesser 3 or 4 primary feathers extend well beyond the tertials and are c40% as long as them. On Greater the wing tips are entirely (or almost so) concealed by the tertials with at best only a small nub visible beyond them. Even on heavily worn birds only one or two wing tip feathers are normally visible. This means that the Lesser’s wing tip is plainly visible on a resting bird but has to be carefully looked for on Greater (although it must be admitted that on both it’s easier seen in photographs as not every lark is so co-operative to pause for a while). There are a further two minor and admittedly very subtle clues to be noted when looking at the structural differences between the two, head and bill shape. The small crests of both species are only visible when erected and pretty much identical but in repose the crown of Greater tends to be marginally flatter than that Lesser which can look slightly more rounded. The bill of Greater tends to be longer (and averages paler) than Lesser’s slightly stubbier bill. The harder one looks for these distinctions then the less obvious they often seem to be but both may subtly contribute to the Greater’s more lark-like feel and the Lesser’s resemblance to a small finch.

Voice can provide another clue for those sufficiently experienced to be well attuned to vocalisations. Both the calls and songs have a generic ‘lark-y’ feel to them but are so similar that accurately conveying these distinctions in written form is highly problematic. In very broad terms Lesser’s most frequent call is a dry, rattling (or purring) ‘drrrr-t-t’ which usually slows or falls at the end whereas Greater has a shorter ‘tewp’ and a rippling ‘tchirrup’ (sometimes recalling a sparrow). However, there’s a good deal of variation and both species can sound very alike. The song is similarly difficult to define and describe. Lesser tends to have a rich, rather varied and faster song which is more likely to include mimicry of other species (including Greater and other larks!) although inclusion of its rattling call can help. Confusingly Greater appears to have two song types; one using short phrases (1-3 secs) given at low level (?) and another with longer phrases given at greater heights. Another clue is that Lessers typical circling song-flight is lower without distinct undulations often accompanied by slower, higher wingbeats (reminiscent, perhaps, of Greenfich display) but they can also fly higher when, just to confuse matters, they can sound more like a Greater! Both species also sing from the ground but Lesser (apparently unlike Greater) will also sing from a small bush or shrub. However, individual variation, changing conditions mean these subtle distinctions can mean little in the field unless you’re highly experienced with both species. Accordingly, I advise those with good hearing and a good aural memory to listen to multiple recordings of calls and song on xeno-canto (Greater - https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Calandrella-brachydactyla; Lesser - https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Alaudala-rufescens) but make sure those you listen to come from western Europe as there is some variation between different subspecies.

I've put all of these points in tabular form on a pdf (see below) which is available on request.

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REVIEW: “Britain’s Birds: An Identification Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland” 2nd Edition 2020 Hume et al. WILDGuides/Princeton University Press ISBN 978-0-691-19979-5

11/6/2020

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Britain's Birds 2nd edition - with a different Robin on the cover!

When “Britain’s Birds: An Identification Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland” was published in 2016 it rightly won many accolades (see my review here) since it was, in my view (and that of many others), by far the best photo guide to British birds ever published. Arguably, the clever multiple image montages, careful selection of photographs and the flexible way in which information is presented raised it to be the best photo guide to birds yet published. However, there were some small niggles which were blissfully ignored by most users, caused minor irritation in a few and, at worst, caused outraged calls for it to be pulped by a handful of perfectionists. So should those happy (or indeed unhappy) with the first edition buy this revised version, have those ‘niggles’ been dealt with and how far will it go to satisfying those aiming for perfection?

Many books which promise to be ‘fully revised and updated’ simply don’t deliver (particularly after only a few years) but this one does and does it more thoroughly and comprehensively than any other book I can bring to mind. It really feels like someone has listened to the critics, gone back to the basics, carefully trawled through the book to correct all those (mostly) minor errors, sourced better photos where needed, redesigned the plates where necessary and squeezed in additional photographs where possible. This may not be too far from the truth as Chris Batty (who has been rumoured to have drawn up a list of the original edition’s foibles) is now credited as a ‘consultant’.

The 'intuitive' species order has been rejigged & improved

The addition of a illustration showing the "parts of a bird" in the Introduction is very welcome

The changes to the text start with the ‘Contents’ page which reveals that the order in which the birds are treated has been shuffled around with a handful of bird groups moved to make the book still more intuitive to use. For example Auks have been shifted to follow ‘Seabirds’ (not Skuas) and ‘Crakes’ now follow ‘Waders’; small changes but indicative of the attention to detail. The introduction has also been enlarged (from 4 to 6 pages) and redrafted to include a page on bird topography (missing in the original), a useful note on ageing (noting the new ‘roundel’ to indicate years to maturity, useful for gull ID) and an excellent brief introduction to the identification process. Whilst the text descriptions are clearly based on those in the first edition most have been skillfully redrafted sometimes adding new points but often simply making existing ones easier to read, comprehend and absorb. It helps that the print is easier to read and in many cases, despite being less aesthetically pleasing, the text is now presented on a plain background (rather than over a photograph). As with the photographs these multiple ‘minor’ changes have collectively made a greater impact than is immediately obvious.

Browsing the photographs it quickly becomes apparent the every plate has been examined and, where needed, redesigned and augmented (see the "slide show" above for some examples). At times the revision involves no more than shifting images around to add an additional figure, making the text and captions easier to read and adding dates when various plumages might be expected to be seen. It may only involve the substitution of one or two photographs for better ones but for various ‘tricky’ groups (e.g. Stonechats) it involves a wholesale revision with many additional images. Small touches such as the inclusion of lines linking up images of the same species on pages comparing similar species make for better clarity. Many comparative images of birds in flight (e.g. yellowlegs) are now consistently set out on a horizontal plane (rather than below one another) which, perhaps surprisingly, seems to make them work better. Similarly, some the plates and tables now have small illustrations to highlight important details (e.g. ‘Lesser’ Golden Plovers & dowitchers). Overall too there are more photographs of birds in flight. Happily, the handful egregious errors (e.g. incorrect image of “juvenile Little Ringed Plover”) and the greater number lesser errors (largely incorrect ageing) seem to have been corrected. Another plus are the captions showing when various plumage variations are to be seen (e.g. juvenile waders & gulls). In addition all plates have benefited from being better printed as they are crisper and brighter in this edition. All of these changes may be individually minor but collectively they make a big impact rendering the book still more user friendly.

Note the amended captions and revised map

The new map is an improvement but those in the BTO guide (right) are far better (the image here,enlarged from a smaller original, doesn't do original justice)

Peregrine Map (left) and my quick alteration to reflect the current situation

Turning from the text and photographs to the maps, the one area where the first edition was a significant disappointment, it’s again obvious that the critics have been listened to and many corrections made (e.g. Marsh Harrier). However, not all maps seem to have been sufficiently revised and one example of this deficiency that caught my eye is the map for Peregrine. This shows the species breeding on the south coast no further east than Devon despite having colonised the coast as far as Kent decades ago. Similarly, there's no indication that the species is now breeding on buildings in many of our major cities, across much of Wales and elsewhere in areas the maps suggest it's only a winter visitor. (In fairness it's difficult to accurately show a well dispersed population but as my quick revision suggests it can be better done). Unfortunately, the problem with the maps stems from their small size and design which has not changed. The design makes it difficult to represent isolated populations in some species, overstates distribution in others and is unsubtle when indicating status across the British Isles. In fairness, this is a problem common to most guides but the ‘Collins BTO Guide to British Birds’ manages to show winter/summer distribution more satisfactorily despite the maps being a third smaller (although these maps are less good at showing regions where birds migrate through and the distribution of birds at sea). It would also have been an advance to incorporate something along the lines of the 'calendar wheels' of the BTO guide.

Birds like these domesticated Mallards will still confuse

So returning to my original questions, I believe that those with the first edition would do well to make the small investment to buy this thorough update. This new edition has been a root-and-branch revision such that all the significant errors and virtually all of the minor ‘niggles’ have been addressed and rectified. It even gives details of the twelve species recorded in the British Isles since the first edition. Inevitably, some will find fault as the book still fails to give entirely comprehensive coverage in some respects (e.g. frequently seen domestic duck types, exotic wildfowl & some juvenile birds and hybrids) but criticism of such relatively minor omissions should not detract from the bigger picture which is that this remains an innovative and very useful guide with the most useful treatment of British birds currently available. By striking a good balance between the competing demands of a full treatment of Britain's birds, cost and portability (even if it is bulkier than the first edition with the page count rising from 560 to 576) it stands head-and-shoulders above its rivals (a position unlikely to change any time soon). In the tidal wave of bird guides in recent decades it is one of the few actually breaks new ground and is likely to be a useful reference for years to come. However, I remain of the opinion that a European guide based on this book (even if shorn of ultra-rartities) should take precedence over any future revision. I’d finally add that I’d have preferred something other than Robin on the cover so that a user (or reviewer) with both could more easily pick up the right volume!

Update - in an interesting talk on the new edition for the 'Virtual Bird Fair' principal author Rob Hume confirmed, as I'd hoped, that work on a version on European birds was well underway. He suggested that it'd be available in 'about a year' (i.e. 2021). As ever I take publication dates with a large pinch of salt but I couldn't resist doing a mock-up of what a European guide might look like. A guide including all European species, races and extreme vagrants would surely be too large so it'll be fascinating to see what compromises are made to achieve such an ambitious aim. Hopefully, continental publishers will be queuing up to do a French/German/Spanish etc version giving WILDGuides a handsome & deserved profit!

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Thank you ....

10/3/2020

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When Liz passed away on Boxing Day 2018 my daughter set up a page for donations in lieu of flowers (see here). It was a source of some comfort that it raised just over £1,000 for Alzheimer's Research & Age UK - the first a charity that offers some hope of preventing (or at least ameliorating the impact of) the scourge that is dementia and the second charity one that gave great practical help when we both needed it.

Since then I have continued to raise money by asking people to whom I've sent my 290 page guide to birding in Cadiz Province to make a donation. I'm pleased to report that this has now raised over £1,600 (with Gift Aid). In fact, I've raised rather more than that as I know some people have donated to the charities directly or (with my blessing) donated to other charities that meant a lot to them. Many thanks to all those who have made a donation, often a very generous one.

Although I'm well motivated to continue to revise, rewrite and update my guide as circumstances dictate, knowing I'm also raising funds for charity (particularly via the page dedicated to Liz's memory) is a great help and a balm, however small, for my loss. It's for this reason that I ask people not to share my notes too widely with others but rather direct them to me via this site (or email). Apart from anything else it means that they'll get the most up-to-date version rather one containing misleading outdated information

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Blistering Bushchats! - Autumn Update 3

17/10/2019

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Photo 1 - A record shot of Rufous Bushcaht near Trebujena

We all have our "nemesis birds", those irritating species which we just can't manage to see even though we think we really ought to have done. We also have "near-nemesis" birds. Those birds that we've seen but not nearly as often (or as well) as we feel we ought to have done. Amongst the latter is, to my embarrassment, Rufous Bushchat. (The current 'official' English name for this species is now Rufous Bush Robin but over the years it's been called Rufous Warbler, Rufous Sedge Warbler, Rufous-tailed Bush Robin and Rufous Scrub Robin but I prefer the name I grew up with, Rufous Bushchat, which, to me at least, has the most sonorous ring to it).

I've seen the species several times near Bolonia, caught up with them at the classic site at Los Palacios (Seville Province) and have seen them near Marchenilla (Jimena de la Frontera). However, they've never been easy to see, they've taken a long time to find and, once found, views were often brief. On one memorable occasion I saw one within about 10 minutes at the latter site but, having called my friends (good birders all) over to see the bird, it took us two hours to relocate it. They're a declining species and they certainly seem to have become still more elusive in the Bolonia area than when I first visited the place over a decade ago. Hence I was delighted a few years back when a friend, Richard Page-Jones, repeatedly found them near Chiclana (a more convenient drive from my base in Alcala de los Gazules). Unfortunately, though, my personal circumstances meant I couldn't look there until this spring but when I did in early May a succession of near gale force winds wrecked my plans.

After my visit this autumn, though, I think ... hope ... I've cracked it. I've known for years that they were supposed to the in the "Sanlucar area" but never had any specific details. One spring six or seven years ago I even drove around the circuit I'm about to describe but it wasn't a full-on birding jaunt and was a hot afternoon when birds tend to be inactive and prefer skulking in the shadows. Last year I read reports that the area around Trebujena had a good population (see https://birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com/cadiz-birding-blog-page/spring-2019-update-5-three-cheers-for-trebujena) but in spring, to my subsequent regret, the temptation of a shorter drive and precise directions to where they'd been seen persuaded me to focus on the Chiclana area. Knowing that they arrive late, I set aside the first three days of May (and the last of my break in Spain) to search for them. What I failed to factor in was that, being on a ridge overlooking the Bahia de Cadiz, the place is often swept by a fierce Levante wind. Naturall,y it was blowing so hard on my three allotted days that I could barely stand up let alone look for birds!

This autumn I decided to investigate the circular route north of Trebujena again, something I'd been meaning to do since my first visit since the habitat looked interesting. As I've raised the topic I ought to confess that I've never quite got my head around what constituted prime habitat for the species. I've seen them scuttling about small allotments at Los Palacios, glimpses of them on rocky hillsides dotted with olive trees above Bolonia and along a tamarisk choked dry streambed at Marchenilla (but never in the prickly-pear hedges that some books suggest they favour). I knew too that they were supposed to like vineyards but, despite looking several times, I'd never seen one in such habitat. The area around Trebujena I was set to explore, though, is dominated by vineyards and ones which, it seemed to me, were tended by more traditional low-intensity methods than most in the 'sherry triangle'.

Map 1 - The Trebujena Area

Since it was already the 5th September, a time when the bushchats start to move south, and, as I still wasn't sure exactly where to look, I wasn't confident of success when I turned off the A 471 on the Lebrija side of Trebujena (a). At first the good, if narrow, tarmac road (b) was largely flanked by arable fields with most vineyards relatively distant but I soon found myself in areas dominated by grapevines right up to the road. Promisingly, there were a few spots that still had a few scrubby trees and shrubs indicating that this was no over-managed agricultural desert. I'm still not entirely sure what made me opt for my first stop. It was probably a mixture of somewhere convenient to pull off, a good view down a likely looking slope and maybe the sight of a small enclosure girded a chain link fence supported by concrete posts. I've found that Rufous Bushchats sometimes like perching on fenceposts which gives them a better view of their surroundings and, consequently, birders a better chance of viewing them. On my second or third scan of the area, I picked up a rufescent bird perched on a fence post - a Rufous Bushchat! I'd never picked one up so easily before. Calling over my birding pal Chris Cox, this time there was no two-hour wait and the bird continued to 'perform'. Better still we quickly discovered that two adults were feeding two well-grown young and even picked up a fifth more distant bird. Seeing five Rufous Bushchats in ten minutes was enough to make me feel giddy!

Photo 2 - Site 1

Keeping a sensible distance, we 'scoped the birds relishing their handsome colours, cocked and fanned tails before moving on the check elsewhere. Our first stop near a ruined building (c) had the habitat but (apparently) not our target species. Chris, though, had a Spanish Sparrow here - always a good bird to see. I tend to be an impatient birder so, perhaps prematurely, we moved on. Our next stop by one of a number of agricultural tracks (d) was much more to my taste - another open vista allowing views across and into the vineyards. Another five-minute scan and, yes, another Rufous Bushchat! Pottering along the track for a few hundred meters we found another three birds one of which gave superb views. Our total was now nine birds! We continued around the circuit stopping briefly as we entered Trebujena (e) to look at a noticeboard giving details of the Sendero de las Haciendas and to consider whether to turn left to complete the circuit or the press on towards the Guadalquivir. We decided on the latter stopping briefly en route (f) to scan another area favoured by bushchats albeit without success.

Photo 3 - Site 2

Photo 4 - the Information board showing the route of the Sendero de las Haciendas

On the 16th September my Kent birding friends Rob Ratcliffe and Virginia Fairchild, fresh out from the UK, came over from their apartment in Sotogrande (see here) to join me on another search for this iconic species. Once more, being conscious that the migration clock was still ticking, I wasn't over-optimistic of success. I should have been. Within minutes of our arrival at the first location out popped a bushchat which obliged by giving us excellent views.

Photo 5 - The delightful "Seňor Paco"

The next stop, of course, was the second site where I'd seen them earlier. It took us a little longer to see than last time but our target again showed itself. Then something quite magical happened. A man working the land nearby came over to see what the excitement was and it was clear from the start that he knew the species very well. Not only that but he told us there were still some on his plot and invited us to come and look for ourselves. We did and there were! We walked around with him, sure enough, saw our quarry - 3 or 4 of them. "Seňor Paco" was evidently delighted by our success telling us to come back any time. He plainly knew and cared about his "Caberrubia", the species' local name in Trebujena (that it has one tells its own tale). He was a lovely bloke not only insisting on giving Virginia a straw hat (concerned that she was hatless) but also collecting a small crate of his produce to present to us. It was a terrific end to a wonderful morning.

Photo 6 - Paco's bounty!

After such a wonderful high point further visits risked an anticlimax but with an old friend and colleague, Alan Cooke, arriving on the 17th it had to be done. Picking him up in the afternoon we went straight to Trebujena but in the heat of the afternoon, we struggled to find any passerines still less a bushchat. (That we missed seeing a bushchat is hardly surprising since one study found that 85% of sightings were made between 07.30 - 11.30 - see here). It seemed that my pesimism was, at last, justified although a passing juvenile Goshawk (a lifer for Alan and the third of my autumnal visit) was some compensation. On the 19th we headed off early in the morning to visit the Bonanza area but couldn't resist a quick last-ditch attempt to see a bushchat (a much-wanted lifer for Alan) in the vineyards around Trebujena. A fool's errand I thought, but within minutes of our arrival at the first site one flicked up on to a gate and then into a bush giving us a great view - a fitting finale for my search for this most charismatic bird.

When I read online earlier this year that the Trebujena area harboured the highest density of breeding Rufous Bushchat in Andalucia, 130 breeding males in 300 hectares of vineyards, I admit that I couldn't help but feel a tad sceptical. This is an increasingly scarce and declining species (see here) listed as 'Endangered' in the Libro Rojo de las Aves de España. The idea that so many persisted in such a small area seemed improbable. Yet seeing so many birds so easily so late in the season suggests that it really is .... and I hesitate to use this word .... common in the vineyards around the town. However, visiting birders shouldn't allow such an evidently strong population make them forget that this is a rare and threatened bird in Spain and that they should act accordingly. So if you really want a photo make sure you're not disturbing or 'pushing' the bird particularly if it could be nesting nearby. For the record, my feeble shots were taken with a bridge camera at the equivalent focal length of 2000mm and heavily cropped. (For excellent photos of the species taken in the area by a local photographer can be seen here). The use of 'playback', particularly in spring when they're establishing territories, is unacceptable. Keep in mind that, as I discovered, even as late as mid-September they can be feeding young so even at such a relatively late date using playback might be distracting adults from thending their offspring. Remember too that as this site becomes better known (as its rapidly becoming) it may not just be you trying to 'tape' birds in.

The good news is that the local community is actively supporting the conservation of this species via the Colectivo Alzacola de Trebujena (backed by a clutch of local organisations including the town council). Hence it's important for visiting birders to act as ambassadors for their hobby by parking sensibly, being careful not to indavertently disrupt those working here, sticking to tracks and paths, politely explaining what you're doing to anyone who asks, etc. As my experience demonstrates, when you do so you can be treated with wonderful kindness and generosity. It helps too, if possible, to spend money locally in hotels, guest houses (see here), ventas, shops etc. and, if your binoculars are still dangling from your neck, locals will guess why you're there.

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Good News for Magical Marismas - Autumn Update 2

13/10/2019

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The drive along the southern bank of the Guadalquivir between Algaida (Bonanza) and Trebujena is one of my 'must-do' jaunts when in Spain. In April I was very concerned by some developments but also delighted by others. Accordingly, I was even keener than usual to revisit this area this September to see what had happened since I had last visited the area.

The first thing that I wanted to check out was the state of the Codo de la Esparraguera (a on the map above). This small triangle of reedy pools has long been my 'go to' site for Marbled Teal so I was concerned to discover in April that not only was it bone dry but also that it had been denuded of all its vegetation (see https://birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com/cadiz-birding-blog-page/spring-2019-update-6-along-the-guadalquivir). This had happened before in 2014, although perhaps less drastically, and Marbled Ducks had returned (see photos below). Accordingly, I was pleased to see that it was again wet although the absence of any sedges and reeds or, indeed birds was disappointing. Only time will tell whether it will again become a Mecca for what the Spanish call "Cerceta Pardilla".

In 2011 this area has plenty of vegetation and birds, including Marbled Duck. They returned after the area had a severe 'haircut' in 2014 and will hopefully do so again.

The next pool along the road had also been drained and was almost bereft both of any vegetation or birds looking like the set from 'Lawrence of Arabia'. Happily, this had also now been flooded once more although it remained birdless save for a few gulls (see photo below).

In April (left) the first large pool was a bone dry sand pit but come September it was looking far better (if still fairly birdless)

My next stop was by the gates of a fish farm (c) where I found that the information on a new notice board, gave cause for optimism. The company involved seems to be committed to sensitive management of the area as the sign (see photos below) included the following declaration (translations by Google):-

We are committed to sustainable aquaculture

In the Guadalquivir estuary, we carry out daily cleaning and convergence (?) of our wetlands, as well as environmental improvements, which have been very positive for both our aquaculture activity and the aquatic birds that live here. The main objective of these works is to generate spaces and actions aimed at increasing and conserving the breeding, feeding of vulnerable birds threatened by climate change.

Other objectives are:

Restore ecosystems that provide environmental support against climate change
Increase the biodiversity of threatened and vulnerable species
Implement areas for exclusive environmental or reserve use within the Guadalquivir estuary
Generate tools for awareness and dissemination of measures to combat climate change

and the key on the map told me the function of different areas -

A paradise for Sea Bass & Doradas
Sustainable aquaculture and threatened birds
Renewable energy
A natural enclave for Marbled Duck

So my pessimism seems to have been not entirely justified and, if the company lives up to its fine words the future of Marbled Duck here seems secure. It also gave me hope that at some point access beyond the gate might be possible - why else put a sign too far away to read and build what looks like a reception centre (well, reception cabin)?

What I was most interested in discovering was whether any progress had been made in restoring the marshes and establishing a small reserve complete with a pool and hide (see https://birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com/cadiz-birding-blog-page/spring-2019-update-5-three-cheers-for-trebujena and e & f on the map). Knowing the wheels of government often grind exceeding slow I feared that the project might have got bogged down (physically and metaphorically) in red tape. I'm happy to report that my fears appear to have been misplaced. Whilst I didn't notice any obvious or significant work being carried out in the area where the marshes were to be restored (e) things were well in hand at (f). On my first visit on the 5th September I was delighted to find surveyors with red-and-white tape marking out the area. Given how slowly these things often move I was surprised ten days later when diggers were on site excavating the area (see photos below).

If things go to plan (as they surely will) then the excellent old salinas (f i) here which often attract good birds will soon be supplemented by a sizable laguna with a hide (f ii) and the tower (f iii) may even be accessed by a boardwalk to avoid the struggle across the mud and up the ramp (or at least that's how I interpret the embanked earth along the route visible in the photos). All this plus a convenient venta (f iv) in the servicios turisticos which, I hope, will house a small exhibition/information centre in the future. Once again congratulations are due to all involved in this splendid local initiative but don't leave it merely at 'congratulations' - make sure you shop locally and spend some money on refreshments and so on. And don't forget your bins so people know you're here for the birding. Virtue may be its own reward but injecting a little cash into the local economy will help too!

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Pinar de la Algaida, Puerto Real - Autumn Update 1

13/10/2019

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With my birding guide covering over 100 sites and subsites, it's a Sisyphean task to keep them up-to-date and I have to confess that I've not visited some of the sites for several years and several hardly at all. It is for this reason, amongst others, why I leapt at the opportunity to visit an area, Puerto Real, I don't know very well with local birder Antonio Villalpando. Actually, to say I don't know the area very well is an understatement as whilst I've visited Los Toruňos a couple of times and explored the Marisma de Aletas this spring (see here), I'd never gone more than a few hundred meters into Pinar de la Algaida. Accordingly, I was particularly pleased to be whisked around the Pinar de la Algaida part of the"Parque Metroploitano Marisma del la Torunos Y Pinar de la Algaida" and the old salinas to their north (d). What I really didn't expect when my friend Allan Cooke and I met up Antonio one evening was what amounted to a VIP trip around the area in a large 4x4!

Antonio Villalpando & our driver

We headed across open pastures into the woods and on to a tower hide (a) which commands excellent views of the area but be warned that the last section is accessed by a ladder rather than the stairs that serve the rest of the structure. Towards Cadiz, the elegant new (2015) bridge, the Puente de la Constitución 1812, dominates the skyline. It's one of the tallest and longest bridges of its type in the world and is a worthy monument to the liberal constitution of 1812 in which the people of the Cadiz area played a pivotal role even if it came in at almost double the cost and 4 years late! Closer to hand we had good views to the east over Algaida's canopy of the pine trees, to the north stood the wooden bridge that spans the river to link the two parts of the Parque Metroploitano and immediately below us flowed the Rio de San Pedro (b).

Tucked away some 120m on the landward side of the tower we were taken to a small bird hide (c - Observatorio de aves "Alaida"). September, when the area is very dry, was probably not the best time to see birds here but in spring it should give plenty of opportunities for bird photography. As can be seen from the photo of the area in front of the hide both water and feed (look for the seed hopper hidden in the pine tree) are provided. My quickly snatched photo of Greenfinch gives some idea of what's possible. Although I was there only for a short time, I enjoyed extended views of an Iberian Green Woodpecker whilst in spring it's worth searching for Wryneck too as a few pairs breed here. Where there were large areas of short grass we had Hoopoes although the most obvious bird here was Magpie surprisingly so given they only colonised the area 15 years ago. Although I've seen Great-spotted Cuckoo, which parasitises Magpies, nearby they apparently remain disappointingly scarce in the area. In the right conditions, these grassy areas must surely attract a variety of pipts and wagtails.

To the north of the woodland we visited an area of old salinas (d) which were prime habitat for a good selection of wading birds large and small. The margins of the Rio de San Pedro seemed particularly attractive to Whimbrels whilst some of the salinas held small parties of Kentish Plover.

In addition to the birds, it's well worth searching the scrub here for Mediterranean Chameleon. The most promising areas to search are just east of the Visitors' Centre (e) or near the university (f). It's very difficult to spot them looking down into the scrub so try getting down low and look up in the hope of spotting their silhouette. We were unlucky on the day but I was pleased to see one a few days earlier, oddly enough at the 'other' Pinar de la Algaida near Bonanza in the north of the province.

Having said good-bye to our driver we returned to our car and followed Antonio over to Puerto Real where our objective was La Puntilla del Muelle (a short pier off the Paseo Maritimo). Both the pier and the paseo allow great views across the open bay which, Antonio assured us, can be excellent for waders and passing birds like Spoonbill and Osprey (on passage & in winter). The historian in me found it frustrating to see little more of Puerto Real than it's grid pattern of narrow streets and what appeared to be a fine collection of 16th century buildings, a good an excuse to return.

One of the things that struck me, on this short visit was how much potential this area has for some good birding in a relatively small area. The combination of a variety of habitats, its coastal location and the woodland/scrub effectively being an island surrounded by more challanging habitats (the sea, saltmarsh and urbanisation) suggests to me that it could be a magnet for passerine migrants. Back home I checked and found the area had had a record of an Olive-backed Pipit (October 2012) which to a degree confirmed my suspicions. Non-birders and even may birders often assume that our hobby can only be pursued in wild remote areas "far from the madding crowd" but sites like this serve to remind us that rewarding birding can be had anywhere that there's suitable habitat. Balancing the demands of competing uses in a metropolitan park is never easy but those in charge of this area seem to be making a pretty good fist of things. At the foot of Los Turunos there's an excellent visitors' centre too where not only can you learn more about the area and obtain refreshments but also hire cycles which are probably the most efficient way to explore the park. Many thanks to Antonio and our driver for showing me this unfamiliar site.

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Cadiz Birding - September 7 – 19th - Guest blog by Hilary MacBean

2/10/2019

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As I've mentioned previously, from the start of my project to promote birding in Cadiz Province I had hoped that both my notes and this blog would be interactive and engage a variety of people for two simple reasons - a) I alone can't hope to keep my notes on over 100 localities accurate and current and b) a diversity of opinions and views makes for a more interesting blog than me just banging on about things that come to mind. Accordingly, I'm very grateful to Hilary MacBean for stepping up and promptly producing (on the plane home!) her account of a visit to Cadiz this September:

I have enjoyed a connection to John on Facebook for some time and very much appreciate his
contribution to the "Crossbill Guide to Andalucia" (see https://crossbillguides.nl/bookstore/western-andalucia), his blog and his contributions to the Andalucia Bird Society's quarterly magazine “Birds of Andalucía” (see - https://www.andaluciabirdsociety.org/our-magazine-birds-of-andalucia/). I also managed to miss him at Birdfair, so it was like meeting an old friend when we finally met in Alcalá de Los Gazules on 14th September. Birding buddy Lesley Silcock and I were birding the southerly migration based in Punta Carnero and Tarifa and then we moved up to Alcala to check out the wooded hills of Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales and inland sites such as La Janda. A very worthy combination for Spring or Autumn migration and the bird breeding season.

Laguna de Medina Sept 2019 (Photo John Cantelo)

We were road testing John's "Birding Cadiz" guide (July 2019 edition) and I had already marked up most of his sites on my navigation system. John is extremely generous in the help, friendship and support he offers to fellow birders and the publication of his blog is a testament to his generous attitude (Thank you, JC). He does, however, ask two things in return: one, a contribution to a worthy and relevant cause, mine will go to a conservation effort in Andalusia and two, very importantly, feedback and updates. Written site guides are only as good as the latest visits, as changes are regular and inevitable. John says himself that he can't visit everywhere and much is based on his in-depth knowledge of Cadiz Province. He invited me to be a guest on his blog to pass on our very pleasing birding experiences in the area.

We stayed at Punta Carnero Hotel near Algeçiras (see http://punta-carnero.andalucia-hotels.com/es/) for six days and then at Casa Vista, Alcala de los Gazules (see https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa-vista-alcala-de-los-gazules.es.html) for five days. John laughed when he saw the size of our vehicle on the tight little streets in Alcala, but it did come into its own on the tracks of La Janda. Punta Carnero Hotel is quite new and comes highly recommended as a small contemporary hotel by the sea, with fantastic views of Gibraltar round to Tangiers. It offers great potential as a base for the Spring migration in particular. Its terrace and hospitality are a big improvement on the postage stamp-sized layby at the nearby lighthouse, as reported by John in the guide. Yeray Seminario of Birding the Strait (http://birdingthestrait.com/) gave us a very good introduction to the area, with two days guiding round the migration observatories at El Algarrobo and Cazalla, with sorties up to Sierra de la
Plata, Barbate and La Janda.

Gibraltar from Punta Carnero - Sept 2019 (Photo John Cantelo)

John’s notes are excellent and clear. His lettered points of interest are plotted on exquisite maps
that accurately show paths and features, but I would urge users to identify them on their navigation system in advance, just to help things along. Of course, every site varies with the seasons, but all good birdwatchers can make the necessary adaptations. Key species are identified by site, particularly for the migration and breeding seasons, helping to focus a plethora of choices about where to go. John admits he has left out a few key sites for conservation reasons, but that’s OK by me. He warns about the state of some tracks, but most are passable with a normal car and care in the dry season. Wet spells will be more of a problem. One at SW 8 Sierra de la Plata Point g, known as La Zarga, gives access to an impressive cliff holding a good population of Griffon Vulture, sometimes Ruppell’s Vulture, Blue Rock Thrush and if you are lucky, Bonelli's Eagle and even the now scarce White-rumped Swift, but don't count on getting your car up a very steep and rocky track, best to walk the last 500m distance up hill!

Barbate disappointed, perhaps because the water quality at the recommended Point g seemed seriously degraded, possibly by agricultural pollution from large numbers of cattle around the site. Passage migrants, indeed most birdlife was thin on the ground on two visits. The Barbate River was much better. We also called off at various sites at San Fernando, Laguna Medina and Chiclana, much closer to Cadiz. An arrival at Jerez airport made this straightforward and added considerably to our list. Tres Amigos at San Fernando (NW 15.1) and Salinas de Chiclana (NW 16.1) near the rotunda were productive and John’s notes worked a treat. We even had a Lesser Yellowlegs amongst mixed waders in the pools at the rotunda access track (to be checked out and confirmed by one of Yeray's colleagues). The rotunda restaurant is a nice lunchspot as well as coffee stop, by the way.

San Jorge Church, Alcalá de Los Gazules, Sept 2019 (Photo John Cantelo),

So to Alcalá de Los Gazules, John’s base. His terrace is everything he says it is and his welcome warm and genuine for fellow birders. Alcalá is a classic Andalus white hill town, in a cracking setting and great for watching migrant raptors moving down the valley. The town offers a friendly Spanish and expat welcome. We did the plains, spotted Montagu’s Harrier, missed Little Bustard and revisited La Janda, with some success, seeing a large kettle of White Stork desperate to get underway on migration but thwarted by poor visibility. We enjoyed the Roman ruins Baelo Claudia at Bolonia in the heat of the day. The first few hours of the mornings in the Molinos Valley and up into the Alcornocales, to Presa de los Hurones were both stunning in the cool of the morning and produced a Redstart passage, Pied Flycatcher, Spot flys, Nuthatch, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest, Crested Tit, the local race of Long-tailed Tit (ssp. irbii), several nice raptors and the only running water of the trip, so Grey Wagtails at Hurones, plus wintering Robin and tantalising signs of a possible Dipper on Garganta de Ortela, where it crosses the A375 road, but not marked in John's guide.

The upper part of the Molinos Valley (Photo - John Cantelo)

John always welcomes new information and updates and I thank him for a great guide. A dual location trip to Cadiz Province opens up lots of habitat and bird sites and is thoroughly recommended. They all said, “you must come back in the Spring”. I think that they are right! A big thanks to John Cantelo and friends.

El Picacho, from the Area ERecreativo (Photo - Hilary MacBean)

I thank Hilary once again for her contribution to my blog, for her flatteringly generous praise and, above all, for her donation to a conservation cause in Andalucia. With regard to Hilary's useful point about identifying points on a navigation system, I'm currently experimenting with adding What3words co-ordinates (see https://what3words.com/daring.lion.race) to my guide but with 400+ points to cover this will take some time (if I complete the task at all!). And, yes, we are right - come back in spring!

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Pioneering British ornithologists in Andalucia (updated version)

30/8/2019

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Gibraltar in 1782

In a roundabout way the early history of Andalucian ornithology owes much to Sir Francis Drake who, in 1587, famously sacked Cadiz. Less well known is the theory that the 2,900 barrels of sherry he 'liberated' established the English, and later British, taste for sherry (or 'sack' as it was then known). As Shakespeare's Sir John Falstaff famously observed "If I had a thousand sons, the first humane principle I would teach them should be, to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack." The history of birds in this area also owes much to the Treaty of Utrecht (1713). Why so? The first encouraged a close British involvement with the sherry trade based around Jerez de la Frontera. In the 19th and early 20th centuries this drew a number of Victorian 'sporting gentlemen' to the area amongst whom were a number of keen amateur ornithologists. The ceding of Gibraltar to Britain under the Treaty of Utrecht meant that what had been something of a backwater quickly became an important British naval and military base. Not surprisingly, off duty ornithologically inclined officers frequently ventured into nearby Spain.

One of the earliest British observers to comment on the ornithological richness of the area and the extraordinary bird migration was the Rev John White. His observations in 1776 would have been lost to posterity had not he communicated them to his more famous brother, Gilbert White of Selborne. His letters had a crucial role in persuading Gilbert White to favour the hypothesis that birds migrated in winter rather than hibernating as many then believed. Sadly, Rev John White's proposal to publish a book about his sojourn on Gibraltar was never realised. He was unfortunate not to be given the credit for “discovering” Andalusian Hemipode years before it was officially described.

The most singular ornithological discovery made by a visiting British officer in the 19th century was made by a naval man, Captain Samuel Edward Cook. In his in his book 'Sketches in Spain During the Years 1829, 30, 31 & 32” Pub. 1834 (see - https://archive.org/details/sketchesinspain00widdgoog) he recounts his discovery of Azure-winged Magpie writing that it is “common in new Castile, in the wooded parts, and is in vast numbers in the Sierra Morena ...” His short description of foraging flocks couldn't be bettered today - 'They live in small flocks, generally into a line, are extremely watchful, and are constantly moving, in short flights, commonly in cover, feeding on roads, or as food may offer'. Now this race has been widely split from its Chinese cousin it is sometimes called Cook's Magpie and bears the scientific name Cyanopica (cyana) cooki.

Lord Lilford

The tradition of studying birds started in England by William Turner whose 'Avium praecipuarum' (1544) was the first printed book entirely devoted to birds, continued by Ray & Willoughby's Ornithologia (1676), Gilbert White's 'Natural History of Selborne' (1789), Thomas Berwick's 'British Birds' (1797) and flowering in the 1800s simply didn't exist in Spain. Hence it wasn’t until the visits of Thomas Littleton Powys, fourth Baron Lilford (1833-1896) that observations of Andalucian (and Spanish) birds were put on a firm footing. Previous Spanish lists were dismissed by his contemporaries as being, to use a modern phrase, ‘not fit for purpose’ being riddled with errors. This was scarcely surprising as the native population was, according to later writers, notoriously slack about bird names using Aguila (Aguilucho) for any raptor from Lammergeier to Lesser Kestrel (and sometimes even Raven). The name Quebrantahuesos (Lammergeier) was often also used for Egyptian Vulture (a confusing habit that persists today). Unlike their English counterparts, the Spanish landed gentry had little interest in birds (unless they could be hunted) whilst the burgeoning middle classes that did so much for British ornithology scarcely existed in Spain. T

'Observer's Book of Birds'

With his wealthy aristocratic background, Lilford had the means to pursue his lifelong interest in birds and wildlife. From 1856 to 1858, he cruised the Mediterranean in his private yacht stopping off at Gibraltar en route. On his return to England he became a founder of the BOU (1858) whose journal, ‘The Ibis’, he generously supported. Between 1864 and 1882, Lilford paid frequent visits to Spain, collecting and making careful notes of what he saw. After his two part paper entitled ‘Notes on the Ornithology of Spain’ (1865/66) was published (in “The Ibis’ naturally) he became regarded as the authority on Iberian birds (aided by his fluency in Castilian). Lilford’s influence continued well beyond his death since the illustrations by Archibald Thorburn which he commissioned for his “Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Islands” were later used in the ‘Observer’s Book of Birds’; a book which probably encouraged more people to take up bird-watching than any other. (For detailed biographical information about the earlier ornithologists noted here see https://archive.org/stream/ibis29brit#page/n7/mode/2up)

Howard Saunders

Another notable ornithologists of this era was Howard Saunders, a wealthy merchant and banker, who visited southern Spain a number of times between 1862 and 1868. These trips formed the basis of several notes in 'Ibis' including a “List of the birds of Southern Spain” in 1871 (https://archive.org/stream/ibis13brit#page/54/mode/2up). These notes also formed the basis of a popular article, 'Ornithological Rambles in Southern Spain', published in 'The Field' in 1874. That such a respected and experienced ornithologist as Saunders claimed that he had found the nest of a Western Rock Nuthatch near Archena (Murcia) only serves to remind us how difficult things were for early ornithologists who lacked the background information and resources we take for granted. (The bird was doubtless a European Nuthatch which rarely nest in rocky crevices).

Lt-Col Howard Irby

When in Dublin in the 1850s, Lord Lilford made a friendship that was to have a profound influence on Spanish ornithology. Lt-Colonel Howard Irby (1836 -1905) was his junior by three years and came from similarly aristocratic stock being the grandson of Lord Boston, but unlike Lilford he was a career soldier. Educated at Rugby, Irby served in the Crimean War, fought in the Indian Mutiny and survived a shipwreck, but his chance to make his ornithological mark came when he was posted to Gibraltar in 1868. Here, encouraged by his old friend Lord Lilford, he began his study of the birds of nearby Andalucia. Often staying in Casa Viejas (Benalup), Espartina (near Vejer) or Tahivilla he explored the great laguna that was La Janda and the rugged hills of the Alcornocales.

A typical Victorian sportsman-birdwatcher of the 'what's hit's history' school of birding, he was dubious about the value of sight records. This, though, was understandable in a time when observers had neither field guides nor decent optics and when extraordinary claims were sometimes made. His scathing comment regarding observers who identify “all and every species within range of their vision” has some resonance today, even if his scepticism that one could “distinguish a Common from a Lesser Kestrel” from a passing train doesn't sound so difficult to modern observers (as long as it's a male!). Yet he also had very progressive ideas, condemning “the slaughter of birds whose skins, when compared and examined by table naturalists …. made into new species without any knowledge of their habits, notes, etc” and suggesting that “Much more can be done by observation than by the gun, and when a bird is destroyed all chance of noticing its habits is destroyed likewise”. Accordingly, much of his seminal ‘Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar’ (1875), which contained a huge amount of new information, was based on personal observation. It’s doubtful, though, that any modern bird book would have a chapter on rough shooting, including that of Spanish Ibex! Irby’s work covers most of the regular species found in the area although he dismissed Thekla Lark as a race of Crested (probably due to his distrust of 'table naturalists') and makes no mention of the distinctive voice of local Chiffchaffs (now recognised as a separate species). Neither did it mention Red-rumped Swallow, but then at the time the species, now widespread, didn't occur in the area! His role in Iberian ornithology is commemorated in the scientific name for the local race of Long-tailed Tit – A. C. irbii. As late as the mid-1960s his work was still considered an useful authority on the birds of the area and was only replaced when Clive Finlayson's magisterial "Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar' appeared in 1992.

Willoughby Verner - an expert climber

When Irby's classic work was revised and enlarged in 1895 (see - https://archive.org/stream/ornithologyofstr00irbyrich#page/n0/mode/2up) it was at the urging of Lilford and another British soldier-ornithologist, Colonel Willoughby Verner (1852 - 1922). Verner supplied many additional notes, photographs and sketches. This later edition had brief thumbnail descriptions of all the species covered and a few were handsomely illustrated with eight colour plates by Archibald Thorburn, courtesy of Lord Lilford. It's interesting to reflect that six of the eight of plates show birds of prey(the other two showing the endemic Azure-winged Magpie and a gamebird (Andalucian Hemipode), that most of the Verner's photos show the perilous location of raptor nests and of six monochrome sketches (half show hunting scenes). This may well give both the flavour of the time and the primary interest of the writers!

Although Verner was posted to Gibraltar in 1874, he and Irby first met on Tiree, in 1877; it was the start of a long friendship and fruitful collaboration. Although a man of many talents, being a soldier, military historian, artist, inventor, climber, speleologist and antiquarian, Verner’s overriding passion was natural history. As noted above he contributed many notes to the second edition of Irby’s work having retired to Algeciras at the end of his military career. Today his “My Life among the Wild Birds in Spain” (Pub. 1909 - see https://archive.org/details/mylifeamongwildb00vern) makes somewhat uncomfortable reading given his evident glee in birds nesting (as he euphemistically called it). Yet there’s no disguising that he was a superlative observer with a deep knowledge of the area and its birdlife. His book contains chapters on the larger and most charismatic birds of the area (particularly raptors and how to reach their nests). There's relatively little on what he somewhat disparagingly refers to as 'lesser birds'. He also pioneered the use of small hand held cameras at a time when their use was disparaged. As a keen antiquarian and expert climber, Verner was also one of the first people to explore Cueva de la Pileta in Benaoján which he helped bring to public notice.

Walter J Buck (left) and Abel Chapman

Before Verner set pen to paper the study of Spain's wildlife by English visitors was stimulated by two books that found a wide audience (indeed they probably galvanised the old soldier to write his memoirs). These were the work of two well connected sportsmen Abel Chapman and Walter Buck. Like Irby, Abel Chapman (1851-1929) was an old Rugbeian, but, unlike Irby (and Lilford) he was not from aristocratic stock and nor was he a military man. He was, as Victorians disparagingly called it, ‘in trade’, but fortunately for ornithology, the family business of T. E. Chapman, were brewers and wine-merchants. Accordingly, after leaving school he visited Spain (sherry) and Portugal (port) mixing business with pleasure – principally wildfowling. Although first and foremost a sportsman (in the traditional sense of the word), Chapman was an observant naturalist whose first book was “Bird-Life of the Borders” (1889). In Jerez he made friends with Walter J Buck (1843-1917) who was the British vice-consul there. Buck was extremely well connected having taken over the firm Sandeman in 1879 and was instrumental in that firm producing its own sherry. More importantly, Buck and Chapman formed a small shooting syndicate that rented the Coto Doňana for several years. Together Buck and Chapman produced two highly influential books on Spain and its wildlife – “Wild Spain” (1893 – see - https://archive.org/details/wildspainrecords00chaprich) and “Unexplored Spain” (1910 - see - https://archive.org/details/unexploredspain00chaprich). Despite the wider canvas - geographical and otherwise - there's much in the books about Andalucia in general and the Coto Doňana in particular as Jerez de la Frontera was their base The subtitle of the first book - Records of Sport with Rifle, Rod and Gun, Natural History and Exploration - gives a good idea the book's main themes and the majority of birds discussed are the larger species either raptors or sporting quarry. The second book has less about birds in general, but the last chapter 'Sketches of Spanish Birdlife' gives a good formal account of various species. Unlike Irby’s more formal work, their books were wonderfully discursive and anecdotal. The books are also a wealth of information about Spanish society at that time and the desperate poverty of the campesinos which does much to explain the subsequent turmoil in Spaish society. The chapter in Las Hurdes in 'Unexplored Spain' presages Luis Buňel's classic film 'Tierra sin Pan' (Land without Bread) of 1933. It's also worth remembering that although railways in Spain had becomes quite well developed by Buck and Chapman's day (the Algeciras-Ronda line being completed in 1892 for example), journeys into the 'campo' at this time still involved the same long, hot and tiring journeys on foot or horseback that previous generations had endured. There was no easy motoring along tarmac roads for these adventurers!

Both books contain much information about the Coto Doňana and, although the main focus is on the larger mammals and gamebirds, they also dealt with the smaller birds, reptiles, insects and plants of the area. It was Chapman who first reported that Flamingo bred there and drew attention to the area’s importance as a migratory route.
Written in a fluent and interesting style, their books inspired generations of British naturalists; it was ”Wild Spain” that fired Guy Mountfort’s interest and was hence indirectly responsible for his equally inspirational book, “Portrait of a Wilderness” (1958).

Thus far all the British officer ornithologists have been army men but the Royal Navy played its part too. Amongst the most outstanding of these was Captain (later Rear-Admiral) Hubert Lynes (1874–1942). For decades the 'odd' Phylocopus warblers found in the mountains of western Andalucia had been thought to be Willow Warblers with an unusual song It was as a result of Lynes' work (who studied them near Gibraltar) that it was realised that they were actually a form of chiffchaff with distinctive song (now regarded as a full species, Iberian Chiffchaff). Lynes published his findings in 'The Ibis' Vol II 1914 (see – http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/100092#page/370/mode/1up). Like those before him, Lynes initially mistook the birds' tripartite song as a local dialect of Willow Warbler. However, unlike others, he carefully investigated the situation. On finding a nest and collecting a specimen he realised he'd made an error and that the birds were a kind of chiffchaff. It's worth quoting Lynes' perceptive note more fully: “The only other breeding Phylloscopus (so far as we could find), was by its song, I think anyone would have agreed, a Willow-Warbler; singing males of this species shared the cork-oak glades in about equal proportion as Bonelli's. For a Willow-Warbler, true, the song was unmelodious and disjointed (“tin-potty”, if one may use such an expression), the first two notes jerked out, so that for a moment they might have been put down to an eccentric Chiffchaff, had they not invariably been followed by the four or five notes in descending scale characteristic of the Willow Warbler – in short, if it was a poor Willow-Warbler's song, it was an impossible Chiffchaff's”. It's perhaps unfortunate that Lynes seems to have collected his birds in early June when they would have been at their most worn and least likely to show their greener and yellower plumage. Had his birds shown the recognised traits of a 'good' ibericus then perhaps greater notice would have been taken of his observations (see also https://birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com/cadiz-birding-blog-page/a-mysterious-mosquitero-iberian-chiffchaff ).

John H Stenhouse

Another amateur naval ornithologist John Hutton Stenhouse (later Surgeon Rear-Admiral John Hutton Stenhouse) (1865–1931) continued the two great traditions; ornithologist medical men and service personnel stationed on Gibraltar who explored the hinterland for birds. He was stationed there from December 1918 to July 1920 and in 1921 he reported his findings in 'Ibis' (1921) in a paper entitled 'Bird Notes from Southern Spain' – see https://archive.org/stream/ibis311brit#page/572/mode/2up). For a modern birdwatcher his note reveals just how difficult, and different, things were at the early part of the 20th century. First he complained that it was very difficult to get any distance into the country from Gibraltar, presumably due to poor roads and basic modes of transport (cars still being a rarity). He also complained that his studies were hampered from 1920 by enforcement of a law that forbade the use of a gun in the summer although this didn't stop him from shipping 260 'specimens' back to Scotland! However he did manage, with Willoughby Verner's help, to make three visits to La Janda and Sierra Retin. He obviously made good use of his time finding, near Laguna de La Janda in April 1919, one of the first Spanish records of Red-rumped Swallow (preceded only by one claimed by Verner some years earlier and a few others in the 19th century). In 1920 he went one better and discovered the first confirmed record of breeding Red-rumped Swallows for the region; naturally he shot the male! Stenhouse was also one of the first observers to appreciate that Thekla Larks bred at higher elevations than Crested. Unsuprisingly, he was unaware that Common Chiffchaffs were passage and winter visitors to the area and that the local population, now considered a 'full' species, the Iberian Chiffchaff, was a summer visitor. However, he was an acute observer and noted that the song of local chiffchaffs seemed to “change as the summer advances” and gives a good description - 'a double note followed by about five descending notes” - of what we now know to be the Iberian Chiffchaff's song.

F C R Jourdain (left) and H F Witherby

Often inspired by Chapman and Buck’s work, many more British ornithologists visited Spain in the century that followed. F C R Jourdain (1865 -1940) went on five expeditions to southern Spain (1905 -1919), but his ‘Birds of Southern Spain’, being unfinished, only covered passerines. William Hutton Riddell (1880 – 1946) published a few notes on the birds of Andalucia, but is better remembered as a fine wildlife artist. Riddell, who rather enviably lived in Arcos de la Frontera’s castle, illustrated several of Chapman’s books (see ‘WH Riddell: Pinto y Naturalista 1880-1946’ Pub 2002). H F Witherby (1873 – 1943), famous as the founder of the journal 'British Birds' and co-author of 'The Handbook of British Birds', also visited Spain. His 'Two Months on the Guadalquivir' (published in five parts in 'Knowledge' magazine 1899) makes interesting reading, not just for the wildlife, but also for the vanished world it describes (see http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/47635#page/26/mode/1up).

Other ornithological notables such as W M Congreve (1883 - 1967), Collingwood Ingram (1810-1981) and G K Yeates (1910-1995) followed. The latter’s “Bird Life in Two Deltas” (1946) was largely based on visits to the Camargue and Coto Doňana in the 1930s; a copy found neglected in a school library, along with Mountfort’s book (see below), inspired the writer of this note to visit both in the early 1970s. Published in 1938, Robert Atkinson’s ‘Quest for the Griffon’ is the entertaining tale of three, rather naive, undergraduates who drove down to Tarifa just before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. They succeeded in their objective to get close-up photographs of nesting Griffon Vultures, but what would today’s digi-photographers make of the French customs, through which they passed, whose regulations stated that only “two photographic machines and twelve plates” could be imported? Happily the rules were sagely ignored by Atkinson and his friends! Collingwood Ingram, the last of the great “shooting birdwatchers”, visited the area in the 1920s mainly to hunt, but regularly returned in the 1950s and 1960s to watch birds. Wisely, in his later works he omitted his tales of shooting Great Bustards and thrushes! By the early 1950s he was regarded as the British authority on Iberian birds. He too had an interest in the sherry trade.

This brief account takes us up to the publication of the first European field guide in 1954 so does not include the fifth inspirational book on the wildlife of Spain - “Portrait of a Wilderness” (1958) which describes three expeditions to the Coto Doňana. This is rather apt since all three authors of that guide, Roger Tory Peterson, P A D Hollom and Guy Mounfort, all took part in the first expedition in 1952 when the proofs of their book were given a final check. The story of the three expeditions and their influence is worth an entire article of its own ……

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Why don't you come up sometime and see me?

19/8/2019

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Cary Grant and Mae West in "She Done him Wrong" (1933)

I realise I lack the obvious charms of Mae West (or Cary Grant come to that) but I'm happy to repeat her (in)famous line (see above) from "She Done Him Wrong" and invite readers of this blog to visit me if I'm in Alcala. I promise you that the Lesser Kestrels are far better than any of my etchings (if I had any).

One of the many delights of writing this blog and my site guide has been meeting fellow birders who've used them. Sometimes I do so by prior arrangement, sometimes we happen across one another by chance in the field (or elsewhere) and less often birders, usually in search of a good photo of Lesser Kestrel, just appear outside my house in Alcala de los Gazules. The attraction, of course, isn't anything to do with me but the fact that massive old tower (part of the town wall) is regularly home to 4 or 5 pairs of Lesser Kestrels (see right). Few houses can boast such a large, impressive and solid 'nest box' attached to the side of their house (although, in truth, it's more the other way round). On spring evenings I regularly enjoy the spectacle of 30-40 (and sometimes 80-100) of these falcons cheerfully chattering away above the terrace and we often watch one another at eye level as they perch on the trees opposite.

One spring I bumped into a birder (suitably equiped with binoculars) and his girlfriend in a local supermarket. Although staying in the village, he hadn't yet had good views of Lesser Kestrel. Naturally, he was promptly invited to join me on the terrace as, fortunately, it wasn't too far from where he was staying. As he thrilled to the views of the birds, I noticed a car pulling up outside the house from which a group of Spaniards, all decorated with high-end optics and cameras, burst forth. Fortunately, they spoke some English and I was amused to hear that they'd driven to Alcala from Madrid and had arranged to meet a second car load of birders with the specific aim of watching Lesser Kestrels outside my house. The street was, they told me, 'the best place in Spain for watching Lesser Kestrels'. Naturally, I corrected them, pointed at the terrace and invited them up to the actual premier spot for this superb colonial falcon. A few minutes later they were joined by their fellow Madrileños whose arrival meant there were now a dozen birders on the terrace watching them, still a record.

This spring was no different. About to make my breakfast one morning, I looked out of the kitchen window and spotted a birder trying to get photos of the kestrels. It turned out he was French birder and expert photographer, Rodolphe Cirouw. A few minutes later he was esconced comfortably on the terrace getting much better views of the target species. A tostada and coffee quickly followed, well I could hardly gobble my desayuno in front of him could I? Happily, he has kindly allowed me to post some of his shots (see above). I have to admit, though, that my favourite shot is not one taken from the terrace but of a bird emerging from it's nest site in the Iglesia de San Jorge at the top of the village some 200m further up the hill.

A few days later I'd arranged to meet a British birder (whose name, to my embarrassment, currently escapes me) late one morning. He'd asked me about seeing and photographing Lesser Kestrel when in the area and I had suggested a visit to Alcala. As I often do, since the route up to the house is tricky if you don't know it, I arranged to meet him at the bottom of the village to navigate him up to the house. This also suited me as I had some heavy shopping which I would have otherwise had to carry up the steep hill back home. My visitor followed me into the house with my shopping but when I suggested going to see the kestrels he turned to the door whilst I turned to the stairs. He was gobsmacked when he realised that the terrace was the site I'd promised to show him. I left him to it but later popped up with with a light tapas lunch. In all honesty, I can't promise everyone a breakfast or lunch (or supper come to that) but few go away without a coffee, beer or snack or some sort.

Although it's better to let me know in advance, I like spontineity so whether arranged or not by all means knock on my door if you're visiting Alcala de los Gazules. Just follow the road signs through the village towards the ruins of "Castillo de Alcala de los Gazules" at the top of the village and where a fabuolus view opens out on your left (and more prosaically where there are some large rubbish bins) just look for the house with a sticker of Andalucian Hemipode in the window. Unless encumbered with heavy gear it's better to walk up than drive as the route out by car is obscure, serpentine and narrow but if I'm at home I'll happily navigate you out again. If you drive up and find nobody at home then to exit the town take the road past the house and, as it swings to the right, take the turning that plunges down to your left towards the cemetery. This narrow (thankfully one-way) road, takes you below the ruined castle and, after an acute lefthand turn, to a T-junction where you go left for Paterna/Ubrique or right to rejoin the route by which you entered the old town. I may well not be at home (or even in Spain!) but you'll still get great views of Lesser Kestrels from the road. If photographing Lesser Kestrels is your aim then anywhen from late February to the second week of April is best as any later in spring birds perched conveniently on the trees opposite may be obscured leaves. You can still get excellent views of the birds in flight or on buildings on into the summer months but things are just a little harder. By late summer/early autumn there are far fewer Lesser Kestrels (sometimes only a handful) and even then they often only appear as they leave, or return to, their favoured roost in old buildings. Although this time can bring a steady flow of migrant raptors, the photographic opportunites are rarely as rewarding as they tend to be in spring when even an indifferent photographer like me can get decent shots (see below). If you're visiting in the winter months then you still have a chance of seeing Lesser Kestrel as a handful winter in Alcala (again most easily found as they leave or return to their roosts).

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About me ...

Hi I'm John Cantelo. I've been birding seriously since the 1960s when I met up with some like minded folks (all of us are still birding!) at Taunton's School in Southampton. I have lived in Kent , where I taught History and Sociology, since the late 1970s. In that time I've served on the committees of both my local RSPB group and the county ornithological society (KOS). I have also worked as a part-time field teacher for the RSPB at Dungeness. Having retired now spend as much time as in Alcala de los Gazules in SW Spain. When I'm not birding I edit books for the Crossbill Guides series.

Birding Spanish style - September 2010

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