Field diary

January 2007

Spring started early this year; in fact it started last year! The earliest migrant is Great Spotted Cuckoo and this year we saw the first one on December 31st 2006!

The numbers of cranes are well down this winter. There are around 16,000 birds in the Central area of Extremadura, whereas the typical average count at this time of the year is 25,000-30,000. Many of these birds have moved away from the usual winter feeding grounds due to a lack of acorns and other food.

Eagle Owl are marking their territory with their repeated booming hoot. We had a very exciting view of a bird which came right over us at dusk - you are never sure just who is the hunter and who is the prey! We also saw an adult Black Stork with a juvenile which was ringed. We were able to read the ring as the birds were untypically tolerant of attention. It turns out that this bird is of Spanish origin, from Avila or Madrid.

At the end of the month the Swallows have arrived. Earlier than usual, but no doubt a consequence of the mild conditions. Red-rumped Swallow are not yet confirmed, but House Martin are here in good numbers.