What's on in Doñana (1 Viewer)

[Jose A. Sanchez]

Brilliant info Jose, I've got to go to a conference in Seville early next month so I'll "have" to take some time out to do some "field research" in the area.
Chris

Good luck, you will find many tracks still blocked by water and the public access to the northern marshes in very bad conditions but there are still very good opportunities out there. You will find plenty of information, trails and leaflets at http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/servtc5/ventana/publicacionesCategoria.do?tipo=EN
And a good map of the natural site at: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medi...bapartado10bf1f7f899ba110VgnVCM1000000624e50a

Good luck

 

[Vipers]

The Imperial Eagle don't nest at the Andevalo so normally they are just dispersal juveniles. The best option close to the Algarve to see the eagles is Doñana. The edge of the northern marshes in Doñana National Park is the best area for it.

Regarding the Black Vulture, the best site near the Algarve would be the surroundings of the nesting colony at Sierra Pelada, near the north edge of Huelva province.

Thanks Jose!!

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 MARCH 3rd

The marsh-seas of Doñana

No one will get surprised in Spain, and probably in Europe, if I tell you a few words about water in Doñana at actual time. To bring you into the matter I will present a small series of images and tables that will put you quickly in situation.

Image 1 from December 15th

The only blue stains are rice fields or fish farming, along with the lagoons around the Jose A. Valverde Visitors Centre, which were artificially flooded.

Image 2 from January 15th

And these maps provide only information on the flooded areas within the natural site, regardless that of the outside farm fields in the transformed marshes . In just one month the marshes went from being completely dry to be completely flooded. The few brown spots in the wetlands of Donana would disappear on the current map. Here is the following graph for you to see why rainfall this year has been so exceptional:

Image 3

If you look at the brown line, which shows the average rainfall of the past 40 years, and the pink line, which is the current hydrological cycle, you will see that in just 3 months it's rained over Doñana more than in an entire year. In December, after the 15th, were collected about 200 litres / m², 150 in January and about 175 litres in February . Neither the oldest here remember something like it.

The results:

Image 4 and 5

Rivers and streams are demanding their old channels and the marsh its original area. Drainage systems in the transformed marshes are overwhelmed, drowning the winter cereal crops. The water level in the marsh is excessive, birds, except for divers, find more appropriate conditions in the flooded dry marshes and ponds outside the park than in the normal wintering areas. Raptors move to these areas as well. Feeding areas for Larks and other passerines have been greatly reduced, which resulted in curious mixed concentrations of species, as that one along the tracks crossing the Hinojos Marshes. Floodgates are open to try to regulate the levels, but the water input remains higher than the output.

And more harmful effects, such as those produced on strawberry plantations destroyed by runoff, the orange crop badly hit with tons of fruit on the ground, roads and tracks cut by floods and overflows, the fords disappeared under water, traffic problems between villages and lost wages of farmers and other local workers.

But every cloud has a silver lining: the aquifers, so battered by years of abuse, are recharged, and the animals in the park are preparing for a breeding season that promises to bring us a great enjoyment. We expect an excellent spring in Doñana this year. I have a great curiosity to see what state will find the marsh when spring turns into summer and faces the rigors of the dry season. I imagine that this May will be exceptionally good and that the usual total desiccation that occurs during June or July will be delayed, if it does occur at all.

And there is no evil that lasts for ever. Fortunately it seems that in a few days the weather will improve. From this Sunday the sun will come back to win the fight against the clouds. So I encourage all who are contemplating the option to visit Doñana this year.

Most of Geese and Cranes, Lapwings and Golden Plovers as well as Black Storks have left Doñana. The numbers of Great Spotted Cuckoos is lower than passed years but they can still be seen well at Dehesa de Pilas. No we have the first Black Kites and Booted Eagles back in our forests; we have heard the first Quails and seen the first Sedge Warblers.

 

[John Cantelo]

Thanks Jose, interesting photos & graph. Pity I won't be back in Spain until May since I suspect you're absolutely right and April could be superb,

 

[wolfbirder]

Amazing scenes, when you consider the fear that global warning and a lack of rainfall would adversely affect Donana. Of course this just may be a one off event over a decade.

 

[John Cantelo]

Amazing scenes, when you consider the fear that global warning and a lack of rainfall would adversely affect Donana. Of course this just may be a one off event over a decade.

Global warning? A Freudian slip or just a typo?! I think the better term might be Global Climate Instability as I suspect that we'll only know what's in store once the process has been ongoing for a while,

 

[CAU]

Many thanks for this very interesting commentary. Having read in a recently published book that Great Bustards were now extinct in Andalucia, it's good to have a detailed rebuttal and the news that this view was, as I'd hoped & supposed, mistaken. I've looked in the Lantejuela area for GB a couple of times without success, but am encouraged to try again.

Here's a detailed paper on Great Bustard in Andalusia:
ftp://80.57.161.240/artikelen/G/Grote Trap4.pdf

I found it very useful when I visited the region back in 2008, and saw totally about 50 Great Bustards between Osuna and La Lantejuela (and also 90 Little Bustards and 27 Black-bellied Sandgrouse). Here's the entire trip report:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=165353

 

[John Cantelo]

Here's a detailed paper on Great Bustard in Andalusia:
ftp://80.57.161.240/artikelen/G/Grote Trap4.pdf

I found it very useful when I visited the region back in 2008, and saw totally about 50 Great Bustards between Osuna and La Lantejuela (and also 90 Little Bustards and 27 Black-bellied Sandgrouse). Here's the entire trip report:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=165353

Thanks!

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Very interesting reading. I may be taking advantage of the information when I'm there next in the autumn.

One note of caution, though. The survey covers the period from 2001 to 2004 and there have been 6 years since then for matters to have changed. The single male bustard in Cadiz province for instance is no more. It was photgraphed three or four years ago after being killed by apparently flying into an overhead power line.

A single bird was sighted last May in Almeria privince at Cabo de Gata.

It's good to know that there are still populations in Andalusia however and at least it gives hope that if the will is there the decline may be prevented from becoming worse.

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 MARCH 16th

Awakenings

The weather finally improved in the region, we now have sunny days with temperatures around 20º C at midday and the forecast for the coming days is also good. This is enabling the competent authorities to start the works to fix the damages caused to the networks and beaches overlooking the start of the tourist season. And this includes the access to the Park from El Rocío; we hope that in a few days our usual route to the northern marsh will be open again.

The improving weather conditions brings associated the awakening of animals and plants which so far remained as dormant by low temperatures and lack of sunshine. The fields are filled with flowers, the first insects are coming out, like butterflies and dragonflies, and also the first flies and mosquitoes. Birds accelerate its breeding preparations and reptiles come out of hibernation to warn up under the sun, as the Ladder Snake in the photo below.
Photo1

The migration also accelerates and becomes quite complicated to find a goose or a crane in the marshes. Although what stands out are not the birds that leave, but those who come. It's that time of year where every day we get new species back from Africa. These days we see the first Wheatears and Black-eared Wheatears passing through Doñana showing their brilliant breeding plumage; the first Redstart on passage and the last Black Redstarts leaving; the last White Wagtails before leaving and arriving flocks of Yellow Wagtails; the first Sedge and Willow Warblers coming and the last Chiffchaff from southern areas going until the next winter; the first Subalpine Warblers can be see in the bushes.

The latest Black Storks, that have not yet embarked on his trip to Central Spain, can be seen in the cereal fields north of the Park, while their White cousins strive to rebuild their nest or keep warm their first eggs. The first Woodchat Shrikes are already accompanying their bigger relatives, the Southern Grey Shrikes, in our forest edges. The just arrived Lesser Kestrels complicate our identification by sharing our fields with their close relatives the Common Kestrels. There are not many Red Kites left, they leave the field open for Black Kites and Booted Eagles by going north. The Short-toed Eagles hover over our wetlands and Ospreys are back too.

In the marshes Common and Red-knobbed Coots build their floating nests with the first plants to emerge, which begin to tint in green the still yellowish water.
Photo2

The Great Crested, Little and Black-necked Grebes continue their courtships and Purple Gallinules show themselves very well due to the shortage of shelters. Red-crested and Common Pochards are the most abundant in the still deep waters of Cano Guadiamar, while Shovelers dominate the shallower waters of the Hinojos Marshes north of the Muro. Glossy Ibis remain spread over a large area, but the first groups are getting close to the Jose A. Valverde nesting colony.

At the Dehesa de Abajo there is a large concentration of thousands of flamingos and large numbers of Common and Red-crested Pochards. At La Gigueña Stream there are many Ibis and Stilts and also a few Wood Sandpipers.

Little Swift was seen last Friday and Saturday in a House Martin flock next to Hotel El Toruño and in the square in front a Long-eared Owl hunting with Barn Owls around the Wild Olive trees at night.

The expectations are being met and the Park is getting prepared for all spring visitors.

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 MARCH 17th

We have seen today the first flock of Whiskered Terns arriving in the marshes and a solitary Gull-billed Tern later. We also saw a Purple Heron flying over Caño Guadiamar and several beautiful looking Black-eared Wheatears passing through the marshes.

On the way back from the forest we came across the first Short-toed Lark back from Africa. Things go very quickly these days.

 

[mcapper]

Just to say that myself and two friends had a fantastic time with Jose on 18th March.

We had limited time - travelling to Donana for the day from the Marbella area so were up at 3am in order to get there.

Using Jose was just what we needed in order to get a good introduction to the area and Jose knew exactly where to go and what was where.

We started in a lovely area of forest and got several good species like Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, Quail and Black Redstart.

Moving on, we stopped at an area of meadows and mixed habitat, adding species like White Stork, Spanish Sparrow, Little Bustard, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Black Winged Stilt, Glossy Ibis, Lesser Kestrel, Stone Curlew and a couple of fabulous Black-winged Kite.

We gradually worked our way towards the National Park, adding more and species - five species of Lark, Red Rumped Swallow, Short Toed Eagle etc etc before we arrived at the Marshes.

Loads of water in Donana, although it has been going down. Looks good for the breeding season. We saw loads of water birds including Purple Swamphen, Red Knobbed Coot, Gull Billed Tern, Egrets, Herons, Stilts and Wood and Green Sandpipers. At the end of the Marshes there was a nice party of Greater Flamingo and we stopped to scan for raptors. Sadly we missed Imperial Eagle but had all three phases of Booted Eagle plus Griffon Vulture and hoards of Black Kite.

Sadly it was time to turn around and retrace our steps (the road to El Rocio being blocked after the floods). But the journey back added Night Heron and Purple Heron and a last detour added a flock of stunning Azure Winged Magpies.

We saw around 90 species during our time with Jose, of which many were new to all of us. This little note doesn't do justice to the birds or the place.

I'd thoroughly recommend Jose if you are thinking of using a guide. In our position, we would not have seen half the places or birds were it not for him and he proved to be friendly and exremely knowledgeable.

Thanks Jose!

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 MARCH 21st

School of Larks

Spring is back, this year the official start of spring coincide with the real start in the field; normally this come much earlier than the 21st, but this year the continuous rain, overcast skies and the lowest temperatures have delayed the development of plants and animals.
Finally they have executed the works necessary to reopen the Raya Real and resume our usual route through the forests of Coto del Rey to the Hinojos Marshes.

Photo1, 2 and 3

The result is not perfect, irregular and quite strong visual impact significantly, but the reopening of the road had become a matter of some urgency with the arrival of the peak of visits; there were not many options to do so quickly and friendly environment. Will have to see how it behaves with use and in case heavy rain comes again, but for now is allowing us to offer again the usual route and save some 120km of roads and tracks in bad conditions to reach the marshes.

There the variety and number of birds increases day by day. Short-toed and Lesser Short-toed Larks can be found now in nearly equal numbers on tracks that cross the flooded plain. Crested and Calandra Larks also use them as one of the few dry places throughout the area, making them an excellent school of Larks. The opportunity to see four species of this family so close to each other is not easy and offers an excellent opportunity to learn to tell them apart.

The number of Black Kites and Booted Eagles continues to grow. I heard the first Cuckoos in the forests; Flamingos are back in the marshes and the first Purple Herons fly over the reed beds. The first Whiskered Terns are also reaching the Cano Guadiamar and so do the first Gull-billed Terns. The water level continues to drop slowly and Pintail Sandgrouses are returning to the first dry patches, offering us great sightings, but many species still have difficulties finding suitable areas for breeding.

Stripeless Tree Frogs continue to fill the edges of the marsh with their songs and Egrets begin to capture its first Sharp-ribbed Salamanders. Griffon Vultures are also coming back to use waste animal carcasses that still remain here and there throughout the area. Red Kites and Hen Harriers become scarce and the first Montagu's Harriers are back to be seen.

Photo 4

Reeds begin to cover in green the open waters, sediments are settling and the quality of the water improves for animals and plants.

In the breeding colony of Jose A. Valverde activity has begun with the arrival of hundreds of Glossy Ibis and the first Purple and Night Herons. We expect a good spring for both the animals living in the park and its visitors, which this year will enjoy Doñana in all its magnificence.

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 MARCH 22nd

Today's firsts of the season

We had the firsts Nightingales at Puente del Ajolí, next to El Rocío; the first Reed Warbler at Jose A. Valverde; the first Willow Warbler and Melodious Warbler at Entremuros and the first Cuckoos seen also there.

The number of Ibis at Jose A. Valverde is increasing very quickly and so do the number of Purple Herons and Short-toed Larks in the area. It has been seen the first Garganey also there.

We also saw one of the last Black Storks of the season at Veta Zorrera.
At Dehesa de Pilas we saw an incredible number of Lesser Kestrels hovering about and a nice group of Yellow Wagtails 'flava'.

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

Just to say that myself and two friends had a fantastic time with Jose on 18th March.

We had limited time - travelling to Donana for the day from the Marbella area so were up at 3am in order to get there.

Using Jose was just what we needed in order to get a good introduction to the area and Jose knew exactly where to go and what was where.

We started in a lovely area of forest and got several good species like Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, Quail and Black Redstart.

Moving on, we stopped at an area of meadows and mixed habitat, adding species like White Stork, Spanish Sparrow, Little Bustard, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Black Winged Stilt, Glossy Ibis, Lesser Kestrel, Stone Curlew and a couple of fabulous Black-winged Kite.

We gradually worked our way towards the National Park, adding more and species - five species of Lark, Red Rumped Swallow, Short Toed Eagle etc etc before we arrived at the Marshes.

Loads of water in Donana, although it has been going down. Looks good for the breeding season. We saw loads of water birds including Purple Swamphen, Red Knobbed Coot, Gull Billed Tern, Egrets, Herons, Stilts and Wood and Green Sandpipers. At the end of the Marshes there was a nice party of Greater Flamingo and we stopped to scan for raptors. Sadly we missed Imperial Eagle but had all three phases of Booted Eagle plus Griffon Vulture and hoards of Black Kite.

Sadly it was time to turn around and retrace our steps (the road to El Rocio being blocked after the floods). But the journey back added Night Heron and Purple Heron and a last detour added a flock of stunning Azure Winged Magpies.

We saw around 90 species during our time with Jose, of which many were new to all of us. This little note doesn't do justice to the birds or the place.

I'd thoroughly recommend Jose if you are thinking of using a guide. In our position, we would not have seen half the places or birds were it not for him and he proved to be friendly and exremely knowledgeable.

Thanks Jose!

Many thanks for your nice report

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 MARCH 24th

Today's new species

The first Nightingales and Savi's Warblers have been singing around for a few days now. The first flocks of Bee-eaters are passing through but high in the sky, we haven't seen any at low level yet. The first flocks of Collared Pratincoles have been seen flying over La Madre, but the usual islands where they land to rest are still too wet, so they went away.

An easy and most enjoyable walk at La Rocina today under just perfect weather conditions produced the following list of species :

Little Grebe, Night Heron, Little Egret, Purple Heron, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Collared Dove, Pallid Swift, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Nightingale, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Crested Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Woodchat Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Raven, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 MARCH 30th

Bee-eaters and Pratincoles increasing numbers very quickly. Gull-billed Terns also getting easier to see in the marshes and rice fields. Very good views of Pintail Sandgrouse now at several places in the Hinojos Marshes. A large group of Slender-billed Gulls also in the marshes mixed with Black-headed Gulls. Flamingos everywhere. Numbers of Squacco Herons also increasing at last and the first Littel Bitterns back from Africa. Savi's, Reed and Great Reed also around Jose A. Valverde, where the activity in the colony is hectic now. First Ibis sat on nests there.

Great Spotted Cuckoo starting to be difficult to see in the area as usually around this time of year. No Melodious or Olivaceous Warblers yet. The number of Subalpine Warbler passing has decreased. No Spectacled yet but Dartford Warbler is displaying very well in scrubland around the Park. We haven't seen any Oriole or Roller yet either. Black-shouldered Kite has become more difficult this year due to their usual areas being flooded for several months causing the migration or death of the small mammals that used to live there.

Still not too late this year for Orchids and other bulbs in the area.

Numbers of species and quantity increasing day by day. It's getting more and more clear that we will have a terrific spring this year.

 

[mcapper]

I envy you your Spring!

 

[stephen p]

Just a message to everyone.

Me and my family had a tour of Donana on 17th March with Jose.
We set out on a beautiful morning to the park from El Rocio. Straight away we starting to see some brilliant sites, Corn Buntings were first on the list and a beautiful Woodchat Shrike sat in the morning sun light. Jose took us past the nesting site for a group of White Storks, we see the storks a lot where stay but it was great to see them so close and also flying in with nesting materials.
Further along the drive it just got better and better! Jose knowledge (and amazing eyesight!) was brilliant. How he can drive and spot so many birds is beyond me. Towards the visitors centre we had great views of Wood and green Sandpipers, Red knobbed Coot, Red Crested Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Green and Redshank, Purple Gallinule, Linnet, Siskin.
Jose stopped near an old building as he spotted a Booted Eagle perched on the post and Lesser Kestrels flying around the old building, great sight and a first for all of us. Near the Visiting centre we watched a Montagu and Hen Harrier fly by and the first group of Glossy Ibis.

The Visitors centre provided superb views of Marsh harriers swooping down into the reeds.
After the Visitors centre Jose drove us towards the forest, through an area heavily flooded. Along the road there seemed to be endless numbers of Larks, Short toed, Lesser short toed, Crested and Calandra. Great to see so many varients. We also saw the first Gull-billed terns of the year. Further along our tour we had great views of the Red Deer, at one point two Stags stood right in front of us standing in the water, a beautiful sight.

Other Highlights included Stonecurlew, Ruff, Black Kite, Great Egret, Griffon Vulture, Black eared Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Citril Finch and a very close view of a Hoopoe jumping between the dead trees. Near the end our favourites the Short Toed Eagle showed very well and beautiful Night Heron on the way back to El Rocio topped of a brilliant morning.

Jose is an excellent guide with knowledge that is second the none, it was a joy to have someone so helpful and willing to show us where he lives.
His love for the land and wildlife was something to admire.

I would highly recommend Jose's tours and will be booking again.

Thank you Jose.

 

[Jose A. Sanchez]

2010 APRIL 8th

A great day for Doñana's history

Doñana gets better day by day, although the effects of spring is felt something later this year. The plants are flowering somewhat later, so that there is still orchids in our pine forests, now at last begins to increase the number of butterflies and dragonflies, the waters of the marsh are beginning to have an appropriate level for many birds, not only to feed but also to find suitable areas for breeding. But not everything is negative, there are also positive effects in delaying signs of spring: there are still very few flies and mosquitoes, and that, at least for us human beings, is more good than bad.

The migration continues these days, especially in regard to small forest birds and waders. These are ideal days to watch all kinds of warblers, some of which are only seen Doñana on passage. With a little luck and good trained eyes or a good birding guide you could see in one day: Willow Warbler, Bonelli's W, Subalpine W, Spectacled W, Garden W, Whitethroat, Sardinian W, Blackap, Dartford W, Orphean W, Sedge W, Reed W, Great-reed W, Savi's W, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti's W and Melodious Warbler. We haven't seen any Olivaceous Warbler yet but they must be just about to arrive.
We also see coming in these days other species such as Whinchat, Redstart, Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher and Grey Flycatcher. Yesterday we saw a beautiful male Rock Thrush and today we saw a female Ring Ouzel, rare sightings in Doñana. Continues to increase the number of Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike, Montagu's Harrier and Black-eared Wheatear. We haven't seen yet any Roller (although we made a trip to the steppes of Castro Verde in Portugal last Wednesday and saw one) and Golden Oriole.

We also observed yesterday in the breeding colony of the Visitors Center Jose A. Valverde one of the rare Reef Egrets. There, the activity of more than 4,000 pairs of Glossy Ibis and several thousand pairs of Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Squacco Heron and Night Heron among other species. The pair of Crested Coot breeding in the Caño Guadiamar is still being seen, but not as well as weeks ago as the vegetation is still growing and covering more and more area.

But if something is really good today for us here, those who work in Doñana, is that they have finally begun the works to clean up the roads in the northern marshes. We had been waiting for years, myself in particular have the feeling that I have been waiting all my life, since is nearly 15 that I have been working in Doñana, and the regrettable tracks that I have to use every day are killing my back. The plan is to improve the entire stretch known as Wall of FAO, from Matasgordas Oak Forest to Huerta Tejada, the entire wall of the right bank of Entremuros and all the access to Jose A. Valverde via Dehesa de Pilas, Hato Raton, the 2 bridges and the Caño Guadiamar. We all, including you, are in luck!