In this page we put the more important information about the rare birds in Extremadura in this year 2005. For more information, please sent to us e-mail to: birds@eltenado.com or visit the link than there are to the end this page.

Bald Ibis *Geronticus eremita (1).3rd for Spain.

(1) The bird seen during,february, march and april at Trujillo, Cáceres was seen again c. 5km East of Belén, to 15 km from our house in a small colony of white stork and Little egrett in a small dam ( Javier Esteban Pozo and other birdwatching).

Some discussion within observers and research done in Spain might show that: a) this bird is different from that recorded last December at Piedrahita, Ávila, b) the correct way in which both birds feed, particularly the Ávila individual may talk of a wild origin since some authors think that captivity-bred individuals do not feed 'correctly' in the wild. However, these statements have to be yet confirmed with captivity-breeders, c) there would be c.700 birds kept in captivity elsewhere, d) three of the birds released last year in Cádiz province had gone lost but they were ringed with three rings, one metallic, e) the Cádiz province project responsables think that although the situation in Spain may be controlled, after conversations with the CITES responsables from Portugal, the Lisbon Zoo Bald Ibis collection curators and some Spanish bird keepers, they feel these two birds may well come from a private bird keeper from Portugal since there is no need of having the birds neither registered nor ringed in that country.
These two cases then probably heading for 'D' category once reviewed and accepted (ed.comment).

ENLACE BELEN PLAINS.

Long-legged Buzzard* Buteo rufinus (1)
(1) One of the two birds were seen 12,5 km East of Belén, Cáceres on 17.4 and afterwards was seen again on 1.5 c. 7 km from Belén ( Javier Esteban Pozo)One was seen on 5.5 (Santiago Villa/ Celtic Bird Tours/ Spainbirds). But on 8.5 'the other' buzzard was seen at the very same place so both birds were still around by those dates (Alfonso López, Juan Diego Acevedo).

Two birds were seen 12,5 km East of Belén, Cáceres on 17.4 (Thomas & Barbara Driscoll, Santiago Villa) and 22.4 (Martin Kesley).Two cirtensis birds were seen c. 50 Km from the Belén site but also within Cáceres plains (Santiago Villa, John & Joan Boyes/Spainbirds). It is unknown wether these were the same as the other pair.

Enlace belen plains

Field marks: The two birds were found about 12 km North-East Belen (Trujillo) during a Spainbirds trip. Both showed distinctive long wings and legs and white flashes underwing with black fingers and unbarred primaries. One of the birds could be a 2nd calendar year but the second one is still undated.

Behaviour: Although both were seen perched to the top of a fence post most of the time were landed, doing conspicous leaps and catching what it seemed some insects. Short flights and then landed again on the ground.

Presumed hybrid Western Reef x Little Egret Egretta gularis x garzetta (1,2,3,4) On 5.3 there was a bird at Guadiloba reservoir, Cáceres, Extremadura (Javier Prieta, Jesús Calle, Carlos Fernández).

The Extremadura bird (J.Prieta).

Mandarin Duck * Aix galericulata
There was a drake at embalse de Portaje, Torrejoncillo, Cáceres ( Javier Prieta).

More info:
www.telefonica.net/web2/webgoce/
www.rarebirdspain.net
www.ardeola.org
www.seo.org