Summary of September 2009

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) at the saltpans

The second half of September saw the arrival of several uncommon passage migrants, including one rarity at national level.

There was a Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) at the salt pans on 23/09, and another bird in an irrigation basin from 23-26/09, accompanied by a Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana) 24-30/09, and a Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) 23-26/09. Another Pectoral Sandpiper was discovered at the salt pans on 29/09.

A Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) was seen and photographed by Daniel Martín, at an altitude of approximately 1,800m, halfway along the Cumbre Vieja ridge in the southern half of the island.

Calidris melanotos is a rarity at national level, and the corresponding form has been submitted to the Spanish Rarities Committee for homologation.

All photos copyright R.Burton unless otherwise stated.