Early September 2010

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

The post-breeding migration season is now underway, and my first visit to the Fuencaliente saltpans on Sept. 4th revealed small numbers of common waders typical for the site: 2 Curlew Sandpipers (Calidris ferruginea), 2 Little Stints (Calidris minuta), 1 Sanderling (Calidris alba) and 1 Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula).

There were also about 10 Turnstones (Arenaria interpres), a species found all year round.

By Sept. 7th, water-levels had changed in the basins and only the Turnstones and Plover were still present.

Little Stint (Calidris minuta)

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

At the seawater pools near the airport, there were 2 juvenile Ringed Plovers (Charadrius hiaticula), one of which is shown above, 1 Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), 1 Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus ) and 1 immature Dunlin (Calidris alpina), together with about 25 Turnstones (Arenaria interpres).

Again, the typical species array present throughout the autumn-spring period.

In the irrigation basins in and around Las Martelas, there are already small contingents of Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) and Greenshank (Tringa nebularia).

Coots (Fulica atra) should start arriving this month and, hopefully, an occasional rarity...

For descriptions of the above-mentioned birding locations, return to the Nov 2nd 2009 post entitled "Observing Sites" by clicking on "entradas antiguas" below.