This migratory bird, first recorded in 1585, spends the winter in tropical Africa and nests in hollow trees or in walls, feeds on ants and their larvae but also on different insects and berries. One of the smallest Picidae species it is about 17cm (6.7in) in length. When excited it uses its neck in snake-wise […]
Tag: Spain
Blackcap Singing
Blackcaps are quite stocky birds, about the size of house sparrows. They are mainly light grey-brown in colour with the male having a neat black cap on its head, while the female’s cap is chestnut-brown. In summer, recently fledged young also have a chestnut-brown cap, with young males gaining their black cap by late autumn. […]
Crested lark
Galerida cristata – Everybody knows the Disney cartoon character Beep beep inspired by the American Roadrunner… well to me this is the bird that resembles it the most in Europe!! It is usually common in Spain but this summer it seemed they were fewer. Cochevis huppé – A mon avis voici l’oiseau qui s’en approche […]
Highlights from this year’s Spring Tour on The Strait of Gibraltar – April 2015
Here’s a quick photo summary of some of the birds we watched down in Andalucia on one of my spring birdwatching tours. Each spring we offer such small tour group holidays to go out in the field and see what bird species are arriving from Africa. The close proximity of the two continents makes this […]
Little Swifts, Chipiona, Cadiz province, Spain
One of the more accessible Little Swift sites is at Chipiona harbour and marina on the western side of Andalucia. There are other sites across the Iberian peninsula but this site offers easy access and with patience you can watch the birds feeding and returning to the colony. You’ll see them on their own in […]
Melanistic Montagu’s Harrier and other Raptors
Here are some of the raptor photos we managed to see with my Swiss group from Arcatour last week. The wind direction swung around to give us moderate to strong Levante (easterlies) for five days and only died down on our last two days. Still, knowing what the migrating raptors do and where they will […]
Bearded tit
Panurus biarmicus Although widely distributed, it is an elusive bird not easy to see and after which so many photographers are after! I was lucky to get these shot in Spanish Catalonia. The male has magnificent black mustaches going down from the eyebrows to the throat: Original post HERE
Cirl bunting
Emberiza cirlus – Locally common in Southern Europe; seen sometimes in the South of England. It is gregarious and often joins groups of other bunting or finch species; it is normally sedentary, but sometimes migrates southward during when winters are harsh. Close to the Yellow bunting, it is more easily shy and wary and perches in […]