England, Spain
Robert Ringler (ringler@cct.infi.net)
Tue, 11 May 1999 07:39:37 -0700
Hello all,
I just returned from a birding trip to England (where I was
staying with friends in Dorset) and Spain (in the Northeast only). I am
still catching up on my e-mail. There were over 300 messages and it may
take me a day or two to reply to some of them.
It's to here that migration is in full swing here. In England
the Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were on territory in good numbers and
the first Wood Warblers, Redstarts, and Pied Flycatchers had arrived. My
highlight there was seeing Manx Shearwaters from land.
In Spain there were a good number of migrants on the coast at the
Ebro Delta, especially Melodious Warblers and Whitethroats. Highlights
of the delta were breeding plumage Slender-billed Gulls with their pink
bellies, a flock of 6 Collared Pratincoles, Hoopoes, and several Little
Bitterns. In the Steppes were both Little and Great Bustards,
Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Little Owl, and a surprise in
two Dotterels including a breeding plumage female. In the foothills were
Lammergeiers, Ortolans, and Black Woodpecker.
Butterfly highlights included Scarce Swallowtail, Spanish
Festoon, and Moroccan Orangetip.
The total trip list was about 225 species including 20 warblers.
If anyone is interested in a detailed list I am preparing one.
See you at the Conference.
Bob Ringler
Eldersburg