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REPORT July 2015
adult Red-backed Shrike
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juvenile Red-backed Shrike
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In broad terms the month has been much colder, wetter and windier than last year; however as last July was quite atypical it has actually been a more or less average July. A total of 380 birds were ringed during the last two weeks of July on the standardized protocol (334 birds less than in 2014).
By Aïda López
Regarding the weather, the average temperature has been 14 °C, (3.3 °C lower than last year. Highest temperature was 24.9 °C (2 Jul), and the lowest was 7.7 °C (17 Jul). Highest daily precipitation was 34.9 mm (8 Jul) with a total of 78.1 mm (average 78.0mm). Highest wind speed was 15.9 m/s (9 Jul) with the average wind being 6.5 m/s.
A total of 380 birds were ringed during the last two weeks of July on the standardized protocol (334 birds less than in 2014). 33 species have been ringed, 9 less species than in July 2014. The most noteworthy have been Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, House Martin and Icterine Warbler. The three most abundant species ringed in July have been Linnet (61), Common Starling (52) and Willow Warbler (43).
The ringing numbers for around 30 species has been lower than average, especially obvious in Thrushes, Tits, Sparrows and Warblers (excepting Blackcap and Chiffchaff). On the other hand, Finches, primarily Linnet and Redpoll have been above average; while Chaffinch and Greenfinch have been caught in lower than average numbers. Pied Flycatcher numbers are above average while White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Goldcrest are around average, however it must be emphasized that it has been the first year since 2008 that the Goldcrest reaches average numbers.
A total of 121 species have been seen in July out of 201 species observed in the area during this year.
Passerines have been seen in low numbers. Some species have appeared in higher numbers than recent years including Barred-tailed Gotwit, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser. Some of the Waders have appeared in good numbers (Bar-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper) but most of them are under average (Oystercatcher, Red Knot, Dunlin, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper Curlew, Snipe, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover and Lapwing).
It has been a good July for remarkable/rare species, which have included Merlin (very scarce in mid-summer), European Bee-eater and Franklin’s Gull; the last one being the first for Lista Bird Observatory and the 3rd American species in 2015 (including Buff-bellied Pipit and Laughing Gull).
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