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Systematic list - part 10: Dipper, Wren, Dunnock, Robins, Wheatears and Thrushes

All dates refer to May 2013

 

Dipper Cinclus cinclus (-)

Dave saw one flying along the river north of Gabardito on 19th - I was snoozing and missed it.

 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (5)

5 heard at or near San Juan de la Peña 19th.

 

Dunnock Prunella modularis (2)

1 Hecho Valley 18th and 1 along road to Gabardito 19th.

 

Robin Erithacus rubecula (7)

1-2 at several sites in the Pyrenees (including San Juan de la Peña).

 

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos (30)

A total of 30, mostly heard only, at numerous sites. Highest numbers were at sites around the base of the Pyrenees.

 

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (58)

Away from the Pyrenees just 1 heard Reus Airport 16th. In Pyrenees this was one of the species involved in the hard-weather altidunal migration event on 18th including 15 Hecho Valley and 20 northwest of Jaca. Also 15 Gabardito 19th.

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Black Redstarts, Gabardito, 19th May (left) and Hecho Valley, 18th May (right)

 

Stonechat Saxicola rubicola (14)

6 Hecho Valley and 7 northwest of Jaca 18th, 1 betweeen San Juan de la Peña and Hecho Valley 19th.

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Stonechats, Hecho Valley, 18th May

 

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (310)

A remarkable fall of Wheatears in the Pyrenees caused by heavy snow pushing birds down the valleys. Birds were streaming through making it difficult to estimate numbers but 200 Hecho Valley 18th was surely an underestimate. Also 66 northwest of Jaca 18th but next day only 33 Hecho Valley. Smaller numbers at other sites in the Pyrenees and elsewhere 4 at 2 sites in the steppes 17th and 1 Ebro Delta 20th.

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Wheatears, Hecho Valley, 18th May

 

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Wheatear, southern Los Monegros, 17th May

 

Western Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe (hispanica) hispanica (9)

Singles Sástago, north of Sástago and Laguna de la Playa all 17th, 6 north of Candasnos 17th.

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Western Black-eared Wheatears, north of Candasnos, 17th May

 

Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura (2)

At least 1 male and 1 female Sástago 17th. I didn't see a bird in Hecho Valley 18th well enough to count it.

Black Wheatear, Sástago, 17th May

 

Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis (21)

Although I hoped we would see this species getting over 20 of them was quite unexpected and one of the highlights of the holiday. Most of these were part of the altidunial hard-weather movement where birds were streaming down the valleys as heavy snow forced them off the high ground. At least 13 Hecho Valley and 6 northwest of Jaca 18th followed by 2 Hecho Valley 19th.

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Rock Thrushes, Hecho Valley, 18th May

 

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Rock Thrushes, Hecho Valley, 19th May

 

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (1)

Dave saw one north of Sástago 17th but the only one I recorded was 1 heard along the road up to Gabardito 19th. Surprised not to have encountered more.

 

Blackbird Turdus merula (38)

Small numbers at several locations, all inland. Easily the largest count was 20 along the road northwest of Jaca 18th.

 

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos (1)

1 San Juan de la Peña 19th.

 

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus (10)

4 Utxesa 16th, smaller numbers at a few locations in the Pyrenees and the journey from there to Ebro.

 

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