Ringing Trip – Canal Vell, Ebre Delta, Catalonia. 14-28 Sept 2017

General view of reserve from observation tower, nearest mist net in foreground that was good for catching Pied Flycatchers.

Following last year's  successful  one week  trip to Canal Vell , this year Carlton decided to return visit for two weeks. He was accompanied by Kelvin Jones and Robin Sandham, both friends from North Wales, although Robin unfortunately had to leave at the end of the first week.

For a general description of the site and project please see last year’s account posted on 19/09/16.

The timing for this year’s visit (14-28 September, compared to last year 4-11 Sept) was intentional for two reasons. Firstly, to see how the numbers and variety of species varied as the month progressed, compared to last year. Secondly, to time the visit to when the rice harvest was more advanced. This was because last year the great majority of the rice fields had not yet been harvested and it was apparent that the few fields that had been cut and had the stubble rotavated back in to form wet mud with scattered pools, were those that attracted the largest number and variety of wetland birds, including migrant waders.

Temmink’s Stint, in roadside field after harvesting.

For this year's ringing the layout of the nets were the same as last year, except for the addition of a wader net. Also, as last year  the nets were only closed during the afternoon with ringing resuming at 5.30pm, with the last net round 1hr after dusk.  Any birds processed after dusk were roosted overnight and released the following morning.

Ringing numbers were slightly up on last year in terms of both numbers and species, although this year some of the classic Mediterranean species, such as Scop’s Owl, Hoopoe and Wryneck, that were ringed in 2016, failed to end up in the nets during our stay. Totals for the two weeks were 990 new with 341 retraps. Daily number varied greatly with a max of 133 and a min of 22 new, and a max of  53 and  min of 3 retraps, resulting in daily average of 70 new (63 in 2016) and 24 retraps (29 in 2016).

Little Bittern, age 3.

Below are the species totals, with species new for them in 2017 marked with a * and the 2016 species not encountered this year in brackets. A more detailed spreadsheet for the daily totals is in the ringing hut, with further information from the following link. http://apps.ornitologia.org/anella/migra/M001/charts/ALL

Little Bittern *                      1   (2)

(Wood Sandpiper)

Collard Dove*                      5

(Scop’s Owl)

(Hoopoe)

Kingfisher                               9 (23)

(Wryneck)

Swallow                                43

Robin*                                    2

Nightingale*                         2

Bluethroat                          64 (27)

Redstart                                  3

Stonechat*                            1

Blackcap*                               5

Garden Warbler                   3

Whitethroat                          3

Subalpine Warbler              3

Fan-tailed Warbler              3

Savi’s Warbler                       2

Cetti’s Warbler                  216 (109)

Sedge Warbler*                    2

Reed Warbler                    485 (135)

Great Reed Warbler        13 (4)

Willow Warbler                 79 (35)

Firecrest*                              2

Pied Flycatcher                  18 (4)

Penduline Tit                             (1)

House Sparrow                   22 (1)

Tree Sparrow                         1

Greenfinch                             3

(Reed Bunting)

Total      (2017)                   990 (341).

Penduline Tit, 4M.

After the morning’s ringing the afternoon breaks allowed for some general birding on foot either on the reserve or at the nearby rice fields, many of which were now being harvested, or by car to explore elsewhere on the delta, including the coast and other reserves, via more rice fields.

The total variety of wetland species seen was truly impressive. All together total of at least 26 species of wader were recorded, including Collard Pratincole, Temmink’s Stint, Kentish Plover and Dotterel. Other species, all in good numbers, included Whiskered, Gull-billed and Caspian Tern,  Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gull , Purple Swamphen, Spoonbill,  Grey, Purple , Night and Squacco Herons, Great, Little and Cattle Egret, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis and Greater Flamingo.  Ducks were plentiful, with numbers increasing day by day and included species like Red-crested Pochard and Garganey plus great rafts of Coot totalling several thousand. Great Crested Grebes were common, with fewer Liittle and Black-necked. Both White and Yellow Wagtails were plentiful some days, with some of the adult Yellow Wags looking as if they were of several races originating north of the Pyrenees as well as the local “Spanish” type. As would be expected Marsh Harrier were by far the commonest raptor, followed by Osprey with several seen most days. Other raptors occasionally noted were Montagu’s Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Black Kite and Hobby and on one occasion good views of a dark phased Eleonora’s Falcon.

Within the reserve, on the main lagoon, was where the majority of the flamingos spent their time, with numbers increasing gradually during our stay until eventually totalling about 1200 or more. The Glossy Ibis also seemed to be more numerous than last year and were estimated this year as being over 1600. Another regular event were the evening dispersal of the Night Herons from their day time roosts, giving their distinctive nasal frog type calls as they passed by on their way to feed. Another impressive sight were the Ibis, who after feeding all day in the rice fields, would roost in the marsh that fringed the lagoon, returning in the evening in large formations sometimes over the nets lanes. Returning to the rice fields in the morning just after first light, often during the first net round. Most of the Flamingos and Ibis that spend the winter at Canal Vell originate from the Camargue in southern France, some showing off their French white darvic rings. Also at least one of the Reed Warblers we controlled with a “Paris” ring on also originated from this area (see below).

Glossy Ibis coming in to roost during an evening net round.

Finally one surprise visitor taken in to the rehabilitation centre on site was a magnificent young Black Vulture, that had originated from the Pyrenees repopulation scheme. It was found after it had landed in an exhausted state on a nearby small airfield! It seemed quite healthy when they left and was expected to make a full recovery.

So following another very pleasant and successful visit to Canal Vell, Carlton is already looking forward to next year's visit.

Black Vulture, Juv, note pink facial skin.

One of three “Paris” ringed Reed Warblers they had during their stay.