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Looking for a lifer in the northeast of Cadiz province

The last time I saw a lifer was during a short visit to the Cetina Marshes. I then had the honor of spotting a Barn Owl. It's becoming increasingly difficult to expand my life list, but judging by the list of birds observed in the province of Cadiz by other bird watchers, I still have a lot of species to go. Today it was time to visit the northeast of the province of Cadiz, more specifically the region around Trebujena. Regardless of whether I would spot a new species or not, I was sure that I would observe something special, because in the month of May nature is full of life. A Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin perhaps? Or a European Roller?


I had not yet arrived at my destination, or I had already noticed a fairly rare species during the ride: two European Turtle Doves sitting on a power line preening their feathers. I started my walk at random among the rugged vineyards and olive groves. Except for some Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows, I didn't think I would find anything special here. A hovering Kestrel livened things up a bit.



Two European Turtle Doves on a power line
Two European Turtle Doves

Male Kestrel
Male Kestrel


After a few minutes of walking I decided to try my luck in one of the vineyards. I randomly entered an estate, without climbing over a fence this time, and immediately saw a songbird in a tree singing at the top of its lungs. Was it a Melodious Warbler? It looked quite similar, but was bigger and the song sounded very different, louder too.



Bird singing at the top of a tree
What's singing there?

I carefully stepped closer to the bird. Then I realised how lucky I was: just moments after my arrival I had indeed stumbled upon a lifer! A Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, goodness gracious!



Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin singing in the bushes
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin

After I had got a bit too close, the bird flew up, but not very far away. He continued to sing, on top of a bush and then on top of a tree. I had never heard this song before, all I knew about this bird is that it is becoming increasingly rare, partly due to habitat loss. It winters in northern Africa, but spends the spring and summer in certain parts of Spain, especially in the area where I was walking.



Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin


Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin on a branch
The bird continues to sing almost uninterruptedly

I thoroughly enjoyed the song of this 'new' bird, but after fifteen minutes I walked a kilometre further, where I actually found another Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. This time on the ground, before flying up to a nearby tree. Just like the Nightingale, the Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin also regularly points its tail upwards.



Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
Typical pose with its tail up

Definitely a species that I want to photograph in detail in the future, now that I know exactly where to find it.



Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin in the vineyards
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin in the vineyards

Singing Melodious Warbler
The somewhat similar Melodious Warbler is also present



After this remarkable encounter it was time to drive to Mesas de Asta, an area near Jerez de la Frontera, where I knew that at this time of year a colony of Gull-billed Terns could be present, busy breeding. The first striking bird I saw was a Booted Eagle, flying out of the vegetation.



Booted Eagle in flight
Booted Eagle

As the temperature was slowly rising, I indeed saw the first Gull-billed Terns above a cornfield. A somewhat strange sight to find this bird here, but easily explained by the presence of a fairly large lagoon where they can breed in peace.



Gull-billed Tern flies above a cornfield
The first Gull-billed Terns, above a cornfield

A little later I indeed found the rest of the colony at the lagoon, together with hundreds of gulls.



Gull-billed Terns and and Slender-billed Gulls share an island

For a moment I thought an Osprey was also present, but a gull on a wooden post above the water had me confused.



Flock of Yellow-legged Gulls
Flock of Yellow-legged Gulls

It was difficult to determine exactly how many gulls were present, but the photos below show that their numbers were quite impressive. From a distance there appeared to be a large white carpet on one of the islands in the lagoon.



Slender-billed Gull
Slender-billed Gull

It was a real pleasure to see the birds going about their daily activities: the flying skills of the Gull-billed Terns, the squabbling of the gulls for a fish, the arrival of four Spoonbills, the elegance of a Black-winged Stilt... I didn't have enough eyes to watch everything.




Two Gull-billed Terns
Two Gull-billed Terns

Gull with El Torreón in the distant background



Lagoon with a large number of birds
Note the white carpet on the right

Spoonbill
Spoonbill on one of the islands

Gull-billed Terns and Slender-billed Gulls
A white cloud, consisting of Gull-billed Terns and Slender-billed Gulls

Big lagoon


Gulls flying through the air
Hundreds of gulls decorate the sky

Slender-billed Gull lands on the water
Slender-billed Gull lands on the water

Gull-billed Tern
Gull-billed Tern


Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis

Gull-billed Tern
Gull-billed Tern

One of the most fascinating scenes with such a large group of birds is always the fighting over food. Several times I saw different types of birds watching a school of fish, and what followed was always a nervous pushing and shoving to be the first to make off with the loot.



Different birds in a battle for the same fish
Different birds in a battle for the same fish

Gull-billed Tern with a fish in its beak
Here the rest have to lose out to a shrewd Gull-billed Tern

Birds fighting over a fish in the water
The competition is fierce at times


Everything is accompanied by a lot of screaming

Some Slender-billed Gulls had a ring. By looking up the records I discovered that three specimens had been ringed in Veta La Palma, in La Puebla del Río in Seville (about thirty kilometers away). One bird was 9 years old, another 11 years old, a third one 13. Respectable ages, but nothing exceptional for a gull, as we saw in our blog post about ages of birds in the province of Cadiz.



The Black-winged Stilts are more peaceful in their search for food

Black-winged Stilt next to Slender-billed Gull
But they are also closely watched by the gulls


Most Gull-billed Terns had their own place to fish, and therefore less competition.



Gull-billed Tern with a successful dive

On a previous visit to Mesas de Asta I had only superficially explored the place. Now that I have walked up to the large lagoon, I have come to know the true beauty of this place. Certainly worth it, especially in spring!

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