FOREWOOD
Ebro Species List
Little Grebe - Common, especially at Bassa de l'Encanyissada. In May 2005, less obvious, though breeding at l'Encanyissada, Ullals de Baltasar and at Tancada
Great Crested Grebe - Common, especially at Bassa de l'Encanyissada. Not as numerous in May 2005, but present and breeding
Black-Necked Grebe - Breeding in May 2005 at Bassa de l'Encanyissada
Manx Shearwater (Balearic) - Easily seen flying offshore from Migjorn beach - on one day a large flock fishing about 1Km offshore
Cormorant - C ommon everywhere, several thousand in the Ebro river mouth. Surprisingly, not recorded in May 2005
Bittern - Two seen flying over the reeds at les Olles in May 2007
Gannet - A single bird in sub adult plumage seen from Trabucador beach in May 2005
Little Bittern - Two sightings, both at Bassa de l'Encanyissada, from the hide overlooking the "el clot" lake, in the reeds close under the hide - silence and patience required. In May 2005 seen among the nesting herons at Bassa de l'Encanyissada
Squacco Heron - Two juveniles feeding in the open on cut reeds across the road from the tall hide at Migjorn beach. In May 2005 and 2007 adults commonly seen feeding at edges of rice fields
Cattle Egret - Common everywhere. Present in May 2005 and 2007, but in much smaller numbers
Little Egret - Common everywhere, in greater numbers than Cattle Egret. Present, but in much smaller numbers in May 2005 and 2007- including this one on the outer harbour wall at Sant Carles
Great White Egret - Thinly spread but common. Near the fish trap at the outlet to Bassa de l'Encanyissada, there were 74 stood in wet rice stubble. Surprisingly, not recorded in May 2005, and just singles in 2007
Grey Heron - Common everywhere in large numbers. Near the fish trap at the outlet to Bassa de l'Encanyissada, there were more than 170 stood in wet rice stubble. In May 2005 and 2007 present in much smaller numbers, and breeding
Purple Heron - Present and breeding in May 2005 and 2007, widespread and common - more sightings than Grey Heron
Glossy Ibis - 5 seen at Alfacada from the hide overlooking the Migjorn area in 2005, and up to 20 in the same area in 2007
Greater Flamingo - Easy to see and admire at Bassa de la Tancada and in the Port del Fangar and at Bassa de les Olles - several hundred present. In May 2005 vast numbers in the Punta de la Bunya reserve, with just a handful at Tancada. In 2007 there were good numbers here
Greylag Goose - About 30 at Illa da Buda - seen from the tall hide at Migjorn beach. Not seen in 2005 or 2007
Shelduck - Common and present in most lakes and ports. Present in smaller numbers in May 2005 and 2007 and probably breeding at Alfacada and Tancada
Wigeon - Very local in large numbers in the Ebro river mouth and Illa da Buda - very wary
Teal - Very local in large numbers in the Ebro river mouth and Illa da Buda - very wary
Gadwall - Three pairs seen at l'Encanyissada in May 2005, good numbers here and at Alfacada in 2007
Mallard - Very common in huge numbers everywhere on all visits
Pintail - Very local in small numbers in the Ebro river mouth and Illa da Buda - very wary
Shoveler - Just two sightings of 2 - 3 birds at Bassa de l'Encanyissada on all visits
Red Crested Pochard - Very common in large numbers everywhere
Pochard - Just 3 birds seen at the Bassa de l'Encanyissada in 2004, and Alfacada in 2007
Red Breasted Merganser - 2 birds fishing in the Port des Alfacs, close to the Barra del Trubacador in
Black Kite - A single sighting in May 2005 beside the road between Tortosa and Amposta. One, then a flight of 4 seen high over les Olles in 2007 heading North-east
Red Kite - 1 bird seen over the Autopista on the way up to Barcelona Airport on the way home in 2004
Griffon Vulture - 30 or more birds seen leaving a roost in the hills above Roquetas on the way up to Mont Caro, then in 1's and 2's anywhere in the hills later that day. 2 birds seen in the same place in May 2005, and up to 30 again in 2007
Marsh Harrier - Very common wherever there are reeds - more than 30 counted in to roost at Bassa de l'Encanyissada. Infrequent sightings of single breeding birds in May 2005 and 2007
Golden Eagle - 2 birds seen well from the road approaching the top of Mont Caro in 2004
Booted Eagle - A single bird seen over the autopista on the way down to Valencia in May 2005
Bonelli's Eagle - Two birds seen soaring together on the way up to Mount Caro in May 2005
Osprey - One seen on 2 days sat on a post well out in the Illa da Buda lagoon, and one seen at very close range sat in a tree beside the Ebro river
Kestrel - Thinly distributed everywhere on both visits
Hobby - A single sighting beside l'Encanyissada in May 2005
Peregrine Falcon - One seen in the hills above Roquetas on the way up to Mont Caro in 2004, and another around the top of La Foradada in 2007
Red Legged Partridge - One seen beside the road on the way up to Mont Caro
Water Rail - Not seen, but heard frequently wherever there were reedbeds
Moorhen - Common everywhere. Present in smaller numbers and breeding in May 2005
Purple Gallinule - Up to 30 very well seen from the tall hide at Migjorn beach on both visits. Also present at l'Encanyissada in May 2005 and apparently more widespread in 2007
Coot - Very common in huge numbers everywhere. In May 2005 and 2007 present in much smaller numbers and presumably breeding
Oystercatcher - Present in small numbers at Port des Alfacs and the Port del Fangar at Bassa de les Olles. Recorded in May 2005 at Migjorn
Black Winged Stilt - Present and breeding in large numbers in May 2005 and 2007 - especially common feeding in rice fields in the Alfacada and Sant Jaume areas
Avocet - Several tens at the lagoon at Bassa de la Tancada, and a few at the Illa da Buda lagoon on all visits
Collared Pratincole -The bird of the May 2005 visit - a flock of 30 or so feeding at Eucaliptus, and 10 or so next to the fish traps at l'Encanyissada. Even more plentiful in 2007 - fabulous
Ringed Plover - Common and breeding in 2005 and 2007 - especially common in rice fields near Migjorn
Kentish Plover - More than 50 birds on the beach South of Migjorn, and ten or so on the Barra del Trubacador. In May 2005 and 2007 very common in wet rice fields and apparently breeding at all sandy beaches
Golden Plover - A flock of 10 in Rice stubble near the Illa da Buda
Grey Plover - Common at all beaches and the Ports dels Alfacs and Fangar
Lapwing - Very common in huge numbers everywhere
Knot - A large flock well out in the Port del Fangar. Feeding in the Alfacs bay in May 2005, presumably breeding birds late in returning North
Sanderling - Common at all beaches and the Ports dels Alfacs and Fangar, but not in large numbers. Present in good numbers in wet rice fields near Migjorn and occasionally on sandy beaches in May 2005
Little Stint - Very common, sometimes in tens, in wet rice fields in the outer delta in May 2005, apparently not breeding
Temminck's Stint - Very common indeed in wet rice fields in the outer delta in May 2005, apparently not breeding, and commoner than Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper - Present in small numbers in wet rice fields close to the sea
Dunlin - Common at all beaches and the Ports dels Alfacs and Fangar, but not in large numbers - except the Port del Fangar where there were several hundred. Low numbers recorded feeding in wet rice fields near to Migjorn in May 2005, presumably breeding birds late in returning North
Ruff - Present in small numbers among any wader flock. In May 2005 very common in wet rice fields, presumably breeding birds late in returning North. Not recorded in 2007
Snipe - Very common in large numbers everywhere in 2004, but not in flocks
Black Tailed Godwit - Up to 12 recorded in wet rice fields near Migjorn in May 2005
Bar Tailed Godwit - 3 birds seen flying in to the Illa de Buda
Curlew - Two large flocks, at Tancada and Illa de Buda
Spotted Redshank - Present in small numbers among any wader flock
Redshank - Common and widespread, some large gatherings. Occasional breeding birds seen in May 2005 and 2007
Greenshank - Common, widely but thinly distributed. 2 or 3 seen in the salty slacks near to Tancada in May 2005 and 2007
Green Sandpiper - Present in small numbers among any wader flock
Common Sandpiper - Present in small numbers among any wader flock. 2 seen with other waders in wet rice fields near to Migjorn in May 2005. Several seen in 2007
Turnstone - Several seen with other waders in wet rice fields near to Migjorn in May 2005
Mediterranean Gull - Seen in the distance in large numbers anywhere near the river mouth. In May 2005 one seen feeding amongst cattle in the inner Delta near to Sant Carles. Not recorded in 2007
Black Headed Gull - Very common in large numbers everywhere on both visits
Slender Billed Gull - Easy to see in wet fields, often close to the road, but thinly distributed. Also recorded commonly in wet fields in May 2005 and 2007
Audouin's Gull - Surprisingly widely distributed, in 1's and 2's in wet cultivated fields - very wary. They are apparently easier to see around the fringes of the delta, and particularly so at the fishing port at Sant Carles, and at Cases d'Alcanar a little further West down the coast. Recorded commonly across the Delta in May 2005 and more so in 2007 - well over an hundred in the fishing port
Lesser Black Backed Gull - Common, widely but thinly distributed on both visits
Herring Gull - Very commonin 2004, infrequent in 2005 and 2007
Yellow Legged Gull - Very much more common than Herring Gull. Just one or two seen in May 2005 in and around the Delta, but very common in the fishing port at Sant Carles
Great Black Backed Gull - A single sighting of 2 birds at the beach at Migjorn
Gull Billed Tern - Seen at Tancada, and one watched struggling with a Crayfish, in May 2005. In 2007 several sightings in newly flooded rice fields
Caspian Tern - 2, possibly three, seen at Tancada in May 2005. In 2007 seen well at les Olles
Sandwich Tern - Two large roosts, at Tancada and Illa de Buda, and seen fishing offshore anywhere on all visits
Common Tern - Seen feeding offshore, and apparently breeding, in May 2005 and 2007
Little Tern - Seen feeding offshore, and apparently breeding in good numbers, in May 2005 and more so in 2007
Whiskered Tern - A flock of 24 in the Port del Fangar, seen from the Bassa de les Olles. Widespread and breeding in May 2005 and 2007
Black Tern - 2 seen together at l'Encanyissada in May 2005. At Alfacada in 2007
Collared Dove - Thinly distributed everywhere except in the hills
Turtle Dove - One heard in trees beside a reedbed near Sant Carles in May 2005
Common Cuckoo - One heard calling from a reedbed near Sant Carles in May 2005
Common Swift - Very large numbers screaming around the sky over Sant Carles each evening, and seen across the delta in May 2005 and 2007
Pallid Swift - 3 seen from the hilltop at La Foradada above Sant Carles
Alpine Swift - 2 seen among Common Swifts at La Foradada above Sant Carles
Kingfisher - Common and widespread - present in large numbers overall, but not recorded in May 2005 or 2007
Bee Eater - Present in flocks on the way down from Reus, and on the way up Mount Caro in 2007, and occasinally elsewhere on the delta
Roller - A single bird in trackside scrub and on the wires along the back of the beach at Migjorn
Hoopoe - A single bird flew over the Autopista on the way down from Barcelona Airport. Seen in the inner drier delta in May 2005
Short Toed Lark - Several birds seen in a roadside stock compound near Plaja dels Eucaliptus, and in the wet slack behind Migjorn beach on both visits. More common and widespread in suitable dry habitat in May 2005
Lesser Short Toed Lark - Just 2 - 3 birds in the wet slack behind Migjorn beach, and at the dunes South of the Port del Fangar. More common and widespread in suitable dry habitat in May 2005
Crested Lark - Common in 1's and 2's almost anywhere on all visits
Woodlark - One seen on the way up Mount Caro in May 2005
Skylark - One seen on the way out to walk up La Foradada in may 2005
Crag Martin - A small flock of 8 or so above reeds and junk one evening where the road past the back of the hotel ended at the edge of town. Several feeding close to a cliff face near the top of Mount Caro, in fog, in May 2005. Seen near Benifallet and in the mountains in 2007
Swallow - Widespread and in good numbers everywhere in May 2005 and 2007
Red Rumped Swallow - Good numbers seen during the journey down from reus, mostly near to Benifallet
Sand Martin- Widespread in low numbers in May 2005 and 2007
House Martin - Large numbers around Sant Carles, less common out on the delta in May 2005 and 2007
Meadow Pipit - Common in 1's and 2's almost anywhere
Water Pipit - Common in 1's and 2's almost anywhere, more so than Meadow Pipit
Yellow Wagtail - Not common, but present in the blue-headed form in May 2005, one sighting of a small group of the grey headed form near to Sant Carles
Grey Wagtail - Uncommon, just 3 birds seen in wet fields
White Wagtail - Very common everywhere, possibly the commonest bird in November 2004. Much less common but breeding in May 2005
Wren - Present and singing off the delta in May 2005
Alpine Accentor - One bird well seen beside the road at the very top of Mont Caro - to my eyes not at all similar to a Dunnock - slimmer, longer and more finch-like
Dunnock - A few up in the mountains, and in scrub when I walked up into the hills at the back of Sant Carles on both visits
Robin - Very common indeed, especially in the hills and mountains where it was the commonest species. Less common, but widespread at low altitude in May 2005
Nightingale - One bird seen among Tamarisk bushes out on the delta after overnight storms in May 2005
Black Redstart - Common at all altitudes and habitats. Less common, but widespread at low altitude in May 2005 and along the back of Migjorn beach in 2007
Common Redstart - One seen among Tamarisk bushes out on the delta after overnight storms in May 2005 and along the back of Migjorn beach in 2007
Stonechat - Not numerous, seen daily in coastal scrub
Whinchat - One seen in dry scrub near Eucalyptus in May 2005 In 2007, one in reeds near Sant Carles, and several on the beach scrub opposite Tancada in 2007
Northern Wheatear - One seen on the banks of a wet rice field near Migjorn in May 2005 after overnight storms, and 2 or 3 here in 2007
Black-Eared Wheatear - One seen on the way up Mount Caro in May 2005
Blue Rock Thrush - One well seen 150 metres away on the way up Mount Caro in May 2005. One in a quarry near Benifallet, and another on the way up mount Caro in 2007
Blackbird - Widely distributed, not in large numbers. Seen in the drier inner delta in May 2005
Song Thrush - One sighting up in the mountains beside some holiday chalets and gardens. Seen in the drier inner delta in May 2005
Mistle Thrush - Seen in and near olive Groves towards Mount caro in 2007
Cetti's Warbler - Fairly common throughout the delta on all visits
Fan Tailed Warbler - Very common throughout the delta on all visits
Moustached Warbler - Fairly common in reeds, especially around the Port del Fangar. Not recorded in 2007
Savi's Warbler - One heard in reeds near Sant Carles in May 2005
Sedge Warbler - Heard in reeds near Sant Carles in May 2005
Reed Warbler - Surprisingly common in reeds, fewer seen in May 2005, and only one sighting in 2007
Great Reed Warbler - Common and widespread in reeds May 2005 and 2007
Melodious Warbler - Occasional in reeds and around the little houses out in the delta in all visits
Sardinian Warbler - Common in dry scrub away from the delta on all visits
Whitethroat - One sighting in an Olive Grove in 2005, present in scrub at Migjorn in 2007
Blackcap - One sighting of a female in the hills above Sant Carles, and another in the bushes near to the river mouth at Riumar. One sighting below Mount Caro in May 2005
Chiffchaff - Common, mostly in and around reeds
Pied Flycatcher - Several birds seen along a scrubby ditch and Tamarisk bushes out on the delta after overnight storms in May 2005, and again in 2007, when singles were also seen on the slopes of Mount Caro
Collared Flycatcher - One bird seen in a scubby ditch near the beach at Alfacada in May 2005
Spotted Flycatcher - Several birds seen along a scrubby ditch and Tamarisk bushes out on the delta after overnight storms in May 2005, and again in 2007, when singles were also seen on the slopes of Mount Caro
Bearded Tit - Not seen, heard on two evenings at Bassa de l'Encanyissada in 2005
Coal Tit - Two seen near the top of Mount Caro in May 2005 and recoirded there in 2007
Blue Tit - Thinly distributed anywhere on all visits
Great Tit - Thinly distributed anywhere, mostly where there were trees, and in the hills in May 2005 and 2007
Short-toed Treecreeper - Two seen near the top of Mount Caro in May 2005
Golden Oriole - One male flying over the reeds at les Olles in 2007
Woodchat Shrike - Seen near Eucalyptus and again on the way up Mount Caro - common everywhere in 2007
Jay - Several sightings away from the delta on all visits
Magpie - present in small numbers across the delta on all visits
Raven - One sighting up in the mountains. Apparently commoner (or easier to see) in May 2005 and again in 2007
Common Starling - Very common, in large numbers on both visits - an enormous winter roost each evening in Sant Carles
Spotless Starling - Very common across the delta on both visits, not in large flocks, not as numerous as Common Starling
House Sparrow - Very common everywhere
Tree Sparrow - Surprisingly and pleasantly common. Not seen away from the delta
Chaffinch - Uncommon, just a few birds seen in the hills and mountains on both visits
Serin - Recorded in Sant Carles and Sant Jaume in May 2005 and 2007
Greenfinch - Uncommon, seen in the woods and in low scrub at the mouth of the delta. Just one record in the hills in May 2005, more in 2007
Goldfinch - Uncommon, just a few birds seen across the delta on all visits
Linnet - Seen in small numbers across the delta in 2007
Cirl Bunting - A pair seen well at the quarry near to benifallet - superb birds
Rock Bunting - One pair very well seen at close quarters on the way back down from Mount Caro in 2004
Reed Bunting - Common, mostly near the sea in scrub and reeds on all visits
Corn Bunting - Recorded occasionally in May 2005 in drier parts of the Delta
Red Billed Quelea - 3 seen in a playground at a holiday camp at Riumar in 2004
