Herons, Storks and Flamingo's.

Species Information.

Introduction.

Considering the shortage of wetlands in the areas covered a good number of heron species are resident or visitors.

Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus).

Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Most records come from the three eastern squares that are covered, Areas 3, 6 and 9. It is possible that the species may winter at one site in area 6.

Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) adult male.

Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) immature.

Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax).

Another none breeding visitor, most are seen in the three eastern squares but is an occasional sighting along the Rio Genil in the summer. I also found a dead adult near the trout pools and river at Riofrio which looked to have been shot.

Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) adult.

Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) immature.

Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) adult in flight.

Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) adult.

Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

The species does not breed in the area but can be seen all year round in varying numbers, from August on wards numbers build up and by mid winter the roost at Balsa de Rigedor in area 3 can be 300 strong. Just the odd bird or small group can be found from April through to mid August.

Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) adult summer.

Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) adult winter.

Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides).

An uncommon species in the area with all records so far coming from the three eastern Squares, areas 3, 6 and 9. The largest group seen was a flock of four birds at Balsa de Rigedor in area 3.

Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides).

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

A regular passage and winter bird which can be found on any of the Rio's and pools in the area. The winter roost at Balsa de Rigedor can have 10+ birds mixed in with the Cattle Egrets.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

So far there have been just three records of this species, Two at Balsa de Rigedor in area 3. The first was of three birds which stayed for just one day and the second of a single bird which hung around for a week or so.
A single bird was seen on the fields North of Huétor Tajar in 2021 as it flew across the site and up the valley towards Montefrio.

Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) adult winter.

Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

A regular species seen all year round and possibly breeding in trees along the Rio Genil near Loja for a couple of years.

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea).

An uncommon but annual species, again most records come from areas 3, 6 and 9 in the east but we have also have several birds along the Rio Genil including two very young recently fledged birds on the Rio at Huetor Tajar in area 2.

Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea).

White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

Uncommon bird on passage.

White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra).

An unexpectedly rare species in the area with just two records on the fields near Huétor Tajar in area 2 and another was seen at the Contra-embalse de Cacín in 2016.

Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra).

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

Uncommon species which I have only seen one in area 2 when 3 birds spent a couple of days on the fields near Huétor Tajar and the roosted at Balsa de Regidor in area 3.

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).

Uncommon species in the area with just a few records, one of a large flock passing over at night near Huétor Tajar in area 2, another of two adult birds at the Contra-embales de Cacín in area 6 which were followed by an immature which stayed at the embalse for a few weeks in 2017.

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) adult winter.

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) immature.

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) the 2017 immature.