TRUMPETERS AND SWIFTS ON THE MOUNTAINS

It's Friday again and this one was a ‘two mountain morning’ as we climbed up towards the village of Montnegre. We had two aims for this trip and we accomplished the first one with ease. Trumpeter Finches and their habitat we are comfortable with having spent a lot of time checking them out. Bryan was busy with his camera and on a rocky slope I viewed six of them in a tight group. We intend to see them as the seasons change and probably later in the day when the sun may give us a better light to be photographed. Research is happening so that we know more about this species.
(NB. Trumpeter Finch - Bucanetes Githagineus - Camachuelo Trompetero)

Trumpeter Finch Identification.
Small birds with a short straight bill that is flat on the sides with a larger lower jaw. Males appear pinkish in summer plumage with pale red forehead and bill. Winter plumage is more subdued, pale ochre bill but still with pinkish rump. Females are similar to winter males. Juveniles are more pale grey-brown. We noticed that some birds are ‘palish’ and on the last viewing some are coming into moult. They are granivorous.



The call once heard is easily recognizable. It is both harsh and abrupt with a longer call as well. It is available on YouTube.

Here in Spain there seems to be breeding populations, and Gabo de Gata apart, we have one within 20km of Alicante. An interesting point is made in Cardona and Esteban’s Book on the Straits of Gibraltar Field Guide is that they say “the birds lead a solitary life, although they form flocks after the breeding season”. This information could account for us seeing good numbers.
We will check this out as the seasons change.

Having left the finches behind we climbed further carrying on through the village and up to the high point before turning left for Tibi. No eagles seen here, but a distant Mouflon showed itself briefly. We had luck when a Spotted Flycatcher flew across and perched giving us a clear sighting. It's always been my bird of summer.

As we descended we could seen the high spots of Maigmó’s mountain. On the journey up we travelled quickly only spending a few minutes where the water sources were. We carried on to the top to view Alpine Swifts. This time there seemed to be only two flying, but I had great views. Bryan was busy again. Pallid Swifts flew too and for a moment there was a stream of them flying steadily in one direction from left to right as we looked down towards Agost. Some of these birds will be on the move during August indicating another summer passing.



For more information on this species go to andaluciabirdsociety.org where there is a full page to see. Further reading on birdingteruel.com indicate Alpine Swifts are on their list of species. I noted before that these birds favour limestone cliffs.

If you want to get technical then Notas Breves: Food Habits of the Alpine Swift on Two Continents. Put in (digital.csic.es).

(NB. Alpine Swift - Vencejo Real - Apus Melba and Pallid Swift - Vencejo Pálido - Apus Pallidus)

Butterflies seen were Swallowtail, Painted Lady, Banded Grayling and a Spanish Gatekeeper. Not a lot really!

We achieved our two specific aims and apart from the expected sightings of some woodland birds there was nothing exceptional to comment upon. It was almost a raptorless day except for a distant sighting of a Short-toed Eagle, a single Buzzard call and a passing Common Kestrel.