Rare Birds in Spain Blog

The Black-bellied Storm-Petrel ( Fregetta tropica ), 1st for Spain and 2nd for the Western Palearctic seen on 10.9.2011 c.40 nautic miles N of Lanzarote at Banco de la Concepción area has been voted in this blog as the rarest of the rare birds seen in Spain in 2011. The 83 people voting in the blog poll have given 36 votes to this species, 3 more than the 2nd contestant, the also 1st for Spain and extremely rare Stejneger's Scoter ( Melanitta deglandi stejnegeri ) seen in Pontevedra coasts in December 2011. 3rd position of this incredible year went to Thayer's Gull ( Larus thayeri ), also from Galicia, gathering 22 votes. Thank you everybody for taking part in the contest. Both 1st and 2nd place winners appear in the animated image of the Rarebirdspain website already with previous highlights of the so far XXI century rarities in Spain. The unique photo of Miguel Rouco of the Fregetta is reproduced again below as an homage to this superb sighting!   El   PaíñoVentrine...

Which species sighting or group of sightings is for you the rarest in Spain in 2011? Just vote in the poll!  You can choose several choices, not only one (it's a difficult poll!!!). Full details in the website in each one of the months featured close to the name. ¿Que cita de especies o grupo de ellas es para ti la más rara de España en 2011? Votad en la encuesta, similar a la de 2010, esta vez sin embargo podeis elegir varias especies porque la tarea es muy dificil! Los detalles para todas las citas las teneis en la web en el mes que figura al lado del nombre. Los 21 candidatos son / The 21 candidates are: C1. African Crake Crex egregia (1)   5TH FOR SPAIN AND THE WP (1) Tenerife One landed on a boat off Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands on 5.1.2011 and was brought to a recovery centre where it died (J.A Lorenzo). The 5th record for Spain and the WP, all falling within winter dates. See a photo below and more information in the Aves Canarias blog...