Bird census at the beach of Doñana Natural Space

Study Extent

Protected in 1968, Doñana National Park (537 km2) is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a Ramsar Site and a Natural World Heritage Site. The site contains 25 km-long dune ecosystem and its respective shoreline along which the band census method was applied monthly during one year.

Sampling

The band census method is applied along the National Park beach in Southeast-Northwest direction. Transect is conducted at constant speed (10-20 km/h) during the morning low tide. This allows higher visibility (sunlight coming from the back). Stops were made when necessary (counting or identification). Wind speed (6 categories from calm to gale), wind direction, sky conditions (6 categories from sunny to rainy), and sea conditions (6 categories from calm to very rough).

Quality Control

Each identification (scientific name) is matched against the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy as a quality control to make sure that each identification is correct.

Method steps

1. Conduct 29km transect driving in 4x4 vehicle at constant speed (10-20 km/h) monthly between days 10 and 20 looking for the best morning low tide.
2. Divide transect into three sections 13.5km (CAMA), 7.5km (MAZA), and 8km (ZACA) by using the easily recognisable reference points of Zalabar and Carbonero watchtowers. CAMA means Carbonero-Matalascañas (the beach resort), MAZA means Malandar-Zalabar (Malandar is the name of the point where the river joins the ocean), and ZACA means Zalabar-Carbonero (the two watchtowers). Considering that maximum width of the beach is around 300m, these transects cover 4 km2, 2.1 km2, and 2.4 km2, respectively
3. For each section (of transect), for each bird (non Passerines and crow) species observed, record its name and number of individuals counted, stopping the car when necessary.
4. For each section (of transect), record wind speed (6 categories from calm to gale), wind direction, sky conditions (6 categories from sunny to rainy), and sea conditions (6 categories from calm to very rough).
5. Match each identification (scientific name) against the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy as a quality control, and augment each identification with the matching species' higher taxonomy.

Shore birds.

1. Actitis hypoleucos
   rank: species
2. Alca torda
   rank: species
3. Anas acuta
   rank: species
4. Anas clypeata
   rank: species
5. Anas crecca
   rank: species
6. Anas penelope
   rank: species
7. Anas strepera
   rank: species
8. Apus sp
   rank: species
9. Ardea cinerea
   rank: species
10. Arenaria interpres
    rank: species
11. Calidris alba
    rank: species
12. Calidris alpina
    rank: species
13. Charadrius alexandrinus
    rank: species
14. Charadrius dubius
    rank: species
15. Charadrius hiaticula
    rank: species
16. Chlidonias hybrida
    rank: species
17. Chlidonias niger
    rank: species
18. Chroicocephalus genei
    rank: species
19. Chroicocephalus ridibundus
    rank: species
20. Circus cyaneus
    rank: species
21. Corvus corax
    rank: species
22. Egretta garzetta
    rank: species
23. Falco peregrinus
    rank: species
24. Falco tinnunculus
    rank: species
25. Haematopus ostralegus
    rank: species
26. Himantopus himantopus
    rank: species
27. Hydroprogne caspia
    rank: species
28. Larus argentatus
    rank: species
29. Larus audouinii
    rank: species
30. Larus fuscus
    rank: species
31. Larus marinus
    rank: species
32. Larus melanocephalus
    rank: species
33. Larus michahellis
    rank: species
34. Limosa lapponica
    rank: species
35. Melanitta nigra
    rank: species
36. Mergus serrator
    rank: species
37. Milvus migrans
    rank: species
38. Morus bassanus
    rank: species
39. Numenius arquata
    rank: species
40. Numenius phaeopus Pandion haliaetus
    rank: species
41. Phalacrocorax carbo
    rank: species
42. Philomachus pugnax
    rank: species
43. Pluvialis apricaria
    rank: species
44. Pluvialis squatarola
    rank: species
45. Puffinus yelkouan
    rank: species
46. Recurvirostra avosetta
    rank: species
47. Stercorarius parasiticus
    rank: species
48. Stercorarius skua
    rank: species
49. Sterna bengalensis
    rank: species
50. Sterna hirundo
    rank: species
51. Sterna paradisaea
    rank: species
52. Sterna sandvicensis
    rank: species
53. Sternula albifrons
    rank: species
54. Tringa totanus
    rank: species

The Beach of the Natural Space of Doñana.