The aim of this blog is to record bird sightings in and around Gaucin. We have a fantastic variety of birds that live in and visit the area and it would be great to have somewhere where we can publish observations for others to see. If you'd like to contribute on a regular basis please ask and I can add you as an author or send me your sightings or other observations by email pmconvento@gmail.com (the usual stuff...date, bird, location, etc.) and I'll add them to the blog. Happy birding! Paul
Sunday 16 May, walking between Atajate and Jimera de Libar, sunny, light SE wind, 1400hrs: This is a great walk of about 1.5hrs each way, some steep bits but good food at the Audalazar restaurant in Atajate when you finish! Fantastic flowers (unfortunately, I forgot the camera) Bonelli's eagle, singing Orphean warbler, Golden oriole, Woodchat shrike and lots of Corn buntings!
Wednesday 12 May, La Umbria, 1630hrs: Usual assortment of Blackcap, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Great, Blue and Crested tit; many Iberian chiffchaff and one or two Chiffchaff. Also, Booted eagle, Griffon vulture, great-spotted woodpecker. 2130hrs: Red-necked nightjar flying over the gardens between Calle Convento and Calle del Pino.
Wednesday 05 May, 1130hrs, Sunny, light NW wind: 80+ Honey buzzard and a handful of Black kite passing over the Genal valley between Benarraba and Benalauria in one minute. Singing male Golden oriole in Poplar tree and a single Green sandpiper beside the river at Venta San Juan on the road to Jubrique/Genalguacil.
Sunday 02 May, La Umbria, 1130hrs, clear skies, light NW wind: Interesting opportunity to hear and contrast Iberian chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) and (Common) Chiffchaff (Ph. collybita). The songs, at least in this case, were quite distinctive. The wooded valley to the North was full of singing Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds, Wrens, Sardinian warbers and Robins. Also heard Cuckoo, Great-spotted woodpecker, Eurasian nuthatch and Short-toed treecreeper.