Thursday 12 September 2013, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light-fresh E-SE wind, 26C

A mid-morning visit to one of my favourite sites, the track between Barca Moreno and Marchenilla, was curtailed due to the fact that the track was being resurfaced! I drove on a couple of km towards Marchenilla and had a look there instead with some good sightings, despite quite a strong wind, including the following:

Griffon Vulture (flock of at least 25), Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, juvenile Montagu's Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Little Owl, Common Swift, House Martin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Tawny Pipit, Crested Lark and Corn Bunting (small winter flocks now forming).

The views of the Montagu's Harrier were superb with the bird coming within 5m of me; after recent long-distant views of migrating individuals it was fantastic to get one at such close quarters.

During the afternoon just a small passage of migrant raptors over the village with 3 Short-toed Eagle, 1 Honey Buzzard and 1 female Montagu's Harrier moving through at 1600hrs.

Red-rumped Swallows: There are at least three birds visiting the nest at Loma de Avedin; they could be a pair plus one young, or, more likely, three young. Thanks to Gregory for the update.

Also thanks to Julie who reported three juvenile Golden Oriole at the Cortes de la Frontera side of La Umbria last week.

Little Owl

Classic Andaluz fence post - with snails!