Saturday 22 February 2014, sunny, calm air-light S-SE wind, 13C

Still waiting for the first Black Kite of the year but there are now at least a dozen House Martin around and this morning there was a Barn Swallow singing from a TV aerial in the centre of the village. There is noticeably more birdsong around, the Common Chiffchaff along the Camino de Avedin is being heard more and there was a Sardinian Warbler giving its all in full view on a bare branch below the castle. Walking below the castle this morning there was a pair of Raven, one perched on a large rock and the other flying around nearby; in addition to the usual 'Cronk' call the perched bird was emitting a repeated single note that could only be likened to a trumpet! Ravens do have a variety of calls, and also perform some mimicry, but this is the first time I've heard anything like that.

The Dull ophrys had survived the local sheep and goats and I managed to get a passable photo with my phone:

Dull ophrys Ophrys fusca