Thursday 31 July 2014, Gaucin, sunny, light W-SW wind, 28C

Yesterday was an odd day with a cool, cloudy morning but clearing to be 30C and sunny by mid-afternoon. Following the big Swift passage seen over the village on Sunday, the local population has reduced significantly with perhaps only 10-20 around Calle del Pino/Calle Convento.

A misty morning in Gaucin

This morning at 0900hrs I went to look for a pair of Short-toed Eagle that were seen feeding young on Monday along Sierra Espartina, but they had moved on. Whilst there I did see small numbers of Common Swift, and a couple each of Pallid Swift and Alpine Swift. Opposite Sierra del Hacho on the road to Estacion de Gaucin a 5min watch of a 30x60cm water trough produced adult and juvenile Cirl Bunting, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Sardinian Warbler and a very nice-looking Bonelli's Warbler. Also in the area were Griffon Vulture, Common Buzzard, Common Raven and Southern Grey Shrike.


This afternoon there was a noticeable passage of Black Kite over Gaucin with observations as folows:

1345-1400hrs: 413
1630hrs: 13
1745hrs: 60 + 1 pale morph Booted Eagle
1810hrs: 19 + 44 European Bee-eater

Griffon Vulture