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Sunday 10 January 2016, Gaucin, partly cloudy, fresh W-SW wind, 14C

It's starting to feel more like winter now with damp, cooler days predominating. Today started with some light drizzle then cleared before returning rain-threatening cloud again late afternoon. Birding highlights have been few and far between as the cold winds continue to keep most birds out of sight. The west slope of El Hacho on Thursday morning was very quiet with the usual winter numbers of Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart, Blackcap and Chaffinch. Along the Camino de Gibraltar this morning there was a Great-spotted Woodpecker, a couple of Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Grey Wagtail, lots of Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Chaffinch and Serin. A group of 20+ Griffon Vulture gaining height over the castle were joined by a Common Buzzard and a Common Kestrel.
Common Crossbill have been heard passing over the village on a couple of occasions during the last few days and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk has been seen several times around Calle del Pino/Convento. Wherever there are suitable trees there are small flocks of roving finches, mainly Chaffinch, with Blackcap and the occasional Common Chiffchaff joining them as they look for food.
The peaks of El Hacho shrouded in mist

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