Friday 25 March 2016, Gaucin, sunny, light W-NW wind, 19C

In stark contrast to the cold, wet start to the week the weather has gradually improved (we could still do with some more rain to top up the reservoirs, though). A walk along the Camino de Gibraltar late yesterday afternoon produced a Short-toed Treecreeper and the first Woodchat Shrike of the year.

This morning at the Rio Genal, where I thought I might hear the first Common Nightingale of the year, there was not one, but two year 'firsts', as a fly-over European Bee-eater and a Bonelli's Warbler showed up. Also seen were Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, 7 Black Kite, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 7 Black Stork, Grey Heron and 3 Little-ringed Plover.

Back in the village in the afternoon a few Black Kite were moving through with a single and a group of 4 very low over the east of the village, just below the castle.

Woodchat Shrike