Friday 25 June: Guadiaro Valley from Estacion de Cortes to Montejaque 0700-1300hrs.

A great morning's birding in this beautiful valley. First stop was Estacion de Cortes where we walked to the weir along the west side of the river. Lots of Blackcaps singing plus the odd Nightingale and Cetti's Warbler. Birds encountered along the walk included: Cirl Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe, Turtle Dove, Stonechats, lots of Goldfinches and Linnets. On the river we saw Grey and White Wagtails, Little Ringed Plover and to our delight we saw a White-rumped Swift coming down to the water to drink with Common and Pallid Swifts.

Above Montejaque we spent some time at the 'dam' watching Alpine Swifts, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Eagles, Common Raven, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-billed Chough and several Spanish Ibex. But special for us all was a pair of showy Bonelli's Eagles.

In a cork oak forest we added Short-toed Treecreeper, Bee-eater, Bonelli's Warbler, Serin, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Green Sandpiper (at a small resevoir). In all we logged 50 species in 5 hours which demonstrates what a great area this is.