Wednesday 13 July, El Colmenar (Estacion de Gaucin), 0730-1000hrs, clear skies: Wingspanner and I set off early to see what was around near the river Guadiaro in El Colmenar. Starting near the hydro-electric plant we had good views of several Golden Oriole (see photo) also Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Spotless Starling, Wren and Blackcap. Turtle Dove was heard. After an hour or so we moved downstream to a track that runs parallel with the river and here we saw Booted Eagle (pale morph), Common Sandpiper (see photo of it sharing the sun with a European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis!), Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Alpine Swift, Barn Swallow, Greenfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit. Iberian Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warbler were heard.

Golden Oriole


European Pond Terrapin and Common Sandpiper