Thursday 05 January, Gaucin, sunny, warm: Back from Christmas/New Year in the UK where there wasn't much to report bird-wise; the usual array of Red Kite was a joy to behold and a quick Christmas Eve trip to a local lake allowed me to see Wigeon, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Great-crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Lapwing and a male and female Goldeneye. Back in Spain the weather remains warm and sunny and the lack of rainfall is beginning to worry local farmers - but like most years I'm sure it will come, plenty of time yet! This morning a nice walk around the Siete Pilas area yielded 4 Woodlark, 6 Corn Bunting, Crested/Thekla Lark, small flocks of Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch and Chaffinch, plus Sardinian Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Sparrowhawk and Griffon Vulture. There were also a couple of Common Chiffchaff in full song.