Monday 23 April: back in Gaucin after being in the UK for my sister's funeral. Clare, who sadly lost her battle against breast cancer, aged 45, was a follower of this blog. I didn't do much birding whilst away but on Sunday 15 April on a 4-mile stretch of the Tarka Trail from Petrockstowe to East Yarde, Devon there were 20 singing Common Chiffchaff and 13 singing Willow Warbler, plus Raven, several Common Pheasant, red-legged Partridge, 2 Common Buzzard, Yellowhammer, Goldcrest, Nuthatch and a pair of Bullfinch. Whilst I was away Tim Birkhead provided the following reports; thanks Tim. 13 April A solitary Jackdaw on the main road by the turn off to Castellar de Frontera. 14 April. At least six Yellow Wagtails (blue-headed) opposite the orange depot on the road past the garden centre just after San Pablo. 15 April: 0934 a solitary Red-billed Chough flew south-east over Gaucin. In the green hills south San Pablo 100+ Black Kite, 1 Montagu’s Harrier, 3 Egyptian Vulture, 3 Melodious Warbler; a group of 70+ White Stork flew north. 16 April: 0830-1000 Track near San Pablo: 1 Egyptian Vulture, 1 Red-rumped Swallow, flock of c100 Goldfinch, Bee-eaters, 1 Montagu’s Harrier, Booted Eagle, Griffon Vultures, c6 Melodious Warbler, Whitethroats, Corn Buntings, Common Buzzard. At Estacion de Gaucin in the afternoon – a single Rock Sparrow by the bridge in amongst the mules; a Sparrowhawk chasing Collared Doves; and a Kingfisher on the river. Sparrowhawk flew over village with prey in evening. 17 April: 0800 One Montagu’s Harrier over El Hacho, Gaucin.