Thursday 25 October, Gaucin, cloudy, rain, light SW wind, 14C: No bird news as I've been largely trapped indoors by the rain that has plagued us since yesterday afternoon.  Driving through the village today was a challenge as we avoided several manhole covers that had been lifted by the surging water in addition to incredible torrents of water that gushed from every conceivable outlet. I can honestly say I've never seen rain like it. To cap it all we were treated to a short, but violent, electrical storm that included one massive electrical impulse followed by an apocalyptic crash of thunder - a real stomach churner! On a brighter note, Tim Birkhead reported 3 Otter at the Torreguadiaro Laguna yesterday; thanks to Tim for his observations over the past couple of weeks.