Search This Blog

Thursday 03 July 2014, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light-fresh W wind, 23C

As the summer continues to stumble on with low temperatures and an absence of the usual clear, hot July days, Wingspanner, John and I headed up to the Cueva del Gato near Benaojan to look for (White-throated) Dipper. After checking the river Guadiaro on the edge of the village without success we walked the 2km to Cueva del Gato where we spent a wonderful hour watching Alpine Swift (100+), Crag Martin and, most impressive of all, a family of European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius. Also here was Olivaceous Warbler with two adults that appeared to be still in the process of constructing a nest.
With no sign of the Dipper we started our walk back, taking a few minutes for a last scan of a likely spot - lo and behold, a Dipper duly appeared, see rubbish record shot! It was great to see this species in our local area.
On the walk back we also saw Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle and Golden Oriole. All-in-all, well worth leaving home at 0700hrs for!

Back in Gaucin at 1830hrs, whilst scanning Sierra Crestellina, I picked up an adult Bonelli's Eagle and, flying E-W just this side of the Strait of Gibraltar, a flock of 12 White Stork.

Grey Wagtail

Cueva del Gato
Cueva del Gato pool

Crag Martin
 
Dodgy Dipper!

Section of river where the Dipper was found

View across the Rio Guadiaro to the Sierra de Libar

No comments:

Post a Comment