Saturday 07 March 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light-fresh E-SE wind, 20C

The midweek change from northerly to easterly winds has put a hold on the excitement of raptor migration over Gaucin.

A visit to the SW slope of El Hacho from 1000-1200hrs produced none of the hoped-for early spring migrants but did produce a surprising sighting of at least 2, and possibly as many as 4, Ring Ouzel; also seen were Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Southern Grey Shrike, Meadow Pipit, 4 Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Sardinian Warbler (plenty of noisy displaying going on), Stonechat, Serin and a single Rock Sparrow. Just off the Gaucin-Algeciras road there were lots of Dull Ophrys orchids and a lone Spanish Ibex poked its head up over the ridge.

Mid-afternoon there were 70+ Griffon Vulture heading towards El Hacho from Sierra Crestellina.

Dull Ophrys Ophrys fusca

Female/juvenile Spanish Ibex