Friday 11 September 2015, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light S-SE wind, 29C

Weather conditions today were more or less the same as yesterday, but with a little more light cloud around. Seen in the village yesterday were a Red-rumped Swallow over Calle del Pino, a Common Swift and local Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle and Eurasian Sparrowhawk. There are a couple of Blackcap in the garden but few other autumnal signs.

A visit to the west slope of El Hacho this morning from 09:30hrs-11:30hrs was worthwhile with some interesting migrants starting to appear. Highlights were a male Rock Thrush, 2 Black Wheatear and a male Black-eared Wheatear; also Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 4 Red-legged Partridge, at least 5 Blue Rock Thrush (the males still singing, their haunting song echoing around the old quarry workings), 12+ Stonechat, 2 Thekla Lark, Sardinian Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, Serin and several Cirl Bunting. Non-avian sightings included a Weasel and a Spanish Ibex.

female/juv Spanish Ibex

Spanish Ibex - very relaxed!

Black-eared Wheatear

Black-eared Wheatear

Back in the village there was some quality raptor action between 17:00hrs and 18:00hrs as follows:

17:00hrs: female Montagu's Harrier, 14 Honey Buzzard, 2 Short-toed Eagle
17:30hrs: 7 Honey Buzzard, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Osprey
18:00hrs: 7 Honey Buzzard, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Booted Eagle, 1 Osprey