Friday 13 November 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light S-SE wind, 19C

A visit to the west slope of El Hacho from 09:30-11:30hrs proved relatively quiet, though a pale morph Booted Eagle was a good 'winter' record. The continuing mild weather belies the fact that we are almost half-way through November and is likely keeping some of the true winter visitors away though Black Redstart numbers have built up to 15+. Other species seen today were 40+ Griffon Vulture, Blue Rock Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff and Cirl Bunting. Red-legged Partridge and Dartford Warbler were heard.

Reports of a couple of Short-toed Eagle around in the past week or so with one near the Rio Genal below Gaucin and another in the Alcornocales National Park. There were 3 Common Buzzard (two adults and a wonderfully-plumaged juvenile) over the village on Tuesday.

At the Rio Genal yesterday morning there were at least 6 Hawfinch, also a Common Kingfisher (but no sign of the otters, other than prints and spraint).

Some good news concerning Black Vultures in Andalucia, with the latest survey showing a population in excess of 350 pairs, see the link below for more details:

Good news for Black Vulture in Andalucia