Birdwatch Gaucin: Monday 13 June 2016, Gaucin, sunny, light N-NW wind, 35C

Back in Gaucin after a few days away exploring other areas of Andalucia; three days in Cazorla in Jaén province and three days a few km outside Órgiva in Granada province. It wasn't really a birding holiday (though one of the reasons for going to Cazorla was to look for Lammergeier - alas, no luck!) but I did manage to see a few interesting species despte the heat; it was 34C in Cazorla and as we arrived in Órgiva it reached a steamy 39C.

In and around Cazorla:
Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Peregrine, Common Raven, Common Kestrel, Red-billed Chough, Carrion Crow, Common Magpie, Dipper, Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Melodious Warbler. Golden Oriole, Common Nightingale, Iberian Chiffchaff and Bonelli's Warbler were all heard.

Cazorla at night

Grey Wagtail

Cazorla and castle

Despite the June heat there was still a lot of water around....

....and orchids, this an Early Purple Orchid

Puerta de las Palomas (stunning views and good Lammergeier territory):
150+ Griffon Vulture homing in on (presumed) carrion - I was hopeful of a Lammergeier sighting at this point as an environment agency worker I met there told me that they are sometimes seen when 'food' is put out for the Griffons, but not this time. I've never checked Griffons with such intent! here are some of the species we did see, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Red-legged Partridge, Alpine Swift, Mistle Thrush, Black Wheatear, Red-rumped Swallow, Woodlark, Stonechat, Melodious Warbler, Firecrest, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting; Common Cuckoo was heard.

Drive from Cazorla - Órgiva:
Not a bad list from the car (whilst driving!):
Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, European Roller (just south of Úbeda), European Bee-eater, Common Magpie, Turtle Dove, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike.

Órgiva area:
Booted Eagle, Little Owl, Turtle Dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, Golden Oriole, Red-rumped Swallow, Woodchat Shrike, Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher; Tawny Owl was heard.