Saturday 19 February: A couple of sightings of at least one of the Bonelli's eagles since the fire last week - let's hope they are both still around. Currently a great singing contest going on in the gardens between Calle del Pino and Convento between two Blackbirds, that's when thet're not chasing each other from tree to tree! One of them in the photo.

Monday 17 February, 1500hrs: A couple of rather damp Roe Deer spotted down near the river Genal; photos taken through a window (thanks to Anna McGrane).

Sunday 13 February, 1030-1300hrs, Tourist Association walk to the Ermita de San Juan, Gaucin, mostly cloudy: Two separate Hawfinch sightins (by Wingspanner), male Common Buzzard in modified diving display flight, Common Kestrel, Black Redstart, Stonechat and a flock of over 50 Griffon Vulture flying west towards El Hacho. Also found a few Sombre Bee Orchid Ophrys fusca (see photo of one taken on Friday on the Sierra Espartina just outside Gaucin).

Friday 11 February, Gaucin: There was a fire in the campo today that unfortunately affected the wooded ridge south of Gaucin that is often frequented by a pair of Bonelli's Eagles - hopefully they are ok and have not been scared off.

Tuesday 08 February, Laguna Dulce, Campillos, 1000-1300hrs, mostly sunny, calm: Tony and I took a trip up to the main lagoon at Campillos, north-east of Ronda. After several lovely clear warm days it was strange to set off in misty conditions but it soon cleared once we arrived at Laguna Dulce. First we went down a track that runs behind the lagoon and had distant views of 19 Little Bustard, also good views of several Calandra Lark, plus Golden Plover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Red-legged Partridge, Crested Lark, Skylark, Corn Bunting and Marsh Harrier. We then drove around the lagoon to the hide where we saw White-headed Duck (see female and male in photo), Gadwall, Shoveller, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Greater Flamingo, Great-crested Grebe (two pairs performing the mating 'dance'), Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Purple Swamp-hen, Marsh Harrier, Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff (in full song). There were still plenty of Spanish Iris Iris xiphium in flower (see photo)- always a nice sight!

Saturday 05 February, sunny, warm: A few more House Martin arriving in the village; also a couple of Barn Swallow early evening - Spring is coming! There is now a Starling doing a passable Bee-eater impersonation!

Wednesday 02 February, Along the River Genal at the bridge on Gaucin-Manilva road, 1600-1700hrs, clear blue skies, cool: Fairly quiet bird-wise but did get several distant views of Bonelli's Eagle over the wooded ridge that runs E-W from Gaucin; also Griffon Vulture, Cattle Egret, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Grey Wagtail, Serin, Siskin, Chaffinch and Blackcap.