Sunday 27 October 2013, Gaucin, sunny, calm air-light S-SE wind, 22C

A wonderful, warm autumn day. Early afternoon there were 35 House Martin just to the SE of the village and a group of 35 Griffon Vulture over the northern peak of Sierra Crestellina. At least two Chiffchaff sp., in the Walnut tree in the garden.

Friday 25 October 2013, Gaucin, mostly cloudy, occasional light rain pm, calm air-light W-SW wind, 20C

Whilst checking out new walking routes near Castellar I passed through a cattle farm where there were 150+ Griffon Vulture feasting on a couple of dead cows; an amazing spectacle. As the corpses were some distance from the live cattle they may have been left out deliberately as carrion for the vultures.

Other than the vultures, there were 3 Common Buzzard, small flocks of Meadow Pipit, large flocks of mixed finches, several Crested Lark, Woodlark, Stonechat and Sardinian Warbler. There were a lot of Chiffchaff sp. around including one singing Common Chiffchaff.

In nearby Jimena de la Frontera at the same time last year there were still Booted Eagle and Barn Swallow around, but none seen today.

Mandrake Mandragora officinarum

Thursday 24 October 2013, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light S-SW wind, 20C

After a couple of mostly cloudy days with frequent, occasionally heavy, rain showers, today was an improvement. 18L/m2 of rain fell between 1000hrs Tuesday and 1000hrs Wednesday.
At 1000hrs this morning I took a short walk along the Sierra Espartina during which the sun came out and it felt quite warm again. There were few birds to be seen but I did log Griffon Vulture, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Woodlark, Crested Tit, Robin, Sardinian Warbler and Common Crossbill.

Yesterday morning there was a Green Woodpecker along the Camino Gaucin-Cortes just past Muebles Las Palas and there were a fair few Chiffchaff sp. calling from the cork oaks.

Monday 21 October 2013, Gaucin, partly cloudy, calm air-light SE wind, 24C

Heard several Chiffchaff sp. whilst walking around La Umbria this morning, including one Common Chiffchaff singing. Blackcap and Robin numbers are building up and the Calle Convento House Sparrow flock is up to an impressive 45+ which is probably why there was a Eurasian Sparrowhawk right up amongst the houses yesterday evening!

Sunday 20 October 2013, Gaucin, mostly sunny, calm air-light W-SW wind, 28C

On a morning walk to the summit of El Hacho mountain in perfect weather I logged Griffon Vulture, Peregrine, Common Kestrel, Raven, Northern Wheatear, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, Wren, several Chiffchaff sp., Sardinian Warbler, Meadow Pipit and Cirl Bunting. A couple of butterflies, Swallowtail and Spotted Fritillary, flitted past as we rested at the top before the steep descent back to Gaucin.

Gaucin from the summit of El Hacho

Autumn Crocus Colchicum autumnale

Friday 18 October 2013, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light SE wind, 24C

Back home after a week in the UK where I did very little birding but it was good to catch up with the numerous Red Kite that frequent the Thames Valley. On Tuesday 15 October I spent an hour at Port Meadow, Oxford; a great circular walk from the town centre, along the River Thames towpath and back via the Oxford Canal towpath. The meadow wasn't flooded but there was still a motley selection of geese including 2 White-fronted Goose and 4 Bar-headed Goose as well as a flock of 250+ Golden Plover and a handful of Northern Lapwing. Along the canal there were a couple of Common Chiffchaff, one still singing a few notes.

A walk around the Southern edge of Gaucin this morning produced little of note other than a Peregrine, Blue Rock Thrush and Crested Tit but it definitely feels more autumnal with the likes of Common Redstart and Pied Flycatcher giving way to Black Redstart and wintering Robin; there was, however, a reminder of summer with a flock of 100+ House Martin above the castle. Several butterflies on the wing including Tree Grayling.

Tuesday 08 October 2013, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light-fresh E-SE wind, 26C

At 0815hrs there were 45 Griffon Vulture and a Peregrine above Sierra Crestellina and at 1000hrs a Short-toed Eagle and a Peregrine over the Rio Manilva at the Utrera Gorge. Walking down to the gorge there were several Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler and a couple of Crested Lark.

There was a Short-toed Eagle just to the South of Gaucin village at 1845hrs.