Birdwatch Gaucin

Wednesday 14 May 2014, Gaucin, sunny, light-fresh E-SE wind, 25C

A visit to the west slope of El Hacho from 0900-1000

0900-1000hrs was pretty uneventful but I can report that the local Peregrine pair have three chicks that are on the verge of fledging; also seen were Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Common Raven, Blue Rock Thrush, several pairs of Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler and Melodious Warbler (2 singing); Common Cuckoo and Cirl Bunting were heard.

Again no Honey Buzzards seen over the village and this is unlikely to change with the continuing easterly wind; there have, however, been reports of reasonable numbers crossing the straits in the Tarifa/Punta Carnero area.

Monday 12 May 2014, Gaucin, sunny, calm air-light S-SE wind, 28C

Notable Honey Buzzard passage with 110 circling on themals just west of the turbines at Casares before heading up the Genal valley in front of Sierra Crestellina at 1000hrs. At least one pale morph Booted Eagle was present throughout the day and around 1300hrs there were 3 Short-toed Eagle together above the village - presumably non-breeding birds as breeding adults should have paired up by now.

Sunday 11 May 2014, Gaucin, sunny, calm air-light SE wind, 31C

Summer has arrived early with today's temperature reaching 31C; a little warm for the re-enactment of the bandoleros re-taking the village from the French invaders! Since the Walnut tree in the garden got its leaves a Common Nightingale has been visiting in the early hours and having a good sing. At 1500hrs a group of 16 Honey Buzzard moved over the village.

Last set of photos from Extremadura

Woodlark nest

Great Bustards at dawn

Great Bustards - as big as sheep!

Great-spotted Cuckoo - note the long tail

Great-spotted Cuckoo

Sand Martin

Hoopoe

More photos from Extremadura

Castillo de Monfrague

The Peñon at Monfrague

Blue Rock Thrush

Geological folds above the Rio Tieter

Rio Tieter and snow on the Gredos mountains

Spanish Imperial Eagle

Saturday 10 May 2014, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light SE wind, 25C

Whilst coming back from the coast I checked the Bonelli's Eagle nest on Sierra Crestellina and was surprised to see an adult sitting on it - it's possible that there's an egg there, I suppose; worth monitoring over the next couple of weeks......also a Black Kite over the wind turbines at Casares; other than that, a Peregrine patrolling the south of the village during the afternoon and a single Honey Buzzard drifting over at 1800hrs.

Some photos from Extremadura.......