Tuesday 17 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly cloudy, frequent light rain/sleet showers, light-fresh NE wind, 8C

There's been no encouragement for incoming migrants with the continuance of the cold weather and fresh northerly winds. Today was no exception with sleet falling on and off throughout the day, again falling as snow further up the valley towards Ronda. Of note, just a single Hawfinch to report from the Camino de Gibraltar this morning.

Darkening skies behind Sierra Crestellina

Friday 13 February 2015, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light-fresh NW wind, 13C

Quite a warm feel to the day as long as you were out of the wind - a late afternoon visit to the SW slope of El Hacho was a bit bracing! Highlights were a Peregrine and Southern Grey Shrike with prey (looked like a European Wood Mouse); also seen were Griffon Vulture, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Serin and Cirl Bunting.

In the village there were at least 3 pairs of House Martin checking out potential nesting sites.

Griffon Vulture

Griffon Vulture

Thursday 12 February 2015, Gaucin, cloudy, frequent light rain, light NE wind, 10C

A day spent mostly in the clouds with 11mm rain falling and the temperature nearer to 5C than the afternoon 'high' of 10C. This morning in the mist along Camino de Avedin there were 9 Hawfinch; also along the camino the last couple of mornings were Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Common Raven, Eurasian Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch, Blackcap, Serin and Cirl Bunting.

Yesterday saw the first House Martin in the village this year with one seen over Calle Convento at 1845hrs.

A brief interlude during the 'whiteout'

Monday 09 February 2015, Gaucin, partly cloudy, force 7 E-SE wind, 10C

Feeling very cold today in the strong easterly wind but at least the daytime air temperature is back to a more usual double-digit figure! Just a Peregrine and a displaying Common Buzzard above Camino de Avedin to report today. Yesterday was cold, 6C, and mostly cloudy; down on the Rio Genal below Gaucin there were 150+ Crag Martin at 1130hrs. I've never seen so many there before so perhaps they were avoiding the freezing weather further upstream. Also seen at the river were Griffon Vulture, Grey Heron, Eurasian Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, 5+ Common Chiffchaff, 5+ Blackcap and a single Hawfinch.

Saturday 07 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly cloudy, snow showers am, light W-SW wind, 5C

The cold spell continued today with some decent snow showers in Gaucin itself. Along Camino de Avedin mid-morning there were 4 Hawfinch.

Looking towards Sierra Bermeja

Gaucin castle

Even a dusting of snow on Sierra Crestellina

Thursday 05 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, fresh NW wind, 10C

The 'mostly sunny' weather description only tells part of the story as today it SNOWED in Gaucin as for most of the day the temperature struggled to reach 6C. Admittedly, it was only a couple of short showers but it was most definitely snow, the local children were beside themselves, and I got to hear one of my favourite Spanish verbs, flipar - to go mad for - me flipa la nieve! Driving back from Ronda at 1100hrs it was practically blizzard conditions at Encinas Borrachas, so much so that I gave up trying to see any birds, but on the way back to Gaucin I did see two Black Wheatear on roadside stone walls.

Since the early appearances of single Black Kite, House Martin and Barn Swallow I haven't seen any further migrant arrivals but given the strong headwinds and the current icy blasts that's not surprising. Winter continues with Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart still in the village but signs of Spring are there with a lot more bird song and fractious Blackbirds squabbling over territories.

Sunday 01 February 2015, Gaucin, sunny, fresh NW wind, 12C

After a largely damp Saturday, today was dry, but rather cold in the north-westerly wind. A morning attempt to explore the Utrera gorge near Manilva was aborted as I arrived at the same time as a large group of noisy walkers were heading the same way! Before leaving, a quick scan above the limestone ridge produced a Blue Rock Thrush and a Short-toed Eagle - presumably an over-wintering bird and probably the same individual that was there on 01 Nov last year.

On the drive back to Gaucin I stopped to check out the Bonelli's Eagle nest on Sierra Crestellina but there was no sign of any eagle action, just a dozen or so Griffon Vulture and a Common Kestrel. The surrounding fields were full of birdsong, most prominent of which were a couple of Crested Lark.

Crested Lark