Birdwatch Gaucin

Friday 27 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light-fresh W-NW wind, 17C

Just a single adult Egyptian Vulture to report today, heading north up the Genal valley at 1200hrs.
The warmer weather has brought out quite a few butterflies, including the wonderful Spanish Festoon and the Silver-studded Blue.


Spanish Festoon Zerynthia rumina

Silver-studded Blue Plebejus argos

Silver-studded Blue Plebejus argos

Thursday 26 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light W-NW wind, 16C

A beautiful, warm Spring day today. A couple of good sightings over Camino de Avedin during the afternoon, of migrants heading further north, with an Osprey heading S-N at 1530hrs and a flock of 10 Common Crane following the course of the Rio Genal at 1730hrs.

Still some Almond blossom around

The fragile beauty of the scarce Rush-leaf Jonquil Narcissus assoanus

Iberian Wall Lizard Podarcis hispanica enjoying the sunshine

Wednesday 25 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light-fresh NW wind, 14C

Despite today and yesterday being sunnier and warmer than of late the northerly winds persist, lending a chilly feel to the air. During the mornings the Camino de Gibraltar has been alive with birdsong with Song Thrush, Blackcap, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Serin battling it out to be heard. The field below the old convent has been crawling with Black Redstart (at least 10 yesterday, including a couple of fine-looking males), Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit.
As a consequence of the northerly winds, migrant raptors have been absent but above Camino de Avedin there have been Griffon Vulture, Peregrine, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Kestrel.
In the village this morning there were 2 Barn Swallow over Calle del Pino.

Monday 23 February 2015, Gaucin, partly cloudy, fresh-strong NW wind, 12C

Any significant migrant action was once again kept at bay by the fierce, cold, northerly winds; just a single Black Kite to report, struggling over the village at 1745hrs. At 0930hrs there was a Barn Swallow just on the southern edge of the village and 3 Hawfinch along Camino de Gibraltar.

Sunday 22 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light-fresh W-NW wind, 12C

Saturday 21 February saw light rain am and a bit of sunshine pm; a good sighting for the village was a Redwing along Camino de Gibraltar around 0900hrs.

Today, feeling nice and warm in the sun but once again chilly in the fresh northerly wind, there was a hint of Spring migration with 3 Black Kite over El Peso at 1300hrs and 2 Black Stork over the village at 1445hrs. Along the Camino de Gibraltar this morning there were still at least 5 Black Redstart, also 2 Meadow Pipit in the field below the convent ruins and a Firecrest in the oaks. Down beside the Arroyo de Las Pallas there were lots of Large Tortoiseshell butterflies.

An addition to Friday 20 February....2 Mistle Thrush seen in the El Peso area to the north of El Hacho.

The Almond blossom is looking good at the moment

Common Raven

Common Raven displaying over Camino de Avedin

View from El Peso towards Sierra de Libar

View from El Peso towards Salitre

Large Tortoiseshell on Cork Oak

Some goats

Arroyo de Las Pallas

Friday 20 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, calm air-light S-SE wind, 15C

Taking advantage of the calm weather conditions, the first Short-toed Eagle of the year was seen at 1600hrs flying upstream high over the Rio Genal.

Thursday 19 February 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, fresh E wind, 14C

At last some respite from the northerly winds and a consequent slight improvement in the temperature! This morning along the Camino de Avedin there were Griffon Vulture, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Raven, Crag Martin, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Eurasian Nuthatch, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff.

Also several butterflies in flight, including Clouded Yellow and Large Tortoiseshell.