Monday and Tuesday were both very similar days with hazy sunshine due to the easterly levante winds. House Martin and Swallow numbers are increasing gradually and at least 3 Short-toed Eagle have been hanging around the village. Yesterday there was a single Common Crossbill in the pines adjacent to Cafe/Bar El Hacho and this morning down alongside the Rio Genal there were 5 Hawfinch and 2 Little-ringed Plover.
Late afternoon today the first Common Swift of the year appeared near the old convent in Calle Convento.
Sunday 08 March 2015, Gaucin, sunny, calm air-light E-SE wind, 21C
Walking around La Umbria mid-morning I heard the year's first Iberian Chiffchaff singing (at least 2 individuals); also seen were Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Blackcap and Sardinian Warbler; 2 Green Woodpecker were heard.
The dangerous caterpillars of the Pine Processionary Moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa are still out and about....the hairs are poisonous and can kill dogs and cause serious respiratory problems in humans.
The dangerous caterpillars of the Pine Processionary Moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa are still out and about....the hairs are poisonous and can kill dogs and cause serious respiratory problems in humans.
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| Pine Processionary Moth caterpillars |
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| Pine Processionary Moth caterpillars in convoy across the path |
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| Gibraltar from Gaucin - with a classic 'levante' cloud overhead |
Saturday 07 March 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light-fresh E-SE wind, 20C
The midweek change from northerly to easterly winds has put a hold on the excitement of raptor migration over Gaucin.
A visit to the SW slope of El Hacho from 1000-1200hrs produced none of the hoped-for early spring migrants but did produce a surprising sighting of at least 2, and possibly as many as 4, Ring Ouzel; also seen were Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Southern Grey Shrike, Meadow Pipit, 4 Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Sardinian Warbler (plenty of noisy displaying going on), Stonechat, Serin and a single Rock Sparrow. Just off the Gaucin-Algeciras road there were lots of Dull Ophrys orchids and a lone Spanish Ibex poked its head up over the ridge.
Mid-afternoon there were 70+ Griffon Vulture heading towards El Hacho from Sierra Crestellina.
A visit to the SW slope of El Hacho from 1000-1200hrs produced none of the hoped-for early spring migrants but did produce a surprising sighting of at least 2, and possibly as many as 4, Ring Ouzel; also seen were Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Southern Grey Shrike, Meadow Pipit, 4 Song Thrush, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Sardinian Warbler (plenty of noisy displaying going on), Stonechat, Serin and a single Rock Sparrow. Just off the Gaucin-Algeciras road there were lots of Dull Ophrys orchids and a lone Spanish Ibex poked its head up over the ridge.
Mid-afternoon there were 70+ Griffon Vulture heading towards El Hacho from Sierra Crestellina.
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| Dull Ophrys Ophrys fusca |
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| Female/juvenile Spanish Ibex |
Wednesday 04 March 2015, Gaucin, sunny/hazy cloud, calm air-light S-SE wind, 21C
Highlights of a visit to the Rio Genal from 0930-1030hrs were: Short-toed Eagle (carrying nesting material), Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Little-ringed Plover (first of the year), Black Redstart, lots of Blackcap, at least 2 Common Chiffchaff singing, 3 Hawfinch and Cirl Bunting; Cetti's Warbler was heard.
The garden walnut tree held a minimum of 15 Blackcap (10 male, 5 female) early this morning.
The garden walnut tree held a minimum of 15 Blackcap (10 male, 5 female) early this morning.
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| Hawfinch |
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| Little-ringed Plover |
Tuesday 03 March 2015, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light W wind, 21C
Watching the skies above the village from 1300-1330hrs: 10 Black Kite, 2 Short-toed Eagle and 8 Black Stork. From 1415-1445: 50+ Black Kite, 10+ Short-toed Eagle and 13 Black Stork. There were also many Griffon Vulture around, a good proportion of which were mixed in with Black Kite/Short-toed Eagle and so were most likely returning migrants. Most birds today were heading roughly S-N to the west of the village.
At 1800hrs there were 15 medium-sized raptors high above Sierra Crestellina - most likely Black Kite (or Booted Eagle!); at the same time I had a great time watching a majestic adult Bonelli's Eagle soaring above the mountain with the late afternoon sun glistening off its pale belly.
In the garden Walnut tree this morning there were at least 8 Blackcap (5 male, 3 female).
At 1800hrs there were 15 medium-sized raptors high above Sierra Crestellina - most likely Black Kite (or Booted Eagle!); at the same time I had a great time watching a majestic adult Bonelli's Eagle soaring above the mountain with the late afternoon sun glistening off its pale belly.
In the garden Walnut tree this morning there were at least 8 Blackcap (5 male, 3 female).
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| Male Blackcap |
Sunday 01 March 2015, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light W-NW wind, 20C
A steady flow of Short-toed Eagle moving through today with at least 12 between 1200hrs and 1300hrs; 64 Black Kite at 1330hrs and a single Black Stork at 1430hrs. One or two of the Short-toed Eagle were still in the area late afternoon suggesting that they may be local breeders. Also in the air....Griffon Vulture, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel and Common Raven (being mobbed by the Sparrowhawk).
Saturday 28 February 2015, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light W-NW wind, 16C
Today saw the first significant numbers of Black Kite moving through with a kettle of 77 individuals above the Rio Genal at 1415hrs and smaller groups of 9 at 1530hrs and 13 at 1610hrs. A reliable report of a Eurasian Hoopoe along the Camino de Gibraltar this morning; a bit early for a returning migrant, so perhaps an individual that over-wintered on the coast and was beginning to head north.
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