Saturday 14 May 2016, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light NW wind, 20C

After 9 consecutive days of rain (the Mays of the previous 3 years had just 3 days each) today was dry, if you discount the 1mm that fell in the early hours!

There were 2 Black Kite just north of El Peso during the morning and another 4 low over the village around mid-day. 3 Common Crossbill flew over Calle Convento late afternoon but the star performance was by 4 Red-necked Nightjar that hawked insects low over our terrace between 21:45 and 22:00hrs. We used to see these wonderful birds each Spring around this time but in recent years they've not been so reliable; great to see them back!

Nice to see the streams running again

View from the cork oak woods near El Peso

Tuesday 10 May 2016, Gaucin, mostly cloudy, frequent rain showers, light SW wind, 11C

After experiencing temperatures of 25C+ in London over the weekend, it came as a bit of a shock to return to a cold, damp Gaucin. The past five days have all seen significant rainfall, with more than 60mm falling in total since Friday when 3 Black Stork were reported over the village.  On Saturday a European Roller was reported (thanks to Julie and Pete) on telephone wires between San Pablo de Buceite and Los Angeles (Estacion de Jimena) - pretty much in the same place where one was seen in July 2012 and not far from other sightings in July 2013; couple this with a juvenile seen about 5km away in late July 2013 and it adds up to a strong possibility of breeding in the area.

Some good vulture news for a change!

Three Bearded Vultures released in Andalucia

Wednesday 04 May 2016, Gaucin, mostly cloudy, light SE wind, 22C

Very little to report over the last few, sunny and warm, days. A handful of Honey Buzzard and the usual 'local' Booted and Short-toed Eagle sightings but no big migration numbers - as others in the region have also reported. This afternoon there was a Blue Rock Thrush singing away on a rooftop in Calle Convento and also a male on the building next to cafe El Puente - this could mean there are two pairs breeding within the village, which would be great. Down on the Rio Genal on Monday there were at least 3 Little-ringed Plover but no sign of the Common Sandpiper from the other day; also Golden Oriole singing but not seen.

Some nice flowers around the north of El Hacho this morning:

Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula

Wild Peony Paeonia mascula

Friday 29 April 2016, Gaucin, mostly cloudy, light-fresh SE wind, 19C

The forecast, and imminent threat of rain, didn't discourage Rob and I as we set off this morning to check out the Marchenilla track behind San Pablo de Buceite. It turned out that we made the right decision as, despite some very black clouds over towards the Alcornocales National Park, it remained warm and dry; plus we saw some great birds, too!
Star species seen were Egyptian Vulture, Rufous Bush Robin and Western Olivaceous Warbler. Other species seen included Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, 25 Honey Buzzard, Common Raven, White Stork, 4 Turtle Dove, European Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike, Crested Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola, Common Nightingale, Cetti's Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Spanish Sparrow, Serin and Corn Bunting.

White Stork in the Rio Guadiaro

female Stonechat

Corn Bunting

Melodious Warbler

Melodious Warbler

Thursday 28 April 2016, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light S-SE wind, 23C

The highlights of a morning visit to the Rio Genal were two stunning male Golden Oriole; it was good to see that they are still around despite the clearance of many of the Eucalyptus trees that they have favoured in previous years. Quite a large, productive (for birds) area to the west of the river has been cleared of scrub/bushes and is now a rather desolate wasteland but hopefully things will grow back in time. Other species seen were Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, 5 Black Kite, 20 Honey Buzzard, 5 Canada Goose (presumably strayed from a captive population), Grey Heron, Turtle Dove, European Bee-eater, Little-ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Red-rumped Swallow, Grey Wagtail (including at least 3 young), Common Nightingale and Cirl Bunting.

Little-ringed Plover adopting a typical 'aggressive' stance

Little-ringed Plover

Wall Brown

Tuesday 26 April 2016, Gaucin, sunny, light SE wind, 21C

Today saw the first Honey Buzzard of the year with 5 over the village at 14:30hrs; also 1 adult and 1 juvenile Egyptian Vulture at 15:00hrs. On Friday 22 April Janys saw the first Turtle Dove, with one on wires at the Asalto de Cura.
During the afternoon Griffon Vulture numbers to the south of the village increased steadily until there were 90+ in the area between the 'hills' of 'El Nobo' and 'Rosa Alta', presumably attracted by carrion.

Griffon Vultures on 'God's thumb' - El Hacho (per Tim)

Thursday 21 April 2016, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light S-SE wind, 18C

A morning walk through the cork oak forest to the north of El Hacho, with three Swedish guys on holiday in the area, started with a great sighting, a male Golden Oriole that flew into the Eucalyptus trees just beyond the petrol station. It didn't get any better than that and was relatively quiet but we did see 20+ Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, 2 Booted Eagle, a group of 20 Black Kite, Peregrine, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Iberian Chiffchaff, Bonelli's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap and Cirl Bunting; Green Woodpecker was heard.