Birdwatch Gaucin

Tuesday 30 July 2013, Gaucin, sunny, light E-SE wind, 32C

A morning visit to the west slope of El Hacho from 1000-1130hrs didn't produce anything spectacular but as it was already feeling quite warm I didn't climb up through the field but stuck to viewing from the roadside. I was pleased to see the return of the 'over-wintering' Southern Grey Shrike perched, as usual, on one of its favourite trees. Also seen were Griffon Vulture, three or four Common Kestrel, all female/juvenile, Raven, Short-toed Eagle, Thekla Lark, Stonechat and Sardinian Warbler.

Whilst on our terrace at 2145hrs I got a brief glimpse of what appeared to be a Eurasian Hobby in amongst a small group of Swift/House Martin above Calle del Pino. Ten minutes later it returned and confirmed its ID showing well as it headed south in a fast shallow dive directly overhead. I've seen them from the terrace before but just once in June 2012 and another near the bridge at Venta Socorro in May 2011.

Sunday 28 July 2013, Gaucin, partly cloudy am, sunny pm, light-fresh W-SW wind, 27C

A fresher feeling day today and, with the westerly (poniente) wind, much clearer views. There were a couple of booted Eagle milling about the village most of the day and during the afternoon a Short-toed Eagle flew in and landed on a tree just below Calle del Pino; Short-toed Eagles rarely venture so close to the village but one hot afternoon last summer a bird, possibly the same one, landed in the same tree.

On Saturday evening I found a Common Swift fledgling on our terrace; I presume it fell out of a nearby nest but couldn't locate it to return it. It was too young to fly and sadly, despite taking some water from time to time, it wasn't interested in feeding and it died this evening.

Common Swift

Friday 26 July 2013, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light SW wind, 30C

A visit to the Rio Genal from 0930-1030hrs produced a good record in the form of a White Stork that was flushed from the river bank. Other species seen included Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, 2x Little-ringed Plover (numbers down from last week so probably already moving on), Turtle Dove (still singing), 10+ European Bee-eater, Golden Oriole (still one or two males singing), Red-rumped Swallow and a family party of Grey Wagtail.

Rio Genal from the Camino de Gibraltar

Turtle Dove

Thursday 25 July 2013, Gaucin, sunny, light SE wind, 30C

Whilst walking between San Martin de Tesorillo and Castellar de la Frontera at 0800hrs there was a great sighting in the form of a juvenile European Roller. The bird was perched on a telegraph wire and stayed for a couple of minutes before flying about 200m to another wire. This bird may be connected to the adult seen earlier in the month although they were about 5km apart. Walking up the old road to Castellar through the cork oaks there were at least 4 Bonelli's Warbler still singing.

Sunday 21 July 2013, Gaucin, sunny, light SE wind, 30C

Another trip to Malaga airport, another visit to the Guadalhorce reserve. An hour or so from 1800-1900hrs so just time to check out the Laguna Grande. The Greater Flamingo that were there last Wednesday had gone but there were a few more waders including a Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and two or three Greenshank. Also White-headed Duck, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Dunlin, Little-ringed Plover, Redshank, Black-winged Stilt, European Bee-eater and Monk Parakeet. The best bird was an adult Little Bittern, seen flying over the reserve near the footbridge then spotted flying along the river. On the drive to the reserve a Hoopoe flew low over the A-7 motorway.

A sleepy-looking Audouin's Gull

Saturday 20 July 2013, Gaucin, sunny, calm air-light E-SE wind, 30C

An 0730hrs start saw Wingspanner and me heading to the Barco Morena/Marchenilla area hoping for some Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin action - and we weren't disappointed! It took a while, but eventually two or three individuals appeared including one obliging adult catching insects in the middle of the track and displaying its fanned tail. As well as this great species we also saw Griffon Vulture, two or three Short-toed Eagle (great close overhead views), pale morph Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Little Owl, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Woodchat Shrike (including several juveniles), European Bee-eater, Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Blackbird, Common Nightingale (some short bursts of song, too), Zitting Cisticola, Melodious Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Stonechat, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet and Corn Bunting. Turtle Dove was heard. On our way back to Gaucin we checked for the Black-winged Kite and Roller that we had both seen near San Martin de Tesorillo but neither showed; we know the kites bred but have not seen a juvenile Roller for confirmation - it would be a great record for the area.

Wednesday 17 July, Gaucin, sunny, light SE wind, 30C.

An afternoon trip to Malaga airport meant an opportunity to drop into the Guadalhorce reserve. There from 1730-1915hrs sightings included the following: Greater Flamingo (adult and ~ 1 year old), Little Egret, White-headed Duck, Red-crested Pochard (all female/juv or eclipsed male), Little Grebe, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Audoiun's Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, several Black-winged Stilt including juveniles and chicks, 3 Pied Avocet, Redshank, Dunlin, Little-ringed Plover, Monk Parakeet, European Bee-eater, Spotless Starling, Red-rumped Swallow, Crested Lark, Zitting Cisticola and Sardinian Warbler.

Notable by their absence were raptors; I'd expect at least a Booted Eagle.