Wednesday 30 March 2016, Gaucin, sunny, light S-SE wind, 20C

An afternoon trip down to the Rio Genal produced the first Common Nightingale of the year with one singing from deep within a tangle of bamboo canes; also seen were Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, European Bee-eater (numbers there now in excess of 40 ), at least 4, possibly 6, Little-ringed Plover and a single Green Sandpiper, Barn Swallow, Chiffchaff sp., Cetti's Warbler and lots of noisy Serin.

Little-ringed Plover

Keeping a look-out!

European Bee-eater

Tuesday 29 March 2016, Gaucin, sunny, light S-SE wind, 20C

On Sunday morning, after some light rain, there was a reasonable passage of Black Kite (several small groups and at least a couple of groups of 30+) over Estacion de Cortes as we walked to the 'Puente de los Alemanes' to avoid the 'bull run'; there was a male Marsh Harrier and 6 European Bee-eater over Gaucin at 19:30hrs.

 

This morning there were 3 Black Kite low over the village at 09:00hrs, presumably they had spent the night locally before heading off north. An afternoon walk along the Camino de Gibraltar (another unsuccessful attempt to add Common Nightingale to this year's list!) produced Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Woodchat Shrike (pair), Short-toed Treecreeper and 100+ Swift sp., the majority of which seemed to be Pallid.

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Saturday 26 March 2016, Gaucin, mostly sunny, light-fresh S wind, 20C

There were at least 3 Booted Eagle around the village today and, along the Camino de Gibraltar, it was great to see a male Common Redstart that had stopped off on its way north. Lots of Serin singing now, too, adding to the Summery feel.

Common Redstart

Friday 25 March 2016, Gaucin, sunny, light W-NW wind, 19C

In stark contrast to the cold, wet start to the week the weather has gradually improved (we could still do with some more rain to top up the reservoirs, though). A walk along the Camino de Gibraltar late yesterday afternoon produced a Short-toed Treecreeper and the first Woodchat Shrike of the year.

This morning at the Rio Genal, where I thought I might hear the first Common Nightingale of the year, there was not one, but two year 'firsts', as a fly-over European Bee-eater and a Bonelli's Warbler showed up. Also seen were Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, 7 Black Kite, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 7 Black Stork, Grey Heron and 3 Little-ringed Plover.

Back in the village in the afternoon a few Black Kite were moving through with a single and a group of 4 very low over the east of the village, just below the castle.

Woodchat Shrike

Monday 21 March 2016, Gaucin, frequent rain and hail showers, light W wind, 9C

The arrival of the Spring Equinox brought thunder, rain (43mm) and hailstorms, during which the temperature plunged as low as 1.3C. The only bright spot was at 07:00hrs when a Common Cuckoo could be heard calling from the valley to the south of the village.

Click here to see David Lindo's interesting short video about birding in Malaga city:

Urban Birding in Malaga

Hailstones on the terrace!

Sunday 20 March 2016, Gaucin, cloudy, rain showers, light W-NW wind, 12C

A dull, damp day that cleared late afternoon, much as it did yesterday. Emerging slow and low through the murk and rain at 12:30hrs were 25 Black Kite. A walk around La Umbria produced the first Common Cuckoo of the year - thanks to Janys who heard it first!

Black Kite

Saturday 19 March 2016, Gaucin, partly cloudy, light rain showers, light W-NW wind, 14C

In between the showers, some good migration sightings:

15:00hrs: 8 Black Kite, 1 Black Stork
15:15hrs: 15 Black Kite, Booted Eagle. Locally, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel, 4 Common Raven (including the 'trumpeter')
15:30hrs: Booted Eagle
15:45hrs: Osprey, a few more Black Kite, 50+ Swift sp.

At the Rio Genal around 16:30hrs there was Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, 3 Green Sandpiper and 3 Little-ringed Plover.

This morning's view from Gaucin

Short-toed Eagle