We had a lie-in today and set out in the early afternoon for a picnic in the sunshine down at the river Guadiaro. Unfortunately, most of the village decided to do the same, in fact a fiesta was going on and we were surrounded by a marching band and a procession later in the afternoon.
However, despite the loud disco-style music and the numerous comings and goings, we found quite a few species and we enjoyed our picnic.
Highlights were: Kingfisher, some really colourful Grey Wagtails, also White Wagtail, Red-rumped Swallows, Cirl Buntings, Serins, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers. Overhead we saw Griffon vultures, Short-toed Eagles and A Sparrowhawk.
Once the marching band had passed we set off for home, a little earlier than anticipated.
October 3rd - day Tour in two parts:
Part 1: Early morning trip to El Colmenar
We arrived at 8am just as it was getting light to look for Hawfinches. There were six of them in the 'dead' tree as we got out of the car. Up to 10 were counted over the hour, giving us great views, we also found Great Spotted Woodpecker, Spotless Starling, Chaffinches, Blackcaps and Garden Warblers.
Part 2: Ronda via Montejaque
The second part of this DAY TOUR consisted of an afternoon trip to Ronda. We intended to stop off for some birding along the way then take in some sights of Ronda and finish off with a meal overlooking the panoramic gorge as it got dark.
The first stop was on a track just above Montejaque at about 3pm. It was still quite hot but with a cooling breeze. We disturbed a small herd of Spanish Ibex as we pulled to a stop on the track. Then over the next hour we watched Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Griffon Vultures and not much else.
The real excitement came as stopped in the gorge where the 'dam that doesn't work' is found. Jill immediately found a roosting Eagle Owl. Oh! The cheek of it!! Finding an Eagle Owl on my patch, whilst I was with her! Well that didn't go down well, but I did let her and Noel see it through my scope, Dawn was with us too and she got to see it as well.
Although the Owl was distant - the sunlight was good and we had reasonable views in the scope. However taking a photograph was another story.
A better record shot of the Owl found by my guest Jill - in my defence I never visit this site late in the afternoon and the Owl must only come into view during that period!!! Otherwise I would have found it years ago!!!Other birds of note were: Crag martin, Rock Dove, Raven, Sardinian Warbler and Rock Sparrow.
In Ronda we enjoyed a quiet walk around, a visit to the Bull Ring and some great views over the gorge in fading sunlight.
We perched ourselves on the terrace of one of the hotels and watched the seeting sun whilst watching up to 50 Red-billed chough coming in to roost. Crag Martins, House Martins and a flock of some 30 Alpine Swifts did the same. A lovely ending to a beautiful afternoon in sunny Spain.
Jill, Noel and Dawn looking for..........Bob
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