It was great to be back on my own 'patch' again. But things had changed, many new species of flower were on show, all the trees were now verdant green and the avifauna was different. Black Redstarts, White Wagtails, Chiffchaffs and Song Thrushes had virtually disappeared. Bird song filled the air, Blackcaps, Chaffinches, Cetti's Warbler, Common Nightingale, Sardinian Warbler, Serins, Greenfinches and Goldfinches were all in full song. Spring had arrived.
I collected Naish and Sheila in Estapona, they are birders from Toronto, Canada. Naish is a big lister and wanted to see about 10 species missing from his European list.
By 9am we were at Crestellina looking for Bonelli's Eagle which didn't show, however we did see: Corn Bunting, Stonechat, Blackcap, Griffon Vulture and Booted Eagle.
At the Rio Genal we searched for Hawfinch and Common Nightingale, we heard at least 8 Nightingales but never saw one!! Not a single Hawfinch showed either. We did find Cetti's Warbler, lots of Blackcaps, Grey Wagtail, Cirl bunting, Bonelli's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Serin, Spotless Starling and plenty of common species.
There were many raptors drifting up the valley: Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Osprey, Western Marsh Harrier, Bonelli's Eagle and we also watched a Northern Goshawk for 15 minutes whilst it performed its strange courtship display. We also heard Bee-eater and Cirl Bunting but didn't see either.
Next we drove up to Gaucin and across to the Rio Guadiaro valley at El Colmenar. We stopped near the water pumping station hoping for Hawfinch and again we were thwarted. We did see Red-rumped Swallow, house Martin and we heard Green Woodpecker.
Further down the river we saw many common species and a few Black Kites flew over very high up.We then had lunch in El Colmenar before setting off towards Ronda.
It was now mid-afternoon and it had clouded over and a chilly wind had blown up, furthermore the access gate to the lovely Borraches track was locked so we had to scramble under the fence!
Once on the track we started finding birds, Southern Grey Shrike, Thekla Lark, Corn Bunting, Linnet and Goldfinch were seen within minutes. As we passed the heathland we heard the song of the Spectacled Warbler and despite the windy conditions the bird sat up for us. A pair of Cirl Buntings showed well but we couldn't find Subalpine Warbler in the cork oak woods.
Distant sightings of Blue Rock Thrush were had and a flock of some 9 Red-billed Chough were messing about on the nearby rocks.
We left the area at around 5pm and I took Naish & Sheila back to Estapona through showers of rain.
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