JULY 23RD - DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE

Another short trip to the dried-up Rio Genal, I was hoping that the pools were still there but most have now gone. The remaining pools were bright green and full of dead fish.

My favourite little pool under the bridge was just about surviving, I added 8 litres of tap-water to it but even then it seemed to disappear in front of me. The whole area was buzzing with flies and the smell of rotting fish - how nice?

Two White Storks flew off as I arrived and a Common Sandpiper hung around for a while. the usual array of species visited the pool whilst I was there but I added Golden Oriole to my recent list.

A couple of Eels were a surprise as they sloshed about in the mud of the little pool, there are still lots of frogs around and many Pond Terrapins which look quite out of place on the dry river bed.

A family of Blackcaps - note all the youngsters have rufous caps until  after the  winter moult

Long-tailed tit and male Blackcap

Female Sardinian Warbler

Everyone's favourite - the Robin