SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST 2013 - RIO GUADIARO AT ESTACION DE CORTES

Dawn and I spent a wonderful balmy afternoon sitting under our favourite tree by the side of the river Guadiaro. It was 30C with a lovely cooling breeze. The usual birds were coming to drink and bathe on the opposite side of the river with the added bonus of a pair of Kingfishers flitting about. We also had the fortune of seeing a flock of Bee-eaters coming down to bathe, they just dunk themselves in the middle of the river and fly of to preen.

Bee-eater - looking shaggy after a dip in the river

One piece of excitement occurred when a Booted Eagle flew down and swooped under the branches of the tree we were sitting under, the bird made a sharp change of direction to avoid colliding with my telescope!!

A juvenile White Wagtail with European Goldfinch in the background

Birds seen are listed below:

1. Common Blackbird
2. European Robin
3. European Greenfinch
4. European Goldfinch
5. European Serin
6. Cetti's Warbler
7. Blackcap
8. Willow Warbler
9. Chiffchaff sp.
10. Bonelli's Warbler
11. Blue Tit
12. Great Tit
13. House Sparrow
14. bee-eater
15. White Wagtail
16. Grey Wagtail
17. European Stonechat
18. Grey Heron
19. Booted Eagle
20. Short-toed Eagle
21. Griffon Vulture
22. House Martin
23. Barn Swallow
24. Pallid Swift
25. Red-rumped Swallow
26. European Chaffinch
27. Spotted Flycatcher
28. Common Kingfisher
29. Turtle Dove
30. Collared Dove