During this quiet 'birding period' I spend most evenings walking the local tracks.
This walk commences on the north side of the village - the first three images show the track leading down-hill with Sierra Beremja in the distance and the Rio Genal Valley ahead.
Cork Oaks are to the right and a mixture of fruit, carob, almond, oak and olive trees fill the valley to the left.
several good bird species and butterflies can be seen along this stretch of the walk with Cirl Bunting, Sardinian Warbler and Chaffinch often on the track or in the fence-line and Jay in the oaks.
As we round a bend a little lower down the first view of Sierra crestellina appears.
A better view of Sierra Bermeja with sun now behind us.
Nice views of Crestellina in the evening sunlight. Overhead, just recently, a good number of Bee-eaters have been feeding amongst the hundreds of Swifts and Martins, this is a sure sign that migration back to Africa has began.
A view to the south with the mediterranean coastline just visible in the misty evening light.
The track 'bottoms out' in this open area, a good place to watch raptors drifting into the Genal valley. Booted and Short-toed Eagles are common throughout the summer and Griffon Vultures are always about. In the grass meadows Finches often feed on the seed heads, Goldfinch, Serin, Linnets nad Greenfinches. a pair of Zitting Cisticola have bred here this year.
Here we get our first sighting of El Hacho, the mountain found on the west side of the village, the sun has just dropped behind it in this picture.
At the lowest point of the walk the track narrows to a path through dense scrubs and carob trees. A good place for Nightingales, Blackcaps and Chiffchaff.
Back to a wide track which is lined by Eucalyptus, during the last week a party of Golden Orioles have frequent this area. (they were still there last night - Saturday 16th July)
Looking back at crestellina as we begin the hard slog back up the village.
A closer view of El hacho as we climb westward up the hill.
We pass a disused quarry - where a pair of Blue Roch Thrushes bred this year nad I often see a Sparrowhawk near here.
Back to civilization - we pass a couple of Fincas which grow Almonds and Oranges, these are Almond trees. Just now a small flock of Chaffinches are seen on the track each evening.
half way back up to the village lies an open area of scrub, this is another good area for Cirl Bunting, Sardinian Warblers and Finches.
A view up to the village just as the last rays of sunlight bathe the Castle.
A steep section of the Camino Gibraltar has recently been concreted, it rises through a small Cork Oak woodland whcih is a good place for Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Short-toed Treecreeper, Tits and Finches.
A final View of Crestellina as we enter the south-western side of the village at the end of the walk.
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