AUGUST 18TH - SAN PABLO TRACK

Another glorious morning spent in the bird-rich hillsides around San Pablo, it was dry, sunny and very warm even at 7:30am.

TAWNY PIPIT

It was interesting to note the change in the number of birds and in the species composition. I think that the Bush Robins have finally migrated, there wasn't a Hoopoe in sight and I didn't see a Melodious Warbler. But chiffchaffs have started to appear in small numbers.

Bee-eater numbers were well down too, however it is still a magical place and a great number of birds were present. Short-toed Eagles sat on every pylon, (7 were in view), there was also Lesser Kestrel (5), Booted Eagle (3) and Montagu's Harrier (4). Woodchat Shrikes were still present but in fewer numbers, the Southern Grey Shrike was present again, probably here for the winter and the Tawny Pipits were still there.

ZITTING CISTICOLA
At least 10 of these little gems were seen and the number of seed-eating finches has increased with lots of small flocks of Serins, Greenfinches and Goldfinches around.

RED-RUMPED SWALLOWS
Hirdundines were represented by Barn Swallows, house Martins and Red-rumped Swallows, all in reduced numbers.

SERIN

Other birds of note were Common Raven (2), Sardinian Warbler (20+), Spotless Staring (50+), Common Swift and Pallid Swift both in small numbers drifting over.