Sunday picnic at the Rio Guadiaro

Dawn and I took ourselves to the river at Estacion de Cortes. It was a bit windy but we enjoyed a lovely afternoon just watching the world go by. I had my bins and scope and during the afternoon I recorded 31 species including the rare  WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT.

An obliging Woodchat Shrike

The air was alive with bird song (and some frogs) Nightingales, Blackcaps, Cetti's Warbler, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Serin and Sardinian Warbler were all making noises.

A flock of Pallid Swifts were coming down to drink from the river, they were joined by a few Common Swifts and it was whilst I was watching this group that I found the White-rumped Swift. This super rare breeder drifted around high up above the other swifts.

Other species seen included: Little-ringed Plover, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Cirl Bunting, Eurasian Nuthatch, Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Linnet, Woodchat Shrike, Melodious Warbler, Spotless Starling and several common species.

I am looking forward to my tour of the Pyrenees coming up this weekend!