JULY 24TH - 28TH AROUND GAUCIN

July 24th - Rio Guadiaro

Dawn and I spent the afternoon in our favourite spot by the side of the river near Estacion de Cortes. We were joined by Ian and Jacqueline friends form the village. We sat for 4 or 5 hours and never moved from the spot. Birds logged included: a good flock of some 30 Bee-eaters, Kingfisher, Turtle Dove, Little ringed Plover, Cirl Bunting, Chiffchaff, Melodious Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, both Grey and White Wagtails, lots of Barn Swallows, House Martins, Pallid Swifts, Common Swifts (big flocks moving south high up), Alpine Swifts coming to drink. A great sighting was an adult female Montagu's Harrier which flew down the valley, we also saw Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kite and lots of Griffon Vultures.

July 26th  - Rio Genal early am

I visited the Rio Genal alone and hoped for some good sightings of birds coming to drink, however nearly all of the pools have gone now!! There were 5 White Storks in the field adjacent to the river, they didn't budge when I arrived - where was my camera - yes some dip-stick left it at home again! A Wryneck called as soon as I got out of the car but I couldn't find it after a short search. At the only remaining pool there were hundreds of flies, millions of dead fish and just as many maggots crawling out of the dead fish carcasses, how nice. But there were lots of birds coming to drink and to eat the maggots. A very confiding Melodious Warbler came to gorge on maggots, so did Grey Wagtails. A couple of Turtle Doves called from the bushes but failed to show. The Kingfisher dashed by as walked down stream to look for more pools - there were none.

July 27th    - San Pablo track.

Another early morning outing in lovely weather. We met Jacqueline and Ian, Paul and Sue and their two sons Charlie and Tom together with another two of their friends near the church in the village at 7:30am.

Apart from Dawn and myself none of the other group where regular birders, this should be fun - don't you think? However, it did turn out to be great fun, all of them showed good interest in seeing the birds and once they seen a few in the scope I had their undivided for two hours!

We saw lots of Woodchats, Sardinian warblers, Goldfinches, Barn swallow, Common Swifts, Crested larks, Melodious Warblers, Stonechats and a few Ravens. But it was the birds of prey that got them hooked, we were lucky enough to see Short-toed Eagle in the scope, a couple of Montagu's Harriers, Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle and a few Griffon Vultures.

After three hours we were seen at a venta taking breakfast

Later on and further along the track we saw a large flock of some fifty Bee-eaters flying low, some of them perched on a fence line and we also saw those in the scope. A few Ravens flew over, I had a glimpse of a Tawny Pipit and we also saw Collared dove, Robin, Blackbirds, Linnets, Serin. Then we retired for coffee and tostada!

July "8th - Rio Genal

A late morning visit to the dry River bed of the Genal - not quite dried up yet, there is still one remaining pool of water near the bridge.

I sat for two hours watching the pool, swatting flies and getting hot, but it was worth it. I had a great time watching wagtails, finches, tits and warblers, the best of which were: Crested tit, Grey wagtail, Cetti's and Sardinian Warblers, Long-tailed Tit, Kingfisher and many more. Nearly all the birds are either juvenile or adults in the process of summer moult - none of them look good at the moment.

The last remaining pool in the river bed - only 2 meters long and  4 cm  deep

A scraggy looking Crested Tit

A few pics of the delightful Grey Wagtail

Juvenile Goldfinch - no red face yet!