Today I collected Peter from a holiday finca just outside the village in the GENAL Valley. It was just getting light at 7am as we met, I then drove back up to the village to collect Paul before driving down the Guadiaro valley towards Jimena de la Frontera.
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| one of the many SHORT-TOED EAGLES in a typical pose |
We arrived at the Marchenilla track just as the sun was rising over the hills, it was a lovely still morning with some cloud cover. It wasn't long before we had a nice list of species in the bag. Many Sardinian Warblers flitted about in the hedgerows with Goldfinches, Serins, Linnets and Greenfinches in abundance. Woodchat Shrikes were everywhere, many juveniles showed well which was a nice testament to a good breeding season and the same could be said for Stonechats. A couple of Common Nightingales showed well too and we saw Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Corn Bunting.
As we proceeded along the track we added Melodious Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Red-legged Partridges, Red-rumped Swallow, Bee-eater and several Short-toed Eagles were sitting on the pylons, one individual had remarkable white feathering, looking like a ghostly figure on a post. We also had several sightings of Little Owl which was nice.
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| distant Red-legged Partridges |
Then we found our main target species the Rumpus Bush Robin, in fact we saw two or three, one male burst into song a couple of times which was nice for Peter to hear. Walking back to the car we had our first surprise when Peter called out a Wryneck, the bird flew into a bush not too far away and showed very well, how nice.
Next we walked to the river Hozgargante where we stood on the bridge and quickly found our second target bird the Western Olivaceous Warbler (now called Isabelline Warbler in "Collin's" 2nd edition), we had excellent views of a family party and even heard one singing.
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| a bad record of the Olivaceous Warbler - such a nerve even putting this picture out! |
From there we drove the entire length of the track into Marchenilla village and onto the main road to San Martin, we noted White Storks along the way and we made a quick stop to look at Lesser Kestrels near the railway bridge before driving through San Martin and onto the Secadero track.
Now we were alongside of the Rio Guadiaro where we made one long stop and found a nice selection of birds. Corn Buntings were also in abundance, many juveniles drinking at the river. We also found more Bee-eaters, Eurasian Hoopoe, White Wagtails, Little Ringed Plovers, Common Buzzard, Little Egret, Grey Heron and a nice flock of 10 White Storks. Raptors began to appear frequently we notes good numbers of Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagle and more Short-toed Eagles. An OSPREY was an excellent find, a very early migrant going south.
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| another record only shot - Little Owl |
Our lunch stop was much further up the valley besides the Rio GENAL and it was there that we found one of Peter's most wanted birds, the Bonelli's Eagle. We found not one but three of these superb eagles, a family party, we presumed from Sierra Crestellina, fantastic. We added Common Kingfisher to the list and saw a large flock of Bee-eaters. After lunch we drove to the new information centre at CASARES. We used our tome there to look out for Egyptian Vultures without success, however we did see Common Raven, Common Swift and Blue Rock Thrush.
Well that concluded our little excursion, we drove back up to Gaucin, dropping Peter at bhis finca and Paul in the village, I was home by 2pm as planned. A lovely day out with some super species on the list, must do it again sometime I am getting to like this birding lark, talking of larks we did see numerous Crested Larks that I forgot to mention!
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