La Janda and a raptor paradise

Saturday 27 June

The original idea was a morning visit to Bolonia to try and see both of our rare Swift species, Little and White-rumped, before being back in Malaga for 1.30. So, up at 4 in the morning (YES 4 O'CLOCK!) and out of the house by 4.45 to meet Andy Paterson at the church in Guadalmar near the Gualdalhorce. Still dark when we set off at three minutes to six and all I had seen was a typical dull-brown fox cross the road above Colmenar on the way down. Virtually no traffic on the motorways as we made our way south, other than a few returning Africans returning to their homelands for the summer who managed to put as much height on top of their cars as that below the roof (still, it does let make some artistic weaving movements as they drift back and forth in the dark with the odd spark from underneath as they continually "bottom out") and by 7.30 we were well past San Roque and about a half-hour to go. First birds? Spotless Starlings and a low flying White Stork.

The first real treat came as we approached the turn-off to Bolonia just past the "windmill farm" on the edge of La Janda. Only because it was early and no other traffic about a magnificent female Montagu's Harrier attempted to feed on the road kill right in front of us, so letting us get within 5 metres before she crossed the road giving us a great view of her white rump. This the second raptor of the day as we already seen a late-arriving Honey Buzzard moving inland as we crossed the hills above Tarifa. Then, on the way up to the rock face at Bolonia just by the Roman ruins, a Little Owl upped and onto the fence. We stopped, reversed back and the bird was still happy to sit, look directly at us with its owly yellow eyes. Where were our cameras? In the back and we dare not get out of the car to retrieve same; we just appreciated the moment.

With the sun just up and behind us we then scoured the cave and nearby cliffs for our swifts, the object of the morning's exercise. Not only did we not see either species, we did not even see a Common Swift. Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin and Goldfinches but no swifts. On the other hand, having found the young, now fully grown, Griffon Vulture on its nest ledge we then continued scanning and found another seven Griffons nearby, including a marked bird with a yellow tag on its left wing, numbered "92". Andy has already started the process of trying to discover from where this bird originated.

The return trip down to the village of Bolonia was just as fruitful. Stopping to scan the cliff face where Egyptian Vultures were reported to have nested we were not disappointed. First a rather large female Kestrel occupied our vision and then the gorgeous white and black of the Egyptian Vulture as it left its ledge and set off for the day. What perfect timing. Passing the Little Owl site as we made our way back to the main road and welcome breakfast, the bird, as if on cue, once more jumped up onto the fence. This time we had cameras in the car and windows down ready but this is one very choosy bird; no sooner seeing us slow down with cameras at the ready and he (would a female do this?) was off once again! Breakfast was in the company of a pair of breeding Barn Swallows in the hotel's entrance but, sadly, the photographs were blurred so no can show.

Straight to La Janda for what should have been a "nothing-special" morning but what a very pleasant surprise it turned out to be. Crested Lark and Woodchat Shrike on the fence as we drove in followed by Stonechat and the first of many Kestrels to be seen in the next couple of hours. In the distance a very large and noisy white bird circling around which made our hearts drop as we, wrongly, assumed it would be spraying the whole area; all this way to coincide with crop spraying. But no, the activities were confined to one corner of the rice paddies so we were able to proceed seeing many White Storks, in total probably hundreds of Cattle Egrets, a few Little Egret and a Mallard with chicks out for a morning walk and a young Blue-headed Wagtail and the first Corn Bunting. An immature Grey Heron and then the next raptor as our sole Marsh Harrier drifted across the landscape. Approaching the bridge, a small group of four Glossy Ibis were seen flying west.

Rather than cross the canal, we carried on towards the exit in the hope of seeing Collared Pratincoles which had been seen in the area the day before. No sign today but we did find a few Black-winged Stilts, four Audouin's Gulls and then a pair of Gull-billed Terns before retracing our "steps" back to the bridge to proceed inland. By now, more and more individual Bee-eaters and then our first Black Kites in the distance but showing their typical silhouette. Not to be outdone, a Booted Eagle decided that, he too, wanted to be added to the list as he flew above us. This first part of the track seemed to produce a steady stream of Turtle Doves and continuing up and beyond the "smelly" farm produced Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge and Wood Pigeon.

And so to the end of the track where we parked our car to walk a few hundred matres up the central track with the wooded slope on our left. Not so much the Hoopoe that flew off on to the right but all the raptors that seemed to appear in the sky above the trees and then at low level in and out of these trees. Occasionally mobbed by Kestrels when too low, the Griffon Vultures, at least twenty with a maximum group of seven, kept their distance but the Black Kites were all over the place. All seemed to be moving south as if starting their, very early, homeward passage and were in the middle of a heavy moult. The lack of primaries and tail feathers on some individuals beggared belief on how they managed to stay in the air in the first place. But, as usually always, find a large group of raptors and there is bound to be something different. So, no surprise when we picked up our second Booted Eagle but then the mystery bird. Certainly buzzard-like but quite right for the common variety. With Andy really off identification criteria we concluded we had a Long-legged Buzzard and, certainly, on returning home the Field Guides would appear to bear this out. However, what we could not make out was why the bird appeared to be continually carrying a small snake in his talons. Was this a "jess" or some form of radio tag? Inquiries, again, have been started.

It seemed a shame to leave but as it was already 1.30 we needed to make away back home, passing a small flock of hunting House Martins as we got back into the car, for a very late arrival in Malaga at about 3.15 pm. What a great morning's birding with nine (9) raptors plus the Little Owl giving a grand total of 46 species and the promise that we need to return in late August Even better, the small bar/restaurant that we stopped at for breakfast does accommodation so maybe.....?


See Andy Paterson's blog for a variation on the same theme at: http://birding-the-costa.blogspot.com


Birds seen:
Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Mallard, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Montagu's Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Black-winged Stilt, Audouin's Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Swift, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Green Woodpecker, Little Owl, Crested Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Stonechat, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Serin, Goldfinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Corn Bunting and Spotless Starling.

What, still no Orioles, golden or otherwise?

Jenny off to give some healing to a friend's dog, recovering from yesterday's operation, this morning so took the opportunity to drop her off and pay a nearby visit to the Eucapytus (Eucalytus globus) grove in the Rio Salia valley on the border between La Vinuela and Alcaucin. A Golden Oriole singing but did I see one? Plenty of Goldfinches, mainly juveniles, flocks of Spotless Starling, a small flock of Rock Doves resting in the higher branches of the trees, flocks of House Sparrows around the fringes and even a few Greenfinch to accompany the resident Blackbird and Collared Dove population whilst Barn Swallows flew overhead.

But no sight of a Golden Oriole though there were two sightings of a Spotted Flycatcher in the neighbouring Olive (Olea europaea) trees.

Axarquia Bird Group Visit to Zafarray and Alhama de Granada

What a day to have arranged for this month's Bird Group visit to Zafarraya and to walk the gorge from the pantaneta to Alhama de Granada; full sun, very little breeze and the temperature already in the high twenties before we even set off! On the other hand, having seen the Bee-eaters on the wire below the house as I drove down off the mountain the omens seemed set fair. This was to be born out by the excellent company, a very good range of birds species (totalling 43 - 44 if you include Eric's possible Nightingale but both excluding my individual sightings) and a Short-toed Eagle lazily soaring over the lake as I drove back up the mountain. Mind you, I then fell asleep for the next two hours following a welcome swim; must be a moral there somewhere!

Great company with fourteen of us enjoying the day's birding; John Dennis, Pat and Eric Lyon, Patrick, Werner, Patricia Shaw, Ian and his guest Bob from Benalmadena (they even had thick mist on their outward journey along the coast!), Don Norris and his wife, Malcolm and Susan Austin and John and Carol Lofthhouse; the last five undertaking their first visit with the group. So, transport organised, we set off for the old railway line at the Ventas de Zafarraya.

Never seen a Black Wheatear? Then you should have been with us as the birds seemed to have been "popping out of the box" at every turn and look to the rocks. One must assume that these birds have had a tremendous breeding season judging by numbers. Even allowing for "duplicates" we must have seen at least twenty to thirty individuals between the car park and the old railway building about 800 metres beyond the tunnel. But they were not the only small birds enjoying breeding success as there were many, as to be expected, Stonechats and at least three families of Melodious Warbler; one busy feeding at least four recently fledged chicks.

Whilst only one pair of Rock Buntings were seen, there were also sightings of Serin, Greenfinch and Goldfinch plus at least four different sightings of Rock Sparrow. As usual, there were good numbers of Crag Martin and House Martin plus occasional and Barn Swallow and Common Swift but we had to wait for the return journey to start seeing evidence that the Alpine Swifts were still present in the cave. By the time we left we had counted, between the small numbers moving in and out, at least twenty individuals in one mass exit. Marvellous sight. Still time to record Sardinian Warbler and a couple of Woodchat Shrike and Black Redstart but very few Blue Rock Thrush. The "cherry on the cake", perhaps, was the male Peregrine Falcon that, having circled to draw our attention, the settled on the rock face above - but, almost immediately, became invisible to us all. (Perhaps I should have lugged the telescope up the track with me!) As we left to make our way through the "strange" landscape to Alhama de Granada, it was obvious by their omission that there were no Choughs about during our visit. Great shame for those who had not seen these splendid birds.

The journey over to the little pantaneta above Alhama did produce a sighting for most of the lovely Azure-winged Magpie and a common Magpie on the electricity wires opposite the solar panel farm - but no Corn Buntings.

On the lake scores of Coot, a few Little Grebe and a small number of Pochard. In the trees around us we singing, and sightings of, Chaffinch plus a White Wagtail and a Corn Bunting. The best sighting, though, was the calling Great Spotted Woodpecker that, having introduced himself, then flew out of the branches above our heads giving mixed views to most. The following walk along the gorge was of mixed success. Having spent so much time at Zafarraya, there was not time to walk the whole gorge and, indeed, the group split into two at the small bridge crossing.

The seven who walked on had the benefit of a lovely walk and very little else other than a large number of young Barn Swallows that were taking advantage of the shade to rest in the trees at a low level. The only other point of note was a singing Wren and the large female Kestrel being mobbed by Spotless Starlings above and a rather ragged Swallowtail butterfly that appeared to be flying backwards! Very strange. Meanwhile, back at the poplar spinney near the bridge, all sorts of wondrous things were going on. Close views of Jays working their way through the trees, a Short-toed Tree Creeper, Chaffinches, Great Tits, Blackcap and Robins plus singing Golden Orioles. I think most of us heard these beautiful birds in this area but only the "Lofties" and a couple of others actually got to catch a glance of the birds as moved about high in the tree tops.

With time marching on it was necessary to make our way back to the Ventas de Zafarraya to enjoy a Menu del Dia but not before those in two of our cars actually, and eventually, managed to see a Chough fly over the road disappear down to the farmland below.

Birds seen:
Little Grebe, Pochard, Coot, Pererine Falcon, Kestrel, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Thekla Lark, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, White Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Melodious Warbler, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Woodchat Shrike, Black Wheatear, Golden Oriole, Serin, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting, Spotless Staling, Azure-winged Magpie, Magpie, Jay and Chough.

Guadalhorce today

Just before 9.30 this morning and Malcolm Austin and I were gathering our equipment together to see what lay install at the Guadalhorce "ponds"; more hopeful than yesterday given that the weather was quite overcast and we might get a couple of hours before the June sun roasted off our proverbial socks! Whilst there were Monk Parakeets overhead to bid us welcome, we were almost immediately joined by Eric and Pat Lyons and so we set off to see what we could see.

No sooner up on the track for the short walk along to the footbridge and it was obvious that we were going to be in the company of a good number of both Barn Swallows and House Martins. Looking down towards the river there was plenty of activity with good numbers of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and, at least, a couple of Linnets busily feeding on the grass seeds. Best of all, we were entertained to a very good sighting of an Orphean Warbler who decided it was better to sit exposed on a rock than hide behind the bushes and miss being seen, unlike the Sardinian Warblers who insisted on creeping around and within the said bushes. The other lovely sighting was of a single Turtle Dove resting quite happily at the top of an exposed branch on the other side of the river.

By the time we had reached the bridge, along came Andy Paterson to join us for the morning. His two friends, David and Ann, were already at the "hidden" lagoon so quite a little gathering for the first couple of hours. Unlike my last visits, there were very good numbers of Blackbirds about and the main pond produced the usual Mallard and White-headed Ducks plus a few Coot and Little Egret. A lone Cattle Egret had already flown over just before reaching the pond and was replaced by a pair of in-coming Heron. Also on the pond were a few Black-headed Gull and at least a couple of Yellow-legged Gull but the main spectacle was at least six magnificent-looking Audouin's Gulls. Beautiful.

Meanwhile, like the Blackbirds mentioned above, there were also regular sightings of Bee-eater and a single Hoopoe. The walk to the hidden lagoon produced a couple of Zitting Cisticola and good views of Reed Warbler before taking in the small party of young Gadwall swimming over the back of the pond. Then Pat's big surprise - and also seen by Andy. The flash of yellow, the black head and both had seen the Guadalhorce's mystery bird, the Black-headed Weaver. Indeed, probably seen both a true pair and two individual males.

The ponds at the rear produced yet more Black-winged Stilts and all three small plovers. Whilst the Little Ringed Plover was bust brooding on the island, the Kentish Plovers were quite happy to show off their youngsters as they fed on the water's edge below us. The big surprise was to find a single Ringed Plover; an early or failed breeder returning home or one that had opted out of the breeding frenzy and decided to stay put for the summer?

The smaller, nearer, pool at the rear provided us with our Pochard sightings. What a sorry state they looked as they worked away on their annual moult but, nevertheless, it was pleasing to see them. A walk to the sea-watch produced, apart form the sun-bathing birds of the non-feathered variety, at least six Mediterranean Gulls of varying ages. The only other birds of "consequence" would seem to have been the good numbers of Spotless Starling, Crested Lark, a pair of over-flying Jackdaw and a young Blue-headed Wagtail on the large pond. So, just about three and a half hours later. it was time once again to take our leave of this wonderful site and head back home having recorded forty-three (43) species - well, until Eric tells me otherwise! It's a shame I cannot include the two Woodchat Shrikes that welcomed me back onto my mountain less than an hour later.

Birds seen:
Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Mallard, Pochard, Gadwall, White-headed Duck, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Audouin's Gull, Rock Dove, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Monk Parakeet, Swift, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Black-headed Weaver, House Sparrow, Spotless Starling and Jackdaw.

Well done, Eric. There had to be at least one omission and considering that the Common Sandpiper flew round and round the hidden pond, at least three times like a lost F1 driver, looking for somewhere to land I ought not to have forgotten to include the bird in the above report! Perhaps its mummy never explained to him what sand/mud/water's edge looked like before she waved him goodbye for the return migration. As for the sighting of the soaring Short-toed eagle above your home, yes, it probably does outrank a pair of Woodchat Shrikes!

So that makes the morning's total a splendid 44 with the Common Sandpiper added to the above list.

Of foreign climes - visit to Rutland Water!

Back in the UK for a week so Thursday morning through up the opportunity to visit Rutland Water, a mere ten miles down the road, with my friend Ron from Leicester for a little over three hours. The forecast said dry but the cloud hinted at showers. I knew we were in for something special when I watched a soaring Buzzard as I drove along the road and then a Yellowhammer flew over the lane as I approached Engleton church just short of the entrance lane to the reserve.

By the time we had finished, it seemed as if we were seeing everything in threes; three geese, three raptors, three warblers, three "big water birds" but only two waders. It would have been three ducks but then a pair of Gadwall drifted past towards the end of the visit. No doubt, the star of the morning was the blase statement from the lady sitting further down the hide, "O look, there goes a Hobby." On following her view, not one but a pair of these magnificent birds soaring/gliding relatively high over Hambledon Church. Small birds in close proximity, mainly hirundines. I imagine that the birds had recently fed or it would have been a case of who wants to offer themselves up for mid-morning snacks?

The usual geese included Canada, Grey Lag and Egyptian with at least two of the last with family broods. Plenty of Coot and a few Moorhen plus the usual good numbers of Mute Swans. At the start of the list, still pairs of Great Crested Grebes and some Cormorants but no Little Grebe or Little Egret seen on this occasion. A solitary Heron and then the large numbers of Sand Martin became apparent. The artificial nest bank seemed to be well-occupied and there were also Swifts, Barn Swallows and House Martins. On the gravel islands a brooding Oystercatcher with another pair on the further edge of the pool and a single Lapwing.

"Flappy" birds were well represented with Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove plus a couple of Pheasants during the morning, the last feeding under the feeding station. Above, on the feeders, were copious numbers of Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Great Tit plus the occasional Blue Tit and Goldfinch. The young Great Tit certainly did not take long to discover how to use the feeders albeit not so clumsy as the Jackdaws undertaking their "tit-like" behaviour. Even a small group of Mallards had taken up residence in the area so that they, too, could feed on the spillage from the feeders. The other ducks were Shelduck, with lots of young, Shoveler and a single pair of Gadwall.

Around the site it was good to see close views of male Reed Buntings, a Skylark, Bullfinch, Robin and Wren. Warblers were represented by singing Reed Warbler, a Blackcap and singing Willow Warblers amongst the trees. Jackdaws were everywhere, which is always the case at Rutland Water, but there were also Crows and Magpies with Rooks in the fields on the way to and from the Water. On the other hand, a slow flying Jay over the water made a lovely change. Finally, the resident Black-headed Gulls were joined by quite a few Common Terns to make a final total of 49 birds for the morning.

Birds seen:
Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Mute Swan, Grey Lag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck, Buzzard, Hobby, Kestrel, Coot, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Pheasant, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Starling, Magpie, Jay, Crow, Rook and Jackdaw.

Barn Owls

Following our visit to see the Barn Owl and Kestrel nests last Thursday, Kay has forwarded me a couple of clips taken of the Barn Owl back in early April this year. The first shows Mum and at least two eggs whilst the second seems to show a recently hatched egg plus five others. Quite a large clutch.

Mark seemed to think that might have only been one surviving chick when we went but did say that it was very difficult to count as the little chap like to sit on the end of the camera! Not being a "state of the art" wide-angle lens aka "Springwatch", he is very limited by what he can capture.

Anyway, we enjoyed our visit and I am sure that you will enjoy thee clips which he and Kay have put on "U Tube". Enjoy.

See : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Ai1RTWLSk

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMSX8vg97lE

Axarquia at its best

When Jenny's therapy friend informed her that she had two couples coming to stay with her for five days and that both husbands were keen birders and would Bob be interested in talking them out for a morning or so, I was somewhat dropped in it at the deep end. Would I take them out? Of course I would and what a fantastic day it turned out to be - even if I missed my camera group meeting and was almost late home to greet our dinner guests. I may not have returned singing but I certainly had done a lot of warbling, if you will pardon the pun, having seen five warblers on one visit.

How else would you describe a day that sees you pass Bee-eaters on the way down from the mountain and then records a further fifty-three species, yes 53, with a further awaiting the outcome of a little CD listening to confirm or otherwise a possible/probable Golden Oriole? It seemed that every corner we took produced a new species and comment such as, "In the past I have seen a Crossbill in that tree" and we look up and there is a female Crossbill. Truly amazing.

Introductions completed, I set off with Barry Onley and Graham Spinks a couple of minutes after 9 o'clock for the climb up to the Zafarraya pass and a walk along the old railway track to the ruined wayside house about 800 meters beyond the tunnel. I explained that the target was to see the "Magnificent Seven", namely Chough, Black Wheatear, Black Redstart, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Blue Rock Rush and Alpine Swift. Come the winter months substitute the last for a Rock Bunting. Did we seem them? Yes, all but the Thekla lark but we had more than a bonus in the additional birds seen.

Spotless Starling, Blue Rock Thrushes and Black Redstarts immediately and, after hearing their raucous call, finally sightings of a handful of Choughs. Meanwhile, we were also seeing good numbers of Stonechat, a lone Red-rumped Swallow, a few House Martins and then the Crag Martins in very good numbers. Before reaching the tunnel a first sighting of a very sorry looking Rock Bunting closely followed by a pair of Rock Sparrow. Then it was the turn of the Alpine Swifts to put in a brief appearance but only less than a handful whilst we were observing.

No sign yet of a Black Wheatear but, finally, in the hollow above the old station house, we saw our first birds with that the gorgeous white display as they moved about. Indeed, once seen, the birds seemed to ever-present as we made our way back to the car! But that was not the only bird seen in the area. Immediately before reaching the ruin, we had watched a pair of Stonechat resting about three feet apart and there immediately below them was a rather lovely Dartford Warbler. Similarly, whilst watching the antics of a Woodchat Shrike on the fence opposite the ruin the bird was joined, then mobbed, by a rather beautiful Melodious Warbler. This dispute carried on for a few minutes (why did I not carry my camera with me on this walk?) until the warbler flew off followed almost immediately by the chat disappearing. One wonders, presumably, how old the warblers chicks might have been in a close-by nest and what vegetables the shrike might have to accompany his expected meal! Personally, we had roast potatoes and an assortment of greens to accompany our roast chicken- sorry, no offence meant; rather a fowl joke!

Returning to the car we also encountered our first Corn Bunting of the day, but they were still to be seen perched on their usual fences as we made our way to Alhama de Granada, followed by both Great Tit and Blackbird.

Not only is the "Muck heap" no more, the area has been fenced off so we had to park on the road to see our Thekla Lark. Interestingly, we were also able to identify a Crested Lark messing about on the canes for the newly-planted tomatoes on the opposite field.

Setting of for Alhama de Granada, the water trough actually produced a young Mistle Thrush having a great time splashing around in the water. A stop at the now fenced-off track to the "Brambling Field" was also successful. More Mistle Thrushes, including the afore-mentioned youngster who seemed to have arrived home to shake and sun himself dry, and sightings of the Azure-winged Magpies. At this point, not only did we pick up Barn Swallow, Swift and a passing Hoopoe but had to almost duck as a Sparrowhawk shot over at low level and disappeared into the trees. A case of, "Now you see men now you don't!" as they say. Finally, coming down the bank at the end of the woods to enter Corn Bunting country, a quick glimpse of a Jay and so across the arable fields where we also saw a pair of Turtle Doves.

The pantaneta at Alhama was very quiet, or so we thought, with lots of Coots, many still with young of varying ages, a few Pochards and a couple of Little Grebes. The usual hirundines feeding over the water but the main body of excitement was on land - and very close to the hide. Lots of Chaffinches to be heard and seen and then a singing Blackcap followed by a very close view. A White Wagtail walked the road and, on returning to the car next to the hide, a last look over the pool's bank produced, perhaps, the find of the day for me. A Garden Warbler in full view who was quite happy to return to almost the same spot every time he moved away. And this time I did get the camera out of the car! The Blue Tit and Goldfinches moving about above were almost a distraction. Whilst in the small copse at the back of the pool we all heard what could only be a Golden Oriole singing form somewhere close, probably in the woods between us and the picnic place reached from the far track. A decision is yet to be agreed; much listening to the CD required later today with the outcome to be announced later.

I suggested a stop at the start of the path to the gorge walk as we left as I had seen a Grey Wagtail there on the previous visit. No sooner had we got out of the car to look into the run-off than Graham had spotted the bird on the bank behind us. Incredible. If our luck was going to be in we might just as well take the car on down to the footbridge to see if the Dipper was going to put in an appearance. He might not have been present but the Wren was.

How could you not return without showing your guests that wonder that is the gorge in Alhama itself? So, off we went only for Barry to see the Great Spotted Woodpecker drop down on to a stone at the side of the road almost outside the "cave house" on the way back to the main road. Having parked the car a walk to the gorge produced all the expected birds including Jackdaws and Rock Doves.

Given that by the time we had a drink (non-alcoholic for the driver plus one) in Alhama it was pretty obvious that we were not going to be back in time for me to attend my 2.20 pm meeting. So, in for a penny in for a pound, we took the scenic forest drive home through the woods above Alcucin. But not before a look at the water trough on the return journey put up a Northern Wheatear and a Wood Pigeon flew across the road and away from us. Generally, very quiet until we got to the lower picnic sight where I sated how in the past I had seen Crossbills and Coal Tits in the area. Out of the car, looked at the said tree and there was a female Crossbill. How do you explain that and all the luck we had had all day? A walk to one of the lower areas then produced a small party of about four Long-tailed Tits and then, at last, there was our Coal Tit.

All that remained now was to get our stories right on why we were re-appearing at almost five o'clock rather than in time for a late lunch. All parties agreed that if I blamed the lads and they blamed me we would, most probably, get away with providing we could keep the girls apart! That's my excuse anyway for a truly remarkable and most enjoyable day's birding.

Birds seen during day:
Little Grebe, Pochard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Coot, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Alpine swift, Common Swift, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crested lark, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Woodchat Shrike, Wren, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock thrush, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Melodious Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Crossbill, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting, Spotless Starling, Jay, Azure-winged magpie, Chough and Jackdaw. Golden Oriole?

Raptors a plenty but Barn Owls?

What and incredible day's birding in the Axarquia; perhaps my best ever in the six plus years that we have been living here. But, sorry to say, the report must wait for the morning as I need to tell you about last evening's visit.

Invited to visit Mark and Kay's converted farmhouse home in the Rio Gordo area to see their resident raptors, Barn Owl and Kestrel, I left the mountain at 6.30 pm to meet up with with Mark Metcalf and his son Luke just east of the above farm so that, if necessary, we could take the 4 x 4 along the 2km track from the road. All on time at 7 pm and there to greet us was a magnificent Short-toed Eagle soaring gently above. What a way to start the evening!

As we progressed up the initial track in both vehicles we passed a good number of Thekla Larks and Serin and then reached the main junction and decision time. No way would a car proceed along the last two kilometers so all into my car. We hardly started when we stopped to admire a preening male Woodchat Shrike followed, further on, by Goldfinches and Greenfinches. Reaching the higher ground we stopped once again as we now had three Short-toed Eagles overhead and the a Red-legged Partridge decided it was time to make an early exit giving us another good sighting.

Finally, we arrived at the farmhouse where Barn Swallows and Swifts were busy enjoying their early evening frenzy to be greeted by Mark (owner). Made very welcome, with open access to drinks, he immediately took us to his web cams where he was able to show us the present situation in each next box. The five Kestrel chicks seemed to be a little restless as they waiting for their next feed whilst in the Barn Owl box, the single (we think) chick was one very large bundle of fluff doing his/her best to prevent is from seeing anything. Next we were taking to the family bathroom, no we were not that smelly, to see the Barn Owl nest. Separated from the room by just a sheet of frosted glass, it brings a whole new meaning to contemplating one's navel whilst using the ablutions - or even a great distraction whilst toweling down following a shower!

So, outside to look around and take chairs with us to make us more comfortable for our stay. Not needed initially as we were kept occupied watching a young Stonechat (there seemed to be only the one chick) being tended by its parents. A pair of Sardinian Warblers the put in an appearance followed by the first fly-past of the adult male Kestrel. This last bird seemed to spend much time in the general area but never returned to the nest with wood - whilst we were watching.

Singing Turtle Doves were next on the agenda until a flash and sudden re-focusing of the binoculars picked up a Montagu's Harrier hurrying along below us. Wonderful sight and special thanks to Luke who got the first sighting.

A little later we found a resting Short-toed Eagle on a a very low bush. What was even more amazing was that to hos right was a fox wandering along towards the bird without a care in the world. Not, in Spain, our traditional hunting red, rather a dull brown-looking animal that got within less than two meters of the bird before the former disappeared. The Eagle remained so, presumably, when "push comes to shove" Brear Fox, don't mess with eagles!

Then came the long wait for darkness, cameras at the ready, for the departure and/or arrival of the adult Barn Owls. Darkness may have been due at about 9.15 but we could still read at gone 10 pm! Finally, alas, we had to give up and retreat back to the farm, packing away all but binoculars into the car. The temptation of lemonade was not refused and even an unnecessary visit to the bathroom, which requited the switching on of lights, did not seem sufficient incentive to see if there was an adults in the nest box who would rather be outside.

So, did we see a Barn Owl? An adult, no, but there was that fluffy chick to, almost, make it all worth while. I am not sure what time Mark and Luke got back to Nerja (I did offer to write a letter to the Luke's headteacher explaining why he would be asleep most of the next day!) For me, the telephone call to ask, "Where the **** are you?" came at about 11.30 pm but, by then, I was within ten minutes of home so, I think, I got away with it!

Barn Owl nest box to the left and Kestrel abode to the right, both supported by half a billiard cue at act as a landing perch!


All in all a very enjoyable and rewarding evening - especially having been able to see the Short-toed Eagle and Montagu's Harrier.

Evening birds:
Short-toed Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Kestrel, Barn Owl, Red-legged Partridge, Turtle Dove, Swift, Thekla Lark, Barn Swallow, Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler, Serin, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.