9 September, , Los Filabres; ARBOLEAS BIRDING GROUP

Nice as ever to have news from w¡th eastern end of Andalucía in the form of the doings and sightings of the Arboleas Birding Group on thei rvisit to Los Filabres courtesy of Dave (although I must say it seems damned unfair leaving Gilly to the cleaning and all that household stuff). The photo of the juv. Rock Thrush is his and by coicidence Bob Wright saw one near his home up near La Vinuela in the Axarquía. They must be moving out so keep eyes peeled.

After an enforced break due to the hot weather, visitors, a new pozo (well) and a power surge at home that took out the TV, digibox, internet and telephone system I was looking forward to a pleasant days birding up in the Sierra de Los Filabres. Myself and two other members (Gilly committed to cleaning and washing!) ascended from Tijola towards the hills behind.

We stopped at the valley by the bridge, where water was still flowing. We heard Cetti's Warbler and a Whitethroat was spotted. We carried on upwards to the road above. As we approached the layby I spotted a large brown raptor to the right. After a rapid egress from the truck, we got a good view of a Golden Eagle. A Green Woodpecker was heard, but two Turtle Doves were seen. We proceeded further down the road and stopped next to some birds on the wire. We were very pleasantly surprised to see three Rock Thrushes, lots of Bee-eaters, a juvenile Woodchat Shrike and a Black-eared Wheatear.

Further along the power line, where it ran above a water deposit, we saw a 60+ flock of Rock Sparrows waiting to drink, as was a Blue Rock Thrush. Having passed the Bacares turn we ascended again towards the mine. On the way we began to follow a very slender winged, slim, fast falcon. Dark above, pale/white below. It just had to be a Hobby. Well pleased! Very little at the mine. The observatory plateau must be a feeding station for migrating Apus and Hirundines. The skies above the pines were full of Pallid Swifts, House Martins, Red-rumped and Barn Swallows. A very good day. 32 count. Great to be back in the groove.