10 October : La Janda

Ok, I know this is late in getting out but what with preparing for work done in the apartment which has meant emptying wardrobe and drawers (how the devil does one accumulate so much?) and taking the car in for a service (a full morning out but very efficient at the Suzuki agency), plus proof reading a book for a friend (very time consuming and an interesting read as far as I've got) and learning of the death of another (not exactly the sort of thing that makes one do backward somesaults of joy), time has conspired against me so here goes with the account of last Saturday's trip down to La Janda.
First, it appears that the observatory at Cazalla (that's the one on your right just before heading down towards Tarifa) has been closed with heavy machinery in there.
Also, the road westwards from the mirador del Estrecho westwards has got worse and unless something very expensive is done to remedy incipient slips with drops of up to 2 cms in the road surface and the seaward side, I reckon that if there is heavy rain there could well be some major land slips which will make going down there a major task.  

crayfish

I took the usual route: off the N-340 opposite the turn-off for Zahara de los Aunes, down to the drainage canal and alongside that before turning right over the bridge, up to the farm and past it, down to the track that runs southwards to eventually come out near Facinas. The harvesting of the cotton is still going on and the rice paddies are also being drained with the harvesting there also started. This meant that the American crayfish were coming off the drying paddies and for the first time my little dachshund met one, which had him rather bemused and fascinated.
Birding was good, with the White Storks (cigüeñas blancas) coming in and there were possibly as many as 1.500, although this is a very crude estimate, but few Glossy Ibises (moritos). At leasst 4 Green Sandpipers (andarríos grande) flushed out of the rice fields, but all that is jumping ahead somewhat as there was the usual male Stonechat (tarabilla común) awaitng me as I started off down the track.

However nice the Stonechat, I was really hoping for some halfway decent raptor watching and really did quite well, with no less than 13 species.
As expected, the most numerous was Marsh Harrier (aguilucho lagunero), with at least 10 females and juveniles and a couple of nice males, although as my counting was not particularly accurate that number is almost certainly on the low side. Along the canal bank track there were very good views of a Black-shouldered Kite (elanio común) which was using its incredible sight to spot what one must presume were voles, and at one point it parachuted down, wings held aloft but missed the target. Later, down the central track, another, less shy, bird gave good views.

 I had distant views of a distant subadult Bonelli's Eagle (aguila perdicera) and it was along there that I also saw two Hobbies (alcotán), one giving excellent views of this lovely, long winged falcon, as it shot southwards at high speed.
A very distant flock of Griffon Vultures (buitre leonado) was guesstimated at ca. 100 birds and later another group of 50 was briefly visible, these now starting to build up as the juveniles and some immatures start their annual migration and it will be quite possible to see biggish movements of these along the sierras if Andalucía, whilst almost certainly some, exhausted, will land in the most improbable places, often in villages and cities, occasionally on a motorway, and the police and/or guardia civil will be called out to remove it, a task I'm certain that many will not relish. A single juvenile Egyptian Vulture (alimoche) has been around La Janda for a while and it made a brief appearance to help boost the total.
Both species of Kestrel (cernicalo vulgar y cernicalo primilla) were seen and there were also several Common Buzzards (busardo), a pair of which hold a territory up at the NW corner. It was nice to see the first Hen Harrier (aguilucho pálido) (a juvenile) and later on, a superb male which really was the icing on the cake.

There was a southerly movement of Barn Swallows (golondrina común) all day, not massive numbers but a constant trickle and presumably feeding over the rice paddies as they went, and also a few Sand Martins (avión zapador). I must admit that I paid little attention to passerines but the white rumps of Northern Wheatears (collalba gris) are virtually unmissable and I saw at least 5, one of these very probably of the larger and more strongly coloured Greenland race, plus a flock of some 50 or so Yellow Wagtails (lavandera boyera) amongst the many flocks of sparrows and finches, including Linnets (pardillos).
However, the bird of the day was a distant, big, dark lump sitting in a field which I mentally marked down as a juv. Marsh Harrier (aguilucho lagunero), or until it took wing when it was definitely not a Marsh Harrier. It was too big by far, too broad in the wing with at least 6 primary 'fingers', a basically dark grey-brown with a new moon shaped, off-white, rump. It sat on an irrigation boom at around 400m range whilst I 'scoped it, pondered as to what it was, cursed the basic lack of any really outstanding features, and took a description over the next 20 minutes or so, during which time it took off and did a circle, thus revealing a dark underwing. Eventually it took off and vanished over the hillside. And I was still none the wiser as to what it was as I don't carry a field guide with me but did take two pages of field notes, although I was thinking in terms of adult Lesser Spotted Eagle (águila moteada), an age group I have never seen.
Later that afternoon, once home I consulted with the various guides, including Dick Forsman's, and discarded the adult Lesser Spotted in favour of adult Spotted Eagle (águila clanga) on the basis of darkness of plumage and what it didn't show. Time and the Spanish Rarities Committee will tell.

07 October: Las Norias and Roquetas

WARNING FOR THE DELICATE AND SENSITIVE  

This blog contains a photo of cannibalism. At the end there is a set of dragonfly photos. Have a good trip to Blighty, Gilly and Dave.

The 25th March was our last visit to Las Norias, so it was about time we made a return visit! Gilly, Val and I met up with Colin, Sandra, Rod, Kevin and John at the service station off junction 420 on the E15/A7 for a coffee before heading to the first causeway. Viewing was hampered by the ever increasing vegetation.  

adult and juv. Great Crested Grebe

The commonest birds on the water were Great Crested Grebes (somormujo lavanco), some of whom had juveniles with them. Colin spotted some Teal (cerceta común). I was surprised that there were no Shoveler (pato cuchara)yet. John spotted some distant Little Terns (charrancitos)down the far end where Kev and Gilly made a Grey Heron (garza real) count. The greatest number was 47. A pair of Common Sandpipers (andarríos chicos) flew low over the water. Kevin wandered round the side of the pumping station where there's a small reed bed. He saw Reed Warbler (carricero común) and Willow Warbler (mosquitero musical) and Sardinian Warbler (curruca cabecinegra) and Chiffchaff (mosquitero común) were also seen. A Cetti's Warbler was heard. Bird life was much the same on the larger lake. I think we only added Cormorant (cormorán grande) and Black-necked Grebe (zampullín cuellinegro). Gilly took various photos of dragonflies.

Moving round to the next side of the large lake, the view was slightly better over the water, but vegetation obscured the view on the rocky point. There were a few Red-crested Pochard (pato colorado) and some Gadwall (anade friso). We headed to the second causeway. 

Blue-headed (flava) Yellow Wagtail

The meadow was dry but it did have quite a few Yellow iberiae Wagtails (lavandera boyera) feeding there. Gilly was the first to spot the Night Herons (martinete común). There were about ten, some juveniles, perched on the far side of the smaller pool. A couple of Little Egrets (garceta común) were seen. Ducks included Mallard (azulón) and Common Pochard (porrón común). Apart from the odd Barn Swallow (golondrina común) flying over we also added Sand Martin (avión zapador), Magpie (urraca), Cattle Egret (garcilla bueyera) and Green Sandpiper (andarríos grande).

We then convoyed, via a cafe, to Roquetas, stopping at the end of a causeway which crossed the salina. The water level was very low, so numerous small waders were attracted. We saw  Little Stint (correlimos menudo), Dunlin (correlimos común), Ringed (chorlitejo grande) and Kentish Plover (chorlietjo patinegro). Kevin spotted a Spotted Redshank (archibebe oscuro)and later a flight of 7 of these flew off. I spotted a distant raptor, which luckily flew closer to us. After much discussion it was agreed it was a dark morph Booted Eagle (aguila calzada). Also seen were Greater Flamingo (flamenco común), Yellow-legged (gaviota patiamarilla) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (gaviota sombría).

We ended up with 40 species. Slightly disappointed if I'm honest, but it was good to be birding in great company.

Gilly and I are now away to the UK for two months. Rod and Linda are in charge.

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05 October : some birding (at last!)

This is just a bit of a ramble about some birding that I have managed to get in at last, although there are no photos to make it nicer.
01 Octber: It all actually started when I opened my e-mails at 17.50 to find one from Ernest García with a copy of one to him from one John Hepworth who had been visiting the Guadalhorce that morning and asking me if I could get down there. Now, when one opens an e-mail like that and it says 'Solitary Sandpiper' (andarríos solitario) more or less at ones backdoor the old heart does a bit of flutter and backwards flip. So, grabbing camera, binocs and scope and shoving the dog in the car, I was down at the spot where it had been seen some 20 minutes later. I presume the speeding fines will come later.
I set up, scanned and there, on the opposite bank of the river some 30m away, was THE BIRD in question. I know the species well, as I saw them regularly in the Bahamas, long ago and far away. I got a pretty good description using my little 50mm Nikon with the 27xWW as the eyepiece of my Zeiss scope is being repaired. However, things went pear-shaped when I tried to take a photo of it and the tele wouldn't zoom or focus in and the battery then died. Which is why you might have happened to see a bluish cloud over the Guadalhorce last Thursday afternoon and then the bird was disturbed by some fishermen and flew off.
So home, and write up a proper description. I went down early Friday morning but no joy, and the same Saturday when I at least had the chance of meeting John, its finder and comparing observations, which have a coincidence level of around 99.5%. Which should make it acceptable as it will constitute the third Spanish record of this North American species.
04 October: Remembered the daughter's birthday which made me realise that I am not getting any younger at all, so I consoled myself by going down to the Guadalhorce to spread goodwill as it was BirdLife International's international bird weekend and SEO-Málaga put on their annual ringing and 'this is a bird display'. I wandered around as it got hotter and hotter, enjoyed seeing a pair of Ruff (combatientes) (male and female) which really showed up the sexual dimorphism (I'm still trying to find out what it means but it's neither vulgar not catching), saw some 18 Sanderling (correlimos tridáctilos) and a few Dunlin (correlimos común) and Ringed Plovers (chorlitejo grande). As seems to happen each year, there was an easterly trickle of Grey Herons (garzas reales), with a flock of 25 filtering through from the east of which many landed at the ponds, with a total of  43 between 09-13h.
A nice female Northern Wheatear (collalba gris) was along the shore and way out at sea a few Balearic Shearwaters (pardela balear) and rather more Cory's Shearwaters (pardela cenicienta).
I saw many old friends, the emphasis on the 'old' increasing year after year but none told of others dropping off the planet.
05 October: Went to Fuente de Piedra to pick up the text for correction of a book on Sooty Terns (charranes sombríos) in the Seychelles which incorporates the results of 40 years of studies of this pelagic tern by Chris Feare (we original seabirders stick together) and he had seen 2 Whinchats (tarabilla norteña) on the fence on the way in before me but they had gone by the time I arrived. However, checking the book'll keep me out of trouble for a a couple of weeks!
And it also rained! All the time! There was none of this 'gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath' stuff (Shakespeare), this was good, honest to God, rain. We walked in the rain and  saw nothing except a distant Southern Grey Shrike (alcaudón real) whilst my little dachshund had a wonderful time running at high speed and tripping over furrows (you would too if your legs were only 10 cms long*) and ate something disgusting into which I will not delve further. He was wet, happy and is currently fast asleep!
We also saw the high serang of Fuente, Manolo Rendón, who I have known for around 30 years and who filled me in on the breeding of this year, with 3 nests of Lesser Flamingos (flamenco enano), one a colour ringed bird which I believe comes from a Belgian collection.
And that, you might, think, woud be that, but once home and staring mindlessly at the garden a largish warbler flipped into the lonesome pine and within 20 minutes there were no less than 3 Garden Warblers (curruca mosquitera) and Western Olivaceous Warbler (Zarcero Pálido Occidental), .

23 Sept. : Rambla de Almanzora and Villaricos (Almería)

It was back to our local patch, the Rambla de Almanzora, today. Gilly and I had already noted Yellow Wagtails (lavandera boyera)in a roadside meadow before we got to the "ford" meeting place overlooking the rambla. Barrie and Beryl were already there. 

Unluckily for the others, Gilly spotted a Glossy Ibis (morito) flying off up the valley! We also saw about 10 Cattle Egrets (garcillas bueyeras) flying over the desalination plant. After the other ten members arrived we commenced our walk beside the dry river bed. A Southern Grey Shrike (alcaudón real) showed well. A few Barn Swallows (golondrinas comunes) flew past and a Common Swift (vencejo común) was seen. Barrie was the first to spot the Common Redstart (colirrojo real) nicely perched on the power line. It was joined briefly by a Chiffchaff (mosquitero común) of which there were quite a few in the shrubs below. We heard Cetti's (ruiseñor bastardo), Sardinian (curruca cabecinegra) and Reed Warbler (carricero común). Also heard were Bee-eaters (abejarucos) and Jackdaws (grajillas) and Hoopoe (abubilla) and Greenfinch (verderón) were seen. At the sewage works there were a pair of Common Sandpipers (andarríos chicos). 

In a pool in the rambla were some young Moorhens (gallineta común) and in the larger pools there were numerous Mallard (azulón), a number of Black-winged Stilts (cigüeñuelas) and a flight of 4 Common Sandpipers (andarríos chicos) were seen. A Grey Heron (garza real) flew over. Retracing our steps, Gilly spotted a Kingfisher (martín pescador) which flew up the rambla, did a U turn and executed a wonderful fly past just below us. Gilly next saw a Pied Flycatcher (papamoscas cerrojillo), which was skulking around the tobacco plants and a Spotted Flycatcher (papamoscas gris) perched obligingly on the security fence by the sewage works. A Green Sandpiper (andarríos grande) was seen and the only other wader seen was a Ringed Plover (chorlitejo grande).

We had our usual coffee break in Villaricos before making our way to the beach, where there still a few "grockles". 

A solitary Audouin's Gull (gaviota de Audouin) was on the rocks by the harbour entrance and a Black-headed Gull (gaviota reidora) was on the shore line. Seeing nowt more we made our way to the estuary. Usually a mecca for hirundines, but not a single one. A Grey Heron (garza real) on the water pipe had caught a very large greyling(?) fish, easily as long as its neck. He kept picking it up assessing the size of it and his mouth and putting it down away. Kevin then spotted a Squacco Heron (garcilla cangrejera) on the spit, in fact there were two, together with some Audouin's (gaviota de Audouin), Yellow-legged (gaviota patiamarilla) and Black-headed Gulls (gaviota reidora). Also seen was a Sandwich Tern (charrán patinegro) and a Turnstone (vuelvepiedras). We moved onto the beach itself. Barrie spotted a Kingfisher (martín pescador) flying low over the sea. Three Ringed Plovers (chorlitejos grandes) were also seen.

Convoying to the dual carriageway above the "Consum" pools at Vera we were pleased to see a wide variety of waders. First on the list were Dunlin (correlimos común), followed by three Greenshanks (archibebes claros) and a Redshank (archibebe común), Kentish, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers (chorlitejos patinegro, grande y chico), Black-winged Stilt (cigüeñuela), two or three Ruff (combatiente) and a Wood Sandpiper (andarríos bastardo). Hot shot Gilly spotted a Wigeon (anade silbón) and also seen were Teal (cerceta común), Shoveler (pato cuchara) and Mallard (azulón). A couple of Little Grebes (zampullín chico) were spotted. There were 13 Greater Flamingos (flamencos) nearer the supermarket. Unfortunately our resident reed cutter is in the UK so there were virtually no views into the smaller pools. I did glimpse a couple of Grey Herons (garzas reales) and a Shoveler (pato cuchara). 

In spite of that we saw an incredible 53 species today. A good days birding in good company!

Got a note from my mother excusing me games next week, so the next report from Las Norias will be in a fortnight's time. In the meantime, good birding.

21 Sept. : Tarifa - La Janda

Before starting the account of the long awaited and much overdue trip down to Tarifa and La Janda with Federico, a quick comment that according to sources from northern Europe it looks like being a good autumn for Pallid Harriers (aguilucho papialbo),  A species which appears to be expanding its range westwards.  A juvenile Finnish bird is being satellite tracked and is currently in northern Spain. The daily position appears to be uploaded to the satellite link each evening when the bird is roosting, so herewith the link. 

 http://koivu.luomus.fi/info/tracking/index.php/mapper/map/cirmac_potku_autumn2015

Federico and I arrived down at the Cazalla observatory,  just outside Tarifa, at around 09.15. It was grey and reasonably windy but not cold. The first raptors were already moving, Black Kites (milanos negros),  Short-toed (águila culebrera) and Booted Eagles (águila calzada), a very nice male Marsh Harrier (aguilucho lagunero), a single Osprey (águila pescadora) and a flock of no less than ca.55 Black Storks (cigüeñas negras), of which we also saw more during the day.  Apparently last Saturday some 500 Black Storks were logged migrating south, which is a fair chunk of the western European population, somewhere in the 15-20% range, I believe.

The birds were coming over reasonably high so we decided to push  off to the Apolo XI bar (I saw the Apollo XI moonshot fly back in 1969 when I lived in the Bahamas) at Tahivilla, have a coffee and try our luck on La Janda.  The track alongside the drainage canal wasn’t particularly great, with lots House Sparows (gorrión común) and a surprising number of Corn Buntings (trigueros).  There were a couple of Green Sandpipers (andarríos grandes) in amongst the rice, some White Storks (cigüeña blanca) standing around but which took off south as the morning warmed up and a few Glossy Ibises (moritos). Occasional Marsh Harriers (aguilucho lagunero) and juvenile Montagu’s Harriers (aguilucho cenizo) floated around but it wasn’t until around 3 kms down the track that I spotted an Otter (nutria) cross in the rear view mirrow! A very chance and very fortunate observation!

The cutting of maize had started and ploughing was under way. Seeing 6 or so Lesser Kestrels (cernicalo primilla) was to be expected but the bonanza of insects and other creepy-crawlies revealed by the cutting and plough had attracted a massive number of Cattle Egrets (garcilla bueyera) and Jackdaws (grajillas) which must have come in from kms around. Our joint guesstimate was a mínimum of 3.000 and perhaps as many as 5.000 of the first, and around 800 of the second. Whatever the numbers, it was an amazing sight.

Going across the by the smelly (actually, not at all) farm, we stopped on the top road where normally I have some success but there was nothing, largely because of the noise of men working somewhere close. So, from there it was down to the central track which leads to near Facinas. It too was disappointingly poor for the first few kms but we ran into a quite spread out mixed party of passerines and this provided some very good views of Northern Wheatear (collalba gris) (8+) and also Black-eared Wheatear  (collalba rubia), a single Yellow Wagtail (lavandera boyera). There were, of course, the standard Stonechats (tarabilla común), but it was nice to come across no less than a mínimum of 10 Whinchats (tarabilla norteña). 

More surprising was the number of Tawny Pipits (bisbita campestre) – 10 at the least.

An unexpected surprise was the sight of 4 Roe Deer (corzos), an adult female with a younger animal and 2 more near adults from their size, galloping across one of the dried fields And all that rather sewed up the day, although we stopped a few minutes on the way back, watched more Booted Eagles (águila calzada) and later on Paco of the Cigüeña Negra observatory sent me a message that we had missed a Rüppell’s Vulture (buitre moteado) by 10 minutes. Thus is birding! 

16 Sept. Cabo de Gata & Rambla de Morales

Apologies to Dave and all, but for some reason this damned machine put his e-mail report in 'spam' and I've only just seen it. The wonders of modern technology, you'd think it'd recognise mail from Dave by now after all these years.

It's been nearly three months since the group had ventured down to Cabo de Gata so we were looking forward to today's trip. Gilly and I picked up Richard Shropshire from Los Gallardos on the way down. We met up with the other nine members at the Pujaire cafe. After a quick coffee we headed for the first hide. We immediately saw our first Marsh Harrier (aguilucho lagunero) of the day and more were seen later, including one bird setting off out to sea. Scanning the shoreline I spotted 12 Grey Herons (garza real) There were numerous Shovelers (pato cuchara) together with a few Mallard (azulón) There were one or two Little Egret (garceta común), an Eurasian Curlew (zarapito real) and a good number of Black-tailed Godwits (aguja colinegra). Little waders included Ringed (chorlitejo grande) and Kentish Plover (chorlitejo patinegro) and Little Stint (correlimos menudo). Gilly spotted a Little Tern (charrancito). Hirundines were mostly Barn Swallows (golondrina), but some Sand Martins (avión zapador) and a Red-rumped Swallow (golondrina daurica) were seen. 

A seawatch from the beach only produced a Sandwich Tern (charrán patinegro). The high winds were producing some decent rollers (waves, not birds!). Dave and Myrtle had already seen some Stone Curlews (alcaravanes) by the time we got to the second hide. They also pointed out a perched small bird. A juvenile Woodchat Shrike (alcaudón común). Gilly counted 466 Greater Flamingos (flamencos). A passing walker kindly put up a Whimbrel (zarapito trinador) and a Southern Grey Shrike (alcaudón real) was spotted.

The view from the public hide was magnificent. Loads of birds. There was a huge raft of Avocets (avocetas) and Barrie counted nearly 50 Black-necked Grebes (zampullines cuellinegros). There were numerous Redshanks (archibebe común) together with a few Greenshanks (archibebe claro). The shoreline had mainly Kentish Plovers (chorlitejo patinegro), but there were some Ringed Plovers (chorlitejo grande) and more Little Stints (correlimos menudo). Also seen were Sanderlings (correlimos tridáctilo) and a few Knot (correlimos gordo). All at once groups of waders took to the air. Must be a raptor...a juvenile male Montagu's Harrier (aguilucho pálido) and yet more Marsh Harriers (aguiluchos laguneros) were seen!

Dave and Myrtle headed to the shops and Jacky went for a walk so it was left to the rest of us to go for a coffee in Cabo village before making our way along the beach side track to the Rambla de Morales, seeing yet more Marsh Harriers (aguiluchos laguneros) on the way. Not many birds were present with Coots (focha común) and Yellow-legged Gulls (gaviota patiamarilla) Colin was the first to hear a Zitting Cisticola (buitrón).

There were a small number of Greater Flamingos (flamenco común). Three White-headed Ducks (malvasía cabeciblanco) were also present. Barrie then spotted a single Black Tern (fumarel común) as it patrolled up and down the very green waters.

Gilly had stayed with the vehicles and got an artistic shot of a Marsh Harrier (aguilucho lagunero) heading out to sea!

We then said our goodbyes. As we were in a 4x4 we headed along the track towards the campsite and added a Gadwall (anade friso) in a pool further down. As we approached the campsite a flight of 20+ Bee-eaters (abjarucos) flew past.

Ended up with a total of 44 species. Not bad considering we saw hardly and small land birds. They presumably were keeping their heads down, sheltering from the wind!

09 September, Sierra de María (Almería)

What can I add to Dave's introduction about the long, hot summer? Not a lot except that according to one evening news met. report, July was the hottest since records began with temperatures of 2.5ºC above the average and as far as I can see the same occurred in August, which was hotter than the gates of hell at times. All this made birding somewhere between extremely uncomfortable and bloody impossible, especially when rounded off by the heavy rain and, in Almería and Granada, heavy rainfall and flooding this week. So, off we jolly well go on another year of birding with Dave and the Arboleas Group. Thanks, Dave! 

After  two and a bit months off due to the excessive heat, we returned to birdwatching, following serious thunderstorms, heavy rains and flash floods, to a lovely day up at the Sierra de Maria. Approaching the town I spotted a "big bird" perched on a pylon, some 1,000 metres away. After zooming in with the camera it turned out to be a Short-toed Eagle (culebrera europea). Combined with a Kestrel (cernicalo vulgar) sitting on another pylon nearby, it was a good start! We met up with Trevor and Ann, Phil and Jen and new member Jim at the cafe bar in Maria. Whilst having a coffee we saw the House Martins (aviones comunes) were still hanging around. Also seen were Spotless Starlings (estornino pinto) and a Blue Tit (herrerillo común). 
We headed up to the chapel. Spotted 6 Magpies (urracas) (could do with some gold!) and some Wood Pigeons (paloma torcaz). Phil spotted a dark bird flying along the cliff face of the mountain ridge. I think it was a Raven (cuervo). The water trough was dry so no birds there. 

By the Information Centre we spent some time trying to ID some warblers flitting around in the middle of a holm oak and ended up with Chiffchaff (mosquitero común) and Subalpine Warbler (curruca carrasqueña). By the small pools we added Chaffinch (pinzón vulgar), Coal Tit (carbonero garrapinos), another Blue Tit (herrerillo común), Willow Warbler (mosquitero musical) and a Serin (verdecillo). Gilly and Ann hung around the gardens as the rest of us wandered round the lower walk. Here we saw our first Griffon Vulture (buitre leonado) of the day as well as a Blackbird (mirlo) and a flock of 60 migrating Bee-eaters (abejarucos). I spotted a small flock of Red-billed Choughs (chova piquirroja) floating along the mountain ridge. Returning to the Information Centre we added Goldfinch (jilguero).  
An impressive 24 Griffon Vultures (buitres leonados) were using the cliff face to gain height. I was just saying to Jim the commonest eagles up here were Booted (aguila calzada) when one flew past. Gilly and Ann were entertained by a couple of young Iberian Squirrels (ardilla ibérica) playing tag round a pine tree. 

Trevor and Ann saw a Jay (arrendajo) as we were heading to the farm buildings. Only added a Carrion Crow (corneja común) there. Nothing at all at the sheep's water trough so we motored along the plain. Birds few and far between with only Crested Lark (cogujada común) and about four Northern Wheatears (collalba gris). 
We stopped briefly at the hamlet and were met by another Booted Eagle (aguila calzada) soaring above us. The Lesser Kestrels (cernicalo primilla) presumably well gone. As we made our way back, Gilly spotted a raptor flying slowly over the ploughed fields. A Black Kite (milano negro), uncommon to us up here. Our first for Maria?

We ate our lunch at the La Piza forest cafe watching Jays (arrendajos), Crossbills (piquituertos) and Long-tailed Tits (mitos) either taking the waters or the cheesy wotsits sprinkled by the small pool. Gilly and I also had a Great Tit (carbonero común) after the others had left.

A really enjoyable day. Ended up with 31 species. Birdspotter of the day...Phil !