Woke up to a stunning, if not freezing morning at the villa, with almost cloudless skies and a dawn chorus to die for! The morning mist was shrouding the valley's below and the sun just creeping from behind the mountains.
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| Nuthatch reveals himself! |
A couple of
Nightingales singing just below the villa as I set off around the grounds and then the stunning calls of a
Golden Oriole. Try as I might I simply couldn't get any decent views of these shy and mobile birds, save for a brief glance as it flew to its next hideout. The surrounding conifers are providing excellent cover but patience paid off when I managed
Crested Tit (2)
Firecrest and a noisy
Nuthatch (several seen) appeared before perching on the telegraph pole for a while. Quick views of a
Treecreeper, which at this point will have to remain as Eurasian, with Short-toad Treecreeper also residing in this area I'm listening out for the calls for a more positive ID.
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| Cirl Bunting in his favourite perch! |
A
Cirl Bunting was singing from what I've now decided is his favourite spot, having come across him yesterday evening. Two
Ravens over as I made my way in for a coffee, at least a dozen
Bee-eaters calling as they passed through and a constant stream of
Common Swift, even at this early hour.
Wren,
Chaffinch and
Jay around the patio and distant sounds of drumming Woodpeckers. Looking forward to a day at the coast later!
