Sunday, April 16, 2017

Diary Update #2 Spain 2017

πŸ”† Saturday 15th April 2017 πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Έ  ~ Having picked up Dave from his delayed flight from Amsterdam at 2am from Malaga it was a sleep in for me this morning! I was still up just after 9am though and on the terrace for coffee and a vis~mig.

Wild Boar at work around the villa grounds....
The sheer amount of Common Swifts passing through at the moment is a sight to behold and in among the steady stream are smaller numbers of House Martin, Barn Swallow and Red-rumped Swallow. I'm hopeful that a few more Pallid Swift will come through while I'm here and an Alpine Swift is always on the cards.

Record shot of Booty Eagle over the villa!
Raptors have been a little thin on the ground but Common Kestrel, Booted Eagle and a Black Kite have all been noted. Bee~eaters are heard more often than seen and at one stage eight Crossbill passed over. In the surrounding scrubland just below the villa NightingaleSardinian Warbler, Serin, Jay, calling Red-legged Partridge and a Turtle Dove. The Wild Boar have also been at it again overnight with large swaths of ground dug up within the grounds. Several butterflies around the terrace including Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail and Clouded Yellow.

Rock Bunting at the observation area Refugio Juanar
In the afternoon a casual stroll, not particularly birding orientated, in the mountains above Marbella Refugio Juanar with Dee and Dave. At 1200 meters the mountain of La Concha is one of Marbella's most recognisable landmarks. We spent a little time around the olive groves checking out the many butterflies which included Small Heath, Clouded Yellow, Wall and Common Blue. The area is also covered in walnut and pine trees. Birds of note included Short-toed Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting.

More images of the day....

Scarce Swallowtail

Clouded Yellow