Steart

Was trudging out to the mudflats in the drizzle when completely unexpectedly a Yellow-browed Warbler psweeeted! Didnt take too long to find it rather agitatedly jumping around in the tops of the bushes. Didnt have the heavyweight camera though this time so here is picture taken later of the bush it was in.

Glebelands and Winspit

Bit of movement over Glebelands, highlights couple of Ring ouzel, Tree Pipit, 7+Brambling and a couple of Mistle Thrush north. Greenland Wheatear on ridge.

Had a look in at Winspit but it was very quiet indeed.

More northerlies more Glebelands

Same conditions today with blue sky creating more photographic opportunities.

This Thrush was flying around in circles!

More Goldfinches on the move

Some Ring Ouzels

Two shots of same bird

3 Greenland type Wheatears on top of ridge

Later as I was doing paperwork in the conservatory I was visited by this Jackdaw, it just came down and landed on the door despite there being plenty of other places to perch higher up. It then proceeded to preen, not taking a blind bit of notice of me.

'Jack door'

Glebelands

North easterlies meant it was time to go up to the Glebelands end of Ballard to see what was struggling up the hill. It turned out that there were plenty of birds moving, the most numerous being Goldfinch with 748 in 1 hour.

The good thing about the top of Glebelands is that birds are moving up the hill only a few feet off the ground in some cases allowing photographic opportunities. Below are some of the movers.

This Greenfinch was actually taking off from a tree in the garden but thought may as well stick it in here. Oddly of the 2100+ birds that moved through in the hour, only 11 were Greenfinches

Day 4. Punta Paloma and Baelo Roman ruins

Down to the beach early morning. Couple of Kentish still about but not so approachable as last night.

A fair movement of Gulls east toward Tarifa, mainly Yellow-legged with a few Audouin's

There were also quite a few Honey Buzzards moving just after dawn, many going straight out to sea from here rather than moving closer to Tarifa despite the windy conditions.

Later in the morning with the wind dying a bit a few more raptors moving as we walked around the Roman ruins at Baelo.

Biggest movers were Honey Buzzard and Black Kite. All the Kites I looked at seemed to be the rufous type again for some reason

On the way back there were a few Pallid Swifts hanging about so pulled over to try and get a few shots. Quite a difficult bird to photograph as you would expect but easier than hirundines as at least they keep on a relatively straight course!

Day 3. Ojen Valley

Followed a dirt track today for over 10 miles through the Ojen Valley where in some places the birds were passing at eye level. They all safely negotiated the turbines this time. Apparently the road was an improvement on what it was!

This Lesser Kestrel was one of about 10 that were hanging in the wind near Los Barrios

Just in case you didnt believe me that it was one, here is a shot of its underparts

Visited the beach by our Finca in the evening where there were a few Kentish Plovers

RC Starling Brands Bay / Greenlands

Found by Steve Smith whilst doing another vigil at Brands Bay but this time actually seeing something worthwhile. He certainly deserves it after all the hours he puts in.

The whole flock was surprisingly skittish, allowing no sort of approach at all so shots are a bit limited