Another Wednesday morning arrives, and it’s birdwatching on the local patch as usual. First trip of a new month and I’m hitching a lift up the mountainside to take a walk back down through one of my favourite stretches just outside the village.
On the drive up the slope we passed through pasture and old olive trees, a regular spot for Woodchat Shrike…as ever, had good views of this beautiful summer migrant perched in the treetops, watching intently for movement on the ground below. Even better was a great view of a Hoopoe, disturbed while it foraged on the ground as we drove by, moth-like as it took flight in vivid black and white. Fantastic to be seeing these spectacular birds more frequently in recent weeks.
I got dropped near a riding school so Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows were no surprise, found near human habitation out here just like back home. With Swifts casting shadows over the track as they swirled overhead I quickly found Stonechat and Corn Bunting, both showing well, holding their territories from the tops of bushes as I walked by. Crested Lark and a Kestrel added interest but I was keen to spend a little time near a small farmed area further downhill…the mix of Chestnut and fruit trees offer a break in the habitat and sure enough I wasn’t disappointed.
A Sardinian Warbler sang strongly from a tree top perch behind me, adding to the Chaffinch, Serin and Blackbird I could hear nearby…but that wasn’t what had caught my attention. Unusual Jay-like screeches and clear, clean “tropical” notes could only mean one thing. A search of a fig tree with my binoculars confirmed it. Golden Oriole! Unbelievable bright yellow and jet black, I could even make out the striking pink-red of the bird’s bill. I watched until it moved on, crossing the valley me before disappearing into cover a short distance away. Brilliant.
Carrying on downhill I left the trees behind and returned to the low, dry scrub of the hillside…and the day just got better. Spectacled Warbler, only the second clear view I’ve had of this bird since arriving, delivering its scratchy song from a perch only a few yards away. Great start to the month! As I worked my way down Stonechat as always escorted me on my way as I rudely passed through their patches, one pair with a scruffy, slightly lost looking juvenile helping its parents out with guard duties.
Reaching the olive grove and pasture the Woodchat Shrikes completely ignored me, happy to hover briefly and drop down suddenly onto prey as I quietly passed them by. Had a nice view of a Black-eared Wheatear before sitting down to wait for my lift. Heard but didn’t see a small party of Bee Eaters fly past, their “pruh…pruh” calls a familiar sound now. More great views of Hoopoe here…first one then soon after a pair, fluttering off together after feeding on the ground between the trees. All in all a wonderful few hours…hope the rest of June is as good!
The day wasn’t over however, and while I was watching Swifts feeding over the village before the trek home another first for this season. A falcon cleared the skies briefly as it patrolled overhead, too big and powerful to be one of the Kestrels…Peregrine! High up and moving quickly, but with its “moustache” and white throat clearly visible. I had heard they’re seen over the valley below the village but this was my first ever outside the UK. Fantastic! With a really good view of a pale-form Booted Eagle moments later, the day was complete. Never a dull moment in the Alpujarras…
