Golden Oriole
Golden Orioles continue to bring a splash of summer colour to the orchards and woodland of the Alpujarras.
After a short break back in the UK visiting family I’m back working on the hillside above Lanjaron once more. We’re in the third week of July now, and the olive groves are somewhat quieter with the breeding season now over for many of our most familiar species.
One call in particular however rang out over the hillside today, giving the hot, sunny afternoon a truly tropical feel. I say one call but in truth I heard the full vocal range of this spectacular summer migrant while I worked through the day. Jay-like screeches and cat-like squawks, and fast “gigigigigi” chatter oddly reminiscent of a falcon.
All these tell-tale calls have become familiar over the warmer months but without a doubt it’s the unmistakable sweet, flutey “wee-la-wee-oh” song that has come to epitomize the summer down here in Andalucia. It was of course a Golden Oriole, loudly advertising its presence from the cover of a cherry tree only yards away.
I think there was a pair here today, but they remained as frustratingly elusive as ever. With its brilliant yellow body and jet black wings and tail the male particularly is a stunning bird, but as we’ve commented on before they can be very secretive and particularly difficult to see well.
Great to get a decent view towards the end of the day then, as the male broke cover and came to rest briefly in a dead tree on the slope above me. Superb colouration against the bright blue of the summer sky who could ask for more? I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing them. Keep checking the posts as we continue to bring you all the birdwatching news, as a fantastic season rolls on.
