MARCH
The Migration – Yes it happened! The first week saw the arrival of flocks of up to 50 Black Kites and Honey Buzzards flying over the valley on route to the plains of central Spain. Usually the migrants circle the valley for a few hours spiralling on thermals to gain height. Short Toed and Banellis Eagles also arrived in this week but remained in the area. Hoopoes also arrived and could be seen on the wooded slopes surrounding the valley. From the 21st onwards small flocks of Bee Eaters began to arrive, eventually joining together so that by the month end one large flock of around 80 birds cruised around the valley.

APRIL
Cuckoos and Nightingales: Two unmistakable sounds arrived in the first week. Cuckoos in the daytime and the clear melody of the Nightingale all night. The Short Toed Banellis and now the Booted Eagles can be seen. Frequently now their calling and aerobatic displays showing signs of pairing and courtship. The swallows and Martins seem to be increasing in numbers daily and is a battle to keep them out of the house as they inspect for prospective nest sites.

MAY
Apart from the Bea Eater colony cruising up and down the valley and the Swallows and Martins swooping over the river at dusk and dawn everything is quiet. Most birds have gone to nest.

JUNE
Swallow fledglings on the power lines assorted Finch, Shrike and Blackbird chicks everywhere. A successful hatching this year. The Nightingales stopped singing mid month. Perhaps its their turn to nest. No more melody till next year.

THE Swallows and Martins arrived in numbers from the 20th. The odd early bird could be seen before then but were likely to be passing through going north. February turned out to be a very wet month with the weather system coming form north to south which tends to hold back the birds migrating from south to north. In the last week of the month the odd Crane appeared on the flood plain but did not stay for more that a day. They are probably looking to refuel and rest before progressing north. I am expecting much more activity in the sky in March when the migration is in full swing; hopefully it will stop raining by then!!!

THE floods have receded leaving a different river bank. The river is now 50% wider with a lot of trees and shrubs missing leaving a more open aspect. Flocks of up to 20 Cormorants arrive daily flying from the coast up the valley. Obviously the number of Barbel in the river have not declined because of the flood. The deeper water makes the fish easier to catch as Cormorants need to dive to catch the fish. In the last week of the month several Short Toed Eagles have been spotted in the area. Perhaps the sign of an early spring.

A QUIET month for bird life. The Herons and Egrets have remained but in lower numbers. The heavy rain which started mid month resulted in major floods which devastated the entire river valley with most of the river banks and flood plain under several metres of water, the local bird life left to find more hospitable places.

THE autumn migration did not happen this year. The expected flights of small flocks of Black Kites, Honey Buzzards and various Eagles did not appear. The reason, high winds and weather systems originating in the south and blowing north in Europe made the normal migration routes through the Gibraltar Straits difficult. As a result the majority of migrating birds made their way south by crossing into France and then south through mainland Europe.

The river level was very low this month making observation of the fish and wildlife on the riverbank easy. Friends of mine reported seeing a brown furry animal briefly on the river bank and in the water margins with some controversy of its species, ie. Otter, Mink, Mongoose etc.

On the 16th while walking along the riverbank at twilight the animal passed by immediately below in mid stream allowing the water current to carry it along. I can confirm that the mystery animal was an Otter.

In the last week of the month Egrets began to appear on the flood plane. Easily spotted by their pure white plumage and habit of following the livestock around (in our case sheep). As the week passed more and more appear until up to 20 birds could be seen, however they would disappear at twilight and reappear at first light. They left to roost altogether in the low trees overhanging the river in the village next door to the El Gecko Hotel. Next to the Egret roost the Grey Herons decided to set up shop. So the veranda behind the El Gecko Hotel where both Egrets and Herons circle in at twilight is the place to be.

A VERY quiet month as all the summer visitors left by the end of the first week. The most common birds remaining are Grey and Yellow Wagtails searching for tasty morsels at the waters edge and large flocks of Goldfinch feasting on the thistle seed heads which abound on the flat flood plain at the valley bottom.

Obviously there are a great number of species of LBT’s ever present because of the diversity of habitats but it would take too long to identify all of them here. Worthy of mention are the daily sightings of Griffon Vultures which usually pass by at high altitude as they scan the entire Grazalema countryside for food.

On the 18th we had a spectacular view of 50 plus Vultures flying at tree top height around the flood plain. Pretty un-nerving when you consider these birds stand about 4 feet high and have a wingspan of 10 feet. The answer was a dead sheep which had met its demise overnight.

I am expecting the autumn migration to begin near the months end so my eyes are on the sky for the spectacle. Update in November.

THE month started with the constant calling of a pair of Short Toed Eagles circling overhead. This lasted four days without explanation until I noticed this year’s chick which had recently fledged and still finding its wings.

On the river bank the Bee Eaters, a colony of around 40, also began to gather more closely than usual in preparation for their migration south. They left in the third week along with the Eagles, leaving a much quieter valley.

On the river bank I was pleased to see the Kingfisher was still here and not tempted to move territory further down stream. The river is at its lowest level as no rain has fallen for six months and is full of this year’s young barble, which shoal in the shallows. Not surprisingly Grey Herons and the odd Cormorant are ever present taking their share.

I know of nowhere else when, at dusk, Swallows and Martins, Bats and Dragon Flies occupy the same air space at the same time. Always an inspiration.