
Another raptor that spends its summer holidays in Spain is the Short Toed Eagle, we see them a lot searching for snakes in the countryside around our house. At this time of year they are slowly heading back towards Africa, usually in pairs. The one below was one of a pair that hung around for a few days.
After some recent heavy rain I took a short walk around the Rio Velez which has become very overgrown. The riverbed is almost dry as bullrushes and reeds have sucked out what little water is available. Hopefully we will have lots more rain this winter, it is much needed. The bullrushes are good for some birds like this Penduline Tit which I watched stripping a seedhead. Unfortunately it was at a distance so the shot is very poor but I post it as it is the first time I have been able to capture this uncommon and attractive little species. |
It is about now that Chiffchaffs return from Northern climes to spend the winter here. At the same time we also have Willow Warblers and other small passage migrants passing through and it is sometime difficult to distinguish the species. The one to the right is a Chiffchaff I think, note for example the dark legs and eyestripe. The bird below is a most likely a Willow Warbler even though there is not much yellow colouring. Look at the pale legs and pale eyestripe with little or no black. The length of the primaries can be a good indication, here being a bit too long for a Chiffchaff, also the overall size and length were more typical of Willow Warbler. |