Spain- Day 12, 25/06

 7:15

Seeing as it was our last day, I got out as early as possible to get in as much birding as possible. The usuals seen included Spotless Starling, Serin, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Flycatcher, and a singing Turtle Dove. Two species which I haven't seen so much this holiday came in the form of a few Woodchat Shrike, and a singing Nightingale. The overwhelming best bird of the trip, however, was a Melodious Warbler (lifer) that showed well, giving great views and singing. 

17:20

A Hoopoe was showing well outside the villa again.

18:20

The Hoopoe was outside the villa again, giving point-blank views allowing an incredible view.

21:30

A final walk along the seafront this evening produced a few Balearic Shearwater, and some Yellow-legged Gulls.

So, although this was the final day of the holiday, it had been a great one. The Melodious Warbler was a great bonus, along with seeing the Hoopoe so close- a wonderful end of the holiday.

Spain- Day 11, 23/06

 10:30

A day-trip to Malaga produced what would be expected, with plenty of Monk Parakeets, Yellow-legged Gulls, Collared Doves, a flyover Bee-eater, and a single Serin seen.

18:15

A Hoopoe was showing brilliantly outside the villa late this afternoon.

A very enjoyable day, mostly taken up with a great trip in Malaga. Seeing the Hoopoe extremely well in the afternoon also gave the day some interest in the way of birds as well, so happy to have been able to finally get some decent photos of this species!

Spain-Day 10, 23/06

 10:30

A trip to the sea and market in Torrox Costa this morning didn't produce much, other than a few Yellow-legged Gulls and Monk Parakeets.

14:45

A rather tiring walk in the heat this afternoon produced plenty of Red-rumped Swallows, Serin, Sardinian Warblers, Spotless Starlings, and best of all, a few Woodchat Shrike, including a stunning male, making for a great year-tick.

With the holiday coming near to a close, the action is still relentless, which came in the stunning Woodchat Shrikes making for another eventful and interesting day. 

Spain- Day 9, 22/06

 7:15

A long walk this morning found a very obliging family of Black Wheatear (year tick), and a singing Nightingale, heard and seen, which was rather unexpected. Also seen were plenty of Serin, Turtle Dove, Sardinian Warblers, Spotted Flycatcher, and Red-rumped Swallows.

20:00

An afternoon void of much interest ended with a short walk down the hill. The only thing of interest was a probable harrier sp. that flew overhead, but it was directly into the sun so I haven't been able to identify it yet. Seemed likely to be Montagu's, as it was very small. Got some research to do! Also seen were a few Serin, Spotted Flycatchers and Spotless Starlings.

Another nice day, great seeing the Black Wheater so close- fast becoming a favourite of mine, they're great! 

Spain- Day 8, 21/06

 7:15

A Turtle Dove was on the wires outside the villa this morning.

10:30

A morning swim in the Mediterranean down in Torrox brought much of the usuals, including Monk Parakeet, Balearic Shearwater, Yellow-legged Gull, and another very cool Bonelli's Eagle on the way home.

15:30

A few Booted Eagles were circling around the villa this afternoon.

Overall, a very nice day, with some very cool birds being seen (and a bit of improvement in the cricket which lightened the mood!), leading to a fun, relaxing day.

Spain- Day 7, 20/06

 8:45

A very chilled morning around the villa had a little bit of excitement, with a Hoopoe flying around. 

15:30

A Lesser Kestrel briefly landed on the wires outside the villa this afternoon.

18:30

A trip for dinner this evening in Frigiliana produced another Bonelli's Eagle, and a few Crag Martins, a very cool lifer to get.

Although it was pretty slow going today, seeing the Crag Martin was brilliant, and an unexpected bonus of a very relaxing day.

Spain- Day 6, 19/06

7:50

A very early start to arrive at Desembocadura del Guadalhorce before the heat hit was a great success, with some great species seen including Bee-eater, Slender-billed Gull, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Flamingos, Hoopoe, Zitting Cisticola, some very cute Rosy-faced Lovebirds (escapees I believe). The best however, were a pair of Black-necked Grebes (year-tick), a single Black-crowned Night-heron (lifer), Great Reed Warbler (another lifer), and my favourite of all, the bird I was most hoping to see this holiday, the White-headed Duck, a third lifer of the excellent, and very successful, trip.

17:30

A Bonelli's Eagle briefly circling around the villa this afternoon added another lifer to this already brilliant day.

20:00

Dinner on the seafront this evening produced a massive number of Balearic Shearwaters, with a huge flock offshore. The highlight of the evening, was two Audioun's Gulls that flew past, a fifth lifer of the day.

What a day, 5 lifers, and 6 year ticks. Seeing the White Headed Ducks was brilliant, as I had really hoped to see them. The Bonelli's Eagle was also a great surprise, along with the Great Reed Warbler, which I hadn't expected to see.