THE SPANISH EXPEDITION (PART 2)

 The tour continued in much the same way visiting various birding sites around the area.

 BLACK KITE probably the most common raptor.

CORK OAK-

BONELLIS WARBLER

IBERIAN GREY SHRIKE

 BLACK VULTURE

 GRIFFON VULTURE

 GRIFFON VULTURE

 SUBALPINE WARBLER

 SUBALPINE WARBLER

 SOUTHERN BROWN ARGUS

 BLUE ROCK THRUSH

 CRAG MARTIN

 SPANISH FESTOON - Unfortunately the only one seen,this was taken from about 20 yards away down a steep embankment,so I am relatively pleased with the result.

 SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE

 S I EAGLE

 BLUE ROCK THRUSH

 BLACK STORK ON THE NEST

 ROCK BUNTING

 ROCK BUNTING SINGING

 ROCK BUNTING SINGING

 EGYPTIAN VULTURE

 BONELLIS EAGLE STOOPING

 these record shots were taken at quite long range.

As the sunset after we had eaten it was back to the gorge to look for Eagle Owls,a few of the group had a glimpse of one as it left its roosting spot,but it did not show again.




Early morning at base was very noisy with hundreds of sparrows chattering away,the loud clicking of the storks,hoopoe calling,bee eaters shouting to each other larks ascending in song,not to mention the jangling song of the corn buntings,it was marvellous.

 CORN BUNTING

 CALANDRA LARK

 SPOT THE WHEATEAR.

 SPECTACLED WARBLER

 SPECTACLED WARBLER

 WHINCHAT

WHINCHAT

 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE

 TERRAPIN

 ROLLER- The local electricity company has provided nest boxes for Rollers, Lesser Kestrels and Little Owls on every post in this area,brilliant.

 ROLLER

 ROLLERS ON THE ROCKS

 LITTLE OWL

 ROLLER

 CRESTED LARK WITH CATERPILLAR

 SHORT TOED LARK

 SWALLOW 

GREAT BUSTARD - Strutting his stuff,again too distant for anything other than record shots but his displays attracted the girls but they seemed more interested in feeding than mating.

A great display.

There endeth part 2 third and final part to follow soon.