27/5/2015: Aracena Castle

While Debbie and the girls were visiting the caves at Aracena I walked up the hill, in blistering heat, to visit the church and castle above Aracena.

The view from the walk around the castle were superb and it proved to be an excellent spot for birdwatching. As I walked under the bell gates a Blue Rock Thrush flew up onto the walls. Swifts and Crag Martins wheeled and screamed above the ruins of the castle. As I sat on the stairs to the firmly closed door to the castle a female Ortolan Bunting hopped from rock to rock. A very scruffy Griffon Vulture slowly drifted by followed shortly afterwards by a Booted Eagle being mobbed by Swift. 

The real treat was the number of White Stork drifting in and out of their nesting area on the church roof just below the castle.

After a wonderful lunch of Loin of Pork we returned to Zoya for an afternoon of lazing in the sun and Terrace birdwatching. Nothing better than sitting in a deck chair, beer in hand and binoculars at the ready. The vegetable patch attracted a Hoopoe for a brief visit, but the three Cirl Bunting (2 female) spent a good time hunting. A Nightingale put in a very good appearance as did a male Redstart. The tree we do not know continues to attract Blackbird, Blackcap and best of all a pair of Golden Oriole. 

Back to St Eulalia that evening for more Woodchat Shrike, 

Bee-Eater and plenty of Corn Bunting calling constantly.

A couple of Rollers but in a brief appearance along with Wood and Thekla Lark. Spanish Sparrow were gathering along the farm wall and groups of Spotless Starling were gathering for the night. As I moved down towards the 'main' road Sardinian and Subalpine Warbler fluttered from bush to bush calling softly. We stood for a while and listened to the Nightjar churring.

Other highlights from the rest of the week

While Terrace watching a Hawfinch was a real treat landing in the bushes and staying there for five minutes of so. A female Golden Oriole was by the stream below the house as were the Nightingale that would sing through out the night. Short-toed Treecreeper were ever present along the path by the river and a Melodious Warbler was showing well by the newly renovated mill. Red Rumped Swallows were over the open fields.

While sitting in the car park waiting for Debbie I was surprised to see a Mongoose attacking a tortoise, dragging it down towards the undergrowth by the river. An amazing sight.