Tuesday 11 February 2014

Ronda


Had a short Break in Ronda, Andalusia last week. Not really a birding break but took bins and camera anyway. We flew into Malaga and briefly checked the Rio Guadalhorce reserve - Noisy but hidden Monk parakeets, black redstart and a close in Black necked grebe on the sea were the highlights.
Ronda is a dramatic clifftop town



















with a healthy chough population 
and resident spotless stalings and Crag Martins    
a

Choughed to bits


















spotless starlings





























 






Being so close, I had to visit Llanos de Libar, An upland valley that I last visited with Eddie and Simon 2 yrs ago in spring. trip report here  Despite the pouing rain and low cloud there were some good birds including  Black wheatears, Blue Rock Thrush, Cirl and Rock Buntings, a flock of Ring ouzels including one Redwing and an Iberian Grey Shrike
Black Wheatear

























Iberian Grey Shrike


















We also visited Grazalema and  the highlight of the trip for me was stopping at a random lay by-by on the way back when a Bonelli's Eagle popped up and started attacking the Griffons that were cruising over. It later settled in some clifftop trees so was probably holding territory. Such cool stroppy birds












Bonelli's Eagle























No butterflies or dragonflies but I did get a mammal tick - Beech Marten - roadkill unfortunatley.
hwyl
Rhys




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