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 

 

 

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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