Once one of the rarest gulls in the world Audouin's Gull recovered from this low point but appears to again be in decline ... there were just a few on this beach ...
Yellow-legged Gull was much more common, this 3CY bird ...
... and a nice Audouin's fly by ...
This male Stonechat showed typically more white on the rump than birds of the British race ...
a Caspian Tern put in a brief appearance ...
Raptors coming in off the sea were the main attraction near Tarifa and Short-toed Eagles numbered many and on a broad front ...
Black Storks were much less common and this group was impressive ...
A dark phase Booted Eagle ...
An adult Egyptian Vulture ...
And a pale phase Booted Eagle ...
Black Kite was the most numerous species with thousands passing by ...
A nice close Black Stork ...
And the only Lesser Kestrel, a 2CY male ...
Spotless Starlings were a delight ...
The only Mediterranean Gull was this 2CY bird ...
And a Yellow-legged Gull showing off the diagnostic solid black band on P5 ...
Red Kites were few and far between ...
Three Hoopoes in a tree ...
... and worth a closer look along with a Corn Bunting ...
... Woodchat Shrike nearby ...
... while a Griffon Vulture flies over ...
... and some Glossy Ibis feed ...
... and a few remaining wintering Cranes ...
... one of the most stunning sights was that of Bald Ibis on a cliff just above a busy road ...
... on a nearby wetland a lovely Ruff consorted with an adult Little Stint ...
... and a nearby Black-winged Stilt ...
... and a nearby Rock Bunting ...
... and a smart Iberian race Yellow Wagtail ...
... and a Spoonbill ...
... heading back north and some Red-crested Pochards ...
... while White-headed Ducks were present in good numbers, maybe the Ruddy Duck cull was worthwhile after all ...
... and another lovely gull, Slender-billed Gull, one of the most elegant of all ...
... while an Osprey looked on ...
... Flamingoes never fail to impress ...
... and a rather distant Black-necked Grebe ...
... now in the heart of the Gredos, a wing-tagged Lammergeier cruised by ...
... while a rather watchful pair of Little Owls posed in the warm evening light ...
