A worthwhile trk around the patch at West Runton first thing produced Common Sand Ring Ouzel and Grey-headed Wagtail.

Came across a singing Nightingale in the hedge along the A149 West Runton this morning. A rarity here. Saw it ok given the scrubby habitat and passing traffic.

The first Bee-eaters back now and Willow Warbler in the garden. The Dartford Warblers which only winter here are almost gone but going to miss the spring migrants when they become rarities again on Wednesday.

Lovely morning at Maria. Good birds as usual in the pine woods. This Firecrest showed well, the Subalp not so well but new for trip list. Breakfast at La Piza excellent with Crested Tits and Crossbills for company.

New migrants turning up pretty much daily now. Montagu’s Harrier and Black Kite today. Bonelli’s Warbler here a day or two.

Walked down to the village for pizzas and a few drinks accompanied by the first (common) swifts of the year screaming around. Magic. Except for the pizza. 😂

Suddenly migrants are here. No Trumpeter Finches yet but Wryneck ST Eagle Spectacled Warbler and Black-eared Wheatear all new. Spectacled in spring just gorgeous. All camera shy though.

Enjoying more GS Cuckoos and Woodchats this morning. Also first Wryneck and ST Eagle of spring, the latter 20 feet over the garden.

First Woodchat Shrikes today. Lots of GS Cuckoos about now mostly in pines, presumably after Processionary Moth caterpillars.

Spent a couple of nights at Puerto Rey birding the Rio Antas and Salar de los Canos. Waves of migrants different days especially hirundines and a great selection of good birds in good numbers.

These Choughs at the usual cliff crack in the Valley. Up to 7 around the house daily. I think they’ll breed at the top end if they haven’t already.

First GS Cuckoos in the valley today following White Stork and Ring Ouzels moving last week. First Brimstones Swallowtails Small Coppers and Wall Browns too. But English weather now and for a while. 😒

First ever Black Vulture locally, at Castril, chased off by a 1st W Golden Eagle which ignored dozens of nearby Griffons. Also Hawfinch BB Dipper and Wren which are good local finds. More Butterfly species on the wing and lots of Violet Carpenter Bees some are prospecting our patio posts.

120 Griffons in a kettle recently. Magpies the only ones to approach cos they think they’re big birds. 😂 Hoopoes sound like mad cats when they interact and always dip their heads to sing.

Most mornings we wake up to our neighbourhood Black Wheatear singing. There’s usually a Hoopoe singing further up the road too. Choughs and Ravens will be noisy later. Magic.

Rush hour in the village. 😂

Can’t quite get used to Crossbills singing in the garden - it’s small and pretty pineless in the Barrio. The Swamphen wasn’t in the garden.

A quick trip to El Hondo produced 30 new birds for the stay. Enjoyed the Moustached Warblers and took some time with the Flamingos which we don’t normally do.

Common birds but I find quite hard to photograph. Spotless Starling and Iberian Shrike today.

Already 3 Butterfly species on the wing despite being 950m up on the Altiplano. Southern Small White, Western Dappled White and Clouded Yellow.

The boys are back in Town

👍😂

Talking to everyone here - none of us have ever seen a cat like this in this region. It’s very confusing. Hope you’re up for a discussion when we’re back. With a pint👍

Can anyone help please ? Is this just a moggy ?

Crested Tits at Maria this morning.

First Eurasian Starling I’ve seen up here on the Altiplano in 20 years. Quite a rarity.

Very cold at night so Crossbills attracted to water in the garden when the ice melts. First for the house.

Rock Bunting and Thekla Lark at Boni’s Casita just now. First wintering Blue Rock Thrush And Dartford Warbler ticked.

Minus 10 overnight but lovely warm sunshine by day. First few images from Rio Galera valley where lots of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps are wintering alongside the locals.

Who doesn’t like Grey Wagtails. Seem enigmatic migrants to me with odd ones still west along the coast. First use of new laptop for photos at season’s end with LE Owl Barred Warbler Little Auks Snow B’s and lots of Geese best post Scilly.