Back home in Spain

Thursday 22 August

Following my week in Stamford, Lincolnshire so that I could attend the annual British Bird Fair (very good yet again and met many old and new friends) at Rutland Water, I returned to Spain Tuesday evening and had the occasional escort home with Jenny driving and out-riders on both sides of the car on the mountain road towards Rio Gordo drawn from the local Barn Swallow community!

And what a welcome back it has been.  The first day at home I had flocks of Bee-eaters flying around the house with their screechy song and , going out from the studio to get a better view, was greeted by a Short-toed Eagle perched on top of the nearest electricity pylon below me.  Today, I not only had more of the Bee-eaters but on driving down to Velez Malaga for my annual check-up at the local hospital I was greeted by my local Thekla Larks and Barn Swallows and House Martins and on the return journey up from the lake towards Los Romanes a gorgeous male Golden Oriole flew across the road immediately in front of the car.  Two days back; it doe not get much better than this by way of a welcome home.  Oh, and even the hospital check-up was out of this world with my PSA score the lowest ever; lower than my original test over six years ago and last year's score reduced by over 50%.  Now who is in a good mood for the coming weeks!

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.