I stepped outside the apartment this morning and found a 'life list' within five minutes!! Yes, it was my bogey bird, the Ortolon Bunting. I saw two large bunting-like birds fly to a fig tree about 100 metres away and there it was - Ortolon. I've been looking for that big white eye ring for years! There seemed to be more birds around the apartment and good ones too - Blue Rock Thrush, Redstart, 4 Wheatears, Sub-alpine Warbler, Corn Bunting and Raven. Back to Cabranosa today and more raptor watching. Looking North at Cabranosa watch-point. A Westerly view to Cape St. Vincent lighthouse in the distance. The first sightings were of three late Bee-eaters, flying very high and calling as they passed South. Three Booted Eagles were up and Honey Buzzards started to appear from the North. Five Honey Buzzards passed in the space of 30 minutes followed by a single Short-toed Eagle. Away to the North, around 40 Choughs circled the fields. It was also apparent that a group of raptors were also approaching and comprised of 35 Black Kites and a single Black Stork! A lone Common Buzzard passed overhead. Singles of Peregrine, Osprey and Sparrowhawk were seen along with 2 Kestrels. The Black Kites eventually came a little closer, having been down as far as the lighthouse. Part of the Black Kite flock thermalling. From nowhere, this amazing Bonelli's Eagle was circling above, looking like a 2nd year immature bird. Bonelli's tangling with two light Booted Eagles. The final highlight today was a juvenile Goshawk which put on a good display. A fantastic day with eleven species of raptors seen.
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