Out with a client...Dartford Warblers outside Lanjaron 6th May 2009

Wednesday morning and Birdwatchalpujarras are taking a client out for the day from our base of Lanjaron. A moment to collect our thoughts before the mission begins sees us take five minutes near the castle to discuss the route plan. A tropical sounding birdcall from the eucalyptus trees behind us grabbed my attention and then an unmistakable flash of bright yellow and jet black...Golden Oriole! The second I've seen this year since they returned from Africa for the summer, and hopefully a sign we'll have a productive few hours...

Picked up Brian our guest for the day and it's off to a favourite local patch, looking to add to his holiday bird list. Before long we were working our way slowly up through a gorge not far from the village and we quickly found Black Wheatear, and managed good views as they flitted between the boulders above us. The steep cliffs have proved reliable for Choughs recently and we were pleased to have a pair soaring overhead as we began the climb uphill. Woodland gave out to dry, low scrub and we soon encountered another of the day's target species, Black-eared Wheatear, obligingly giving us time for plenty of photographs.

A pause to enjoy the scenery and have a look out across the valley brought a fabulous high point to the day and concluded one of the season's great unanswered questions. With a telescope on board we were finally able to confirm what I had suspected for some time...we had indeed been seeing Dartford Warblers these past weeks, and we had really good views putting the question beyond any doubt. I have read that these nervous and suspicious birds use Whitethroat back home as a kind of early warning system, rapidly disappearing if the Whitethroat appear disturbed or threatened. On this occasion it appeared the Dartford Warbler was using a Stonechat, perching timidly beneath the much bolder bird, using the same bush. Fascinating behaviour and a major first sighting...glad we had a client with us!

More Black-eared Wheatear as we climbed higher were a welcome addition, along with good views of Linnet and Rock Bunting. We took time just to wait and watch at some ruined mining buildings and were rewarded with a Black Redstart, in bright summer plumage with a copper-red tail.The journey back down through the gorge had more in store with Crag Martins and Red-rumped Swallows showing well, along with a Blue Rock Thrush and more Black Wheatear on the rocks overhead.

We still had more to show our companion and with a few hours spare in the evening promised something special...another short run just outside the village brought fantastic close-up views of Bee Eaters, a "must-see" for our guest who finally got the shots he had hoped for. Really good to see these amazing birds take a break from feeding and come to rest only yards from the car. All in all a great day's birdwatching. I've been promised the photos so watch this space...