It occurred to me this morning that we have lived in Spain exactly 6 years today! As I was drinking my coffee on the balcony contemplating our life here, the anniversary was nicely celebrated with the fly-past of 6 short-toed eagles – the first of the year! They circled for some time quite low over the valley before heading off towards the Priorat area. How good is that!
It still thrills me that from our lounge balcony we see such a variety of birds. It is now 10.30am and I’ve just done a quick count of the birds I’ve seen since I got up:
- Grey heron
- Little egret
- Cormorant
- Mallard
- Common Sandpiper
- Moorhen
- Coot
- Grey wagtail
- Black redstart
- Blackcap
- Magpie
- Collared dove
- House sparrow
- Serin
- Blackbird
- House martin
- Barn swallow
- Short-toed eagle
- Black kite
19 species! By any standard that is not a bad count or variety of birds before you’ve even got dressed! And the short-toed eagle a tick for my 2011 list!
So, I’m counting my blessings this morning! Living in Spain can have it’s down sides and we certainly don’t have much disposable income to splash around on eating out or luxuries. But you know what? I have a wonderful view over the river, the sun is shining, the trees are greening up, the summer birds are returning and I feel rich! What more could I ask?
The view from our balcony
Yes that is a great view over the river you have. Amazing how the sun can make you feel and it always amazes me the amount of birds that can be seen by going no further than your house. Yesterday I sat out on the roof terrace for an hour and saw 1 short-toed eagle and 1 bonellis eagle amongst all the usual suspects at this time of year. Just love it.
Happy anniversary.
Thanks Kiersten! 6 years has gone by so fast.
Yes, I agree there is so much to see if you open your eyes! Just think I could be still working in Social Services with a view from my window of drab and grey Rochdale!
Nice to see someone happy to have a full life rather than a full wallet. Good balcony list indeed. Another week or so and my backyard list (those yellow chairs) will be as full. And tomorrow is a 15 hr. birding day.
http://www.punkrockbigyear.blogspot.com
No partridges or pear trees though? Nevermind.
6 years, wow time flies. Even though you don’t miss Rochdale there must be other things you miss. Maybe you should do a blog about those! For example: Ben is currently in a traditional UK pub (the baum) enjoying 568ml of beer
Speak soon! x
Happy anniversary! Gosh is it six years already, we must have been one of your first bookings!! I know what you mean about the balcony, it’s still one of my favourite places
One of our first and one of our favourites Maureen!
British pubs are definitely on the “miss list”. And yes – I keep meaning to blog about what we miss. (apart from you and Pete of course) Mwah xx
Hey Paul – only just seen your comment. It had been put in Spam for some reason. Glad I decided to check through before I trashed the lot! I’ll be following your “big year” with interest! Thanks for visiting.