Cerro Hacho and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Recording with Dave and then some birding with Garry and Paul who had come up from Almeria.

 

Axis margarita.

Dave and I started the day up on Hacho sorting through the four moth traps we had set last night (under Licences from the Junta de Andalucia), we started with a trap we had set on the top of some rocks in a small quarry, the second trap was under a largish Oak Tree, the third and star trap was set down low in a quarry and the last one was in an area of pine trees.

Axis margarita.

Axis margarita.

In the third trap we were extremely pleased and surprised to find 6 Axis margarita, a species I had only seen a single specimen of back down at my house.

9282 Cleonymia pectinicornis.

9282 Cleonymia pectinicornis.

 9279 Cleonymia baetica.

9288 Amephana aurita.

6488 Evergestis frumentalis.

8512 Eupithecia gratiosata.

9005 Phytometra sanctiflorentis.

Some of the other species included 0734 Eriocottis andalusiella, 4166 Dyspessa ulula, 5850 Oxybia transversella, 6399 Hyperlais siccalis, 6488 Evergestis frumentalis, 6775 Phyllodesma suberifolia, 7564 Itame vincularia, 7599 Perigune narbonea, 8280 Epirrhoe sandosaria, 8502 Eupithecia venosata (Netted Pug), 8512 Eupithecia gratiosata, 9005 Phytometra sanctiflorentis, 9279 Cleonymia baetica, 9282 Cleonymia pectinicornis, 9288 Amephana aurita, 9298 Metopoceras felicina, 9438 Caradrina flava, 10528b Coscinia chrysocephala and 10600b Arctia angelica,  

4166 Dyspessa ulula.

8280 Epirrhoe sandosaria.

9298 Metopoceras felicina.

6399 Hyperlais siccalis.

10600b Arctia angelica.

10600b Arctia angelica.

Also seen during the time sorting through the Moths were Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) and Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), European Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x2, Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) x1, Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea), Blue Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Common Asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus) and Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum).

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

Common Asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus).

Once the traps were checked we dropped back down to the house where we checked the one in the garden which was really fairly quiet in comparison but added 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl), 8328 Nebula Ibericata, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold), 8246 Orthonama obstipata (The Gem), 8509 Eupithecia centaureata (Lime-speck Pug) and 10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon). We spent the rest of the day catching up with stuff on our laptops before Dave headed off to join another couple of Moth people up in Sierra Nevada.

Garry and Paul.

At just after 16:00 Garry and Paul arrived and after sorting their stuff into the bottom room we headed down to the fields as they wanted to see the local Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) which showed very nicely, we also saw Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Green-Striped White (Euchloe belemia), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) and Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) before heading down town for some food and a couple of beers.

 Green-Striped White (Euchloe belemia).

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum).

Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and friend.

and to finish the day.

Back up at the house later we heard Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) which had arrived back a couple of days earlier and just as we were going to turn in Garry and I were chatting on the path down to the house and heard a flock of Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) flying over.

Realenga de Agicampe, Huétor Fields and Cerro Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

Year tick whilst lying in bed, later a walk with Paqui and later still setting Moth lights up on Hacho before food and drinks in Huétor.

 

I started the day by hearing my first Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) whilst I was still lying in bed, a little later I was out and down to the fields where I met Paqui for a morning walk as friend Dave Grundy was arriving later to do some Moth recording up on Cerro Hacho.

As we walked we talked, so I really didn't see much bird wise apart from the Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) but as I say I didn't notice much else.

One of the trapping sites.

I returned to the house and then later in the day Dave arrived and after a chat we went and put out 4 Moth lights up on Hacho under licences from the Junta de Andalucia ready for them to be checked tomorrow.

One of a few.

We then went down to 3 Calles in Huétor for some food and a drink. 

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Another nice evening stroll with Paqui.

Ebird List for the Fields.

I spent all day in the garden and then later in the day went down to the fields, I had an hours birding before Paqui arrived and we went for a stroll.

During the hour I recorded Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

We also saw Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x4, Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri) x2, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x6, Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), White Wallrocket (Diplotaxis erucoides) and Mallow-leaved Storksbill (Erodium malacoides).

When we got back to the cars we said good night and we headed off home.

Presa y meandros del Genil, Villanueva Mesía, Granada Province, Spain.

An evening walk with Paqui at a new site for me not far from home.

The Rio Genil.

I spent the day in the garden which is now starting to come together a bit and then later in the evening I met Paqui down in Huétor and we drove through Mesia and on to some tracks where we eventually reached the Presa but it was worth it as it looks like it could well be a very interesting site.

Paqui, she told me about this site.

As we walked around the area we saw Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

The Rio Genil.

Other species included Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Mirror (Ophrys speculum) and Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Blue Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris), Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba), Pitch Trefoil (Bituminaria bituminosa), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Spiked Fumitory (Platycapnos spicatus), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum) and Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca).

We returned to the car and headed back to Huétor where I said goodbye to Paqui and then headed back home after a very nice couple of hours.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 16th April 2026.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +11.5.

9 Moths of 6 Species.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

Licence from Junta de Andalucia.

1648 Ethmia terminella.

0706 Monopis nigricantella x1, 1648 Ethmia terminella x2, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x3, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 8328 Nebula Ibericata x1 and 8965 Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted) x1.

5864 Acrobasis obliqua.

5864 Acrobasis obliqua.

8328 Nebula Ibericata.

8965 Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted).

El Temple, the Cacín Valley and Balsa del Regidor, Granada Province, Spain.

A cracking day birding with Jacqui and Ray, followed by a walk down the fields later with Paqui.

Ebird List for El Temple.

Ebird List for GR-3310, Ventas de Huelma.

Ebird List for Rio Cacín, Cacín.

Ebird List for Contraembalse de los Bermejales.

Ebird List for GR-4304, Moraleda.

Ebird List for Balsa del Regidor.

Ebird List for the Fields.

Jacqui and Ray happy with their scope views of the Little Bustard.

I met Jacqui and Ray and we were soon out on the tracks around the El Temple area, as we headed into the site we started the list with Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). 

Ray's No1 target species was Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) so we headed straight to a spot where I had seen several a few days earlier, almost instantly we could hear the Raspberry like call and a few seconds later we were watching a nice ♂ which was displaying, brilliant start to the day.

In the same area we picked up a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula),  Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Lark (Calandria Común / Melanocorypha calandra), Western Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia Occidental / Oenanthe hispanica) ♂, Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

We turned out on to the cross track and parked again, here we saw Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) which was mobbing a distant immature Iberian Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x2, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x18+ and lots of Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

We dropped to the road through the site and then back onto another of the tracks where we saw another Little Bustard, some more Eurasian Stone Curlew, a single Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis), Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis) and Serrate Spurge (Euphorbia serrata). 

On the other side of the main road we made a stop at a highpoint which gave us good views out over a good area of the fields, as we stood there we heard some passing Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), they were quite high but eventually Jacquic got us onto them and we confirmed the Id and could see there were 6 birds, we also saw Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real / Lanius meridionalis). 

We continued on along the tracks to the Solar Panels and turned out towards Ventas de Huélma, on our way to the village where we had a stop at Restaurante Casa Luciano we had nice views of a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) x1, Painted Lady x9+ and Clouded Yellow x3.

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) pale morph.

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) pale morph.

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) pale morph.

We left the bar and headed for the Cacín Valley but made a couple of stops on the way adding European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Golden (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) and Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), Thekla's Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Green-Striped White (Euchloe belemia).

Green-Striped White (Euchloe belemia).

Green-Striped White (Euchloe belemia).

Down in to the valley we made a short stop at the bridge over the Rio Cacín just after we passed through the village, here we recorded Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum) and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).

Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum) at the builders yard.

Further up the Valley at the Contraembalse we made another stop and scanned the lake which was starting to fill up again I am happy to say as I was worried that the planned dredging work would disturb the already nesting Western Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), as well as the Harriers we also saw Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea) and Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri) x2.

Around at the bridge over the Cacín we scanned some distant crags and found the regular Eurasian Eagle Owl (Búho Real / Bubo bubo) and in the surrounding trees, we added Eurasian Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) x2, Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), European Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) x2 and Small White (Pieris rapae) x2. 

Up at the Crags near Moraleda we stopped twice but missed the wanted Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) unfortunately, we did however find a Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), at least 3 ♂ and 1♀ Blue-rock Thrushes (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum) and Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata).

Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina).

Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).

Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).

Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).

Our final stop of the day was at Balsa de Regidor where I was very pleased to find a Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus) which was briefly joined by a second bird, also seen were Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) x8, Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) x2 and Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) x1.  

Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus).

I returned to the house for a little while and then went down onto the fields where I met Paqui for a nice stroll together, as we walked I saw Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Whinchat (Tarabilla Norteña / Saxicola rubetra) and Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina) which were new for the day list.

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) ♀.

The end of the day, after a lovely walk with Paqui.

After we had said goodnight I headed home and whilst sorting out my kit I could hear the 2 local Long-eared Owl (Búho Chico / Asio otus) calling to each other.