Sad Hill Cemetery, Claustro románico de Santo Domingo de Silos and Santo Domingo de Silos, Burgos Province, Spain.

A brilliant day with a visit to one of my favourite places and the Eclipses.

 

At the Entrance.

We got up early and after breakfast we all headed up to Sad Hill Cemetery, the location for the final scenes of my favourite movie, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Info board at the site.

We walked around the area for a while with Santi, Enzo and Francesco before they headed back to Silos, Paqui and I did a bit more of a walk around the wetter areas finding Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito ibérico / Picus sharpei), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Black (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus) ♀, European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), 

Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Western Subalpine (Curruca Carrasqueña Occidental / Curruca iberiae) ♂, Western Orphean (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis) and Melodious Warbler (Zarcero políglota / Hippolais polyglotta), Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) and European Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real / Lanius meridionalis), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus) ♂ and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) ♂.

European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster).

European Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus).

European Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus).

Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus) ♂.

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Other species seen during the stroll were Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Long-tailed (Lampides boeticus), Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous), Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) and Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), False Meadow Saffron (Colchicum montanum), Cornish Heath (Erica vagans), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), 

Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous).

Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous).

Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous).

Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus) ♀.

Cornish Heath (Erica vagans).

False Meadow Saffron (Colchicum montanum).

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).

We returned to the car and then after parking back at the house, we joined the others down in town for a drink.

Claustro románico de Santo Domingo de Silos.

Claustro románico de Santo Domingo de Silos.

Claustro románico de Santo Domingo de Silos.

Later Santi took Paqui and me down to the Claustro románico de Santo Domingo de Silos where we had a look around this impressive part of the monastery, later we went for a walk around the allotment areas and along the streams, here we saw Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Black Redstart, Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Small White (Pieris rapae), Clouded Yellow, Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Lang's Short-tailed and Long-tailed Blue, Large Bindweed (Calystegia silvatica) and Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Large Bindweed (Calystegia silvatica).

Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum).

We walked back up through the town and then got ready for the main event, the total Eclipse, as we walked we took some photos of some of the older buildings on our way up the hill to Santi's.

Once we were back at the house we chilled out for a while before we all went up onto the terrace, where I got the cameras set up ready for the totality period of the eclipse, as I had been informed that this was the only time it was safe to take shots with out damaging the cameras.

People getting ready over the other side of the Valley.

 

 

All prepared with Glasses on.

It went darker than it looks in this shot.

It was an amazing experience. I went to Cornwall many years ago for the one there, but it was unfortunately cloudy, so it was fantastic to see this one well and share it with some special people.

Sunset after the event.

Travelling North to Santi's in Santo Domingo de Silos, Burgos Province, Spain.

Day one of Paqui and my trip to the North to see Santi and the Eclipse.

 

Paqui and I were off just after 08:00 and headed to Granada and then up through Madrid to Santi's house in Santo Domingo de Silos, before we stopped for breakfast we saw Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Eurasian Collared (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur),  Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

After breakfast we continued North through Madrid and then stopped for some lunch, during this section of the drive we had Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

We continued on, after making a quick stop at a Supermarket in Aranda de Duero we arrived at Santi's house where he met us outside, Santi's friends Enzo and Francesco soon joined us and helped us unload the car.

Lerma Parador.

After settling in we had a run up to Lerma where we had planned to have an ice-cream at the Parador hotel, unfortunately it was shut for a private function so we sat and had a drink in a nice bar before heading back to Santi's for food and a much-needed good night's sleep.

During the drive there and back, we saw Small White (Pieris rapae), Griffon Vulture, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), European Bee-eater and Roe Deer (Corzo / Capreolus capreolus).

Huétor Fields and Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

A morning walk with Paqui, followed by a visit to Loja and a nice end to the day under the Stars up on Hacho.

 

I met Paqui down on the fields and we walked out towards the gate, on the way we picked up Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Iberian (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki) and Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Greater Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

We returned to the cars, and I followed Paqui down to her place, where I left my car, then we went on to Loja, where we went to the Market and had a coffee.

I then returned home for a while, later I was back down to Paqui's for a very nice salmon lunchtime meal.

I returned home again and did some more bits before Paqui picked me up just after 21:00 on the way up to Hacho, as we drove up we saw Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).

We parked on the track where we sat for a while and watched the stars, seeing a couple of Shooting stars before we headed home. 

Cerro Hacho and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province, Spain.

Checking the Moth traps with Dave and later a walk with Paqui.

 

Dave and I were up on Hacho at just after 07:00 checking the four traps, the first was by far the best.

 

9398 Haemerosia renalis, moth of the morning.

0842 Placodoma ragonoti x1, 1024 Eumasia parietariella x3, 2926 Pterolonche lutescentella x1, 3036 Stibaromacha ratella x4, 3842 Dichomeris acuminatus x1, 4855 Epinotia thapsiana x1, 5153 Cydia fagiglandana x4, 5578 Lamoria anella x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletali 11, 5646 Loryma egregialis x1, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x5, 5761 Pempelia genistella x1, 5767 Pempelia palumbella x2, 5786 Dioryctria mendacella x1, 5830 Epischnia illotella x1, 5850 Oxybia transversella x1,

0842 Placodoma ragonoti.

5742 Etiella zinckenella.

5893 Valdovecaria hispanicella.

5871a Acrobasis fallouella.

5646 Loryma egregialis.

5871a Acrobasis fallouella x5, 5893 Valdovecaria hispanicella x1, 6001 Euzophera lunulella x3, 6027 Ancylosis cinnamomella x1, 6107 Ephestia welseriella x7, 6267 Agriphila straminella x1, 6551 Udea numeralis x7, 6590 Ecpyrrhorrhoe diffusalis x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x1, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x12, 6690 Palpita vitrealis x2, 6700 Dolicharthria punctalis x1, 6702 Dolicharthria bruguieralis x2,  6704 Antigastra catalaunalis x1, 

6708 Metasia hymenalis.

6708 Metasia hymenalis.

6709 Metasia ibericalis.

6717 Metasia cuencalis.

6708 Metasia hymenalis x2, 6709 Metasia ibericalis x1, 6717 Metasia cuencalis x2, 6775 Phyllodesma suberifolia x1, 7504 Watsonalla uncinula (Spiny Hook-tip) x20, 7564 Itame vincularia x23, 7573 Acanthovalva inconspicuaria x2, 7581 Neognopharmia stevenaria x19, 7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x2, 8048 Scopula submutata x11, 8051 Scopula decorata x1, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x7, 8175 Idaea eugeniata x1, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8691 Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Pine Processionary) x6, 8801 Cryphia algae/pallida agg x20, 

8810 Bryophila raptricula.

8811 Bryophila gea.

8805 Bryophila vandalusiae.

8805 Bryophila vandalusiae.

8818 Bryopsis muralis (Marbled Green).

8818 Bryopsis muralis (Marbled Green).

8805 Bryophila vandalusiae x2, 8810 Bryophila raptricula x1, 8811 Bryophila gea x1, 8816a Bryophila perloides x2, 8818 Bryopsis muralis (Marbled Green) x2, 8821 Bryonicta pineti x2, 8904 Dysgonia algira  (Passenger) x1, 8959 Aedia leucomelas (Sorcerer) x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted) x1, 9011 Raparna conicephala x4, 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) x1, 9106 Pseudozarba bipartita x6, 9128 Odice pergrata x4, 9130 Odice jucunda x11, 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x1, 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x4, 9148 Eublemma pura x6, 9165 Metachrostes velox x1, 9341 Aegle vespertinalis x1, 9398 Haemerosia renalis x16 NEW, 9423 Caradrina aspersa x1, 9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x1, 9435/6 Caradrina noctivaga / flavirena x2, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x1, 10347 Agrotis trux x1 and 10501 Eilema interposita x1.

9130 Odice jucunda.

7581 Neognopharmia stevenaria.

7564 Itame vincularia.

We also had Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x3+, Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) x50+, Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) x6+, Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) x2+, Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Coal Tit  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis).

Dave headed off at around 17:00 for the Sierra Nevada, Paqui and I later went back to the lower Cacín Valley for a walk finding European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Eurasian Eagle Owl (Búho Real / Bubo bubo), Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Hawfinch (Picogordo Común / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).