Loja Wildlife, Granada Province, Spain.

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Fuente de Piedra, Laguna Dulce and Vulture Feeding Station in Malaga Province and Sierra de Loja and Upper Cacín Valley, Granada Province, Spain.

A Morning out with some family members of good friends and neighbours Jan and Garry.

Ebird List for Fuente de Piedra.

Ebird List for A-92, Moraleda de Zafayona.

Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).

I met Jo, Ian, Leo and Albie and we all headed out west to Fuente de Piedra where after parking we checked out the roadside pool finding Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Mareca strepera), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Marbled Duck (Cerceta pardilla / Marmaronetta angustirostris), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa) x2, Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Slender-billed Gull (Gaviota Picofina / Chroicocephalus genei), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum).

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) and a Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

Along the back rack to the far end of the boardwalk we found Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), Small Fleabane (Pulicaria vulgaris), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta).

As we walked across the Boardwalk we had good views of Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Marbled Duck, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Dark Spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma) x300+, Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) x2, Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi) and Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa).

Dispute between a Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta) and Marbled Duck (Cerceta pardilla / Marmaronetta angustirostris).

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

We walked up to the Mirador where we had good views out over the main laguna and the bushes in front of it, here we saw Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Melodious (Zarcero políglota / Hippolais polyglotta) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

We walked back to the car and headed to Laguna Dulce where we added Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

After we finished in the hide we headed to a spot nearby where we had an amazing time watching a big number of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) which I think was the highlight for the others.

From here we headed back towards Realenga but spent a bit of time up on the side of Sierra de Loja looking for Insects.

Monday, 25 May 2026

Near Granada City and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Looking for an uncommon butterfly in Granada Province.

Habitat photo with Astragalus alopecuroides.

I headed down to Huétor where I had breakfast at Paqui's before we headed out to a site where I had seen Spanish Zephyr Blue (Plebejus hespericus) a couple of years earlier.

Astragalus alopecuroides.

We arrived on site and soon found good numbers of Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) x1, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x4, False Ilex (Satyrium esculi) x18+ and Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini) x15+, as well as Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x1, Long-tailed (Lampides boeticus) x1 and Black-eyed Blue (Glaucopsyche melanops) x2, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x6, Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) x4 and Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) x25+.

Spanish Zephyr Blue (Plebejus hespericus) ♂.

A little further down the track we came into the area where the Astragalus alopecuroides the food plant of the Spanish Zephyr Blue was growing and almost straight away we saw the first ♂♂ and then found at least 4 pairs mating, in total I would say there were at least 20 individuals.

Spanish Zephyr Blue (Plebejus hespericus) ♂ and ♀.

Whilst we were getting some photos of these stunning Butterflies we also saw Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Yellow Phlomis (Phlomis lychnitis), Thapsia villosa, Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Mallow-leaved Convolvulus (Convolvulus althaeoides), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus).

Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini)

Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini).

False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi).

Black-eyed Blue (Glaucopsyche melanops).

On our way back to Paqui's we called in at Aldi and the to a Garden Centre before having a nice lunch, later we went up to the fields where we recorded Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Barn Swallow, European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Nightingale, Common Blackbird, Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

We finished our walk and then returned to Paqui's for a meal before I headed back home at around 23.00, as I got there I could hear at least 2x Red-necked Nightjars (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis).

Sunday, 24 May 2026

Fuente De Los 100 Caños, Villanueva del Trabuco, Málaga Province, Spain.

Out and about with Paqui.

During the morning Paqui and I headed out to a shop where we bought some of the local Sierra Parapanda Hams and other meats at a shop in Brácana, later we had a very nice lunch at Paqui's.

During the Evening I picked her up again so that we could go and check out the Fuente De Los 100 Caños near Villanueva del Trabuco, Paqui had been before but on that visit there wasn't any water so today it was very different.

We arrived to find it was quite windy and cool, after it being up as high as +34 back at the house it was a bit of a shock to find it was only +18 by 20.30.

During the time there we saw Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

We returned to Paqui's where we had a nice meal of Griddled Asparagus and some really nice Bocarrones.

Saturday, 23 May 2026

Huétor Fields and Presa y Meandros del Genil, Granada Province, Spain.

A couple of runs out with Paqui.

Ebird List for the Presa y Meandros del Genil.

Paqui photographing the Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

I met Paqui down on the fields and we walked out to the Gate, whilst walking we recorded Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), European Turtle (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) as well as Bath (Pontia daplidice) and Small White (Pieris rapae), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Presa y Meandros del Genil.

Later in the day we had a drive out to the Rio Genil at the Presa y Meandros del Genil where we sat at the side of the river and relaxed for a good while, whilst there we saw Iberian Barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei), Mallard, Common Woodpigeon, an adult Black-crowned Night (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Eurasian Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), Iberian (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki) and Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Zitting Cisticola, Barn Swallow, Western House Martin, Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Spotless Starling, European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Nightingale, Common Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis).

Later we returned to Huétor where we had a late meal at Paqui's, which was very nice.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 22nd May 2026.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +15.

48 Moths of 22 Species.

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

Licence from Junta de Andalucia.

0488 Reisserita chrysopterella.

0488 Reisserita chrysopterella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x2, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x12, 3757 Sophronia humerella x1, 3822 Anarsia lineatella x1, 5578 Lamoria anella x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x2, 6145 Ematheudes punctella x3, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x2, 6583 Achyra nudalis x2, 5615 x1, 6700 Dolicharthria punctalis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x2, 7581 Neognopharmia stevenaria x1, 7765 (Lydd Beauty) x1, 8145 Brachyglossina manicaria x1, 8186 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x5, 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) x1, 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x2, 9350 Synthymia fixa (Goldwing) x1 and 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x3.