Travelling to and at Charca de Suarez and North of Granada, Granada Province.

A windy day on the Coast and rain later in the Mountains.

Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides).

I met up with Juan and his wife Beatriz at the usual place and we headed down to Charca de Suarez near Motril where we met Jacinto for a mornings birding. 

Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides).

Before meeting Jacinto we had a quick look on the waste ground behind the reserve where we heard a couple of Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix) calling from the sugar cane fields and started the list with Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).

Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea).

We met Jacinto and went into the reserve with three chaps from Malaga and made our way around to the main hide which over looks Laguna de las Aneas where the commonest species by far was Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) with around 75 birds out on the water along with several Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), a couple of Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). 

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum).

In the reeds around the margins there were several Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Purple Swamp-hens (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), a roosting Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and out on the far side a single Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides) which flew up and did a couple of circuits of the lake before landing briefly right in front of the hide on one of the dead stumps and then off to one of the other pools. 

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum).

In the air there were a few Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), one or two Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and both Common and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus). In the bushes between the hides there were lots of singing Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), a couple of Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and some more Serins which looked like they had just had a bath and were sat up in the quite strong breeze drying out. 

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum).

On Laguna del Taraje we had several more Purple Swamp Hens, a couple of families of Mallards and some very young stripped Little Grebes. We did not add very much from Laguna de Lirio so we continued on around to the first hide which over looks Laguna de Trebol where we had good but distant views of the summering Baillon’s Crake (Pollueta chica / Porzana pusilla) which was trying hard to fly but the damage to its wing is still keeping it grounded. 

Striped Shield-Bug (Graphosoma italicum).

From here we also saw a couple of the four reported Purple Herons (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Water Rail (heard only), a few immature White Wagtails which were feeding out on the blanket weed and Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti). 

Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

I then had a walk out along the track to look for dragonflies and found that there were good numbers of Small Red-eyed Damselflies (Erythromma viridulum) in amongst the dense vegetation which made them easier to get shots of as they were out of the wind. I also saw a couple of Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and loads of Iberian Bluetails (Ischnura graellsii). 

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii).

Other insects seen included Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa violacea), Eurydema dominulus, Striped Shield-Bug (Graphosoma italicum), Egyptian grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium) and Rhagonycha fulva along with several Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) butterflies. I then rejoined the others and we walked around to the other hide over looking the same laguna, on the walk around a single Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) were added to the list. 

Lady Orchids (Orchis purpurea).

I spent a short while at this hide then returned to the main hide, here I picked up several Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) which were stood on the island getting battered by the wind, a roosting Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and 15 or so Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) which flew in and then moved on within a few minutes. I then meet up with the others and we headed towards the exit but not before I managed to get a single shot of an immature Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) dragonfly by the gate. 

Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum).

Juan Beatriz, Jacinto and I then went to a beach side restaurant in Salabrena and had a very nice lunch (thanks Jacinto), later Jacinto headed back to Malaga and the rest of us made our way back north to Granada. On the way Juan suggested that maybe he and I might go and visit a site in the mountains and look at some Orchids he had seen the week before and as I had very much wanted to see them I agreed to go. Beatriz dropped us off by my car and continued home and we headed out into the hills, we were soon on site and with in minutes we had found several past their best Lady Orchids (Orchis purpurea). 

Man Orchid (Aceras anthropophorum).

We continued our search and before long Juan was calling me over to look at a couple of spikes which still had some good flowers which I took some shots of. In the same area we also had some nicely flowering Lizard (Himantoglossum hircinum), Man (Aceras anthropophorum) and Yellow Bee Orchids (Ophrys lutea) along with a single Small Woodcock (Ophrys picta). There were also dry spikes of Southern Early Purple (Orchis Olbiensis) and Fan-lipped Orchids (Orchis collina). 

Oil Beetle (Meloe majalis).

A nice male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) was heard and seen on top of a small bush and a female was also seen briefly along with Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Common Magpie. Due to the increasing cloud the only butterflies seen were a couple of Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathsheba) and a Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea). 

Beefly (Bombylius major) ?

We also saw Oil Beetle (Meloe majalis) and a Beefly (Bombylius major) ? species which was on a flower probably due to the cold weather. It then started to rain quite heavily so we headed back and I dropped Juan off at home and head back to Huétor.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping.

5889 Eurhodope cruentella.

A much quieter trap than expected after mailing with Penny Hale down at Casares about the big catches she has been having. 

6860 (1990) Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth).

I did get a few news species but so far I have only confirmed a single identification which was the brightly coloured 5889 Eurhodope cruentella. 

9298 Metopoceras felicina.

Other species included a very nice 6860 (1990) Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth) and a couple of 9056 (2441) Autographa gamma (Silver Y), only the second 9298 Metopoceras felicina, 9100 (2415) Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder), 8828 Raphia hybris, 9097 (2414) Emmelia trabealis (Spotted Sulphur) and plenty of 1525 (0464) Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth). Hopefully I will sort out a few of the other and the garden list will grow some more.

8828 Raphia hybris.

Update to the nights catch.

A Couple more new species.

0557 Infurcitinea atrifasciella.

Thanks to Penny Hale and Martin Corley I can add a couple more species to the garden moth list. These were Micros 0557 Infurcitinea atrifasciella and 0469 Crassicornella agenjoi.

0469 Crassicornella agenjoi.

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

A day with the Axarquia bird group.

Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia).

Today I was birding with friends from the Axarquia bird group on Sierra de Loja which is probably my favourite place to visit. We meet on the car park of the Abades service area before taking the dirt track up thought the pine woodlands to the disused Quarry above the town of Loja where we were hoping to see the resident Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) but we were out of luck but we did see some cracking species including Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). 

O. picta x O. tenthredinifera.

Some of the group were also looking for the Wild flowers and we soon found Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum), Dianthus Pungens, Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), White Asphodel (Asphodelus albus), Buckler Mustard (Biscutella frutescens), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Chickweed (Cerastium boissieri), Clypeola (Clypeola jonthlaspi), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Helianthemum lavandulifolium, Linaria anticaria, Southern Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis) which were well past their best and Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum) along with some Orchids species including Pyramidal (Anacamptis pyramidalia), Small Woodcock (Ophrys picta) but find of the day goes to the Hybrid between Ophrys Picta X Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) which was a new plant for me and is also probably a new record for Granada Province! 

Steve Powell photographing the butterflies.

Several species of butterfly were also recorded which included some very nice male Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes), Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes), Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvaei), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias crocea) and Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice). Up high on the top of the cliffs there were some of the local Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) which always seem to be in the same place these days.

Viola dementria.

We then moved on and our next stops were along the crags, on the way through the woods I saw and heard Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).

Once we were on the crags we added Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a very nice sub adult Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) to the days list, the latter showing very well whilst being mobbed by Red-billed Choughs and Jackdaws. Lower down in the hawthorn bushes and Herb scrub we picked up Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and a female Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis) which was a bit of a surprise.

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).

More wildflowers were seen in this area including Carduus granatensis, Nonea vesicaria, Navel-wort (Omphalodes commutate), Yellow Restharrow (Ononis natrix), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Pallenis spinosa, Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Silvery Paronychia (Paronychia argentea), Phlomis purpurea, Miniature Wild Plum (Prunus prostrate), Star Clover (Trifolium stellatum) and Viola dementria.

We continued on up and stopped just above the marble quarry to have a look at some Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) which the lead car had spotted whilst we were he we also added Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), a fine male and more drab female Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), the first of the days Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and the second Golden Eagle which again showed well but a little more briefly.  

Iris Subbiflora.

Large White (Pieris brassicae), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Scarce Swallowtail (Chupaleches / Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) and Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines) were all seen during this stop. Continuing on up the hill we stopped briefly by the first of the Water deposito’s and saw the first Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and a single Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) which did a very quick fly passed. We then made our way up to Charca del Negro just stopping briefly to look at three Griffon Vultures which were soaring out beyond the wind turbines and a little further on by a nice plants of Iris Subbiflora and Blue Hedgehog Broom (Erinacea anthyllis) flowering amongst the rocks and once the others had moved on I remained to water the plants and picked up a smart Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychlorus) but unfortunately it just passed straight through. 

The ladies looking at the Iris.

At Charca there were more Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Sparrows, Rock Buntings, Black Redstarts and Red-billed Choughs. Here we also saw loads of Spanish Festoons, Knapweed Fritillary's (Melitaea phoebe) and the only dragonfly of the day which was a male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator). We next went on around past the goat cave to the crag a little further on were we eventually had some distant views of a female Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis), lots more Rock Sparrows, a male Blue Rock Thrush and a surprising sighting of a Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans). I had a walk up amongst the rocks and found several patches of the very nice Erodium cheilanthifolium, Eruca sativa, Antirrhinum controversum and Blue Dreams (Chaenorrhinum Glareosum). I also saw a single Cardinal Fritillary (Pandora / argynnis Pandora) whilst having a wander but it was off and out of sight in seconds.

Erodium cheilanthifolium.

I then split from the rest of the group when they went to have a look at another spot for the Rock Thrush as I wanted to try and get some better shots of the Butterflies on the thistles around the pools. I had soon found a nice camera tolerant Knapweed Fritillary and several Spanish Festoons along with Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus F lyllus) and Spanish Gatekeeper (Lobito listado / Pyronia bathsheba). I walked along the low crags at the rear of the pools where I found several patches of Saxifraga Camposii, Sarcocapnos pulcherrima, Spanish Bluebell (Scilla hispanica), Biting Stonecrop (Sedum acre) the dry flower spikes of Narcissus Bugei. 

Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida).

On the rocks I also saw several Iberian Wall Lizards (Podarcis hispanica), a single Large Psammodromus (Emys orbicularis) and a couple of Moorish Gecko’s (Tarenrola mauritanica).

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

I then started to make my way down the hill just stopping to get a shot of a great big Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) before stopping at an area of broom scrub to look for the summering Spectacled Warblers (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata), I quickly located a singing bird in the top of one of the broom bushes but it was quickly chased of by a male Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata). The Spectacled was soon back but remained amongst the branches and was difficult to get shots of, as I was watching this bird a falcon suddenly came into view and started to chase a couple of Common Swifts that were over the quarry and I soon realized that I had a nice Hobby (Alcotán Europeo / Falco subbuteo) in my bins. 

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).

I then dropped further down the hill and found a couple of Black-eared Whearears and a Thekla Lark which were willing to stay put long enough for me to get some shots and also stopped again and picked up another of the summer visiting warblers, this time it was a nice male Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) which was showing nicely but from the top of a Hawthorn bush some way down the slope. In the woods a couple of Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) flew up from the side of the track and a Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) crossed the track in front of me. By know it was getting on for 18:30 so I started to head back towards home as we had plans to go down to Huétor to watch the fire works which signalled the start of a few days of Fiesta.

Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping. 

 

0628 Nemapogon nevadellus.

At least four more species for the garden moth list with another three needing to be sorted. 

10096 Noctua pronuba (Large Yellow Underwing).

The first three new species were all Micro's including 0628 Nemapogon nevadellus, 3498 Mirificarma eburnella and 3757 Sophronia humerella plus the macro 10096 Noctua pronuba (Large Yellow Underwing) a very common species back in the UK but the first I have caught here amongst the Olives. 

1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth).

Other species included 0661 Trichophaga tapetzella (Tapestry Moth), 1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth), 5144 Cydia pomonella (Codling Moth), 7581 Gnopharmia stevenaria, 8145 Idaea manicaria, 8509 Eupithecia cenaureata (Lime-speck Pug), 8638 Lithostege griseata (Grey Carpet) and 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

3757 Sophronia humerella.

3498 Mirificarma eburnella.

7581 Gnopharmia stevenaria.

Travelling to and back from Carmona, Sevilla Province

A day sight seeing with a few birds mixed in. 

 

View of Iglesia de San Bartolomé.

Jayne and I had wanted to visit the town of Carmona since the Trabuco ladies group had been and said how nice it was, so today was the day. 

We set off quite early and made good time along the A92, it was not till we came on to the more minor roads that we had any delays. We got stuck behind a Lorry and a learner who would not overtake a slow moving tractor, this delay probably added 15 minutes on the journey time which would normally I guess be around 1 hour 50 from our house. 

View of Iglesia de San Bartolomé form the Alcázar.

The road in from Marchena brings you in below the town and gives nice views of some of the older buildings on the outskirts. Along this road I picked up a couple of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), at least 3 Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) one of which attempted suicide under the wheels of our car but fortunately I was fairly quick on the brakes, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra). 

Flags from the Alcázar.

Once we were in the town and parked we made our way down to the historical part of town and went into the tourist information center and got a copy of a map which the lady employee circled with the most interesting places to visit. 

We started by going into the Iglesia Prioral de Santa Maria which at €3 each was well worth while and I should that when the work inside is finished it will be worth revisiting. Then it was to the Town Museum and interpretation centre which was free on a Tuesday which pleased me no end (not that I am tight or anything). 

After spending a good couple of hours around the museum we walked around the town until we reached the Puerta de Córdoba which was a nice spot but with a bit of weeding would look much better but the view out over the plains was worth the walk. 

Puerta de Córdoba.

It was then back into the town and on down to the Alcázar de la Puerta de Sevilla which was OK but a bit over restore but did give nice high views over the town. 

Food was then the order of the day and we found a nice place on the Plaza de San Fernando which was doing menu del dia and spent a pleasant couple of hours having lunch. Later we did the standard Mad dogs and English person thing and went and had a look around the Roman Necrópolis which was on the out skirts of the town, it was well worth a visit but was hard going in the heat of the afternoon. 

Jayne at the Necrópolis.

We then started to make our way back but took the cross country route out to Osuna, on the way we saw lots more Lesser Kestrels, Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Collared Pratincole (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodchat Shrike, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax). 

View of part of the Nacrópolis.

We then spent a while having a look around Osuna before heading back home after a long but enjoyable day.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping.

Elachista nuraghella.

I ran the 15W actinc last night and had hoped that when I looked in the trap this morning I would have a nice catch but due to a bit of finger trouble setting the alarm I was out there to late and most of the moths had warmed up and done a bunk. 

9298 Metopoceras felicina.

I did however still have three new species for the garden all confirmed by moth expert Penny Hale, they were the micro 1985 Elachista nuraghella and two macro's 9298 Metopoceras felicina and 9961 Hadena sancta. 

9961 Hadena sancta.

Other more regular species included a single 6860 (1990) Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth) but even that was so warmed up that as soon as I picked up the egg tray it was off. 

454 (2384) Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic).

Also seen were 0661 (0234) Trichophaga tapetzella (Tapestry Moth) x5, 1655 (0720) Ethmia bipunctella x2, 4855 Epinotia thapsiana, 5144 (1261) Cydia pomonella (+Codling Moth), 5279 Tebenna micalis, 5624 Pyralis obsoletalis, 6719 (1398) Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer), 8186 (1714) Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave), 8965 (2465) Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted), 9454 (2384) Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic), 9425 Caradrina proxima, 9433 (2389) Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) and 10528 (2053) Coscinia cribraria f. chysocephala (Speckled Footman).