Charca del Suarez and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province, Spain.

Dragonflies down on the coast and birds in the Cacín Valley.

Steve, Lynn and Adam, Day Five.

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) immature male.

The four of us set off down to the coast for our visit to Charca del Suarez where we were hoping to see one of the Mediterranean Chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) that Juan and I had seen in the past few months. On the way down we had views of Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) immature female.

We arrived at the reserve and met up with Juan Perez and Beatriz, we started to make our way around the circular walkway in an anti-clockwise direction and called in at the first hide but it was quite quiet. We did get the day list for birds and dragons off to a start, birds included Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Barn Swallow(Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). The first dragons were Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

Steve photographing the Black Perchers (Diplacodes lefebvrii).

From here we moved on around to the hide that has been closed for some time and checked the areas along side the approach track and we soon found the first of quiet a few Black Perchers (Diplacodes lefebvrii), during the day I managed to get some decent shots of both immature males and females but the adult insects stayed well out of range. We also saw Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur). We again continued on to the next hide round the circuit but there were several photographers using it so we had a quick look at one of the introduction Red-knobbed Coots (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) which was hiding away in the far corner of the pool near the hide that is closed. From here we also saw Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) and both Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus).

Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii) female.

Our next stop was at the main hide where we spent quite a while looking for the Chameleons but did not have any luck so we had a scan of the large lake for the birds and soon added Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala). Also out on the main pool were several more Black Perchers, lots of Broad Scarlets (Crocothemis erythraea), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii) and a nice male Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). We continued on around the track checking the area of sugar cane on the way where we got some nice shots of an immature female Iberian Blue-tail.

The storm coming in over Cortijo Capitano.

Further along the track we stopped at the small hide next to the long pool where almost straight away we were watching a very nice immature Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus), along with Reed Warblers, calling Western Swamp-hen and a flyby Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis).
After spending while here we said goodbye to Juan and Beatriz and started a second walk around the reserve, we did not call at the first hide as it was quite quiet the first time, a little way past here we found several immature Black Perchers including both males and females. Going on we had a second look for the Chameleons but again with no luck, however we did see a couple of Spotted Flycatchers (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) in the willow trees.

The Storm arrives.

At 13:00 we exited the reserve and headed back North to a spot near the river where we had our lunch before continuing on back towards Granada and then across country to the Cacín Valley, it was a very hot afternoon and a couple of quite sharp thunder storms started to develop so we did not see a lot but enjoyed the views on the way back to the House. During the evening we all sat out on the terrace and had a few drinks and a chat whilst we looked through the days Photographs.

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Birds, Butterflies and endemic Wildflowers including the fifth Gentian!!!!

A day with Elena and Steve Powell.

Black Satyr (Negra / Satyrus actaea).

I started he day by driving up the hill to the spot where I wrongly thought that I was meeting up with friends Steve and Elena for a days Butterfly photography. 

I had a walk around some Hawthorn scrub at the spot near the hotel where I had parked, it was still quite early but I started the butterfly list we a Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) which allowed me some shots as it was cool and did not want to fly. A little further along the track I had some cracking views of both Rock (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and Cirl Buntings (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) sat side by side on the top of a Hawthorn bush, in the same area there were several Black Redstarts (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), a male Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater). Slightly above the parking area on an area of rocks I recorded Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and a flock of over 50 Mistle Thrushes (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) which flew high over the area in one large group.

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma).

I then started to get a little concerned that it had passed our meeting time and there was no sign of Steve and Elena and they are always early, so I went for the mobile phone to find that when I changed it recently and had copied the numbers across to the sim to put it in the new phone all the mobile numbers had been deleted. Just a few minutes late Steve rang me as he knows that I am always early as well and we discovered that there had been a misunderstanding about the meeting place and they were down at the bottom of the hill much nearer to Granada. They then jumped into there car and drove up to where I was and we started our day just 15 minutes later than planned.
From the new meeting point we made our up to the car parks near the barrier and out onto the Barranco de San Juan. Almost straight away we saw our first of a few Spanish Brassy Ringlets (Erebia hispania) seen during the day, this one avoided the camera but Steve did get some nice shots of some we saw later. we soon started to find some wild flowers along the side the track which included the endemic's Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum vicentei ssp lainzii), Eryngium bourgatii, Nevada Mullien (Verbascum nevadense) but going over, Digitalis purpurea and Galium nevadensis.

Lataste's viper (Víbora hocicuda / Vipera latastei).

The temperature had risen nicely by now and we were seeing good numbers of butterflies which included several Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea), Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), lots of Oriental Meadow Browns (Hyponephele lupinnus) and a single very tatty Apollo (Parnassius apollo) which drifted off down the slope. We continued on and just before we reached the borreguillies Steve saw what I had missed as I walked along the rocky track, just down by my by my left foot was a snake which I had not notices as I was looking ahead at the nearby plants. At this point I launched my self to the right and up on to a nearby rock, the snake was a stunningly beautiful Lataste's viper (Víbora hocicuda / Vipera latastei), it did not stay for long and moved away under a nearby rock but not before we managed to get some shots.

Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp depressa.

We then moved out onto the wet area just a few yards further on and soon started to find several of the great plant species which thrive here, these included the endemic Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp depressa, the uncommon Gentiana boryi, Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), Starry Saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris subsp robusta), Eryngium glaciale and then came the best of them all which was the very small Comastoma tenellum a very small member of the gentian family. After spending quite a while here we started to walk back towards the car, on the way Steve got some nice shots of the scabbest looking Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) I have seen up to now. We checked out and saw the snake again and picked up Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and a single Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini) on the way. 

Other birds during the walk were House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and back at the car a single Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Comastoma tenellum.

We had some lunch at the hotel near the car park and then headed down to the ski area where we took a walk out along one of the many tracks, almost straight away we were seeing good numbers of Black Satyr's, Silver-studded Blue, Mountain Argus (Aricia montensis), Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe), Meadow Fritillary (Melitaea parthenoides), Wall Brown, Oriental Meadow Browns, Silver-spotted Skipper, Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto). Birds included Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blue Tit and Rock Bunting.
From here we dropped down the hill past the visitor center and then down the old road, after a few KM we stopped and checked out an area of rocky grassland surrounded by Pine trees. Almost straight away we added a couple of nice species to the list, the first we the small Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus), a quick moving Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe) and the first of many Tree Graylings (Hipparchia statilinus).

Mountain Argus (Aricia artaxerxer montensis).

On the opposite side of the road we picked up a few more Tree Graylings and added Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia) and then the prize find which was only sorted once Steve checked his shots a fine False Grayling (Arethusana arethusa). 

We dropped down further along this road but we did not see any more new species as the time was going on and the light was fading, so at this point we made our way down and the off home. Thanks Steve and Elena for a cracking day with some new species for us all.

Laguna Herrera, near Mollina and Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province.

A day with some ups and downs.

Steve, Lynn and Adam, Day three.

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

We set off for a day targeting birds more than Dragonflies with Steve's new extra large play thing (a 300m Canon lens with a 2x converter) and our first stop was at Laguna Herrera near to Antequera. As we arrived and parked on the small bridge over the small stream running along side the track, from here we picked up a distant Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster). We moved on down to the barn and scanned the water, the whole area before the barn was dry but on the far side there was still plenty of water and lots of birds.
In amongst the hordes of Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus) we picked out 15 Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), 3x Wood Sandpipers (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa glareola), several Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), a couple of Avocets (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), 2x Little Stints (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), 50 or so Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta). On the water there were a few Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Black-necked (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).
There were also lots of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), along with several Black-head's Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and a couple of Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). In the air we saw a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which was hunting along the marginal reedbeds, Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) were all in amongst a cloud of birds feeding over the lake, along with Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and both House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).
As we walked along the track we picked up a few dragons which flushed up from the maginal vegetation, they included Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) and Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum). On the walk back to the car we added Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), 5x Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).
Once back at the car we drove along the tracks back to the main road, on the way we had a few new species for the day, the best were Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica). On the last part of the track we saw more Black Kites and Steve had a drive across one of the harvested fields to get what turned out to be some nice shot.

The Wasps nest.

From here we headed to a spot near to the town of Mollina where we were hoping to catch up with the uncommon Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Alzacola / Cercotrichas galactotes) but we were not lucky but we did see Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) along with a few butterfly species including Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

Our next stop was at Fuente de Piedra, we parked on the main car park and then went up to the centre for an ice-cream which in the heat of the day melted quickly but went down very nicely. From here we went and viewed the main lagoon from the view point, from here we could see a great many Greater Flamingo's feeding out on the main water.
On the smaller pool there were several Little Egrets, Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Black-necked Grebe, Black-winged Stilt and Avocet. From here we went and checked the fresh water pools at the rear of the centre, on the margins we added a few more waders to the day list including Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Little Stint. Other birds seen included Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
During our walk around we had views of several more dragonflies, these included Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Red-veined Darter and Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata).

We then headed back to the car and this was the point that the day went wrong as we returned to find we had a flat tyre, which normally would not be a problem but it was a National holiday and all the garages were shut, again this would not normally be a problem but when we looked for the spare tyre we found a small bottle of liquid and an air pump with instruction thay said the repair will last for just 10 min. I would love to find out which total *********** came up with the idea of not putting a spare tyre in a car and do something very nasty to him with the chemical and air pump!!!
Eventually we sorted it out, the car was collected by the breakdown truck and taken to Malaga airport, a few minutes later Steve and I were picked up by a taxi and taken to the same place and Lynn and Adam were collected by Jayne and they went back to the house.
After getting to Malaga Airport we were given a new car and then made our Way back to the house as well, all this hassle for a bloody puncture.

Laguna's near Trabuco and Salinas, Malaga Province.

A day's Dragonfly hunting just over the border into Malaga Province.

Steve, Lynn and Adam, Day two.

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).

Steve and I headed out along the A92 for a days Dragonfly hunting whilst Lynn and Adam had a days unwinding back at the house. We made our way along the motorway towards the site, on the way we picked up Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

We arrived at the site but after last winters rains the track had become impassable to normal cars so we parked a short way down the hill and walked up to the lake.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum).

We started off straight away by picking up the first of hundreds of Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and whilst checking these out we found the first of a few Desert Darters (Sympetrum sinaiticum), this one was a teneral male but later we also saw a couple of adult males. We then moved down to the waters edge and then in to the lake to check out several more insects, out on the water there were large numbers of waterfowl including Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus). As we moved along the margins we flushed dozens of Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi), in the same areas we saw the first of many Small Red-eyed Damselflies (Erythromma viridulum), several Broad Scarlets (Crocothemis erythraea) and the first of quite a few male Long Skimmers (Orthetrum trinacria).

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

In amongst the trees around the pool we picked up European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and over the water there were good numbers of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus).
We continued on up the side of lake adding Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Blue / Common (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) and then in a small bay half way along the pool we found the first of three new species for the site which was a fine male Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) but the dam thing eluded my camera but Steve got a few. In the bay we had more views of a couple of male Long Skimmers, loads of Broad Scarlets, the first of several Small Spreadwings (Lestes virens) and a nice male Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata).

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

We continued on on foot passed the small ruin on the margins where Steve found the second of the new site species, a single Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca) which huged the vegetation around the shaded walls around the building. We again continued on and down near the far end of the lake we had views of a pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) and a very nice male Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis).
Up in this area we located Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii) and several Dainty Damselflies (Coenagrion scitulum) which was a new species for Steve.

We then started to make our way back along the edge of the lake towards the car, back near the ruin I found the third of the new species for the site which was a couple of Western Willow Spreadwings (Lestres viridis) which again liked the shade of the large Eucalyptus trees. For the whole of our visit we could hear an Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) calling from the Oak trees on the opposite side of the lake but we did not see the bird. In the area we also saw several butterflies which included Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus). We reached the car and then made our way out to a small pool near Salinas, we visited the site last year but then it was nearly dry but this year there was still plenty of water. Our first species was a male Blue / Common Emperor which flew around the main pool.

Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii).

On a near by small stream which ran along side the track next to the harvested fields, here we quickly found several more Small Spreadwings, some of them in tandem. In the same areas there were lots of Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum) including a nice individual which posed nicely for the camera, along with this nice chap we saw Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens), another Western Willow Spreadwing, a male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) and then several Mercury Bluet's (Coenagrion mercuriale), some nice males, a female and a pair in tandem. On the way back we had nice views of a male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) and plenty of Red-veined Darters. Birds in the area included another Booted Eagle, Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and several immature Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

From here we had a quick look at an almost dry pool on the opposite side of the nearby motorway where we did not see any new dragons but we picked up White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and a Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

From here we headed back to the house with a dragon list totalling 22 species which was cracking for a single day at just two sites.

Arroyo del Guantero, Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Steve, Lynn and Adam arrive from the UK.
Day one.

Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestres viridis).

Steve, Lynn and Adam Jones arrived early afternoon and as they soon unpacked Steve and I were out and about looking for Dragonflies. We started off on a small Arroyo near the house on the way out we soon picked up the first of many Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
As soon as we arrived at the water we added a new species to my local patch list which was a fine Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestres viridis), this was soon followed by a second new patch species, a female Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens). In the same area we had several Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), a pair of mating Bath Whites (Pontia daplidice), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens).

On the walk back we picked up several European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus).

Jayne produced a cracking evening meal, later we sat on the terrace and had a few drinks and picked up a calling Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and had nice views of a Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) which did a fly passed at dusk.