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Friday 13 September 2013

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Another cracking day down the Cacín Valley.

I met Paul Wiess dawn at the bar at the bottom of our road for a days birding along the Valley, we started off by making our way across the fields towards Moraleda on the far side of the A92, on the way we started the day list off by seeing Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). We passed through Moraleda and out onto the agricultural areas nearby and straight away we found both Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) near the entrance to the site and we heard but did not see a distant late Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) and had a fly over Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).
We moved on and went out towards the disused Cortijo out amongst the fields, on the way we had good views of Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and a fine pair of Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) which we saw well on the ground and in the air. Whilst in this area we flushed up a single Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which was another of the main target species at this site. Whilst we moved around the area we added Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), another Peregrine, Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), a migrating Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and good numbers of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).
We moved on down into the Valley and stopped in the Pine woods near a disused Substation where we checked the roadside trees out for birds, frist came a female Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) which flew up from a damp patch on the roadside and disappeared into the trees before Paul saw it but we did see several more later in the day. Other species seen in the area around the Substation and during the walk along the road included European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and in the air over the trees we had Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) drift over.
We then moved on down the road and stopped near the bridge and continued on along the track which leads to the fence around the bottom of the dam, along here we saw White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula). On our way back along to the car we scanned the nearby ridge and this paided off big time, first we picked up a group of migrating Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus), then a single larger raptor which turned out to be a Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) heading south.
A few minutes later we had a flock of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and a little further along the road we had an adult Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) do a closs fly-by and then soar along the ridge. Other species seen included Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), a male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and to finish off at this site a nice female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus).
The next stop was at the Embalse just above this site, here we added a few new species to the day list and they included Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra).
We then moved on down to the gorge but did not add much but Paul did still get another couple of new species in the shape of Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).
 From here we returned to Cacín and then went up on to the ridge above the village where we were hoping for some more larger Raptors but we only managed to get a Northern Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) but had good views of lots of Tawny Pipits.
From here we headed back towards the meeting point but not before adding Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Rincon del la Victoria, Malaga Province.

A long walk along the sea front.

Mark.
Jayne, Mark and I had a cracking day down on the sea front at the Rincon, we chose here as I thought that pushing Mark along would be easier as it was flat. I soon realised that it was not as flat as I thought it was but it did me good. We had a very nice meal at Lunch time and stopped at a cracking Ice-cream parlour in the afternoon where Jayne made a great choice.
Having a Paddle.
Jayne about to have a small Icecream !!!!!!

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Salinas, laguna Chica, Salinas, Malaga Province.

Four new species for Paul Winter.

Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestres viridis).
I met Paul at Archidona and from here we headed for a small pool near Salinas where we were concentrating mainly on Dragonflies and straight away we found a Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestres viridis) which was out and about early and landed up in the branches of a nearby Oak tree and gave us nice views (1st lifer). In the area we had some nice views of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). We then made our way around the back of the pool on our way back to the car and found the first of quite a few Small Spreadwings (Lestes virens) which was the second new species for Paul's list.
From here we moved to another nearby site where we started checking out an area of scrub looking through the Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii) for a Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum) but we did not manage to find so we moved on down closer to the water, on the lake there were the usual Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and in the reeds there were a few small species including Willow Warbler (Mosquitero Musical / Phylloscopus trochillus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).
Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca).
Along the first stretch of margin which went as far as the ruin we picked up several Broad Scarlets (Crocothemis erythraea), Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii), Lesser (Anax parthenope) and Blue / Common Emperors (Anax imperator). We eventually reached the |ruin and new species number three gave its self up very easily in the form of a very nice Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca) which sat nicely on a bramble branch and moved around amongst the grass stems. We continued on around the pool to the far end but only added Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) and better views of  Western Willow SpreadwingBirds included a calling Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Iberian Magpie, Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).
From here we made our way back down to the car and back to our first site now that it had warmed up a bit and quickly found that there were more species about including Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) and Paul's four new species Dainty Damselfly (Coenagrion scitulum) which seemed to have replaced the Mercury Bluet's (Coenagrion mercuriale) which had been common just a couple of weeks earlier.
We then moved on to our last stop of the day which was along the Arroya Marin near Archidona, we started by driving right to the furthest point where the road had been washed away a couple of winters ago. In the area near the damaged bridge we saw a nice male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) and several White Featherlegs (Platycnemis latipes) both new to the days list. We also picked up a few butterfly species here and they included Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora) and Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea). From here we headed back up to Paul's car and went on our way home.

Monday 9 September 2013

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

From the terrace, again.

Mark and I spent the afternoon sat out on the terrace in the sun again and I recorded a few species including Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Sunday 8 September 2013

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

From the Terrace. 

Mark and I sat out on the terrace in the sun and whilst I was up there with the bins we saw Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) x2, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) x2, Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus) x2, Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) x1, Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) x4, Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) x1, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).