Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

Last day for the year list.

Sue, Sam, Jayne and I headed up the Sierra de Loja, driving straight over to the far side of Charca del Negro where we checked the crags and hawthorn bushes for birds. 

On the way we saw a very nice male Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyreaica hispanica), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

As soon as we arrived amongst the hawthorns we had good numbers of Ring Ouzels ( Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus), Blackbirds (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), 3+ Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) and the biggest surprise was a single Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) which flew calling from the trees up into the crags and out of sight.

We had a walk along the track and counted 20 / 30 Ring Ouzels, Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and 2x Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia). We parked and tried to get some shots of the Ouzels but managed just a distant shot. Whilst we were in the car Sue had views of the Fieldfare but I missed it this time.

We started to move back down the hill but called in at the Goat / Fossel Cave and took some shot of the Icicles which were coming down from the roof of the cave. In the same area we had a single Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis), two more Black Wheatears, more Rock Buntings and Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis).

We next stopped at the pools and had a look at the nearby crags but we did not add anything new but the views were superb.

We dropped down to the lower slopes seeing Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and a fine Red Squirrel (Ardilla común / Sclurus vulgaris).

From here we went home and then on to friends Lesley and Allans for a few hours get to gether for the New Year.

Malaga and Granada Province coast line, Padul and Ventas de Huelma area, Granada Province.

On the coast and in the hills.

Jayne and I headed down to the coast to change a couple of thing we had bought by mistake and decided that we would make a day of it and have a walk along the beach. On the way down to the coast I saw Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

We did the shopping bit at Torre del Mar and then continued on along the coast to Almunecar where we had some lunch and a walk along the prom where I saw Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) and 20+ Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) sat on some rocks with a few Ruddy Turnstones (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres) and singles of  Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

On our way back up the motorway towards Granada we called in at Padul but just to check the feeding station near the reserve where we I saw two male Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) which were the target species for the year list. Along with these two beauties I had a single Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Blue  (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and several Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).

From here we went on towards Granada before turning towards Ventas de Huelma and checking a spot where in past colder winters there has been a raptor roost but the only one seen was a female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) which flew over the road several KM short of the site. I parked up and scanned the much reduced area of over grown fields, several areas had been ploughed since my last visit, I did see several new species for the day including Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and dozens of White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

From here we headed home adding a small flock of 8 or so Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) which were leaving there day time roost near Huétor Tajar.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

Western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Finches and Buntings in the mountains.

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Jayne spent the morning in Granada City whilst I spent a few hours on the lower slopes between 1430 and 1500 meters where I was following up information from Juan Pérez Contreras who had seen three Yellowhammers (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citrinella) which winter in this area each year.

Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

I parked and had a walk around the usual area for the birds but could not find the target species but had good views of several Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Cirl Buntings (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Song (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Mistle Thrushes (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and several Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), , Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater). 

Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

After not catching up with the Yellowhammers here I decided to go and have a look at some nearby crags where Juan had seen several Ring Ouzels ( Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) a few days earlier. As soon as I got out of the car I heard several Ouzels calling from some nearby Hawthorn bushes and within a few second five birds had exploded from cover and flew up the slopes to other bushes. I checked out a flock of birds which were feeding under several Walnut trees, in the flock there were several Bramblings (Pinzón Real / Fringilla montifringilla), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and a single winter plumaged male Yellowhammer which flew up and perched nicely in a nearby Hawthorn.

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

Also seen in the area were Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Female Cirl Buntings (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus).

I dropped back down to the main road again and then back down to Granada adding Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) to the list on the way.

Once we were in Granada Jayne and I did a bit of shopping before we headed back towards home, on the way we saw a fine male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) along with Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping.

Centrocoris-variegatus.

Ran the 15watt actinic trap last night but with resent night time temps I was not hopeful. It dropped down to -2 and as expected the trap was Mothless but I did catch two bug species, Centrocoris-variegatus and Nezara viridula.

Nezara viridula.

El Faro, Fuengirola, Malaga Province.

A few waders down on the coast.

Purple Sandpiper (Correlimos Oscuro / Calidris maritima).

Jayne and I were spending the day down on the coast doing the shopping for Christmas but whilst we were near Fuengirola I dropped Jayne at the Miramar shopping center and went and had a look at the rocks just down the road.

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

As soon as I got to the site I started to find birds including a good number of Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Ringed (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and out to sea I picked up Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed  (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) all of which were following a largish fishing boat.

Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus).

I walked a short way down the beach and found a single Purple Sandpiper (Correlimos Oscuro / Calidris maritima) with several Ruddy Turnstones. Other species seen in the area included Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba).

As we drove back through Malaga we saw a pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) over the motorway as well as several small flocks of Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus).

RAM and Charca de Suarez, Granada Province.

The sea bird survey and a visit to Charca.

Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata).

I met Juan Pérez Contreras near his home on the outskirts of Granada and we headed off down to the coast under an overcast dark sky. We arrived at our sea watch point near Torrenueva and walked up to the top of the sea cliff with a few spits of rain still falling but this soon cleared and we carried out the survey with out it being a problem. We were joined half way through and for the visit to Charca by Fran Espinosa Alemany a ringer from Padul.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

During the seawatch we recorded good numbers of Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), 2x Great Skuas (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Juan picked up 5x Shelducks (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna) passing west but I did not manage to get on to them.

Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio).

Birds closer to hand included Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and on the rocks by the sea as we were leaving we saw a nce male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

We returned to our cars and made our way to the entrance of Charca de Suarez and walked around the reserve in an anti-clockwise direction, near the entrance we packed up Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis).

Once we were in the first hide we were seeing lots of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), a couple of calling Cetti's Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a single Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) from the introdution birds. Between here and the second hide we saw an adult and immature Night Herons (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) having a fly round near there normal day time roost. From the next hidewe saw another three collared Red-knowbbed Coots and the uncollared youngster from this year along with Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) and Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus). We walked to the next hide picking up a dark phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) which was being mobbed by two Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) on the way. 

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

From the hide we only added a fine female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which was hunting the reedbeds. Our next stop was at the main hide, straight away Juan found a female Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca) and its hybird youngster with a Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) in a small flock of Common Pochards along with a pair of Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera). Other birds seen in this area were Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Red Avadavats (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava).

Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis).

We continued on and had a lookover the new pool adding Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) and a Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) which Juan saw but I missed it when it darted in to the reeds.

From the last hide on the way round we had great views of a Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) and fine wintering male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus).

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

1 o'clock came round quickly and we were soon on our way back up the motorway to Granada, I dropped Juan off and then made my way home via the fields on the local patch boosting the list with

Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua). During the visit we also heard lots of Stripe-less Tree Frogs (Hyla meridionalis) and saw a couple of Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Small Whites (Artogeia rapae).

Cologne to Home.

An end to a very nice trip.

We were up for a very early breakfast and again with Jayne reading the very accurate instructions from the IPad we were soon at the car drop off point at the airport where a very nice young lady passed the car as fine on return so we headed in to the departures area where I left Jayne to go and just confirm that the ridiculous €1000 deposit was taken off my credit card with the car hire people. I got to the desk and said that the car was back and that all was well and that I wanted to make sure nothing was still left on the card. The chap said that it takes an hour or so for the keys and the papers to get to him and then he would do it, I was happy with that but as we are always told, if you are not happy with some thing then let them know so I asked to see the manager of the desk but was told that he did not get in until 10:00 so I explained why I was not happy with the events when I collected the car and was amazed by the reponce I got. When I had finished the chap said well it sounds as though you will not use EASYCAR or us (THRIFTY) again anyway so why should we give a shit and with that he got up and walked off and left me and another customer standing there amazed.

Anyway after that we went through security and caught our flight home and the drove back to Loja all with out further incident.

The trip had been great, both Hotels had been very good and served our perposes well. The German people were very nice and we enjoyed everything about the trip apart from the Car Hire company.

Would I return to this part of Germany at this time of year? now that I have seen the Christmas Markets probably not but only because it was so dam cold. I would like to go back again at a warmer time of the year though.

Cologne City.

A full day around the city of Cologne.

We spent the whole of our last day around the City visiting several Markets again, the rather over priced Chocolate Museum, a very interesting Purfume Museum, the bridge of locks and other bits before again heading back to the hotel to pack and get ready for our trip back to Spain and some relative warmth.

I did again see a few bits in the city and along the Rhine including Common  (Gaviota Cana /Larus canus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Herring Gulls (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) around the Cathedral towers.

Bergen to Cologne (Koln), Germany.

A long drive back to Cologne but some new markets.

Drinks at the Market.

After saying bye to Alan last night Jayne and I packed up, had an early breakfast and set off for the last two days of our trip which were to be in Cologne.

Food Store.

The drive went well again following directions from Jayne's IPad we were at our hotel just out side the city in just under four hours which included a stop and a traffic jam. During the journey I did see a few bits including a single Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) on the side of the motorway around Hanover, Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Around the Market.

We unpacked again and were then soon out and on the tram up in to the city centre which took about 15 / 20 minutes from the hotel. right by where we got off the tram there was the Gnomes Market which had a very large Ice skating rink as the main feature but also loads of food and nicnac stalls.
During the afternoon and evening we found three more markets in the city and by the time we had finished these we were well done in so headed back to the hotel on the tram again.

Celle, Lower Saxony, Germany.

Back down to Celle Market and town.

As Alan was working Jayne and I headed back down to the town of Celle where we had had a nice evening back on Friday. We did the Market again and spent some time around the shops in this very picturesque town.

Near the Hotel and Bergen / Belson POW / Concentration Camp, Germany.

A day of mixed feelings.

I started the day with a short walk from the hotel through a small wooded area where I picked up Eurasian Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo Euroasiático / Garrulus glandarius), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Later we picked up Al and headed just down the road to the Bergen / Belsen Monument where we walked around the grounds, woodlands and remains of the POW / Concentration Camp, this was a couple of hours of mixed emotions. After the grounds we spent another three hours in the documentation center, this was a place that really opened your eyes to how bad the human race can be.

In the grounds and woodlands I recorded several very nice species including an immature White-tailed Eagle (Pigargo Europeo /Haliaeetus albicilla), Black Woodpecker (Picamaderos Negro / Dryocopus martius), Great Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Norteño / Lanius excubitor), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus), Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre / Poecile palustris), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).