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Saturday, 18 April 2015

Malaga, Malaga Province.

Day eight for the Leicester Ladies.

Today was the end of a cracking weeks birding with five very keen Ladies from the UK, we had an earliy start and headed down to Malaga. Jane, Jane, Sue, Jan and Rona all managed over 40 new species during the four and a half birding days and the group total was over 140 with some very nice species being seen. We also had a good list of Butterflies, Orchids and Wildflowers all of which added interest to a really nice week. 

Thanks Ladies and hope to see you out here again in the future.

Friday, 17 April 2015

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

A day with the Ladies birding on my favourate hill.
Day Seven.

The Ladies on the lower slopes.
We had a slower start than yesterday as we were heading just up the road to the superb Sierra de Loja, this is a site where you can catch up with all the best upland species to be found in Andalucia along with some special plants and butterflies.
Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).
We started off by having a look for the Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) from the lower quarry but there was no sign of the bird and all we managed to pick up was a pair of Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).
Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).
From here we moved up along the crags seeing Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus) and out on to the flatter tops and soon picked up the first of many Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Black-eared (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) and Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).
Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium).
Just above the large marble quarry we made a track side stop and successfully searched the area of broom scrub for the small and elusive Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) and in the same area we found Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
Southern Early Purple Orchid (ChupaerosAndrorchis Olbiensis).
We drove quiet quickly out to Charca del Negro stopping just the once just before the turn to the pool to look at Viola dementria, Southern Early Purple Orchid (ChupaerosAndrorchis Olbiensis), Common Asphodel (Asphodelus albus), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) and Upland Peony (Paeonia coriacea).
Viola dementria.
We parked near the Charca and soon added a nice male Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) to the list which was singing in a small stunted Hawthorn along with a cracking male Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). 
We spent a little time getting views of the Sharp-ribbed Salamanders (Pleurodeles waltl) as they came up for air and whilst we were watching these interesting amphibians we had a fine male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) singing on a hunting sign on a mid distance outcrop.
Goat herders house.
We had nice views through the scope before the bird flew off, I was pleased we had these views as this was the only time we saw this bird during the day. 
In the same area we saw more Black-eared Wheatears, lots of Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), a soaring Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis), Crag Martin, Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and a possible male Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) but this interesting bird disappeared before I got the scope on it.
Rock formations on the tops.
We continued on around the track passed the Goat cave and on passed the twin rocks and down in to the next valley where we found Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).
Erodium cheilanthifolium.
We stopped by the Goat Cave and the ladies took some shots from inside and I went and checked a nearby rock for Erodium cheilanthifolium and managed to find a small plant with one flower open.
Once the photographs were taken we went back around to the Charca and had some lunch before dropping slowly back down the hill, on the way we met John and Jenny Wainwright who said that the Eagle Owl was showing so we returned to the small quarry.
Along the top crags.
Once out of the vehicle we scanned the cliffs but could not find the bird so we checked the gorse clad slopes where we discovered Man (Orchis anthropophora), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Yellow Bee  (Ophrys lutea), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and a Conical Orchid (Neotinea conica).
Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
There were also good numbers of Southern Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp. australis), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Mediterranean Catchfly (Silene colorata), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and a Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica).
Southern Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp. australis).
On our way back to the vehicle we heard Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and then back at the van we had very nice views of the Eagle Owl as it sat out in the afternoon sun.
Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo).
We had intended to go on to another site but we had had such a good time on the hill the day had flown by and as we were heading out to a star gazing night later we headed back to the houses. Later we made our way out in to the campo near to Trabuco to Liz Marshes very nice house and had a chilly followed by  a short talks and then some star gazing.
Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica).

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Osuna, Fuente de Piedra and Molina, Sevilla and Malaga Province.

Out on the fields Bustard hunting with the Leicester Ladies.
Day Five.

European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).
We set out nice and early and before long the rain was hammering off the wind screen and Rona was asleep again in the Van again (wish I could sleep like that). We drove along the A92 towards Sevilla and as the journey went on a slither of brighter sky started to grow in the distance and by the time we pulled off the motorway and stopped for a coffee the sun was out.
Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).
We moved out on to the fields and made our first stop in a layby where we scanned the fields, posts and pylons and started the day list off with Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and a pair of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).
Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus).
On the verge there we flowering Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum var discolor), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum) and Shepherds Needles (Scandix pecten-veneris).
We moved on to the next bridge scanning the roadside wires and fences seeing Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). Once we were up on the bridge we scanned the open fields but could ot find any of the Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda) we were looking for but did see a very nice Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). After the rains the track that continued on from the bridge was a bit on the slippy side but we mad it as far as the better gravel track with out getting bogged in to the Ladies relief as I don't think they like the idea of pushing me and the Van out of a hole !!!
Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus).
Once we were on the gravel we stopped again and scanned the fields out towards a large concrete factory building in the distance and had views of a couple of Little Bustards in flight, Short-toed Lark, Iberian Grey and Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Hoopoe and a little further along the track we had the first of many Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), a small number of Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and several more European Bee-eaters which were sat on the fence around the factory with several Common Stonechats
We retraced our way back along this track but turned and went up to the second bridge where again we dipped on the Bustards but did manage to see more Black Kites, Montagu's Harriers, a good sized flock of Ravens and a Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) which disappearded before we had views. We again moved on and checked another track which went between to large semi abandoned Cortijos, here we saw large numbers of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and further along the track a couple of hunting Short-toed Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus).
White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).
We made our way back to the road along side the railway tracks and parked up on the third bridge and after some searching found a group of 12 Great Bustards in the distance back towards bridge two. We had views in the scope but decied after we had done the next nearby spot we would go back and see if we could ge better views. Whilst we were on the bridge we watched a flock of bathing Collared Pratincole (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola) which showed well and called all the time we were watching them. Our next stop was just down the road where we parked by a large stand of Eucalyptus trees which was being used by a huge number of both House (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Spanish Sparrows (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) as a breeding site, we checked the nearby fences and puddles and soon had nice views of males of both species. We also heard Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and had a very close fly over Black Kite.
Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).
We tried to get out to a nearby disused Cortijo but as we drove along the track a Spanish Chap in a 4x4 told us that we would stuggle due to the mud, a little way on we bottled out and turned around and returned to another large Cortijo nearer to the road where we had stunning views of lots of Lesser Kestrels, three Hoopoes, a brief flight view of a Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) and my first Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) of the year.
We decided to head back to the road and on to have a look for the Bustards again, on the way we had great views of the Roller again as it fed on a roadside field.We went back to the second bridge and on a little way along the track on the far side until we were over looking a set of farm buildings, on the way we had a very nice Woodchat Shrike and a migrating Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis). On the field behind the the buildings we had much better views of the 12 Great Bustards which were wandering around in a large crop field.
Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla).
We again retraced our way around to the bridge and then took the road passed the turning to the third bridge and on the a spot near a river and railway bidge where we had good views of some White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) that were on nests and feeding in the fields, we also had views of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo). Our final stop in this area was at Laguna del la Ballestera but birds were few and far between but we did add Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Kentish (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and a pair of Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).
Black Tern (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger).
We decided to cut our loses in this area as the rest of the Lagoons we checked were dry and return to Fuente de Piedra where we had been a few days earlier to see if any new species had arrived, as we arrived we were soon aware of a good flock of Black Terns (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger), along with good numbers of Gull-billed and a couple of Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus), along with Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa glareola), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) but nothing new for the trip list so we moved on again. This time to a spot near Molina where we were hoping for a very early arriving Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Alzacola / Cercotrichas galactotes) but as we had expected we were far too early so we headed back to the houses.

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Hacho, Moraleda area, Western side of Sierra de Loja and Sierra de Loja Quarry, Granada Province.

A days Orchid hunting with Steve ans Sue from the UK.

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).
The Ladies were having a rest day but there is no rest for the busy and I was out for a days Orchid hunting with Sue and Steve who were on holiday from Bristol in the Uk. We started by meeting on the side of the road below Hacho and took a walk along the track to the rear of the hill where we soon found Conical (Orchis conica), Yellow Bee (Orquídea Abejera / Ophrys lutea), Giant  (Himantoglossum robertiana), Fan-lipped (Orchis conica), several spikes of  Southern Early Purple Orchids (Chupaeros / Orchis olbiensis) and just as we got back to the car we saw a couple of none flowering spikes of Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea) which were a good way from flowering.
Sue photographing Yellow Bee Orchid.
We moved on to a spot near to Moraleda where I had found a few spikes of the locally rare Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea) a few days earlier, we again found the three original spikes with half a dozen spikes of Ophrys forestieri.
Steve taking a few shots.
We then went to another nearby spot and found 40 more spike which had been located by friend Juan Pérez Contreras a couple of days earlier. In the same area we had more Yellow Bees, Fan-lipped and Mirror Orchids (Ophrys speculum subsp speculum).
Southern Early Purple Orchid (Chupaeros / Orchis olbiensis).
Birds in this area included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and a calling Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which remained out of sight.
Conical Orchid (Orchis conica).
We moved up on to the fields and stopped in an area of abandoned Almonds and photographed a flowering Pink Butterfly Orchid which was growing amongst several Mirror Orchids and a very bright Adonis Blue (Niña Celeste / Lysandra bellargus).
Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus).
We could hear Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) calling in a nearby grove, in the same area we also had Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).
Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).
We headed back down to the motorway and then took the road which runs down the western side of the hill and stopped at a spot just out side of Venta del Raya where we had stunning views of at least 5 male and 4 female Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) which gave us fantastic views as they displayed over a large crop field.
Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).
Our next stop was in amongst some road side oaks where we had our lunch and then searched the woods for Orchids finding more Conical Orchids, Southern Early PurpleSword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanatera longifolia) and a couple of still good condition Giant Orchids. We moved on again a little further down the road to another spot amongst an abandoned Almond grove where we saw more plants of the above orchids
 with a stunning patch of Pink Butterfly Orchids.
Viola dementria.
We retraced our steps back up through the Valley seeing Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus) on the way. We took the track up the Sierra to the small lower Quarry where we parked and checked out the Gorse covered slopes and found Small Early Purple, Sawfly Orchid (Flor de avispa / Ophrys tenthredinifera), Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora), Conical and Mirror Orchids.
Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora).
In the same area we also had a good number of Southern Wild Tulips (Tulipa sylvestris ssp. australis), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Viola dementria, Gynandriris sisyrinchium (Barbary Nut), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Common Asphodel (Asphodelus albus) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta). Once we had finished here we headed back to the meeting point where we went our own ways after a very successful day.
Gynandriris sisyrinchium (Barbary Nut).

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Granada and the Alhambra, Granada Province.

A morning in the city and an afternoon at the Alhambra for the Ladies.
Day Three for the Leicester Ladies.

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).
The morning started with me dropping the ladies off in the center of the City for a few hours sightseeing and shopping, whilst they enjoyed them selves there I popped up to the woodlands behind the Alhambra and had a walk. 
Along a nice newly cut track I had good views of several bird species including Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus). 
Naked / Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica).
Butterflies included Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).
Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum).
Wildflowers and Orchids were abundant and included Naked / Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica), Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum subsp speculum), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis conica), Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum), Neatostema apulum (Yellow Gromwell), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Rosy garlic (Allium roseum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum) and Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus).
Jan, Rona and Sue in the Alhambra.
Later I parked up at the Alhambra and walked down through the wood seeing Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).
I met the Ladies down in the town and we caught a bus back up to the Alhambra where we spent the next few hours admiring the amazing buildings and gardens before heading back to the houses at around 19:00.


Monday, 13 April 2015

Arroyo Marin, Fuente de Piedra, Laguna Dulce, Teba area and back to Marin, Malaga Province.

Woodlands, Wetlands and Gorges.
Day Three with the Leicester Ladies.

The Ladies.
Today's first site was in the wooded river valley of the Arroyo Marin, we parked and walked for a while. 
During this walk we saw and heard Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes),  
Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).
The Ladies along Arroyo Marin.
We also found flowering Yellow Bee Orchid (Orquídea Abejera / Ophrys lutea), Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea), Mirror Orchid (Espejo de Venus / Ophrys speculum subsp speculum),  Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Shepherds Needles (Scandix pecten-veneris), Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) and White Mignonette (Reseda Alba).
Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).
We moved on to Fuente de Piedra and the Laguna's and pools on the reserve, we started by scanning the entrance road pool from the van and had views of Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus) and Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa glareola), Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).
Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).
We moved on to the car park and then walked down to the board walk, in the car park we had Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and on the board walk we had better views of the Whiskered Tern, Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). 
Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).
We walked around to the Mirador where we scanned through the large numbers of Greater Flamingo's and located Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).
Lesser Flamingo (Flamenco Enano / Phoenicopterus minor) and Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).
We went to the hide over looking the larger lake and straight away we found a very smart Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), followed by Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus). 
The Ladies at Fuente on the board walk.
From the second hide we picked up a singing Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) but nothing else so we moved back to the Mirador and soon picked out a Lesser Flamingo (Flamenco Enano / Phoenicopterus minor) in amongst the large flock of Greater and then another Lesser was found much closer in the flock along the near shore.
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).
We went back to the car and then moved on around the western shore to the Mirador at the other end of the lagoon where we had lunch and added Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).
Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica).
After getting round the southern side of the lagoons pot holed roads we made it to Laguna Dulcewhere we scanned the pool from the hide and picked up Black-necked (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), a 100+ Red Crested Pochards, White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), 3x Black Tern (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger) and a Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope).
We dropped down the main road towards Malaga and stopped off at the raptor watch point on the Teba road where we watched several Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) drift over and a pair of Peregrine Falcons (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) as they flashed around the cliff faces.
Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi).
Our next stop was just down the road at the Tajo del Molino, one of the Jane's stayed on the bridge and watched from there whilst the rest of us dropped down in to the gorge and soon had good views of Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and heard both Wren and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). 
We also saw Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Anthyllis vulneraria (Mediterranean Kidney Vetch), Borago officinalis (Borage), Chrysanthemum carinatum var discolor (Crown Daisy), Convolvulus althaeoides (Mallow-leaved Bindweed), Galactites tomentosa (Galactites) and Helianthemum apenninum (White Rockrose).
Male Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca).
On our way back towards home we called in at Arroyo Marin again and did the same walk as we did during the morning and added Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) to the days list before heading back to the houses.