RAM, Port Beach, Charca de Suarez and Local Patch, Granada Province.

A cracking day down on the Granada Coast seeing 81 species with Juan Pérez Contreras and John Ross.

Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis).

I met Juan near Granada and then we picked up John down near Lecrin before heading down to Peñón de Jolúcar near Torrenueva, on the way we had a fly over Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and several Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) which were flying out from their roost sites.

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

We parked and we walked up to the high point to do the monthly sea bird count, on the way up we saw Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a fly over Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) which called nicely. 

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

During the count we had a good mix of species including 1x Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua), 1x Arctic Skua (Págalo Parásito / Stercorarius parasiticus), 1x Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), 1x Cory's (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea), 2x Med / Yelkouan (Pardelas Mediterráneas / Puffinus yelkouan), good numbers of Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and 2x Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

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

We finished the count and walked the short but steep way back to the car to see if there were any orchids in flower and found a few spikes of Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri) with on in flower. We also saw Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae), Climbing Groundsel (Senecio Angulatus), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) and Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima).

Once back at the car we headed to the beach just down the road near the port, again we parked and walked over the river down to the beach. On the way we saw Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).

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

On the beach we had a group of 5 Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and a preening Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta). Juan then heard a group of Waxbill and after a search we found a couple of Black-rumped Waxbills (Estrilda Culinegra / Estrilda troglodytes) which flew out n to a nearby field where we saw lots of finches feeding. On the field we also found Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and a couple more Waxbills which turned out to be Common Waxbills (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild). In the same area and back on the beach as we walked back to the car we saw Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), a single Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), a Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) which was sat on the port wall and finally as we recrossed the river a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis).

Our final stop of the morning was at the wetlands of Charca de Suarez one of my favorite place to do some birding, on the way to the site we picked up Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata). We walked around to the small hide which over looks the southern end of Laguna del Taraje and boosted the day list with Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) heard and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) as well as the first of several Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Yellow-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) and calling Stripe-less Tree Frogs (Hyla meridionalis).

Stripe-less Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis).

We moved around to the hide at the other end of the pool seeing Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) on the but saw little from the hide. We continued on to the new hide over looking the new lagoon where we saw several Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) and a few Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).

Wild Boar (Jabalí / Felis silvestris).

Again we walked on around to the main hide and scanned the pool looking for new species but the light was not great so it was a struggle but we eventually located Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), a male Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata), a winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and just as we were leaving the hide we heard a large splash as a family group of 9 Wild Boars (Jabalí / Felis silvestris) swam past the front of the hide.

We continued on around to the exit via the two hides that look over the Laguna del Trebol adding just Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and a female Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla).

9x Wild Boars (Jabalí / Felis silvestris).

We left the reserve hearing the news that David Jefferson had seen and photographed the Spotted Crake (Polluela Pintoja / Porzana porzana) that had been wintering at the site. From the exit we went out on to the road to the rear of the area to have a look for the Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which was also wintering on the site, we found the bird but we only had very distant views as it hovered a long way off. We also saw and heard Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Penduline Tits (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus). 

We went back to the car and then back up towards Granada dropping John off at Lecrin on the way. I left Juan at his apartment and the headed off home.

A view from the hide to the Kingfisher posts. 

On the way I had a quick look out on the fields around Huétor Tajar and increased the list with Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common (Urraca / Pica pica) and Iberian Magpies (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Green Sandpiper Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), 200+ Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), 18 x Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

Gibraltar and Tarifa area, Cadiz Province.

Day two down in Cadiz Province with Jayne, Allan and Lesley.

View out to Tarifa Island.

We had a nice breakfast st the AC hotel in La Linea before heading over the border again but this time it was just a quick visit to the supermarket before going further west to Tarifa.

Tarifa Beach.

Whilst we were in the supermarket it was nice to bump into Penny and John Hale as we had not seen them for quite a long while, after a chat we did the shopping and the headed for the crossing and straight through. Once we were in the town at Tarifa we had a coffee before walking through the streets down to the port and the out onto the beach near the causeway out to the Island.

5x Grey Plovers (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola).

Here I saw a few bits including several Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).
After we got back to the car we headed just down the road to Los Lances beach where we walked out to the hide and I scanned the pool and see.

Group of Gulls and Terns.

On the way I added Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). On the pool and around the hide we saw a small group of 5 Grey Plovers (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola), as well as a single Ringed (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and a couple of Kentish (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Sanderling  (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), a single immature Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and a fishing Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

View of Getares Beach.

We walked back to the car and made our way to Getares just to the west of Algeciras where we had a very nice luch watching the Kite Surfers on the beach. Later we drove home adding just Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) to the list.

Gibraltar.

Day one of a visit to Gibraltar with Jayne and friends Lesley and Allan Brisco.

Looking down to the town from the Rock.

We drove down to the crossing and went on to the Rock and to the car park near the cable car station where we left the car and headed to the top. The weather was not great and by the time we were at the top we were in the clouds.

Jayne, Allan and Lesley on the Cable Car.

We walked back down to the halfway stop seeing plenty of Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus) including several youngsters. During the walk I also saw Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Wild Clematis (Clematis vitalba), Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major), Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca) and Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia baetica).

On the way down to a damp town.

One thing I really like was a road sign on the way down with a Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) Warning.

Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus).

Later we had a nice lunch and a walk around the town before spending a very nice evening in the town of La Linea.

Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus).

Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia baetica).

Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) Warning sign.

Hacho, Loja, Granada Province.

A walk up the 1024m hill Hacho to the north of Loja.

The Top.

Jayne and I headed just up the road to the back edge of a local hill called Hacho and walked up to the summit and back down again.

Jayne on the way Down.

On the way there and back I saw Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), lots rosettes of next years Ophrys forestieri and Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Broad leaved Iris (lirio de invierno / Iris planifolia) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Sierra Nevada off in the stance.

Looking in the opposite direction.

Sierra de Loja.

Looking to the summit.

Moraleda Fields and Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A day on the local patch with Alisa and Indigo from Australia.

I met Alisa and Indigo in Plaza Nueva then we walked back to the car and then made our way out of the city and along the A92 to the fields near Moraleda. On the way through the nearby urbanisation we started the list with several species sitting on the wires including White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and on a small area of waste ground a flock of Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) with a couple of nice male Serin's (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) in the same mix. Out on the fields we did a loop along the main track and during this drive we picked Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and our main target birds with 3 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) being seen at first at quite a distance but later we had better views but in flight.

Our next stop was down in the Pine woods along the road down in the Cacín Valley just above the river where we had a walk and recorded Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Mistle (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Song Thrushes (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

We made another stop along the river at the bridge but we did not add anything new to the list so we pushed on up to the reservoir and scanned the water picking up Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). On the way along the road towards the gorge we had a very nice Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) and several Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) sat on the wires.

In the gorge we stopped a couple of times seeing a good flock of Jackdaws and a pair of Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) which sat on the cliff giving us nice views and then equally good flight views. 

We worked our way back along the Valley and then up on to the ridge above Cacín where we looked for raptors but only added Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) as well as Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Small White (Artogeia rapae) butterfly on the fields near La Malaha before heading back into the city.