Arroyo Marin, Archidona and Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province.

A repeat of yesterdays trip but with Bent Halfdan Pedersen from Denmark on his third trip with Granada Wildlife.

White-winged Tern (Fumarel Aliblanco / Chlidonias leucopterus).

Today we were not looking at plants as we were yesterday but Bent had sent me a short list of just two butterflies before he arrived so we were searching for Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes) and Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina). 

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

I had seen both species at this site the day before with Ellie and Alison so thought that we would start here and it soon payed off when we had the first of several Festoons but it took a while before we got one that sat nicely for the camera. 

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi).

As things warmed up we added Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Clouded Yellow (Colias corcea), Small (Artogeia rapae), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Bath Whites (Pontia daplidice) and then the first of a few Provence Orange-tip but none of which landed for Bents camera.

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi).

Whilst we were hunting the target species we also added Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius). 

Ophrys dyris.

In the scruby areas we also picked up a few orchids including Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Ophrys dyris, a surprising clump of Somber Bee (Ophrys fusca) and Small Woodcock Orchids (Ophrys picta) as well as several Brown Bluebells (Dipcadi serotinum).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca).

We moved on to a site nearby where we looked at a few more orchids including Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Pink Butterfly (Anacamptis papilionacea) and the hybrid Orchis x gennarii (O. papilionacea x O. champagneuxii).

Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

After a very nice sandwich in a nearby bar we headed up to Fuente de Piedra, we immediatley found the White-winged Tern (Fumarel Aliblanco / Chlidonias leucopterus) which had been on site for a few day. Also seen on the roadside pool were several Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Ringed (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus). 

Brown Bluebell (Jacinto bastardo / Dipcadi serotinum).

We moved around to the mirador and scanned through the flock of several hundred Greater Flamingo's and soon picked out 5 Lesser Flamingo's (Flamenco Enano / Phoenicopterus minor) a pair and a seperate group of 3. 

Around at the hides to the rear of the centre we upped the list with several new species including Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Red-crested (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and Common Pochards (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus). 

Bent admiring the Pink Butterfly Orchids.

Other species included Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi) and several Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Once we were back at the car we made out way back down to Malaga and the I headed back home.

Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

White-winged Tern (Fumarel Aliblanco / Chlidonias leucopterus).

Arroyo Marin, Archidona and Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province.

A day plant hunting with Ellie and Alison from Marbella.

Lathyus cicera.

I met Ellie and Alison at the start of a Valley near to Archidona where we were going to spend quite a long while checking the banks and track sides for wild flowers and orchids. 

Violet Cabbage (Moricandia moricandioides).

In the area around the meeting point we started the list with Yellow Bee Orchid (Orquídea Abejera / Ophrys lutea), Ranunculus picatus subsp blepharicarpos, Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Fedia (Fedia cornucopiae), Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), White Mustard (Sinapis alba), Mallow-leaved Storksbill (Erodium malacoides), Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Shepherds Needles (Scandix pecten-veneris), Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia), Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata), Violet Cabbage (Moricandia moricandioides), Spring Rockcress (Arabis verna), Aristolochia paucinervis, Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Star Clover (Trifolium stellatum), Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Lathyus cicera, Yellow Vetch (Vicia lutea), Intermediate Periwinkle (Vinca difformis) and Mediterranean Catchfly (Silene colorata).

Tragopogon angustifolius.

Birds in this area included Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Common Vetch (Vicia sativa).

After quite a while we moved on to the furthest point along the valley where we found some more orchid species including Man (Orchis anthropophora), Dense-flowered (Neotinea maculata) and Mirror Orchids (Ophrys speculum) as well as Yellow Anemone (Anemone palmata), Fool's Watercress (Apium nodiflorum), Common Corn Salad (Valerianella locusta), Warty Spurge (Euphorbia squamigera) and Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum).

Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum).

In the same area we had Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small (Artogeia rapae) and Large White (Pieris brassicae), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

White Mustard (Sinapis alba).

Next we headed back along the track and called in at the first ruin where we found Prickly Poppy (Papaver argenone), Field marigold (Calendula arvensis), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) and Clouded Yellow (Colias corcea), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata).

A little further way along the valley we stopped again and picked up Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops). 

Prickly Poppy (Papaver argenone).

Plants included Nonea  vesicaria, Naples Garlic (Allium neapolitanum), Andalusian Storksbill (Erodium recorderi), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) and White Bryany (Bryonia cretica).

Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora).

From here we headed out of the valley to the opposite side of Archidona where we did a short walk through some Oak woodland and soon found a wonderful group of Pink Butterfly Orchids (Anacamptis papilionacea). 

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

A short walk later we had also recorded Orchis x gennarii (O. papilionacea x O. champagneuxii), Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Southern Early Purple Orchid (Androrchis Olbiensis), Southern Red Bartsia (Parentucellia latifolia), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Adonis aestivalis subsp squarrosa and Yellow Gromwell (Neatostema apulum).

Naples Garlic (Allium neapolitanum).

Next we headed up the motorway to Fuente de Piedra and checked the pool on the entrance road first and soon found a single Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). 

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Anacamptis papilionacea).

We parked and then walked around the reserve and out to the hides at the rear of the centre where we had good views of 3 White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Red-crested (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and Common Pochards (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis). 

Orchis x gennarii (O. papilionacea x O. champagneuxii).

As we were heading back along the road out of the reserve we scanned the pool and found the species we had come for a moulting White-winged Tern (Fumarel Aliblanco / Chlidonias leucopterus) which was feeding low over the water. 

Southern Red Bartsia (Parentucellia latifolia).

From here we headed back to Archidona where I dropped Ellie and Alison back to there hotel before heading home myself.

Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina).

White-winged Tern (Fumarel Aliblanco / Chlidonias leucopterus).

White-winged Tern (Fumarel Aliblanco / Chlidonias leucopterus).

Western Granada Province.

A look for some Hybrid Orchids.

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

During the day I had a quick look at a spot not to far from the house where last year Juan Pérez Contreras found a nice colony of over 300 spikes of Bumblebee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora) and in amongst the two hybrids between it and Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) called Ophrys x sommieri. The Bumblebee's were flowering along with lots of Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Dark Spider (Ophrys incubacea), Fan-lipped (Anacamptis collina) and Sawfly but none of the Hybrids.

From the Terrace, near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A few quick snaps from the terrace.

Iberian Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus / capensis).

During the morning I did a talk to the Amigas de Casa ladies group in Trabuco and then when I got home I had lunch with Jayne on the terrace. 

Iberian Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus / capensis).

Whilst we were up there we saw a large Iberian Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus / capensis) under the Olives along with a couple of young Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Iberian Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus / capensis).

Venta del Raya to Zafarraya, Granada Province.

A walk amongst the orchids and other wildlife.

Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea).

I met Valerie at Venta del Raya and after a coffee we had a drive down the road to a field where we had good views of several Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) including dispalying males. We also saw Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Androrchis Olbiensis).

On the track side we also saw Borage (Borago officinalis), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Hoary Cress (Cardaria draba), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), White Mustard (Sinapis alba), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Pitch Trefoil (Psoralea bituminosa) and Tragopogon angustifolius.

Conical Orchid (Neotinea conica).

A short way down the road we met Brenda and then continued on down the road towards Zafarraya and then stopped in amongst the Oak Woods and then walked for the next couple of hours.

Conical Orchid (Neotinea conica).

In this area we found lots of Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), a few Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera ), Fan-lipped (Anacamptis collina), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Conical (Neotinea conica), Giant (Himantoglossum robertiana) and Southern Early Purple Orchids (Androrchis Olbiensis) as well as Common Asphodel (Asphodelus albus), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Cymbalaria-leaved Speedwell (Veronica cymbalaria), Dove's Foot Cranesbill (Geranium molle), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Field marigold (Calendula arvensis), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Mediterranean Catchfly (Silene colorata), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Rusty-back Fern (Ceterach officinarum), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Scentless Mayweed (Matricaria perforata), Shepherds Needles (Scandix pecten-veneris), Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) and Spring Rockcress (Arabis verna).

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Anacamptis papilionacea).

We Birds were few but we could hear Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and had views of Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and as we walked back to the car a flight of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Anacamptis papilionacea).

Time had flown by but we had enough to pop a short way down the road and checked out another area of grassland dotted with Oaks and old Almond trees. In this area we had some superb clumps of Pink Butterfly Orchids (Anacamptis papilionacea), along with many of the species already seen and a single spike of Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta). 

Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

Birds included Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and an unexpected Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) on the nearby sewage pools.

Naked / Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica).

Once back at the car we retraced our way back to the starting point and then home but called in to another spot and had several spikes of Naked / Italian Man Orchids (Orchis italica) on the way.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping.

A quiet night with just 5 insects including a single 10343 (2092) Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart), 2x 9433 (2389) Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow), 9436 (2388) Caradrina flavirena (Lorimer's Rustic) and 10351 (2087) Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

9433 (2389) Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

10351 (2087) Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

Marbella area, Malaga Province.

Orchids in a protected spot and a new butterfly for my Spanish List.

Portuguese Dappled White (Euchloe tagis).

We spent the morning around the shops on Gib adding two birds to my carboot list with a litre of Red Grouse and Snow Grouse coming home, we also called at Morrisons and collected the second best thing to be found on Gib some Clotted Cream!!!

On our way home we called at a spot I had visited several years ago with Ian Phillips, a friend from Malaga where we had seen a couple of spikes of the uncommon Heart-flowered Tounge Orchid (Serapias cordigera) and lots of Limodorum trabutianum but since our first visit the site has been covered by Aventura Amazonia which I thought would be the end of the Orchids but I was wrong about that I am pleased to say. 

Heart-flowered Tounge Orchid (Serapias cordigera).

We arrived and I checked out the areas around the out side of the fences surrounding Aventura Amazonia but the site had been so badly damaged by bikes and other vehicles there was not much to be found except for Small Pink (Cistus crispus) and Laurel-leaved Cistus (Cistus laurifolius) and a new species of butterfly for my list a Portuguese Dappled White (Euchloe tagis).

After finding very little in the surrounding area I had a look through the fences and soon saw a few spikes of the Heart-flowered Tounge Orchid which were in very nice condition so I went arround to the entrance and two of the helpers there very helpfully took me to the area and allowed me to take some shots. I also found several more spikes of the serapias and lots of yet to flower Trabutianum before heading off towards home.

Heart-flowered Tounge Orchid (Serapias cordigera).

Tarifa Town, Los Lances beach and La Janda, Cadiz Province.

A few hours birding on the Cadiz Coast.

Caspian Tern (Pagaza Piquiroja / Sterna caspia).

Jayne and I got off to an earlish start and drove down to the Gib boarder where I dropped Jayne off for a day around the shops and then headed down to Tarifa town to start the list. I parked and go out of the car and within seconds had a male Garden Bulbul (Bulbul Naranjero / Pycnonotus barbatus) singing from the Eucalyptus trees above me, a good start to the morning.

Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

In the same area I also saw Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) before deciding to go and have a look at the pools on Los Lances Beach just up the road. 

Collared Pratincole (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola).

I parked and walked out to the hide, on the way I spotted some nice spikes of Yellow Lupin (Lupinus luteus) in the fieds behind the rows of the Prickly Pears. 

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

Birds seen on the way out to the board walk included Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Once at the hide I was pleased to find none of the Kite Surfers who usually ignore the fact that the pools are protected areas and practise on the nature reserve and flush all the birds, I was slightly disappointed to find some midless morron had kicked out several of the front panels. 

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

With all quiet I scanned the flocks of birds finding Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), 30+ Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluviali squatarola), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), 12+ Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), a couple of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and then three very smart Caspian Terns (Pagaza Piquiroja / Sterna caspia).

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

The weather had started to go a bit down hill so I decided to have a drive up to La Janda further to the North and by the time I got there the weather had bucked up a bit and I quickly started to find new species including Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) all before I reached the first junction. 

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

I then moved along the Canal as far as the sluces, on the way I saw Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) and the first of quite a few Collared Pratincoles (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola).

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

I turned on to the track up to the wild Olive woods passing by the Western Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis nests in the road side trees, along the first section I added Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus). 

Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta).

Once I was past the farm the first bird was a flyby Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) as well as Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus), Orphean (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis) and Subalpine Warblers (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus). 

Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus).

On some plants on the roadside there were masses of different fly and insect species nectoring but all remain needing to be named at this moment.

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I turned back and headed for La Linea to meet Jayne, on the way Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis).

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I drove down and met Jayne, later we went out for an evening walk in the town and had a nice meal and a couple of drinks.

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