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Saturday 23 December 2017

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

A new species for the local patch.

Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla).
On my way back from the supermarket in Huétor I called in to see if the Wrynecks (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) were still there and with in a minute or two I found the first and the right at the end of the reedy field I found the other 2 in the same bush together where I managed to get a shot of the one bird before it flew along the irrigation channels and into a nearby garden.
Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
Also in the same area I picked up 3 Bluethroats (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), 2♂♂ and a ♀ along with a single skulking Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), both ♂and♀ Common Stonechats (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), several Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) which were moving through the plants on the railway enbankment, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), 150+ House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and a large mixed group of both Spotless (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Common Starlings (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) which were sat in nice lines on the wires over the railway line which made it easy to pick out the spotty one.
Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
I moved on back along to the Arroyo Vilano and scanned the reed beds where I found good numbers of Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and then the surprise, I had seen a warbler in the far bank of reeds a couple of times but only the tail end and briefly but the third view was much better but brief again, however this time I did get to see that it was a stunning Moustached Warbler (Carricerin Real / Acrocephalus melanopogon) but unfortunately it did not stick around long enough for the camera. 
House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).
In the same area I saw Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), 40+ Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).
Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).
 I drove out to the Bustard fields again seeing the Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was sat in the same tree on the same branch but this morning it was too cold to even bother unfluffing to look at me as I took its picture.
Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).
On the Bustard field there were Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) but due to the fog I could only see around 20 or so birds along with several Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and a couple of Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaria), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), quite a few Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and in the Asparagus field on the opposite there were at least 4 calling Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) a couple of which came up on to the tops.
Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).
I headed back to the house seeing some Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) on the way and in the garden I added Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos).
Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Wednesday 20 December 2017

Huétor Fields, Huétor Tajar, Granada Province.

A few birds on my way back from town.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).
On the way back from town I zig-zagged my way back across the fields, on the Mesia side of the area I checked to see if there were any of the Wrynecks (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) still around and I was pleased to see two and hear the third off to the side in a garden. In the same area I also had views of Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), a male Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) which was chasing off a very smart looking Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and a nice male Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) which came into view several times but not once did it sit long enough for the camera.
I moved back towards the Arroyo Vilano where I made several stops, the first was under a couple of Walnut trees, as soon as I was out of the car I was being shouted at by a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) which was right above me along with a group of Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and a fine male Brambling (Pinzón Real / Fringilla montifringilla) which looked like it was almost in complete summer plumage, strange???
In the same area there were lots of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) dfeeding down along the river with several Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), a feeding Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) in amongst the numerous Meadow Pipits, White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), quite a few Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) all feeding in amongst the reeds which were still covered in frost and a calling and fast moving Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).
On the fields as I reached the top of the track along the river where there was a flock of 100+ House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) which were dropping down from a couple of Fig trees on to the harvested corn fields and as I scanned through them I was very pleased to see a good number of Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and even more pleasng were the three + male Spanish Sparrows (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).
In the same area I picked up Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), a mixed flock of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) with a surprisingly high number of its Northern counterparts the Common Starlings (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and a single Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) in a nearby Fig Tree.
I crossed the site to the Bustard fields see one of my Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) sitting all fluffed up in a frosty tree and once there I found 61 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), dozens of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), 8+ Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaria), 50+ Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and on my way back home a few hundred Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) on their usual roosting fields.

Monday 18 December 2017

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Siskins in the garden.

Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) male.
I did not put the hide out but whilst I was shifting some plants around on the Terrace the Siskins (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) were happy to sit in the Fig and Almond trees around the gardens and pose for the camera.
Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) male.
Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) male.
Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) female.
Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) male.

Saturday 16 December 2017

Near Huétor Tajar and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

An hours birding on the patch with Bob Wright.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).
Bob and his wife Jenny came up to our house to visit and after a cupper, a chat and several Siskins (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) on the feeder from the kitchen door Bob and I headed out on to the field whilst Jenny and Jayne stayed in the warm.
We started by driving down to the Arroyo Vilano picking up Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was sat in a tree on the roadside, White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).
Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) female.
We crossed at the ford and took the track down the far bank seeing Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and down by the walnut trees at the far end of the bank Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Brambling (Pinzón Real / Fringilla montifringilla), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).
Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).
We made our way around to the Mesia side of the side seeing both Common (Urraca / Pica pica) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and once there we parked by the Irrigation ditch and walked around the remains of the reed bed opposite, almost straight away we had the first of 3 Wrynecks (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) which was sat on reed stems along with male and female Common Stonechats (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), 2x Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and a nice male Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica).
We worked our way back across the site adding Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) on the way and once there we soon found several Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), a signal Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata). 
We headed back to the house where Bob took some shots for the Siskins which were feeding on the garden feeder.

Tuesday 12 December 2017

La Janda, Cadiz Province.

A day amongst winter Raptors and a few other bits and bobs.

The sun just starting to warm things up, none to late. It was piggin freezing.
I left the hotel in La Linea at about 07:45 and headed along the coastal motorway and then North past Los Barrios, on the way I started the day list with Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) out side the hotel, a dozen or so White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) which were on lamp posts and nest on pylons, Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) were every where as usual, White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) all over the place, Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) flying over a roadside lake, a Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) sat on one of the telegraph post once and just before I dropped down to La Janda area I had a Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) whizz along the hedgerow towards me.
Watching two Black-winged Kites.
In amongst the more open Oaks I had a group of 7 or so Red Deers (Ciervo común / Cervus elaphus) running though the fields.
I turned on to the track into the La Janda area and parked about 100m into the site and the first bird that came into sight just as the sun peeped over the horizon to my left was a quite unexpected Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides) followed by Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) x3, Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which came in and flushed out two Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) from a row of dead trees.
Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus) just after sun rise.
A short distance further along the track I added Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), a Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) which was sat in a tree waiting for it warm up, male and female Common Stonechats (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).
Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).
I again stopped a little further along the track and scanned some more open water, through the scope I sorted Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), a stunning female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) which was hunting low over wet stubble fields and a group of 11 Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus) which came flying from the south calling loudly as they passed over, a stunning sight and sound where ever you my be.
Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus) later in the day.
On a corner a little further on which was slightly higher than the surroundings and gave me good views over the area I spent another hour scanning and adding Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) as well as a couple of Clouded Yellows (Colias corcea) and a single Small White (Pieris rapae).
Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).
I turned off the Benalup road and headed over to the main part of the La Janda area going through the wild olive fields and after passing through the farm I was soon up on the main Canal, on the way I saw lots of Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), a good number of Song Thrushes (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) flashing across in front of the car between the wild olives, a couple of Pheasants (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus) which flew from the farm and down on to the lower fields, 2x Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax), 20+ Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), lots of Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and down on the lower fields a small flock of Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra).
Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).
Once I was up on the bank on the far side of the Canal I immediately saw a large Eagle which was being mobbed by several Corvids, it was either a Great Spotted (Águila Moteada / Aquila clanga) or Lesser Spotted Eagles (Águila Pomerana / Aquila pomarina) but it was distant and I could not be sure which.
I drove South along the Canal and soon bumped into friends Penny Hale and Bob Buckler who were watching a nice Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) which they put me on to and I returned the favour with an adult Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti) which was sat on a water boom. We watched this adult which eventually dropped down on to the field nearby and was joined by an immature bird. Whilst I was with them we also saw Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).
Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).
I said bye (for the first time) to Penny and Bob and drove back North and all the way out to the main road where I scanned the trees looking for the Eagle I had seen earlier but I could not find it, however before I got back to the Canal crossing I had found Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), 15+ Brambling (Pinzón Real / Fringilla montifringilla) mixed in with House Sparrows on wet stubble fields and in the deeper water at the far end of the Canal a winter plumaged Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).
Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).
I crossed back to the road out to Benalup on the way adding Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) before I met another birder from the UK (Sorry I can not remember your name) who had been seeing some good birds just before the drop down off the cross track and whilst I was talking to him we saw a pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus) and several distant soaring Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).
We dropped down to the road to Benalup and made a couple of stops seeing the female Hen Harrier again along with many of the species I had seen earlier. As we were at the second stop a Black-winged Kite came towards us and started to hunt over one of the roadside fields before catching a small rodent and landing just along the road on a dead pad of Prickly Pear Cactus and eating it allowing me to get some distant shots. Penny and Bob had arrived behind me and were taking some shots as well.
I again said goodbye to everyone and started to leave the area but just as I got around the corned something caught my eye as it took off from the ground so I stopped the car and grabbed the scope and was soon watching a Spotted Eagle which continued on flying around the field. After messaging with a few people about the birds seen at the site recently this bird was one of the two Lesser Spotted Eagles (Águila Pomerana / Aquila pomarina) that have been in the area for a while (Thanks Javi and Ricky for the help with this one). 
Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).
After watching the bird for a while I drove back to see if any of the others were still there and I found Penny and Bob who I took back to the spot but after half an hour the bird did not return but we did see an immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) hanging in the growing breeze above the nearby ridge.
For the third time I said goodbye to Penny and Bob and I headed back to La Linea where I met Jayne back at the hotel, later we went out for a really nice meal at the La Luna beach bar near the nautical club house.

Monday 11 December 2017

Travelling to La Linea, Cadiz Province.

A damp journey down to La Linea in Cadiz Province.

Jayne and I drove down to La Linea starting our three day stay with a wet drive down along the coast, on the way I saw Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and in the bay as we approached the hotel adult and immature Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

Friday 8 December 2017

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A days birding with Elaine from Canada.

View from the Raptor watch point.
On my way up to Granada where I was meeting Elaine I started the day list off with Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) x2, House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) 1000s and Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia).
I met Elaine in the city and we drove back to Huétor Fields giving it time to warm up a bit before we started birding along the Mesia side of the area, we started off checking the irrigation ditches and along the bank of the Arroyo Vilano.
Elaine at the watch point.
In this first area we picked up a female Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), both male and female Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), several wintering White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), a group of 5 noisy Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), calling Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) coming up out of the Lucerne fields, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) which were perched up on the wires and then a surprise when a bird that flew into a patch of Giant Reeds on the far bank turned out to be a wintering Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla).
We crossed the road where again we checked the irrigation ditches, surrounding fields and an area of reeds. A group of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) flew in whilst we were checking the ditches, down in the reeds we found several feeding Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and on the far side of the track along the side of the reeds we added Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), a couple of Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and the another Wryneck which sat in the reeds but dropped out of sight just as I got back with my camera. As we approached the stand of reeds the Wryneck flew around us and away into a honeysuckle hedge on a nearby allotment and then just a few meters away another bird flew up from the reeds into a small tree and this also turned out to be another wintering Wryneck, amazing to have three of these summer visiting species still here.
Further along the track and by the Arroyo again we found our first Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) which were feeding on some distant pomegranate, Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), as well as flocks of both Brambling (Pinzón Real / Fringilla montifringilla) and Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) on the ploughed areas of the fields.
We next headed out on to the fields on the Loja side of the area, as we drove we found one of my regular Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) sitting in a roadside tree, several flocks of Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) came up from roadside weeds as we passed, 3 Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) feeding on seed heads and had our first Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) of the day as it flew through the Olives.
Once we reached the Lucerne fields we quickly located the flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) mixed in with a couple of hundred Northern Lapwings and a single Western Cattle Egret.
We drove a short way around to the next spot where we had loads more Northern Lapwings, a single Little Bustard, a few Golden Plover (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaria), lots of day time roosting Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), a single Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) sat up on the wires and quite a few noisy Jackdaws.
We crossed over to the southern side of the A92 to reach our next site which was near Moraleda, once out on the fields we parked and scanned through finch and sparrow flocks which were feeding on the recently sown fields which were just showing green shoots of the winter cereal crops. We soon found good numbers of Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and even larger numbers of Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) mixed in with Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and Skylarks.
On the drive around to the disused Cortijo we found Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris). Near the Cortijo we made another stop but it was very quiet and we only added a couple of Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) so we dropped down in to the valley and had some lunch in El Turro. Later we continued on into the Pine woodlands and the to the bridge over the Rio Cacín picking up Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) which was only heard.
5x Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus).
Our next stop was at the Contra-Embalse which turned out to be the highlight of the day for Elaine, from the parking spot we could see that the water level was quite low which meant that there were a few waders around including 8+ Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) which were chasing each other around flashing their nice white rumps, several probing Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) and a group of 5x Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus). Other birds out on the water included Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) x20+, Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope) x1male, Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata). In the air and around the margins we also saw a male Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) in winter plumage, Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) which Elaine picked up flying along the Pines on the far shore and a calling but hidden Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus).
We dropped further down the valley and then up over the ridge and back through to Granada, we saw lots of the species we had already recorded but found nothing new. The city was crazy and the police had shut all roads to the center so I had to say good bye to Elaine quite a way out from her hotel.
Thanks for your company during the day and for taking the time to do a Trip Advisor review for Granada Wildlife.

Thursday 7 December 2017

Sierra de Loja and El Jau, Granada Province.

Looking for Thrushes in the Sierra and Barn Owls amongst the Tobacco Barns.

Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata).
I start the list off at the house with Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and on the way out to the Sierra Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
Ring Ouzel (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus).
Once I was up on the Sierra I drove to the far side and on the way I saw Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
Ring Ouzel (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus).
Once at the furhtest point I parked on the side of the track amongst the Hawthorn trees and waited to see what appeared, birds that turned up included several Ring Ouzel (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) x20+, Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) x3, Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush, Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus). I had a walk up on to the scree slopes above the track looking for some Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris) that I could hear from the car, once I found the flock I turned up 11 birds but they remained distant and when a Sparrowhawk came in flew up and over the crags.
Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris).
After a while I dropped down to a nearby pool where I was surprised to find a Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) along with the first of a few Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) along with a nice male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).
Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).
On my way down the hill I added Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) which sat for the Camera, Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) and down by the exit a male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) which was singing from the top of a small pine tree.
A day time moon from the Sierra.
Later in the day Jayne and I headed Up towards Granada to visit a Chanel exhibition in the city, on the way we stopped off at an area of agricultural lands surrounded by old Tobacco barns looking for Barn Owl (Lechuza Común / Tyto alba) but again I dipped.
Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).
However I did see quite a few species including Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Corn Bunting, Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Blackbird, Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Black Redstart, Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), White Wagtail, Spotless Starling, Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Chiffchaff, Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House Sparrow and last of all a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) which drifted in to a nearby reed bed for the night.
Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).
We went up in to the city and had a good time at the exhibition and then had a mooooch around before heading back to Huétor for some food.

Tuesday 5 December 2017

Huétor Tajar, Granada Province.

Siskins and a few more Siskins.

Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) male.
During a couple of hours in the hide I was pleased to count 18 Siskins (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) coming down to feed on the seed I had put out. Other species visiting the garden were Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes). 

Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) male.
Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) female.
Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) male.
Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) female.
House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).
Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus).