Rio Pesquera and Arroyo Blanquilla, near Zagra, Granada Province.

In search of Ringed Cascader (Zygonyx torridus) in Granada Province.

Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) male.

After Lynn and Steve Jones had seen a male Ringed Cascader (Zygonyx torridus) along the Rio Pesquera on the 17th August 2018, Steve and I returned to the spot hoping to see it again and get some photographs. We arrived and walked up stream to the spot where the insect had been seen, the river was unrecognizable after the winter rains and was faster flowing and much more open and rocky. 

The spot where the Zygonyx was seen on 17th Aug 2018.

During the walk up we saw Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi), Keeled (Orthetrum coerulescens) and Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Iberian Barbel (Luciobarbus comizo), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Horse Mint (Mentha longifolia), African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli) and Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

Pond Skaters.

We reached the spot and spent a while searching up and down stream from the area where Steve and Lynn had seen it but we could not find the insect, the location did not look quite right for this species so guessing that it was a wandering male looking for a new territory but did not like this area and had moved on.

Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

Just lucky that it was seen there when it was about, I did see several other odds and ends including Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) and Small White (Pieris rapae).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

On the way back to the car I saw Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Once back at the car we drove the short distance to the banks of the Arroyo Blanquilla where we spent a while searching up and down stream, new dragons included 2x Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca), Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) as well as more Orange-winged Dropwing , Keeled  and Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna).

Over head we had a Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), in the reeds Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and a nice Southern Water Vole (Rata topera / Arvicola sapidus) which Steve managed to get some nice shots of.

Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).