Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Migrants moving through the local patch.

 

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

I had a walk along the now almost dry Arroyo Vilano taking the southern side on the second half of the walk, highlights of the walk were Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) x2, Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and a male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) all of which are fairly newly arrived summer visitors.

Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

There were also good numbers of Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), 2 Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), a Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos),  Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) and a male Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) all of which were hangers on from the wintering birds.

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Count.

 

10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon).

33 Moths of 7 species, one of which can't be Identified with out killing it and I will not do that.

10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon).

6619 Uresiphita gilvata x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1, 9435 Caradrina noctivaga x1, 10029 Mythimna sicula x11 and 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x17 and 10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) x1.

Cnephasia species but not identifiable.

9435 Caradrina noctivaga.

6619 Uresiphita gilvata.

10029 Mythimna sicula.

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province, Spain.

A few hours on the best of the Sierras on a day when the birds behaved well.

 

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) odd head markings.

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) odd head markings.

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica)

After an 08.00 appointment with the Physio I drove up Sierra de Loja, I entered the site from the Motorway and stopped at the lower quarry first where I started off with Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia).

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

I continued on up the hill past the crags where I picked up Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and several hanging plants of Buckler Mustard (Biscutella frutescens).

Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus).

Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus).

Along the tops there were singing Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), a pair of very smart Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), the first of 20 or so Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) including a slightly odd looking bird and a couple of pairs of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura).

Andaluz Storksbill (Erodium primulaceum).

Andaluz Storksbill (Erodium primulaceum).

I parked by Charca Negro and walked to the nearby cliffs where I found around a 100 or so trumpets of Narcissus bugei, Andaluz Storksbill (Erodium primulaceum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Sharp-ribbed Salamander (Pleurodeles waltl). 

Narcissus bugei.

Narcissus bugei.

As I walked around the area I also had my first Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) of the year followed by a second bird later, Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).

I drove on further along the track to the furthest tracks where I parked and did a walk, amongst the Hawthorns (Crataegus monogyna) I found a male Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and along the crags Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and as I walked back to the car a flock of around 50 odd Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

I turned around and started to make my way back down the hill stopping a few times to get shot of Black-eared Wheatears and whilst I was getting the shots of the odd looking bird a cracking male Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) flew in to a leafless bush and remained for a few seconds giving me the chance to rattle of a few shots before it was gone as fast as it arrived.

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

Further on a male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) flew across the track and down into the valley below and along side the track I had a very smart Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

On my way down I had a look around the middle quarry adding Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Viola Dementria, Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus),

Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum).

Viola dementria.

Viola dementria.

Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus).

Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus).

 

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A short walk around the Lucerne fields.

 

Scops Owl (Autillo Europeo / Otus scops).

I parked down by the Arroyo and first of all I checked the Trees and I was surprised to find the Scops Owl (Autillo Europeo / Otus scops) was still roosting in the same place. 

Pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus).

I walked along the track having a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus) fly through flushing all the Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

A bit further along the track I had my first Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) of the year which was sitting in amongst a flock of Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Another Owl down on the patch.

 

Scops Owl (Autillo Europeo / Otus scops).

I spent most of the day painting at the house so did a mid afternoon walk down on the fields, I parked in the normal place and walked up the river bed following a herd of Sheep which were flushing all sorts including Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

Scops Owl (Autillo Europeo / Otus scops).

As I walked back down the Arroyo I past a tree and it started to call at me and within a minute or two I was watching a stunning Scops Owl (Autillo Europeo / Otus scops). 

Male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

I walked the Lucerne fields and heard a male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) Raspberry blowing and I also saw 2 female birds. Other species included Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and a male Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Count.

 

7691 Chemerina caliginearia.

A tad warmer last night at +7, nothing new but at least there were a few bits in the box 27 Moths of 4 species.

8579 Eupithecia dodoneata (Oak-tree Pug).

7691 Chemerina caliginearia x1, 8579 Eupithecia dodoneata (Oak-tree Pug) x2, 9593 Spudaea ruticilla x1, 10029 Mythimna sicula x1 and 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x23.

9593 Spudaea ruticilla.

10029 Mythimna sicula.

El Temple, the Cacín Valley and Padul Wetland, Granada Province, Spain.

A trip around the far end of the Patch and then a quick visit to Padul.

 

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

I drove along the Motorway and then into the El Temple area where I was hoping to get some photographs of the summer visiting Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) but I didn't manage to get the close up shots I wanted but it was still great see and hear these noisy birds.

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

In the first area I visited I found several of the Cuckoo's, a small flock of 5 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), good numbers of flying and calling Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

As I dropped down off this first area I had a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) sat on a large rock pile catching a bit of sun, Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes).

I moved to a second site where I regularly see a pair of Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) and today I was pleased to see them at the same spot but also I watched as they mated a couple of times which looks promising for the pair to be breeding on the site again.

Italian Man Orchid (Orchis Italica).

In the same area I had a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) as well as Clouded Yellow (Colias corcea), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

I continued on across the area and out on to the road to the Cacín Valley, on the way in a roadside Oak woodland I found a few spikes of Somber Bee Orchids (Ophrys fusca / foresteri) along with a single Italian Man (Orchis Italica) and a few Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

At the view point I scanned the ridges finding Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and a very nice Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor Perdicera / Hieraaetus faciatus).

Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor Perdicera / Hieraaetus faciatus).

Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor Perdicera / Hieraaetus faciatus).

I dropped down into the valley and went North up to the Contra-embalse where I parked and scanned the water finding Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and an immature Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

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

Around the lake I also had a pair of Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus) x8, Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and just as I was about to leave all the birds on the lake went up which was caused by a low level fly through by a female Northern Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis).

Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

I drove up the valley and then took to the fields again finding Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and a nice young Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus).

Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus).

I went to another site to find a few Orchids, searched a area of scrub grassland finding Fan-lipped (Anacamptis collina), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Dark Spider (Ophrys incubacea) and Bumble-bee Orchids (Ophrys bombyliflora).

Spotted Crake (Polluela Pintoja / Porzana porzana).

At this point I got a call from my friend Juan to say that he was at Padul and he had seen Spotted Crake (Polluela Pintoja / Porzana porzana) and singing Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) so I drove down there and found both from Juans directions.

Spotted Crake (Polluela Pintoja / Porzana porzana).

I also saw Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Spotted Crake (Polluela Pintoja / Porzana porzana).