Sierra Martilla, Zagra, Garanada Province, Spain.

A few hours amongst the medieval necropolis of Sierra Martilla.

 

Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

We all headed out for a walk around the medieval necropolis's and Dolmen's up on Sierra Martilla, there were lots of wild flowers in bloom all the way around the site including Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris), Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata), Ramping Fumitory (Fumaria capreolata), White Asphodel (Asphodelus macrocarpus), Rough Poppy (Papaver hybridum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Tassel Hyacinth (Leopoldia comosa), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum baeticum), Red Vetchling (Lathyrus cicera), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Lesser Snapdragon (Misopates orontium), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Mallow-leaved Convolvulus (Convolvulus althaeoides), Chaenorrhinum villosum, Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata).

White Asphodel (Asphodelus macrocarpus).

White Asphodel (Asphodelus macrocarpus).

Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata), Lesser Snapdragon (Misopates orontium) and Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare).

Lesser Snapdragon (Misopates orontium).

Ramping Fumitory (Fumaria capreolata).

Chaenorrhinum villosum.

Rough Poppy (Papaver hybridum).

Linaria tristris.

We also saw several patches of Orchids, the commonest were Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea) but we also found a couple of dozen spikes of the stunning Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

Butterflies included Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) x4, Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) x1 and Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli) x2, Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) x2, Clouded Yellow (Colias corceua) x8, Bath White (Pontia daplidice) x1, Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) x3, Large White (Pieris brassicae) x2, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x5, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) x1, Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) x7, Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x2, Small White (Pieris rapae) x4, Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes) x2, Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) x1 and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) x2 as well as a singles of 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) and Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum).

Having a rest halfway out.

Steve getting some shots of a Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

Birds seen during the walk included Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and a singing male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

Shield-bug Species.

Later in the evening we sat out on the terrace for a while and after eating we heard both Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Red-necked Nightjars (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis)  calling from the Olives.

Catching up with the list for the day.