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Saturday, 9 March 2024

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A welcome wash out of a day.

No Birding or anything else done outside today as it started raining at 04.00ish and it was still falling steadily at nearly 17:00, I did get a bit of decorating done and checked the feeders a couple of times seeing the regular group of Siskins (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) and 20+ House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus). 
At around 18:00 the rain eased so I decided to go out and get a bit of fresh air so I went down to Huétor and parked by the Rio Genil.
Looking down stream along the Rio Genil.
I walked across the bridge and then along the agricultural road where I saw Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and  Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
Looking up the Arroyo Vilano.
Looking down stream.
It started to rain again so I headed back towards home but went back via the Arroyo Vilano adding  Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
The usually dry Barranco.
Some Snow up on Sierra de Loja.

Friday, 8 March 2024

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 7th March 24. 
15W Actinic, min +4.
 
9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1, 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x3 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x1.

Thursday, 7 March 2024

Loja, near Moraleda and Huétor Fields

ITV first and then a bit of Birding / Orchid hunting.
Ebird List for Huétor Fields.

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
I started the day at the ITV station where the car passed the equivalent to the MOT for another year and then went to check on an area of fields near Moraleda but it was quiet and I only found Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).
I stopped as I was leaving the area to check an abandoned section of Almonds for Orchids but I only found a few spikes of Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina) x6 along with singles of Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).
I returned to Huétor Fields where I parked at my usual spot and walked the track between the Lucerne fields and the Arroyo as far as the Walnut trees and then I followed the Arroyo to the road, turned left and left again and returned to the car, on the way interesting species were Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Northern Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Spanish (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), Tree (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).
Wild flowers included Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), Mallow-leaved Convolvulus (Convolvulus althaeoides), Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum) and Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis).
I returned home to find that there were still at least 6 Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) and a couple of dozen House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) on the feeders and in the fig tree.

Wednesday, 6 March 2024

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Catching up briefly with some friends.
Ebird List, 26 Species.

Don't look that many there but my back felt it afterwards.
I was tied up all morning waiting for the Gas and Log men, I swapped a couple of Gas cylinders and then at around 13:00 the logs arrived and I shifted and stacked the ton and just as I finish Derek Etherton Rang to say that they were on their way to Huétor to have a look around the fields on their way back home after a day further east in Granada Province.
Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
We started by having a coffee and then checked two spots nearby, species seen included Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and a couple of Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 5th March 24. 
Garden Light, min +2.6.
 
Cold night, so I was not surprised to find just 4x 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) in the egg boxes.

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Cerro Hacho and Fields near the house, Granada Province, Spain.

A couple of hours up Hacho with Polly and then more local near to the house.

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).
I started the day by meeting friend Polly in Huétor and heading up to the nearby Cerro Hacho to have a look for some Orchids, we did a full walk around the lower loop, on the way we saw 4 species including Somber Bee (Ophrys lupercalis), Giant (Himanthoglosum Robertiana), Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbienis), Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina) including 2 spikes of the variant flavescens.
Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria  lusitanica).
We also saw quite a few wild flower species, Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum baeticum), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Common Whitlowgrass (Erophila verna), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Mediterranean Stork's-bill (Erodium malacoides), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata) and Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria  lusitanica).
The unfortunate state of most of the Olive plantations in the area, managed with weed killers and pesticides meaning they are largely dead zones for wildlife.
Bird wise it was quiet but we did find Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and calling Hoopoes (Abubilla / Upupa epops).
But what a difference just a few hundred meters and some better educated farmers makes.
On our way back to the Town we called in at the house so that Polly could see the
Siskins (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) on the feeders and then I dropped her back at the Garage and headed off to a spot near my house where the father and son who work the Olives allow the wild flowers to grow which means there is a much higher number of species there.
Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).
Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae).
Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae).
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).
As I walked the tracks in the Olives I saw and heard Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum), Bath (Pontia daplidice), Small (Pieris rapae), Large (Pieris brassicae) and  Western Dappled Whites (Euchloe crameri), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina) and the star species was Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).
Small White (Pieris rapae).
Bath White (Pontia daplidice).
Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

Monday, 4 March 2024

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 3rd March 24. 
Garden Light, min +3.5
 
9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).
A dam and breezy night, there were still a few moths which came into the light on the terrace. Species included 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x3, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x1, 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x6 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x7.
9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow).

10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart).

10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart).

10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart).

10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart).

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

 

Sunday, 3 March 2024

Playa de Poniente, Charca de Suárez and Golf Los Moriscos, Granada Province, Spain.

A morning down on the coast.
Ebird List for Seawatch 1, 14 Species.
Ebird List for Seawatch 1, 10 Species.
Ebird List for Charca, 42 Species.
Ebird List for Golf Los Moriscos, 22 Species.

The view looking back up to the Sierra Nevada with the strong wind lifting the snow.
I headed off early to meet Juan Pérez and Chika to do a bit of a Seawatch but it was generally quiet, we still saw Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).
Snoozing male Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).
and another.
Just before 10.00 when Charca opened Juan took Chika home and I make my way to the entrance where I met Barbara and Derek Etherton and John Cantelo, they headed into the reserve and around to the hide where John was hoping to see the wintering Moustached Warbler (Carricerin Real / Acrocephalus melanopogon) and I waited for Juan before we went into the first hide which overlooks Laguna del Lirio and Juan soon found a very nice male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) and we also added Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata), a female Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Chiffchaff, Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa).
The Male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus).
Male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus).
We moved on and caught up with the others in the first hide over looking Laguna del Trébol where they were looking for the Warbler so Juan and I continued on around to the other hide over looking the same pool, on the way there we saw a good sized flock of Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), several Spanish Sparrows (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), a couple of Siskin (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) and 2x Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) one of each colour Morph.
Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) male.
Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) female.
From the hide we picked up Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), a pair of Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), quite a few Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).
We moved on around to the main hide where we caught up with Barbara, we scanned Laguna de la Aneas and added Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) x4, Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus) x3, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and more Great Cormorants.
Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).
We continued on again and saw a couple of nest building Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and a Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) at the newish screen in the Caña de Azúcar area. 
Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).
At this point Juan said did I want to go down to the Golf Course area to see what was on the pools and I said I though that was a good idea so we met Beatriz by the entrance after hearing a Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) call several time on the way out and walked down there, firstly along the beach and then we took a track through the fields.
Monarch (Danaus plexippus).
From the gardens over looking the two golf course pools we saw a good number of Barn Swallows and a single Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), both House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and another couple of Monarch Butterflies. 
Monarch (Danaus plexippus).
Monarch (Danaus plexippus).
On the walk back to the car we picked up a single Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) on a large puddle in one of the car parking areas before I headed off home leaving Beatriz, Juan and Chika to continue their walk.