Puerto del la Ragua, Granada Province, Spain.

A day of ups and down, bird and terrain wise.

Ebird List for Ragua.

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

I meet good friends Sonia and Ricky Owen at bar El Cruz in Loreto where we had some breakfast before heading along the A92 to Guadix and the up to Puerto del la Ragua.

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi).

Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi).

We parked and then walked up the Western side of the road along the Barranco Maja Caco, before we even left the car park we saw the 1st of 2 Golden Eagles (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos), other birds we saw and heard as we walked up to the tops included Bonelli's (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Western Subalpine (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and at least 2 Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) which we saw and heard calling.

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae).

Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia).

Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia).

We also saw several Butterfly species, these included Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi) x4, Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia) x2, Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) x1, Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) x7, Small (Pieris rapae) x9, Large (Pieris brassicae) x2 and Bath White (Pontia daplidice) x4, Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes) x3, Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) x2, Clouded Yellow (Colias corceua) x6 and Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes) x25+.

Looking down into the Barranco Maja Caco.

Andalucian Wall Lizard (Podarcis vaucheri).

Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana).

Marsh Violet (Viola palustris).

Snow Gentian (Gentiana sierrae).

Moonwort (Lunaria menor / Botrychium lunaria).

At the top end of the  of the ravine on a more open grassy area we found several nice plants including Snow Gentian (Gentiana sierrae), Moonwort (Lunaria menor / Botrychium lunaria), Common Dog (Viola riviniana) and Marsh Violet (Viola palustris), Cerastium gibraltaricum, Genista longipes, Lobularia maritima and Sedum mucizonia as well as Andalucian Wall Lizard (Podarcis vaucheri), Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela maroccana) and Eumigus rubioi ???????

Large White (Pieris brassicae).

Small White (Pieris rapae).

Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) male.

Eumigus rubioi ???????

Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela maroccana).

Once we were up on the tops Sonia and Ricky went up in one of the ravines and I took another route up on to the tops finding Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita Camprstre / Anthus campestris), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Sonia and Ricky at around 2400m.

Looking West.

Looking West.

We also saw Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) 5x, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x8, Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) x1, Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera) x2, Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora) x2, Helianthemum apenninum, Leontodon boryi, Leucanthemopsis pectinata and Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula).

Leontodon boryi.

Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes).

Apollo (Parnassius apollo) Caterpillar.

Apollo (Parnassius apollo) Caterpillar.

Helianthemum apenninum.

We failed to find the target species the Ortolan Bunting (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana) but still had a nice, if not longer and harder going on the knees and ankles walk, on the way down off the tops we picked up Apollo (Parnassius apollo) Caterpillar x2, Southern Marbled Skipper (Muschampia baeticus) x4, Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) x5 and Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula).

Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula).

Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula).

Near Torreón de Albolote, Granada Province, Spain.

Third time Lucky searching for Spanish Zephyr Blue.

Ebird List for Albolote.

Spanish Zephyr Blue (Kretania hespericus) Male.

I was down in Loja early for a Doc's appointment which went well, as I left I met friend Beth and we went for a walk at a spot up to the North West of Granada where I was hoping to see the rare Spanish Zephyr Blue (Kretania hespericus) which was thought to be extinct in Granada Province until recently.

Spanish Zephyr Blue (Kretania hespericus) Male.

We arrived and after parking walked one of the tracks where there was good amounts of Astragalus alopecuroides the food plant of the target, as we walked we found Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathsheba) x9, Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) x3, Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x2, Long-tailed Blue (Lampides baeticus) x4, Small White (Pieris rapae) x5, Clouded Yellow (Colias corceua) x5 and 2 male + 1 female Spanish Zephyr Blue x3 which was the main target.

Spanish Zephyr Blue (Kretania hespericus) Female.

Bird wise we heard and saw Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus).

Spanish Zephyr Blue (Kretania hespericus) Female.

Apart from the Astragalus alopecuroides the food plant we also found Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys), Bladder Senna (Colutea arborescens), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Yellow Phlomis (Phlomis lychnitis), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Antirrhinum hispanicum and Antirrhinum australe, Helianthemum cinereum ??? Large Blue Flax (Linum narbonense) and Cleonia lusitanica.

Spanish Zephyr Blue (Kretania hespericus) Female.

In the area I also saw several Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the strangest / craziest / daftest thing I have seen in a long time when after a bit of a commotion in an Oak tree a Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) came running towards us with a Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) on its back 😁😁😁😁 The Blackbird held on at the back of the Squirrels neck with its bill and would have been there longer if we hadn't been in the way.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 23rd May 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +12. 

182 Moths of 49 Species.

Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

 

1426 Prays oleae.

0628 Nemapogon nevadella x1, 1361 Zelleria oleastrella x2, 1426 Prays oleae x3, 1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x24, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x18, 4298 Aethes moribundana x2, 4359 Pontoturania posterana x1, 4390 Acleris variegana x1, 4662 Bactra bactrana x1,  5144 Cydia pomonella (Codling Moth) x1, 5578 Lamoria anella x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x9, 5993 Euzophera pinguis x2, 6521 Hellula undalis (Old World Webworm) x1, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x1, 6551 Udea numeralis x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x3, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x5, 6690 Palpita vitrealis x2, 6702 Dolicharthria punctalis x2, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x13, 6860 Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth) x1, 7581 Neognopharmia stevenaria x3, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x10, 7761 Peribatodes umbraria x1, 7765 Peribatodes ilicaria (Lydd Beauty) x1, 7984 Phaiogramma etruscaria x1, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x8, 8167 Idaea subsericeata (Satin Wave) x2, 8169 Idaea cervantaria x5, 8186 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x2, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1, 8246 Orthonama obstipata (The Gem) x11, 8509 Eupithecia centarueata (Lime-speck Pug) x2, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8804 Bryophila ravula x2, 8828 Raphia hybris x2, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x2, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x3, 9137 Eublemma candidana x2, 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x2, 9425 Caradrina proxima x6, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x5, 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x1, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x7, 10035 Mythimna unipuncta (White Speck) x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x1 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x7.

3029 Dysspastus fallax.

4298 Aethes moribundana.

7761 Peribatodes umbraria.

7984 Phaiogramma etruscaria.

8828 Raphia hybris.

9137 Eublemma candidana.

10034 Leucania loreyi (The Cosmopolitan).

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk along the Lucerne Fields.

Ebird List.

2 of the 3 immature Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).

I popped down to the fields for a walk, interesting species included Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x1M, Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) x2, Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta).

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

I also saw Clouded Yellow (Colias corceua) x5, Small White (Pieris rapae) x7, Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x2 and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) x1.

The large area of uncut crop around a Monty's nest, unfortunately I don't think it helped as I haven't seen any activity since the area was harvested.

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 21th May 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +8.

66 Moths of 29 Species.

Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

 

6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold).

1361 Zelleria oleastrella x2, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x3, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x2, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x9, 6551 Udea numeralis x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x2, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x2, 6690 Palpita vitrealis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x3, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x2, 7926 Aspitates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x1, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x6, 8169 Idaea cevantaria x4, 8180 Idaea ostrinaria x1, 8186 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x3, 8556 Eupithecia distinctaria x1, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe) x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9425 Caradrina proxima x4, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x2,  9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x5, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x2, 9522 Callopistria latreillei (Latreille's Latin) x1, 10003 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate) x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x1, 10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) x1 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x2. 

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8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave).

8180 Idaea ostrinaria.

8556 Eupithecia distinctaria.

8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe).

9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic).

9522 Callopistria latreillei (Latreille's Latin).

10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing).

10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon).