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Saturday 27 July 2024

Rio Genil, Huétor Tajar and Arroyo Vilano at La Fabrica, Granada Province, Spain.*

A walk along the Rio Genil south of Huétor and then a look at the Arroyo Vilano where there is some water still.
Ebird List for the Genil.

Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), One of several seen and heard.
I was up and after checking the Moths I drove down to the far side of Huétor and parked by the old bridge, I spent some time counting the domestic stuff there before turning west and followed the Genil down as far as the A92 service area, on the way I saw and heard several Common Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Eurasian Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Cetti's (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti) and Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus),  Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), a Eurasian Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) which was skulking around under some large reeds which had partly fell over with a couple of the Common Nightingales, locally uncommon were 2 singing Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and a few Common Waxbills (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild) the first I have seen on the fields for a while.
Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).
I reached the services and returned to the car along the service road which follows the motorway and then took the new road / bridge back into the town, along this part of the walk I added
Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) as well as Small White (Pieris rapae) x3, Common Chicory (Cichorium intybus) and Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium elaterium).
Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).
Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus).
I reached the car and then drove up through the town and out passed La Fabrica to a spot on the Arroyo Vilano where there is still a decent flow of water, after parking I walked down stream and checked the areas of Small Fleabane (Pulicaria vulgaris), Field Eryngo (Eryngium campestris) and Horse Mint (Mentha longifolia) for butterflies finding Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) x3, Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x2, Small White x6, Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) x1 and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) x2.
Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) teneral Male.
Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) male.
There were a few Dragons around but they were active and difficult to get photos of, species included Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) x4M, Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) x6, Epaulet (Orthetrum chrysostigma) x3 and Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) x4, Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) x3 and Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) x2 below the bridge where I decided it was getting too hot and I returned to the car and headed back home.
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) Male.
Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) male.
Other species seen included Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Viperine Snake (Culebra Viperina / Natrix maura), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Red-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda germanica), Striped Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum), Eurasian Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.*

Moth Records for the 26th July 24.
15W Actinic on the terrace, +24.
58 Moths of 24 Species.
Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.
 
3768 Stomopteryx basalis.
1361 Zelleria oleastrella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x1, 2976 Symmoca signatella x3, 3036 Stibaromacha ratella x2, 3768 Stomopteryx basalis x1, 4359 Pontoturania posterana x1, 4855 Epinotia thapsiana x1, 4887 Crocidosema plebejana x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x16, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x1, 5748a Tephris ochreella x1, 6001 Euzophera lunulella x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x2, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x4, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x12, 6700 Dolicharthria punctalis x1, 7564 Itame vincularia x1, 7987 Microloxia herbaria x1, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x2, 8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe) x1, 8904 / 05 Dysgoia algira/torrida x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x1, 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x1 and 9341 Aegle vespertinalis x1.
4359 Pontoturania posterana.

7987 Microloxia herbaria.
8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe).
9341 Aegle vespertinalis.

Friday 26 July 2024

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Spain.*

A few hours in the hills with friend Beth.

Looking back along the track.
As my car was in for some work Beth picked me up and we headed up around Granada and up to the car park at 2500m, on the way up we saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).
Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania).
Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania).
We parked at the car park at the 2500m mark and then walked out along the first section of the track out towards the Hoya de San Juan. 
Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) male.
Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).
On the way we saw Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Arenaria tetraquetra, Ptilotrichum spinosum, Eryngium glaciale, Campanula herminii, Macroglossum stellatarum (Hummingbird Hawkmoth) x3, Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea) x8, Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera) x1, Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia) x3, Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) x4, Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania) x6 and Dusky Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lycaon) x5 plant and butterfly wise.
Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia).

Macroglossum stellatarum (Hummingbird Hawkmoth).
Birds seen included
Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe).
Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe).
We returned to the car and dropped down to another spot to the side of the rather dreadful ski resort where we checked the damp areas along one of the tracks out onto the slopes finding B
ath (Pontia daplidice) x2 and Small White (Pieris rapae) x4, Cardinal (Argynnis pandora) x1 and Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe) x2, Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) x1, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x5, Iberian Scarce (Iphiclides feisthameli) x3 and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) x1, Purple-shot (Lycaena alciphron) x5 and Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x1, Long-tailed (Lampides boeticus), Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous) x1, Silver-studded (Plebejus argus) x2 and Nevada Blue (Pleicula golgus) x2, Mountain Argus (Aricia montensis) x5, Small (Thymelicus sylvestris) x3 and Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius) x2.
Mountain Argus (Aricia montensis).
Mountain Argus (Aricia montensis).
Mountain Argus (Aricia montensis).
Other species included Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata), Carpentor Bee (Xylocopa violacea), Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron).

Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron).
Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma).
Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus).
On the drive down we stopped at El Desvio bar and I introduced Beth to the best Carne en Salsa baguette and was very pleased to see she got into even more mess than I did 😁😁😁😁
Nevada Blue (Pleicula golgus).

Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina).
We dropped back down to Granada and headed back towards Huétor, on the way back to the house I got a message to say that I could collect the car so we called there before going for a drink on the terrace  adding
European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) before Beth headed home.

Thursday 25 July 2024

Venta Neuva to Realenga, Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.*

Another walk back from the Mechanic's.
Ebird list, 28 Species.

Today's walk was because I have had to drop the car off at Venta Nueva again to allow the on going battle between the mechanic and the engine warning light to continue and hopefully be resolved but not confident.
As I walked the 7km home I didn't see any thing unexpected but did have nice views of 5 Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus) chasing each other around the Poplar trees along the banks of the Rio Genil from the new bridge.
Other Species included Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous) x2, Small White (Pieris rapae) x4, Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Common Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Field (Convolvulus arvensis) and Mallow-leaved Convolvulus (Convolvulus althaeoides).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.*

Moth Records for the 24th July 24.
15W Actinic on the terrace, +26.
59 Moths of 20 Species.
Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.
 
0842 Placodoma ragonoti new for the garden.
Big drop in moth numbers now that the night time temperature has stayed up above +25, species included 0465 Myrmecozella ataxella x1, 0663 Trichophaga bipartitella x3, 0842 Placodoma ragonoti x1, 1361 Zelleria oleastrella x1, 2976 Symmoca signatella x1 ?????, 3768 Stomopteryx basalis x3, 5578 Lamoria anella x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x16, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x1, 5748a Tephris ochreella x1, 5875 Apomyelois ceratonnae x1, 6441 Aporodes floralis x1, 6551 Udea numeralis x1, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x8, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x14, 7581 Neognopharmia stevenaria x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x1, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x1, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1 and 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x1.
0465 Myrmecozella ataxella.

2976 Symmoca signatella ?????
3768 Stomopteryx basalis.
5578 Lamoria anella.
5875 Apomyelois ceratonnae.
5748a Tephris ochreella.
Idaea species.
9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

Tuesday 23 July 2024

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.*

Moth Records for the 22nd July 24.
15W Actinic on the terrace, +25.
53 Moths of 19 Species.
Any corrections PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.
 
5283 Choreutis nemorana new species for the garden.
1655 Ethmia bipunctella x2, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x2, 3798 Aproaerema anthyllidella x1, 4855 Epinotia thapsiana x2, 5283 Choreutis nemorana x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x14, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x3, 5875 Apomyelois ceratoniae x2, 6012 Euzopherodes vapidella x1, 6493 Evergestis desertalis x1, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x4, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x13, 6700 Dolicharthria punctalis x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x1, 8818 Bryopsis muralis (Marbled Green) x1, 8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe) x1, 8904 / 05 Dysgoia algira/torrida x1, 9128 Odice pergrata x1 and 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x1.
3029 Dysspastus fallax.
3798 Aproaerema anthyllidella.
5875 Apomyelois ceratoniae.
6012 Euzopherodes vapidella.
???????????

6493 Evergestis desertalis.

Monday 22 July 2024

2 sites in Malaga Province and Moraleda de Zafayona in Granada Province, Spain.*

Out looking for a Scrub Robin in Malaga and Dragon's in Granada.
Ebird List for Balsa de Regidor.
 
Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) male.
I was up early and at my first site of the day by 07:00 and after parking I walked a track checking the trees and cables looking for a Rufous-tailed Sceub Robin (Alzacola / Cercotrichas galactotes), as I walked I saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Eurasian Collared (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) male.
Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) male.
After around an hour and a half I decided to push on and make for my second site for the Chat, on the way I added Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and once on site I picked up Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and eventually a Bush Robin which came up onto a distant length of chain-link fence and sang for a moment before disappearing into the vines.
Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) male.
I returned to the car and then drove back towards home but went on to Moraleda where I had some breakfast at El Cruz and then visited Balsa de Regidor where I checked the margins which were more exposed than usual finding 8
Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) x1 and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) x2, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Common Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), a big flock of Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula) which flew over and a group of 6 Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) which turned up as I was about to leave.
Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) female.
Other species included Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) x3, Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) x8, Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) x2, Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) x3 and Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) x1.
Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).
Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).
Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).