Playa de Poniente and Charca de Suárez, Motril, Granada Province, Spain.*

A morning birding with good friend Juan Perez down on the coast.

Ebird List for Playa de Poniente.

Ebird List for Charca.

View from the Main Hide.

I set of early, as I headed for Huétor I started the day list with a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) but added nothing else until I met Juan and Chika down on the beach where we spent 1.5 hours or so seeing what was passing on the sea but it was generally quiet.

European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

There were a few Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and Juan had 3 Balearic (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) which I didn't managed to get onto, other species seen included Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), 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), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) immature.

Just before 09:00 we packed in and we headed just down the road to Charca where we went in and checked the pool just behind the new visitors center finding the first of many Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and a male Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) x1.

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

We continued on to the hide that over looks Laguna del Taraje crossing a new bridge that the wardens have put in, from the hide we saw European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), an eclipse male Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Eurasian (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Red-knobbed Coots (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) and 2 hybrids from this mixed couple.

Cynanchum acutum.

Other species Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Pallid Swift, Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada).

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

We went up to the hide at the other end of the same pool where we found Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), a migrant Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus),  Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), 2x immature Little Bitterns (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) one of which I managed to get a shot of as we walked over to Laguna del Alamo Blanco.

Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus).

From this hide we found Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and a Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) which was flushed from the reed beds when a large group of  Wild Boar (Jabalí / Felis silvestris) came clattering through.

Wild Boar (Jabalí / Felis silvestris).

Wild Boar (Jabalí / Felis silvestris).

On our way around to the next hide we saw Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), more Eurasian Turtle Doves, Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and a single Monarch (Danaus plexippus) x1.

Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea).

 

From the main hide over looking Laguna de las Aneas we could see that there were good numbers of birds around including at least 10 Black-crowned Night Herons (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) stood on top of post at the far end of the pool along with a single Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), a couple of Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus) were roosting on one of the floating platforms and they were joined by more as we sat there and built up to 37, Black-headed, Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and an immature Audouin's Gull which flew over at the far end of the lake, an immature / winter type Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca) x6 and Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina).

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).

We also saw Blue / Common (Anax imperator) x2 and Lesser Emperor x4, Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria) x1, Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) x11 and Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) x3.

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

Black-crowned Night Herons (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) and a Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus).

Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus).

We moved on and had a look at Laguna del Trebol, on the way we saw Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) x1 and African Grass Blue (Zizeeria knysna) x3 but added

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

nothing bird wise so we returned to the main hide and then around to Laguna del Alamo Blanco to finish off the visit and picked up a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), a heard only Eurasian Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

We started to make our way back towards the exit but called in at Laguna del Taraje again where we photographed a group of Glossy Ibis.

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.*

Yesterday but in reverse.

Ebird List for the walk. 

Juv Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

I was up early and after checking the Moths I started to walk down to Venta Neuva to collect the car, I took the shorter route.

I walked down the road to the old bars and then took the track but stayed on the town side of the Arroyo as far as the road into Huétor which I took then went through town and on to the mechanics, where I was told the car was still the same as the parts are going to take a few days to arrive.

Interesting species included the female type Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild) and Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.*

Moth Records for the 31st July 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +25.5

46 Moths of 24 Species.

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

 

10535 Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella).

0663 Trichophaga bipartitella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x3, 3036 Stibaromacha ratella x1, 5578 Lamoria anella x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x4, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x2, 5748a Tephris ochreella x2, 6583 Achyra nudalis x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x1, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x3, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x8, 7504 Watsonalla uncinula (Spiny Hook-tip) x2, 7564 Itame vincularia x3, 7604 Antigastra catalaunalis x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x2, 8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe) x2, 8904 / 05 Dysgoia algira/torrida x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x2, 9081 Ni Moth (Trichoplusia ni) x1, 9128 Odice pergrata x1 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x1, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x1 and 10535 Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella) x1. 

5748a Tephris ochreella.

6583 Achyra nudalis.

9081 Ni Moth (Trichoplusia ni).

9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

 

 

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.*

Another day of battle for the mechanic as the engine warning light fight goes on.

Ebird list for the fields.

 

Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

I was up and dropping the car off with the mechanic's again and then walked back to the house via the fields on both sides of the town.

Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

Interesting bird species included Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Cetti's Warbler (Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti)), a female or immature Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

Other species seen included Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Common Chicory (Cichorium intybus) and Small Fleabane (Pulicaria vulgaris).

Mollina area and Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province, Spain.*

Out for a mornings birding with friends Barbara and Derek Etherton.

Ebird list for Mollina.

Ebird List for Fuente de Piedra.

 

I met Barbara and Derek in the bar next to the Shell Garage on the outskirts of Mollina where we had coffee before heading to a nearby site where we looked for but dipped on the hard to see Rufous-tailed Sceub Robin (Alzacola / Cercotrichas galactotes), we first of all parked on the roadside and checked the vines and wires seeing Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

We then spent some more time working our way around several of the tracks nearby but still had no luck with the Robin but added Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) before heading off toward Fuente de Piedra.

On the way I saw a pair of Northern Raven (Cuervo grande / Corvus corax) sat up on a pylon and then when we arrived at Fuente we found the roadside entrance pool was completely dry except for a tiny pool at the point where the ditch from the Laguneto del Pueblo where we found singles of both Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), along with a couple of immature Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

We parked up at the closed visitors center and walked around to the Mirador where we saw a flock of Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) on the only remaining small area of water along with Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) x4 and some unidentifiable Gulls.

We moved around to the Hide over looking the Laguneto del Pueblo where we spent a while scanning the area finding White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) x8, Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) x1 and Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Our next stop was at the hide over looking the smaller pool, here we added Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) x3, Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) x1 and Small White (Pieris rapae) x2.

By now it was getting quite warm so we walked back to the car where we said goodbye and headed off on our way home, as I drove back I picked up Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.*

Moth Records for the 28th July 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +28.

39 Moths of 20 Species.

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

 

8710 Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten).

Moth numbers were again down which was probably due to the high temp which stayed up at +28 over night.

7636 Ennomos erosaria (September Thorn).

4855 Epinotia thapsiana x2, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x4, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x1, 6441 Aporodes floralis x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x1, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x3, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x8, 7564 Itame vincularia x1, 7636 Ennomos erosaria (September Thorn) x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x1, 7987 Microloxia herbaria x1, 8710 Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten) x1, 8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe) x3, 8904 / 05 Dysgoia algira/torrida x1, 9128 Odice pergrata x1 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x4, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x1, 9895 Anarta trifolii (Nutmeg) x1, 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x2 and 10535 Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella) x2. 

6441 Aporodes floralis.

9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

9895 Anarta trifolii (Nutmeg).