El Estrecho Park Natural, Tráfico and La Janda, Cadiz Province, Spain.

Watching some amazing visible Migration before visiting La Janda.

Ebird List for Trafico, 30 Species.

Ebird List for La Janda, 44 Species.

Ricky and Derek at Tráfico.

Derek and I headed off down to La Linea where we picked up Ricky and said hello to his wife Sonia before heading to the watch point at Trafico, which was busy when we arrived at 09:30 but had thinned out to just us and Alejandro the Official recorder at the site for the day.

Our view for the day.

Whilst there we had and amazing time seeing huge amounts of European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) with an absolute minimum of 4500 passing over us but I suspect the number was much closer to the 6700 official count by Alejandro.

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

Other species of Raptor included Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus), Short-toed Snake (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Montagu's (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) and Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Red (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) and Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

Other species included Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster) x500+, Northern Raven (Cuervo grande / Corvus corax), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita Camprstre / Anthus campestris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and at least 740 White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

During the day we also saw Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Iberian Scarce (Iphiclides feisthameli) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas).

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus).

White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

At just after 17:00 we decided to move on to the north La Janda so after saying thanks and goodbye to Alejandro as he was the only person still there we headed off and Derek soon had us at the southern end of the road along the main Canal, during the drive along the track we saw White Storks, Little (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus), good numbers of European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Montagu's Harrier, Great Reed (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), European Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Common Kestrel, Griffon Vulture, Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Common Swift, Barn Swallow and Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum).

Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).

Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).

After several KM we turned right and took the track up to the farm a few more KMs on and then across the area of wild Olives and down to the Benalup road, during this part of the drive we had a very nice Short-toed Snake Eagle which was sat up on a Pylon, Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Western Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), European Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike, Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula) and European Goldfinch.

European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster).

Once we were out on the Benalup road we parked and spent some tine checking the area adding Sardinian and Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus).

During our visit to the area we also saw Banded Groundling (Brachythemis leucosticta), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and a Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus).

We made our way to a friend John's house where we had some food and a Beer/Cider or three and whilst we were sat on the terrace we heard a calling Tawny Owl (Cárabo Común / Strix aluco) before turning in.

 

 

Near Huétor Tajar in Granada Province, Malaga area in Malaga Province, Spain.

In the garden before heading off to Malaga to see friends and then on over into Cadiz.

Ebird List for the Garden.

I was up early and sorted out a few things before spending some time sat up on the terrace, whilst up there I picked up Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) but most interesting was a calling bird in the garden and sounded like an Iberian Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Ibérico / Phylloscopus ibericus) but as was going to be a new species for the garden I wanted to see it and after a while I got good views.

I didn't get shots unfortunately as the camera was packed ready for heading off down to Malaga on the bus from Loja, a neighbour gave me a lift down to the bus stop and I headed off down to meet Derek and Barbara at Malaga Airport.

We went for some lunch before spending a nice afternoon and evening chilling and getting sort for heading down to Tarifa next morning as the Pelagic off Chipiona had been cancelled due to mechanical issues.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

After a visit the Mechanic and Mercodona I had a walk.

Ebird for the fields.

Ebird List for the Terrace.

Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).

I went down to see the Mechanic about the car but only to find that its still being difficult and won't be ready any time soon so I headed up into Huétor and then Mercodona before taking the bits home before going back down the fields for a walk.

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

After the rain last night I went to the fields via the tarmac route around to the walnut trees where I parked and walked back along the Arroyo to my normal parking spot and back again.

European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster).

European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster).

Interesting species seen included European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Cetti's (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Melodious (Zarcero políglota / Hippolais polyglotta) and Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

As I walked back to the car the sun came out and I picked up a single Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus).

I returned to the car and then headed home where I sat up on the terrace for a hour or so picking up Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), 5 more European Honey Buzzard one of which came in fairly close, Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum) and lots more European Bee-eater. 

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

In the garden the male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) was still patrolling and was seeing off a male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) aggressively.

Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 28th Aug 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +22

Moths of Species.

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

 

8777x Acronicta psi agg (Grey Dagger agg).

0951 Oiketicoides eganai x1 ???????? 5624 Bostra obsoletali x7, 5643 Stemmatophora brunnealis x3, 6441 Aporodes floralis x1, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1, 8777x Acronicta psi agg (Grey Dagger agg) x1, 8801 / 8802 Cryphia algae / pallida x2, 8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe) x4, 8904 / 05 Dysgoia algira/torrida x1, 9128 Odice pergrata x1 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x2, 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x2 and 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x3.

5643 Stemmatophora brunnealis.

6441 Aporodes floralis.

8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe).

Over night storm. 

Some lightening shots from the over night storm, loads of thunder, lightening and a little rain.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 26th Aug 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +23

Moths of 24 Species.

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

8760 Harpyia milhauseri (Tawny Prominent).

0951 Oiketicoides eganai x2 ???????? 1361 Zelleria oleastrella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x1, 4855 Epinotia thapsiana x2, 5153 Cydia fagiglandana x1, 5578 Lamoria anella x3, 5624 Bostra obsoletali x5, 5643 Stemmatophora brunnealis x3, 6001 Euzophera lunulella x3, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x1, 6690a Palpita vitrealis x1, 7564 Itame vincularia x1, 7573 Acanthovalva inconspicuaria x1, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x6, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8760 Harpyia milhauseri (Tawny Prominent) x1, 8801 / 8802 Cryphia algae / pallida x2, 8828 Raphia hybris x2, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x1, 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x2, 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x7, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x2, 9436 Caradrina flavirena x1, 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x1 and 10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm) x2.

5153 Cydia fagiglandana.

7573 Acanthovalva inconspicuaria.

9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled).

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8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug).

10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm).

10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm).