Sierra de Loja, Rio Genil, Huétor Fields and Cerro Hacho, Granada Province, Spain

A day's birding with Brian from the UK.

Ebird List for Sierra de Loja. 

Ebird List for the Rio Genil. 

Ebird List for Huétor Fields.

Ebird List for Hacho. 

 

I headed off to the Hotel Rural Llano Piña where I was meeting Brian, after I had some breakfast in the Venta del Piña I met Brian and we headed up to the start of the track up Sierra de Loja.

We made our way fairly quickly up along the crags where we started the list with Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Up on the tops we came across a largish group of at least 15 male Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica hispanica) as well as the first Thekla's Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and further along the track we had a small group of Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

Along the distant crags we saw the first of several Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and an Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real / Lanius meridionalis) both of which were new for Brian, Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

As we dropped into the area of Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) we saw the first of a good number of Ring Ouzels (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) of both torquatus and alpestris races, a fly over Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris) which was calling and dropped onto a distant ridge where I got the briefest of views through the scope. 

Also seen in this area were a dozen or so Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) none of which we saw well, Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

On the way down the hill we made a few stops seeing Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Curruca undata) at two points but neither well, European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris) and Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina). 

At the Middle Quarry we had better views of a Dartford Warbler and heard but didn't see at least 2 more Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Black Wheatear, Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

We drove down to the motorway and then moved on to Huétor Tajar making a stop along the Rio Genil where I had seen a female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) but today we only managed to hear the bird call but we also saw Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica) and Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), which were new for the day along with a good many of the species seen up the mountain.

Our next stop was at the town fields where we scanned the ploughed areas and the Lucerne strip finding a good number of Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

Up on the top fields we made a stop to look at a couple of Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which were sitting in a distant fig tree and a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) on the Cortijo wall before we drove around to the Walnut trees and then did a walk along the Lucerne fields picking up Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), 4x Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild) and some very nice Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus). 

Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) winter male.

On the way off the site we did a short drive along the track going east finding several Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) and the 347th species for my year list a female Common Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

Our last stop of the day was up on Hacho where we checked the track out near the Puddle I usually visit and found Brian his first Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla) and several Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Mirador Desembocadura del Guadalhorce and Guadalhorce Pools, Malaga Province, Spain.

An early sea watch and then some birding with friend Barbara and Derek.

Ebird List for the Sea Watch.

Ebird List for the Pools.

 

My view from Mirador Desembocadura del Guadalhorce.

I started the day by heading down to the Mirador Desembocadura del Guadalhorce where I set up the scope and did some sea watching for a couple of hours before I was due to meet up with Barbara and Derek Etherton for a walk around the Pools.

Out to sea I picked up 3 ducks flying west to east which I soon got in the scope and identified as female Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra) which were a year tick, bringing me to within 4 of my 350 target.

As I watched I saw large numbers of Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) which were feeding in big groups amongst a frenzy of Gulls and a great many Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

Other species seen out to sea included 3x Cory's (Pardela Cenicienta Canaria / Calonectris diomedea borealis) or Scopoli’s Shearwater (Pardela cenicienta mediterránea / Calonectris diomedea), 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 / Thalasseus sandvicensis), Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba).

Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus).

Along the coastline, up the river and in the surrounding bushes, I also saw Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis).

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus).

I looked back along the pathway behind me where I saw friend Andy Patterson who was walking Sally his dog, so I popped down and had a chat and then after getting a call from Barbara and Derek I headed around to Café Bar Las Niñas where we met and had a coffee and some breakfast.

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas).

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas).

We then went back up to Mirador Desembocadura del Guadalhorce where we scanned the sea again and saw pretty much the same stuff except for the Scoters, we then walked along the beach and into the reserve adding Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) on the way.

Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

On the walk to the hide overlooking Laguna Grande we boosted the list with a heard only Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Grey (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Anarhynchus alexandrinus) and Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) x2.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta).

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta).

Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia).

Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).

Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).

Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia).

From the hide we added a good many new species to the day list including Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus), Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Sanderling, Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Little (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron, Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus), 4x Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador Común / Alcedo atthis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Monk Parakeet, Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Chiffchaff, Black Redstart, European Stonechat, White Wagtail and European Goldfinch. 

Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava).

Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava).

Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava).

After quite a while, we walked around towards the hide overlooking Laguna Escondida, on the way we were surprised to find a late Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava) and a Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), from the hide we added White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Blackcap, Common Blackbird, European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), European Greenfinch, and on our way back around towards the beach we found another late migrant a Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

We returned to our cars along the beach and then headed off home. 

Rio Genil East, Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk along the Rio Genil finding a local rarity.

Ebird List for the Rio Genil.

 

I started by dropping the car off at the Mechanic's again but just for some minor jobs this time, as it wasn't going to take too long I just went for a walk back to Huétor and then did a walk along the western section of the Rio Genil.

At the bridge there was the usual selection of Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser) domestic, Muscovy Duck (Pato criollo / Cairina moschata) domestic, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) domestic and a few wild type Mallards but who knows.

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

I turned to the east and walked out as far as the turning up to the industrial estate, on the way out I found loads of Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), a flyover Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Eurasian Siskin (Jilguero Lúgano / Carduelis spinus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) and White Wallrocket (Diplotaxis erucoides).

At a spot where the river comes close to the road, I sat on a low barrier and scanned the fields around me and the White Poplar (Populus alba) trees in front of me, on the fields there were Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), a couple of Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador Común / Alcedo atthis) which were chasing each other across one of the many asparagus fields, Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Curruca undata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), a Large (Pieris brassicae) x1 and Small White (Pieris rapae) x2.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

In the trees I added Long-tailed (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and then a very smart female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) called a couple of times whilst out of sight but a few minutes later it flew in and landed in the dead parts of the trees right in front of me, well pleased.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) female.

I then got a call from the young lady at the mechanic's to say the car was ready so I made my way back adding Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) on the way and then headed off home. 

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A butterfly in the Yard.

 

I spent most of the day catching up with bits and pieces around the house, during a short period of sun during the morning a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) x1 did a couple of fly through of the front yard.

Huétor Fields and Cerro Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

Sat in the car down on the fields at the weed patch and by the puddle up Hacho.

Ebird List for Hacho.

 

Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina).

I started the day by getting a few bits done before heading down town to get a few bits from a new Sunday opening Supermarket, I then went out onto the fields and parked near the weed patch but not a great deal came in.

Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina).

Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina).

House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

I did however see Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Iberian (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki) and Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major).

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada).

Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala).

Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala).

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris).

European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris).

Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis).

European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis).

European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus).

Later I dropped the shopping off at the house and continued on up to Hacho where I spent a couple of hours sat by a Puddle in a track which I have visited before, today I saw Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), European Stonechat, European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart, Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Long-tailed (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and European Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Dartford (Curruca Rabilarga / Curruca undata) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Cirl (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Goldfinch and European Serin.

Looking West towards Sierra Nevada from the top of my road.