Huétor Fields, Contraembalse de Bermejalis, Cacín Gorge, Rio Cacín, Contraembalse de Bermejalis Presa and Realenga de Agicampe

Out on the patch with Deb and Ian.

Deb and Ian, Day Two. 

Ebird List for the Fields.

Ebird List for the Contraembalse de Bermejalis.

Ebird List for Cacín Gorge.

Ebird List for the Rio Cacín.

Ebird List for the Cacín Bridge and Dam. 

Ebird List for Realenga.

 

We started the day with breakfast up on the terrace and then with a visit to Huétor Fields where we picked up Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator),  Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Small White (Pieris rapae).

Our next stop was down the Cacín Valley at the Contraembalse de Bermejalis where we scanned the water, margins and skies seeing Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas),  Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum), Mallow-leaved Convolvulus (Convolvulus althaeoides) and Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium elaterium).

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

We continued on south along the Valley to a spot near the Roman Bridge where we found several spikes of Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta) as well as more Yellow Bee and Mirror Orchids, Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Large Blue Flax (Linum narbonense), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Purple Phlomis (Phlomis purpurea) and Snapdragon (Antirrhinum controversum). 

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

Whilst there we also had views of 2 Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

We turned around and headed back up to Cacín where we had a coffee and some lunch before having a short walk along the River Cacín near the town but we didn't see any new bird species and only added Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

European Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca).

We again moved on further North and parked near the bridge over the River and checked out he area near there and found a roosting Eurasian Eagle Owl (Búho Real / Bubo bubo), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Iberian  Magpie, Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla) and further along the track near the Dam and Irrigation channel we saw Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), a male European Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and a Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus).

Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

We continued on again back to the house and spent the rest of the day up on the terrace where we had a couple of Beers and some food and at the same time saw and heard a Western Olivaceous Warbler (Zarcero bereber / Iduna opaca) which was a new species for the garden as were the 2 flyby Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) up on the roof.

Other new species for the day were European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis).

Deb and Ian up on the Terrace.

Malaga Airport, Malaga Province and Balsa de Regidor, Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Picking up Deb and Ian and a bit of Birding on the way to the house.

Deb and Ian, Day One.

Ebird List for Balsa de Regidor.

Ebird List for the Terrace.

 

I got a few jobs done during the morning and then headed off down to Malaga Airport to meet up with Deb and Ian, my good friends who were jetting in from Australia.

After a nice smooth pickup we headed back up towards Huétor but overshoot slightly for a quick visit to Balsa de Regidor for the male Tufted Duck (Porrón Moñudo / Aythya fuligula) which is a bit of a local rarity.

Tufted Duck (Porrón Moñudo / Aythya fuligula).

We got there and couldn't find the bird but we did see Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) x2, Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) x30+ and Small White (Pieris rapae) x1.

After making several sweeps of the pool we were about to leave when the Tufted appeared from somewhere under the trees and swam around with the Common Pochards, after a while we moved on and made for the fields near Huétor via Mesia.

We only stopped briefly at the fields where we added Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) before heading to the house.

After getting settled in we went up on to the terrace, whilst up there we had some food and a few beers and also saw European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Goldfinch, European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and a possible new species got the garden a Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

After many hours of travelling Deb and Ian were tiered so they turned in and I got on with a few bits on the laptop.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk back from the Mechanic's after an appointment in Loja.

Ebird List for the Fields.

 

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

I started the morning by going for an appointment in Loja and then dropped the car off to the Mechanic's for a couple of jobs before friend Deb and Ian arrive from Australia tomorrow. 

I walked from Venta Nueva up to Huétor and on wards across the fields to the closed bars at the bottom of the road and then up to Realenga.

During the walk I saw Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and a pair of Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius) on the muddy area near the bridge as I walked into town.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

On the far side of town I followed the road up passed the airfield Over the railway and then on up over the Arroyo Vilano and then turned left to follow the almost dry Arroyo.

European Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

During this section of the walk I picked up Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

I followed the Arroyo to the Walnut trees and then on around the Lucerne fields to the crossing point where I went through the buildings to the road, species seen included Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero políglota / Hippolais polyglotta), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi).

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum).

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum).

As I walked the last section along the road to Realenga and then the house I saw and heard lots of European Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) which is always a great pleasure, Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and a mixed flock of Barn Swallows and Western House Martins collecting mud from a roadside puddle.

Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki).

Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province, Spain.

A day on my favourate hill with Barbara and Derek Etherton, Garry Pearson and Keith Yates.

Ebird List for the Sierra.

 

The Motley Birding Crew.

Garry and I set off from the house and met up with Barbara, Derek and Keith at Venta Riofrío just off the A92 where we had breakfast before heading up the Sierra de Loja.

Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris).

Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris).

We stared the birding at the low quarry and the in the woodlands on our way up to the Middle Quarry, Species seen included Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Western Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia Occidental / Oenanthe hispanica).

Western Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia Occidental / Oenanthe hispanica).

Western Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia Occidental / Oenanthe hispanica).

At the Middle Quarry we saw Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris), Yellow Phlomis (Phlomis lychnitis), Wild Grape (Muscari neglectum) and Tassel Hyacinth (Leopoldia comosa), Wild Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Viola dementria, Starry Clover (Trifolium stellatum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata), Southern Red Bartsia (Parentucellia latifolia) and Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum).

Western Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia Occidental / Oenanthe hispanica).

Western Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia Occidental / Oenanthe hispanica).

We left the Quarry and drove up onto the tops and out to the crags, on the way we had Buckler Mustard (Biscutella frutescens), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Thekla's Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Western Black-eared (Collalba Rubia Occidental / Oenanthe hispanica) and Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Curruca undata), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which was a little less expected and a fine looking Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) which flew in and landed on a cliff near Charca del Negro and was then later seen displaying in the same area.

Looking out to the west.

Charca del Negro.

In the Charca area we also added Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Sharp-ribbed Salamander (Pleurodeles waltl).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis).

Out at the furthest point we got really nice views of Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito ibérico / Picus sharpei) heard, Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Western Orphean (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis) and Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasqueña Occidental / Curruca iberiae), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis).

On the way down drove a short way along the Salar part of the track but didn't see anything new but as we were coming back to the junction by the big barn I had a male Common Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) fly up but lost it behind the building.

Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasqueña Occidental / Curruca iberiae).

We lost it but went up to Charca del Negro again and event got distant bad views of the bird before we again lost it.

Garry, Keith, Barbara and Derek.

As we dropped further on down we had Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra), before we reached the bottom and we all went our own ways.

Huétor Fields, Sierra de Huétor, Huétor Fields again and Balsa de Regidor, Granada Province, Spain.

Another day out with Lynn and Steve wildlife hunting and later in the day a bit of birding with Garry from Almeria.

Ebird List for the Fields.

Ebird List for Balsa de Regidor.

 

Sun Rise at the Walnut Trees.

I started the day by popping down onto the fields, I parked at the Walnut Trees and walked up to the usual parking spot and back again, interesting species included Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola Europea / Oriolus oriolus) first of the year, Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero políglota / Hippolais polyglotta), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), a couple of male Western Orphean Warblers (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Whinchat (Tarabilla Norteña / Saxicola rubetra) which was another year tick, Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and a few Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Looking across the Lucerne Fields.

Long early morning shadows.

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

Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Melodious Warbler (Zarcero políglota / Hippolais polyglotta).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona Occidental / Curruca hortensis).

At 09:30 I met Lynn and Steve down in Huétor and we went along the A92 out to Los Mimbres Sur in the Sierra de Huétor where we did a walk around the Pine woodlands, here we found Eurasian Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), European Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

As we strolled we also found Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Angel's tears Narcissus (Narcissus triandus), Adonis vernalis, Orchis cazorlensis, Barton's (Dactylorhiza insularis) and Dense-flowered Orchids (Neotinea maculata) all of which were not in flower yet but  Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbienis), Somber Bee (Ophrys lupercalis), Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) were looking very nice.

Adonis vernalis.

We returned to the car and went to Venta del Molinillo where we walked up the side of the Arroyo Pardo Negro, new species included European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Nightingale, Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Western Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Eurasian Nuthatch, White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito ibérico / Picus sharpei).

Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros).

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi).

Other species included Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Large (Nymphalis polychloros) and Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Provence (Anthocharis euphenoides) and Common Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), a newly emerged Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) and Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus).

Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbienis).

Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbienis).

Our next stop was at the picnic site at Las Mimbres where we had some food whilst watching a pair of Eurasian Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) displaying and being very territorial.

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).

We continuing on through the Park to the Alfaguara Botanical Garden where we walked the tracks finding Large Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue, Common Orange-tip, Adonis vernalis, Violet Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) which was not yet in flower, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

We got back to the car and headed back to Huétor as I had to get back to meet another friend Garry at the house as he was staying over before a trip up Sierra de Loja tomorrow.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

We reached Huétor and I said goodbye for now to Lynn and Steve and they headed back to their campsite and I met Garry at the house, shortly afterwards we headed out birding and started down on the fields as Garry needed Whinchat (Tarabilla Norteña / Saxicola rubetra) for the year and after a bit of a search we found one on the main fence at the far end of the Lucerne Fields, we also saw Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas).

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas).

Next we headed for Balsa de Regidor to have a look for the Tufted Duck (Porrón Moñudo / Aythya fuligula) which we found after a short while along with Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Western Cattle Egret, Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi) and Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa).

Later we went down town and had a couple of drinks and some food.