Rio Genil East and the Rio Cacín, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk around Huétor and then a while along the Genil and Cacín.

Ebird List for Rio Genil East.

Ebird List for Rio Cacín Poplar woods.

 

After checking the Moth Light I headed down to Huétor parking on the ring road and then did a walk, during this walk I saw Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Once I had walked enough I returned to the car, then I move to the Eastern side of the bridge and parked near to the Rio Genil where I found Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit, Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch and European Serin. 

Next I drove some of the tracks which took me out further to the east and to the crossing point on the Rio Cacín near to Villanueva Mesía, on the way I stopped in the Poplars and checked what was about adding several new species including Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and European Greenfinch. 

I went down to the crossing as I was going to go around to the fields that way but I looked at it and the track the other side and decided to retrace my way back the way I had come, it then started to rain so instead of going up to the fields I went home and put the fire in.  

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 3rd January 26.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +9 - raining.

11 Moth of 6 Species.

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

Licence from Junta de Andalucia.

 

6184 Eudonia angustea (Narrow-winged Grey).

Species included 6184 Eudonia angustea (Narrow-winged Grey) x2, 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x4, 7694 Agriopis bajaria (Messenger Moth) x1, 8376 Colostygia multistrigaria olbiaria (Mottled Grey) x2, 9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark) x1 and 9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey) x1.

 7694 Agriopis bajaria (Messenger Moth).

8376 Colostygia multistrigaria olbiaria (Mottled Grey).

9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey).

 

Contra-embalse de Bermejalis, Pine Wodland along GR-4304, Moraleda Crags, Balsa de Regidor, Rio Genil East and Huétor Lucerne Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Down into the Cacín Valley and worked my way home.

Ebird List for Contra-embalse de Bermejalis. 

Ebird List for Pine Wodland along GR-4304. 

Ebird List for Moraleda Crags. 

Ebird List for Balsa de Regidor. 

Ebird List for Rio Genil East. 

Ebird List for Huétor Lucerne Fields. 

 

Low water at the Contra-embalse de Bermejalis.

I headed down to the far edge of what I like to think of as the far end of my local patch to check out the Contra-embalse de Bermejalis, as I approached the site I saw two raptors, the first was a big ♀ Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) which was sitting up on a pylon and the other was a ♀ Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus).

Once I had parked, I set up the scope and scanned the reservoir, on the water and around the margins I found Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), several Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

In the air and in the surrounding area, I also picked up Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito ibérico / Picus sharpei), Thekla's Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and lots of Corn Buntings (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

After a while I drove around to the bridge over the Rio Cacín and walked up to the Dam, on the way I saw Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Mistle (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

When I got back to the car I checked the Rio but added nothing, just as I returned to the friend Bob pulled up, I hadn't seen Bob for a good while so It was great to have a chat and catch up.

My next stop was just a few KMs up the valley at a site in the Pine Woodlands where I checked both sides of the road finding Common Woodpigeon, Great Spotted (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Iberian Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Iberian Magpie, Coal and Great Tit, 2x Woodlarks (Alondra Totovía / Lullula arborea), Thekla's Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Mistle and Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Chaffinch, European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and 2 Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata) and Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina).

Further up the valley, I stopped again and checked out the crags near Moraleda adding Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) to the list before moving on to Balsa de Regidor, from the concrete pier I checked through and counted the wildfowl see nearly 80 Northern Shoveler, just 4 Mallard, 38 Common Pochard, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Grebe and more exciting was a sing winter plumage Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), a single Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Cetti's Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Common Blackbird and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

I headed back off to my patch where I spent a while on the banks of the Rio Genil to the East of the bridge, as I sat there I saw Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Mallard, Common Woodpigeon, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Blue and Great Tit, Crested Lark, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Eurasian Wren, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), European Goldfinch, European Serin, a couple of male Eurasian Siskins (Jilguero Lúgano / Carduelis spinus), White Wallrocket (Diplotaxis erucoides) and Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis).

European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) ♀.

European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) ♀.

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

I drove up through Huétor and out to the Walnut trees where I parked and walked the Lucerne fields and then on up the rather muddy Arroyo, new species were 3x Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), 2x Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), at least 6 Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) in amongst the more common Spotless flock, European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and as I walked past the car I had a nice ♂ Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica).

Rio Genil on East and West side of the Bridge and Cerro Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

A few more species around the Local Patch.

Ebird List for Rio Genil West. 

Ebird List for Rio Genil East.

Ebird List for Cerro Hacho.

 

During the walk along the Western side of the Bridge.

After a really S*** night, I rolled over when the alarm went off but after a while I threw off the sheets and went down to Huétor where I parked just over the bridge over the Genil and walked to the west almost as far as the service station.

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

Species seen were Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), a Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador Común / Alcedo atthis) which was flying through the Olives not along the river, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula cabrerae), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), House Sparrow Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). 

Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica).

I moved over to the Eastern side of the bridge but just sat at the spot next to the dead trees along the river, here I added Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and what looked like a winter ♀ Common Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

The view out to the Sierra Nevada.

Same view with a wider angle.

I then did a couple of bits of shopping in Huétor before dropping it off at the house and the continuing up to Hacho, I parked by the puddle and then walked the lower loop, on my way I picked up Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) and European Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Curruca undata), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Somber Bee (Ophrys lupercalis).

As I walked I also found some rosettes of Somber Bee (Ophrys lupercalis) and Giant Orchid (Himanthoglossum Robertiana), White Wallrocket (Diplotaxis erucoides), Field Mustard (Brassica rapa) and Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia).

As with yesterday the temperature started to drop, and I was knackered so I headed off home and chilled in front of the fire. 

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 1st January 26.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +5

9 Moth of 5 Species.

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

Licence from Junta de Andalucia.

 

6496 Evergestis isatidalis.

Very pleased to get a new Moth licence (Thanks to José Antonio Hódar Correa and others for sorting this), I put the light up on the Terrace but as it's January I wasn't expecting much.

6496 Evergestis isatidalis.

Species included 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x3, 9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark) x1, 9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey) x3, 10226 Cerastis faceta x1 and 10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) x1.

9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark).

9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey).

9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey).

10226 Cerastis faceta.

10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon).

 

Embalse del Cubillas, Vega de Granada, Rio Genil at Purchil, Balsa de Regidor, Rio Genil East and Huétor Fields, Granada Provionce, Spain.

New Year's Day, getting the Year List underway.

Ebird List for Embalse del Cubillas.

Ebird List for Embalse del Cubillas Woodlands.

Ebird List for Vega de Granada.

Ebird List for Rio Genil at Purchil.

Ebird List for Balsa de Regidor.  

Ebird List for Rio Genil East. 

Ebird List for Town Fields. 

Ebird List for Lucerne Fields.

 

Great Egrets (Garceta Grande / Ardea alba) and lots of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

I started by driving up to Granada and then North slightly to Embalse de Cubillas where I parked and set up the scope to scan the NE corner of the lake where the Rio Cubillas enters, on the water I found Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) and on the margins Little (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Ardea alba) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

In the air and the trees I added Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Iberian (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki) and Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), an unexpected Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus) which sat for a moment in one of the Pine Trees, Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

After a while I went back along the road and did a walk into the woodlands, it was fairly quiet but new species included Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Long-tailed (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus) and European Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Mistle (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and a couple of Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) ♂.

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) ♂.

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) ♂.

I returned to the car and then headed off to the south a short way to check a spot I had visited last year in the Vega de Granada where I had with the help of friend Juan Perez seen a couple of Bramblings (Pinzón Real / Fringilla montifringilla), unfortunately I didn't find any today however I did pick up Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris).

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

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

I then started to make my way back towards the Local Patch but on the way I made a brief stop at a spot on the Rio Genil when as I drove by I saw a group of Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) in total I saw 18 of them before I pushed on again to Balsa De Regidor.

Balsa de Regidor.

After parking, I set the scope up on the concrete pier and scanned the pool, there were a good number of Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

My next stop was along the Rio Genil to the East of the bridge, I didn't see anything new, so I again pushed on to the fields just out of town where there were a good number of wintering Eurasian Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) with well over a 100 birds being there, probably lots more as they were difficult to pick out.

I also had 3x Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) before heading up to the Walnut trees on the Lucerne fields, after parking I walked the road towards the usual parking spot seeing Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and what will be best bird of the day a fine ♂ Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) which I watched for a couple of minutes chasing Meadow Pipits on the far side of the Lucerne stripes.   

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

Heading back towards the car I picked up Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops) before continuing on up the arroyo all the way to the Railway bridge.

Looking out to Sierra de Loja from the Arroyo Vilano.

During this part of the walk I found Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and several Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).

By the time I got back to the car it was getting cold and I was starting to flag, so I headed back home and got the log burner going and made a coffee.