SIERRA de LOJA.

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Saturday, 9 May 2026

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province and Sites around Fuente de Piedra and Campillos, Malaga Province, Spain.

Out with Barbara and Derek Etherton and Kevin Wade for Global Bird Day.
Ebird List for Realenga de Agicampe.
Ebird List for Fuente de Piedra, Centro de Visitantes.
Ebird List for Fuente de Piedra, Mirador de la Vicaría.
Ebird List for Fuente de Piedra, Mirador de Cantarranas.
Ebird List for Lagunas de Campillos, Laguna Dulce.
Ebird List for Lagunas de Campillos, Laguna Salada.
Ebird List for Lagunas de Campillos, Laguna de Capacete.
Ebird List for Laguna de Cortijo Grande.
Ebird List for A-7286, Campillos.
Ebird List for Cerro del Búho.
Ebird List for C-341, Teba.
Ebird List for Colonia de Santa Ana.

I started my day list off with Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis), Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and Woodlark (Alondra Totovía / Lullula arborea) before I headed off to Mollina where after meeting up with the rest of the team we headed off to Fuente de Piedra.
The roadside pool at Fuente.
Once we parked we walked back along the road and checked out the pool where we found Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Slender-billed (Gaviota Picofina / Chroicocephalus genei) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti) and off in the distance we could see 3 White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) on the chimney on the edge of town.
Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).
Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus).
We continued on around the track finding Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus)Common (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Sea Clubrush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Shepherds Needles (Scandix pecten-veneris), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) and Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum).
Dark Spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma).
We moved out on to the Boardwalk where we found the first of several hundred Dark Spreadwings (Lestes macrostigma) 400+, Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) heard, Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Europeo / Merops apiaster), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
Once we reached the other end of the boardwalk we walked along the Tamarisks seeing Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Anarhynchus alexandrinus), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero políglota / Hippolais polyglotta), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), at least 3 singing Western Olivaceous Warbler (Zarcero bereber / Iduna opaca) one of which showed well and Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina).
Looking out from the Mirador.
The metal work at Fuente.
Our next stop was up at the Mirador where we scanned the main laguna seeing loads more Greater Flamingo's, along with Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus), Sardinian WarblerCommon Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), 
Around the back at the two hides we added several more species but didn't stay that long as it was cold in the wind, however we did find Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Mareca strepera), Marbled Duck (Cerceta pardilla / Marmaronetta angustirostris), Common (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) and Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) and Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi).
We walked around to the other hide but it was extremely windy there so we again moved on quickly and made our way back around to the cars and then headed off towards Mirador de la Vicaría seeing MallardGreater FlamingoMelodious Warbler and Zitting Cisticola before we continued on again to Mirador de Cantarranas seeing Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), Lesser KestrelBarn Swallow and Corn Bunting on the way.
Mirador de Cantarranas.
From the watch point we saw 
Common and Red-crested PochardWhite-headed DuckCommon Woodpigeon, Eurasian CootGull-billed TernGreater FlamingoBlack-necked GrebeGrey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), European Honey BuzzardWestern Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Eurasian HoopoeEuropean Bee-eaterLesser KestrelEurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Western JackdawCrested and Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Sardinian WarblerCommon Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs)European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Serin and Corn Bunting.
Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) .
Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).
Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).
Our next stop was over near to Campillos where we visited the hide overlooking the Laguna Dulce, on the way we had a fine 
Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) and a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), species seen from the hide included GadwallCommon PochardWhite-headed DuckCommon WoodpigeonCommon SwiftEurasian CootBlack-winged StiltLittle Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Common SandpiperCollared Pratincole (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Gull-billed Tern,Greater FlamingoLittle Great Crested Grebe and Black-necked GrebeGlossy IbisMontagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Eurasian HoopoeWestern JackdawBarn SwallowWestern House MartinCommon Blackbird, Spanish (Yellow) WagtailEuropean GoldfinchEuropean Serin and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).
Laguna Salida.
We made a quick visit to Laguna Salida but it was quiet so we went on to Laguna Redonda where we added a few more species including 
GadwallMallardCommon PochardWhite-headed DuckCommon Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix), Eurasian CootLittle Ringed PloverGull-billed TernGreater FlamingoEuropean Honey BuzzardBlack-necked GrebeGreat Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Crested LarkBarn SwallowWestern House MartinSpotless StarlingCommon Blackbird, Spanish (Yellow) WagtailSpanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), European GoldfinchEuropean Serin, Corn Bunting and an amazing number of Dark Spreadwings x600+.
White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) 
Dark Spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma).
Dark Spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma).
Dark Spreadwings (Lestes macrostigma).
Dark Spreadwings (Lestes macrostigma).
Just down the road we checked out Laguna de Capacete, species seen included over 60 GadwallMallard, Common PochardWhite-headed DuckCommon SwiftEurasian CootEurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Black-winged StiltNorthern LapwingGull-billed TernGreater FlamingoLittle GrebeGreat Crested Grebe and Black-necked GrebeWhite StorkWestern Marsh HarrierWestern Marsh HarrierBarn SwallowWestern House MartinCommon Blackbird, European GreenfinchEuropean SerinHummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) and Red-striped Oil Beetle (Berberomeloe majalis).

Red-striped Oil Beetle (Berberomeloe majalis).
Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).
Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).
Just a little way further on along the road we stopped again and scanned the Laguna de Cortijo Grande where we had nice views of Northern ShovelerMallardRed-crested PochardCommon WoodpigeonBlack-winged StiltLittle Ringed PloverCommon Sandpiper, Northern LapwingBlack-headed GullGull-billed TernGreater FlamingoLittle Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Common KestrelZitting CisticolaWestern House MartinCommon ChaffinchEuropean Goldfinch and Corn Bunting.
We returned to the cars and went off towards Teba but stopped at an area of Pine Woodland where we added Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Common SwiftCrested LarkShort-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Blackbird, Common ChaffinchCommon Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), European Goldfinch and European Serin. 
Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Before we reached Teba area we saw that there were a good number of 
Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) up at the feeding station so we went up for a look and it was impressive seeing so many birds in the sky, whilst there we also picked out a single Cinereous  / Eurasian Black Vulture (Buitre Negro / Aegypius monachus) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real / Lanius meridionalis).
Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
Cinereous  / Eurasian Black Vulture (Buitre Negro / Aegypius monachus).
Our final two stops were in the Teba area, the first was at the bridge over the Tajo where we picked up Common SandpiperMontagu's Harrier Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), European Bee-eaterRed-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Thekla's Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).
Our final stop was at a nearby quarry but we didn't add anything as the forecast rain eventually arrived so I headed off home and the others headed on towards Malaga.
Northern Bald Ibis (Ibis Eremita / Geronticus eremita).
On my way home I was surprised to find one of the introdution 
Northern Bald Ibis (Ibis Eremita / Geronticus eremita) sat on a roadside telegrapgh pole.

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