SIERRA de LOJA.

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Saturday, 14 March 2026

Huétor Fields, Rio Genil East and back to the Fields later, Granada Province, Spain.

Some more local patch stuff on a cloudy, cold morning with rain later.
Ebird List for the Fields 1.
Ebird List for the Rio Genil East.
Ebird List for the Fields 2.

The sun tried but failed in the end.
I started by popping down to the fields, on the way I had a look at the bottom end of our road where a large digger has been working for the last two days cleaning out the Arroyo.
What used to be Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) habitat now planted with Olives increasing the worthless to wildlife monoculture.
They have made good progress and where they have cleared the road is now wide enough for two cars to pass again which make things easier as giving way on a single track road has not evolved yet amongst Spanish drivers.
Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).
Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).
European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) ♀.
European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) ♀.
European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) .
European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) .
I reached the fields where I drove as far as the gate and then worked my way back to the Walnut Trees, on the way I saw Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x6, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) x2, Iberian Magpies (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki) x35+, a Northern Raven (Cuervo grande / Corvus corax), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Cecropis daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) .
Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) .
Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) .
Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) .
Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) .
I returned to the car and went down to the Rio Genil and walked to the east of the bridge adding Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Eurasian Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) heard, Great Spotted (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) which was right by the car but was off as soon as I got out, 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), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and some tracks in the mud which I think could be from a Common Genet (Genetta genetta) or Beech / Rock Marten (Martes foina).
Common Genet (Genetta genetta) or Beech / Rock Marten (Martes foina).
Later in the day I decided I needed another walk, so I drove back to the fields and walked from the Walnuts to the old dam and back again, new species for the day were 
Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), also seen again were the Little Bustards which were flushed by a couple of Farm Works out strimming around the newly planted Olive trees, it turns out that there were still 7 birds here including 1 and 6♀.
Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x1♂ x2♀.
Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x1♂ x1♀.
Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x1♂ x5♀.
Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) x1♂ x6♀.
Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) .
Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) .

Friday, 13 March 2026

Near Moraleda de Zafayona and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A quick look for some Orchids and then a walk around the Olive Groves near the house later in the day.
 
Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).
I got up and did some more filling of cracks in the bedroom and then got a bit of housework done, later in the morning I popped to a spot near Moraleda where I wanted to check on the progress at a good Orchid site, but it was too early and all I found in flower were a few Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina) and lots of Somber Bee's (Ophrys lupercalis).
Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).
Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina).
Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina).
Other species seen around the site included Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), White Wallrocket (Diplotaxis erucoides), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito ibérico / Picus sharpei), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros)Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs)European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).
Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).
I returned to the house and did a few more odd bits, then later I went for a walk through the Olives at the back of the house, I didn't find much in the first section but at least they haven't sprayed everything yet but sure they will.
Less bad Olive Grove.
I reached the more Eco farmed section and started to find some nice Butterflies including Small White (Pieris rapae) x1, Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri) x4, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x5, Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus) x2 and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x2.
Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).
Orchids and wildflowers included Fan-lipped Orchid x13, Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Field MarigoldMallow-leaved Storksbill (Erodium malacoides) and Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris).
Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina).
Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris).
Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis).
Other species seen and heard were Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Sardinian WarblerShort-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Great Tit, European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis).
Very old Olive Trunks.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 12th March 2026.
15W Actinic on the terrace, +6.
2 Moths of 2 Species.
Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.
Licence from Junta de Andalucia.

10343 Agrotis puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart).
After not recording anything the last 3 time I put the light on I was pleased to see a couple of moths had come in, these were 8328 Nebula Ibericata x1 and 
10343 Agrotis puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x1.

Thursday, 12 March 2026

Cerro Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk through the Pine Woodland and around part of the Loop.
Ebird List for Hacho.
 
I started the day by bleaching the ceiling and walls in the bedroom which had been damaged by the January / February rains and got most of the filling done, but I ran out so decided to pop out for a walk-up Cerro Hacho as after the few days of sun I had hoped that there might be a few more butterfly species around.
The fallen Pines, lots more throughout the area.
I parked near the Puddle (which was full, unsurprisingly😁😁😁) and walked up the top track through the Pine woods, many of the trees had been felled by the very high winds which probably had more of an effect after the rains and forestry works that were done last year allowing the wind in amongst the trees more.
Giant Orchid (Himanthoglossum Robertiana).
Giant Orchid (Himanthoglossum Robertiana).
As I walked I saw many Giant Orchids (Himanthoglossum Robertiana) unfortunately the one Hypochromic plant I found last year was under one of the fallen Pines.
Giant Orchid (Himanthoglossum Robertiana).
Giant Orchid (Himanthoglossum Robertiana).
Further on there were quite a few Somber Bee Orchids (Ophrys lupercalis) and 2 spikes of Italian Man Orchid (Orchis Italica) but they weren't yet in flower.
Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).
Other species seen during this part of the walk were Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Common Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapilla), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs)Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) x2, Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Ramping Fumitory (Fumaria capreolata) and Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum).
Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia).
I dropped back down to the car and then on around part of the loop, almost straight away I found the first 
Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus) x8 which sat for the camera nicely which is more than can be said for the Western Dappled Whites (Euchloe crameri) x6 I saw which were pretty much on the wing all the time, so I only managed some bad shots.
Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).
Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).
Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).
Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).
Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).
Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).
As I walked on I picked up Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Curruca undata), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Corn (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus), Conical Orchid (Neotinea conica), Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina), Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbienis), Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) and Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis).
Conical Orchid (Neotinea conica).
Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).
Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina) var. flavescens.
Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbienis).
Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbienis).
On my way back to the House I saw a couple more Little Owls and a smallish 
Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus).