Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

In search of endemic Wildflowers and Alpine Accentors.

Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis).

Beatriz, Juan and I set off up to the upper car parks above the ski resort at Sierra Nevada to catch the mini bus which takes you to a point a few hundred meters below the Veleta summit and almost as soon as we got off the bus we picked up the first of about 30+ Alpine Accentor's (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis) seen during the day.

Linaria glacialis.

Most were feeding around the areas of snow which still just hang on in the heat of July, something which has not happened for a few years.
On a rocky ledge the first plants were seen and these included Arabis alpina, Polystichum lonchitis, Blue Dream's (Chaenorrhinum glareosum), Arenaria imbricata and Jasion crispa amethystina.
We then moved on upwards slowly picking up Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) on the way.
More Alpine Accentor's were seen near the refuge above Laguna de Aguas Verdes, several Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica) were feeding around the Lagoon.
We then started the walk out to Laguna de Rio Seco where we were to have our lunch but that was some way off.
Just as we started down the first and pretty much the only slope on this walk we started to find new plants including Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), House Leek (Sempervivum vicentei ssp lainzii), Ranunculus acetosellifolius, Potentilla nevadensis, Reseda complicata and Sierra Nevada Violet (Viola crassiuscula).

Artemisia granatensis.

High on the cliffs Centranthus nevadensis was seen, unfortunately this was the only plant we saw and it was impossible to get within range with the camera. Linaria glacialis, Epilobium alsinifolium, Lotus glareosus and Silene rupestris were all added to the list along the scree slopes as we headed towards the Laguna.

Lunch was taken beside the Laguna and then a search was made by Juan of the steep scree slopes whilst I spent some time checking out the rocky and damp areas around the water. Ranunculus demissus and acetosellifolius were in the damper flushes along with carpets of Plantago nivalis.

On the drier areas Galium pyrenaicum, Arenaria pungens, Armeria splendens subsp splendens, Sideritis glacialis and Coincya orofila subsp nevadensis were all found.
Juan then called me up to a rock mass amongst some very unstable scree which I eventually crossed and was rewarded with several plants of the very rare Artemisia granatensis, a plant which has become rare mainly through over collecting in the passed.
The climbing on the scree had just about finished my ankles so instead of going back down I headed up to the path and started to walk ahead whilst Juan went down for Beatriz.

Ranunculus acetosellifolius.

They eventually caught me up after a short rain shower had forced me to shelter behind some rocks. We continued the return journey picking up Sedum anglicum subsp melanantherum, Ptilotrichum spinosum and Eryngiun glaciale.

Plantago nivalis.

Blue Dream's (Chaenorrhinum glareosum).

A Visit to El Museo del Vidrio y Cristal de Malaga, Malaga Province.

A day in the City of Malaga.

Main Entrance.

Jayne and I have lived near Granada for about four years now and had not visited the centre of Malaga, but with an invite from Ian Phillips to go and have a preview visit to the Museum it was to good an opportunity to miss. 

Some of the windows.

We arrived and had a coffee in the plaza at the western end of the Cathedral and meet Ian at eleven o'clock as arranged. We then made our way through the city to the Museum and Ian's home which was in a narrow street only a few hundred meters from the main plaza.

The outside of the building had been restored back to it former glory and looked fantastic. The inside had also been fully restored with beautiful wooden doors and windows and amazing stone and terracotta floors. The entrance hall and lower rooms had some very impressive stained glass windows, nicely mounted on the walls.

Some Blue and White.

On the next floor there was a fine show of Antique furniture, much of which was filled with some very special glass and china. On the walls hung a collection of oil paintings, many of which belong to one of the partners in the project and portrayed some of his ancestors. Later we sat in one of the upstairs rooms and chatted for some time and enjoyed a glass of wine whilst watching the end of a wedding taking place in the church opposite.

Ian.

Lunch was the next stop in a very nice restaurant which Ian knew well. We then made our way back through the streets, said our goodbyes to Ian. On our way back to the car we saw both Monk (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and Ring-necked Parakeets (Cotorra de Kramer / Psittacula krameri) on the sea front walk.

Museum Contact details: Address -Plazuela Santisimo Cristo de la Sangre 2, (Antigua Calle Gaona 20), 29012 Malaga. Web Page- http://www.museovidrioycristalmalaga.com/

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for19th July 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +21

Moths of 8 Species.

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

7725 Menophra japygiaria.

9142 Small Marbled (Eublemma parva).

I set the trap up for the first time this year on what was a warm still night, staying at about 21 degrees. Up till the time I went to bed the only species seen were 9142 (2408) Small Marbled (Eublemma parva) and 7725 Menophra japygiaria.

Palpita unionalis.

Next morning there were 50+ Small Marbled, a single 6690 Palpita unionalis, 6704 Antigastra catalaunalis, a couple of 3036 Stibaromacha ratella, two 6619 Uresiphita gilvata and several more species some awaiting confirmation and some remaining unidentified. Confirmation and Ids arrived from Moth expert Penny Hale down in Malaga Province. With her help 9944 White Spot (Hadena albimacula), 8128 Idaea belemiata and a probable 6145 Ematheudes punctella were added to the nights catch.

Stibaromacha ratella.

Wildlife walk with the Aldeas Infantiles SOS group, Granada Province.

Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada.

The Ski Resort.

On my way up to the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort to Meet Jorge Garzón I had a quick look on the fields to the North of Huetor Tajar and was surprised to see a flock of 37 Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) feeding on a flooded Lucerne (Medicago sativa) field along with several hundred Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). Before Meeting Jorge Garzón at the Ski resort I spent some time in the Genil Valley checking out an orchid site for a potential visit by an Orchid enthusiast from Malaga but the Epipactis fageticola and Small-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla) were well over with as were all the species except for a few Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata). 

Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Later I went part of the way along the trail to the Barranco de San Juan again hoping to get some repeat views of the Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) males we had seen the previous weekend. Some brief views were had but the photos were not great. Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

I then made my way to the Ski resort to Meet Jorge and the 60 strong group going on this walk. 

Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata).

We made our way to the edge of the built up area seeing Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Black Redstart. On the banks of a small ornamental pool in the gardens a couple of spikes of Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata) were shown to the group and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Motacill alba) were also seen. At least three different male Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyrenaica) were on the slopes feeding in amongst the low vegetation. 

Apollo (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis).

An imm Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator glandarrius) flew up the slope in front of us and a couple of Apollo (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis) butterflies passed by. The endemic variety of Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea var nevadensis) was growing quite commonly on the slopes along with Verbascum Nevadense, Ptilotrichum spinosum and Eryngium glaciale. 

Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyrenaica).

We made our way out to a view point down the valley and then returned to the resort and to the hotel for something to eat. Later the group went up to the top car parks where a couple of local astrologists had a telescope set up and we spent some time looking at the night sky.

Sierra de Libar, Malaga / Cadiz Provinces.

The Butterflies.

Spanish Chalk-hill (Lysandra albicans).

Peter and Brenda Jones, Jayne and I all headed up Sierra de Libar near the village of Montejaque. We passed through most of the valley with out a stop and made our way to the Oak woodlands towards the far end of Libar. The first stop was to inspect some roadside thistles for butterflies. 

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

We found Small (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae), Iberian Marbled (Melanargia lachesis) and Bath Whites (Blanquiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Spanish Chalk-hill (Lysandra albicans) and Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) all very quick and difficult to photograph. 

HollyBlue (Celastrina argiolus).

As we moved out passed the refuge into the grassland area at the furthest point of Libar we saw the first of a few Rock Grayling (Hipparchi alcyone) and amongst the thistles and Field Eryngium we found more Iberian Marbled Whites, Clouded Yellow, Spanish Chalk-hill Blue and added Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus).

Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis).

We then turned around and headed back to the woodlands where we stopped and had our picnic lunch by some old baths being used as watering troughs for the livestock. Some of the water was leaking out and mixing with the soil, many butterflies were coming to settle and take on water and minerals these included Holly (Celastrina argiolus), Long-tailed and Spanish Chalk-hill Blues, Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small Heath (Ninfa de Linneo / Coenonympha pamphilus f Iyllus), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora), Scarce (Chupaleches / Iphichides podalirius feistameli) and Common Swallowtails (Papilio machaon), Cleopatra (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx rhamni) and False Ilex Hairstreak (Querquera / Satyrium esculi). 

Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

The Birds.

The birds were typical of the mountains of the area and included Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Rock (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae). In amongst the Oak woodland we saw Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and a Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) a bird I don’t see very often over in Granada Province. 

Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

In the air above the site Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) all hawked insects. Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus), Turtle (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and House Sparrows (Gorrión Común) were all seen on our way back to Peter and Brenda’s home at Ronda.

A day in the Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Barranco de San Juan, Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada.

Juan and Beatriz on the track out to the Barranco de San Juan.

After meeting Juan Perez and his wife Beatriz on the outskirts of Granada we set off up the main road to the sierra and on to a site for a plant called Odontites granatensis at what Juan tells me is it only known site. Many plants were seen but they were behind a low fence with signs making it quite clear that entry was prohibited, so the photos were not good and of poor specimens which grew through the wire.

Cerastium cerastoides.

Verbascum Nevadense was also seen growing quite commonly along with Juniperus sabina, Ptilotrichum spinosum, Digitalis purpurea and Ononis spinosa ssp. australis. Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita Campestris / Anthus campestris), Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) were all seen or heard. 

Botrychium lunaria.

We then made our way to the highest point to which you can get by car at about 2500 meters and parked by the barrier which prevents you from proceeding further towards the summit. From here we headed out on a track towards the start of the Barranco, on the way we passed through at least 2 or 3 territories of Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis). Several Immature birds were seen along with the stunning males. More Northern Wheatears, Rock Buntings were seen along with Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus).

Pinguicula nevadensis.

Amongst the rocks Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Arenaria imbricata, Hedgehog Broom (Erinacea anthyllis), Eryngium glaciale, Jasione crispa subsp amethystina, Linaria aeruginea subsp nevadensis, Lotus Glareosus, Pterocephalus spathulatus, House Leek (Sempervivum vicentei subsp lainzii) and Sierra Nevada Violet (Viola crassiuscula) were all seen close to the track side.

Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna subsp sierrae).

At the main site, a group of very wet flushes which produced a rich mossy landscape with masses of other rare and some endemic wildflowers including St Bernards Lily (Anthericum lilago), Cerastium cerastoides, Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna subsp sierrae), Pinguicula nevadensis, Starry Saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris subsp alpigena) and Botrychium lunaria.

Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron).

On the return Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) were added to the day list.

Head of the Barranco de San Juan.

Butterflies were numerous all day flying between the many wildflowers. The best were a couple of Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron) and Meadow Fritillary (Melitaea parthenoides) seen on the return from Barranco de San Juan, Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines) were also seen, we then returned to the city after a cracking morning in the mountains.

RAM and Charca de Suárez, Motril, Granada Province.

On the Granada Coast.

Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

The day started with the usual couple of hour's sea watching at cabo Sacratif near Motril but this month another member of SEO Sierra Nevada Alice joined us. The sea birds were much the same species we usually record including Cory's (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea) and Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), several Imm Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). 

Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis).

Also seen and slightly more unexpected were two Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) which was a considerable way out to sea. Good numbers of Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) flew around the cliffs along with Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Later we spent a few minutes at the port but the birds were too distant to do any ring reading and the sun was in the wrong direction. About 200 Audouin's and equal numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls were present.

The last stop was at Charca de Suárez but bird wise as last month it was quite quiet, Western Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), 2x Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) and Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) were the best species seen. Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Reed (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) were also seen.

Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope).

As with last months visit Dragonflies were seen commonly all around the reserve, many more Black Perchers (Diplacodes lefebvrii), Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and Broad Scarlet's (Crocothemis erythraea) Dragonflies were on the wing along with a few Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope).

Cacin Valley Granada Province.

The Birds.

Cortijo de Capitano.

Pam, John and myself set out for a days birding along the Cacín valley. We started the day where the Rio Cacín joins the Rio Genil at Villanueva Mesia and the first birds seen as we climbed out of the car were a family party of Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes). The adult male was feeding a fledgling on the branch of a Poplar Tree. Several Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and a Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) were calling from the plantation trees, both species were seen briefly in flight. Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) were also seen.

We then moved on to an agricultural area to the south and soon picked up Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla). Taking a dirt track between the fields and Almond groves we soon came across two female Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and a pair of Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica) with five young Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) pestering them to be feed. A pair and then another single Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) flew across the site just before we left to go and have a look at the Embalse de Cacín.

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

At the lake we picked up several more juv Great Spotted Cuckoos, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).

We moved further on down the valley and stopped above the gorge and watched a Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) as it soared up out of the valley very close to us and away North. Juv Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) all went on to the days list.

We then started the return journey back along the Rio Cacín and stopped at a bridge near El Turro. Here Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were heard and Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) were all seen.

Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo).

On the cliffs just to the North of El Turro we were lucky enough to find two adult and at least one juv European Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) all out in the open sunning them selves, quite a sight.

Our last stop of the day was at Balsa de Regidor near Moraleda de Zafayona which has just recently been very quiet but to day we managed to pick up Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Pochard, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Golden Oriole.

Balsa de Regidor and Rio Cacín, Granada Province.

The Dragonflies.

Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

Along the Rio Cacín several Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and a single Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalia) were seen in the reed beds.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum).

Later in the day we stopped at Balsa de Regidor near Moraleda de Zafayona, a naturalised water deposito for the local farm lands. Here dragonflies filled the air with many more Red-veined Darters, Violet Dropwings (Trithemis annulata), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum) and Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum) and a single male Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria). 

Male Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria).

The Long Skimmer is a rare dragonfly which is common in Africa but has a patchy and little know distribution in Southern Spain.

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

The Butterflies

Blue-spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini).

Throughout the day butterfly species were on the wing and several interesting species were noted. Blue-spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini) and Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes) were both seen feeding on the spiny flowers of Field Eryngo (Eryngium campestre) whilst several Scarce Swallowtails (Chupaleches / Iphichides podalirius feistameli) flew rapidly past looking for the larger flowers of the thistle plants.

Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes).

Scarce Swallowtail (Chupaleches / Iphichides podalirius feistameli).

Also seen in good numbers were Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small Heath (Ninfa de Linneo / Coenonympha pamphilus f Iyllus), Cleopatra (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx rhamni), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) and several species of White including Bath (Blanquiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Small (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae) and Large (Blanca de la Col / pieris brassicae).

Cattle Egrets, Huetor Tajar, Granada Province.

Unseasonal flock.

Whilst driving towards Granada on the A92 a flock of 17 Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) were seen feeding in a harvested Lucerne (Medicago sativa) field near Moraleda de Zafayona. This is not an uncommon sight for most of the year but during the height of summer only the odd singleton is seen.

Genil Valley, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Orchids and Butterflies.

Small-leaves Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla).

The main point of this visit was to check on the flowering progress of two species of Epipactis. Both Growing in the mixed broad leaved woodlands typical of this valley.

The first was Small-leaves Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla) and I quickly found 5 spikes all in different stages of flowering, some starting to go over whilst 2 were still in bud.

Epipactis fageticola.

The next plant was Epipactis fageticola at a site I found last year where there were 17 spikes with quite a way to go before they were to flower but at a new site to me near the microphylla 4 more plants were seen in a much brighter position and a single plant had 2 flowers just about open. 

Comma (Polygonia c-album).

4 plus spikes of Dactylorhiza elata ssp sesquipedalis were also in perfect condition a little further along the road in a damp flush.

Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus).

Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia).

At a point further down in the valley where the road crosses the Rio Genil several butterfly species were seen, these included Comma (Polygonia c-album), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines).