Sierra de Huetor / Viznar, Granada Province.

Lunch in the mountains.

Rock formation.

Two of Jayne sisters are visiting so we decided that we would take them for a run into the mountains for lunch at the Kiosco Alfaguara a few Kms above the villages of Alfacar and Viznar in the Sierra de Huetor.

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica).

On the drive up we had spectacular views of a Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europea / Circaetus gallicus) carrying a large snake off over the ridge and a couple of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) drifted distantly towards Sierra Nevada.
Whilst we sat and had a very good but rather large lunch a female Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus) was seen feeding under some nearby Oak trees. Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) were also around the same area.

Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

On the way down, several Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica) were seen close to the road and allowed us to take some photos.

Migration Around Huetor Tajar and Loja, Granada Province.

Migrants and Red-necked Nightjars.

Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).

During the day several flocks of European Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus), Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and a few singleton Short-toed Snake Eagles (Culebrera Europea / Circaetus gallicus) were seen passing west from the garden. 

European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) were also pushing south with several hundred being noted during the afternoon, later several were on wires a Km or so from the house. 

Whilst driving down to the local supermarket Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) were all seen. 

Whilst having a beer on the way back quite a few more Eurasian Stone Curlews were seen dropping into the fields nearby, possibly the start of the winter gatherings we get locally, some years numbering 900+. 

The final birds of the day were four Red-necked Nightjars (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis), three seen whilst driving home and one sat on the wires at the side of the house.

Rodin and the Symbolist Mythology, Malaga Province.

Visit to the Exhibition Rooms of the Museo del Patrimonio Municipal.

The museum is located on the eastern side of the city, surrounded by some very nice gardens and walkways. The only slight down side was the price of the parking, but if you’re very early or very very lucky you can pick up a free space near by on some of the back streets.

The exhibition of 85 of Auguste Rodin's works was well worth the visit, even for a person with only a passing interest in arts like me. Unlike me my wife, Jayne who was in her element and enjoyed the works very much and the only down side to her visit was me prattling on and asking far too many questions. The collection included THE KISS, GATES OF HELL, LITTLE SIREN and the best know THE THINKER. The Bronze's, plaster works and paintings were well set out over three floors in the museum.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 22nd August 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

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

9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder).

Again I was using the 125MV trap, it was a warm night with the temperature not dropping below +20 and the sky was clear. There were a couple of new species for the year 10034 Leucania loreyi (The Cosmopolitan) and 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) and a couple of new moths for the garden list. 

10034 Leucania loreyi (The Cosmopolitan).

8691 Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Pine Processionary) which is a moth that I have seen more as larva, forming there long nose to tail line and 9023 Eutelia adulatrix which is quite distinctive in the way that the wings and abdomen rest.

8691 Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Pine Processionary).

10335 Agrotis lata, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal), 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow), 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled), 7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber), 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth), 9081 Ni Moth (Trichoplusia ni) and 6704 Antigastra catalaunalis were a few of the other species caught.

9023 Eutelia adulatrix.

Civil War Defences in Parque Natural Sierra de Huétor, Granada Province.

A morning in the hills North of Granada City.

Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora).

Our son Alan is visiting at the moment, so we decided that it would be good to do a short walk to the Civil War trenches. The trail passes through some beautiful countryside with some stunning views. The trenches have been restored / rebuilt and make for an interesting visit once you have been to the very well located and run visitor's center.

The walk is a gentle upward amble through pine woodlands to the summit of the hill. On the way several Cardinal Fritillaries (Argynnis pandora), Striped Graylings (Pseudotergumia fidia), Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora) and Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli) were seen along with several other species.

The restored trenches.

The centre can be found by taking the signed road / track from the highest point in the delightful village of Viznar just off the A92 to the east of Granada heading for Almeria. 

Alan.

Both Blue Emperor (Anax imperator) and Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum tarraconesis) were seen at the summit around the defenses.

Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus).

Birds were few and far between but European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) were passing over heading back south in good numbers. Later we called at a cracking little place on the way back down to Viznar were we had lunch, the Chorizo's were something special.

Rio Guadalahorce, Malaga Province.

Wrong time of the year and worst time of the day.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta).

So I was not expecting to see very much and I got what I expected. It was just too hot at 14:30 to be tramping around the reserve but we were meeting our son from the airport at Malaga and it seemed like a good idea. On the first lake a couple of hundred Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Lanus ridibundus) were roosting, a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and a few White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) swam and fed amongst them. 

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) were also seen. From the next hide over looking the long pool Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were seen and heard.

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

A single Imm Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) was perched on a tall Fennel Stalk and several Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flew over calling loudly. After a brief visit I was glad to get back to the car.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 8th August 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

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

9088 Chrysodeixis chalcites (Golden Twin-spot).

Again the 125 MV trap was used and as the weather was good the catch was reasonable too. 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) was again the commonest moth trapped, with about 30 caught.

8509 Eupithecia centaureata (Lime-speck Pug).

Emerald Species 7984 Phaiogramma etruscaria x2, a single 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1 and 9088 Chrysodeixis chalcites (Golden Twin-spot) x3 were in and around the trap as well. 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x5, 8211 Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) x7, 8509 Eupithecia centaureata (Lime-speck Pug) and 6702 Dolicharthria bruguieralis made up some of the rest of the catch.

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

RAM and Charca de Suárez, Motril, Granada Province.

Another new bird for my Province list.

Female Red-crested Pochards (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina).

Alice, Juan and I met at the usual junction on the Autovia down towards Motril and headed to cabo Sacratif east of the town. 

The usual birds were seen on the Ram part of the morning, including Balearic (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and Cory's Shearwater (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea), 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) and Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) were all recorded on this flat calm morning.

Little Grebe (Zapullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

During the sea watch, 3 Peregrine Falcons (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) were seen to take a Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) out over the sea, the adult making the kill and passing it to one of the younger birds.
We later popped quickly in at the port where large numbers (200+) Audouin's Gulls were roosting on the dock areas along with Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Lanus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls.

We then made our way to the wetland of Charca de Suárez a little further along the coast, we went into the normal hides but then bumped into one of the wardens, he told us that there was someone in the photographic hide and if we wanted we could go and join him.

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

The light is much better from this hide at the time of day we were there so we managed to get some nice shots of the birds. 

The best birds seen were two female Red-crested Pochards (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) which were a new Granada Province species for me. Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zapullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) were all seen out on the water.

Male Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria).

Several Common Kingfishers (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) and Little Bitterns (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were seen around the main lagoon along with Western Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio).
A single Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) made several passes over the main lake, causing mayhem for a while. Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii), Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) and a male Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria), this is only the second sighting of this species that I have had in Spain.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 29th July 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace.
5 Moths of 3 Species.
Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

7984 Chlorissa etruscaria.

The second night's trapping was carried out with the 125 MV lamp, a much brighter light which attracted in some nice species and a lot of not so nice bitting chaps.

6619 Uresiphita gilvata.

Again 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x32 was the commonest species, along with 7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x8 and 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x13. 

6704 Antigastra catalaunalis.

A single Emerald Species 7984 Chlorissa etruscaria x1 and 8904 Dysgonia algira (Passenger) x2 were both found on the vegetation around the light.  

6619 Uresiphita gilvata, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth), 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw), Cresent Dart (Agrotis trux), 6690a Palpita vitrealis, 3036 Stibaromacha ratella and 6704 Antigastra catalaunalis were also seen.

8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth).

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), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Northern 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 past.
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 for 19th 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 Speck (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 Western 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 Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Western 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 (Artogeia rapae), Iberian Marbled (Melanargia lachesis) and Bath Whites (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 (Coenonympha pamphilus), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora), Iberian Scarce (Iphichides 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), Eurasian 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 European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and a Eurasian 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), Western 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), Eurasian Turtle (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Eurasian 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.