Embalse de Cubillas and Loja area, Granada Province.

Great White Egret and more.

Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

John Morgan and his parter Lynn had travelled over to see us for a few days, Lynn and Jayne had decided that they wished to have a walk around the Sunday market in Granada. John and I dropped them off and headed for Cubillas Embalse for a couple of hours birding. 

We arrived to find that there were already a lot of people there, including a group setting up a stage on the shore line for a concert of some sort. 

We made our way down to the main bay and the first bird seen was a Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) only the fourth bird of this species I have seen in the Province (following three birds at Balsa de Regidor, Moraleda Granada on the 15th-16th Oct 2006). 

NE end of the Res.

Several Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and two Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were also on the shoreline, along with a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) the only wader seen during the visit. 

Three Short-toed Snake Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) flapped over the site heading south but with the cloudy damp conditions, they were making it look like it was hard going. 

Out on the water there were 20+ Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), 20+ Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and two Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus cachinnans) with Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) all low over the water, no doubt feeding up before the next leg of there journey South. 

Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

In the surounding Pine woods Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) moved around in a flock, Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Cetti's Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were in the marginal Tamarisks along with a single European Pied Flyctcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca).

Along the Rio Cacín, Granada Province.

Eleonora's Falcon, a new bird for the Granada List.

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

I meet Rolf, Ann-Mari and Elsa Segerstedt at their Hotel in Granada and after a bit of a delay we headed out to the Cacín Valley. 

As soon as we pulled off the A92 Autovia we picked up a group of 6x Short-toed Snake Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) that were soaring away west.
As we left the built-up sprawl of Moraleda several Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) were all seen.
Further down the valley we took a track out to an area of agricultural fields where 39+ Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) put on a good aerial display when they were flushed buy one of the farmer’s tractors.

Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe).

We dipped on the expected Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) but picked up Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita Campestris / Anthus campestris), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

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

As we were leaving the site, a small flock of Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) were seen perched in some Almonds trees and down on the field.
We then moved on to the Embalse de Cacín, a feeder lake for the local irrigation system. Here there were large numbers of Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Azulón Europeo / Anas platyhynchos), Common Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and 3x Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anus crecca).
Also out on the water were 20+ Little (Zapullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a single immature Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Little Grebe (Zapullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

Three Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and a single Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) were on the reedy fringes along with Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
Other birds seen here included Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), a single Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) was heard, Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).
Later we headed a little further along the valley and into the gorge, just as it started to rain we stopped at a site to look for Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and to get better views of Eurasian Crag Martin both of which we got.

Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

As we climbed out of the car a grey looking falcon lifted from the crag below us and the immediate thought was it was a Peregrine but as soon as it banked around against the cliff it became apparent that it was an adult intermediate phase Eleonora's Falcon (Halcón de Eleonora / Falco eleonorae) a new species for me in the Province. 

The bird flew towards the opposite cliff up the face and headed off south. I have seen many of the falcons on Mallorca but it's very nice to catch up with one locally.
A little later we started to make our way back along the valley when Rolf picked up another falcon sitting in an Almond tree about 50 meters back from the road, this time it was a cracking male Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius). 

We then continued on back to Granada and to the Hotel.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 19th September 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace. 

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

8710 Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten).

Again I used the 15 Watt Actinic trap and attracted 2 more species to the garden, they were 10449 Bena bicolorana (Scarce Silver-lines) and 8710 Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten).

10449 Bena bicolorana (Scarce Silver-lines).

Other species caught included 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x2, 10555 Cymbalophora pudica x12, 10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm) x5, 10335 Agrotis lata x1, 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) x1, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1 and several 6690a Palpita vitrealis x8.

1655 Ethmia bipunctella.

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province..

First Snow of the Year.

After a day of rain, thunder storms and a several hour long power cut we decided to go for a drive to one of the local villages towards Granada. 

As we started along the A92 we noticed that the clouds over the Sierra Nevada had lifted and that there was a scattering of snow again. 

Hope this is not a sign for an early start to the winter.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 11th September 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace. 

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

7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

Back to using the Actinic trap after an attack on the MV by the local cats which resulted in a broken bulb. The weather was dry but quite a bit cooler, with the temperature dropping down to 14 overnight.

10555 Cymbalophora pudica.

A new species for the garden was 10555 Cymbalophora pudica a species of Tiger Moth which I had seen before down on the coast at Penny Hales near Estapona.

10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm).

10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm) x10 were caught along with 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x3, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth), 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal), 7984 Phaiogramma etruscaria, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x8, 10034 Mythimna loreyi (Cosmopolitan), 6690a Palpita vitrealis and 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled).

Ronda and Grazalema Visit, Malaga and Cadiz Provinces.

Calling on friends.

Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestes viridis).

After taking Jayne and her two sisters into the centre of Ronda for a day of retail therapy and a nice lunch, I visited Peter Jones of Spanish Nature for a chat and a rummage around the websites on the net. 

After a pleasant couple of hours I made my way to Sue and Clive's out nearer to Grazalema to have a rattle and see the newest member of the family Sam. 

We spent some time out in the garden, particularly down by the stream which boarders their land, a large part of one of the many trees fell off last winter and opened up a small area of ground and the bank of the stream.

Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestes viridis).

Almost straight away I had a new Dragonfly species for my list, Western Willow Spreadwing (Chalcolestes viridis), several insects chased around in the dappled sunlight. Western Spectre (Boyeria irene) was also in the area but was only seen by Sue as she walked down the drive gates to let me out.

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotarda / Sylvia atricapilla) were all seen. 

They had just had visitors from Cornwall in the UK and had spent a week searching the area for Dragonflies. 

Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Over twenty species were seen but they were now back to work on the PCs keeping the Grazalema Guide and Wildside Holidays websites up and running. 

After a cracking couple of hours I made my way back to Ronda to pick the girls up, we started to make our way towards home via a Vulture feeding station. 

Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

On our arrival a few birds were sitting out in the field but that was about it, so we were just leaving when a tractor with a bucket load of offal left the nearby village. 

What happened next surprised even me, within second two hundred plus Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) were circling the tractor as it turned off the road on to the track and made its way to the dumping site. 

As the vehicle stopped it was mobbed by birds, it tipped its load and left the scavengers tearing the offal up and gorged themselves. 

Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

We then drove back to the main road and got some distant views of the flock in flight as the tractor returned with the second course.

Huetor Tajar, Granada Province.

On the way back from the shopping.

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

I popped down to the Supermarket in Huétor and decided to cut across the fields on the return journey. 

A couple of the lucerne fields were being flooded and had attracted large numbers of passage Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) of all ages and several other subspecies. Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were also feeding on the many insects and animals flushed out by the water.

Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and a single female Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) were all in the same area.

Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus).

Several Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) and Red-veined Darts (Sympetrum fonscolombii) were flying around the weedy edges, along with a single Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum tarraconesis).

African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna).

On a track just before the house several Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus) and a single Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus) were all seen on a small patch of Lucerne. 

Embalse del Cubillas, Granada Province.

Raptors and Waders.

Cubillas, the NE corner.

After dropping Jayne and her two sisters off at the market on the outskirts of Granada, I spent a couple of hours birding at the large reservoir at Cubillas. 

In the main shallow bay at the North East end of the water, there was a large area of exposed shoreline. 

Several Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a single Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were all feeding along the waters edge, along with 50+ Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), 20+ Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and 5 Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus). 

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

On the wider area of shore in the bay 100+ European Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) and 10+ Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) were sitting in the Tamarisks or on the ground waiting for the thermals to start and over the next hour and a half they all made there way up and off to the West. 

Spawning Carp.

In the Pine woods along the banks of the reservoir Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) were seen, along with Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus). Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Northern Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) all passed over the area and Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) low over the water. 

Pine woods along side the Reseroir.

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and 5 Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) were out on the water. 

Thousands of largish Carp of some species were also seen spawning in the very shallow water all the way along the eastern side of the reservoir.

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).