Rio Guadalahorce, Malaga Province.

A couple of hours on the beach.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus).

After getting information from Andy Patterson about two Red-breasted Mergansers (Serreta Mediana / Mergus serrator) on the sea from the sea watch point. I arrived at the sea front end of the urbanization and set up the scope on the rocks nearby. 

The first bird seen was a 1st winter Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus) which was feeding on the Common Mussels (Mytilus edulis) on the rock. 

Also seen from here was a winter plumaged Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) which sat on the rocks next to the Oystercatcher till a wave forced both of them up on to the beach.
Out on the sea there was a group of 4 Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra), a single Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda), Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser-black backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), along with more Sandwich Terns and 8+ Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta).

Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis).

On the river a couple of Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) were roosting and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were stalking fish from the reedy margins. 

On the sandbar a group of 20+ Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) one of my favourite waders were roosting along with a couple of Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

I then scanned along the shore line and picked up the two Mergansers down by the far sea watch point so I got in the car and made my way down to the reserve entrance, on the walk down to the beach numerous Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flew over, also seen were Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

Red-breasted Mergansers (Serreta Mediana / Mergus serrator).

Whist passing the main pool a quick glance added Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) x3, Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) x3 and a couple of Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata).

Once on the beach, the two birds were soon picked up down near the river mouth, so I walked down to the sea watch point and had some nice views of them.

I managed a couple of poor record shots and also picked up out on the sea another couple of Common Scoter. I then walked back via the raised ridge, pasted the two hides to the car. 

On the way I picked up a couple of both Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) and Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) but did not see the expected Osprey.

On the pools to the left of the bank several more Sanderling were seen along with Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

Red-breasted Mergansers (Serreta Mediana / Mergus serrator).

On the other drier side of the bank Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) were all recorded. 

Whilst I was wondering, I also saw a single female Red-veined Dart (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and quite a few Painted Lady's (Vanessa cardui).

Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province.

A pleasant morning with the Axarquia Bird Group.

Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).

On the way over to meet Bob Wright, Andy Patterson and the rest of the group I made a short detour out on to the fields North of Antequera. 

On one of the many tracks that cross the area I picked up 3 Western Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) two males and a juv female. The one male bird was as bright and well-marked as I have ever seen, a real cracker. 

Whist watching the Harriers a large flock of Larks was flushed, most of the birds were Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), up wards of 200, along with Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Eurasian Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis). 

Also seen were European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). 

Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

I then continued on towards the meeting point but got caught in a blockage as the electricity people were hoisting a new set of cables between two pylons, one either side of the motorway. I arrived and then so did the rest of the group who had also been stopped. 

After a chat on the car park, we made our way around to the Lagoon. Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Lesser-black backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and White Wagtails were seen on the dried out pools and 30+ Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) on the fields on the approach road. 

Out on the main lagoon a few Greater Flamingos (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), 4+ Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus), 50+ Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna) and hundreds of Gulls. 

We next visited the hides around the rear of the centre where Quite a few Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), several Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) were all the waders seen, along with Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). 

Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

On the banks and in the marginal vegetation good numbers of Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and European Goldfinch were feeding and a single Water Pipit (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) was picked up wandering the rocks that lined one of the islands. 

On the far side of the pools, several Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were seen and a single Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). 

We then moved back towards the car park, picking up a pair of Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) on the way. We moved on around the side of the lake heading south and stopped at a view point part way. It gave a great view out over the fields and marsh that were between the road and the Lagoon, but today there were few birds. 

A little further on, a sizeable (250+) flock of Common Cranes were seen and unfortunately flushed because of the door slamming which went on, the birds settled again but quite a bit further away, we still had good views. 

I then continued on to the Lagoons around Campillos but saw very little except for another closer group of Cranes which I managed a few record shots of.

Near Huétor Tajar and Húetor Tájar, Granada Province, Spain.

First day on the Winter Birds Atlas.

Eurasian Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

I started out from the house on the first part of this winter's atlas, the first two itineraries are through the Olive groves around the house. 

The most notable things seen was a very large concentration of finch species feeding on the newly turned ground between the trees. Several hundred European Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) made up the bulk of the flock but there were also hundreds more Common Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) and House Sparrows (Gorrión Común). 

In the Olives Eurasian Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Blackbirds (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) were the commonest species. 

Huetor Fields.

Once out on to the agricultural areas I started to pick up Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) with a flock of 30+ birds in a row of Fig and Pomegranates, Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and a single Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) which was to be the only raptor recorded. 

In a row of road side Almond trees several Eurasian Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) were all added to the growing list along with a single unexpected Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata). 

I then walked the fields along the river bank, here there are a lot of areas cultivated with Asparagus, which at this time of the year is nice and tall and gives good cover for a lot of species. 

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus).

Along this stretch Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) were seen along with the distant wintering flock of over 200 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

Rio Velez, Malaga Province.

Good Birding amongst the Filth and Rubbish.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta).

After a dampish drive down to Torre-del-Mar on the Malaga Coast, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was warm and quite pleasant by the time I reached Rio Velez. 

I parked the car and the first birds seen were a very smart Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) preening in the riverside reed beds, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and a couple of European Robins (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) doing Bluethroat impressions in the reeds. 

Walking further down the river towards the sea I started to hear a call from the tall reeds at the side of the track which I knew were coming from some Penduline Tits (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) but I could not see them until eventually they dropped on to the Reedmace (Typha angustifolia) on the main marshy area.
There I could see that there were 6 males and 2 females in the group, but all too quickly they were off again foraging through the vegetation. 

Along here I also picked up a small flock of Common Reed Buntings (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) at least 6 birds flew up from the side of the river when the two horses that were wandering around wandered just a bit too close. Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and a single male Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava) were all seen before I reached the beach.

Returning fishing boats.

On the beach a little further east a large gull roost had formed with several thousand birds of five species included Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) a few hundred, Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) 1000+ probably the commonest gull I saw during the day, Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) 50+, Lesser-black backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) 1000+ and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) 100s. 

Out at sea there were many more gulls along with good numbers of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and a raft of 36 Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus).
On the beachside of the reserve a large pool held a few Eurasian Coots, Common Moorhens, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), bathing Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and just as I was leaving to head back to the car a group of 5 Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flew through.
On the way back I meet another couple of Birders, and we had a pleasant chat and I then returned to the beach for a while whilst we talked, they told me about a Greylag Goose (Ansar Común / Anser anser) they had seen just back up the river, so I headed back to have a look. 

By the time I found the bird, it had moved down the river and was right by the car. 

A couple of Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta) and several Clouded Yellows (Colias crocea) were the only insects seen. 

On the way out of the site several Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) were noted feeding over the fields near the road bridge.

Greylag Goose (Ansar Común / Anser anser).

A good few hours birding, the only down side to the day was the amount of rubbish and filth that was discarded at the site, some by the river waters from upstream but quite a lot of it was obviously deliberately dumped.

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

Ring Ouzel's, camera shy Thrushes.

Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

The main reason for the drive up was to try and get some photographs of the Ring Ouzels (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) seen a few days earlier. 

We started our drive from the woodlands above Loja, several species of wildflower were starting to add a nice splash of colour to the area, including Wide-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia) with just a few of the many thousands of blooms were just starting to show, Purple Vipers Bugloss (Echium lycopsis), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) and Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis). 

Passing the crags several climbers were seen scaling the cliffs, whilst Western Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) flew along the ridge above them scalding loudly.

Wide-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia).

Once up on the tops we started to see Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) all of which are regular here. 

Once we reached the area for the Ouzels we parked in a convenient spot and waited, several Corn Buntings (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Black Redstart, Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) all paid a brief visit to the water hole but the Ringed Ouzels remained distant.

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

After a couple of hours the light started to drop so we decided to return down the mountain before dark. On the way we added several small groups of Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and a flock of about 15 Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis).

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica).

A couple of male Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica) were also seen wandering around alone on the higher rocky ridges.

Near Loja, Granada Province.

Heard but not seen.

The Sunset from Hacho.

Jayne and I made a quick visit to a site about 5 minute from the house, below some rocky cracks and on the edge of a pine woodland we hoped to get views of a pair of European Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo). 

I had first seen these birds about 6 weeks ago whilst a friend from the UK was visiting, and we were out setting up his (John Morgan) bat detectors.

The Sunset on the crags

This evening we were only lucky enough to hear the two birds but they were not willing to show, we did see Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), 100+ Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Padul Area, Granada Province.

From wetlands to Moorlands.

Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Andy Mounteford and I made our way to the Padul Nature Reserve just to the south of Granada City for a few hour birding. 

As we arrived, we met a Spanish chap doing some Ringing/Banding in the reed beds, the birds we saw in the hand whilst we were watching him included Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla).

The Ringer.

We then walked along the track through the reeds as far as a wooden hide (which always seems to be lock) seeing 6+ Common Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum tarraconesis).

Next we drove a circular route around the reserve picking up Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House (Gorrión Común), Spanish (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) x2 and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus) 15+, Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Andy.

A single Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum tarraconesis) along with several Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea).

Later we went to an area of scrubby hillside looking for Larks, we picked up just Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) along with several Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), a dark phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum).

A few species of butterfly were still on the wing including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanto). 

Whilst were walked around the area, a few plants of White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) were seen.

Huetor Fields and Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

A visitor from the West, well from over Ronda way.

Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

I spent a very enjoyable few hours birding with Pieter Verheij the CEO of Spanish Nature Wildlife Holidays. 

I met Pieter at the Hotel Cortijo de Tájar just off the A92 at Junction 203 and we made our way out on to the agricultural areas around the town of Huétor Tájar where Pieter was hoping for the chance to photograph the wintering flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

Pieter.

The first area checked produce on about 20 Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

We then moved on and found the Bustards in a Lucerne field nearby, Pieter was out of the vehicle and the camera was soon in action, whilst I did a count which reach 205+. 

Once Pieter was happy we moved on along the many farm tracks in the area seeing Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Small White (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae).

The next stop was on the outskirts of the town on a part harvested field of lettuce, here we managed to connect with a flock of at least 70 Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and again Pieter’s camera was at work. 

Also seen in the area were more Northern Lapwings, Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).
In the afternoon we decided to have a drive up Sierra de Loja, this decision was immediately rewarded with views of an Immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) and the distant calls of several Alpine Accentor's (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis). 

Further up the Sierra we made another stop and added Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus). 

Once we reached the higher levels we started to see Ring Ouzel (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) and by the end of the day about 25 birds had been seen.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Also up on the tops we picked up a late female Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) and several Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus iliacus).
During the day we also saw Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica), Small (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae) and Bath Whites (Blanquiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

RAM and Charca de Suárez, Motril, Granada Province.

Blown inside out, but it was worth it.

Gulls at Motril Docks.

After missing the last two RAM visits, it was good to meet Juan and set off down to the coast, we arrived a little early and walked out on to the headland in what can only be described as a bracing wind. 

Once we were setup it was obvious that there were a lot of birds passing, most heading west. immediately we started to pick up large numbers of Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) moving through in large groups, along with 3 Mediterranean Shearwaters (Pardela Mediterránea / Puffinus yelkouan), Cory's Shearwater (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea) and 100s of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus). 

Several Razorbills (Alca Común / Alca torda) were also seen in small groups of two or three birds and a couple of Great Skuas (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) also passed through but much further out to sea. 

Gulls at Motril Docks.

Other birds recorded included Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser-black backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

We then moved on to the fish docks at Motril where the security set up had changed but Juan soon sorted that out and we gained access to some areas which were normally out of bounds to us. 

Here we picked up much the same species that we had on the sea watch plus Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus). 

Stripe-less Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis).

The last stop was at Charca de Suárez, we were a bit later than normal so we moved quickly around to the main hide where Juan soon found me a Stripe-less Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis) sitting in the sun on some vegetation near the hide, by the time we had move on we had found about 15. There were also many Stripe-necked Terrapins (Mauremys caspica) sunning out on the edges and in the weeds. 

A single immature Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) was probably the most interesting bird, along with several Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus) they were both new species for me at this site.  

Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) X10+, Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Mediterranean, Lesser-black backed, Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls and a single female Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) were all also seen. 

Charca.

Eurasian Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) and Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava) were both heard. 

Several Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) and Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta) were still on the wing, as were a few Small Whites (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae) and Speckled Woods (Pararge aegeria).

Rio Guadalahorce, Malaga Province.

Birding at the coastal pools.

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) roost.

Having dropped Jayne off at the shopping centre, I spent a couple of hours having a bimble around the reserve. 

I first had a look at the beach to see if there were any waders on the rocks or any interesting species out at see, the rocks were empty but out on the very calm water a group of six Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) were feeding together and a couple of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) could be seen diving out near the horizon. 

One of the local fishing boats was returning along the coast and was being followed by a huge cloud of gulls, these included Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser-black backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and closer to the shore a small group of Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) slipped by heading East.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia).

I then moved to the main entrance, on way in several Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) were seen from the bridge and a Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) scared me to death as it flushed up out of the dried out vegetation on the track towards the main hide. 

The water level in the main pool was quite low and I thought that there may be a few waders about but apart from the resident Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) and a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) they were noticeable by their absence. 

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

On the small island in the far right-hand corner a couple of Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), several Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and three Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) were all roosting. Black-necked and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) were the commonest species out on the water but they were joined by a couple of White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) and some very scruffy looking male Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata) still in partial eclipse plumage. 

The trees over the far side of the pool where the raptors usually perch were full of a hundred plus roosting Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) and a few Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). 

Passerines were also noted and these included Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and just as I was leaving the hide a cracking Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) flew across calling.

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

I then walked around to the hide in front of the long pool, nothing new was seen from here except for a passing flock of 20 or so Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) heading West.

Time was now pushing on, so I started to walk back around to the car, on the way picking up Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and a single Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) which flashed across the path in front of me then sat up in one of the many Shrub Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) bushes. The last bird of the day was the Booted Eagle that I had met earlier but this time posing in one of the Eucalyptus trees by the river.

In the garden, Granada Province.

The very local Patch.

Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

Whist I was sorting a few things out in the garden, I was pleasantly surprised to find a good number of insects still about. 

A cracking Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) was feeding on our neighbour's Buddleia shrub, along with Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) and Small White (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae). 

Then by the gate a large dragonfly whizzed passed and then lingered for a few seconds, just long enough for me to be sure that it was a new species for our garden, a female Blue / Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea).

Zafarraya, Pantaneta de Alhama and in between, Granada Province.

Well what a day for birding.

Thekl Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

I set off to meet the birders from the Axarquia bird group for the first time in a howling gale and heavy rain. 

On the way the weather improved a bit, so I stopped at a couple of places on the way, on the fields between Salar and Alhama I picked up several Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Eurasian Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), along with Eurasian Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) and Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Rainbow near Zafarraya.

I went to the meeting point but I was quite early so I went and had a coffee and tostada in the bar nearby. Later I returned to the car park and started to sort the optics out of the boot as the rain had died down from torrents to just damn heavy, whilst doing this several more Rock Sparrows were seen and heard and at least two Alpine Accentor's (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis) flew over calling in the low cloud. Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) were also seen.

Then to my surprise through the heavy rain, three vehicles appeared loaded with intrepid / mad birders from several places along the coast. 

We all quickly decided to beat a retreat to the bar again and had a coffee and everybody was introduced to each other by Bob Wright.

After a while we made our way to the first site in the fields behind Zafarraya where we picked up Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).

The next stop was at Pantaneta de Alhama a small pool near the end of the Alhama Gorge, here we picked up Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), several Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) on the pool and on the opposite back we heard an Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) calling. 

Over the pool several hundred Barn Swallows, a few Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and a single Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) were feeding. In the trees around the pool European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) were all heard and seen.

Later we made a stop at the end of the Alhama Gorge and walked along the stream a little way, here we saw a hundred plus Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Blackcap, Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) and Mistle Thrush.

Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

Our last stop was back at the meeting point, where the weather had cleared up, so we walked along the old railway line for a few hundred meters to a point just passed the tunnel seeing several Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Eurasian Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), a single Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

I then left the group to go and enjoy their Menu del dia in the local bar and made my way home via the fields north of Zafarraya and the Salar road. 

On the return trip I saw similar species to the drive over plus Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and on the local patch 211 + Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and a couple of Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino /Anthus spinoletta) on the river with both White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtail. 

Once I was back at the house, a large flock of Iberian Magpie 70+ birds flew out of the fruit trees in our neighbours garden.

Between Zafarraya, Alhama and Salar, Granada Province.

Raptors on the move.

Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Jayne and I were travelling between Zafarraya and home and on the way back took the route through the fields to the North East of the town and then out on to the road to Salar just North of Alhama de Granada and then home. Just after leaving Zafarraya a small falcon flashed across the road flushing several Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and then banking back in front of us. 

It was a cracking male Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) the second I have seen this winter. 

A little further on we stopped on the side of the road to check out another falcon which was a Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) but whilst we were there Jayne picked up a couple of larger raptors a bit further away which turned out to be Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), these two birds soon turned into 40 and then a second group joined the original birds. 

Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

The flock now numbers at least 71 and had started to gain height soar on a new thermal and within a few minutes they were all moving of South West. 

While we were watching the Vultures we also saw Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), a hundred plus Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Eurasian Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei). 

Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe).

We then moved out on to the road between Alhama and Salar, I was giving the area another once over hoping to pick up a reported Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus). 

I did not see the Kite but we did pick up Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) x2, Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Meadow Pipits (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe). 

Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Just before we arrived in Salar another Raptor was seen as it dropped behind some Almond trees, a few seconds after I had stopped hoping for better views it again came above the trees and a new bird was on my Granada list. 

It was a cracking Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) a species I have just missed on several occasions, it was also heading South West.

Balsa de Regidor, Moraleda de Zafayona and Riofrio, Granada Province.

Local birding again.

Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

We started the day by visiting the Car boot sale at Moraleda de Zafayona, not something we do very often but we needed a couple of things. 

On the way back we stopped at the man-made lake on the side of the A92 called Balsa de Regidor, the main reason was to see if there were any late flying Dragonflies but the simple answer to that was NO. 

On the lake there were several Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). 

A single Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) X4 and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) X10+ were all seen perched on the many large logs around the margins.

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

Other birds seen included Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

In the afternoon we went to the small village of Riofrio for a walk along the river along with a great many other people. 

Here we saw Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Grey Wagtail, Mallard and Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla).