Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A morning in the windy valley.

Sierra Nevada.

I met up with Bob Wright from the Axiquara bird group at the Hotel Cortijo de Tájar just off the A92 at junction 203. We had a coffee and a chat before heading off to the Cacín Valley for a few hours birding. Our first site was an agricultural area where we immediatly started to pick up large flocks of Larks, mainly Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) with a few Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) also in the mix. A very nice male Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) was then seen dashing low over the tops of the Almond trees, no doubt a small passerine was in it's sights. We parked and spent some time scanning the fields for the elusive Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis), Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) but the only sign was of the Sandgrouse which we only heard. 

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

I was not surprised that the Little Bustards were absent as they tend to move off and form large winter flocks but having seen good numbers of the Curlews a few days earlier I was quite disappointed that we did not see them. 

A Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) was seen in the ruin of an old Cortijo and several other species were picked up in the area including Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), a single Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) was heard from some scrub, Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).

We then headed down to Embalse de Cacín a small lake with a dam at one end and reed beds at the other. Yesterday I had been here with the SEO birds group and we had located a single male Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) amongst the reeds, fortunually the bird was still there but soon went into hiding in the marginal vegitation. 

About 180 Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) were spread out on the lake along with good numbers of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) x7, Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis). 

Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina).

Whilst we were here we also picked up Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) was heard from the reeds, a single Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) was noted on a gate post, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), several Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

We then retuned to the hotel where Bob headed off to Alhama to see the Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca) located the day before during the gull survey.

Zafarraya area, Granada Province.

Orchids by the thousand.

Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea).

After going to the English meeting at the Hotel above Riofrio, Jayne and myself had a drive out to check for parking space at a couple of sites which the group will be visiting later in the month. The first site there was a good number of Conical Orchids (Orchis conica) in flower, many more than in the last few years. 

Conical Orchid (Orchis conica).

But the opposite was found for Giant Orchid (Himanthoglosum robertiana), only about 10% of the plants compared to last year. Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) was common enough and a few spikes of Fan-lipped (Orchis collina), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera var tenthredinifera) and Mirror Orchids (Ophrys speculum) were found. Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbiensis) was found growing in the shade of the Oaks and was at its typical variable self, with flowers ranging from white with purple spots, through to deep purple with black spots. 

Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbiensis)-

Large numbers of leaf rosettes were found, which makes me think there will be a good show later in the month.

A pair of Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) were seen in the rocks on the field surrounds and a couple of singing male Bonelli’s Warblers (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and a single  Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) were heard.

Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbiensis).

The second spot a little nearer Zafarraya was much the better location, on the more open grassy slope many thousands of Yellow Bee Orchid were in flower with equal numbers still in bud. The Giant Orchids have done better here to, with about a 100 spikes being seen, along with Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papillonecea), many more Conical and a few Sawfly it made quite a show.  Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator),  Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus)  and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) were also seen here and on the way home near Alhama de Granada we watched a cracking female Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) hunting over the woodlands.

Guadalhorce, Malaga Province.

Dennis and Ian, Day six. The homeward journey.

But not before we squeeze the last birding chance out of the trip. On the way to drop Ian at the airport we had a few hours birding at the Guadalhorce nature reserve. It was sunny but there was one hell of a wind blowing in off the sea, a few Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), single Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and a single and then another four Great Skuas (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) passed west. Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) were all seen and on the beach a group of four Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres) were feeding amongst the grot washed up around the rocks.

We then went out on to the main reserve and made our way to the large pool where there were a few nice groups of White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) riding what was quite a surf being whipped up by the strong wind. The new resident female Ruddy Shelduck (Tarro Canelo / Tadorna ferruginea) was seen as it swam along the back of the main pool, where she has come from is not known. Most likely it’s an escape from a wildfowl collection but I prefer the romantic thought that she’s battled her way up over the Atlas Mountains and thought that Malaga looked a great place to settle (well I now the last part will take some believing).

Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) were also seen.

The long pool hide was quiet so we had a look from the raise bank but again nothing new was seen from here. The hide on the way out to the sea watch point produced little but at the second we had good views of five Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) sweeping their headed side to side in their distinctive feeding manor, a very pale Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) sat in a low tree, Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

We also saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Sand (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

We then made our way to the airport where we said our goodbyes to Ian who was back to St Andrews, Dennis and myself then made our way down to Fuengirola where I met sister and her husband who made me very welcome. After a drink and chat I again said my goodbyes and headed for home via Iceland freezer center (I know it’s a bit English).

El Torcal and Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province.

Dennis and Ian Day Five, Rocks and Flamingo's.

Torcal.

Ian, Dennis and I headed out to El Torcal for a more leisurely day and to try to see the local Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus). As we were arriving at the visitors centre car park we had a brief view of a single bird as it disappeared around the taller crags and that was it, we had the only view of the day. We parked and got out of the car and had quite a shock, it was dam freezing, layer after layer went on to Dennis, Ian and myself, well we carry an extra layer or two internally (Sorry Ian). We headed out to the Mirador for views down to the coast at Malaga, several Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) joined the list. We then stopped at the visitors centre and had a loo break and a look in the shop. By the time we can out the biting wind had dropped a touch so we made the decision that we would do the short walk but in reverse. Down in the first ravine we saw several more Black Redstarts and added Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and a female Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus).

Dennis and Ian looking cold at Torcal.

On the top of this ridge we picked up a Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) the first one of the trip, also see were Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). Once back at the car we made our way towards Antiquera and picked up yet another male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) on the way.

Ian looking warmer at Fuente.

We arrived at Fuente to be greeted by a sizable flock of Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) on the pool at the road side but this was nothing compared to the sight out on the lagoon. The waters were so high that the birds were very close to the banks and some were amongst the submerged Tamarisk trees. There were thousands of birds and they were giving the best views I had ever had at the site. On the pool by the road there were also good numbers of Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), along with a few Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius). We walked out across the newish wooden bridge and along the track to the road, along this stretch we added a single male Garganey (Cerceta Carretona / Anas querquedula), Gull-billed (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and Whiskered Terns (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chlidonias hybridus), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Common (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) and Spotted Redshanks (Archibebe Oscuro / Tringa erythropus), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) and Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina).

Dennis also starting to thaw out.

On the far side of the roads the fields were still flooded and several more Common and Spotted Redshanks fed along with single Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) and Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia). Further on we checked an area of water with several Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and then surprise of the morning, there were still two of the wintering Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus) on the margins of the main lagoon. While we were standing checking through the gulls a Scop’s Owl (Autillo Europeo / Otus scops) was heard in the Olive Grove across the road. The whole time we had been walking out to this point there had been a massive flock of feeding birds over head including all five common Hirundines and both Swifts. We turned around and made our way back to the centre and around the tracks to the two hides over looking the fresh water pools, here we added Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber).

Returning to the view point and looking out over the lagoon we managed to add a couple more species, White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) were the best. We then made our way back to the house for a quiet evening.

Padul, Motril and Rio Velez, Granada and Malaga Provinces.

Dennis and Ian, Day Four, still no Larks.

We got up quite early for our second try at picking up the resident Duponts Larks (Alondra de Dupont / Chersophilus duponti), we were on site before dark and the first things we heard were a couple of Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus). The Larks were notable by the silence again and it was not till after dawn that we started to hear the Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) again. Both Northern (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) were seen on this visit along with a single Tawny Pipit (Bisbita Campestre / Anthus campestris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Southern Grey (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). On this visit we all managed to pick the Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) and we got some good views but again there was no sign or sound of any Duponts Larks.
The next stop was down on the coast in the damp areas around Charca del Suarz because the main reserve was shut. Several Bonelli’s Warblers (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) were picked up feeding in the higher parts of the flowering Willow tree, while Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) both skulked in the undergrowth. A Savi's Warbler (Buscarla Unicolor / Locustella luscinoides) could be heard reeling some distance into the marsh, Yellow (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) were also seen in the same area. We then drove further around the marsh and found a track out into the reeds where we heard and got good views of another Savi’s Warbler. Also around this area we saw Little (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Zitting Cisticola and Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius). Along the ditches we also saw a nice male Blue Emperor (Anax imperator) and a couple of Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope).
Down in the fish market we picked up Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and several Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) but the site was generally quite quiet.
The next site was further along the coast at Torre-del-mar; Rio Velez is not my favorite site because of the weirdoes hanging around in the bushes. Luckily there were no problems today and the birding was good. We started at the river side by the road bridge, the damage done by the river in flood had weeded out most of the bank side cover, so the only species seen were the common Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos). Down on the beach the first two birds seen were a couple of Caspian Terns (Pagaza Piquirroja / Sterna caspia) passing east, on the sandbar be hind the beach a single Collared Pratincole (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola) was resting up. Out on the sea we picked up a single winter plumage Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and a single Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) and Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica). Most of the Gulls seen at the docks in Motril were also picked up here including several cracking summer plumage Mediterranean Gulls. On the way back up the river we picked up several Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Kentish (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo). We then made our way home over the hills via Zafarraya.
Photographs from the top: Northern (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica, Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

The Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Dennis and Ian, Day Three,  

Picking up a few summer migrants.

We started the day on the fields just north of the town of Huetor Tajar looking for the distant, heat haze obscured  Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) seen the night before. We tried a new track between some Asparagus fields where several people were picking. A single Bustard could be picked out and showed well in the newly ploughed Lucerne field. Also seen here were White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus) and at least two Common Quail were calling.

We then moved to a sight on the way to Villanueva Mesia where one of the fields was still wet and a couple of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) were sharing the field with several Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and a Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) was singing from the reeds at the far end by the Rio.

On the other side of Mesia we stopped in one of the Poplar plantations and walked along the side of the Rio Cacín where it joins the Rio Genil. The first birds seen were at least three Hawfinches (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) with two males displaying to a female. Two Wrynecks (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) could be heard calling and eventually we had good views. Nightingales and Cetti’s Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were heard and seen all along the river, along with Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and the first singing Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) of the year.

The next stop was above El Turro in the fields where we were looking for some relic steppe species. As we arrived a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) flew over the fields and a group of at least five Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) were seen feeding on the ground in a newly ploughed field. At the ruin we quickly picked up a single Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) feeding distantly on a ridge, a little later this bird and another flew off and gave good flight views. The resident Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) was seen and a party of three Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) gave us some great views in the Almond trees. Another Marsh Harrier was seen, this time a male and several Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) fed out on the fields.

Embalse de Cacín was our next stop but we did not find the male Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) which had been recorded for several months. The bird numbers at the site had dropped greatly; there were only a handful of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) and a few Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). We then went and had some lunch in Cacín and then continued on down the gorge to a site where we viewed a Male Bonelli’s Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) feeding it’s two chicks, in the same area we had Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius). We called at the Embalse again where a female Marsh Harrier flew up out of the reeds and a single Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) could be heard. In the air over the water clouds of Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) plus Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) could all be seen feeding. A single Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) was also picked up passing north.

On the way back to the house we called at the crags at Moraleda adding Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus).

The last stop was at the small pool at the side of the A92 but we only added a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Padul Moors, Sierra Nevada and Laguna de Padul, Granada Province.

Dennis and Ian, Day two and a lifer for Dennis. 

Dennis and Ian photographing the Accentors.

Dennis, Ian and I set off early to get up on the moor land type ridges near Granada where we were looking for Lark species. We arrived just after dawn but we were surprised by the lack of bird song, just a few Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and a distant Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) were heard. As the sun came up over the tops of the Sierra Nevada the birds started to come to life, Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) started first soon followed by Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra). 

Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis).

We wandered around the site for another couple of hours picking up Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black-eared (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) and Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus). 

Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis).

On the return walk we picked up a cracking male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) passed north and a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator glandarius) flew into the nearby Almond plantation calling noisily. Ian also picked up a single Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) in the scrub but Dennis and myself missed it.

We then moved on to the Sierra Nevada and made our to the highest point that you can drive to and parked in the car park at 2500 meters of so. Masses of Spanish kids of all ages between 5 and 60 were having great fun on the smaller slopes, on sledges and plastic bags.

We walked out to the nearest cliffs to the green topped army building and found a small group of Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis) feeding on a small scree area. Dennis was rather please with these birds and the fact that they were watched down to 4ft made it all the better.

Dennis and Ian on the Icy snow.

Other birds seen whilst we were amongst the snow included Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus).

The last stop of the day was at Padul Lagoons where the first birds seen were a small group of Water Pipits (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) feeding in the stream near the entrance track. In the area around the bridge several Cetti’s Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), a single Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) and a couple of Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) were all heard but not seen. Yellow Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava) of three races were seen along with a couple of White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Icicles on the way down.

Other birds seen included Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

Malaga Airport, Laguna Dulce and Home.

Dennis and Ian's trip, Day one. 

Plus getting the much missed Lieca scope back!!!

Today was a double visit to Malaga Airport day, firstly to meet Andy Mounteford off his plane as he was carrying my Lieca Scope which had been taken back to the UK by good friends John and Sharon on their earlier visit. It was very kindly sent back to Lieca by the lads at INFOCUS in the midland even though I did not purchase the scope from them. If this is the service you get when you do not buy the goods from them, then I can imagine that they are a good place to get your kit from. Then to complete the scopes trip, Andy very kindly offered to collect it from John and returned it to me (luckily I have some very helpful friends). Unfortunately Andy is going back to the UK at the end of the month and will be missed.
Andy and I made our way to the mouth of the Rio Guadalhorce for a quick hour or so birding. On the sea we picked up Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and on the beach there were a few Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba). We then walked down the bank to the bridge which is the main entrance to the reserve, on the way we added Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Cetti’s (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and a nice male Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus).

I then dropped Andy off at the train station and continued on to pick up Dennis Coutts (from Shetland) and Ian Cummings (from St Andrews) both making a return visit for some more Spanish birding, their easyjet flight was a bit late but we were soon on our way up towards Campillos to have a look at Laguna Dulce. On the way we stopped briefly at the Rio Grande and picked up the first of many Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Mallard, Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Little Egret and  Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

The second detour on the way was at the raptor watch point at Sierra Teba and the gorge. Several Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) could be heard calling as the chased along the cliff face and male Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) was picked up high over head. From the gorge the female Bonelli’s was seen and good numbers of House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) were picked up and on the drive to the lagoon several Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) jangled their calls from wires they shared with newly arrived Woodchat Shrikes.

At Laguna Dulce there were good numbers of Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), a small flock of Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), a couple of Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a single Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), two female White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) and masses of both Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) overhead. On the drive to the house we picked up a pair of Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna) on an area of flooded field and at least two female Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus). Once at the house Dennis and Ian settled in before I took them down town for a meal and picked them up later.

Moraleda and Huetor Tajar, Granada Province.

Palm Sunday Parade in Huetor Tajar.

The Parade.

Jayne and I made our way to Moraleda to the Sunday Market. On the way a single Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) flew over the fields and landed in a bush in one of the farm house gardens (they seem to be every where this year). On the way home we stopped in Huetor Tajar to watch the Palm Sunday parade through the town, It was as you would expect slow moving and very noisy. The single float with a statue of Jesus on was being carried by a large number of Spanish teenagers, all smartly dressed and looking proud of there position. 

The float.

While the parade passed I noted a group of at least three Hawfinchs (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) chasing each other around the town centre calling loudly. Also seen were House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Sierra Loja, Mesia and Huetor Fields, Granada Province.

Picking up the summer migrants.

Viola dementria.

After finding out that there are at least two and probably many more bus stations/stops for the buses from Granada I found Andy Mounteford out side one of the hotels on the by-pass. We then made our way up the bumpy but fairly good conditioned tracks to Sierra de Loja and Gorda. Several spikes of Giant Orchid (Himanthoglosum robertiana) were the first things of interest to be seen, quickly followed by Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea). The small quarry on the way gave us views of a pair of Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), several Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) were singing from the rock faces along with a single Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). 

Out on the slopes below the quarry a cracking male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) was seen perched in one of the many Hawthorn bushes, Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) sang from the Gorse, Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) chipped loudly from the Pines and a Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) drifted over West. We then moved on up through the pines where several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), about 25 were seen. The next stop was along the crags but these were covered in climbers much to the alarm of the local Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) populations. In the same area we picked up Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) were added to the list. 

Charca de Negra.

Up on the tops we soon started to pick up some brightly plumage male Black-eared (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) about 20 were seen in total and a few Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) were common place as were Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae). On the rocks piled up by the Goat and Sheep herders to allow more grass to grow three or more Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) were seen warming up in the bright sunshine. We then arrived at Charca de Negro, a small pool at about 1200m where we saw several Sharp-ribbed Newts (Pleurodeles waltl) and good numbers of what I think were Natterjack Toads (Bufo calamita). There were several more Black Redstarts and Black-eared Wheatears on the rocks and a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) passed over high. On the ledges good numbers of the uncommon Narcissus Bugei were in bloom. We moved further on and came into an area dominated by male Blue Rock Thrushes (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) at least four cold be seen displaying here and another two were seen near the goat cave. Several Red-billed Chough were seen carrying nesting materials in to the cave and could be heard calling all around the site. A very Rufous looking Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) passed between the wind turbines and on North followed by large numbers of Hirundines and Swifts. On the track towards Salar a pair of Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) were picked up but by the time we stopped only the male could be see but it gave us some very good views. Flocks of Swifts could be seen moving through, including Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus). 

Narcissus bugei.

Also seen were Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus). We then started to make our way back down the hill and towards Villanueva Mesia where we had a look along a short section of the Rio Cacín just as it flows into the Rio Genil. The first birds seen were Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), quickly followed by a calling Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) which obligingly sat out on a poplar branch and preened for several minutes. 

Hacho.

We also picked up Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and another Wren here. On the way up to our house we stopped by one of the Lucerne fields near Huetor Tajar where we found just a single male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) in full breeding plumage, along with a good number of Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). Whilst we sat having a drink and a chat at the house a small flock of 5 European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) flew over low, the first of the year. Later we went up to a small Sierra behind Loja hoping for views of a pair of Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) that breed there. We did not see or even hear them as I think we were a little early in the evening. We did pick up a Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and a calling Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius). In a small patch of grass land along side the track we identified 8 species of orchid, Southern Early Purple (Orchis Olbiensis), Conical (Orchis conicia), Italian Man (Orchis italica), Giant (Himanthoglosum robertiana), Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and Dull Bee Orchids (Ophrys fusca). During the day several species of butterfly were noted, these included Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) and Small White (Artogeia rapae).

Embalse de Iznajar, Cordoba Province.

Well I now know where all this winter's water went.

The Res.

After a week of solid decorating work Jayne and I had the afternoon off and had a drive out to the Embalse to see what the water level was like after seeing massive amounts of it flowing passed our house and through Huetor Tajar over the winter. 

The Jets.

Last year I said to Jayne that I did not think we would ever see the lake full again, as the winter of 2008/09 had been wet but had made little difference to the level. How wrong I was with this winter being unbelievably damp, houses have collapsed, roads washed away and many other things have been damage. 

Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica).

One thing good to come of it is that the Embalses in the Provinces in the south are generally full, including Iznajar, I do not know how many billions of litres of Agua have run into the lake but it was impressive to stand on the dam and feel the ground vibrate with the power being generated by the hydroelectric station within. The jets shoot out at the river side were attracting large numbers of spectators, filling all the parking areas and the no parking areas on the dam (the Spanish stop anywhere I like lights were much in use).

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

While we were there I had a look in the woodland either side of the dam for Orchid species, I found large numbers of Italian Man (Orchis italica), Fan-lipped (Orchis collina), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Giant Orchids (Himanthoglosum robertiana) all in full flower.

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).