Loja, Granada Province.

Fish farm and industrial estates.

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis).

Well not one of the usual places I would choose to visit but with the car needing some new brake disks rather urgently I was left with no option. I dropped the car of to our reliable and cheap Spanish mechanic and passed a couple of hours wondering the local industrial estate and fish farm. As soon as I reached the stream that feeds the trout pools I picked up a displaying Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) only the one bird could be seen but as he was showing off so much I can assume that there must have been a female close by. 

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

On the same pool several Copper Demoiselles (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) and a male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) were seen. Further up the stream a Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) was seen to slip from a very exposed nest with four eggs, shoals of Iberian Barbel swam in the crystal clear water (shame about all the crap that had been dropped and dumped in the area). Butterflies were every where including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).  

Nest of Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) were all in good numbers feeding on the thistle plants on the waste ground, along with Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and several Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). 

Small White (Artogeia rapae).

I then had a walk around the small pond only adding Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and the resident domestic ducks. I then retraced my steps back along the stream picking up Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), both Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). 

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus).

Back at the fish farm I flushed the biggest Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) from the stream bank and this thing did not scuttle away as they usually do, it galloped. Also seen were a single male Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum), several Iberian Bluetails (Ischnura graellsii) and a nice newly emerged Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope). Not a bad morning after all ! 

Sierra Loja, Granada Province.

The second visit in two days.

Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus).

After having a good day up the sierra yesterday I was thinking can today go as well? I need not have worried. Once all the members of the Axarquia bird group had gathered we started the run up the hill. At the first stop by the small disused quarry we picked up Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and heard Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Mucizonia hispida.

The Shrike was added to the seen list a few minutes later on the side of the track, along with a black looking Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). The next stop was on the turning area before the drive up to the larger of the quarries. Here we added Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Great Tits (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus). Up at the quarry there was again no sign of the adult or juv Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo), but we did locate Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), a pair of Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) which gave us all good views, Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), several Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and a single Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Erodium cheilanthifolium.

In the area near where we had left the car we picked up at least 6 Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) on the higher crags, along with Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and another Woodchat Shrike. Up on the crags Road we made an extra stop to watch two immature Golden Eagles (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) run the wrath of the local Red-billed Choughs and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), along here we also picked up Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), good numbers of both Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), plus another male Black Wheatear, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Once we were up on the tops we quickly added a cracking male Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata). Several species of wildflowers were also identified including Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major), Ballota hirsuta, Buckler Mustard (Biscutella frutescens), Carduus granatensis, Yellow Restharrow (Ononis natrix), Cerastium boissieri and Dianthus Pungens. Raptors were few and far between but some of the group saw a male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), the rest of us had to do with a couple of passing Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus). Right up on the highest point we added to the plant list with Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Viola dementria, Upland Peony (Paeonia coriacea) and Pink Med Catchfly (Silene colorata).

Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys).

On the rocks just passed the Charca's we picked up the star bird of the day a beautiful adult male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) which was carrying food for a brood of nearby nestlings. After getting great views of this bird we carried on around to the Goat Cave and picked up several Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), many more Rock Sparrows, several male Blue Rock Thrushes (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), flocks of Red-billed Choughs and some better views of Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). Plants again feature with a nice patch of Erodium cheilanthifolium being found on a large rock, along with Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys), Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre), Star Clover (Trifolium stellatum) Mucizonia hispida and Saxifraga camposii. On our way down more views were had of the Rock Thrush male and this time he was joined by his mate and a Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra). We stopped at Charca de Negra and had a look at the pool for the Sharp-ribbed Salamanders (Pleurodeles waltl), on the crags above the water good numbers of Rock Sparrow were again seen and a nest with three near fledged Red-billed Choughs was found.

Saxifraga camposii.

Back near the bottom of the crags one of the two immature Golden Eagles did another fly passed giving the members of the group who missed it on the way up a chance to get some good views of a cracking bird. At this point I had to leave the group, once I got them to a place to eat I returned home and Bob lead them on to other sites in the afternoon.

Sierra Loja and the upper Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A days guiding in the hills.

Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba).

It was nice to get up the Sierra again, I meet today’s birders on the car park of the service station and we started to make our way up. The first stop was at the small disused quarry where there were good numbers of House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) in the surrounding trees and we also had fly over Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus). Just as we jumped back in the car a pair of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) were noted down in the dell next to the motorway. 

Upland Peony (Paeonia coriacea).

At the turning point further up we stopped and spent some time scanning the pine woods. A single Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) sat out on a branch giving good views and an immature male Common Crossbill was watched in the scope as it stripped a pine cone. Two Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) were seen flying along the hillside behind the pines and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) were all heard or seen. At the large disused quarry we looked for the Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) which had been showing well for the last few weeks but as I had expected the you had fledged and the adults were not on show. 

Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

In this area we did see Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). On the bank a pair of Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and a couple of Common Cuckoos (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) were added to the list. Lots of Spanish Gatekeepers (Pyronia bathseba) and Spanish Marbled Whites (Melangia ines) were feeding around the masses of wildflowers, these included Carduus granatensis, Viola dementria and Purple Vipers Bugloss (Echium lycopsis).  

Carduus granatensis.

The next stop was on the crags, good numbers of Red-billed Choughs were seen again along with Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus). Two female Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) were seen fleeing across the rocky slopes below us. 
On the tops the first of many Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) were seen, a cracking male and a drabber female. On the drive across to the pools at Charca del Negro we added Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and at least two displaying Spectacled Warblers (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata). 

Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida).

On the flats near the pools we eventually had some distant views of both a male and female Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) but we had no luck tracking them down for better views. Upland Peony (Paeonia coriacea) and Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) were also added here along with another 2 Griffon Vultures and a distant Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus). 
The next stop was along the goat cave cliffs, more Red-billed Choughs, Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush x5 at least, dozens of Rock Sparrows and two Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) were all seen before we made our way back to the pools to have a look at the Sharp-ribbed Salamanders (Pleurodeles waltl), several of which were seen under the carpet of Pond Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus Peltatus). 

Viola dementria.

On the way down we picked up a nice female Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush before going and getting a late lunch near Huetor Tajar. On the sierra we also saw two Ocellated Lizards (Lacerta lepida) sunning them selves out on large rocks. 
We only visited a single site in the afternoon which was the agricultural area of the Cacín Valley. Here we managed to added Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris) before we dropped on a cracking male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax). On our way out of the site a migrant Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) was picked up sat in one of the many Almond trees, a good end to what I hope the guests thought was an enjoyable day.

Sierra de Huetor, Granada Province.

Lecture and Ramble.

Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea).

I was fortunate to be asked by a friend Juan to attend a lecture on Orchids being given in the visitors center at Sierra de Huetor.
On the way I stopped a couple of times in the pine woodlands in the surrounding area, the commonest species seen was Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) several birds were heard and seen, along with Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

Grey-leaved Cistis (Cistis albidus) was every where and Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena), Childing Pink (Petrorhagia nanteulii) and Polygala boissieri were all growing on the verge.

The group.

Once at the visitors center I met Juan and his wife Beatriz and we started to have a look through some of the orchids that Juan had seen earlier in the week on a visit with some of his students. Most of the Yellow Bees (ophrys lutea) and all the Mirrors (Ophrys speculum), Dense-flowered (Neotinea maculata) and Southern Early Purples (Orchis mascula/olbiensis) were over with but a few very nice spikes of Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta) were perfect. I also managed to get a few nice shots of a female Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides).

Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides).

At about 10:30 the lecture started and although as you would expect it was all in Spanish, I understood a lot and Juan explained what I could not sort out.
After the indoor bit we all got into the transport and made our way around to a woodland site nearby. Whilst we walked up the track many perfect spikes of Southern Early Purple Orchids were seen under the shade of the oaks and pines. In amongst the scrub we also found several fine spikes of Purple Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) but just a single one was in flower, the rest needing at least another week. The next species found was Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) a single plant that was just starting to go over but still a beautiful flower.

Purple Limodore (Limodorum abortivum).

Once back at the cars some of the group including Juan and Beatriz had to make their ways home but I stopped with Juan the lecturer and some of the students for a drink before I to had to leave them to there second beer. I stopped at a site on the way back for a brief look for some Orchis cazorlensis which we were told about but only managed more mascula, Sword-leaved Helleborines and several Man (Aceras anthropophorum).

The Gorge at Alhama de Granada, Granada Province.

A stroll along the river.

Jayne, Barb and Martin.

Jayne's Brother and Sister eventually arrived yesterday, after a few days delay due to the Icelandic volcano. So we decided that a quiet day was called for, so we had an easy morning and then went for a walk along the Rio Alhama where it runs through the gorge below the town of Alhama de Granada. The weather was not great as the wind was quite strong but this improved later. By the pool at the start of the walk we picked up a couple of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) on the water. 

Sarcocapnos enneaphylla.

Along the river the first species seen included Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) both singing nosily, White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). In the poplar trees a couple of Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) called and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) sang along with several Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos). 

The Gorge.

On the banks along the stream there were large numbers of wildflowers in bloom including Pallenis spinosa, Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Blue Alkanet (Anchusa azurea), Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major) and Linaria aeruginea. 

Linaria aeruginea.

Further along the gorge we added Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), , Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia). Growing high on the rocks we also spotted the unusual Sarcocapnos enneaphylla, Buckler Mustard (Biscutella frutescens) and Chaenorrhinum Glareosum.  

Rio Alhama.

Butterflies were surprisingly thin on the ground and we only picked up Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Small White (Artogeia rapae). Once we reach the town I doubled back to collect the car and the others went on up to Alhama and we meet up in one of the bars in the upper square. 

Guadalhorce, Malaga Province.

Dam the Volcano.

This was just a quick visit to the site while we were waiting for the arrival of Jayne’s Sister and Brother at the airport. On a wide drainage channel just out side the Pardor de Golf I picked up a couple of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) feeding on the muddy margins. A single Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) was wading through the green slim which covered the surface and both House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) fed over head with several European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

Down at the sea watch point at Guadalhorce a small group of about a dozen Little Terns (Charrancito Común / Sterna albifrons) were roosting on the far side of the river. More Little Egrets were staking prey along the reedy banks and a few Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) were out on the water. On the sea good numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) roosted out on the disused platforms and several Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) followed distant fishing boats with hoards of other gulls. Just as I was leaving two Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) flew passed heading west and the Little Terns all flew out of the river and disappeared off east. On the drive back through the houses several Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and a small but noisy flock of Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) were seen. I then returned to Jayne in the shopping center to find that the flight had been cancelled due to this dam Volcano, Can we not block it using the bankers from Iceland that stuffed us last year, and if thats not enough I am sure a big % of the British one would not be missed!

Sierra Loja and upper Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

The ABS weather jinx continues. 

Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki),

Well what a day, as I arrived at the meeting place at Abades service area the skies either side of the sierra looked very black but the space over the hills were clear. As the time got nearer and the members of the Andalucian Bird Society started to arrive the sky took a turn for the worst and by the time we set off the drizzle had started, we had seen several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) before we left. By the time we reached the disuse quarry just above the town of Loja the heavens had opened but a few of us did get to see one of the adult Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) sitting on the entrance to the nest platform. Some of the group used umbrellas to protect their scopes and to stay dry, I will deny it if anybody tells Peter or Pieter that I used one and I will hunt down any person who mentions that it had Pink and Purple hearts on it (it was Jayne honest).

Omphalodes commutata.

Any way some of the brave members wandered into the quarry and quickly picked up a Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorx pyrrhocorax) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). On the bank a single Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) were heard, while both Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) fed low over the bank and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) flew over much higher. On the track back down from the quarry we saw Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), Pink Mediterranean Catchfly (Silene colorata), Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Cerastium boissieri, Dianthus Pungens, Hare's-tail Grass (Lagurus ovatus) and Omphalodes commutata. Once on the main track we started to head up the sierra but the cloud soon proved that we would be a complete waste of time, so we decided to make our way out to Moreleda to have a look at some near by agricultural land.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

On the way we picked up European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). Out on the fields Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) were heard along with Crested and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra). Once through the almond plantation the first bird was a cracking male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which did a splendid fly passed in front of us all. 

By the time we reached the ruin on the site the rain was again lashing down on the temperature had dropped considerably. Other species seen and heard here included Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) but there was no sign of the Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis). 

Southern Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis).

We then decided that the weather had done for us so a retreat for lunch in Huetor Tajar was the next stop. The rain continued but after lunch we decided to have a second attempt on the mountains, we dropped bob off at his car as he has a serious affliction, being a Chelsea fan and as they were playing at some point during the afternoon he had to leave early to get home for the TV. 

The rest of us set off and called at a small disused quarry where we picked up Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and a nice singing male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus). Further along the track a couple of Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) were feed below the Pine trees, Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) was seen well in a sapling and a Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major) called loudly. Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) were heard in the pines but our strict (cruel) list keeper Elle will only allow birds seen to be counted. 

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis).

We then returned to the quarry and the Owl was this time seen briefly by most of the group as it flew around for a moment after being harassed by a Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus). A male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) flew down the slope and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) perched up giving good views. We then headed up on to the higher areas of the sierra picking up several Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), more Red-billed Chough, Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops). There were a few clumps of the Upland Peony (Paeonia coriacea) in flower along with Viola dementria, Navelwort (Umbilicus rupestrs) and Southern Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis). The rear two cars managed to see a male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) through the mist. 

Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

At Charca del negro several more Rock Sparrows and a male Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) were seen. Just as we were making our way down the weather started to break and we saw the first sun of the day, two Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) were added. On the slopes in front of the main crags a single female type Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) was seen. We then returned to the Owl site and the bird was sat out in the open nicely when we arrived but this was just as two Spanish gents were making their way down of the hill and the bird moved out of site as they passed below the crag. We then returned to the car park and made our ways home.

Sierra de las Nieves and Casares areas of Malaga Province.

26 Orchid species in one day.

Trabut's Limodore (Limodorum trabutianum).

I headed over to Sierra de las Nieves to meet up with Ian Phillips a friend from Malaga with a fantastic knowledge of the Orchids of Andalucia and where to find them. I arrived early so I had a quick look at the entrance to the Sierra de las Nieves national park just off the San Pedro to Ronda road and quickly started to find Orchids. The first was a nice patch of Champagne Orchids (Orchis champagneuxii) flowering nicely under some low trees, in the Cistus scrub the next species was Woodcock (Ophrys scolopax). Italian Man (Orchis italica) and Dull Bee (Ophrys fusca subsp????) were next, flowering on the top of the roadside bank and lower down both Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Mirror (Ophrys speculum) were found. The last two species were Lange's (Orchis langei) and Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) both growing on the more open right hand bank.

Orchis cazorlensis.

Ian and myself then meet up and headed back into the reserve for the main species of the day, on the drive up to the site we picked up some more nice Lange's, Champagne Orchids and Sword-leaved Heleborine. We added Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tentredinifera) and both Purple (Limodorum abortivum) and Trabut's Limodore (Limodorum trabutianum) which were not quite in flower. 
At the main site we soon found four plants of Orchis cazorlensis and large numbers of Man (Aceras anthropophorum) and Woodcock Orchids. Just around the corner from there we found three more Cazorlensis plants and a couple of the hybrids between it and Orchis langei named Orchis x incantata. Whilst in this area we picked up a single female Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) flying over and several singing Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Bonelli’s Warblers (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

Dactylorhiza sulphurea

Our next stop was in the Genil Valley at a site for Dactylorhiza sulphurea, I had expected them all to be well over with but a few spikes were still in fine condition, along with two of the tallest Lange's, Sawfly and a weedy plant of Trabut's Limodore. 
We then moved on to a site near Casares, picking up an Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) on the way. At the first of the Casares sites, which was in an anchent Cork Oak (Quercus suber) woodland we soon started to find new species for the day including Bee (Ophrys apifera), Tongue (Serapias lingua) and Small-tongue Orchids (Serapias parviflora). both Epipactis Tremolsii and lucitanica, plus the hybrid between them were seen in the darker parts of the wood. Limodorum trabutanum and abortivum were both at the site as well. 

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera).

We then moved down towards the coast at Manilva and quickly found several more spikes of Serapias strictiflora than Ian was expecting, he had only found 6 spikes on a previous visit but today we managed to find a fantastic 40 plants in perfect flower and Small Woodcock Orchid was again seen but this time the subsp Picta. We then had a late lunch and later I drove home via the busy coastal motorways.

Serapias strictiflora.

We had several other species of bird during the day including Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans).