Rio Velez, Malaga Province and Zafarraya, Granada Province.

A couple of hours with the camera.

Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

I had a couple of hour down on the river so I started by walking down the east bank from the bridge. I saw several Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), three Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) and a single Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) feeding on the margins. Good numbers of Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) were out on the muddy areas feeding youngsters and a couple of pairs of Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra) were on the larger pool above the beach. 

Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii).

In the vegetation Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) were all seen skulking around low down, while Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) called from the reed tops.

On the beach a large digger and several trucks were working to move sand around, noisy but did not bother the birds too much and also made sure the beach was fairly empty. There were several, 13+ Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) of all ages roosting along with several Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), two immature Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and an unexpected adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) which I thought might be injured in some way but it was away as fast as any of the other birds when one of the truck drivers got too close.

Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

Out on the sea a dozen or so Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) were fishing, as were a few immature Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus). Several of the small local fishing boats were returning to Torre-del-Mar and were followed by good numbers of Gulls and Northern Gannets but they were joined by about 30 Balearic (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and 10+ Cory's Shearwater (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea), some approaching to within 20 meters of the beach. While I was watching this a couple of late passage Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) flew in and joined a small group of Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus).

Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus).

On the way back up the river to the car I added three Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) which perched on one of the electricity pylons calling loudly, Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

On the way home we went via the vega de Zafarraya and added Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

Alhama de Granada and Zafarraya areas, Granada Province.

A days Guiding a bit to the south.

Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines).

I made my way down to the small picturesque town of Alhama de Granada where I picked Mary Rose and Hugo from their hotel. We first headed north and out on to the fields towards Zafarraya. Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) seemed to be every where, some times in small groups of six or more. Both Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) perched on rocks close to the road and several Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) scurried around on the tarmac. A single Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), several Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) were seen at this first stop. Butterflies were also seen including Large (Pieris brassicae), Bath (Pontia daplidice), Small (Artogeia rapae) and Spanish Marbled Whites (Melanargia ines), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and female Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra). We moved on just a few hundred meters and had some cracking views of a pair of Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) perched out in the bright sun on road side rocks, Hoopoes were heard and seen. Along with a distant call from a Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) were all seen well.

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

Again more butterflies showed up including a single fly-by Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina ssp hispulla) and Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

On the way to Zafarraya we stopped and had a brief listen in the much grazed Oak woodlands, here we added (Heard only) Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus).

At the cliffs we soon started to find new day species including the breeding Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) nosily chasing around the cliffs and cave entrance, followed by Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba). Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) were seen and heard all along the railway walk but it took us a while to track down a singing male Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). 

Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula).

Further along the track towards the tunnel a cracking pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) showed well on the rocks and bushes on the slope, while a couple of Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) flew close enough for us all to pick out the tail spots easily. On the walk back a pair of Peregrine Falcons (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) chased around the top of the main crag, upsetting the many Choughs and a male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).  

Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) and Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) were also added to a growing butterfly list.

We moved on to a larger area of oak woodland back towards Alhama, on the way we picked up Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and what I think will probably be Mary Rose's bird of the day European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster). In the woodlands we got views of Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). 

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus).

A stream which was flowing through the area gave us views of a fine male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and more butterflies also appeared including Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae) and Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).Wild flowers were also seen on the roadside verges, these included Wild Leek (Allium ampeloprasum), Rabbits bread (Andryala integrifolia), Blue Alkanet (Anchusa azurea), Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major), Narrow-leaved Cistis (Cistis monspliensis), Thapsia (Thapsia villosa) and Scabiosa stellata.

We then made our way to the Pantaneta de Alhama, on the lake we managed to find Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). We then went to one of the bars opposite and had a bit of lunch before setting off on a walk through the gorge below Alhama. Along the river we soon picked up a Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) singing from some pines and in the river side growth Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti)were all eventually picked out. Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), more Choughs, Crag Martins and Red-rumped Swallows patrolled the skies and brief views were had of both Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) in the poplar tree plantation. Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) was the last of the butterflies for the day but we also added a nice Common Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii). 

Common Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii).

Other birds seen included Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Refugio de Juanar, Malaga Province.

Another new Orchids species.

Red Helleborines (Cephalanthera rubra).

I parked in the usual spot near the hotel and started the hunt for Orchids, not very hard as I was again lucky enough to have some spot on directions from friend Ian Phillips. Within minutes I had found at least six stunning Red Helleborines (Cephalanthera rubra) in full flower, other plants were still in bud. 

Red Helleborines (Cephalanthera rubra).

After taking several photographs I had a good wander around the rest of the site picking up several other orchid species but most were well over with, they included Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia), Barton's Orchid (Dactylorhiza insularis), Lange's Orchid (Orchis langei) and Dense-flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata). 

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A couple of other species were found that were still in good condition, at least 3 spikes of Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum) and a few of the many Epipactis tremolsii were just out. There were many butterflies at the site, Marsh Fritillary's (Euphydryas aurinia beckeri) were on the wing in large numbers, a few Wood (Leptidea sinapis) and Spanish Marbled Whites (Melanargia ines) and a single Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) were also seen. 

Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) were also seen.

Birds included Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), most seen coming to drink at a trough.

Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).

Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia beckeri).

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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).