Osuna Area, Sevilla Province and Antequera, Malaga Province.

Dodging the storms around the Plains and Lagoons.

Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda).

Pam, John and I set off heading west for the Osuna area, the weather was not looking promising but the further we travelled, the better it got, as soon as we arrived we started to pick up birds and some mammals, on a stubble field we counted at least 12 Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus) and a covey of 15+ Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa). 

On the bushes, fences and roadside vegetation we added Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) a nice bird sitting on a wire fence calling loudly and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata). 

Pam and John watching the Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda).

On the surrounding pylons several Northern Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and a Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) were perched and in the air good numbers of Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) were seen flying low south. Other birds in this area were Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

We moved on to the second of the new bridges that cross the still to be laid high speed rail link between Sevilla and Granada, as we approached several Eurasian Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) flew into a small olive plantation where we saw several more feeding in the ridges. 

From the bridge we picked up a couple of Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) feeding in a recently ploughed field, several Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) sang overhead and on the far side of the bridge we then found the birds of the day, 6 Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda) were seen walking across a stubble field before settling in a corner of the field. 

White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

We took one of the tracks and got closer and had some fantastic views, after awhile the birds started to walk out on to the stubble again and this was when we discovered there were in fact 9 birds in the group. Also seen in this area were Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

We continued on along the road and passed a disused Cortijo with about 25 Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) hunting around it and also added Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus). 

Just before the junction to La Lantejuela we were treated to a view of about a thousand White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), some on the ground and many starting to move on in large flocks. On a small area of water under the newly constructed railway bridge we picked up several Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). In the air, several Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) flew around low over the fields and several Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) dragonflies flew over the wetter areas. 

Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra).

On a pylon and wires four Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) were perched and a single Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) flew into some roadside fruit trees. Also seen in this area were Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris) and European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur). 

We had some lunch in Marchena and then had a quick look at a site on the edge of town where we had a cracking immature Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

We then moved on to Laguna Verde de Sal where there were a great many birds, mostly Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos). Mixed in with these were a couple of juvenile Whiskered Terns (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chlidonias hybridus), a female White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). 

Ortolan Bunting (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana).

In the bushes we located Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Iberian Grey Shrike.

We then moved on a few Kms to another smaller reed filled Laguna, again we had most of the above including several male White-headed Ducks and loads of Red-crested Pochards. 

New species included Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) and European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). 

In the air above the laguna by the time we were leaving there were hundreds of hirendines including Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). The weather closed in a bit so we started the drive back towards Antequera where we called at a small lagoon near the town. 

Just as we turned off the main road large numbers of Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), three White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) along with a single Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea)were seen. 

Ortolan Bunting (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana).

In the thistle lined ditch we found a Willow Warbler (Mosquitero Musical / Phylloscopus trochilus), Ortolan Bunting (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana) x5/6, Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chiffchaff, Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Whinchat.

Out on the water there were about 50 Greater Flamingo’s, a couple of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa) and Pied Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) all feed in the mud. 

On the far back there were a few Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) dabbled around in the reeds and in the air there were Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). 

On the wires we saw Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Iberian Grey Shrike. The next stop was on the fields near the house, where we got distant views of a small flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

85+ Bird species seen during the day.

Laguna Antequera, Malaga Province.

A new species for my Malaga list.

On the way over to the hotel Finca Eslava I again called at the small laguna, the usual flock of Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were feeding on the far bank, along with 5 Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), 13 Pied Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), 20+ Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), in the deeper water 5 Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) stalked their breakfast and good numbers of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) were following a tractor turning over a stubble field. 

On the water, 100 or more Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a dozen or so Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) all had their heads raised at the sound of the local hunter’s guns in the far corner of the laguna. 

In the air Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) hawked for insects and on the wires a solitary Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) watched for prey in the verge. 

Around the margins, several Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) were seen feeding amongst the Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
On the way back along the track, several Cetti’s Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were heard and large numbers of migrating Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) flushed from the grass. 

Also good numbers of birds were seen feeding on the dead thistle heads, including Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and the star bird an immature Ortolan Bunting (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana) which sat up on the top of a spike for several minutes (they know when you have not got the camera with you). 

Out on the fields there were 20+ Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and a couple of Common Stonechats (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Rio Velez, Malaga Province.

Wading in a smelly Rio Velez.

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope).

I dropped Jayne off at the shopping centre at Velez Malaga and went down to the Rio Velez and the beach. 

As I arrived I noted that there were large numbers of Dragonflies along the river, I immediately picked out several Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) patrolling along the reeds, Broad Scarlet ( Crocothemis erythraea), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) and Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) were all seen perched on spikes of vegetation along the track. 

A quick scan with the bins and I picked up a single immature Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), a couple of adult Grey’s (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and several Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis). 

As I walked towards the beach several Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) flew along in front of me and a second Purple Heron flew up from the reeds carrying a large eel, as it flew over the two Grey Herons they both started to mob the bird till it dropped the eel and then the two Grey Heron squabbled over it. 

The dragonfly numbers grew greater the closer I got to the pool near the beach, there were hundreds, if not thousands of Broad Scarlet’s, lots of the Dropwings and new species included a single male Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria) and several Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

The only ducks seen were a few Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and the only other things on the water were Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and a single Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). 

Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

In the trees and reeds surrounding the river I added Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

I eventually reached the pool behind the beach, here there were hundreds of hirundines feeding, most appeared to be Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica). There were also a few Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Western House and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia). 

Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria).

I was chasing around in smelly ankle deep water trying to get some shots of another Long Skimmer when I stumbled across a ♂ Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) which was just taking the last few mouth fulls of a ♂ Broad Scarlet and was not in the mood to fly too far. 

I managed to get close enough to get some nice shots before he departed, as I started to turn around an old ♀ Long Skimmer landed on almost the same reed stalk with an Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) in it grasp and quickly polished it off which gave me a chance to get the pictures I wanted. 

In the area around the beach I added Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis). 

Another largish Tern was seen flying away from the beach, it definitely had an Orange / Red bill which looked to long for Caspian Tern (Pagaza Piquirroja / Sterna caspia) but from the angle and distance I was at and the fact that the scope was on drier ground I did not get good enough views for positive Id.

Iberian Bluetails (Ischnura graellsii).

On the way back to the car I picked up a few Butterfly species including African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) and Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

The Laguna and Torcal de Antequera, Malaga Province

Waders and Ibex.

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

As usual, I called in at the laguna on my way over to the en-slava hotel at Antequera, the sun was low and viewing was not easy. 

I did manage to pick out a good selection of waders including Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Wood (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola) x1 and Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) x2, Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Common Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) and Spotted Redshank (Archibebe Oscuro / Tringa erythropus) x3. 

Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

The regular 50-70 Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were out in the very slightly deeper water along with 2 Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and a few Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis). On the water there were about 50 Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and 8 Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). 

On the fields and in the air above the site I also saw Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) x2, Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) x1 female, Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

The walk was the usual Saturday hike around the yellow trail at El Torcal, The five of us started out from the car park in nice sunny but cool weather and were soon well on the way around the first half of the walk. 

On the way we had some cracking views of the Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica), a small group of female were first seen and then a youngish male stood on the limestone crags. 

European Plumbago (Plumbago europaea).

Also see were Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). 

Along the tracks on the second half of the walk the only plant in flower was European Plumbago (Plumbago europaea) and the only new birds were Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

The Laguna again and Near El Torcal, Malaga Province.

A walk to Davids Finca.

David.

On the way over for to days walk I called at the Laguna again, the first bird which stood out was an adult White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) which was feeding amongst the 50 or so Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber). Waders included Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Curlew (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) and Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Common Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago). 

A couple of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were out in the middle of the water fishing and Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) patrolled around the margins. 

About 50 Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and 8 Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) swam along with the Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

Other birds noted were Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Greater Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and on the track back to the road I picked up a couple of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) on the deck feeding.

Sophie, Rowina, David and I set off from the Hotel and made our way to a spot above Villanueva de la Concepcion where we started a walk out to David’s place called Finca Muerte (Death Farm!!!). 

We started from a watering hole for the local goat population, a row of 6 solid limestone baths and made our way up towards the foot of the Torcal cliffs.

David, Sophie and Rowina.

The views were fantastic, as we climbed further up through the scrub and Oaks we were soon in the low cloud as we were a few days earlier. 

Again the Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) appeared ghost like out of the grey shroud, at least 10 birds were seen along with a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) passing what seemed to be a long way below us.
Along the base of the cliffs a couple of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and a ♂ Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) were seen perched up on the large boulders and in the dried out grass I identified Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Large White (Pieris brassicae) butterflies. 

We arrived at David’s finca, pretty much a ruin but in a fantastic location amongst the Oak trees and with amazing views right down to the coast. 

We sat and had a drink at the stone building he and his friends had built, here I found a beautiful Spider which turned out to be a ♀ Argyope lobata.

Argyope lobata.

Refreshed we started the walk back down the hill through a much more agricultural area picking up Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and a few Iberian Wall Lizards (Podarcis hispanica) which scuttled around on the track side boulders. We eventually got back to the car and went back to the hotel.

Near Antequera, Malaga Province.

Just the Laguna today.

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

Jayne and I set off to have another look at the newly discovered Lagoon near Antequera and to get some plants for the garden. 

We arrived at the lagoon to again find good numbers of waders, all yesterdays species plus a couple of Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) and about half a dozen Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia). About 70 Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were also present and looked spectacular in flight when they were flushed by a Micro light Aircraft passing too close. 

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

A single ♀ Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) put all the birds up again as she flapped slowly along the far edge of the water and large numbers of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) were watched feeding on the fields nearby. 

Juvenile Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

Other species seen during the drive across county to the town included Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian  Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Northern Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

Both of the Garden Centre’s plants looked worse for ware, so we said we would wait till the weather cools off and try again.

El Choro and Near Antequera, Malaga Province.

Crags, More crags and a Lagoon.

The view from the top of the Arab steps.

Today it was again the same three intrepid walkers that set off on one of David’s lesser known walks called the Arab steps. The walk started below some amazing crags on the Eastern side of El Choro which were clocked in a heavy layer of low cloud / mist. 

At first the way was along a nice level track blow the crags, in the pine trees and scrub we soon found good numbers of birds including Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Common Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and in the clouds over head we had the hazy shapes of Griffon Vulture’s (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) breaking into view occasionally, Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) also darted around. 

The view from the top of the Arab steps.

After a while we reached the bottom of the steps, when David had said that we were going to the top of the cliffs we thought he was joking, WRONG. 

We started the ascent up the steep steps between a fold of rock which made them invisible from below, we move slowly up adding a small herd of Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) which scampered up the almost vertical rock face, Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Small White (Artogeia rapae) were also added even though it was thick cloud and cool weather. 

Once we were at the top it was well worth the effort as the moody views through the clouds were great, we move on further up and around the back of the crags eventually coming to a decent track. On the walk down several Spotted Flycatchers (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) were seen in the pine woods along with Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). We arrived back at the car, and we started the drive over to the King's Walk end of El Choro to check out part of a walk I had missed a few days earlier.

We passed along the river and through some spectacular limestone areas until we reached the start point, from here we did most of the normal Choro walk but cut off on a spur which was the part I had missed. 

Here I added Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica). 

Once we were again back at the vehicle we headed back to the Hotel at Antequera where David gave me some directions to a Lagoon which I did not know about.

Bridge of the Kings Walk.

I arrived at the largish area of water to find good numbers of waders on the muddy margins including Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax) x5, Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) 100+, Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola) x2, Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta) x2 and Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago). 

Other species seen included Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Eurasian Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Stonechat, Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Three species of Dragonfly were also seen, Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

El Torcal, Malaga Province.

Another Saturday walk in amongst the rock formations.

David giving a Surmen from the rock pulpit.

Only four of us set out today, Sophie, Rowina, David and I made our way around the longer of the two routes at Torcal. It was much better than the last time I did this walk, as the skies were clear, we could see for miles from the many view points. 

Malaga from Torcal.

On the walk I noted Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) x6 just as we reached the visitors centre, Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Eurasian Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and I also had several nice views of Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis).

Looking back to the Visitors Centre.

At the furthest point in the walk we disturbed at least 5 Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) from the rocks and along the way I added Cardinal Fritillary (argynnis Pandora), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

New Dragon for my Granada Province List.

Male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

While I was tatting in our neighbours John and Christine’s garden, I was very pleased to see a cracking male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) flying around the pool. This was the first insect of this recent colonist I have seen in the Province of Granada. Whilst I was there I also had a male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

Guadalhorce Valley, Malaga Province.

Two new Dragons.

Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) ♀.

Steve and I set off for a day's Dragon hunting in the Valley of the Rio Guadalhorce and on some of its tributaries. We travelled down the main road from Campillos to Malaga and made our first stop at the bridge over the Rio Grande. Several Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were the most common species on the river but we also saw Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). 

Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) ♀.

As soon as we got out of the car dragonflies appeared, Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) was the first with both male and female posing, quickly follow by a less helpful male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma). 

Teneral Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

Down in the vegetation by the river we quickly realized that there was a mass emergence of Epaulet Skimmers as we found loads of teneral insects clinging to plant stems and many exuvia of insects already flown. 

Here we also caught up with Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and several Broad Scarlet’s (Crocothemis erythraea), both ♂♂ and ♀♀. A newly emerged insect was photographed and Steve later identified it as a teneral Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) a new colonizer from Africa, proving that the species is breeding here and not just migrating. 

  Immature ♂ Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

Back near the car we found a subadult male and full ♂ Orange-winged Dropwing as well as an old ♀ Epaulet Skimmer.

The next stop was at a bridge over the arroyo de Casarabonela, again there were loads of Epaulet Skimmers, Orange-winged Dropwings, Broad Scarlet’s, Violet Dropwing and the first sighting of the dragon of the day a ♂ Ringed Cascader (Zygonyx torridus), which cruised up and down the same stretch of river the whole time we were there but only settled briefly, but Steve was equally quick with the long lens camera and managed to crack off a couple of shots (one shown in the blog, thanks Steve). 

Ringed Cascader (Zygonyx torridus) ♂ by Steve Jones.

A nice pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) soared over head and a couple of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) flew up and down the river feeding.

♂ Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

The next stop was on one of the tributaries near Pizarra called the Arroyode las Canas, again the Orange-winged Dropwing was common here along with more Epaulet Skimmers, Broad Scarlet’s, Iberian Bluetails, Violet Dropwings and our second Ringed Cascader of the day. 

A Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea) flew off from up stream and did a wide circle around us be for dropping back in to cover a little down stream, another Booted Eagle flew over and European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) called close by.

The last stop in this valley was a little closer to Pizarra on the Rio Guadalhorce, all the above species were seen again plus several pairs of White Featherlegs (Platycnemis latipes) and Blue-eye’s / Goblet-marked Damselflies (Erythromma lindenii) were seen in tandem. 

Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) ♂.

Up stream there was a small shallow back water off the main river, the water here was very warm and the numbers of dragons in this small area was amazing. 

Birds seen at this included White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and an immature Black-crowned Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax). 

On the down stream side of the bridge we added the only Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) of the day but nothing else.

Our last stop of the day was on the road towards Ronda at a water extraction point on the Rio Guadalieba, again we kept up the sightings of Orange-winged Dropwing with a nice ♂ flying around the lower pool. 

On the upper part of the river very good numbers of Copper Demoiselles (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) danced around in the reeds and by the car a Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa) showed nicely above ground. 

After getting some shots of the Demoiselles we made our way back to Sue and Clive’s and then I continued back home.

Laguna Dulce, and Grazalema Area, Malaga and Cadiz Provinces.

A couple of days with friends in Grazalema area. 

Sue and Sam.

After sorting out a few things at home I travelled over to Grazalema to meet up with Steve Jones and his family, who were staying with Sue, Clive and Sam at there house in the countryside near the town.
On the way I stopped at Laguna Dulce where I sat in the hide with Ana and Jairo, two birders from Granada and had a pleasant hours birding, out on the lake there were good numbers of adult and young Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) along with Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). I did not manage to see the White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) that Ana and Jairo had seen earlier but out on the margins I added a couple of Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and a number of Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber). 

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) ♂.

On the surrounding fields good numbers of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) were feeding and over the lake swarms of Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) picked off the insects.

Also seen during the journey were Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodchat (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) ♀.

As I arrived at Sue and Clives I immediately picked up a Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene) in the willows and some Copper Demoiselle’s (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) along the track.
It was good to see Sue and youngster Sam again and to meet Steve, Lyn and Adam, we all sat down and had a chat waiting for Clive to get home from running the visitors Centre in Grazalema, when he arrived we sat down to a very nice meal.

Other species seen whilst at the house in the evening included Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Europan Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Iberian Green (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

North West of Alhama, Granada Province.

Amongst the agricultural flatlands.

Jayne and I were travelling through the flat agricultural area between Alhama de Granada and Zafarraya in the South of the province when Jayne picked up a large flock of birds flying quite high east. 

Typically the bins were in the boot, we stopped and I slipped quickly in the back of the car just in time to Id the birds as Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), a flock of some 150/200 birds. 

We also saw Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus).

Sierra Hacho, Loja, Granada Province.

More migrants.

This morning I popped down to Loja to try and sort out some photographs for printing and picked up a group of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) circling to gain height, in total there were about 16 birds to start with. 

As I watched them for the next ten minutes or so more birds joined the growing stack and by the time they moved on there were at least 40 birds circling above my head. 

The next move was to surprise me somewhat, all the birds headed off strongly North East, totally the opposite direction to the one I had expected!

While I was watching these birds, I also had good numbers of Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) in the same area.