Torremolinos, Malaga Province.

A stroll along the prom.

Jayne's sister Brenda and her husband Keith were visiting from the UK and on the day we went back down to the Airport at Malaga we spent some time having a walk along the sea front. 

During the walk I noted several species of some interest, including a nice male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) which flew quickly past. 

In one of the rather smelly streams which run out to the beach, a small Viperine Snake (Culebra viperina / Natrix maura) was seen hunting some of the many small Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi).
Birds included Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Laguna Herrera, Antequera, Malaga Province.

A quiet, misty morning.

Immature Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra).

The Laguna was generally much quieter today, mainly due to the hunters surrounding the place shooting anything that moved out on the fields, a nice surprise was a single immature Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) roosting out in the shallow water along with a couple of Whites (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia). 

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber).

Other birds seen were Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

Luguna de Herrera, Antequera, Malaga Province.

A big surprise on the fields.

♂ Great Bustard (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda).

As normal, I called at the Laguna on the way into work, it was still quite dark when I first arrived which was quite good as I got to see a very nice sun rise over the water, on the lake there were the usual noisy 100 or so Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), along with 25 Pied Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), 13 Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), about 40 or so Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) moved gracefully around the far shore line and the 50+ Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) that roost on the farm buildings nearby either flew off to fields further away or dropped on the muddy margins.

Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) were all out on the water feeding.

Luguna de Herrera.

Then came the surprise of the morning, out of the corner of my eye I picked up a huge bird flying low across the fields at the back of the lagoon and realised that it was a ♂ Great Bustard (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda), I quickly drove around to the field where I had thought it had gone down. 

As soon as I got to the site the bird was in view but right at the back of a stubble field, I got some distant record shots before I had to leave for work. 

In the morning I also saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) Immature.

After work, I returned to the Lagoon where I met John Wainwright and his wife Jenny, who had seen the Bustard distantly before it disappeared into the heat haze. 

A few minutes later I meet up with Andy Mounteford who was staying with us for a few days, we started to do some birding around the area near the lagoon, picking up 2 of the Ortolan Buntings (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana) on the thistles. 

Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata).

We then doubled back to the area for the Bustard, the heat haze was very bad so we looped around and went for a scan of the Laguna, we had all the mornings birds plus 4 White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), 2 Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), 5 Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), 2 Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), 2 Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), 5 Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica). 

Along the thistle covered ditch flocks of European Goldfinches were feeding along with 3 Common Reed Buntings (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Our next stop was at Laguna Dulce near Campillos, we arrived to see masses of birds covering the whole lake, most were Eurasian Coots, we also picked out good numbers of duck including White-headed (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Red-crested (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca). Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) were all there, along with Greater Flamingo, Western Cattle Egret, Black-headed Gull, Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Black-winged Stilt, Northern Lapwing and Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata). 

Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).

The best of the bird was a single Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata), which was watched at close range from the hide. 

Dragonflies were also present in large numbers, Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) were all noted.

After spending a good couple of hours here we went back to see if the Bustard had reappeared, sadly it was not seen but we did add Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) to the list.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Moraleda, Embalse de Cacín, A92 Laguna and Huetor Fields, Granda Province, Spain.

Out on the Local Patch.

Andy and I were heading out birding locally around the Cacín Valley and Huetor Fields. In the garden before we left I picked up a few Eurasian Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), a Garden Warbler and European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis). 

A male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) was perched on a sharp spike of one of the Agarves and several Large Whites (Pieris brassicae) were egg laying on our doomed cabbage plants.

The first site we headed for was the agricultural fields near Moraleda where we picked up lots of Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and a few Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), large numbers of migrating Tawny Pipits (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe). 

Others seen included Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis). Several Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) Butterflies were hill topping in the area around the ruined Cortijo.

We then moved on down to the Embalse de Cacín, there were good numbers of wildfowl on the lake including Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and a single female Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta). 

Other birds out on the water were Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and a single near winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis). 

Low over the water hordes of hirundines were feeding up ready to head south on their migration, they included Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Sand (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). 

A single Black Tern (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger) also skimmer the surface and was seen later perched on a dead branch in the lake. Other birds seen were Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), European Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

On the crags near Moraleda we added European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and a male Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura).

We next stopped on the side of the A92 at a small Laguna, as we arrived the first bird was a pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) which drifted off south. 

On the water we again picked up Common Pochard, Mallard, Eurasian Coot, Common Moorhen and Northern Shoveler, Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) were both seen on the marginal tree stumps along with 3 Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta). 

Also added here were Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Eurasian Collared Dove, Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus). 

Dragonflies were common at the site, they included Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) and Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata). 

The last stop was on the fields around Huetor Tajar, the first bird was a cracking male Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), on one of the many unsown fields we picked up 17 + Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail, Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

Also seen in the area were Crested Lark, Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Barn Swallow, Western House Martin and Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Tarifa Bird Fair, Sierra de la Plata, Playa de Los Lances and Raptor watch point Cazalla, Cadiz Province.

Meeting some old friends at the Bird Fair and seeing some stunning Migration.

Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

The first stop of the day was at the “International Bird Fair” at Tarifa, a short while later I was on my way to Bolonia and on wards to Sierra de la Plata. On the drive up I saw a single male Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), good numbers of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and European Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). 

As soon as I arrived at the Sierra Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) were seen in flight around the crags, along with a couple of Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) which flew straight over the pines and out to sea. 

Up on the rocks more Griffons were loafing around, at least 3 Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) were chasing each other, Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) flew around the cliffs and over the woods. Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) were seen moving south along with good numbers of Eurasian Sparrowhawks (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), in all at least 75 birds were seen in the hour I was there. 

In the woods below the road I added Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Eurasian Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and in the air European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) hawked for insects. 

Common Tern (Charrán Común / Sterna Hirundo).

I had a short walk down the road and found a nice Southern / Blue Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) and a very territorial Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) which dive bombed me several times and eventually landed on my hat. 

On the drive back to the main road I stopped to check out a spiral of raptors heading out towards the sea, I was amazed to find a flock of 30+ Egyptian Vultures (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) of all ages gaining height.

The next site was Playa de los Lances, I parked near the garage on the Cadiz to Tarifa road. I walked out on the board walk and picked up numerous waders, terns and gulls off towards the sea, most of the terns were Sandwich (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) but there was a single Common Tern (Charrán Común / Sterna Hirundo) was amongst them. 

This bird had a damaged wing, it still managed to fly off with the rest of the birds when a dog walker disturbed them. 

In a channel along the edge of the beach several Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica) and 3 Red Knot (Correlimos Gordo / Calidris canutus) were feeding and out on the sand Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) ran around. 

A flock of several hundred gulls were also out on the sand, the flock contained large numbers of Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) along with a few Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii). 

Cazalla in the olden days.

On and over the fields behind the beach I picked up a pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia).

The last stop of the day was at Cazalla Raptor watch point, a group of about 15 Spanish birders including a nice chap called Paco who gave me loads of info about what had gone on during the last week or twos passage. 

When I arrived the cloud cover was total but after about an hour it suddenly cleared and then what happened was fantastic. Birds just started to stream through, literally by the hundred. 

Groups of 50 or more Black Storks (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) and Booted Eagle came passed every few minutes making a change from the continuous flow of Short-toed Snake Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia). 

Lesser numbers of Egyptian Vultures (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) 70+, Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) 90+, Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus), Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus). 

Black Storks (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra).

Then a large bird came up over the ridge, I pointed it out to Paco, I was already sure it was an Immature Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti), the bird flew close by and then out towards the coast but turned back and then amazingly it was joined by a second bird. 

Just then Andy Patterson from Torremolinos arrived and made it up to get good views, I unfortunately then had to drag my self away from a fantastic birding spectacle and head back to La Linea.

Sierra Loja, Moraleda and upper Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Migrants and a returning visitor.

Erodium cheilanthifolium

I picked Paul up just off the A92 at Moraleda, the second time we have spent a day birding, the clouds were looking a little on the dodgy side so we first had a look at the small Laguna called Balsa de Regidor, here we started by seeing good numbers of Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), all on the far less disturbed shore of the pool. 

A single Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), several Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) were also on the water. 

The only wader seen was a vocal Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) which was flushed from the pools main outlet stream. On the weeds along the entrance track we picked up the first of quite a few Whinchat’s (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra) along with Eurasian  Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula). Our next area was the fields to the north of Huetor Tajar, Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) were everywhere, a few Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) followed a ploughing tractor and in a small area of reeds along side one of the irrigation channels we added Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and a fine male Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). On a newly cut Lucerne field, large numbers of Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) were feeding along with a few Whites (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

A couple of Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus) were perched on the fence around a rather smelly goat pen and a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) flew up the dry river. 

A large flock of at least 70+ Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were seen raiding one of the unnetted Fig trees growing out in the fields, several Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) also feasted on the fruits.

Sierra de Loja was our next port of call, the quarry just above the town was deserted and the crags were not much better. Once we were up on the tops we did start to pick up birds including several Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris). 

The stars were a cracking family party of Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) which showed well near the paragliding turn. Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) showed well at several spots on the drive to the goat cave as did Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius). 

On the way down a flock of hirundines were feeding low down amongst the pines trying to stay out of the wind, Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) were all seen. A single Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and several Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) were added to the day list. 

Two flowers were seen in bloom whilst we were near the Charca del Negra, Merendera pyrenaica covered an area near the pool and Erodium cheilanthifolium clung to several rocks near the goat cave.

We then drove back towards and through Moraleda to the crags on the El Turro road, here at least 3 Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) showed well but distantly on the rocks, along with Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs). 

Paul watching the migrating Wagtails.

In the air we picked up a pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus). The only butterflies of the day were also seen here, 3 or 4 Bath Whites (Pontia daplidice). 

In the pines on our way up to the agricultural area above the valley we heard and saw Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater). 

On the fields there were large groups of migrating Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail, a flock of at least 70 Greater Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), several Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and a ♂ Eurasian Hobby (Alcotán Europeo / Falco subbuteo) which flashed past quickly heading south. 

We then headed back to the starting point, where Paul’s wife and other members of his family were waiting for him.

Sierra de Loja and Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Pam and John's second day.

Mist from Sierra de Loja.

When we walked out to the car things did not look very promising, a thick layer of fog had dropped over the valley during the night and visibility was down to a few yards. Not put off we headed through Loja and made our way up and through the cover to a bright and sunny day on top of the sierra. In the pines we could hear good numbers of birds but could not see any, they included Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla). 

Once we were above the mist things started to show well, first a small flock of Western Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) flew along the crags calling, a couple of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) chased each other up and over the cliff tops and went out of sight and were replaced by a group of Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

Merendera pyrenaica.

On the grass ledges Red-legged Partridges (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) all scurried around and fly passes by Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) added to the list. 

Once we were up on the flatter areas more and more birds appeared including good numbers of passage Tawny Pipits (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), a stunning immature ♂ Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) which showed very well perched on a rock at the roadside, Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and lots Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) which only a few weeks ago were noticeable by there total absence.

More mist on the tops.

Two nice male Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) were seen near the Charca del negra pools along with plenty of Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). In the air large numbers of birds were passing over, including Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), a single Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) started what was a slightly disappointing raptor list, it was soon followed by the days only Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus). 

A small group of migratory European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) passed over quite high whist we were getting some good views of several juvenile Spectacled Warblers (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) chasing around in the broom scrub. 

Wild Flowers were few but we did manage a nice show of Merendera pyrenaica by Charca del Negra.

Crimson Speckled Moth (Utetheisa pulchella).

The next stop was on the agricultural areas above Moraleda, We dipped on both the resident Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) and Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) but we did add a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Eurasian  Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) to a growing list.
The numbers of Tawny Pipits out on the fields was a surprise, we must have seen 50+ in just half an hour or so. 

While we walked around this site the ground flashed white beneath our feet with the number of Crimson Speckled Moths (Utetheisa pulchella), along with a few Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli) butterflies. On the Embalse de Cacín we added Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).
Along the crags at Moraleda we did not see any new species, so we moved on to a small pool near the A92, we picked up Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and I saw a Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) briefly as it flew off.

Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) Male.

On the margins there were amazing numbers of dragonflies, nothing unexpected but lots of them, they included Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) and Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum).

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).