San Roque and Tarifa Area, Cadiz Province and Guadalhorce, Malaga Province.

Late season Orchid hunting.

Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis)

I meet Ian Phillips on a busy roundabout in the centre of Malaga, we headed south-west toward San Roque down near Gibraltar were hunting for the rare (in the south) Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) and our first site was in pine woodlands to the north of San Roque.

Ian had seen these delicate little plants at this site some five years earlier so we already had a location in what is a huge area of woodland.

After just a few minutes searching, we started to find a few plants, one of which was a fine specimen and well worthy of a few photos. 

Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis).

We initially found about 12 plants in the first location, but on the way back to the car, Ian spotted two of the best spikes we could ever hope to have seen, these plants were over 40 cms tall and all the flowers were perfect. 

In the area we noted Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) plus a couple of Common Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus).
Our second port of call was in another pine woodland, this time near Tarifa, a bit further along the coast and here we found many more plants, well over a hundred but none came close to the two seen earlier. 

Ian at San Roque.

A nice Red-veined Darter (sympetrum fonscolombii) perched for a while in the damper area of the woods, a single Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) passed by along the beach, few birds were seen including Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula).
We parked up a little further along the road and walked out onto the boardwalk which continues all the way into Tarifa, from the first hide we picked up Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) all sat out on the sand and several Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) sitting on log posts. 

There were a few waders feeding in the channel between the dunes and the beach including 3 Bar-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), several Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), a single Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) stalked fish out in the channels while a couple of hundred Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) followed tractors out in the nearby fields. 

Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

On the walk back to the car we picked up European Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Eurasian Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) all in the dunes. 

On the fields we added House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis).

All of a sudden we noticed that the sky had filled with several hundred Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) wheeling around trying to gain height on the building thermals, mixed in were good numbers of Short-toed Snake Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), a single immature Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) and a few White (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) and Black Storks (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra).

Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda).

Things were looking good for a bit of late migration so we headed down towards the Mirador, Café to see what was passing there and to get some rather pricey food.

The sight was amazing, in the air in three very large groups we estimated there to be at least 3 / 4000 Griffon Vultures all trying to gain height for the crossing of the straights and on into Africa. 

We added singles of Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) and Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) while we watched this spectacle.  

Ian had to be back for a meeting during the evening so we made our way steadily back towards Malaga but to save me the stress of driving into the busy city Ian suggested that I drop him at the nearest train station and he would get back from there.

Sickly looking Black Tern (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger).

I then had a quick look at the Guadalhorce nature reserve on my way past, from the beach I quickly picked up several Mediterranean Gulls (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and a single winter plumage Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda) which were both new for the day. 

On the river there was a sickly looking Black Tern (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger), perched on the sand, several Grey Herons and a Little Egret. I then walked along the beach and in via the track to the main hide, which was fairly quiet, the only new species were Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) and a ♀ Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus). 

The second hide was a little livelier with a couple of White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus). 

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala).

The third hide was deadly, but the wader hide was very good with three fine Eurasian Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) showing very well along with Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), 4x Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), 2x Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) and a Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis). From the sea watching point, a small group of 3 male and 2 female Common Scoter (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra) were seen before they were flushed by a passing boat.

One of the Malaga fishing fleet was returning to port and was being followed by masses of gulls and a few Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and a single Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) giving them all a bit of stick. 

Eurasian Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia).

Other species seen included Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).

Only three species of Dragonfly were seen, Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

Rio Velez, Malaga Province.

A few winter visitors.

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

I parked a little further along the track on the eastern bank of the Rio Velez than I normally do, as I wanted to have a good look at the birds out at sea today, I walked straight out on to the beach and found a place to sit, well away from any of the nudists. 

Loads of gulls were sat out on the water, most seemed to be either Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) or Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Smaller numbers of Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) were also present along with just a couple of adult Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and a dozen or so Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis). 

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

On the beach and the margins of the pool there were a few waders, singles Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) were on the pool and another single Dunlin flew along the beach with 3 Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba). 

One of the fishing boats from Torre-del-mar came quite close in shore on its way back into port, in its wake there were large numbers of Gulls and a few Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and a single winter plumaged Common Tern (Charrán Común / Sterna Hirundo) scavenging for scraps. 

Closer in amongst the waves there was a group of 5 Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) diving for small fish which tried escaping by leaping clear of the water in their hundreds.

Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

I then walked back through the sedges and reeds towards the car, on the way I heard and eventually briefly saw a pair of Eurasian Penduline Tits (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus), a nice ♂ Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) popped out of cover for a few seconds. On the river there were at least 15 Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and 2 Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), 3 Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), 3 Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), and a Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo).

Several species of dragonfly were still about, the commonest was the Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), along with a few each of Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Migrant Hawker ( Aeshna mixta), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and a single Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria).

Migrant Hawker ( Aeshna mixta).

Large White (Pieris brassicae), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) and African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna) were the only butterflies noted.

A group of 6 Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flew over nosily, a couple of Common Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) skulked in the rush tussocks and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) scolded me from the reed plumbs. 

Other species seen included European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

On the way home we passed through the agricultural area west of Zafarraya and added Common (Urraca / Pica pica) and Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

Ogíjares, Granada, Granada Province.

Winter roost census of Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

I meet up with Juan Pérez Contreras and his wife Beatriz Pérez Machado at the usual spot on the AKI car park in Granada and from there we made a short trip to a site on the edge of the city. 

Once we were on site we were joined by José Mª González Cachinero a local birder and María José Ortega Ortiz and her son Pablo Vera Ortega. In between houses and industrial buildings there was an area of Giant Reeds where the birds roost, birds approaching from the vega de La Zubia and la Vega de Granada were counted by Juan and Jose and birds coming in from the vertedero de Alhendín were checked by Beatriz. 

As I had not got a counter I just pointed out and counted smaller groups, Beatriz got the hard job as she totted up well over 2000 of the total count of 3761 Western Cattle Egrets and I managed to pick out the only Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) of the night. 

We had a good evening, which would have been a bit better if it had not heaved it down with heavy rain for most of the time.

Other birds seen included Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

Granada, Cacín Valley, Huetor Fields, El Turro and Bermajais, Granada Province, Spain.

Beaten by the weather in the end.

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Today’s guests were Derek and Mary who I collected from the edge of the Albazin area of Granada. We headed back to an agricultural area near to Moraleda to start the day, we did this first as the weather was looking a bit dodgy and this site soon becomes very muddy when it rains. 

Along the approach road we picked both Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis). 

We turned on to the track and headed straight for the ruin where we parked and started to scan the fields, we got flight views of a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and found lots of adult Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella) moths and also the caterpillar. 

We then drove a little further out on to the fields picking up several Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and masses of migrating Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). 

We returned to the ruin and immediately picked up a small group of a dozen or so Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and what I was sure were at least 2 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis). Sure enough when we got the scope on the birds there were 2 Sandgrouse, a few moments later the grouse were in flight calling and 2 turned into 7. 

They flew around for a couple of minutes, giving us some great views before settling just out of sight just over a ridge, as they usually do. 

Other birds seen here were European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

We next visited the fields just north of Huetor Tajar, Derek and Mary were very pleased when we found the flock of 180 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which were feeding and leaping around in one of the Lucerne fields. 

Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella).

Several Eurasian Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) were our next good find on a field which by mid-winter will hold several hundred of these curious looking birds. Other species seen included Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and 5 Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) which were the first for the winter.

As we started to make our way up Sierra de Loja the weather started to take a turn for the worst, we were talking to the warden from Loja about some of the local birds when the heavens opened and this was how it stayed for the rest of the afternoon. On the hill we did see Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), plus we heard Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

To try and drive out of the rain we headed back to the Cacín Valley and to the Embalse de Cacín, it was still raining, English birders are used to it so we plodded on. 

On the water there were Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). 

A couple of winter plumaged Black Terns (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger) were perched on sticks out in the lake and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) flushed up from the reeds and moved further down the lake.

Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella) Caterpillar.

Down at Embalse de Bermejales we stopped at the out flow end and added a couple of Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius). Unfortunately the afternoon was a bit of a wash-out but we still saw some interesting species during the tour.

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.