Coin area, Laguna Dulce, Fuente de Piedra and Iznajar Dam, Malaga Province.

Tracking down some of the rarer Ophrys.

Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys scolopax)

I meet Juan and Beatriz at the hotel near Huetor Tajar and we headed off in the direction of Malaga and onwards to the area around Coin. The first site was in open Pine woodland where we were searching for Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys scolopax) amongst others. In the parking area the first orchids were seen and they were Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Sawfly Orchids (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

A little further up the tack we started to find plants of Woodcock Orchid but most were starting to go a little past their best so we kept searching. I found a single plant of Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea) near the track and then Beatriz called us over to where she had stumbled across a really nice patch of about 20 spikes of the Butterfly Orchid.

Ophrys x Castroviejoi.

As we walked around we picked up a few Ophrys Dyris and Mirror Orchids (Ophrys speculum). While we were photographing the Scolopax we heard a flock of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) calling high above the pines as they moved through North. In the woodlands we also added Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Crested Tits (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus). Another Ophrys Orchid was seen at this site, at the moment we are thinking that it is possible a hybrid between Ophrys scolopax and Ophrys speculum = Ophrys x Castroviejoi.

Atlas Orchid (Ophrys atlantica).

We then moved on to another area of Pine woodland not to far away where after some searching we located a least 6 spikes of Atlas Orchid (Ophrys atlantica), 3 were still in bud but two had single flowers out and the best had three perfect blooms. Sawfly, Yellow Bee and Mirror Orchids were also seen. Several Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) performed well low down in the pines, quite a few Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) flew up from the ground and up into the pines and over head a Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) sang beautifully.

Juan getting shots of the best find of the day.

Even less distance was covered to the next site where I was just showing Juan the site for another of the Ophrys Orchid he very much liked, Ophrys Malagatensis which is one of the many members of the fusca group. I was only showing him the site as they were in flower back in November through to late February and were well burnt off by now.

We then drove a few KM past Coin to a site for Two-leaved Gennaria (Gennaria diphylla), we arrived and quickly found some rather dusty Italian Man Orchids (Orchis italica) and several Gennaria. The site is under pressure from the workings of a nearby Quarry, which caused the Orchids, trees, road and anything else in the area to be covered in dust. We walked a little further along the road where we found some much cleaner Orchids and took the photos we wanted.

Two-leaved Gennaria (Gennaria diphylla).

The mornings Orchid hunting was over and we were on our way North to Campillos and to have a look at Laguna Dulce, on the way we picked up a nice pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) and once we were got into the hide we started to see good birds. First were the grebes, Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) were all present in good numbers.

Italian Man Orchids (Orchis italica).

As were Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), along with lesser numbers of Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas Penelope), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala). On the fields near the Laguna Juan then picked up a nice male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which quickly disappeared into the growing crops.

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

Also seen here were Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and we also had some more European Bee-eaters fly over unseen. On some submerged Tamarisk trees in front of the hide Juan spotted a single Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) hauled out.

We then moved on to Fuente de Piedra where we saw many more Greater Flamingo’s, Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), hundreds more Northern Shoveler, our first Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) of the year hawking over the fields near the entrance, Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and several spikes of Yellow Bee Orchid in the car park.

Bumble-bee Orchids (Ophrys bombyliflora).

We then headed back towards Antequera and the North on the road towards Cordoba for a quick look at Laguna Herrera, here we picked up most of the species seen at the last two lagoons plus Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and around 10 Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) following a ploughing tractor picking off the bugs and worms.

Our final stop of the day bought us back to the orchids, we stopped by the dam on Embalse de Iznajar. We had soon added 50 or more Bumble-bee (Ophrys bombyliflora) and at least the same number of Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica) to the days list. We then spent some time wandering around searching for other species, these included Giant (Himantoglossum robertiana), Sawfly  (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca), Ophrys subfusca, Ophrys dyris and the last species of the day Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

Ventorros de San Jose Area, Granada Province.

Two more Orchids for the year list.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Jayne and I went for a local run out in the car to look for a small pool a friend Chris Goodacre had mention has some amphibians in it. We first went to the wrong place near some burial chambers at Zagra but it was certainly not a waste of time as very good views of Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) were had. 

View ot to Embalse de Iznajar.

I also found a single spike of Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana) and several of Fan-lipped Orchids (Orchis collina) along with the very smart Narcissus gaditanus which was growing quite commnly at the site. I went for a short walk along the crag tops near by and found a few spikes of Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) growing in amongst the low scrub.

We then took the correct track and quickly found the pool and there were loads of Iberian Pond Frogs (Rana perezi) there along with their thousands of tadpoles.

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We then made our way back stopping to photograph a water spot for the local goats and calling in on the Northern slopes of Hacho near Loja. 

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis Olbiensis).

Here I found another couple of spikes of Giant Orchid, loads of Somber Bee (Ophrys fusca subsp fusca) and some nice pale versions of Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis Mascula ssp Olbiensis).

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis Olbiensis).

Venta del Zafarraya Area, Granada Province.

In search of white Orchids.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Today’s quest was to find a white variant of the Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana) which Mary-Ann, a member of the Axarquia Bird group had e-mailed me a photograph of. On the way there I saw several small flocks of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and 3x Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) which flew low over the road in amongst the Olive trees.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

As soon as I arrived at the site I started to find Giant Orchids of varying shades of pink/red but not the white ones I had come for. I found several spikes of Fan-lipped Orchids (Orchis collina) and a few Conical Orchids (Orchis conica) just poking their heads above ground but not really in flower yet. Eventually I found a spike of the white plant but it was not the one Mary-Ann had found as it was still in bud. Well, a couple of hours later I stumbled across two plants of the white variant in bloom and they were well worth the search. 

Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).

While I had been searching I picked up Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

I then started to make my way home via the agricultural areas to the east of Zafarraya and up through Salar, on the way I found a nice pair of Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) near the roadside which stayed while I set up the camera which made a nice change and did not move a muscle even when a huge lorry thundered by. 

Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra).

I also added loads of Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and again one sat long enough for a couple of shots, Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe).

Venta del Zafarraya, Granada Province.

Variations in Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana) flowers.

All the following shots were taken today and with in 5 meters of each other.

Hypochromatic ????? Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Huetor Fields, Granada Province.

Summer migrants.

I was on my way down to the builders merchants for yet another bag of tile adhesive, on the way a passage flock of about 25 Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) was seen feeding low over the fields during a patch of light rain and on the way back towards the house several Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) were seen on a newly planted lettuce field.

Laguna Herrera and Embalse de Iznajar, Malaga Province.

Fifth and sixth Orchids for the year list.

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

Jayne and I went to Antequera via Salinas, we had a look around the Centro commercial and then made our way to Laguna Herrera. On the approach we picked up Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). The flooded fields on the right of the laguuna were heaving with Gulls, most were Lesser Black-backs (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) but there were a few Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) mixed in. 

Gulls on the Lagoon.

On the margins there were a couple of hundred Northern Shovelers (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), a few Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Shelducks (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna). We went further on and scanned the main Laguna on the left of the track, the first species seen were the flocks of Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) numbering about 200 birds. A few Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and a single Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus). 

Somber Bee (Ophrys fusca) group????

On the margins my first Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) of the year feeding amongst good numbers White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), along with House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica).

On the other side of the road there were at least 400 more Greater Flamingo’s, several Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and about 20 Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) which flew in from flooded fields further away. In the air above the site there were loads of hirundines including hundreds of Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), good numbers also of Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica). Other birds seen included Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

We then moved on to the second site at the Southern end of the dam at Embalse de Iznajar. Orchids were the main target here, I soon started to find spikes if full flower including Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Somber Bee (Ophrys fusca), Italian Man (Orchis italica) and Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana). The surprise was finding 20 spikes of Bumble-bee Orchid (Ophrys bumbyliflora) in a ditch on the roadside. 

Bumble-bee Orchid (Ophrys bumbyliflora).

Birds were few but I did see Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), 4x Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and a pair of Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax).

Granada, Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A good days birding despite the weather.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Today I picked up Chris and Maria in Granada who are visiting from Minnesota in the USA. We headed out west of the city in the rain, the first stop was not far out of Granada and fortunately had some shelter from where we started the days list with lots of Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), a distant Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), several Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a couple of Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua). We then started to make our way towards the Cacín Valley via Ventas de Huelma but before we had really started of we bumped into a group of 3 Hoopoes (Abubilla / Upupa epops) perched on the road side wires, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and more Corn buntings. 

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

In Venta de Huelma we stopped for a Coffee and added Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) to the list. We then took the country road to Cacín and made a few stops in the extensive Almond groves, along here we battled the rain covered glasses to see Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) which was only heard, better views of Iberian Grey Shrike and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Just above Cacín we turned off on to one of the side tracks through the trees and parked, here we got good views of Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

We then dropped down through the village of Cacín and into the valley; we stopped near a small garden with several Pomegranate trees with some shriveled fruits. Here we got better views of Blackcap and added Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), a little further along the road we again stopped and this time picked out a single Brambling (Pizón Real / Fringilla montifringilla) and Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus iliacus). 

Somber Bee Orchids (Ophrys fusca).

In the gorge we got good views of a female Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), more Jackdaws, Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), heard Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and I also got several brief views of Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) as they flicked over the cliff edges but I don’t think either Chris of Maria got on to any of these birds. We then turned around and headed towards the Embalse de Cacín, on the way we again stopped and got good views of Jay, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea).

Chris and Maria at the Visigoth tombs.

As we arrived at the lake we had flight views of a pair of Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) as they flew up the valley. On the water there were good numbers of Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos). Hirundine were seen in good numbers with House and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) being out number 2 to 1 by Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). 

Also seen and heard here were Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus). We made one last stop before we had a food stop in El Turro to have a look at the Somber Bee Orchids (Ophrys fusca) which grow on the road sides, we also added Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) but only on call.

Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis Collina).

After lunch we continued on to the crags were we walked out across the fields to have a look at the Visigoth tombs on the top of one of the rocky out crops. We also saw Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis Collina) and had a look at some ruined Arab baths.

We then moved up on to some large fields were the tracks were somewhat boggy, but we managed to get to the normal spot where we look for the resident Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis). We got out of the car and quickly picked up at least 20 Sandgrouse flying in several small flocks, a few of the birds landed on our side of a ridge which gave us some nice views on the ground. We also had large numbers of Calandra Larks at the site. As we were about to leave we heard the rattling call from a Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) in the nearby Almond trees. We started to drive back towards the trees to try and see the bird, before we even made it half way the bird was picked up flying towards us, while we were watching the bird we picked up a really big female Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) perch some distance away in a dead tree. Just as we made it back on to the road we noted several falcons in the trees on the opposite side of the road, immediately they were identified as a flock of at least 8 Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) with at least a couple of nice males.

Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).

We had good views of these birds before starting to make our way back towards Granada, just before we reached Venta de Huelma on the Castillo de Tajarja road we had a Short-eared Owl (Búho Campestre / Asio flammeus) perched out in the open on a post. The last bird of the day was a fine Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) on a road side lamp just the other side of the village. After a wet, hard birding start to the day we cleaned up on some very good species by the time we finished.

RAM, Motril Port, Charca del Suarez and above Granada City, Granada Province.

Birds, flowers and Orchids.

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlantico / Larus marinus).

Juan and I found our selves down at the usual spot for our monthly Seabird survey and for the second time I forgot my chair and ended up with a numb bum sitting on the gravel. The seabirds were few and far between today, mainly due to quite a strong breeze going out to sea. 

We did pick up 9x Cory's Shearwaters (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea), 5x Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), 3x Great Skuas (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) and quite a few Great Cormorants (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo). 

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

All the expected Gulls were seen, they included Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and a single probable adult Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlantico / Larus marinus), a much darker bird than last months. 

While we were there, a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) was seen a couple of times and a Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) did several passes, one carrying prey. 

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Other birds seen included Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Probable 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlantico / Larus marinus).

Our next stop was to do some ring reading at the fish port at Mortil, Gull numbers were low but we did pick out several birds including an Audouin's with a ring on. Again we picked up a very large gull but this month it was a 1st winter which again could be a GBB Gull and photo's have been forwarded. The adult bird we saw last month was also forwarded and was confirmed as a rather pale mantled GBB Gull by a several people. Also added here were Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

A very quick trot around Charca was next as the warden was shutting a bit early, we only got chance to look in two of the hides but added a few species. They included my first Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) of the year, Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), loads of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). 

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca).

Out on the water a couple of pairs of Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra) were tending their strange looking chicks, along with Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). Stripeless Tree Frogs (Hyla meridionalis) were heard but not seen, several Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) butterflies were on the wing and a single Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) shot across the track and off over the pools.

Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina).

Juan then drove us back to Granada where he did me a map of a site nearby where I could go and see Narcisuss cantabricus, I drove to the site and parked up. 

I started the walk and quickly started to think that I was on the wrong track as Juan had said it was flat and the one I was on was not, but I did pick up several very noisy Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) on the way, along with several spikes of Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) the fourth species for the year list, Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca) and hundreds of Fan-lipped Orchids (Orchis collina) including several spikes resembling var flavescens. 

Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina var flavescens).

I did eventually, after a quick call to Juan work out where I had gone wrong and descended the very steep fire break to the correct track and quickly found several hundred blooms of the Narcisuss. 

In the same area I added White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Linaria aeruginea ssp nevadensis and French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas). 

Birds included Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Narcisuss cantabricus.

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

A few early blooms.

It's a tad cold.

The road to El Purche from the Sierra Nevada road was a lot better today the thick layers of ice had pretty much gone. The first detour was down a track that Juan Perez had shown me last summer where we had seen a great show of orchids. I was just doing a drawing of the site today, but along the track I had some very nice views of a couple of pairs of Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), 5 or 6 Jays (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica). I then went back up onto the road and carried on to the furthest point and parked the car, here there were more Rock Buntings, singing Woodlarks plus Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus). 

Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

I then went up past the two bars and out to the rocky crags above the large quarry hoping to add some early wildflowers to the list but I soon guessed by the amount of cow do around and the sight of several large beast munching the herbage this was not going to be easy. 

Cattle.

A few Dandelion (Taraxacum spp) things and lots of Southern Daisy’s (Bellis cordifolia) later I gave up and walked back along the road seeing a dozen or so Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus iliacus), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and a cracking male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and his not so cracking mate.

Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus).

After fighting my way past two of the biggest, savage sounding fluffy soft hounds I made it back to the car and started to drive slowly back along to the Sierra Nevada road. A sizable flock of Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) were seen feeding amongst some Hawthorn bushes and at least 20 Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and an equal number of Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) flushed up from the road side. 

Endemic Sierra Nevada Crocus (Crocus nevadensis).

I had just started taking some shots of a Iberian Grey Shrike perched close to the side of the road when I notice a Police Local vehicle in the mirrors and decided that as there were broken white lines on the verge I had better move on.

Three-leaved Crocus (Colchicum triphyllum).

As I dropped down through the Pine woods I saw several Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) nicely in flower so I pulled well clear of the road and let the police vehicle go by before getting some photos. On the way back to the car I started to find several spikes of the Endemic Sierra Nevada Crocus (Crocus nevadensis), along with of the rare Three-leaved Crocus (Colchicum triphyllum) both of which I have seen on Sierra de Loja but not here before.

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

I continued down on the main road towards Granada but turned off and took the road to Dudar and beyond to the Embalse. Whilst driving along the side of the lake a couple of Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis) flew up onto some rocks but it was some time before I found a place to park and by the time I walked back a few cyclists and another walker had been through the area so I was not surprised that I did not see them again. I did add a few Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) to the list and also saw Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and several Spanish form Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

A quick trip up the hill.

Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina).

Jayne and I went up Sierra de Loja for a quick look to see if there were any early flowers in bloom, we took the small track up to the disused quarry above the town and soon realised that we had chosen the wrong day to go up as it was a holiday Sunday and most of Loja appeared to have had the same idea. I did have a look on the limestone slopes and found a few spikes of Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina) the third Orchid of the year in flower, along with Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Wide-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia) and Viola dementria. 

Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare).

A small group of Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) circled over the near by crags and were mobbed noisily by a pair of Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), while at least two male Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) carried out almost continual display flights. We drove a little further on up along the crags adding Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) on the way to the first parking spot. 

Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium).

The traffic was so heavy it almost felt like there had been a diversion set up off the main A92, we decided that due to the amount of disturbance we would do this another day and started to make our way home. On the way down we picked up Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana) and Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca) near the motorway.

Viola dementria.