Loja to Zafarraya road, Granada Province.

2nd English Group Orchid (and wildlife) morning.

Lange's Orchid (Orchis langei).

Before the meeting I went and checked a site near by where last year we had tried to find Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) but failed, as soon as I arrived this year there were two males and a female in the air displaying and they were soon joined by another pair of birds. They performed alomst continually for the next 3/4 of an hour, also noted were Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus). 

I then returned to Venta del Raya where the 17 strong group met up and eventually set off back to the Harrier field were the birds again showed very nicely. We then moved on down the road towards Zafarraya and to the first of the Orchid stops in an area of Oak woodland. The sun was out as we arrived but was soon covered by a heavy layer of low cloud which along with a stiff breeze made it quite cold. 

Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia).

We started our stroll along the road side seeing numerous Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), a couple of going over Sawfly (Abejorros, flor de avispa / Ophrys tenthredinifera) of the early flowering, short variety tenthredinifera and several Conical Orchid (Orchis conica). 

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

A singing Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) was heard as we approached the denser woodland, once amongst the trees we started to hear the first of many Bonelli’s Warblers (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) one which showed well low down on the ground. A little further on we discovered the basical rosette of a Helleborine (Epipactis) species which I guess will eventually be Epipactis tremolsii, a new species for my Granada Province list. In the same area we also added the taller later flowering Sawfly variaty (Ophrys tenthredinifera var ficalhoana) which had the lower flowers just open, a couple of Lange's (Orchis langei), Mirror (Ophrys speculum subsp speculum) and on the far side of a clearing a nice group of Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia). 

Last year at this time the Sword-leaved Helleborine, Lange's Orchids and the later Sawfly's were nowhere near being in flower, the early hot spell which was just ending as we did this walk had certainly pushed some species on to early flowering. On the far side of the two houses at the site we found several decent spikes of Giant (Himantoglossum robertiana), a single Dense-Flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata), some going over Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis Olbiensis) and many not yet in flower Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum). 

Wild Peony (Paeonia broteroi).

As we walked back towards the car we past through a large immpressive patch of Sword-leaved Helleborines which had most of the groups cameras in action. Other birds included Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino /Parus cristatus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala). A loo stop was then planned on the way to do some birding along the disused railway line at Venta de Zafarraya but when we arrived the visability was down to a few meters so we had a coffee and made our way back to the next Orchid site just out of the town on the way back up the Loja road. 

Group looking at the Pink Butterfly Orchids (Orquídea mariposa / Orchis papilionacea).

We parked and made our way out into an area of open Oak woodland, straight away we started to see many over with Giant and Fan-lipped Orchids, along with more Conical and Yellow Bees. Our first new find was a white petaled Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta) and very close by a single fine specimen of of the beautiful Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea). We walked further around the site and saw a nice group of the Butterfly and more Small Woodcock Orchids. We moved out onto the meadow at the Loja end of the site where there were hundreds of Yellow Bee and Mirror Orchids along with a few yet to flower Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia) and Small Tongue Orchid (Serapias parviflora). 

Tragopogon hybridum.

In a brief bit of sunshine we managed to record the only butterflies of the day, these were Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Provencal Hairstreak (Tomares ballus) and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus). 

Wildflowers seen during the walk included Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Bellardia trixago, Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Grey-leaved Cistis (Cistis albidus), Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Ronda Cranesbill (Geranium malviflorum), Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus), Tall Bearded Iris (Iris germanica), Linaria anticaria, Linaria hirta, Wild Peony (Paeonia broteroi), Silvery Paronychia (Paronychia argentea), Tragopogon hybridum and False Sainfoin (Vicia onobrychioides).

False Sainfoin (Vicia onobrychioides).

On the way back to Loja our car got some fantastic views of a single Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) which passed over our heads a couple of times before moving off down the valley.

Granada Province.

Another new Orchid for my Granada list.

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

Today we needed to take a trip into Granada for some items for the redecoration of the house, so when a friend said that he was going to look for some Orchids that morning it seemed like a good idea to join him. After dropping Jayne off at the retail park I went to the meeting place near the site and we continued on up some hairy tracks in my poor little ford fiesta. Arrangements had been made for a gate to this private site to be left open, so when we arrived we went straight up to the area that we hoped to find the Dark Spider Orchids (Ophrys incubacea) and Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes). 

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

We spent nearly two hour searching without any success but we did find several spikes of Ophrys dyris which was a new species for my province list, along with Fan-lipped (Orchis collina), Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis Papillionacea), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Woodcock (Ophrys Scolopax subsp picta) and Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca subsp fusca). 

Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes) ?????

Birds were few but we did see Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). Butterflies were numerous, with Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) all being recorded.

Bee Hives out on the hill side.

At this point I had to leave to go and meet Jayne so I left the others to walk back to their car and started the rough drive back down to the gate, about half way I picked up a nice big spike of Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum) and a couple of Pyramidal Orchid (Orquidea pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia) all of which were close to flowering. 

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis Papillionacea).

Then I picked up a very dark Ophrys species just by the side of the track which turned out to be a fine spike of Dark Spider and as we searched we found a couple of spikes which looked more like Early Spider, in the area I found several more spikes all in spot on condition but with variable colouration and lubelum shape. 

Prickly Poppy (Papaver argenone).

I then drove back up the hill and picked up the others and we all went back down and did some photos before I again left them to walk back down and I headed off nearly half and hour late to meet Jayne (good job she is very understanding).

Around Illora, Granada Province.

Second new Orchid of the year.

Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea).

I meet up with Beatriz Pérez Machado, Juan Pérez Contreras and Jose Luis Esteban Sanchez in the centre of Illora and we all jumped into Jose's car and headed out of town to a hill side just a few kms away. We parked and as soon as we were out of the motor we could see the first of the Orchids we had come for. A fine 70cm or so spike of Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea) and just a meter or so away there were four more spikes, one of which is in the photographs. 

Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea).

Whilst we were doing the photographs we picked up a male Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca) calling from one of the taller Oaks, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops). 

Juan and Beatriz looking at the Orchid.

Jose then led us through some spiky scrub and down a hill to see some very nice plants of Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris) a lot were dried out but a couple were still good. 

Iberian Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus).

Other wildflowers and orchids included Fan-lipped (Orchis collina) most were finished, Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Somber Bee (Ophrys fusca), Yellow Bee Orchids (Ophrys Lutea), Tragopogon hybridum, Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys), Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides) and Omphalodes commutata.

Large Psammodromus Lizard (Psammodromus hispanicus).

 

We then went on to a second site up on the side of Sierra Parapanda looking for Amphibians and reptiles; we found a nice medium sized Iberian Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus) and a Large Psammodromus Lizard (Psammodromus hispanicus). 

The only Butterfly I actually noted was a nice Comma ("C" blanca / Polygomum c-album).

Comma ("C" blanca / Polygomum c-album).

Laguna Herrera and Ronoral, Antequera, Malaga Province.

Co-operative birds for the camera (made a nice change).

Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta).

After a slightly later start from home than usual I arrived at the Laguna and the light was good so I put the camera on the side window just in case any thing wanted to play the game. As soon as I arrived a singing Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) sat up on a reed head and sang for a good while giving me the chance to get a shot or two. Out on the flooded fields the bird numbers were well down but I saw several Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) hawking insects over the water. 

Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

On the floods there were just a few Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), lots of Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), a couple of pairs of both Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus). Smaller birds included a cracking male Iberian race Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra). 

Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta).

Further along the track on the margins of the lagoon I found a rather confiding Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta) having a battle with a worm type thing which it eventually won, this bird was just starting to show some signs of its summer plumage. Also here were a couple of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), 3x Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and a nice pair of Kentish Plover. 

Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

Further down the lagoon there were good numbers of Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) close to the track along with a few Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis). In the reed bed both Great Reed (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) rattled out their songs, along with several Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

I then went up to the hotel and picked up two guests and we headed out into the woodland at Ronoral on the hills above the town. As soon as we started out I was seeing loads of Pink Butterfly Orchids (Orquídea mariposa / Orchis papilionacea) in amongst the scrub along with huge numbers of Yellow Bee (Abejera amarilla / Ophrys Lutea) and Mirror Orchids (Espejo de Venus / Ophrys speculum subsp speculum). Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) were the best birds on the way around. 

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orquídea mariposa / Orchis papilionacea).

On a bank just be fore we arrived back at the car I found a couple of hundred spikes of Champagne Orchid (Orchis Champagneuxii) and a couple of Somber Bee (Abejera oscura / Ophrys fusca subsp fusca) and Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) just hanging on to a flower or two.

Granada Province.

New Orchid for my Province List.

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

I was lucky enough to be taken to a site for the uncommon Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea) at the site we saw 30+ spikes of this very smart plant along with great numbers of Mirror (Espejo de Venus / Ophrys speculum subsp speculum), Somber Bee (Abejera oscura / Ophrys fusca subsp fusca), Yellow Bee (Abejera amarilla / Ophrys Lutea) and Fan-lipped Orchids (Orchis collina), along with a single spike of Southern  Early Purple (Satirión manchado / Orchis Mascula ssp Olbiensis) which was well passed it's best. The only bird we note was a single Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) which was my first of the year.

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

Later in the day I meet up with José Mª González Cachinero, Beatriz Pérez Machado and Juan Pérez Contreras to carry out the monthly count of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) at a roost site near Granada City. By the end of the survey 323 Egrets had been recorded along with 4 Purple Herons (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea) which circled the site for several minutes before drifting off. 

Cone-head Mantis (Empusa pennata).

The last species of the evening turned up just as I was leaving and forced a trot out me to get views, it was a hunting Barn Owl (Lechuza Común / Tyto alba) only just visible in the dark conditions.

Fuente de Piedra and Archidona area, Malaga Province.

Wader passage.

Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea).

Instead of the usual visit to Laguna Herrera I went for a quick look at Fuente this morning after reading Andy Patterson Blog "Birding the Costa" and hearing of his Marsh Sandpiper (Archibebe Fino / Tringa stagnatilis). Just as I arrived I meet two Norwegian birders and we started to scan the wader flock on the scrap just out of the car park, I was not very hopeful as waders can move through the site quite quickly. But within a few seconds I had the Marsh Sandpiper in the scope, along with a good number of Wood (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola), Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea). We continued picking up more waders including a second Marsh Sandpiper, Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax) and Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta). 

Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus).

While we were watching the birds on the scrap several species flew over including Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), a single Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus) and a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus). Other species seen here included Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

It was then down to the Hotel for this morning hike which was around the wooded loop at Archidona and then up to the monastery on the hill above the town. On the way round I picked up Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).
Just before I headed home I popped in to Laguna Herrera, It was fairly quiet but I did get the first singing Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) of the year.

El Chorro, Malaga Province.

Woodland walk.

Champagne Orchid (Orchis Champagneuxii).

Work today involved a stroll through the fine surroundings of El Chorro, We started from the shores of one of the Embalse's de Ardales and walked through a tunnel out into the wooded valley on the other side of the ridge. We started up hill and then continued higher to we had some fantastic views out over the gorges of El Chorro. On the way up I saw several Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), a couple of male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and once we we at the top we were treated some close views of Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) as they flew by. On the way we has some views of at least three Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) as they moved along some very vertical looking crags. 

Viperine Snake (Culebra viperina / Natrix maura).

Orchids were also common including Champagne (Orchis Champagneuxii), Dense-Flowered (Neotinea maculata), Fan-lipped (Orchis collina), Man (Flor del Ahorcado / Aceras anthropophorum), Mirror (Espejo de Venus / Ophrys speculum subsp speculum), Pink Butterfly (Orquídea mariposa / Orchis papilionacea), Southern Early Purple (Satirión manchado / Orchis Mascula ssp Olbiensis), Sawfly (Abejorros, flor de avispa / Ophrys tenthredinifera), Woodcock (Flor de la becada / Ophrys Scolopax), Yellow Bee (Abejera amarilla / Ophrys Lutea) and Somber Bee (Abejera oscura / Ophrys fusca subsp fusca).

On the way down we were following another group, a woman walking with them suddenly jump and pointed down to a small snake hurring a cross the track, I got there quickly enough to get a couple of shot before it went into a hole, late Identified as Viperine Snake (Culebra viperina / Natrix maura). 

Viperine Snake (Culebra viperina / Natrix maura).

During the hike we also picked up several butterfly species including Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx cleopatra) and Large White (Pieris brassicae).

Dense-Flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata).

Other birds seen during the hike and the drives each way included Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino /Parus cristatus), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Alhama Gorge, Alhama de Granada, Granada Province.

Royal British Legion walking group.

Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes).

Jayne, Alan (our Son), Sophie (Alan’s girl friend) and I joined the Royal British Legion walking group for a stroll down the Alhama gorge following the Rio Alhama. We started from the Pantaneta de Alhama, while we were waiting for the rest of the group to arrive I had a quick scan over the pool, which was quiet except for a few Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and a couple of Great Cormorants (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) sitting on the dam wall. 

White Henbane (Hyoscyamus albus).

The first stretch of the walk follows the irrigation canal down as far as a Poplar plantation and a bridge which crossed the Rio, along here I picked up three Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) chasing each other through the River side Willows, Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), singing Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and a chatting Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Once we crossed the bridge we were out in the open more and had views of the crags, Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) could be heard wheezing from a small cave covered by a small Fig Tree and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) were all seen on or flying from the cliffs. 

Linaria aeruginea.

The best bird of the day then flew into view and slowly flapped by; a cracking adult Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) then ditched rather than landed in a small Almond tree on the top of the far side of the gorge giving us good views. Also along this stretch we added Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), heard Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla).

Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia).

We then started to climb up towards the town, in the air over the buildings House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) were feeding along with Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba).

Once we were in the town we popped into one of the bars on the square and had a drink and some Tapa’s before a short walk around the town. At his point the group split, half stopping for Menu del Dia and the rest of us heading back along the gorge via a slightly different route to start with. 

Roemeria hybrida.

Along the way new species included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), the second large raptor for the day a Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and just to finish off on a high as we walked back to the car a pair of Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) soared out over the pool and away.

Sarcocapnos pulcherrima.

Butterflies were common during the whole walk with dozens of Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) being seen making the commonest species of the morning, we also saw good numbers of Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

Orchids were few but I did see a group of Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and just a couple of Mirror (Ophrys speculum). In contrast wild flowers were prolific and they included Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Bellardia trixago, Grey-leaved Cistis (Cistis albidus), Valerian (Fedia cornucopiae), Helianthemum lavandulifolium, White Henbane (Hyoscyamus albus), Linaria aeruginea, Navel-wort (Omphalodes commutata), Roemeria hybrida, Sarcocapnos pulcherrima and Intermediate Perriwinkle (Vinca difformis).

Laguna Herrera, Antequera, Malaga Province.

On the way to work again.

Just the usual stop off at the Lagoon on the way to work, it’s a tough job some one has to do it. The first bird seen was a cracking male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) picked up via it’s farting like call in a fallow field of weeds and in the same area the local Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) were making hovering look just a tad harder than normal in the still calm. A little further long the track the first of the many Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) was seen singing from the top of last years Fennel stems and several Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) zigzagged up from the verge along with the less common (at this site only) Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

The first stop was at a gate way looking out over some flooded fields; here bird numbers were down due to most of the wildfowl moving north to their breeding grounds. I did see several Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), a couple of late or injured Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a single Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) not a bird I record often at this site.

On the main lagoon there were better numbers of Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), lots of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

On the flooded fields there were no Flamingo’s and just a few ducks and Black-winged Stilts. Over the Lagoon and in the reeds I added Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

I then went up to the hotel for the days walk but nothing was noted of interest.

Illora area, Granada Province.

Ruta de las Orchideas.

Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina).

First of all I meet up with Juan Perez and his wife Beatriz just on the edge of the town of Illora and then we made our way through some tight streets to the town hall where we met up with Jose Luis Esteban Sanchez who was leading the group as part of a day with Illora Natural.

We first drove to a spot just a few KM from the town and parked by a water deposito that had been adapted to assist the local Amphibian population. We then walked through an area of Olive groves, Oak trees and rough ground picking up good numbers of Fan-lipped (Orchis collina), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Southern Early Purple (Orchis Olbiensis) and Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys Lutea). 

Checking their shots.

We continued on through more Olives and across a couple of fallow fields and out on to some grassland where we found some very nice Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) spikes and some Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum) which were a long way off flowering. Also a long way off flowering were the next two species, In a small area of Oaks Jose Juis showed us two spikes of Purple Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) and some leaf rosettes of Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea). A little further on we added a few spikes of Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca) which were still in good flower. 

Hypochromatic Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis Olbiensis).

We were finding groups of Giant Orchids regularly as we started to climb up one of the smaller sierra's, on the way up we heard our first Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) of the year and found the only Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica) of the day. Also seen along here was an albino Southern Early Purple Orchid, plus lots more Yellow Bee and Mirror. We continued to climb and then dropped down into some Pine woodland here we picked up the small multi-flowered Narcissus baeticus and nearby a still to be identified Narcissus. 

More of the group.

Our route then took us back down hill through some ancient almond groves to the car. We then all returned to Illora for a well earned drink. Other wild flowers seen during the walk included Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major), Aphyllanthes (Aphyllanthes monspliensis), Spring Rockcress (Arabis verna), Blue Woodruff (Asperula arvensis), Navelwort (Umbilicus rupestrs), Spotted Rockrose (Tuberaria guttata), Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata), Med Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus), Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Valerian (Fedia cornucopiae) and Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum).

Narcissus baeticus.