Laguna Herrera and Archidona, Malaga Province.

Little Bustards every where!

Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

I called in for my usual morning visit to the Lagoons before the hike with Rio Frio Health at the Hotel Eslava in Antequera.

As soon as I turned in to the site on the road nearer the Autovia I picked up the first two male Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) one on either side of the track. Several Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) were running around on the track giving good views and a nice male Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) did a fly by and landed on a small stone building before going through a hole in the wall and relieving a female bird of her incubation duties. Also along here I picked up Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster). 

Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra).

I then moved around to the flooded fields along the next track and again as soon as I left the main road I could hear at least another two male Little Bustards calling and one of then was sitting out in the open on a large pile of earth. A little further on I parked on the bridge over the drainage canal that runs along the track side and had a look through the gates where I picked up Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and a small flock of around 5 Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta). 

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Just then a car pulled up and out got Bob Wright from Axarquia bird group on his way to Fuente de Piedra to meet up with Andy Patterson (AKA Birding the Costa blog), we chatted for a while and added Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) to the list before going to have a look at the main lagoon. Waders were few here today with a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) being the only addition, other species included a few Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and the surprise of the morning a pair of White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) which were the first I have seen on the site. 

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

Also seen along here were Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Time had run out so I started to make my way to the hotel but on the way I saw another male Little bustard and picked up several Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) hunting over the fields. At the hotel I met the group and we had a run out to the start of the hike at Archidona. The main walk is a loop through wooded scrub, Olives and agricultural land and to finish off we do the walk through the pine woodlands from the town up to the monastery at the top of the hill over looking the area. On the way around I picked up a male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) hunting over the olives, Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea). 

White Mignonette (Reseda Alba).

The only flowering Orchid was Yellow Bee Orchids (Ophrys lutea) but a few butterflies were seen including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

On the climb up to the monastery the only new species noted were several immature Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Blue Alkanet (Anchusa azurea).

 Several species of wild flowers were seen on the way around including Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus), Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys) and Blue Alkanet (Anchusa azurea).

Laguna Herrera, Antequera, Malaga Province.

The usual pre-work visit.

Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).

As soon as I was off the road and on to the track the call of at least two male Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) could be heard raspberrying out of the Mustard filled fallow field, one of the birds was showing really well. Just a few meters further on a pair of Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) flew up off the track and landed on the edge of the palm plantation and stood there for several minutes but the light was far too bad for any photos. 

I then parked by the first gate on the right overlooking the flooded fields and added good numbers of Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), a pair of Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), several Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), along with a single Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chlidonias hybridus) and two Blacks (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger). 

Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata).

The only ducks were 40 or so Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), a pair of Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and a small group of 5 Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina). Other species seen here included Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), 7x Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), the singing Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) from a few days ago, Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis). 

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

Along the side of the main lagoon I again saw a small flock of Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), a single Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola), 2x Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius). In the air Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) were all flying down at low levels due to the heavy cloud and drizzle, a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) was upsetting the Black-winged Stilts and a Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) was being hassled by several of the local Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) flock. Also picked up along this stretch of the track wereSpanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodchat (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).

On the drive around the fields back to the Antequera road I had some fabulous views of at least 30+ Lesser Kestrels, some of which perched nicely whilst I drove past them at close range, they could tell the light was too bad for the camera else they would have been off. In this area I picked up Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and a cracking male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus).

I then started up towards the Hotel for todays hike when I recieved a call to say all the guests were staying in the Gym and the walk was cancelled, which meant I was home nice and early.

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).