Sierra de Loja and the Cacín Valley , Granada Province

Birding on the Sierra's and down in the Valleys.

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Niels and I set off at quite a decent time of the morning to visit some of the local birding sites; the first was Sierra de Loja. We started the climb up through the Pine Woodlands picking up the first of the Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus). The first stop was at the quarry just above the town where we quickly located one of the adult Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) sat out on the front of the nest platform. Here we also had some great views of a male Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and a pair of Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) which were carrying food into one of the not to distant gorse bushes, both species on Niels’s most wanted list. 

Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata).

Also added to the trip list here were Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia).

We then drove up higher missing out most of the crags area but stopping in the area of bushes just before the top. Here the saga of the Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) began, as straight away we picked up a pair of the skulking Sylvia warblers in the bush just in front of us but by the time I had given Niels the directions the bird had dropped from view and this how it continued for the next few days with this species. From here we did see Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa). 

Garden Dormouse (Eliomys quercinus).

Some way further on along the track over the tops we picked up the first of several Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), a male with a full face mask (as were all the birds today). 

We continued with out stopping as far as the Goat Cave and parked there before going on further on foot searching for the elusive Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) which we eventually had good views of. A nice male bird perched out on the top of one of the lower rocks and stayed there for some time. Also along here saw many more Rock Sparrows, Black Restart, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes). 

On the way down we stopped at an area of broom scrub where we search for and found another target bird, Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata), we had a adult male bird along with either a female or immature. Just as we were starting the drop down the crags I saw a small bit of road kill lying in the dust which turned out to be a Garden Dormouse (Eliomys quercinus). We stopped at the Subalpine spot for a second try, but this time we could only heard the bird. 

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

Other species seen at the site included Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), both Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Our second area to be covered was in the Cacín Valley where we were hoping for some of the open plain species and as soon as we arrived we got off to a good start with a nice male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) giving away its location on the edge of a crop field with its distinctive raspberry call. Later we saw another two male birds in flight as we made our way on foot down to an area of almond trees where I had seen some immature Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) whilst with Ian Standring the week before. 

Niels watching Cuckoo's.

As soon as we were in the trees we heard birds calling and quite quickly we had some really good views of both immature birds but more surprisingly an adult bird which appeared to be with at least 4 youngsters but more surprising was the total lack of any Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica) near by.

Whilst we were at this site the air was filled with Lark song, including Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Thekla and Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata). We dipped on the resident Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) but we did see Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Marsh (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris) and heard several Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix).

Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos).

On the way to a site a little nearer to Granada we added a surprise Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) to the day list along with Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

At a site a little further on we eventually added one of the Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which broke cover to see off a male Montagu’s which flew close by.

We then returned to the Cacín Valley, on the drop down to the village we had cracking views of a sub adult Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) which passed low over head a couple of times and a more distant dark phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus). At Embalse de Cacín birds were again few, with just a few Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) new for the day.

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera).

From the bridge a little further down stream we knocked off another of the list birds with some good views of a singing Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and then Niel’s had brief views of a male Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) as it flew off. In the area we also saw or heard Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

Other species seen during the day included a few spikes of Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera), a female Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) and a small herd of Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

Las Chappas, Guadalhorce, Teba and Laguna Dulce, Malaga Province.

A new Orchid for my Spanish list and Birding on the way home.

Heart-flowered Serapias (Serapias cordigera).

I drove down to the coast to my first stop which was to try and find a new orchid species for my list, I was searching in the unlikely area around a hotel down near Marbella. In some pine woods which have managed to be missed by the bulldozers I quickly found (with directions from Ian Phillips from Malaga) two spikes of the rare Heart-flowered Serapias (Serapias cordigera). Both spikes were a little past their best but easily identifiable. In the area there were also fruiting spikes of both Limodore species (Abortivum and Trabutianum).

The next stop was to collect Niels and then we were off to Guadalhorce where we were after target bird number one, White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) but before we went on to the main reserve we had a quick look at a very quiet sea from the watch point. From here we started the list with Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos). We then made our way along the embankment down to the bridge, on the way we found an extra bird for Niels hit list when we found the first of many Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flying nosily around their very large nests. From the bridge there were Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a calling Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Once we entered the reserve we started to hear and see lots of Zitting Cisticola’s (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) which seemed to be calling from every direction, along with Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster). From the main hide we soon had the White-headed Duck under the belt; several males were displaying and generally making a nuisance of them selves. Also here there were good numbers of Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), more Black-winged Stilts, Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). Further on around at the second hide we saw more White-headed Ducks, Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera). 

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

On our way around to the next hide on the walk down to the second sea watch point we picked up a female Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) flying into the reeds. From the next hide we did not see any thing new but the wader hide produced a couple of Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus). On the way down past the scrape we saw at least 6 Slender-billed Gulls (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei) amongst the flock of Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). Again the sea was quiet so we retraced our steps and on the scrape the birds mention had been joined by 1 adult and 2 immature Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), a single Little Tern (Charrancito Común / Sterna albifrons), a Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a flyby none breeding plumaged Little Gull (Gaviota Enana/ Larus minutus). On the walk back we picked up the female Ruddy Shelduck (Tarro Canelo / Tadorna ferruginea), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius). Some butterflies were seen during the walk including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus). The only dragonfly species seen was a male Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii).

The next stop was lunch which we ate whist sat beside the Rio Grande, we then move north to Teba Gorge. As soon as we arrived another of the main birds we ticked of the wanted list when we saw a nice male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) perched on a telegraph pole. We then had a look in the gorge from near the bridge; the first birds were a pair of Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), several Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius). A little further on we had views of a couple of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) passing over high, a few Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) were also up high but then we picked off another of the birds on Niels list when a pair of Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) showed well for us. 

Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

On the road side there were large numbers of Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) butterflies and the last thing seen just as we were leaving were a pair of Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) which circled up and away.

Our final stop of the day was at Laguna Dulce where things were very quiet, in the shallows there were again good numbers of White-headed Ducks, Eurasian Coot, Common Moorhen and further out there were Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and all three of the common Grebe species. Over the water several Black (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger), Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chlidonias hybridus) and Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) were feeding or sitting on the many reserve signs.

We then made our way back to the house and made sure Niels was settled in.

Zafarraya area, Granada Province.

A new Butterfly for my Granada list and some Orchids.

Lange's Orchid (Orchis langei).

Jayne's niece Claire and here boyfriend Jason were over from the UK visiting, so we went for a quick run out to the area around Alhama de Granada. On the way I made a couple of quick stops to look at the Orchids on the road side. The first stop was near Zafarraya where I was looking to see the progress of some plants of Epipactis tremolsii, unfortunately they had moved on little from my last visit to the area a few weeks earlier. In the same meadow there were some cracking spikes of the tall, late flowering variety of the Sawfly Orchid (Abejorros, flor de avispa / Ophrys tenthredinifera var ficalhoana), loads of Lange's Orchids (Orchis langei), a few Yellow Bee Orchids (Ophrys lutea) still in good condition, going over Sword-leaved Helleborines (Cephalanthera longifolia), Small Tongue Orchid (Serapias parviflora), lots of yet to flower Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum) and some well over with Southern Early Purple Orchid (Satirión manchado / Orchis Mascula ssp Olbiensis). 

Lorquin's Blue (Cupido lorquinii).

Just as I got back to the car Jayne pointed out a small butterfly which stayed long enough for me to get a couple of shots, in the close up views on the camera it was obvious that Jayne had just fond my first Lorquin's Blue (Cupido lorquinii) for the Province.

We moved on and stopped on the road side a little further on to look at a group of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and a pair of Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) which were circling a near by hill top.

We arrived in Alhama and had a stroll around and then a couple of drinks and a menu del dia which went down very nicely. In the gorge I picked up several Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), a male Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Lorquin's Blue (Cupido lorquinii).

On the run back towards home we picked up European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) and quite a few Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni).

Travelling to and in the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A cracking day despite the weather!

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

I headed off up to Granada to meet Ian, the journey up was a wet one and things had not got much better when Ian arrived. We headed out of the city and were soon picking birds up for Ian list; the first species seen included Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus). Once we were at the first site on the way over towards the Cacín Valley we soon added a fine adult Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) to the list which was perched on a road side pole, in the same area we added another Common Kestrel, Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), a nice male Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) with something fluffy in it’s bill (either prey of nest lining) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

We pushed on towards Cacín through Olive and Almond plantations on the flat plains above the village, on this road we made several stops, at the first we added the days first Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Singing male Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) both of which we got good views of eventually. In the same area we also picked up a nice Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) which perched on a nearby pylon, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and we also heard Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea). A little further on we found a female Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) sat in a dead tree and at the final stop before the village we caught up with one of the species that Ian had most wanted to see a really nice male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) which showed well on the ground and in an almond tree. 

European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

The species second on Ian’s most wanted list was the next bird, just as we entered the village there was a cracking European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) perched on a roadside wire. Once we were down in the valley the rain stopped completely and the sun appeared for all of around five minutes but soon moved back behind the clouds. We headed south along the river and one of the first birds added was a pale form Eleonora's Falcon (Halcón de Eleonora / Falco eleonorae) which was heading north along with good numbers of Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), this was the second record for this species in the same area. The first was an autumn record of a darker bird. A bit further along the road we again stopped to admire a small group of Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) feeding on the side of the road and in the air in the gorge we picked up the days first Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) three of these beautiful birds were in the company of a couple of Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and a few of the commoner House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica).

A few minutes later we had again come to a halt and were watching a pair of Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) flying up the valley quite low which meant we had some good views, here we also had Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), brief views of a male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and heard a yaffling Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).

We turn around and started to head north up the valley stopping near some poplar trees were we had more views of a male Golden Oriole, heard Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and had good views of more Rock Sparrows and another male Blue Rock Thrush.

We pushed on to the Embalse de Cacín but it was generally quiet, out on the water there were a few Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and at least one calling but secretive well hidden Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) which we could not find. In the air there were more of the Swifts and Hirundines already see along with a few Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and a couple of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). Other species here included Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

We then stopped for something to eat in El Turro before looking at the cliffs nearby and adding a couple of distant Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) to the day list. We then move to an agricultural area nearby where we walked out on to the fields looking for Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) we had soon seen a couple of males, Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Heard Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix), and had fantastic views of at least 4 juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius). 

We dipped on the Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) on this visit but considering the weather I was happy with what we had seen. We decided to call it a day after this site and made our way back across country towards the city. As we drove I glimpsed a large shape between some olives on a raise field edge, reversed the car back up a few meters to find an adult Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) being harassed by a Common Magpie, as we drove back we also added a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and several Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) the list.

On a day where the weather was far from great, I was very pleased with a total of 84 bird species seen or heard.

Laguna Herrera and Ronoral Pine Woods, Antequera, Malaga Province.

More White-headed Ducks and the 31st Orchid species of the year.

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

The weather was not great but I thought that I would have a very quick look at the Laguna as I had left home later than usual so time was tight. I had a brief look at the gate looking over the flooded fields and picked up the first of the Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), along with a few Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and more surprisingly about 20 Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) which were still lingering on from the winter. Further along the track on the main lagoon there were a couple of nicely plumaged Little Stints (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta) picking their way through the mud with a couple of pairs of Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos). The Great Reed Warblers (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) were singing (well rattling and gratting) from the growing reed beds and from the stream on the side of the track Cetti’s (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Melodious (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) could all be heard. 

Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta).

Out on the water around 50 Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were feeding with the odd Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and the male White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) seen a couple of days ago. On the far side of the barn I was very pleased to find another 4 male White-headed Ducks, along with single female, it would be very nice to find that these birds were breeding on this site as it is under threat from the proposed high speed rail test track and they may help with the case for it's relocation. A couple of cracking Black Terns (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger) were hawking insects over the water along with 10 or so of the more regular Gull-billeds (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica).

Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Other birds seen around the area were Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

The next stop was the Hotel to meet up with the three ladies for todays hike up through the Pine woods at Ronoral in the hills above Antequera. This is a nice fairly level walk which passes through several diferent habitats. The first area is open low thyme grassland, here we saw several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), a small flock of around 8 Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and heard singing Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli). 

Bee Orchid (Flor de abeja / Ophrys apifera).

Wildflowers included Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys), Tragopogon porrifolius, Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Blue Woodruff (Asperula arvensis), Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus) and Linaria hirta. We then spent most of the walk in the pine woods adding Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator). In the shaded parts of the wood there were still a few orchids in flower including Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta), Yellow Bee Orchids (Ophrys lutea) and the 31st species for the year Bee Orchid (Flor de abeja / Ophrys apifera). 

The Ladies.

Along the eastern side of the site there are some areas of Oak woodlands which we pass through in this area we added Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and just as we got back to the car we heard a singing Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus). The masses of Pink Butterfly Orchids (Orquídea mariposa / Orchis papilionacea) seen a couple of weeks ago were over with but there was still a couple of Champagne Orchids (Orchis Champagneuxii) in good condition.

Sierra de Loja and above the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Adalucian Bird Society April meeting.

Pyramidal Orchid (Orquidea pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia).

We set off up the Sierra de Loja in warm bright sunshine, IN MY DREAMS it was peeeeeing down and cold the same as last year, but eleven brave soles were willing to contend with the weather. Our first brief stop was at a small quarry just above the motorway where we picked up Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). We quickly moved on up through the pine woods stopping again for the first Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) of the day flying between some small oaks, also seen here were Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and at least 3 Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator). Further on we took the track up to the larger disused Quarry hoping for a view of the Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) which breeds there but the rain and wind did not entice the bird out on to the ledge to be seen.

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).

In the quarry we did see a pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), a pair of Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) going in and out of their nest hole, Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and a male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) which flashed across the crags and away. On the bank over looking Loja a few of the group heard a Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix) call a couple of times and we also added Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and a Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) which did a quick fly by. Several Pyramidal Orchids (Orquidea pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia) and lots of Yellow Bee Orchids (Ophrys lutea) were still in flower along with Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Common Snapdragon (Antirrhinum major), Cerastium boissieri, Dianthus Pungens and Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum), Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys) and Thapsia (Thapsia villosa).

Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

We then continued on up the crags and made our way out to the goat cave and Charca del Negro, on the way we saw several Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and a Weasel (Mustela nivalis) which was carrying a dead young Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Up near the Goat cave we were looking for Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) but only four of the group saw this species (Peter seeing two males), the rest of us had to make do with More Rock Sparrows, Rock Buntings, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Erodium cheilanthifolium.

On the run back down we saw Viola dementria and Erodium cheilanthifolium flowering on a road side rocks and a couple of Sharp-ribbed Salamanders (Pleurodeles waltl) in Charca del Negro. We continued on down to the motorway seeing Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) on the way. More Wildflower species were seen including Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Blue Hedgehog Broom (Erinacea anthyllis), Yellow Restharrow (Ononis natrix) and Upland Peony (Paeonia coriacea).

We then had a very nice Menu del Dia in the Hotel Cotijo de Tajar on the outskirts of Huetor Tajar and in the afternoon continued on to an agricultural area above the Cacín Valley. On the way we added Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) to the day list. The track was just a tad muddy so we all decanted in to the groups 4X4 vehicles and move out into the area, on the way to the ruin where we watched the area from we picked up a couple of Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), a single Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and the main bird we had come for 6x Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) which flew across the site but were distant.

Blue Hedgehog Broom (Erinacea anthyllis).

We parked at the ruin and quickly found two male Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and two Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which flew across calling nosily. We then walked down the track a bit further adding another Little Bustard, more Larks and Marsh and Montagu's Harriers. The drivers then managed to get us off the site through the mud and back onto the road where we ended the day and we started to make our ways home.

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.