Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

A morning in the mountains seeing some of my favorite birds.

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Got up to a nice morning with a few more clouds around than usual but the sun was trying hard to brake through, so I decided to carry on with last nights idea of a trip up Sierra de Loja. On the way over I started the list with a small flock of around 25 Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), several Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Just as I started to make my way up the Sierra from the town of Loja I picked up 2 late Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) moving west along with the first of 11 Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) seen during the morning (all female of immature birds). Once I was clear of the pine woods I started to see the expected Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Common Stonechats (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) either perched on rocks or making use of the road side barriers. 

Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia).

Along the crags good numbers of both Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) called noisily as they chased around the cliff faces. Once up on the more level areas I pushed on to the first of the water collection buildings to have a look for any remaining Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) that may be hanging around. I parked right next to the building and got some nice views of several Rock Sparrows, Black Redstarts (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and several Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe). After about 10 minutes a bird jumped up on to a rock and sat there for some time, giving me chance to roll down the hill, park right across the road and get some nice views and a couple of shots. Also around here I added a late skulking Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) moving though the low thyme plants, Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was screeching from a nearby rock pile and a small flock of Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) which flew by. 

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis).

I then continued on up to Charca del Negro and on to the Goat Cave where Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) were added along with a migrating flock of Sparrowhawks (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), I counted 19 birds over a few minutes.

On the way down I saw two large Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) moving through one of the mountain top fields, Several flocks of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and around 10 Whinchats (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra) all in a small track side field. A Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and a male Blue Rock Thrush were all seen perched in the same large Hawthorn bush, with the Shrike right on top singing its head off. 

Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

On my way back down passed the crags I eventually saw the first Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) of the morning and added Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) to the list. On the track up to and at the disused Quarry Dartford (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) were seen, along with Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and a single Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping

Heliothis armigera (Scarce Bordered Straw).

Last night I made the decision to run the 125w MV lamp, what a mistake. I got up to find the trap, nearby plants and all the walls were swamped in small black beetles, literally 10s of thousands had been attracted in along with a few moths.

Clostera pigra (Small Chocolate-tip).

New species or first time identified moths included Heliothis armigera (Scarce Bordered Straw) x2 and a single Clostera pigra (Small Chocolate-tip).

Coscinia chrysocephala.

Other species of note were Coscinia chrysocephala, Leucochlaena oditis (Beautiful Gothic) and Tiger species Cymbalophora pudica.

Leucochlaena oditis (Beautiful Gothic).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping

Eupithecia centarueata (Lime-speck Pugs).

Ran the 15w trap again and had a reasonable spread of species including around 20x Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Darts), Utetheisa pulchella (Crimson Speckled), 4x Eupithecia centarueata (Lime-speck Pugs) and Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow). 

Acrobasis romanella.

New species or ones I identified for the first time included two pyralids Acrobasis romanella, Oxybia transversella and a Macro Xestia kermesina.

Xestia kermesina.

Padul Wetlands, Granada Province.

Getting lost in a nice place.

Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

I parked at the far end of the reserve away from the visitors centre thinking that if they do get any kids visits I would be unlikely to bump into them and started to make my way down to ward the hide on the board walk. Around the first bridge there were large numbers of hirundines feeding up before moving on south, they included large numbers of Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) a few House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and several of the resident Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) had come in to feed on a large hatch of some small insects. On the adjacent thistle field’s good numbers of Goldfinches (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinches (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) were joined by a large flock of House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus). In the reedbeds along the path there were continuous scolding calls from Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and the loud blasting song from the resident Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) population.

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

I was surprised to find that the hide was open and that the water level in the ditch along the track was low enough to be showing a nice muddy margin. Here there were plenty of Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and at least 5 squealing Water Rails (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) which eventually gave me some nice if not brief views. From the hide I could see that some ringing was in progress but was behind the locked gates, so I thought that if I made my way to the far end of the ditch track I might see who was there. I started off around the nice newish boardwalk trail, on the way I picked up a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and a new bird for the year a Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) which was drinking at one of the small pools on the track side. 

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

As I approached the lake I picked up a couple of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), several Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) and around 50 Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis). This was where it all started to go wrong, first I ended up in a private garden by mistake but I did add Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) to the growing list. Later I took the wrong track through the fields and ended up with a shoe full of something very nasty whilst trying to cross a ditch to get to the right track. Once back on course I managed to find the far end of the middle tack but could not find any ringers so I continued on around the reserve, 

Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).

On the more agricultural western side I picked up Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and a nice male Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus). I then made it back to the car and was much earlier than I had thought so returned to the hide were the only new species added were singles of both Wood (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola) and Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus). I then made my way back home via the City and some lunch.

Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra).

Later In the day I went for a couple of drinks with friend Bernard in El Turro but stopped off for a few minutes at the Balsa de Regidor just as the Western Cattle Egrets were starting to arrive, I only saw 23 but more flew over while I drove towards Bernard’s. Also seen were 8x Grey Herons, Common Pochard, 1x Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

Moraleda Area, Granada Province.

Sunday morning run round.

Jayne and I went for a drive out to the local English car boot sale at Moraleda, except for a chat with John and Jenny Wainwright there was little of interest to see so after a few minutes we were on our way down to see Bernard a friend who was over from the UK working on his house. We had a coffee around at the bar and sorted an evening when we were all free to meet up for a drink.

The last stop of the morning was on an agricultural area nearby where I did half an hours birding. The first bird seen was a cracking Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) which circled overhead before heading off west. Also moving through were lots of Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), along with good numbers of Tawny Pipits (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris). I dipped on the Sandgrouse that are usually around but did added Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).

On the way home we had a look for the first of the expected Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) with out any success. The only birds seen were Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), more Iberian  Magpie and Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) which were raiding one of the roadside fig trees and a male Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus) which flew across the road and disappeared into a hedge.

Laguna Dulce, Fuente de Piedra, Teba Gorge and Laguna Herrera, Malaga Province.

91 species, no woodland and 4 hours of daylight to spare!

Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca).

I was meeting Andy Mountford for a days birding over at Laguna Dulce near Campillos which was abut the best site near to the halfway point for travelling. I had some good luck as soon as I left the house as with in 100 meters I flushed an Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) up off the road.

I arrived at Dulce around and hour early and started to scan through the birds, Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) numbers had greatly reduced since my last visit but bird numbers were still very good and were soon increased by a large flock of mainly Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), some 1000+ birds. Other common birds included Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) some of which were still sat in their roost trees but most had left, Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and well over 350 White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala). I then picked up a single female Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and two male Ferruginous Ducks (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), one of which disappeared straight back into the vegetation and the other flew right over to the far side of the lake and settled in with some Common Pochard.

A large female Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) then did a fly through upsetting some of the smaller wildfowl before heading out towards the town. A male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) then moved along the eastern side of the Lagoon before plunging into the reeds and coming out with an immature Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), he was soon followed by the misses who came along the same route and then out over the water to the western margins.

Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca).

Andy then arrived and we continued to pick up some nice species including Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) which showed particularly well in the Tamarisk just out side the hide window, Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and just as we were leaving a cracking Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) which did not stop for more than a couple of minutes before continuing on South.

Our next stop was at the view point over Fuente de Piedra on the western side, on the way round we stopped and had some nice views of two migrating Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) one with a standard plumage but the other with the nice fine barring replaced by much heavier bold lines.

Here we soon picked up some new birds for the growing day list including a pair of Western Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) on the nearest patch of water along with both Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), a small number of White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and the first of the returning Meadow Pipits (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis).

Two Temmincks Stints (Correlimos de Temminck / Calidris temminckii).

Our next stop was for a coffee in the town before making our way back to the visitors centre and having a look at the surrounding pools. First new species for the day were Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta) with three females being seen, a female Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) x4, Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax) x2, Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) x2, a single Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta) and then the stars of the site two Temmincks Stints (Correlimos de Temminck / Calidris temminckii) all of which were just too far for any decent shots. 

On the main lake we added a couple of hundred Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) to the list along with a smaller number of Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa). On the pools behind the center we did not add any birds but we did see several species of dragonflies, the commonest were Lesser (Anax parthenope) and Blue / Common Emperors (Anax imperator), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata). 

On the return walk we picked up a single Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), several Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), a female type Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a couple of late Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus). 

Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

We then returned to Dulce and spent a little while having a second scan of the site seeing one of the male Ferruginous Ducks quite close in the reeds accompanied by a nice female this time. Also added were Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).

We then changed habitat a bit and went down to Teba Gorge which was a new site for Andy. As soon as we arrived a pair of Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) flew up and disappeared in to gorge, they were followed by a nice male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), a pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris). 

Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus).

Several Orange-winged Dropwings (Trithemis kirbyi) and Epaulet Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysostigma) were seen along with a single Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus) during he gorge walk. As we walked back towards the car a small butterfly caught our eye and we soon sorted out that it was a plain but nice Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus), also seen were Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

We quickly called in at the Raptor view point back at the junction with the Malaga road but only picked up Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula). Andy then headed back south and I went on back towards Antequera where I had a swift look in at the dry remains of Laguna Herrera. On the right hand side of the track there is a small stream, along here I picked up another Common Whitethroat and a fine male Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), along with a couple of Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe). A total of 91 species were seen and when I tallied up the easier species that we had not seen we could quite easily have cleared 100 and been close to 110 for the day. Thanks Andy.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping.

Microloxia herbaria.

Again I set the trap up out in the same place in the garden and had a much more interesting haul and again I decided to use the 15 watt actinic as it does not seem to be affected as much as the MV by the new much brighter street lighting now fitted. 

Raphia hybris.

There were still high numbers of Eublemma parva (Small Marbled), Pyralis obsoletalis and Palpita vitrealis. 

Also there were many more Agrotis lata, Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow), Rhodometra sacraria (The Vestal), Microloxia herbaria, Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted), Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder), Pseudozarba bipartite and Hecatera dysodea (Small Ranunculus) then a few nights ago. 

Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave).

Smaller numbers of Metachrostis velox, Raphia hybris (New Species), Actenia brunnealis, Mythimna putrescens (Devonshire Wainscot), Idaea manicaria, Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) and Symmoca nigromaculella were also caught. Several species still need to be sorted out but a nice catch.

Embalse de Cubillas, Granada Province.

A few waders.

I popped in to have a quick look at the dry margins on the eastern side of the lake on the way home from the Sunday market. The birds were few but the most common sight was rubbish, I was appalled at the amount of crap that the people leave behind. I do not understand the mentality of going to a beautiful place for a day out and picnic and leaving the place looking like a stinking rubbish dump.

Anyway after my little rant I did see a single Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) and a Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola) both of which were in winter dress, plus around 70 adult and immature Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) on the mud. Also seen were Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Trapping.

Microloxia herbaria.

After a long break I decided after a prompt from Penny Hale down in Casares to dig the Moth trap out and give it a go. On the night of the 26th / 27th I ran a 125MV light which turned out to be a total waste of time so on the night of 28th / 29th I ran the small 15W Actinic trap that I also have.

Eastern Nycteoline (Nycteola asiatica).

The results were not fantastic but much better then the last attempt. The most common species by far was the Small Marbled (Eublemma parva) with around 70 being in or around the trap, next came Palpita vitrealis with around 25 insects present and Pyralis obsoletalis with around 30.

Mythimna scirpi.

In lesser numbers (1 to 3) were Stibaromacha ratella, Ancylolomia tentaculella, Eastern Nycteoline (Nycteola asiatica), Actenia brunnealis, Antigastra catalaunalis, Menophora japygiaria, Microloxia herbaria, Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella), The Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria), The Four-spotted (Tyta luctuosa), Eutelia adulatrix, Spotted Sulphur (Emmelia trabealis), Pale Shoulder (Acontia lucida), Pseudozarba bipartita, Metachrostis velox, Small Ranunculus (Hecatera dysodea), Mythimna scirpi, Agrotis lata and a few more which I have still got to send down to Penny for sorting.

Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella).

Small Ranunculus (Hecatera dysodea).

Actenia brunnealis.

Agrotis lata.

Laguna Herrera and Torcal, Malaga Province.

A dry lagoon and lots of rocks.

The dry Lagoon.

I started off a bit early on my way over to work and called in at Laguna Herrera as I had not been there for a week or so. I was very surprised to find that the Lagoon was no more, just two damp patches of soil remained of the once very productive wetland. On the drive out along the track I saw a couple of Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) including a really nice bright immature bird. Also seen were Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and a nice pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) which flew over the track.

Rock at Torcal.

I then made my way to the Hotel and then out to Torcal with the RFH guests for the usual Saturday morning walk. On the way around my group had some cracking views of a herd of about 15 Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) which took very little notice of us and continued to feed on the very sweet Blackberrys. I also saw Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) and Large Psammodromus (Emys orbicularis) scramble away over the rocks and good numbers of butterflies including Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia), Scarce Swallowtail (Chupaleches / Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias crocea) and Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice).

Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

Birds included Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and loads of Black Redstarts (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Sierra Huétor, Granada Province.

Six Hunters 1 - 1 Goldfish.

Two of the hunters.

I met Juan Pérez, his wife Beatriz and friends José María, Agustín and Juanra at a site in the sierra where we were going to a small deposito (Alberca de Botones) out in the woods to try and remove a couple of Goldfish which had been released in to the site. The main reason is that the fish eat the spawn and smaller tadpoles of the endemic Midwife Toad (Sapo partero bético / Alytes dickhilleni) that breeds at the site. On arrival we soon caught the darker of the two but the much paler fish was much quicker and more difficult to see and it managed to elude capture all evening. The single fish caught was released next morning in one of the ornimental pools in the Lorca Park down in Granada. While we were there we heard an immature Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) calling from some pines.

Above Lanjaron, Cerro Gordo and Guejar-Sierra, Granada Province.

Three new Butterflies.

The View down towards the coast.

I met Juan at the car park at Aki on the outskirts of Granada before we headed off south towards Lanjaron and then up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains above the town. On the way up the long dirt track we had several views of a Nightjar species but due to the quickness of the sightings and the altitude we were unable to decide which of the two species present was involved. As the light started to improve we also saw Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).
We reached the finca at Ballesteros and started to look around near the entrance and on the track towards the buildings, soon we were met by a pack of none to happy dogs and the farmer who at first was a little suspicious of us but was soon happy to show us around the farm.

Wasp Spiders (Arana Tigre / Argiope bruennichi).

Juan spent some time chatting to the chap whilst I had a look amongst the vegetation in one of the wet flushes on the hillside. I found lots of female Wasp Spiders (Arana Tigre / Argiope bruennichi) one which was in the process of wrapping up a newly caught grasshopper. By about 09:00 the sun had moved above the ridge and had started to warm things up, which meant the butterflies were starting to fly.

On the walk back to the car I got some shots of or had seen Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) and the three news species for me, Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea), Carline Skipper (Pyrgus carlinae) and Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus).

Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia).

Once we were back at the car we started off back down the hill and then turned towards another of the mountain finca’s, on the way we added Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Southern Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Spectacled (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) and Orphean Warblers (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) to the list.

Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea).

We left the car at the end of the track and continued on towards the river on foot, more butterflies were seen on the steep walk down to the river including Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).
New birds included Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus).
Along a small irrigation channel just above the main river we also saw a single female Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and a pair of Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) in tandem. Along the track we found several spikes of the tall Autumn Squill (Urginea maritime) from the very dry soil.

Carline Skipper (Pyrgus carlinae).

We returned to the car and drove down the track back to the motorway and then down to the coast and on to Cerro Gordo hoping to get views of the White-rumped Swift (Vencejo Cafre / Apus caffer) we had seen at the start of the month.
We arrived but could not locate any Swifts at all.
Good numbers of Red-rumped Swallows were still about along with a pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino /Parus cristatus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus).

Whilst we stood looking for the swifts several Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) ran across the road and during the visit we noted several Large Psammodromus (Emys orbicularis) Lizards. We next headed back north and into the Sierra Nevada via Granada and Guejar-sierra.

Grayling (Hipparchia semele).

Here we were looking for some dead spikes of Epipactis tremosii which Juan had found a few days earlier. All together we found six spikes and a further couple of Small-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla).

Epipactis tremosii.

Rio Genil, Huetor Tajar, Granada Province.

New bird for the local patch list.

Jayne and I were heading out of Huetor Tajar and as we crossed the Rio Genil Bridge Jayne picked up a bird stood on a log in the centre of the water and said that she had some thing worth looking at. I turned in to the small tack on the far side of the river from the town and got the bins quickly onto a cracking Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides) which was fishing from the log and then flew over to the far bank giving us some nice flight views.