Between Barbate and Tarifa, Cadiz Province.

Birding along the Atlantic Coast.

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

After a fairly good nights sleep (which was a surprise as I had been coughing most of the evening) Jayne and I headed out for a days Birding, Shopping and sightseeing, leaving Steve to carry out an urgent repair on his roof. We first stopped at the disused salt pans just South of Barbate where I got the scope out and started to scan through the waders present, they included a single Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Kentish (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) and Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba). Other species included Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). 

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

We carried on down the coast and on to Traifa where we had a coffee before a much more pleasant that expected walk around the town. There were a lot of empty shops, most were closed down Surfing places but there were still loads open.

Later we headed back North and then turned off left to Bolonia and on up to Sierra de la Plata, on the run down into Bolonia I picked up another year tick a couple of very nice Short-toed Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) which were flying low hunting over the fields next to the road. On the climb up to the Sierra Jayne picked up a couple more BIG BIRDS as she calls them which turned out to be the birds of the trip for me, two fine adult Egyptian Vultures (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) which circled the lower crags before departing over the main ridge. We continued on to the cave and parked at the view point, from here we saw several Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris). I walked a little way down the road where I met two Spanish birders, the first was from Algeciras and the girl (sorry I am useless with names) with him was from Extremadura, we had a chat about the local birds and about my visits to Extremadura before we departed for something to eat back down in Bolonia. 

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

After a very nice lunch we went back to the main road and headed to La Janda for a drive along the main canal and then cross country to Benalup. On the main canal and the surrounding fields birds were few and far between but Steve had already warned me that the rice paddies were dry (to stop the weeds growing) and that things were a bit quiet. We picked up a few of the resident Purple Swamp-hens (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and an absolutely cracking plumaged male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which flew along side us for a while.

We turned off the main track and headed out over the lower fields and then up on to the ridge on the far side passing through a small farm yard and then out into an area of wild Olives. On the way the commonest species were the male Pheasants (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Northern Lapwing, Common Stonechats and Black Redstarts (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) but the best bird was a splendid sub adult Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) which was hunting low over the ridge before dropping swiftly down along one of the field edge drainage ditches try with out success to take one of the male Pheasants hiding there. 

Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).

Once we were past the farm we picked up two stunning Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) hovering over the breaks in the olives, another male Marsh Harrier and several distant Griffon Vultures which were soaring way off over the mountains. I then had a walk along the road and flushed a Short-eared Owl (Búho Campestre / Asio flammeus) and Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) from a road side Olive trees; I did not get great views but two nice birds even so. Other birds included lots of Song Thrushes (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

We then continued on down to the point where the road turns to tarmac heading for Benalup, I thought that this would miss out the rough roads back across La Janda but how wrong can you be, there were more potholes along the road than on any other I have found in Spain so far. On this slow twisting drive we did add a few more species including a single Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) feeding in a road side puddle, 4 Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) on a small pool not much bigger that the last puddle, singing Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Golden Plover (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).

We passed through the town of Benalup and headed back to Steve’s for the evening, where we chatted again over a few more beers. The only other birds recorded was a Tawny Owl (Cárabo Común / Strix aluco) which was heard but not seen. It was a very good job that Steve carried out the repairs on his roof as we had quite a storm in the night with some heavy rain, thunder and lightening.

Travelling to Gibraltar and onwards to Barbate, Cadiz Province.

A days travelling to see some friends.

Jayne and I set off down towards the A92 at Huétor Tájar to begin our trip down the coast West, stopping at La Linia and Gibraltar on our way to stop with Friends Steve and Patty Daly near Barbate. Birds started to be added to the list as soon as we got underway with a couple of Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) still out and about in the early morning light, along with lots of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and around 90 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which were moving from their roosting fields to the larger areas of Lucerne where they are regularly seen during the day. 

The Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) were already back and settled down on their favorite ridges in the fields just North of the town and a good number of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were following a tractor which was out ridging up the soil around the early tips of the World Famous Huétor Tájar Asparagus. 

We got on the motorway and travelled down to Malaga and on past Fuengirola, Estapona to La Linia where Jayne wanted to visit the weekly market, remembering from the last time we were there that some of the stalls did nice cotton fabrics which she needs to do her patchwork / quilting with. We had a good walk round and she found what she was after and we left there heading to Gibraltar quite pleased. There was just a very short queue so I was dropping Jayne of for her walk along the main street and I went and did a bit of birding. I did not see a lot but picked up good numbers of migrating Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) mixed in with very large numbers of migrating / resident Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and a couple of Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus). 

Due to the cloud cover there was no visible raptor movements so I headed up to the car park near the cable car and then went and met Jayne before we carried on out of the border and on down towards Tarifa and then North to between Barbate and Vejer. On the way we saw Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), more Western Cattle Egrets, Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

We arrived at Steve’s and Patty’s (who both run Andalucian Guides, see the link at the side of the blog) a little later than planned but as usual when you are running behind you meet the only three Spanish drivers on the road that stick to the 80km speed limit set along most of the road between Tarifa and Vejer.

After the long drive it was a pleasure to sit down and have a chat (well more me picking Steve’s brain) over a couple of beers, whist we were sat here good numbers of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) were passing over head along with several groups of Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) also pushing on North as the light was starting to drop.

A little later we had a very nice meal and then we continued to chat over a few more beers before spending a night in the very comfortable Hoopoe Cottage.

Sierra Gorda / San Jorge, Malaga Province.

Relaxed birding in Sierra Gorda / San Jorge.

Jayne and I went over to Villanueva del Trabuco where Jayne was attending the weekly meeting of the local craft group, I stayed and had some lunch at the bar where they meet before heading off into the hill behind the town birding.

I started with a drive up to a set of water spouts, on the way I saw a small flock of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), several Blackbirds (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) and a single Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).

Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater).

I continued up into the hill until I found a couple of water drums which were feeding some old baths which were watering holes for the flocks of sheep and goats that were wandering around the woods. I set up my chair and just sat and watched what came in, the most common birds were by far the Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) with up to six being in the surrounding trees at any one time, closely followed by their larger relative the Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major).

A large roaming flock of birds past through the pines all around me, it included mainly Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), the other two Tit species mentioned, a couple of Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), at least half a dozen Firecrests (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and a Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), well I only saw the one. Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) were calling over head almost continually and from further back in the woods a Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) was heard several times but remained out of sight.
Other species seen or heard included Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Cabo de Gata area, Almeria Province.

Three ups and one annoying down!

Desert Wheatear (Collalba Desértica / Oenanthe deserti).

Jayne and I made a very last minute decision to go down to Cabo de Gata for the day, I had wanted to go for a while and a tiling job I was hoping to finish was being held back by these very cold nights which gave us an unexpected free day.

We got off early and headed straight to a small town we had visited a good many years ago called Nijar, on our last trip there we had found lots of craft type shops. I had been back since that trip but Jayne had not so we sent a couple of hours having a look around.

Desert Wheatear (Collalba Desértica / Oenanthe deserti).

We then headed for Torre Garcia where a male Desert Wheatear (Collalba Desértica / Oenanthe deserti) had been hanging around for a while, we arrive and dug the flask and sandwiches out and before I had finished mine I had located the Wheatear in a fenced off area right on the coast. I moved around the fence line and had some cracking views of this very smart bird; this was the first of the UPS for the day and then came the big down. 

The bird had posed very nicely on to of one of the small bushes and I got the camera out, switched it on and nothing happened. I tried again but still nothing, I had fully charged the battery the night before so that was not the problem. 

Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

The only other camera I had with me was the Coolpix S10 but it’s 10x zoom makes it next to useless for digiscoping so the shots I did get are not good. Anyway the bird showed well and at some points came to with in just a few meters, in the same area there were also good numbers of Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) at one point I could see 6 birds at the same time, Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and masses of Meadow Pipits (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis).

Ononis natrix subsp natrix.

Out at sea good numbers of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) were fishing and there were also lots of Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), a few Lesser Black-backs (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and a single Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus).

Sand Lotus (Lotus creticus).

We then moved a way south along the tracks along the coast and again parked by the beach, Jayne continued collecting some of the more colourful stones and I walked off on one of the tracks. I had soon added a flock of Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) to the list along with a few Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and about a dozen or so Calandra’s (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), along with Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and just as I was about to turn around and walk back along the beach I picked up a group of birds moving through the track side vegetation. This flock of fifteen Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus) were my second Spanish lifer of the day and were showing very well till a couple of joggers came past and flushed the lot. They appeared to land further into the scrub a 100 meters of so further on down the track so I went back to Jayne along the beach to get the car and see if we could get better views using it as a hide. 

Lobularia maritima.

On the walk back I saw several Sanderlings (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), a couple of Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres) and the only Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) of the day. Once in the car we drove along the track and relocated the Dotterel right next to the wooden fence which bordered the track and we had some fantastic views of these cracking little waders. 

We then made our way back to Torre Gracia and picked up Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) on the way. Our next stop was at the roadside hide on the Northern edge of the Saltpans, here there were the expected Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Slender-billed Gulls (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei), these birds were joined by lots of Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) and singles of Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta). 

Silene littorea.

We then parked along the long straight beach road and I had a walk out to the first hide where I added Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Ringed (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) all three standing in a row like a police Id parade. 

Just as I got back to the car I heard the call I had been hoping for and quickly homed in on a small flock of 6 Trumpeter Finches (Camachuelo Trompetero / Buccanetes githagineus) which were sat down low in a small hollow trying to stay out of what was by now a cool strong wind coming in off the very black looking sea. 

There four males and a couple of females, even in the winter the bright orange / pink bills of the males stand out well and typically they sat there on a couple of dead stick right out in the open, they can tell when you have not got a camera!. These cracking little birds are quite as uncommon as the last two of the ups but they were a very pleasing find.

I then continue on to the large hide and had a scan from there but only added a single Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) to the day list.

Almost as annoying as the camera not working this morning was the fact that when I got it home I took the battery out again (as I had earlier several times) and put it back in again and the BLEEPING thing worked and has continued to do so.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

The Raptors just kept coming.

I headed out at 09:00 for another visit to the supermarket to find the temperature had not risen above its -9.5 low and dam it was cold de-icing the car. We before I had past out of the Olives a Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) flew along the Barranco hoping to catch one of the many Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Goldfinches (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) she was flushing as she went. A small flock of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were feeding on a poo pile near the road along with loads of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and a few White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). The next two Raptors then appeared, firstly a very dark plumaged Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) which was doing acrobatics trying to throw off the attentions of our wintering female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus), she was not impressed with the Buzzard for venturing into her area. On the fields just out of town there were the regular 150 or so Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) roosting and in the same field there was a male Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) perched on one of the telegraph posts. The Stone-curlews are more fragmented this winter, the last few years the birds have been concentrated on the same couple of stripes of land but this year they are split into six or seven different flocks.

Once I had done the shopping I headed back on the opposite side of the loop back towards home, on the fields by the railway there were a 100 plus Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), along with good numbers of both Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia). I then turned on to the track along side the poplar plantations and then the river and with in 50 meters I flushed both Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) and Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) which had been perched on the ridges in two neighboring Asparagus fields. On the river a couple of Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) on the icy margins along with Meadow Pipits (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) and a single Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago). Just I was about to come off the fields back on to the road to the house a pale blob in one of the distant pomegranate trees attracted my attention, I got the bins on it to find a cracking Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which brought the total to seven species of Raptor in a 20 minute trip to the shops, along with a couple of other nice flocks of good species it makes it a good run down to town.

Huétor Tájar and the fields, Granada Province.

A quick but cold trip down to the Supermarket.

Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).

It was far to cold to start the jobs early today as the over night temperature had dropped down to -9, so I headed down to the supermarket via the fields and along the river. The first bird seen was a nice female Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) which zipped low over the field and to my surprise it flushed the 40 or so Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), 100+ Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and 20+ Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia) which had been hiding out of the freezing wind down in the bottom of the ridges crossing the field.

A female Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) that had been perched on a large clod of mud on the divided between the ploughed and planted fields also went up along with 2 of last years Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas). So within a couple of minutes of arriving I had added two birds to the year list. Down on the river a couple of Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) were chasing each other, as were a pair of Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), I can not believe that this had anything to do with courtship yet but suspect they were just trying to keep warm. 

Also seen were Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

The next stop was the supermarket which was extremely quite for a Saturday morning but I was not that surprised after feeling the wind in the street outside. On the way home I found three very cold looking birders stood in one of the fields watching some of the wintering Little Bustards so I stopped and was pleased to see that the one chap was Juan Francisco Jiménez a birder from Granada who I had not seen for quite a long time. 

As my Spanish is still bad we communicated through the young lady who was also there and the field guide before we drove back to the spot where I had been on the way to the supermarket. We crossed the frozen river and once on top of the bank we picked up a cracking Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) which was sat out in a quite empty field, the only birds still around were a few Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and some Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) in the nearby Poplars. I gave Juan some info about what I had seen recently and where they had been before going back home to start work as the sun was now warming things up a bit.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A couple of local birds and end of the month totals.

Just popped down on to the fields below the house for an hours birding, highlights were a flock of nearly 200 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) on a newly ploughed field along the river. In the same area there were quite good numbers of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), 2x Golden Plover (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia) and a huge flock of at least 100 Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) flew from one Poplar plantation on my right over the river to another stand a couple of hundred meters away. 

On the stony margins of the river there were a couple of Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) feeding along with both Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Meadow Pipits (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and lots of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita). 

On the fields quite good numbers of Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) were following on of the tractors which were ploughing up an old Lucerne field and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) was in one of the ditches stalking its next meal. I then went down towards the town of Huetor Tajar and to do a count of the Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) on their favourite wintering field, I just reached the end of the count in time (497) as the female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) which has been around all winter popped up over the railway line and flushed all the birds from the far end of the field. 

This did however work in my favour as I was able to added Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) to the list. Other birds seen included Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).

I ended up seeing 151 Species of Bird during January, 5 species of Butterfly and just a single Orchid.

Chipiona, Sanlúcar, Bonanza Salt Pans and the Journey home, Cadiz Province.

The last day of the trip.

Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).

Our last day and after yet another good breakfast we headed off North West to Chipiona again where I was hoping to catch up with the Little Swifts (Vencejo Moro Culiblanco / Apus affinus) in what is meant to be its most reliable site in Spain but again there was no sign of any birds either around the disused factory or over the town. The journey was worth it though as I caught up with a flock of 6 Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus) which flew past out to sea, a Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) which was close into shore, more Caspian (Pagaza Piquirroja / Sterna caspia) and Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and a single Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica) which right on cue flew off to join the passing flock of Pied Oystercatchers and showed its bar-less wings. 

Slender-billed Gull (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei).

We then went and had a walk along the sea front at Sanlúcar, the sun was out but the wind was very cool when it whistled down the front. Along the beach I picked up another couple of Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and a single Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) which soon pushed off in land. We returned to the car after having a coffee and made our way eventually after getting slightly misplaced in the centre of town to Bonanza Salt Pans. Along the entrance road the first birds seen were Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), a group of 12 Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), a couple of Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), a few cracking Slender-billed Gulls (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei) and Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus). 

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber).

Further along we saw the first Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), a single Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and up on the wires beside the track a flock of around 20 Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and at least 2 Common (Spotty) Starlings (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris). At the end of the main track I decided to turn right after around 200 yards on the left hand side the bank gets a bit lower and you get a view over the salt marsh type habitat. The first bird picked up was a Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) which disappeared into a bush, this was followed by singles of Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) and Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus). 

Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

We continued on adding a single Lesser Short-toed Lark (Terrera Marismena / Calandrella rufescens) which was feeding out on the track and a couple of Great Egrets (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) along one of the ditches out on the salt marsh. At the end of the track the pools were quiet mainly due to a couple of people who were walking out in the marsh and had flush most of the birds. We did add a couple of Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola) and a distant flock of around 10 Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus) which were following the path of the river. 

Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola).

Other species recorded here included Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), a couple of hundred Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

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

We then went back towards Sanlucar and found a cracking place to eat called Publo something, the sea food was out standing, we started with a cracking mixed salad and a plate of stuffed peppers for starters, then a bowl of garlic Prawns between us and this was followed by a sea food and rice mix (similar to Paella but wetter). This cracking meal more than made up for the disappointing meal we had in Puerto. We then started the trip home via Jerez de la Frontera, Olvera, Campillos and Antequera, on the way we saw 2 Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) and quite a few Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Vejer de la Frontera, La Janda, Barbate and along the coast, Cadiz Province.

A change in the order of the days.

View of somewhere in Vejer.

We had originally intended to do this area on our way home but then we thought that the shops in Vejer would be shut so we changed the plan and headed south along the motorways to Vejer de la Frontera a cracking little white village perched on the side of a cliff. We had hoped to link this part of the trip with a visit to stay with friend Steve Dale and his family who run Andalucian Guides from his house between Vejer and Barbate but due to things not panning out back in Granada with a few jobs on the house we need to be back home earlier than originally planned (hope to make it next time Steve). 

A church in Vejer.

Once parked we had a wander around this cracking village, had a coffee in one of the bars up by the castle and then picked up a couple of bits from the nice shops in the center. The only slight down side was that most of the nice craft type shops we had seen in the past had gone but the place is always worth a visit and I think that if there were not so many hills I could live there quite happily.

Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).

Once we had finished in the town we made a brief but enjoyable visit to La Janda but just stayed on the main track along the canal except for a short drive along one of the side roads, so I did not get into the best areas as I had on the last visit when I had been birding with Steve. 

Purple Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio).

The bird numbers seemed slightly down on the last trip but we still managed to catch up with a couple of Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), a cracking Short-eared Owl (Búho Campestre / Asio flammeus) which hunted up and down the side of the main canal foe around 10 minutes giving us great views, a couple of hundred Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus), Bonelli's (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) and Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio). 

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The birds listed were the highlights but we saw a lot more including a few butterfly species, Bath Whites (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice) were quite common, while Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias crocea), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) were seen as singles. We then went and had some lunch in Zahara de los Atunes before driving north through Barbate and then on wards along the coast back to Chiclana and ending up back in Puerto de Santa Maria. On the way I picked up a group of the introduced Northern Bald Ibis (Ibis Eremita / Geronticus eremita), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia). 

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Up nearer the hotel we passed through some salt pans whilst we were on the motorway, brief views were had of 6 Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) and a single Eurasian Curlew (Zapapito Real / Numenius arquata).

We went back to the hotel to freshen up before spending the evening trying the local tapas which was very nice but dam expensive but I suppose we are spoilt here in Granada Province.

Puerto de Santa María, Rota and Chipiona, Cadiz Province.

Jayne's birthday and a visit to the Osborne's Bodega de Mora.

Entrance to the Osborne ware-houses.

We started the day with a very nice breakfast in the hotel before making our way through the town to the Osborne Bodega where we had booked a tour of the Ware houses. We arrived and we were met by Christine who was our guide and as we were the only people there we had our own private visit. We started a cinema where we watched a short film which explained how the company was founded and its climb to the one of the most famous Sherry and Brandy producers. It also told us how the company had expanded into different lines so that it was not just dependent on it most famous brands. The most interesting fact for me is that it was all started by an ENGLISH chap called Thomas Osborne Mann from Exeter in 1772, this made my day!!!
We then moved into the first of the ware houses where the Fino is stored and Christine explained what happen once the grapes have been picked, pressed, distilled / fermented and put into the barrels. The barrels are in stacks three high, but the liquid from only the bottom row is use to produce the Sherry and only 40% of this is drained each year. The lower barrel is then topped up from the row above and then that row is filled from the top most barrels which are filled with the new liquid to complete the process. This means that in theory some of the Fino in the barrels could be over two hundred years old!

Fino Barrels.

We then moved on and we were given lots more information on the different production methods, she explained that in the Fino barrels there is always around a 2cm thick layer of yeast that stops the Sherry coming in contact with the air in the top of the barrel which prevents the oxidation process and keeps the liquid clear and pale. In the other types of Sherry the alcohol level is raised so that the yeast dies and the liquid is in contact with the air and the oxidation process can take place which gives the sherry it darker colour. The other types of Sherry are Oloroso, Cream and Sweet. One of the best advertising hoardings ever seen must have been the Osborne Bull; the bull was created in 1956 by Manolo Prieto. Nowadays only two bulls carry the Osborne logo; the other ninety odd are just painted black but will always be associated with the company.

Fino Barrels.

After what was a very interesting couple of hours we were taken to a very comfortable room and sat down with some nibbles and four bottles of Sherry to taste. Christine explained the best times to drink the different types and the temperature at which each was best served before she left us to it. After sometime we made our way to the gift shop and purchased a couple of bit before heading to the car (I only had a couple of sips) and headed out for a walk around an area know as Sherry-port a little way along the coast.

Jayne outside the giftshop

We parked up and had a stroll around the edge of the harbour, whilst there I saw Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda) and another Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus). We then decided to go up the coast to Rota where we drove around for a while and departed heading for Chipiona a little further west. We soon found what is said to be the tallest lighthouse in Spain and then went to have some lunch. Later we headed down to the harbour are where I was hoping to find some of the Little Swifts (Vencejo Moro Culiblanco / Apus affinus) which are reported there regularly. 

Chipiona Lighthouse.

I checked the area around the disused factory building, the beach and over the town but could not find any birds. I did see a couple more Caspian Terns (Pagaza Piquirroja / Sterna caspia), Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and a dozen or so Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta). On the drive back to Puerto we also added a couple of Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and a Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) to the list. On the evening we decided to try one of the well known and highly recommended seafood restaurants in the town but we were left quite disappointed and headed back to the hotel bar where we had a drink and a Whiskey / Brandy Coffee which went down far to well.
Photographs from the top: Entrance to the Osborne ware-houses, Fino Barrels x2, Jayne outside the giftshop and the Chipiona Lighthouse.

Travelling to and at El Puerto de Santa María, Cadiz Province.

A visit to another Provincial City.

Rear view from the boat.

Jayne and I set off early and started to make our way over to El Puerto de Santa María which lies on the Eastern side of the Bahia de Cadiz. On the way we stopped of a coffee just to the west of Antequera and the pulled in at a very foggy Laguna Dulce where apart from Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) all of which were within a foot of the bank. Any birds further out were invisible in the fog, in the trees around the hide I also added Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). We continued on passed Olvera, Villamartin, Arcos del la Frontera and Jerez till we ended up along side the Rio Guadalete in El Puerto de Santa María. 

Tavira Tower.

From here we caught the ferry over to the City of Cadiz, on the way a few birds were picked up including Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Sandwich (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Caspian Terns (Pagaza Piquirroja / Sterna caspia), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) and on the margins at least 5 Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and a single Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus).

Camera Obscura.

Once we were in the City we walked the narrow street until we found the entrance to the Torre Tavira Tower and the Camera Obscura, we had some great views form the roof terrace and then a talk about the city whilst looking at it via the Camera. After finding something to eat we wander the street once more before catching the ferry back to Puerto, Whilst we wandered I added Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), both Monk (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and Ring-necked Parakeets (Cotorra de Kramer / Psittacula krameri) and lots of cryptically coloured Feral Pigeons.

Once back on dry land we went to find our Hotel the Monastero San Miguel, we arrived and were very pleased with the place and would recommend it as a place to stay for anyone wanting to visit Cadiz as in just 30 minutes you can be in the City and you do not have the hassle of parking and driving through the its very narrow streets.

view of the Cathedral from the tower.

Later we went out have a look around the town and have a meal, this proved harder than anticipated as many of the bars were shut for the winter, we eventually found some where and had a very nice meal and later found that we had been very close to but had not found the main eating area near the port. We then headed back to the hotel and had a very good nights sleep.

Alhambra Woodlands/General Life and El

Hoping for a Province tick.

Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

After getting a text from Juan Perez yesterday I went up in to Granada for a walk around the Alhambra gardens to try and see the Tawny Owl (Cárabo Común / Strix aluco) he sees fairly regularly. I parked in the main car park and walked down the hill through the mixed woodlands which surround the famous attraction till I was just above the city and then looked into the hole where the bird had been yesterday to find it empty as I had the last time when we met Juan and Beatriz at the site. I did manage to see the almost completely albino Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), along with more normal coloured birds. High up in the trees I also picked up several Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), a couple of Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus iliacus) and lower down there were singing Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

I then returned to the car and headed up the Sierra Nevada to the area called El Purche which is an area of open grassland and Hawthorn scrub with some Walnut and fruit tree plantations where in the past I have seen some large flocks of finches and bunting but not today. 

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Unfortunately the snow from the beginning of the week was still covering most of the ground below the fruit trees so birds were a bit thin on the ground. I did get some nice views of Cirl (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Corn (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) together in the same Hawthorn bush. Also seen were a few Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and a cracking really brightly plumaged Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) which yaffelled it's way through the Walnut trees.

I then moved down the hill a little and added Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and a flock of about 6 more Hawfinches. I then drove back to the city to meet Jayne but I was a tad early so I walled back to the Owl site from the opposite direction from this morning but the result was the same, just an empty hole perfect for a Tawny Owl.