The Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A pleasant days birding and a Granada Province tick.

Paul and Frances.

I met Paul and Frances at the Cortijo de Tajar Hotel, they had travelled over yesterday from Aguadulce area near to Osuna for a days birding. We set off heading towards the Cacín Valley passing Moraleda and straight out on to the agricultural areas nearby, on the way we picked up a Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) which was perched on some of the fly-tipped builders rubbish which seems to be one of the most out standing features of this part of Moraleda these days and a roosting Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was perched on the remains of a half built swimming pool! Once out on the fields we soon added Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) to the day list. 

We parked by the derelict Cortijo and scanned the fields and Almond groves nearby, several Great Spotted Cuckoo’s (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) could be heard then a couple of birds started to chase each other through the trees before one perched in the top of one amongst the blossom. A Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) then flashed across the field and into the same grove of Almonds and back near the car a male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) flapped right across the site giving us much better views. Just as we were getting back into the car our second Little Owl flew up from inside the Cortijo and dropped down into the field nearby. 

Ophrys forestieri.

We drove down one of the other tracks on the site where we had flight views of a male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which unfortunately dropped down behind a ridge out of view, also here we added Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata). 

On the way to the crags below Moraleda we picked up a couple of Hoopoe’s (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a pair of Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) which came up off the road just In front of us which gave nice close views of the male in his nice red/orange plumage. Along the crags there were good numbers of Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), several Common Kestrels, males of both Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), calling Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).

Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice).

We then retraced our tracks back to El Turro and continued on down the Valley towards the Embalse de Cacín stopping on the way to look at some Ophrys forestieri which were growing on the roadside but in much reduced numbers due to the council scrapping the verges. 

Here we had brief views of 3 Short-toed Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) as they moved behind the trees, Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major). Our next stop was at the bridge over the Rio Cacín just below the dam, here we heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) drumming and it was soon located hammering away on one of the telegraph pole along the river. We also saw and heard Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus).

The water level was very low at the Embalse and bird numbers were well down, we did add Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), a displaying male Marsh Harrier, Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Small White (Artogeia rapae).

Considering the low level of the water I was quite surprised to find just singles of Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) on the mud. We continued further on down to the roman bridge that crosses the gorge, here Blue Tit was the only new bird for the day list. We continued a little further on along the gorge before stopping and having our lunch in the now quite warm sunshine. Paul then spotted a male Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) coming in low along the cliffs, it showed very well before turning and heading back towards the bridge. Here we also had several Red-billed Chough’s (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), better views of a male Blue Rock Thrush and several species of Butterfly including Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) and Small White (Artogeia rapae).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

After lunch we headed to the furthest point south we were going which bought us to the shores of Embalse de Bermejalis where we parked and looked for some Orchids in the Pine woods. We found more Ophrys forestieri, a single very smart plant of Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and a nicely flowering spike of Giant Orchid (Himanthoglossum robertiana). As usual the lake was devoid of birds so we pushed on back north along the road to Ventas de Huelma and then we took the road back to Cacín from there. I had told Paul and Frances how good this road was for large raptors so I was very a little disappointed when we had done a drive along the first track that the biggest thing we had seen was a single Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and a Kestrel. We were back on the main road when I was pleased to pick up a big raptor off to our right and was even more pleased when I realised that it was an immature Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti) a new bird for my Granada Province list. The only down side was that the bird disappeared very quickly and by the time we reached the near by high point we could not relocate it. From this point we did add 3 Golden Eagles (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) and 2 more Common Buzzards to the list. We then dropped back down to the Cacín Valley and had a second look at the Embalse where we picked up a small flock of at least 6 Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), a female Marsh Harrier and the only Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) of the day.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Next we had a second bash at getting the Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) we had missed earlier but again we had no joy, we did see 2 Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and I heard a Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) calling from some olives nearby. We drove around the site and exited via a different route and added a single Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and a male Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

We returned to the Hotel via Mesia where a pair of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) were seen on the river and Huétor Fields where we added Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a pair of Stone-curlews but dipped on the wanted Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

A total of 67 species of birds were seen during the day.

Laguna Dulce, Laguna Salada, Ardales area and back to Laguna Dulce.

A day out with the Orchid experts.

Michael and Ian.

Today was a trip I had been looking forward to for a while, after hearing so much about and reading so many of his papers on the Ophrys fusca group I was at last going to meet Michael Lowe. 

Ian Phillips an Orchid expert from Malaga , Michael and I were meeting in Ardales but not until 10:30 so I thought that I would make the most of the day and start out a little early and have a look at Laguna Dulce on the way over. 

Just before I pulled into the slip road down to the hide I picked up the first nice find of the day a Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which was perched in a road side Almond tree preening. 

I parked and walked to the hide in the surrounding trees several Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) were rattling out their song, along with a Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), a couple of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), several Serin’s (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and a nice Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) which was perched on one of the posts holding up the screening singing for all he was worth. 

Garganey (Cerceta Carretona / Anas querquedula).

From the hide there were good numbers of birds to be scanned through, the commonest were probably Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina). 

Also plentiful were the smarter of the two Pochards the Red-crested (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) variety, with around 50 birds off to the right of the pool and on the far shore, mixed in with these birds were at least 6 Tufted Ducks (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) 4 males and 2 females but as hard as I tried I could not find any of the 4 reported Ferruginous Ducks (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca) seen a few day earlier. 

Ophrys Malacitana.

During the scan along the right side of the pool I picked up 2 male Garganey (Cerceta Carretona / Anas querquedula) and 2 female types but at the distance I was viewing them they could have been Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) as there were a few about including a group of 6 cracking looking males. Continuing the scan I added 6 male Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo). 

Down the left hand side I then picked up a group of 4 Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus) which were preening before they pushed on probably over to wards the Donana and at least 7 Purple Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) a species I had not seen at the site before.

Ophrys subfusca.

On the margins just Infront of the hide a couple of pairs of Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) were feeding along with singles of Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and on the far shore there was a flock of 13 Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa) getting ready to move on further North (well they had gone by the time I got back in the afternoon).

A few Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) were all in the air. Other birds seen included Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus).

Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina).

I still had some time so I made my way around to Laguna Salada where I was pleasantly surprised to see that the water level was still quite good even after this very dry winter. 

On a small spit around 30 Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were roosting while a few were out in the deeper water Feeding, along with lots of Black-Headed Gulls, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Mallard, Eurasian Coot and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis). In the surrounding Tamarisks good numbers of Common Chiffchaffs were in full song as were the resident Cetti’s Warblers.

My next quick stop was at Observatorio Penarrubia just off the main road to Teba, Here I found a single Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) sat on the cliffs and another which just drifted past, Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and on the Embalse a single Great Crested Grebe.

I then made my way to the meeting point in a bar (now there’s a surprise) just before the town of Ardales, I arrived first and had a coffee and then Michael and Ian came in and we sat and chatted for some time before heading out to a site near the Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce. 

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi).

On a slope in a fairly dense area of Pine woodland we quickly started to find some of the Ophrys fusca group of Orchids we had come to look for, the first was Ophrys Malacitana which was quickly followed by Ophrys subfusca and a couple of Fan-lipped Orchids (Orchis collina). Whilst we walked around we saw a couple of Green Hairstreaks (Callophrys rubi), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Small White (Artogeia rapae), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

We next went back to Ardales and out on the road towards El Burgo where on a roadside bank we came across a colony of the other Orchid we were looking for Somber-bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca subsp fusca), along with Wide-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Iberis pectinata, Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium) and White Mignonette (Reseda Alba). 

We continued on along this road and turned towards Casarabonela but stopped at the highest point along this road and had a short walk in the pine woods finding very little before having a drive around the tracks on the mountain opposite. 

Somber-bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca subsp fusca).

Along here we found no Orchids mainly due to the hard frosts and lack of rain but we did see Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), another Green Hairstreak, several Cleopatra’s (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx cleopatra) and a couple of plants of Narcissus cantabricus.

I then said goodbye to Ian and Michael and headed back to Ardales and then called back in at Laguna Dulce where new species for the day included a calling Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and a flock of around 20 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which flew over the fields to the rear of the laguna.

The day lists ended on, 82 species of bird and 4 species of Orchid.

La Malahá, Embalse de Bermejales and back to La Malahá, Granada Province.

A few more Orchids for the year.

Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

I drove over to the area near La Malahá and stopped at Cortijo del Marchalejo where I caught up with my first Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) of the year with around 15 birds being seen out on the fields nearby and a couple coming into the roof of the Cortijo. Also there were several Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común /

Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Galerida cristata), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and lots of Feral Pigeons (Columba livia domestica). I then moved on to where I was meeting Juan and started to set up my scope just then Juan turned upa nd surgested that we should go to Embalse de Bermejales to look for some early Orchids which might be in flower. 

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia domestica).

We drove down there in Juans car as mine was full of fencing for a job to be done over the next few days. We arrived and parked by the main dam and statred to search amongst the pine trees, we quickly started to find plenty of Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca), along with a few Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) and just a single half eaten Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera). 

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca).

There were also a few birds about including Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler, Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), a single Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), 2x Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

We later returned to the spot where we had met and spent some time looking over the fields and waste ground to see if any of the winter raptors were still around. The first bird to whizz through was a Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) which flashed along the lefthand fence line and disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, a couple of Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) were nocking around and to finish off we picked up a single Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) which again briefly displayed over on the left hand side of the site. Other birds seen included Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Winters movers and Spring arrivals.

Out on the fields today the changes were quite obvious, the Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) flock has dropped down in numbers over the last week and all I could find this morning were a remnant group of 7 birds. The three males were going the game though, trying their hardest to impress the 4 remaining girls. The Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) were in much the same state with around 30 birds on the usual fields down from a winter high of nearly 700. Along the river much smaller numbers of White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Meadow Pipits (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) could still be found, while Golden Plover (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia) and Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) numbers had actually almost doubled, I guess due to birds coming back North from Africa.

New arrivals or species in transit included lots of Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) which were pushing through in small groups, several of our local birds were also back on territories down near the town as were lots of House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). The first two Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) flew up from the side of the road and a male Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) was perched on the roof of one of the small field huts where for the last few months there had been Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

There were a couple Black Redstarts still about but most birds had gone, as had all the local Song Thrushes (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus). Along the river there was a single pair of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) chasing each other around, Steve Daly of Andalucian Guides (see link on right hand side) had told me that down his way near Barbate he had a pair of Plovers already sitting on eggs a week ago!!!

The resident birds were quite active as well, Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) were singing and they will hopefully be joined by the summer visiting Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) in the next few days. Several groups of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were moving nosily through the still bare Poplar trees which in a week or two will echo to the superb call of the many Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) that come to here to breed. In amongst the Olives and scrubby verges the cracking Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) can be heard along with the almost continuous oop-oop-oop of the beautiful Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Spring has not fully arrived here yet (-3 last night) but its well on its way and for a trip down to the supermarket this was not a bad hours birding.

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.