Day one. Sierra Morena, Jaen Province.

In search of Mammals and more.

Rio Guadalen.

I left home quite early for the drive up to Sierra Morena in Jaen Province where I was meeting up with the Atchison family, I had been contacted by Dan about spending a couple of days in the area looking for the Iberian Lynx. I had explained straight away that it was far from the best time of the year and that the chances were slim but he was happy to have ago. As I drove down the road at the Huétor end of the journey I started the list off with a flyby Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) and a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was perched on the top of a telegraph pole.
I arrived early in the area as I was not meeting Dan till lunch time, so I spent the morning along the near by Rio Guadalen and I was very pleased that I did as I added a new Mammal to my list, I had very nice views of an Otter (Lutra lutra) as it was feeding amongst the rocky pools near the Dam. Also seen were several Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), lots of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and two rather large looking Iberian Hares (Lepus europaeus / capensis) and on the bird front I had some very nice close views of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) coming down to the picnic tables, Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator). I also picked up a few early morning butterflies which included Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia).

I then returned to the Hostel and the meeting point where I added 6 Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) to the list before I met the group.
The first thing we did was to go and have some lunch as it was warm and we felt that it was better to eat early and stay out in the field as late as possible. After a very nice meal we went out along one of the local roads which after a few km turns into a dirt track before it reaches the Embalse de Jandula, as we drove along we made quite a few stops.
The first was to have a look out along a large fire break which runs along the top of one of the higher ridges, we found our first Fallow Deer (Dama dama) here and quite a collection of butterflies which were coming down to the thyme plants on the road side. They included Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium ilicis), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba).

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).

We continued on to a point amongst the Oak where we again stopped, this time we had decent views of and heard a male Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) which spent quite a while circling us through the trees. We also added Woodchat Shrike, Golden Oriole, Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Little Owl and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) to the Atchison’s list.
We also increased the butterfly count by seeing Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines) and Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia). We eventually reached the dam and fairly quickly picked up several Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus). We had a walk across the dam and through the tunnel on the far side and out into the woodland the other side.
Along the very edge of the track Matt or Dam found several well preserved prints of the animal we were looking for in the very fine mud, they were so detailed that the hairs between the pads could be seen. Along here we also saw Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). On some damaged Fennel spikes there were some Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) dragonflies, conveniently there were an adult male, adult female and a teneral insects all in a row.
We then retraced our tracks back through the tunnel and out on to the dam where we scoped a distant Black Storks (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) nest on a crag on the far shore of the Embalse and had brief but good views of a couple of White-rumped Swifts (Vencejo Cafre / Apus caffer) which disappeared off down the river.

View out over the area.

We then moved back up into the sierra and made a couple of stops along the dirt track on the way back. At the first stop we found a single Mouflon (Ovis orientalis) which was hiding in a small cave away on the next ridge and also picked up a very nice Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) as it soared away towards the Embalse. We then got our only view of a Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti) of the trip which just bobbed up above the ridge for about 20 seconds and then went back down out of view.
We moved on and stopped again further on, this time we had extensive views out over the surrounding countryside so we stayed for quite a while scanning the clearings and tracks. Whist we were here we did added a couple more species to the bird list including Black Vulture (Buitre Negro / Aegypius monachus) with several drifting low over heard, Dartford (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) and Subalpine Warblers (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis). We did not get any sighting of the Lynx but saw some cracking Birds, Butterflies and Mammals before we headed back to the accommodation and had our evening meal.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 7th June 2012.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic).

Again I ran the 15 Watt Actinic trap in the garden and caught a reasonable mix, most were the usual suspects but a couple were new but are away (the photo's not the Moths) with Penny Hale for her to cast her expert eye over.

10015 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate).

Other more interesting species were 3498 Mirificarma eburnella, 8211 Rhodometra sacraria (The Vestal) this was the first for a while, 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) usually quite common but again the first for some time and singles of 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) and 10015 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate).

7961 Aplasta ononaria (The Rest Harrow).

Penny also confirmed a couple of new species this week, they were 4559 Archips xylosteana (Variegated Golden Tortrix), the one I had not been able to do was 7961 Aplasta ononaria (The Rest Harrow) and another one she confirmed was 10457 Earias albovenosana.

Malaga area, Malaga Provinve.

The Mystery Trip.

Botanical Gardens.

Well today was an unusual event as we were going on one of the very well organised and thought out trips with the Amiga’s de casa group that Jayne is a member of, but we did not know where to. We got on the coach did a couple more pick ups and then headed down the motorway towards Malaga and then turned off towards Torremolinos and then quickly off onto a very minor road and in through a narrow gate (well done to the  driver) and stopped at an out of the way restaurant for breakfast.

Botanical Gardens.

While we were here I had a quick look in the garden once I had eaten and had a coffee but only saw a couple of Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) butterflies. From here we drove a few hundred yards and went into the small but very good Botanical Gardens who’s official name is "El Molino de Inca Botanical Jardin".

One of the sadder sights at the Botanical Gardens.

Here we spent a very interesting hour and a half looking around; I was diverted away  from the plants by several Dragonfly species that were on the pools in the Japanese garden, they included Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis), Epaulet  Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) and both Violet (Trithemis annulata) and Orange-winged Dropwings (Trithemis kirbyi).

Ian in the Glass and Crystal Museum.

Jayne and I continued on around the Gardens and enjoyed it very much; the only slight down side for me were the caged raptors, especially

the female Snowy Owl which just look so out of place in the heat of Spain. We then left this spot and went back onto the motorway and into Malaga city where we were dropped off for a few hours to do our own thing and get some lunch, later we all met up again and did a walk to our final visit of the day which was quite funny for me and Jayne as it was the Glass and crystal museum which is part owned but good friend and Orchid expert Ian Phillips and is a place we had been several times before.

Some of the Glass.

This was not a problem though as things are always changing at the museum and it was good to see Ian and catch up on a few things as we had not seen each other for some time.

A Court yard at the Museum.

After being given the very interesting guided tour by Ian we walked back down through the city and caught the coach back to Trabuco. As usual the trip was great and we were given just the right amount of time at each stop to do them justice, thanks for a well organised day.

Sierra de Loja and surrounding areas, Granada Province.

Up in the hills again.

Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba).

I meet Claude and Bernadette who were holidaying near by from Belgium and wanted a days wildlife watching. We started off by going up Sierra de Loja looking for mountain species, at the disused quarry above the town we started the list with a cracking male Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) which was singing from the top of the mail crags. We also picked up several European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) which were passing over quite high, both Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) which were in the main quarry and good numbers of Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) which were all feeding over head.
Our next stop was near the Broom and Hawthorn scrub towards the top of the Crags track, in the grassy areas here we saw lots of butterflies including Spanish (Pyronia bathseba) and Southern Gatekeepers (Pyronia cecilia), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Bath White (Pontia daplidice). Along the tops of the crags there were good numbers of Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and the much more aerobatic Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) which showed very well.

Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis).

Down below us in the scrub there were a couple of Subalpine Warblers (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) singing from the dense cover of the Hawthorns but a male Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) performed much better sitting right in the top of a Broom plant and singing for quite a long time. Other birds here included Rock Bunting, Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and both Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata). We then moved out onto the tops where we quickly had the second new bird of the day for Claude (the Spec being the first) a nice well behaved Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) which was perched on a track side rock. Up passed the marble quarry we started to see the first of the days Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) several of which were absolutely stunning males, we also added Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). A few more butterflies were recorded along the way including Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Mancha azul / Satyrium spini), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Cardinal Fritillary (Pandora / argynnis Pandora) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

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

We next stopped off at Charca del Negro and had some good views of the Rock Sparrows we had heard earlier and also saw another male Spectacled Warbler and a pair of Common Whitethroats (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis) the male had been bathing and look rather scraggy. On a small bush near by a pair of Orphean Warblers (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) showed very well along side a female Black-eared Wheatear. In the pool there were lots of tadpoles of the large Sharp-ribbed Salamander (Pleurodeles waltl) and eventually we managed to get views of an adult just hanging in the water. Over the pool the air was patrolled by at least 3 male Blue / Common Emperors (Anax imperator) which was quite unusual as they are a very territorial insect and I have found the remains of defeated males on the surface several times in the past. In the thistles there were several Knapweed Fritillary’s (Melitaea phoebe), Large Whites (Pieris brassicae) and Small Coppers (Lycaena phlaeas) seen. We then moved further on around to and passed the Goat Cave and on to the next crag where we had some nice views of both male and female Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis) they were both carrying food in there bills and going into a small crack in the cliff and feeding there young.

Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).

In this area we had very brief views of our only Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) of the day, nice views of Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).
From here we turned around and started to drop back down the sierra, on the way we had very good views of a pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) which soared around in front of us before landing beside the track and then again spent 5 more minutes flying around quite close. During the drive down we also saw a large green Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) and several Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
We then went and had lunch in the small bar on the main through the village of Venta del Raya before continuing down the road towards Zafarraya, we first stopped in an area of old Oak woodland hoping to see Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) which would be another new species for Claude. We walked into the area seeing several spikes of Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum) and some washed out Pyramidals (Orquidea pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia). Before long we had a singing Bonelli’s Warbler in one of the Oaks and Claude had some nice views, as we were moving back towards the vehicle we flushed two Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix) from the side of the field and had views of a singing Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea).
Other species seen here included Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla). We also had a couple of Iberian Scarce Swallowtails (Iphiclides feisthameli), Grayling (Hipparchia semele) and Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina).

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

We then went on passed Zafarraya and out on to the fields to the East where there were several species of Lark to be found, two Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) were lifers for Claude and these were seen along side more Crested and Thekla’s plus Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).
Our last stop of the day was along the Salar road at a ruined Cortijo which was being used by good numbers of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Rock Sparrows. In the area we also added Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Southern Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) to the day’s list before heading back to the Motorway services at Loja. Thanks Claude and Bernadette for a very pleasant day.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 3rd June 2012.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

7765 Peribatodes ilicaria (Lydd Beauty).

The trap went on again for the night and due to a cooler night the moth numbers were lower but I still added five new species to the Garden list, I am fairly sure that I have caught the first two before here but they have gone unrecorded.

8062 Scopula imitaria (Small Blood-vein).

0488 Reisserita chrysopterella, 5652 Hypsopygia costalis (Gold Triangle), 5875 Apomyelois ceratoniae (Locust Bean Moth), 7765 Peribatodes ilicaria (Lydd Beauty) and 8062 Scopula imitaria (Small Blood-vein).

5652 (1413) Hypsopygia costalis (Gold Triangle).

Other uncommon moths in the trap were 2938 Oegoconia caradjai, 4166 Dyspessa ulula and 9128 Odice pergrata.

0488 Reisserita chrysopterella.

These came with the regulars like 0663 Trichophaga bipartiella , 1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth), 1655 Ethmia bipunctella, 2965 Symmoca nigromaculella, 3498 Mirificarma eburnella, 6604 Pyrausta aurata, 6690 Palpita vitrealis, 8186 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave), 8509 Eupithecia centarueata (Lime-speck Pug), 8965 Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted), 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder), 9425 Caradrina proxima and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

4166 Dyspessa ulula.

9128 Odice pergrata.

Northern Malaga Province.

300th Species for my Spanish Bird List.

Rufous-tailed Bush Robin (Alzacola Rojizo  / Cercotrichas galactotes).

My good friend Juan and I drove to a site in the north of neighbouring Malaga Province after a tip off from some Malaga birders that Juan knows about a site for Rufous-tailed Bush Robin (Alzacola Rojizo / Cercotrichas galactotes). We arrived at the spot where Juan had understood was the right site and started birding, we quickly picked up a nice male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Greater Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) but there was no sign of the Chats.

Rufous-tailed Bush Robin (Alzacola Rojizo  / Cercotrichas galactotes).

Juan was then doubting that we were in the correct place as the crops in the area did not correspond with was he had had described to him so he contacted the chap that had kindly given us the info in the first place and we as suspected were not in the right spot. Armed with some new directions we were at the correct place in a few minutes and with in 5 minutes we were watching the bird perched on a vegetation covered chain-link fence. What a cracker it was and showed well for us, after some time a car passed us by and parked right by the bird and it did not seem bothered at all so we jumped in the motor and using it as a hide we approached the singing bird. We stopped and the first thing the Robin did was to fly over, hover half a meter from the window and land on the wing mirror to have a look at us before flying back on to the fence and preening for several minutes but just out of sight of the scopes.

Rufous-tailed Bush Robin (Alzacola Rojizo  / Cercotrichas galactotes).

We continued to watch the male sing from the fence and the female who was spending time on the ground near the car for a while. In the same area we saw and heard Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Rufous Bush Robin (Alzacola Rojizo  / Cercotrichas galactotes).

Our next spot was around a couple of lagoons which Juan knew about but I had never visited before, here we recorded Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Northern Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Pied Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala).

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum).

A few dragonflies were seen including Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum).
We then travelled back towards home calling in a Arroya Marin near Archidona so that Juan could have a look at the plants of Iberian Orchid (Ophrys vernixia) I had found just the week before but when we got there they had gone past their best. We did see or hear several new species for the day including Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacusrubecula), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Common Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Cetti’s Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki).

Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus).

Several species of butterfly were seen as we walked along the track, these included Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Small White (Artogeia rapae). We then headed back to Huetor and Juan continued on home, on the way we did pick up three nice species to finish off a great day, Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 31st May 2012.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

10346 Agrotis ipsilon (Dark Sword-grass).

I was going to use the 125MV, however there was quite a strong wind, so I stuck with the lower level bulb of the 15watt Actinic.

6105 Anagasta kuehniella.

New moths that I am happy with included two Pyralids 6105 Anagasta kuehniella and 6207 Euchromius ocellea along with the macro 10346 Agrotis ipsilon (Dark Sword-grass).

6207 Euchromius ocellea.

Plus a micro that I am not 100% about but at the moment the best I can come up with is 4559 Archips xylosteana (Variegated Golden Tortrix).

4559 Archips xylosteana (Variegated Golden Tortrix).

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

The birds sit for the Camera But NOT MINE!!!!!

Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) by Steve Powell.

I met Steve Powell and his wife Elena at the Cortijo de Tájar hotel just off the A92 and we all headed out along the motorway and then down into the Cacín Valley for a days birding. Our first stop was at the river just on the outskirts of the village of the same name where we had a look from the bridge and added the first species to the day list which included Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).

Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) by Steve Powell.

From here we went for a walk along the River, a family party of Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) performed nicely out on the dead branches of a river side tree along with both Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) which flashed across between the trees further along the track and then our main target bird put in a nice but very brief appearance when a female Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) flew up and away from the river bank. Along the walk we also added Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) heard only, Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). At a clearing some way along the track we spent some time looking for more Orioles, hoping that they may fly between the poplar plantation but apart from a couple of elusive calling males we had no joy, we did whoever add Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and a distant soaring Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) to the list.

Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) by Steve Powell.

Several species of butterfly were also seen along the track side including Large (Pieris brassicae) and Small Whites (Artogeia rapae), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) and Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea). We then retraced our steps and just as we were getting back to the vehicle I had a fleeting glimpse of a male Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) as it flashed along the riverside vegetation, unfortunately by the time I had got on it, it had gone out of sight. Back at the car we had another quick look at the river and picked up Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula). We then went into the hills looking for more raptors; on the way up we had a nice Juv Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) fly across In front of the car and land on an Almond tree quite near to us. Once up on the top of the ridge we quickly found a cracking Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) which sat nicely for Steve to get some very good shots and this was followed closely by the next species which was a soaring pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) by Steve Powell.

We stopped on the roadside for a scan over the fields and almost straight away had a Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) fly across in front of us (a bird Elena had wanted to see), here we also saw Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia). We also saw a couple more butterfly species, Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice) and Spanish Gatekeeper (Lobito listado / Pyronia bathseba).

Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) by Steve Powell.

We then dropped down off the tops and headed up towards the Embalse de Cacín, on the way Elena expressed her wish to not only see a Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) but she wanted close views both Steve and I said that it would be nice to see one but close was not easy. We made a stop along the river which was flowing at full speed and was almost coming over the bridge, here we saw more Great Tits, Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), plus some butterfly with Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) being new for the day.
We then moved on and the first bird see as we came around the corner near the Embalse was as required a Golden Eagle and as you will see from the shots Steve got we got dam close but not as close as the mad Magpies!!! After the excitement of the Eagle we had a good look at the Embalse which had a lot of exposed mud as the water level was as low as I had ever seen it. On the margins there were at least 3 Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), 6+ Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and out on the water a few Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), a couple of Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a single Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Ant-lion (Myrmeleon formicarius).

Here we also saw or heard White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina). Our next stop was on a large area of Olives and cereal fields where we unfortunately dipped on the Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) but we did pick up Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and a cracking male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax). We also went for a walk into an Almond plantation looking for butterflies and we did very well seeing Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Berger’s Clouded Yellow (Colias alfacariensis), False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and also seen were several Ant-lions (Myrmeleon formicarius).

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).

We then started to journey home calling in at a man made laguna on the side of the A92 to have a look at what dragonfly species were about. On the water there were at least 40 Common Pochard, Mallard, Eurasian Coot, Common Moorhen and Little Grebe and in the trees a couple of Nightingales sang and a pair of Golden Orioles flew along the far side of the pool low over the Olives. Dragons included several Black-tailed Skimmers (Orthetrum cancellatum), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Blue / Common (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope), a teneral Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and both Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) and Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathinerum). We then headed back to the house for some lunch via Mesia and across the fields, new birds included Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki). At the house we had a very nice lunch which Jayne had made for us before Steve and Elena made their way back down to the coast.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 29th May 2012.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

9917 Laconobia oleracea (Bright-line Brown-eye).

This morning was one of those where I have more left to identify or have identified for me that I can sort out but I still have a few new species for the garden list.

2419 Eurodachtha pallicornella.

The only Macro was a very unhelpful 9917 Laconobia oleracea (Bright-line Brown-eye) which was soon warmed up and off.

3260 Isophrictis kefersteiniellus.

Micros included 2419 Eurodachtha pallicornella, 3260 Isophrictis kefersteiniellus and 2169  Scythris limbella.

2169 Scythris limbella.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 26th May 2012.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

9368 Heliothis nubigera (Eastern Bordered Straw).

New species this morning that I am happy with were 6189 Eudonia delunella, 8125 Idaea incisaria, 9368 Heliothis nubigera (Eastern Bordered Straw), I also think that I had two more micros 3271 Metzneria neuropterella and 3888  Pexicopia malvella (Hollhock Seed Moth) but I have sent these to Penny Hale to be checked along with another couple of micros I was stuck with.

8125 Idaea incisaria.

6189 Eudonia delunella.

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