Grazalema and Montejaque, Cadiz Province.

A morning of crafts and an afternoon of Narcissus.

Sue, Jayne and I had a steady start and made our way up to the Visitor Center in Grazalema to have a go at some of the crafts being carried out. Before we left I had a quick look in the garden seeing Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus). 

Narcissus Confusa / Bugei.

Once we were at the center Jayne had a go at a couple of the crafts that were being shown, the first was some thing with plastic rings and wood which eventually turns into a bobble hat or some thing similar, next came the potters wheel which Jayne enjoyed this as it was fun and messy. 

Narcissus Confusa / Bugei.

The final test was on the huge carpet making loom, this was hard work but great fun. Well with the fun bit out of the way so Sue, Jayne and I headed out to Montejaque where we had some lunch while we waited for Eva to meet us. 

Sam taking a shot.

We then went to a site a few KM away where Eva had been given information about the very rare subspecies of the Narcissus Confusa / Bugei which has still to be give an official name but it may be Montejaquensis or something similar. Eva had seen a single flower which was not quite out a few days earlier but she now had another site to check and once there we soon found two cracking flowers and then along the same track we found several more plants. 

Narcissus Confusa / Bugei.

In the same area we also had Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis). 

Narcissus Confusa / Bugei.

After taking lots of shot we headed to another just off the Libar Valley, on the way we saw lots more Griffon Vultures, a male Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius). We then all piled into Eva 4x4 and she took us up to a spot above the valley where she was going to show us another Narcissus species. 

Part of Sierra Libar.

We parked and walked a short way out to a small ridge where we saw hundreds of multi headed spikes of Narcissus Beaticus along with Wild-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia) this made a fine sight. We also saw the Bonelli's Eagle again, loads more Griffons and down on the ground there was a nice carpet of the beautiful Andalucian Storksbill (Erodium recoderi). 

Andalucian Storksbill (Erodium recoderi).

We then went back down into the town for a coffee and then made our way back to Sue's house for something to eat.

Laguna Dulce, Malaga Province and Grazalema, Cadiz Province.

A few days with good friends Sue and Sam.

Linaria tristris.

Jayne and I set off for Sue's campo house near Grazalema, on the way I saw a Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) which flushed up from the ditch along the road near the house, Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) all of which were seen before we even reached Huétor Tajár. Further along the way we had a largish flock of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) which flew over the motorway, White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). We stopped off briefly at Laguna Dulce where I had a scan from the hide.

Crags near Montejaque.

Out on the water there were loads of Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), a few Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and at least two Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) these were joined by good numbers of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and around 30 White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala). Also seen but in smaller numbers were both Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera). Along the margins several Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) were feeding along with a few winter plumaged Reed Buntings ( Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and loads of Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Narcissis fernandesii.

Out on the flooded fields there were more Northern Lapwings joined by a few Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia), several Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus) and a surprise roosting Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia). Other species seen at this site included Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

We then continued on our way towards Ronda, finding that we had to use the old road past Teba as the new one had calpsed again. On the detour we did however pick up Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and a little further on nearer Ronda a couple of Jays (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) which flew across the road moving between Oak woods.

We then spent a couple of hours in Ronda town during which we had a walk along the cliffs and gorge where we saw a single Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), several Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Feral Pigeons (Columba livia domesticus) by the thousand and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

Intermediate Perriwinkle (Vinca difformis).

We then started the last short part of the trip up to Sue's via Benaojan where we had some lunch before going on through Montejaque and the out to the main Sevilla road. Along this route we saw loads more Griffon Vultures, Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) along with Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Narcissis fernandesii, Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus), Linaria tristris and Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia). As we approached Sue's along the final sretch of country road there were a couple of spikes of Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana), lots of Intermediate Perriwinkle (Vinca difformis) quite a few tall spikes of the beautiful Asphodelus ramosus. We then reached Sue's and after a very welcome coffee and a good chat we had a quick explore of the garden seeing Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) which was singing nicely, Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla). During the evening we had another good rattle and sorted out some of my unidentified Butterfly shot adding a new species to my list Idas Blue (Plebejus idas) which was seen back in July up in the Sierra Nevada.

Above Trabuco, Malaga Province.

Birding in a chill wind but with end to end blue skies !!!

Jayne was again going to here craft group meeting so I went with her and then continued on birding in the local Sierra's. Up in the pine woods above the town I spent some time watching what come into the water tanks which top up the goats drinking troughs. The first bird seen was a fine male Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) which spent some time calling from the trees before spending some time on the top of the water container drinking. After a few minutes it was joined by two females and a couple of Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), a Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) and several Common Chaffinchs (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs). In the surrounding area I also added Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).
I then moved up to the higher point a little further along the track I soon picked up a few Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) which were perched together in a large Hawthorn bush, a couple of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) which drifted off to the east and a Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos). I then dropped down and had a walk along the upper reaches of the Guadalhorce where it skirts along the side of La Sierrecilla, along here there were good numbers of Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
On my walk back to the car I picked up a pair of dispalying Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) on the ridge of La Sierrecilla and in the same area I saw another two riffon Vultures, one of which lacked a tail and around half of its primaries and secondries which made it lok very odd and as if it was making hard work of flying. On the slopes there were a small number of Spanish Ibex (Cabra Monte / Capra pyreaica hispanica) including a really nice male. I then went back to Trabuco and picked up Jayne before we went back home.

Hacho, Loja, Granada Province.

An evening stroll.

Wild-leaved Irises (Iris planifolia).

Juan and Beatriz came over to our house for our weekly language lesson, while Jayne and Beatriz did the English part of the afternoon, Juan and I went just up the road to Hacho. Hacho is a small sierra just to the North of Loja.
We parked just off the side of the road between Loja and Ventorros de San Jose, as soon as we were out of the car Chika, Juans dog was off and running and did not stop for the next 3 hours or so. Juan and I started along the track at a far more sedate and found the first patch of the many thousands of Wild-leaved Irises (Iris planifolia) including a good number of white plants, some growing in quite large clumps.

Ophrys forestieri.

We continued on up to the pine woods, on the way several Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

 Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

On the way up to the woods we found several spikes of the early flowering Ophrys forestieri growning on the track side bank and in the pine woods we guested that there were at least 200 Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) with quite a few more forestieri and loads of rosettes of species to come. Also on the slopes we found a single flower of Sierra Nevada Crocus (Crocus nevadensis) a species I have seen up on the Sierra Nevada and on Sierra Loja.

Sierra Nevada Crocus (Crocus nevadensis).

We then dropped down into the Mediterrainean scrub picking up Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilargo / Sylvia undata), Brambling (Pizón Real / Fringilla montifringilla), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).

Wild-leaved Irises (Iris planifolia).

We started to walk back down to the car but on the way we spent a while stood watching the Northern crags of Hacho, here we soon added Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and just on dark we heard the target an Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) calling from a hidden crag but eventually it flew into view and called again from another large rock. We then went back to the house and had a cup of tea.

Guadalhorce and Rio Grande, Malaga Province.

A change of venue.

Superb Starling (Estornino Soberbio / Lamprotornis superbus) taken by Jacinto.

This months RAM was done at the sea watch point at Guadalhorce as Juan Perez was visiting family in the city for the weekend. So at 08:00 Juan, Jacinto Villalvilla and I met on the top of the bank near the sea watch point where we spent some time scanning the main reserve for early moving birds in very windy conditions. As the light grew we were picking up loads of Gulls which were coming in off the sea including Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) along with these there were masses of Great Cormorants (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) which were going both ways.
During time we were watching there we also saw a single Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
We then moved up to the end of the bank where we set up the scopes and started the survey, almost straight away we were seeing Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Balearic (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and Cory's Shearwaters (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea), Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua), 6x Razorbills (Alca Común / Alca torda), 36x Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra), plus Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and Ruddy Turnstones (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres) all of which either flew passed or landed on the rocks.
Other species seen from here included White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis). After the survey we walked along the bank down to the bridge, on the way we saw more Great Cormorants, Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

Once we were on the reserve we soon had Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) before we reached the first hide. On the pools just before the hide we picked up a couple of Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), a winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata). We then spent some time in the hide where we added White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and deep in the tamarisk trees of to the left there was a Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) and at least one Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia). We then moved around to the next hide were the wind was in just the wrong direction and was blowing straight through the viewing slots so we did not stay there very long before we moved on to the raised mound looking over the next pool where we found an immature Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).
We moved on down the bank on the opposite side of the pool, the first hid just had more of the same species as we had already seen but we had some nice views of a couple of Greenshanks (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), several Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago) and both Ringed (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius). We continued along the bank to the sea watch point, out to sea there were more Common Scoters, Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).
On the beach Juan picked up 3 Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and then I found a single Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus) on the opposite side of the sea watch point. We then retraced our steps back along the bank seeing Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) and Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta). As we reached the cross tracks at the end of the bank we decided to go and have a look for the Superb Starling (Estornino Soberbio / Lamprotornis superbus) which had been seen on a nearby Golf course for some time.

Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa).

As we arrived we were greeted by loads of Monk Parakeets and a single Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops). We wandered around the club house for a few minutes before the Starling flew passed calling and disappeared over the building, we walked around the back of the club house and found the bird on a fence top where Jacinto got a nice shot. We watched the bird for a while before we went back to the cars and Juan and Jacinto headed back to Malaga. I decided to have a quick look at Rio Grande just to the north after talking to a wildlife guide on Guadalhorce who said that Great White Egrets and Black Storks (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) were common during the winter. Well after driving up and down for quite some time I found just a single Little Egret along with more Green Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers along with 3 Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa) a year tick. I then headed off towards home.

Barbate saltpans, Zahara de los Atunes, La Janda and Los Lances beach, Cadiz Province.

93 species in a day.

Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

I got up early and drove through to Barbate along the winding roads passed Tarifa and Zahara de los Atunes and parked on the main road in Barbate. 

I had hoped to meet up with Steve Daly from Andalucian Guide but he was already working so it turned into a self guided day but with the knowledge I had got from Steve on a passed visit I had a good idea of where the birds were. 

Where I got the best deal I have ever had for breakfast, a large coffee and a decent toast with tomato for €2. After topping up the caffeine levels I drove back out of Barbate and crossed the Rio Barbate and parked on the right near what looked like a sewage treatment works.

Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

I got here just as the sun was starting to come up and the Gulls were just starting to come in off the sea in there hundreds, most were Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) but they were joined by many Lesser Black-backs (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michaellis). 

As the light improved I started to see formations of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), the odd Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) along with a flight of 9 Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia). I then walked back towards the bridge and flushed a Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), a couple of Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis). 

The pools on the landward side of the road were very quiet but I did see a single Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluviali squatarola) and a few Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) but not a lot else.

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

As I walked back towards the car a winter plumage Caspian Tern (Pagaza Piquiroja / Sterna caspia) flew in from the sea and away out on to the marsh and while I was following this bird a massive raptor came up out of the marsh and dropped almost immediately back into cover. 

I would have liked a lot better view of the bird but thought that it was probably an immature Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti) but not sure so I did not count it on the day list. 

I then moved down the road a short way and checked two larger pools on the landward side and a wet area on the beach, on the beach there were a good number of waders including Ringed (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

On the two larger pools there were more Grey Plovers, Sanderlings, Mallards, Black-headed Gulls and Western Cattle Egrets these were seen along with a couple of Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), a single Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). In the air several flights of Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) came in off the sea and headed up river and there were good numbers of Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris). 

My next stop was a little further down the road amongst some small holdings where there were several groups of resting Western Cattle Egrets, a small group of 6 Northern Bald Ibis (Ibis Eremita / Geronticus eremita), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and a White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia) sat on the roof of one of the farm houses. 

I then found a track up behind the building where I had views out over some wetland pools, here there were at least 8 more Spoonbills, a couple of hundred Sanderling, a few Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and quite a large flock of Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii).

Immature Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax).

I then dropped down the coast towards Zahara de los Atunes where there were hundreds of Crag Martins along the river so I thought it had to be worth a scan through them to see what other species were there and it payed off with a couple of House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and at least 6 Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). 

On the river there was a small group of 4 Audouin's Gulls and 20 or so Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis).

I then went inland to La Janda, as soon as I arrived 3 Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus) flew across the track and 2 Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which were hunting over near by fields which made for a good start to a good visit. 

I then followed the main collector canal and soon had Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Reed Bunting ( Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) on the day list.

Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra).

On the wet fields there were quite a few Western Cattle and Little Egrets, White Storks, Grey Herons along with hundreds of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and a flock of around 100 Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia). 

After a few Km I turned up the track towards Cortijo de la Mediana on the way several Pheasants (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus) were out in the cereal crop fields on both sides of the track and just as the track started to go up towards the Cortijo there was a nice Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) sat on the top of a pylon. I went through the farm and into the olive woods on the ridge adding another Booted Eagle on the way, amongst the trees a female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) was making life difficult for the smaller birds including Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Black Redstarts (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major). 

Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

In the same area there was a Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) calling, loads of Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and in the sky above the olives there was a flock of around 30 Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), a Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and during the half an hour I was watching in this area there were a couple of flocks of around 50 Common Cranes that passed over heading north. White Storks were also coming over the area in large numbers with some kettles holding a couple of hundred birds. 

I continued on along this track to the track between Benalup and Facinas, I headed towards the latter and soon had fabulous views of a cracking male Hen Harrier which came up off the side of the track and started to quarter the nearby fields. Further on I saw at least four more Black-winged Kites, another Black Kite, more Ravens, Griffon Vultures and two Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which were sunning them selves on the top of some fence posts.

Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

I continued on along this track for around 6 KM before turning around and heading back towards the marshes on the way I added Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) which seemed to be commoner than the Spotless along this route, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita). 

I passed through the Olive woods again seeing another couple of female Hen Harriers, a Black-winged Kite and loads of Blackcaps which seemed to be oozing out of the roadside trees. I dropped back down onto the fields and then back out onto the track along the canal, almost straight away I added three new species to the list including an immature Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax), a adult Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) and a Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) which was sat on the edge of the smaller ditch with a group of Grey Herons.

Wooden Fence in the Olive woods.

Before I got back to the road Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Barn Swallow, House Martin and Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) were seen. 

During my visit to this cracking site I also saw a single teneral Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Large White (Pieris brassicae) and masses of the beautiful Paper White Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus).

Paper White Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus).

I started to drive back towards Tarifa stopping at Los Lances beach on the way but it was full of kite surfers and boarders so there were just a few Sandwich Terns on the usual posts and a good number of Audouins Gulls roosting on the beach. 

The sea was breaking through the sand bar and where the waves were breaking into the pool there were a few Sanderlings and a dozen or so Kentish Plovers. I then made my way back to the hotel and Jayne and I went out for a very nice Chinese meal in the town.

Los Barrios, Cadiz Province.

A mix of Shopping and birds.

Jayne and I set off down towards Algecrias for a three day trip to do some bits and birding, on the way down we saw Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).
Our first stop was at the shopping centre near Algecrias where we picked up the first of the things we had gone for before heading into the town where I was hoping to see the ship assisted vagrant Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) which had been seen by Juan Francisco a week or two earlier but we were not lucky.
In the area I did see 3 x Siskins (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). After spending some time looking for the bird we heading out to another shopping centre on the outskirts of the town and then on to the wetland areas on the edge of Los Barrios.
Here I was looking for and found a very nice Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) which was sitting on one of the many pylons along the river. Also in the area we added fine Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs). Our next stop was at the Hotel in La Linea, we checked in and then went on to Gib, did some shopping and went for an Indian meal. The meal was mixed, the starter was good but the main meal was disappointing to say the least!!

Travelling to and and a Plaza de San Nicolas, Granada, Granada Province.

A walk above the city.

Jayne at Plaza San Nicolas.

Jayne and I got what needed to be done sorted out during the morning before heading off up to Granada City where we went for a walk through the narrow streets of the Albazin to reach the Plaza. We were hoping that by the time we got there that the clouds might have cleared enough for us to see the snow behing the Alhambra Palace but apart from a couple of small breaks it was obscured.

The Alhambra from Plaza San Nicolas.

We spent some time wandering around the area before returning to the car, where we had parked on the main road up from the city the pavement was covered in broken grass and at least one car had had its side window smashed and it had been stripped. It looked like this was a common occurance due to the continual line of the glass along the whole area, so we will be parking down in the city and either walking up or more likely getting the bus.

The Alhambra from Plaza San Nicolas.

During the Journey either way we saw a couple of Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), one either side of Morelada on the A92, also seen were Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), 100s of Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

Exhibition opening at the Grazalema Visitor Centre.

Exhibition and other events in Grazalema.

Sue Eatock and Clive Muir have put together an exhibition of photographs of the flora and fauna of the Sierra Grazalema, this along with other events including a mini birding marathon and craft demonstrations should make this an interesting place to be this Saturday and Sunday. The photographic exhibition continues until the 21st February.

El Temple, Granada Province.

Were has the Sun gone !!!!!

Short-eared Owl (Búho Campestre / Asio flammeus).

Jayne and I went up to Granada to see Juan Perez and Beatriz for our weekly language meeting, on the way up went across the fields where we had a quick scan across the river and picked up at least 4 Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), 100+  Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and 40 odd Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia).
We continued on up to Granada and whilst Jayne and Beatriz started on the English part of the afternoon Juan and I headed out to El Temple for some birding. When I had arrived at Juan's the weather was not to good but by the time we got to the birding site it was down right dismal but being the roughty tuffty birders that we are we stuck it out and at times the visibility came up from absolutely dismal to just dam awful which gave us the chance of seeing a few species. 

Short-eared Owl (Búho Campestre / Asio flammeus).

The first species seen were Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) which seemed to be singing from every stick, tree, bush and fence post, Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). Then we picked up a female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) which passed distantly off to the west and almost at the same moment a very pale Short-eared Owl (Búho Campestre / Asio flammeus) got up out of the rough ground behind us and spent the next hour or so showing from posts or quartering the scrub land. We stayed until just before dusk but we did not see anything else of interest as the weather just kept getting worse.

Above Trabuco, Malaga Province and Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Wet, windy and just dam horrible!!!

Woods above Trabuco.

We do not get many days like this thankfully and as I have not done much birding back in the UK for seven years so I am out of practise at birding in inclement weather. For this reason I was soon sat in the bar waiting for Jayne's craft group meeting to finish. But while I was out I went up to the highest point in the sierra's behind the town but I did not see a single species in the low cloud, wind and heavy rain so I dropped back down into the Pine woods where the first bird seen was a cracking male Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) which was perched on top of a pile of rocks under some Oak trees. The Goshawk sat there for another 30 seconds or so before heading off to terrorise some of the local birds. In the same area I also added Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major). I moved sligtly further along the same track and sat watching an area of bramble scrub but not a lot was added except for a singing Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

100 cannons (or something like that) water feature.

I then made my way back down towards the bar on the way I picked up Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto). Once the meeting had finished we headed home via the fields near the house where Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) were all seen along with a stunning adult Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which was balancing on a roadside wire just 2 minutes from the house.

Outskirts of Granada and Padul, Granada Province.

A windy days birding.

Padul.

I started off by taking Jayne into the City where she was hoping to do some patchwork matterial shopping. I then went back out to Aki where I met Juan before we headed just a short way down the Motorway where we were looking for a trio of exotic birds (thankfully not the sort that hang around on the industral estate nearby). We arrived and walked out to an area of unharvested Maize, on the way we heard a couple of Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) which flew in and started to feed in a small orchard stuffed full of unpicked Persimmon trees.

Juan and Chika in the main hide.

Also in this area we saw Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris). We continued along the track and found a sizable flock of Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) which were feeding in in the maize along with around 10 Red Avadavats (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava). We then move around to another viewing point where we hoped to find our last target species Black-rumped Waxbill which Juan had seen several times over the last few weeks but this time we were unlucky but we did see Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).

Chika.

We then made our way back to the car, on the way we had another flock of Monks which number ten along with White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

We then went down the motorway to the Padul wetlands where we made our way around to the far hide along side the main lake where we ate the sandwich that Juan had made us but had to hide against the back wall out of what was a very strong cold wind that lashed across the lake. On the water there we a few Northern Shovelers (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and  Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) and in the reeds there was a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). We then did a slow drive around the reserve on the way we saw Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Sierra Nevada from Padul.

We then went had a coffee in a local bar before walking out on the board walk to the hide in the centre of the reserve, on the way we saw a couple of Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), along with dozens of Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), a single Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago), Reed Bunting ( Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). From the hide we picked my only year tick of the day a male Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) which was sat in the bottom of a tree out in the water. Also seen here were more Eurasian Coots, Common Moorhen and a single Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). We then started our walk back seeing a Fox on the way back to the car.

I dropped Juan back at Aki and then went and met Jayne up in the city and then we went back to home, on the way I saw a small flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and single Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which was perched on a road side telegraph pole.