Charca del Suarez area and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

80 odd species in a day.

Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

I met up with Juan Perez at 07:30 and we made our way down towards Charca del Suarez near Motril, on the way in we checked out the agricultural areas near the site and a couple of pools on a Golf Course near the beach. On the road thought the crops we found a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) out on the tarmac, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) which sat preening in a rush tussock, a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was sitting on a farm building roof, Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) calling from the pampus grass fields and in the air above the site there were quite good numbers of Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and a fine male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which quartered the fields.

Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia).

We then moved on down the coastal stripe and checked out a pool on the edge of a golf course where we soon had Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), several Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Blue-headed (Yellow) Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flava), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti). We then had a look on the beach and found three adult Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), also in the area where several Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), 20+ Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

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

On our way back to the car we scanned another pool on the golf course where we added Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

At 09:00 we got to the entrance and went into the reserve and into the first hide. Almost as soon as we got in there the rain started to pour and went on for a good while. From this hide we located the first of several Sedge Warblers (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), more Little Grebes, Common Moorhens and Eurasian Coots. The rain eased a little so we moved around towards the next hide checking out the willow scrub where we located at least three Night Herons (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) roosting in the lower branches.

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

We then continued on around the walk way to find that the first hide is barriered off so we continued on to the next location where we stayed for a while mainly due to the fack that it was humming it down with rain. The rain forced some of the hirundines to perch on the reed tops which gave me the chance to get some shots, at one point there were Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, House and Sand Martins all sat on the same reed stem but they all flew off before I could get the camera on to them. From the same spot we also added Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

Around at the main hide we were again pinned down for a while by the rain but picked up Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas penelope), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Crag Martins which were flying in and landing on the shelves on the out side of the hide, Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and several quite noisy Stripeless Tree Frogs (Hyla meridionalis). We then moved on around to the last hide but we saw very little but we did get some cracking views of a couple more Sedge Warblers and heard the crocking row from a couple of Western Swamp-hens. Juan and I then headed down the coast a short way to the eastern side of Salabrena where we were looking for a Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) but we dipped even though we had Juan's nice big 4X4 to go along the embankment in which gave us good views. We did see more Mallards, Little Egrets, Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails and hundreds of hirundines. After we dropped down off the embankment we crossed the agricultural area again on our way back to the motorway junction and added two cracking male Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica). We then headed off up the motorway back to Granada where Juan dropped me back to my car before heading home, I headed home but the long way round via La Malaha and the Cacín Valley. My first stop was at a large disused Cortijo where I soon had my first Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) of the year along with Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

From here I headed west to the large industial area near La Malaha and spent some time driving around the fields in this area where I saw lots more Lesser Kestrels, a single Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), several Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), along with Crested, Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis). I continued on heading west through Ventas de Huelma and on to the road to Cacín, after a few KMs I turned off on to a dirt track and drove out into the fields where I soon located more Lesser Kestrels, Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

At the far end of this track I stopped and parked and whilst I scanned the fields a flock of 9 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) which flew up from near the track and dropped down on the top of a ridge half way down the field. I then made my way back to the road and continued on towards cacín, on the way I found an immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) hanging in the strong winds coming up of the ridge, the bird was being mobbed by 20 or so Jackdaws but they had little effect and the bird continued hunting. I made a short stop at the Rio Cacín but only added Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) in the willows.
Further along the valley I called at the Embalse de Cacín where I was surprised to find that even after all the rain we have had the water level was still low and there were some quite large muddy margins. On the mud there were quite a few Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), a couple of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and lots of White Wagtails. On the water there were a few Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Northern Shoveler, Mallard and a couple of Little Grebes. In the air a male Marsh Harrier was display flying over the reed beds and over the water there were large numbers of hirundines including Sand, Crag and House Martins along with both Barn and Red-rumped Swallows.

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

I then moved North along the Valley through El Turro to the crags, on the way I saw dozens of spikes of Ophrys forestieri growing on the roadside. At the crags I soon had both Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) on the day list along with Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater).

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

My last stop of the day was on the local patch at the flooded fields along side the railway line, from the bridge I could see several Green Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers, a couple of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Little Egret, Grey Heron and to my surprise there were three Egyptian Geese (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca) grazing on the far side of the water. Other species seen in the area included Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), White and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails. I then made my way back up to the house after seeing 85+ species during the day.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

A Spanish Lifer and another local patch tick.

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

I made my way down to the flooded fields Juan Perez and I scanned the evening before to find even more waders there along with a group of four Egyptian Geese (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca) which were the first I had seen in Spain, they were probably the same birds which have been reported on and off for a while from Embalse de Bermijalis. On the muddy margins there were at least 22 Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and 2 Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), a single Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), a Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) which was a local tick, 2x Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), 15 or so Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and 5 Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

On the way back I picked up a few more bits including Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Huétor Fields (twice) and Moraleda, Granada Province.

A new bird for the local patch and three year ticks.

During the morning I went down to the Supermarket and picked up a few bits and on the way back I detoured through the fields to see what was about. From the railway bridge I could see a good many Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) feeding low over the fields which still held the last three Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), a good number of Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
I then moved on down to the track which goes along the river to the railway bridge but it was very muddy so I turned around and headed back to the road but not before I added Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). I then made a stop down by the river behind the bar where a cracking male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) which was sat on the top of some broken off reed tops, this cracked was seen along with Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and the very graceful Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).

I then went back up home and did a few bit and pieces until later in the day when Juan Perez and Beatriz came over. Juan and I went out onto the fields looking for the Woodchat Shrike which was going to be a year tick for Juan as it was still in the same area but now it had moved down nearer to the river and was sat in a nearby Tamarisk bush. In the same area we saw more Red-rumped and Barn Swallows, House Martins, several Skylarks and good numbers of Thekla's (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae). We then started to make our way over towards Moraleda going across country via Mesia but on the way we were drawn to a largish area of flooded fields which had been washed out after the storms a couple of days ago.
On this area we found good numbers of waders including 13 Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and 2 Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), a Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), 9 Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta),  Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Barn Swallow, House Martin, Spotless Starling and in the Poplars we saw and heard a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

We then moved on over to the other side of the A92 to a site not to far from Moraleda where we were searching the agricultural areas above the Cacín Valley. The first birds seen were more Thekla, Crested and Skylarks and these were joined by several Calandra's (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra). We spent some time walking a large Almond Grove looking for migrants but we only managed Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).
In the same area there were lots of butterflies, most of which were Provence Hairstreaks (Tomares ballus), other species seen included Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).
We continued on around the site and eventually found a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which were calling from nearby olive grove. We also picked up Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

Balsa de Regidor, Granada Province.

Just the one year tick but a smart little bird.

Jayne and I called in at the small lake which is just North of the A92 near Moraleda. We parked and started to picked through of Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and quickly located several Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) for another year tick. They are cracking little birds and are for some reason always the last of the four migratory hirundines I see which is the exact opposite to how it usused to be in the UK with Sand Martins arriving days earlier than the others.
Out on the water there were good numbers of wildfowl including around 35 Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), 5+ Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), 2x Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and a couple of Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). In the nearby trees there were several Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).
Other species seen included Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Alhambra Hills and Dupont's Lark site, Granada Province.

A good mixed day with a bit of everything.

Narcissus cantabricus.

I headed up to Granada city, passing through the fields on the way and was very pleased to find that the wintering Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) was still about and was sat in its usual tree. On the way through I also saw Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).
I continued to Granada via the log shop to confirm it was open later as we need a few to keep us going and then continued on up passed the Alhambra car park and out into the campo above the site.

Narcissus cantabricus.

I parked the car and started out along one of the tracks to an area of land which was burnt off a few years ago which cleared the scrub. This allowed the uncommon Narcissus cantabricus to flourish and this year was no different with several plants in flower.

Narcissus cantabricus.

They all grow on one Northish facing slope and it looked truly superb, on the way out and back I also saw good numbers of Wall Browns (Lasiommata megera), Bath (Pontia daplidice), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Small Whites (Artogeia rapae), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Narcissus cantabricus.

Along the path side I also heard several scuttling sounds amongst the shrubs, most of which were Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) but at least one was a small Horseshoe Whip Snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) which moved away at an incredible speed.
Birds were few and far between but there were several Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Dartford (Curruca Rabilargo / Sylvia undata) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).
All the way along the walk there were Hummingbird Hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellatarum) whizzing passed and searching along the banks of Field marigolds (Calendula arvensis). 

Winter Webworm (Ocnogyna baetica).

Once back at the car I drove further up the hill and then turned right on the tarmac road and then I parked. From here I immediatly started to hear the distinctive call of the newly arrived Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which were making the local Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica) lives difficult. Also around here there were quite a few spikes of Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) growing under the pines, in the same area there were also Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus). 

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

I then moved back down the hill picking up Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Winter Webworm (Ocnogyna baetica) and several spikes of Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri). 
After driving back back down the hill I went back to the wood yard again where I filled the boot and headed off to Juan Perez's. From here Juan, Beatriz and I went out birding in their very smart new to them Land rover freelander, which made going up the track to the Dupont's Lark site a lot easier. 
We arrived and walked around this moorland type place listening for Lark species, straight away we had Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) on the list, along with Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa). 
After some time we got back to the car and took another track off to a small pool which Juan knew about and a rocky gorge a little further on. On the way we picked up a cracking male Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) which was a year tick for us all and in the small pool we found a couple of Natterjack Toads (Sapo Corredor / Bufo calamita) latter we heard several toads calling, I was surprised how far the call carried. 
We had a little further on down into a gorge where Juan had seen Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) but we dipped on this visit but did add Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 
We got back to the car just as it was starting to get cool but just before we got there we had another Natterjack Toad but this time it saw hopping across the track in front of us which gave me the chance to get some shot.

Natterjack Toads (Sapo Corredor / Bufo calamita).

We then headed back down to the city, I went off home getting back at about 21:00.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

A couple of hours on the local patch.

Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

I started off in the Olives around the house where I soon had a nice flock of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) just over the barranco and lots of other species singing in a brief splash of sunshine including Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major). I then continued down the hill, passed the bar and out onto the fields where I immediatly added Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). On the shingle islandat tha back of the bar there was a single Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and a couple Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus). I then went along the track to the tarmac road from Huetor and the back on to the riverside track again a little further along, I located a couple of Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) low over the water and a Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) which was skulking around in some rotting reeds. A Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) was calling noisily from in a nearby Poplar plantation where there were also dozens of Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) resting in the top branches and lower down in the reeds there were still good numbers of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), a Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a nice Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) which was just starting to show signs of it's summer plumage.

Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

I continued on along the track but found it to be a bit muddy but I got through and at the far end near the railway bridge I added a second Water Pipit to the list along with Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and a group of Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) which were perched in a leafless Fig tree preening after bathing in the river which gave me the chance to get the camera on them. I turned around and headed back to the road and then headed down towards Huétor, I parked on the bridge and scanned the fields from the raised point. From here I picked up just three Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) one of the birds was a cracking male and he was displaying franticly to the two females that remained in the area. The Bustards usually move off for the summer, scattering around the area to breed but these birds are looking quite settled but it is unlikely that they will stay as the fields are to small and busy. But I am lucky that I do not need to go far to see them in the summer in their full spender. Also seen in this area I also foundmore Meadow Pipits, Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla). I moved on around to the garage on the far side of the site where I finished off by finding a dozen or so Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was sat on a nearby roof top. During the trip around the site I saw several Bath (Pontia daplidice) and Small Whites (Artogeia rapae), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Cerro Gordo and Travelling, Granada and Malaga Provinces.

A couple of Orchids for the year list and a new Narcissus for my Granada List.

Two-leaved Gennaria (Gennaria dyphyla).

Jayne and I went down to the coast at Torre and then on to a Car-boot sale at Nerja where Jayne was looking for matterials for her patchworking hobby. On the way down I saw Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis). After the first car boot we stopped off at Cerro

Narcissus Baeticus.

Gordo where i was hoping to find some of the many spikes of the uncommon Two-leaved Gennaria (Gennaria dyphyla) that I had seen last year but I was reather disappointed to just find a single plant. The whole area had been rooted out by Wild boars and apart from a good number of Narcissus Baeticus (which was the new province species) not much else had servived. A little further down the back found a spike of Sawfly Orchid (Ophry tenthredinifera). Birds included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). We then continued on along the coast and found another car-boot at almunécar before heading home.

Hacho, Loja, Granada Province.

Sorting the cats out.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

I went for a walk in the Pine Woods on the Northern slopes of Hacho a small Sierra North of Loja, where I was looking for Pine cones to put on the herb patch to try and stop the dam semi-feral cats crapping in it. This method was Jayne's nicer idea to try and stop them, which was not quite the same as mine!

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana) Hypochromatic.

Anyway whilst I was walking through collecting cones I was finding lots of Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) in quite a few different shades of pink and a single white and green flowered plant. In the same area there were also lots of spikes of Ophrys forestieri. 

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Birds included Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and I could hear the local pair of Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) calling to each on several occasions.

Huétor Fields and Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

From the Vega to the Sierra and what a difference.

Icy Hawthorn bushes.

I started off down on the fields and the first spot was along the road from Huétor out across country to the first railway bridge. Here I soon had two groups of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) in the bins, the four birds I had seen a few days ago along side the railway line were still in just about the same spot and on the other side of the line there was another group of nine birds.

Icy Hawthorn bush.

Along with this second group there was a flock of around 40 Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) in the same field. Also seen from this spot were Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). I then moved on to the river where there were good numbers of Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) whirling around in a couple of flocks totalling around 60 birds, these were joined out on the fields by both Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Brambling (Pizón Real / Fringilla montifringilla).

Icy Hawthorn bush.

I then went passed the bar and out onto the road and continued on back towards Huétor, stopping just before the garage and scanned the fields. The first thing that stud out was another largish flock of Stone Curlews which were joined by around 40 or so Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia), a couple of Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and a wandering group of around 14 Red-legged Partridges (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa). On a nearby rooftop there was a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and in local trees several Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica) were perched along with a singing Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).

The Sierra's Icy slopes.

In the same area I also saw Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).

After popping into the supermarket and dropping off the bits back at home I made my way up Sierra de Loja where I was hoping to see some flowering Narcissus Bugei as I had seen then in flower a day or two later a couple of years earlier but this was not the case this year. All I found where I thought that there would be daffodils was snow and ice. I continued on around passed the goat cave to the Hawthorn scrub a little further on, there were still no Narcissus but I did see a couple of very hardy Ring Ouzels (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus), a single Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) but very little else. I took some shot of the Hawthorn tree that were still in the shade complete with there ice over coat.

Icy Hawthorn bushes.

I then moved back along the track and started to make my way down the hill, on the way I picked up Thekla Lark, Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Comon Stonechat and a Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Icy Hawthorn bushes.

I took the track up to the small disused quarry where I soon had Dartford (Curruca Rabilargo / Sylvia undata) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

Icy Hawthorn bushes.

There were also quite a few wildflowers along this stretch including Viola dementria, Wide-leaved Iris (Iris parvifolia) and Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), I then moved on down through the woods adding Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Huétor Tajar, Granada Province.

A night of heavy rain.

The Genil at Huétor.

I dropped down to Huétor to get a few bits from the supermarket and put some petrol in the car, yesterday and over night we had a hell of a lot of rain so I was not to surprised to see the Rio Genil had almost reached the bridge again.

The Genil at Huétor.

It normally runs at about 3 meters wide and well under a meter deep and it is usually around 5 meters below the bridge.

The Genil at Huétor.

The Arroya which runs down from Montifrio direction which drys out complety by June was also running quite well.

The Arroyo Vilano.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

A mix of Summer and Winter birds and a bit of a flap at the end.

Shepherds-purse (Capsella bursa Pastoris).

I started out from Huétor on foot heading back towards home across the fields and this is where the later flap started, it appears that whilst sorting out my note book out and ther bits I dropped my wallet, this story continues later. Anyway back to the birds, as I started out towards the railway bridge I walked through the small industrial area picking up the expected Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) with a few fly over Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis). As I left the built up area behind species started to come quickly, during a scan off to the west I soon had Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Golden Plover (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and a flock of at least 60 Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) along with a scattering of both Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata). On the opposite site of the road there is a good sized Poplar plantation were I could hear loads of Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) singing along with good numbers of Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) it was quite noisy.

Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) was drumming in the same area but remained unseen and there were lots of Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) sat in the tree tops. I continued on up to the first bridge which gave me a nice raised view out over the fields, While scanning again to the west I located a small group of four Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) a male which was displaying to the three femails, more distantly there was a stubble field which held a surprising number of Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) as I had thought that as I had been hearing them up in the Olives where they breed for a week or more, so I was pleased to find over 270 individuals still on site. Other birds in this area were Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis). I continued on and took the mesia track and walked up onto the second railway bridge along here there were quite a few arable plants in flower including Rabbits bread (Andryala integrifolia), Borage (Borago officinalis), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Shepherds-purse (Capsella bursa Pastoris), Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum), Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides), Soft Stork's-bill (Erodium malacoides), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), White Mustard (Sinapis alba) and Common Field Speedwell (Veronica Persica).

Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule).

On a bank along the side of the railway line I added Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), a couple of Hoopoes (Abubilla / Upupa epops), and a cracking male Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilargo / Sylvia undata) which sat up in a near by gorse bush and showed brilliantly for quite a while. I then took to the fields and had soome gained around 3 cm in hieght due to the thick layer of clay type mud that was building up on my boots. Between the Asparugus rows (which is starting to push above ground, not long until we will be eating again) there were more Northern Lapwings and a few Stone Curlews and in the air above this site there were several Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) moving through heading North. Once I came off the fields I was on a track which I have driven many times which runs along the river, as soon as I came up on the bank I located a couple of Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), a winter plumaged Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) and a single Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago) which flushed from the near bank. I then scanned across the railway and was surprised to find a pair of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) which were checking out sites under the railway bridge, in this area I also saw a few House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and more Barn Swallows in total I guest that I saw 40+ moving through North. I next followed the river along the Southern bank towards the tarmac road back to Huétor, along here I saw another Water Pipit, more Green Sandpipers and a single Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus). I then crossed the road and continued along the river towards the Bar at the end of our road where we live.
In a small Olive plantation along here which is tucked in between two Poplar plantaions, here I saw a few Bramblings (Pizón Real / Fringilla montifringilla), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and on the river bank amongst some Tamaricks a singing Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti). On the track to the bar I scanned both directions and just Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).

White Mignonette (Reseda Alba).

I reached the bar and decided that a beer would be nice so I called in and had a couple and this was when I realised that my wallet was not where I had thought, after sorting out with the chap that owns the bar who said come back some time and pay (good to have a local) I started the last leg of the walk back to the house, along this stretch I picked up Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea). I got back to the house and could find no sign of the wallet so I waited for Jayne and found no sign in the car. I then took a lookaround the route but found nothing so I headed to the Guardia Civil building. When I got there it was shut, so I stood there looking useless deciding what to do next when I heard a Spanish voice behind me from the bar saying Michael David Richardson.
I turned around and found an out of uniform Guardia chap who had just finished his shift and had just locked up before going for a coffee across the road and he told me that he had my wallet in his office and he had recognised me from the photo on my driving license. It was complete with all the documents and money, there are still some good, honest people out there, thank goodness. After he opened up again and got me to sign for it I headed back home a very happy and lucky chap.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Jayne's first scrap quilt.

My Beautiful Jayne.

Jayne finished this a while ago and it looks great on the chair in the house.

Balsa del Regidor, Granada Province.

Egret counting.

Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Juan Pérez Contreras, Beatriz Pérez Machado and José Mª González Cachinero were all doing a count of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) up in Granada at a roost just on the outskirts of the town (they recorded 2377). Well back down to earth, by the time it was dark I had counted 67 Western Cattle Egrets, 9 Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and 2 Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) had come into the small roost beside the A92.
On the lake there were Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) x18, Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata) x14, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) x3 and over the pool there were at least 6 Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).
Once it was almost dark I started to drive home, on the far side of the lake where it runs near the A92 I had 8 Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) fly across in front of me before dropping down into the nearby Olive groves. As I was getting out of the car at home i could hear a couple more Stone Curlews calling from out in the olives and a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was screeching from the telegraph pole a little further up the road.

Other species seen included Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and on the opposite side of the motorway there were hundreds if not thousands of both Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) going to roost in a large Poplar plantation.