Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Spain.

A bucket load of new species for Sue.

Aculepeira armida.

Jayne, Sue, Sam and I set off up the Sierra Nevada for a days birding, botany and butterfly hunting, our first stop was along a small road side flush where we were looking for plants, we started the list with Myosotis decumbens subsp teresiana, Great Mullein (Verbascum giganteum), Prunella vulgaris, also amongst the plants we found dozens of the beautiful spider Aculepeira armida and butterflies seen included Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina).
We next stopped on the road side above the ski resort where we had some very nice clumps of the Digitalis purpurea, the low growing Omalotheca supina var pusilla and plenty of over with Blue Hedgehog Broom (Erinacea anthyllis).

Digitalis purpurea.

We then continued on up to the carpark near the barrier at around 2500 meters on the way up we started the bird list with Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica).
Once there we started off by watch a JCB digging a ditch which impressed Sam no end before starting a walk out along one of the nearby trails, straight away butterflies were being added to the species list, the first two were Apollo (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis) and Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora) both of which were feeding on some Jurinea humilis.
We continued on and soon found lots more plants including Arenaria imbricata, Chickweed (Cerastium boissieri), Biscutella glacialis, Dianthus subacaulis subsp brachyanthus, Ptilotrichum spinosum, Eryngium bourgatii and Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum vicentei ssp lainzii). We moved on along the track and we found a small area of snow remaining just below the track and Sam wanted some snowballs so I carefully shuffled my way down the slope and got him three, one for him to throw at each of us!!! Further on still we saw several more species of butterfly including Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Eryngium bourgatii.

The Plant list grew again with several new species including Astragalus sempervirens subsp nevadensis, Lotus corniculatus subsp. glacialis, Leontodon boryi, Digitalis purpurea, Anarrhinum laxiflorum, Sideritis glacialis and a good many others. 

Birds seen along the far end of this track included Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) which was mobbing a male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax).

Jayne on the way to the Hoya de San Juan.

On the walk back to the car we added Galium nevadensis and Sierra Nevada Violet (Viola crassiuscula / Violeta de Sierra Nevada), Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata).
From here we dropped down to a nice spot in some pine woodland where we had a picnic sat on a large rock, whilst here we had a flyby Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe) and down on a patch of thyme there were several Sage Skippers (Muschampia proto), a Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) and Small White (Artogeia rapae).
After the picnic we went back into the town and parked near one of the closed hotels and had a walk out along another one of the many tracks and straight away we found a new orchid for Sue's list in the shape of a spike of Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata) we later found several more spikes not yet in flower.

Forester Moth Species.

In the same area we also had views of a Forester Moth species which remains unnamed at the moment, several blue butterflies including loads of Silver-studded, Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) and possibly a quick view of Mountain Argus (Aricia montensis), in the same area we also saw our first Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe), Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).
Further along the same track we saw our first Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron) which was feeding on a small patch of Thyme along with a Niobe Fritillary, Silver-studded Blue and an Apollo. A little higher up we saw a single male Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Southern Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus boeticus) and Southern Heath Fritillary (Melitaea nevadensis).
Plants included the rare and beautiful Aquilegia nevadensis and Black Sedge (Carex nigra / Carex negro). Birds included Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Sue photographing the Marsh Orchids.

After Sam had seen the Cable Car he wanted to have a ride so we went down into the town and Sue and Sam went for a trip up to the upper station whiles Jayne and I had a walk around the area.
In the flower beds I found a couple plants including Chenopodium foliosum, Sedum alba and Sedum Acre. When Sue and Sam came back down we found a bouncy castle in the town and Sam had a good finish to his busy day.

Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus).

Our last stop was on the way down at a largish wet flush to look at some more Robust Marsh Orchids which were quite different in structure with the spike being tight and flat topped.
In this area we saw a lot more Aculepeira armida and several more plants including Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp canescens, more Myosotis decumbens subsp teresiana, Veronica anagallis-aquatica and Erigeron frigidus.

Aculepeira armida on the Marsh Orchids

From here we headed back down the hill and home by which time Sam was fast a sleep in the back of the car.

Sam at the end of a busy day.

Salinas area and near Trabuco, Malaga Province.

A day of Dragonfly hunting.

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

I started off by taking Jayne to the Craft Group meeting in Trabuco before doing a run around some of the nearby Hotels doing leaflet drops. After this I went and had a look at a small pool and stream near Salina's, straight away I picked up a nice male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii) and a male Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).
I started by checking out the well vegetated small stream which ran alongside the road and found a very nice male Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens) in a small group of juncus clumps and on the stream there was a pair of Mercury Bluet's (Coenagrion mercuriale) in tandem.

Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii).

Birds in the area as I walked around included Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).
Further along the track I located several male Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum), one of which was guarding an egg laying female, also seen here were Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens), Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus) and a tandem pair of Western Willow Spreadwings (Chalcolestes viridis).

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens).

I walked back towards the car and picked up a few butterflies on the way including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi), Southern Marbled (Muschampia baeticus) and Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).
From here I crossed the motorway and visited a second but much bigger pool on my way back towards Trabuco.

Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum).

As soon as I parked I added a nice male Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba).

Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum).

Once I was down by the water I was soon out in the water amongst large numbers of the delicate but beautiful Small Red-eyeds (Erythromma viridulum), along with smaller numbers of both Blue-eye / Goblet-marked (Erythromma lindenii) and Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathinerum). Further out in the pool there were several Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Black-tailed Skimmers and perched back nearer the bank a teneral Keeled Skimmer.
Whilst I was wading I saw and heard loads of Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and disturbed several Viperine Snakes (Culebra Viperina / Natrix maura) all of which went away from me this time.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum).

Birds included good numbers of Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Crested Grebe(Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Up amongst the raptor's and endemic Wildflowers.

Immature Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus).

I dropped Jayne off for a few hours of retail therapy while I made my way up to the car park near the barrier at 2500 meters. On the way up there were swathes of Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp. canescens on the roadside. I parked up and took around 5 steps then I noticed a huge bird soaring over a near by ridge, thinking it was going to be a Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) I raised my bins to have a look and soon realized that it was in fact an immature Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus). Anyone who knows me knows that this body is not designed for speed but I was across the open area between me and the ridge where it was circling like a flash (well quite quickly anyway) and the bird continued to soar nearby. I watched this magnificent bird for Nealy an hour at distances down to 2 meters right over head. It came in close enough that I got some bad shots of it on my little 5x zoom coolpix.

Immature Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus).

The bird drifted off after some time and disappeared down towards Granada City so I carried on along the track that I had started along and almost straight away I hit a large slab of snow which I needed to cross to get to the spot I was heading for to see the plants I wanted. Almost straight away I found flowering clumps of the beautiful endemic Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum vicentei ssp lainzii), Eryngium bourgatii, Erigeron frigidus, Arenaria pungens, Anthyllis vulneraria subsp pseudoarundana, Silene boryi, Sideritis glacialis, Leontodon boryi and Draba hispanica subsp hispánica. I moved on along the track and made my way on to the area of borreguillies, on the way I saw the days first Apollo (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis) butterflies along with several Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Grayling (Hipparchia semele) and lots of Silver-studded Blues (Plebejus argus).

Gentiana sierrae.

Just as I reached the wet area I met a young chap from the Junta who was doing some work with the butterflies, we only had a brief chat as he was desperate to get back along the track to get some views of the Vulture which had reappeared over the distant ridge. In the same view as we looked back we also had 2 Golden Eagles (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos), a single Griffon Vulture  and two tiny specks which were mobbing the Lammergeier which turned out to be Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) once I had them in the bins.

Alpine Gentian (Gentiana alpina).

I said good luck to him before walking out into the area of wet flushes and searching for more endemic plants, the first and most obvious were hundreds of spikes of both Gentiana sierrae and Pinguicola nevadensis, next came Starry Saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris subsp robusta), Myosotis decumbens subsp teresiana, Lotus corniculatus subsp glacialis, Digitalis purpurea subps nevadensis on the drier rocky areas, Black Sedge (Carex nigra / Carex negro) and the tiny uncommon Moonwort (Lunaria menor / Botrychium lunaria) which was growing on a small ridge just out of the wetter areas.

Pinguicola nevadensis.

A little further down towards the bottom of the flushes I came across a nice patch of the Gentiana sierrae and a couple of larger blue trumpets which turned out to be a new plant for my list, they were the beautiful Alpine Gentian (Gentiana alpina). Just up above this spot I came across several spikes of St Bernard's Lily (Anthericum baeticum) and down in the water there were several flowers of  Viola palustris subsp palustris, Anarrhinum laxiflorum, Alchemilla glabra and just at the start of the walk back Linaria aeruginea subsp nevadensis.

St Bernard's Lily (Anthericum baeticum).

I then walked back along the same track towards the car adding a family party of  Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) to the day list along with Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris).

Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum vicentei ssp lainzii).

Once I reached the car I dropped down through the resort and parked up again. From here I started to walk out on one of the many tracks out on to the slopes along side the Ski Resort, as soon as I got on to the track I started to pick up new butterfly species for the day, the first was a very nice Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea) but unlike last year when I saw a couple of hundred of this species during this walk this and three or four others were my lot, however there were good numbers of the endemic Apollo along here again, dozens of the beautiful Silver-studded Blues, Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), a single Meadow Fritillary (Melitaea parthenoides) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Leontodon boryi.

Birds were less numerous but I did locate Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis) and a singing Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis). Several more species of wildflower were seen along the edge of the track and on the banks and streams, these included Aquilegia nevadensis, more Digitalis purpurea, Nevada Mullien (Verbascum nevadense), Veronica anagallis-aquatica and Lactuca tenerrima.

Apollo (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis).

From here I started to make my way down the hill back towards Granada to pick up Jayne but noticed a group Dactylorhiza type orchids in a small wet area which looked slightly odd so I stopped for a look. In the area there were several spikes of what will probably just be elata but they looked very different in structure, looking more compact, flat topped and with tightly grouped flowers and much more variable in colour ranging from pale pink through to dark purple. Also here there were lots of the spider Aculepeira armida who's webs covered most of the gapes between the clumps of Juncus.
From here I dropped down and Jayne and myself went for some lunch and then headed home.

Aquilegia nevadensis.

The Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture was released back in June 2012 in Sierra de Segura and is called Encina.

The Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Another days birding with good friend Andy (72 species of birds, not bad for a day in July).

We started the day picking up a few species around the house and on the way down to the first site, they included Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) heard only, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) again heard only, Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica).

From here we headed out to the agricultural areas near Moraleda, as soon as we arrived we started to pick up new species for the day including Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica). We moved on around the site to see a pair of Rollers (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) which were breeding in the area, in the same area we picked up Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). On the way back to the road we picked up a couple of fine male Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax). Up around the derilict ortijo we saw a couple of hill topping Swallowtails (Papilio machaon), three or more Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli) and a very tatty Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

Our next stop was along the Rio Cacín just below the Dam near the bridge where we walked along the track to the dam and soon added Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), a couple of heard only  Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) which stayed well hidden but called constantly, Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti). From near the dam we walked back along the track back to and passed the car continuing along the road for a while.
Along here we saw a male and female Cirl Buntings (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), several adult and immature Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and a Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla). In this area we also added a few butterflies to the species list for the day including Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina ssp hispulla), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) plus a couple of dragons which were White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) and Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis).
From here we moved on up to the Embalse just along the road, on the way we had both Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus) and Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) and a little further on we picked up two raptors on the ridge.
Andy quickly parked and quickly relocated the two birds and soon Identified them as an adult and immature Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), we watched them for quite a while as they soared right above our heads before moving to the lake. On the muddy margins we counted at least 8 Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and a couple of Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and out on the water a small number of Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).
On the far bank there were the usual Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) sunning them selves on a log. I then picked up some movement down in the reed beds and soon a couple of young Wild Boar (Felis silvestris) came out into view, also in the reeds there were several Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) flashing about, a Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) which flew up onto some nearby thistles and a couple of Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) were calling from up on the ridge.
We again moved on, our nest site was along the Rio Cacín just out side the Village of Cacín where we followed a track along side the river. We soon had good views of a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and then a bird Andy really wanted to see after hearing them earlier, a cracking Wryneck which gave us superb views as it perched on some dead branches for a good while.
From here we headed up onto the ridge above the village and followed the road for a while to a view point where we scanned the skies for raptors, we did add Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) to the list but no other raptors. However we saw our second pair of Rollers for the day, Rock / Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia)  along with several Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and dozens of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
We then retraced our step right back up the valley to the crags just below Moraleda, along the crags above the pines we soon picked Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and out on the fields we heard Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).
On the way back towards the house we called in at Balsa de Rigedor where we added just two new species for the day, the first was Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and the second a cracking pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus). We ten went back to the house, on the way in we had a couple of fly over Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

An afternoons birding with Andy from the UK.

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Friend Andy Mountford arrived at ours around lunch time from Sevilla, after spending some time in northern Spain. 

We had some lunch before heading up Sierra de Loja to have a look for some of the upland species that this site is well known for, as it was well on into the afternoon we decided to head straight over to the area around Charca del Negra where we have on the last few visits seen the secretive Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis). 

On our way over we had some very nice views of both Black (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and mixed flocks of Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

Andy Mountford.

Once we were at we got views of several more Rock Sparrows and Buntings, a nice male Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), singing male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and in the air several Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus). On the rock face we found the remains of a few plants but every thing was pretty much over with and on the pool there were a couple of Blue / Common Emperors (Anax imperator) and a single male Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii). 

In the water there were lots of Tadepoles of the Sharp-ribbed Salamanders (Pleurodeles waltl) along with a few adults. In this area we also had a few butterfly species which included Spanish Marbled (Melanargia ines) and Iberian Marbled Whites (Melanargia lachesis), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia).

We could not locate the Other Rock Thrush here so we moved on around towards the Goat Cave and further on along the track passing several more craggy spots where we had good views of two Short-toed Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) one of which was very pale and the other very dark but we did not get a sniff of the Thrush so we turned around and had to admit defeat for the first time this year.
On the way back down we added both Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) to the day list by the small cereal field near the pools and on the wire fence surrounding the new barn a little lower down an adult Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and a couple of singing Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra). 

Further down a family party of Spectacled Warblers (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) crossed the track in front of the car and both Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) sat on posts at the track side during the journey down to Loja.

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

As we made our way back to the house we added Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) to the afternoons list.

The Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Day two of Gretchen's Tour.

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Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Today started up in Granada City again where I met Gretchen before we headed off back along the motorway towards Moraleda where we came off and went to our first site, Balsa de Regidor. The site is a small naturalised pool which had several pairs of Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) breeding on it and they were out on the water with good numbers of ducklings. Also on the water there were several Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).
Also seen in the air and around the margins were Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).
Whilst we were along side the lake we could hear a Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) calling from in the Olives so we took a walk down the track towards the farm, we did not see the Curlew but added Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).
We walked back up to the car and drove the short distance up on to the agricultural areas nearby, on the way we had views of both Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and just as we arrived at the site a pair of Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) sat on a rock pile. Once we moved out on to the fields we quickly located a small group of 4 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which were out on a harvested crop field, also here we saw and heard both Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) along with a couple of Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) which were walking around amongst straw bails on the fields nearby.

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

We again moved on down through the site to a spot where a pair of beautiful Rollers (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) were breeding in a dead tree, we arrived and found that there were three more Hoopoes and a family party of Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis). After a short while the first of the Roller adults flew in and fed the youngsters while we watched and this bird was soon followed by the second bird, we had great views. We moved further along the track where we had cracking views of a European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) which was feeding from the tops of dead Almond trees. In the same area we saw a fly over Stone Curlew, Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
From here we dropped down into Cacín where we had a late breakfast in the bar before continuing on down the valley where we stopped by the bridge over the Rio Cacín, almost straight away we picked up a group of feeding European Bee-eaters, heard a calling Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) some way along the track towards the dam, a Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) which soon skulked back off into cover and then a very nice male Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) which sang from the top of a White Willow near the dam.
Down near the dam we hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) calling but did not see it, luckily Gretchen got flight veiws later as we walked back to the car, on the dam we saw White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and up in the pines a Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius). We then walked back to the car and on the way we got views of a distant immature Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) which circled over the ridge. We passed the car and continued on down the road and picked up a Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) which we had heard call a few times, a singing Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) which sat nicely in a low bush and a calling Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) but it remained out of site.

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From hear we drove up to the Embalse where we picked up more Common Pochards, Eurasian Coots, Common Moorhens and White Wagtails. On the muddy margins there were a small number of Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius). From here we dropped down the valley and stopped above the gorge and scanned the cliffs where we got nice views of both Common and Pallid Swifts, Crag Martin, several Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) were seen collecting something from the cliffs but we could not work out what from our view point. Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) could be hear down in the gorge and what was possibly the same immature Bonelli's Eagle we had seen earlier soared above us and gave us some really nice views.
From hear we headed back along the gorge and stopped at the Roman bridge where we had some more views of Rock Sparrows, Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and then a surprise species a male Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) which perched in a small Almond tree near the bridge. We continued on up the valley to Cacín and stopped on the river and walked up the river, near the bridge we saw a Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) several times as it came into its nest in a gnarled willow tree.
We also had good views of Nightingale, Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). We moved on along the road and up onto the ridge above where we quickly picked up a Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) on a road side Pylon.
We continued on across country through Ventas del Huelma and on to another agricultural area near the large industrial area at La malaha. We worked our way across the fields where we got nice views of a Hoopoe, Short-toed Lark and Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata). Our last stop was at a disused Cortijo on the way back into the city where we got nice views of a couple of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), lots of Feral / Rock Pigeons (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and around the side of the buildings we found a plant that I did not know. From here we headed back into the city where I said goodbye to Gretchen and had a walk up into the city to collect a couple of bits a friend had left in a Hotel before heading home.