East Bank Donana, Cadiz Province.

Back into the rain!!

Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

I got up before light and went to a local bar and had a coffee and tostarda before heading out on to the fields and checked out the ditches and pools. A little way out of town I turned right out on to the very muddy tracks between the rice paddies and cotton fields and when I say muddy I mean muddy, poor car did me proud but it took some jet washing later in the day. I stopped just over the first bridge and scanned the largish road side canal and was quite surprised to see several Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) on the wing as it was only just getting light, I also had a Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) but I did flush this one from beside the water. On the bank I saw an immature Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Little (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

I then ventured out into the fields, whilst slipping and slidding I checked out some of the smaller channels running away from the track picking up Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus). I reached a T-junction and sent a good while checking out the birds on the surrounding fields and the first thing I noticed was the number of Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus), as I stood on the bank I could see several large flocks flying over the area numbering several hundred in total. Also along the large canal here I had nice views of a Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) as it whizzed passed and out of sight, several Black-headed Weavers (Tejedor Cabecinegro / Ploceus melanocephalus) feeding on the track, then next came a flight of 11 Black Storks (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra), a hundred or so White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) and these were out numbered by Western Cattle Egrets. 

Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus) immature.

On the fields over the bank there were a few areas of lying water which were covered with Northern Shovelers (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), a few Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra). After longer than I had planned I jumped back into the car and continued on along the left-hand fork of the track along the canal seeing loads more Glossy Ibis, Gulls and Grey Heron but I did not stop as the track was so wet and muddy and the rain was lashing down I was quite worried about getting bogged in.

Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta).

I eventually came to the main track (Muro de los Portuguses) off to the left which crosses a water way several times, these areas of water are quite large and reed filled. I stopped several times along here as the rain had eased a bit and the track was in much better condition and I was less likely to bog down. At the first stop I saw loads more Black-headed Weavers and a male Yellow Crowned Bishop (Eucleptes afer), a small flock of Common Waxbills (Estrilda astrild) came into the same area calling noisily as the landed and out on the water there were more Northern Shovelers, Eurasian Teal, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) and just as I was about to get into the car I heard a calling Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) which I eventually located in a nearby reed-bed, it flew up and towards me and was joined by 8 more birds which landed on the far side of the road and gave me some nice views.

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

Further along the track I picked up an immature Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus). Eventually I reached the end of the track and came out on to some Tarmac again at last, I headed back towards Los Palacios Y Villafranca and out on to the main road heading south, I exited to wards Lebrija and then on to Trebujena where I found the road out to the river, near the end of the road there are a group of small pools which held several new species for my trip list including a couple of Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) plus Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris).

Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina).

From here I headed along the river Guadalquivr but due to the white lines along the roadsides I could not stop easily but eventually I reached Codo de la Esparraguera an area of disused salt pans and managed to park on the roadside. Here I had nice views of Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Avocet, Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), more Glossy Ibis which seemed to be everywhere and dozens and dozens of Black-winged Stilts.
From here I headed along the track to Riacheros a small fishing port and out on to another track towards Monte Algaida Saltpans, on the way I passed several small pools and on one of these pools I found what was for me was the bird of the trip, a winter plumaged Marsh Sandpiper (Archibebe Fino / Tringa stagnatilis) in amongst a large flock of Black-tailed Godwits, Common Redshanks (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), 3 Spotted Redshanks (Archibebe Oscuro / Tringa erythropus) and a few Greenshanks.

Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta).

Whilst I was watching these birds a cracking Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) did a fly over, there were a couple of Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra) on the nearby fences along with lots of Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and in the reed-beds nearby there were a couple of calling Water Rails (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus). After again spending far to long along here I reached the first of the salt pans and I again picked up more Greater Flamingo's and the first Spoonbills (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) of the trip. On the way back I added a couple of female Northern Pintails (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and a second Western Osprey. Once I got back to the fishing village I went back towards Monte Algaida Pinewoods, as I had taken more time out on the marshes I did not stop in the pines as I still wanted to go to Bananza Salt pans and spend some time there taking photographs as at last the sun had come out!!!!

Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus).

Anyway Bonanza was fairly quiet but on the main drive I saw Dunlin, Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Little Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Avocet, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover. At the end of the road I turned right and followed along the ditch all the way to the pump houses at the end of the track, along the way I saw the first Great White Egrets (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) x3, 5x Whiskered Terns (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus), Slender-billed Gull (G aviota Picofina / Larus genei), Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluviali squatarola), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Red Knot ( Correlimos Gordo / Calidris canutus), Glossy Ibis, Black Stork and Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe). 

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Other species seen at this site included Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), White Stork, Little and Western Cattle Egrets, Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged Gulls, Greater Flamingo and Purple Heron.
From here I headed along the coast to the seafront at Chipiona where I scanned the beach and sea for birds and added another couple of species, Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Arctic Skua (Págalo Parásito / Stercorarius parasiticus) along with more Lesser Black-backs, Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gulls, Kentish Plover and Sanderling.
From here I drove quite a way south to Vejer de la Frontera and found a nice little hotel nearby before going out to Barbate to check out the pools and coast line, on the pools I added Caspian Tern (Pagaza Piquiroja / Sterna caspia) and Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) to the list along with more Ringed Plovers, Greater Flamingo's, Little Stint, Redshank and Northern Wheatear.

Caspian Tern (Pagaza Piquiroja / Sterna caspia).

Back at the hotel I had a walk around the garden finding a couple of male Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), loads of Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), a couple of Ravens and as dusk fell Several large flocks of Western Cattle Egrets flew into Roost came over and both Tawny Owl (Cárabo Común / Strix aluco) and Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) which called for the next few hours.

To Nerja, Laguna Dulce, Laguna del Gospue, West of Osuna and the night at Los Palacios Y Villafranca.

A long day and a lot of Km (in the new car) day one of recce trip for spring tour.

The day started by driving down to Nerja via Zafarraya and Velez Malaga to take Jayne for her short break with two of her sister's and brother-in-law. On the way down I started the three day list off with several  Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) on the roadside wires, Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

After seeing Barb, Sue and Peter and collecting my new to me camera I said bye to Jayne and made my way up to Steve and Elena's on the way up to Frigaliana for some lunch, a chat and to collect a 400mm Canon lens that Steve was letting me have early. From Steve's garden whilst having lunch we recorded Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala). After a very nice luch a bit of birding and quite a few tips about how to use the camera and lens I said thanks and Goodbye to Steve and Elena and headed off along the motorway to Antequera and then onwards to Laguna Dulce. On the way the weather took a turn for the worst and did not really improve much for the rest of the day, on the way I saw Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

By the time I got to Dulce it was minging it down so I sat in the car for a short while  before dashing to the hide where I scanned the near shore as this was all I could see!!! Along the near margins I could see several Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata). As the weather improved I started to pick up more species including 3 male and 2 female Ferruginous Ducks (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and 1 collared and 1 non-collared Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata). On the margins and over the reedbeds I also saw Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).
From here I headed out of Campillo's to have a look at Los Corralis and then on to check out Laguna del Gosque, again as I arrived here the heavens opened so I again sat for a while and picked up several Common Starlings (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulg aris) mixed in with a large flock of Spotless. Once the rain had slowed to torrential I venchered out to the hide along a short track, from here I saw more Greater Flamingo's, Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and on the muddy shoreline Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta).
The rain then started again so I scanned the fields behind the hide where there were birds sheltering in some fig trees, these included several Pied and Spotted Flycatchers (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Whinchat, Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and on my way back to the car in a very brief break in the clouds I added Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum).

My last birding spot of the day was on the fields near Osuna, on the way over I added Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

I followed the usual route along the road heading west out of the town and stopped at the first two bridges on the way but did not find any of the Great Bustards (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda) but I did pick up Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).
Yet again the weather went from bad to even worse so I had one last try for the Bustards along a track that I had not followed before and just as I was about to turn around I picked up three blobs in the mist which turned out to be male Bustards feeding in a newly sown field.

At this point I gave into the weather and headed to the motorway and then on to Arahal, Utrera and then to a hotel in Los Palacios Y Villafranca.

Even though I had my new camera kit the weather had stopped me getting any shots at all.

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Another cracking day along the Valley.

I went out a little before I was due to met Mike and Marline (hope I have the names right) at the bar down the road where we had met in the past for an ABS meeting. I checked out the fields to the west of the site and had a flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) come in and land in a Lucern field, on my way around I also saw Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

I met Marline and Mike and our first stop was back at the fields where I had earlier seen the flock of Little Bustards, we arrived and scanned the lucerne field and soon located the flock with their heads standing above the crop.

Our second stop was out on the agricultural fields near to Moraleda and out on the large fields near the disused Cortijo we quite quickly found three Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) feeding on the stumble. In the same area we caught up with Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Iberian Grey (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

From here we moved down into the Valley and stopped down by the river and checked out the track towards the dam, along this well wooded stretch we had good views of Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
Up at the lake just above this site our first bird was a Northern Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) perched on a pylon, as we parked the bird flew off being mobbed by a Common Kestrel. Over the lake we watched a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) fly the full length of the lake passing over Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). Also seen at the same site were Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).

We continued on down the valley and took the road to a watchpoint above Cacín but all we managed to see was a Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and insects included Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus).

On our way back to the bar we picked up Western Cattle Egret and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

Above Trabuco, Malaga Province.

A couple of hour's birding whilst Jayne was at craft group.

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

I went straight up to a spot on the edge of the pine woods just above the town where I had spent quite a few house in the passed. I set the scope up on the window and waited to see what arrived. Birds included Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Crested Tits (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Insects seen during the afternoon included Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta), Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Cardinal Fritillary (Pandora / argynnis Pandora), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Padel, Granada Province.

A bit of Birding with Juan followed by a meeting with the boss at the Visitors centre.

Juan Perez and I went and did a couple of hours birding from the hide which looks over the main lake but it was generally quite quiet, we did however see Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Squacco Herons (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and a distant Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus).
After the birding we meeting at the visitor's centre, to start with we had a good look around the facilities and shop and I was surprised how very good the set up is there and well run. After the meeting Juan and I headed back to the city.

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Another cracking day down the Cacín Valley.

I met Paul Wiess dawn at the bar at the bottom of our road for a days birding along the Valley, we started off by making our way across the fields towards Moraleda on the far side of the A92, on the way we started the day list off by seeing Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). We passed through Moraleda and out onto the agricultural areas nearby and straight away we found both Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) near the entrance to the site and we heard but did not see a distant late Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) and had a fly over Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).
We moved on and went out towards the disused Cortijo out amongst the fields, on the way we had good views of Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and a fine pair of Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) which we saw well on the ground and in the air. Whilst in this area we flushed up a single Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which was another of the main target species at this site. Whilst we moved around the area we added Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), another Peregrine, Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), a migrating Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and good numbers of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

We moved on down into the Valley and stopped in the Pine woods near a disused Substation where we checked the roadside trees out for birds, frist came a female Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) which flew up from a damp patch on the roadside and disappeared into the trees before Paul saw it but we did see several more later in the day. Other species seen in the area around the Substation and during the walk along the road included European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and in the air over the trees we had Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) drift over.
We then moved on down the road and stopped near the bridge and continued on along the track which leads to the fence around the bottom of the dam, along here we saw White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula). On our way back along to the car we scanned the nearby ridge and this paided off big time, first we picked up a group of migrating Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus), then a single larger raptor which turned out to be a Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) heading south.
A few minutes later we had a flock of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and a little further along the road we had an adult Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) do a closs fly-by and then soar along the ridge. Other species seen included Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), a male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and to finish off at this site a nice female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus).
The next stop was at the Embalse just above this site, here we added a few new species to the day list and they included Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra).
We then moved on down to the gorge but did not add much but Paul did still get another couple of new species in the shape of Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).
 From here we returned to Cacín and then went up on to the ridge above the village where we were hoping for some more larger Raptors but we only managed to get a Northern Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) but had good views of lots of Tawny Pipits.
From here we headed back towards the meeting point but not before adding Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

Rincon del la Victoria, Malaga Province.

A long walk along the sea front.

Mark.

Jayne, Mark and I had a cracking day down on the sea front at the Rincon, we chose here as I thought that pushing Mark along would be easier as it was flat. I soon realised that it was not as flat as I thought it was but it did me good. We had a very nice meal at Lunch time and stopped at a cracking Ice-cream parlour in the afternoon where Jayne made a great choice.

Having a Paddle.

Jayne about to have a small Icecream !!!!!!

Salinas, laguna Chica, Salinas, Malaga Province.

Four new species for Paul Winter.

Western Willow Spreadwing (Chalcolestes viridis).

I met Paul at Archidona and from here we headed for a small pool near Salinas where we were concentrating mainly on Dragonflies and straight away we found a Western Willow Spreadwing (Chalcolestes viridis) which was out and about early and landed up in the branches of a nearby Oak tree and gave us nice views (1st lifer). In the area we had some nice views of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). We then made our way around the back of the pool on our way back to the car and found the first of quite a few Small Spreadwings (Lestes virens) which was the second new species for Paul's list.

From here we moved to another nearby site where we started checking out an area of scrub looking through the Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii) for a Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum) but we did not manage to find so we moved on down closer to the water, on the lake there were the usual Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and in the reeds there were a few small species including Willow Warbler (Mosquitero Musical / Phylloscopus trochillus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca).

Along the first stretch of margin which went as far as the ruin we picked up several Broad Scarlets (Crocothemis erythraea), Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii), Lesser (Anax parthenope) and Blue / Common Emperors (Anax imperator). We eventually reached the |ruin and new species number three gave its self up very easily in the form of a very nice Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca) which sat nicely on a bramble branch and moved around amongst the grass stems. We continued on around the pool to the far end but only added Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) and better views of  Western Willow Spreadwing. Birds included a calling Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Iberian Magpie, Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).
From here we made our way back down to the car and back to our first site now that it had warmed up a bit and quickly found that there were more species about including Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) and Paul's four new species Dainty Damselfly (Coenagrion scitulum) which seemed to have replaced the Mercury Bluet's (Coenagrion mercuriale) which had been common just a couple of weeks earlier.
We then moved on to our last stop of the day which was along the Arroya Marin near Archidona, we started by driving right to the furthest point where the road had been washed away a couple of winters ago. In the area near the damaged bridge we saw a nice male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) and several White Featherlegs (Platycnemis latipes) both new to the days list. We also picked up a few butterfly species here and they included Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus). From here we headed back up to Paul's car and went on our way home.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

From the terrace, again.

Mark and I spent the afternoon sat out on the terrace in the sun again and I recorded a few species including Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

From the Terrace. 

Mark and I sat out on the terrace in the sun and whilst I was up there with the bins we saw Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) x2, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) x2, Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) x2, Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) x1, Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) x4, Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) x1, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Huétor Fields, Huétor Tajar, Granada Province.

A trip down to the supermarket with my brother Mark and some birding on the way back.

Mark arrived yesterday for his first visit to us out in Spain and today we were heading down to the supermarket in Huétor to pick up a few supplies for him. On the way back we returned across the fields and we found that  part of the wintering flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) had already arrived, on a field near the railway we found a group of 35 birds and later on another field near the low road to Loja another flock of 55 birds.
We spent a while having a look around the rest of the local patch giving Mark an idea of where we live, on the way around we saw Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) x3, Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) plus a good few others.