Mollina area, Arroyo Marin and Salinas, Malaga Province.

Birds, Butterflies and Dragonflies, all in good numbers.

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Alzacola / Cercotrichas galactotes).

I left the house at around 07:15 and made my way towards some fields where I have had good views of Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) in the past, on the way there I saw Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Collared  (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
Once on site I picked up two female Montagu's followed later by a single male but not the very pale bird seen a week or so ago.

Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus).

Also seen here were Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) before I moved on to the meeting point.

Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra).

I met up with Bob Wright and Steve and Elena Powell at a bar near Antequera where we had a coffee and a chat before heading out to our first site a few KM along the motorway near Mollina. We were on site 15 mins after leaving the bar and just a few minutes later our first target of the day was under the belt when the Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Alzacola / Cercotrichas galactotes) flew in and landed on the top of a nearby fence and sang for a while.

Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus).

Whilst we were watching this cracking bird we also had a couple of Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) fly over and we also saw Pallid (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Crested Lark, Corn Bunting, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).
We all got into the one car and parked down a little closer to the fence where the bird had been singing, to start with it stayed on the back fence but we were still getting shots but then it flew down the fence line and landed on the corner post just a few meters away and sang again. Also seen in amongst the grasses and dried up wildflowers was a Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Orange Featherleg (Platycnemis acutipennis).

After fantastic views and getting the shots we had hoped for we moved on and headed off towards the Arroyo Marin valley where we were hoping for a couple of butterfly and Dragonfly species and we were not disappointed. We arrived and parked on the side of the main track and took a look along a shortish side track down to the river, on some Knapweed flowers we found the first of Steve's target species a nice male Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) which he had seen many times before but not photographed. Also here were a few Small Whites (Artogeia rapae), Small  Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and a Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Yellow Clubtail (Gomphus simillimus).

A little way along the side track we had nice views of a Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon) which was a new species for Steve. Bob and Elena were watching the birds whilst we were grovelling around on the ground photographing the Skipper and saw Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), European Bee-eater, Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Great Spotted (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

Before we reached the river we had also seen Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Holly (Celastrina argiolus) and Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina). Once down at the river we picked up a larger Dragonfly having some orientation problems which I thought at first was a dull Common Golden Ringed (Cordulegaster boltonii) but when it landed it was quite obviously a Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene). In the same area of river we also had a male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum), more Small Pincertails and several Copper Demoiselles (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis). Birds included Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens).

We walked back to the cars and then moved on down the valley, as we approached the first bridge I stopped after having a second Western Spectre flash across the front of the car but it disappeared off up river before the rest of the group saw it. However we did see another new species for Steve's Dragonfly list here when a White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) bobbed passed and away, we also saw Comma (Polygonia c-album), Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) as well as more Hawfinches, Golden Orioles and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).
Again we moved on and made our last stop at the site near the end of the valley where we walked just a short way along the track and had a wade in the stream.

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

We added a couple more species to my site list, these being Yellow Clubtail (Gomphus simillimus) and Orange Featherleg (Platycnemis acutipennis). In the same area we also had Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi).
Our final stop of the day was on the way back at a small pool near Salinas, here we spent some time checking the margins of the pool and a couple of ditches for Dragons. New species seen whilst there were Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), a teneral female Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens), Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Dainty Damselfly (Coenagrion scitulum), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii) and Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

Dainty Damselfly (Coenagrion scitulum).

We also had Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and heard Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) along with lots of Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and a single quite large Viperine Snake (Culebra Viperina / Natrix maura) before we all got a bit hot and bothered and headed for the comfort of the cars and drove home.

Granada and Malaga Coast Line.

A change of plan when birding with Mike Fiddler from Australia.

Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyreaica hispanica).

I met Mike near Padul on the motorway coming up from the coast and had expected to do a day around the normal area of the Cacín Valley and so on but Mike wanted to go back down the coast and just do a few quick visits to sites where he could take some photographs. 

We started off by heading to the fields and wet areas to the rear of Charca del Suarez, we did a walk along the back road and started off by seeing lots of Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), several Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and more surprisingly a couple of Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) which I guess must have been very late migrants as they have not been recorded breeding in the area.
On the way back we also picked up Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and heard several Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix).

Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

We also saw a nice Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly and several Speckled Woods (Pararge aegeria). From here we went around to the entrance of the reserve so that Mike could see the opening times before headed out to Cerro Gordo down towards Nejer, here we had a walk out to the tower but it was again quite quiet but we did record Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), House Martin, Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

Mammoth Wasp (Megascolia maculata).

We later went up on to the higher areas and checked an area out where I have seen interesting species in the pasted but we were unable to get there due to building works. On the way down we saw a small herd of Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyreaica hispanica).

Our next stop was at Rio Velez where we has a look down on the beach first before walking the river. On the and from the beach we saw Balearic (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and Cory's Shearwaters (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and a single flyby Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo). Looking inland on the pool there were a few Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and further up the river we saw Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), more Zitting Cisticola's, Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus).

Mammoth Wasp (Megascolia maculata).

Also seen here were Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi), Carpentor Bee (Xylocopa violacea) and a huge Mammoth Wasp (Megascolia maculata). 

By now it was getting hot and we had covered enough sites to keep Mike going for the few days he had left in Spain so we headed in and I headed back home.

Thanks Mike hope the photography went well for the rest of the holiday.

Malaga Golf Channel, Malaga Province.

A couple of hours birding down on the coast.

Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides).

I had thought that visiting this site during the heat of the day might be quite good for Dragonflies but there none seen. I did however see a couple of Squacco Herons (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides), a single Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Collared (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), lots of Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and several Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) but little else. I paid a quick visit to the Golf club car park but just more Monks.

Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus).

Near Ardales and Laguna Chica, Malaga Province.

Day three and things just keep getting better, two more new species for out Spanish Dragon lists.

Yellow Clubtail (Gomphus simillimus).

After another good nights sleep Steve and I headed out to a site not too far from the town of Ardales over in Malaga Province where we were hoping to see another couple of uncommon species of Dragon. We arrived and soon located the correct spot but we were quite early so we started to have a poke around looking for roosting or emerging insects.

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis).

After a while we found a single female Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) part way along a track away out on to the fields on the far side of the site.

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis).

Birds included several singing Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Melodious (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and Cetti's Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotted 

Western Demoiselle (Calopteryx xanthostoma) female.

Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).
Once things warmed up a bit things started to move, Steve found a single Yellow Clubtail (Gomphus simillimus) which had climbed up an Iris leaf to warm up for the days flying but by the time I got to the spot it had flown.
Next came a single female Western Demoiselle (Calopteryx xanthostoma) which was the only individual we saw of this species, as hard as we searched we could not find a male.

White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes).

The Clubtails started to fly more but seldom settled and when they did they we not very approachable. In the same are we also recorded Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum), both White (Platycnemis latipes) and Orange Featherlegs (Platycnemis acutipennis), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus) and Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii). Butterflies included Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Southern Marbled Skipper (Muschampia baeticus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).
After a while things went quiet so we decided to head back towards Granada area calling in at Laguna Chica near Archidona on the way.

Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus).

We arrived and walked the whole of the Northern and eastern shores, checking the water side on the way out and the scrub on the way back.
Here birds were quieter as it was the afternoon but we did see and hear  Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little  (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Bonelli's (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and Subalpine Warblers (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus).

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

Dragonflies were also plentiful with hundreds of Dainty Damselflies (Coenagrion scitulum) on the margins and out on the water along with Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Blue-eye, Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) and a newly emerged female Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata).

There were also masses of Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and a couple Viperine Snakes (Culebra Viperina / Natrix maura).

The heat was quite bad by late afternoon so we headed back to the house and went out for some tapas and a beer.

Steve's flight was early on the Tuesday morning, so we were off down to Malaga at 06;30 in time to get him there for his flight.

Thanks Steve for a fantastic few days and looking forward to looking through some shot when you and Lynn come back in August.

Jimena de la Frontera, Rio Guadalmansa, and Gold course channel, Cadiz and Malaga Provinces.

Day two of the Dragonfly trip and what a day.

Splendid Cruiser (Macromia splendens).

After wimping out and sleeping in the bungalow we got up feeling much better for a decent nights kip and made our way back down to the parking area and then made the walk back out to the site for the Splendid Cruiser (Macromia splendens) and did the same as the morning before and started to check all the bushes and vegetation around the pool and on the opposite bank.

Splendid Cruiser (Macromia splendens).

On the way out we again heard and saw a few nice species including Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli). Steve came up with a good find, not the Cruiser but a fine female Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene) which was sheltering under a small bush which made getting shots harder but we whooped up the ISO and started.

Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene).

After getting the Spectre on film I went back to the main pool and after a while picked up the Cruiser as it stared its day patrolling of the banks. As yesterday it went up the pool and came back down the pool but did not land so we again started to take some in flight shots, mine were not good but Steve pulled off some crackers, Whilst watching the Cruiser we also saw Orange Featherleg (Platycnemis acutipennis), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Blue / Common (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) but Dragonfly numbers were much much lower than yesterday.

Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

In the same area I also had views of family parties of both Bonelli's Warbler and Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), along with Iberian Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Ibérico / Phylloscopus brehmii), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) and Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

Iberian Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Ibérico / Phylloscopus brehmii).

In the areas along the denser parts of the river I had views of Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi), Iberian Wall Lizard (Podarcis hispanica), Summer Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes aestivalis), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina) and back at the pool Steve had a butterfly lifer when a Monarch (Danaus plexippus) flew through the clearing.

At around lunch time the Splendid Cruiser started to change its flight pattern and began to fly up amongst the bushes and then to our amazement landed in a broom plant on the opposite side of the river. Within seconds we were in up to just above our wastes and were across and out the other side and getting some good shots of this stunning insect.

Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii).

Happy with the distant shots we tried to get in a little closer so that we could bring the Tamron 90mms into action but he was having none of it and was off and disappeared from view. A couple of minutes later we found out why the dragon had gone for cover when a very large black cloud came over the hill and it started to thunder, the rain held off whilst we walked back to the car but had started by the time we had reached Jimena where we went back to the bar where we had eaten the night before and had lunch. During lunch it rained heavily so we decided to start and make our way back along the coast towards Malaga and once there we would make a
decision about what to do for that night.

Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea).

On the way south towards the coast we were flagged down and the road was blocked by a serious head on crash which had taken place on a sharp bend, the next car behind us came over the brow and nearly rammed us so I got out and went back up to the top of the hill and slowed the traffic down. After a few cars the rain again hit us and in the few seconds it took me to get back to the car I was soaked threw to the shreddies. Anyway as we passed the accident we decided to call at a couple of spots on the way but to head back to my place, so we rang Jayne and let her know. 

Our next stop was at Rio Guadalmansa where we parked by the beach and check the pool, we found several Iberian Blue-tails (Ischnura graellsii) including a nice reddish female, Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) and Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea). 

Female Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca).

We moved on again and made a brief stop at a channel near the Golf course where we saw European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius). The only dragons we saw were a teneral Broad Scarlet and Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) before the rains caught us up. At this point we called it a day and drove up towards home for the night but called in for a quick look at a pool near Salinas on the way where we picked up a female Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) but again the rain soon put pay to things.

Once we were at the house we got cleaned up and headed out for something to eat down in Huetor.

Jimena del la Frontera, Cadiz Province.

 Day one of the big Dragonfly hunt with Steve Jones from the UK.

Orange-spotted Emerald (Oxygastra curtisii).

Today actually started yesterday when I picked Steve Jones up from Malaga airport just after 23:00 and we drove down to Jimena, by the time we got there it was well into today and we settled down to try and get some sleep roughing it in the car. This did not happen, with the traffic and people walking around at all hours we were woken up regularly, so at 06:30 we got kitted up and started what I had thought from descriptions give would be a hard slog out to the site. 

Orange-spotted Emerald (Oxygastra curtisii).

I was pleased that it had been made to sound much harder that it was and we were soon at the spot we needed to be, on the way we heard a fantastic chorus of song which included many Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and as we reached the spot one of a good number of Iberian Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Ibérico / Phylloscopus brehmii) was calling loudly.

Summer Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes aestivalis).

We had a good search around the bushes and trees in the very very out side chance of finding one of the target Splendid Cruisers (Macromia splendens) hanging from the vegetation before having a chance to warm up enough to fly. We did see a single Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) and a female Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) during this first search.

Spanish Gatekeeper (Lobito listado / Pyronia bathseba).

Whilst down in a small opening in the river between all of the Oleander (Nerium oleander) bushes I found just two spikes of the uncommon Summer Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes aestivalis) which I was very pleased with as it was only the second site I had found them at. Steve continued searching the bushes and trees on the far side of the river and I checked out a couple of clearings on the original side and then made my way down to a pool at the far end of the main area. 

Unnamed Beetle.

After some time I picked up a smallish dragon moving along the far bank which I soon worked out was a very smart male Orange-spotted Emerald (Oxygastra curtisii) and was the first of around half a dozen seen during the day. Whilst I was enjoying the Emerald another larger insect flashed through my bins and even though I had never seen one before I instantly knew it was out target species the Splendid Cruiser, I quickly relocated it and confirmed my first thoughts as well as identifying it as a male. This magnificent insect then continued to fly from one end of this pool to the other for the next 6 hours, it disappeared for a few minutes every now and then but never landed as far as we could tell which was hellishly frustrating when you want to get some photographs but it was such a privilege just to see this extremely rare dragon (thanks Steve).

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens).

We both tried and Steve succeed in getting some flight photographs of the Cruiser, I did rather better with the Emeralds but only managed a dodgy shot of the Cruiser. 

At times we both went and checked out the clearings when the insect disappeared and during the walks we added Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Orphean (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis), Subalpine (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) to the bird list.

Western Clubtail (Gomphus pulchellus).

Once it warmed up a bit Butterflies started to fly and they included False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small (Artogeia rapae) and Large White (Pieris brassicae), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) and Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera). Back at the main pool and in the clearings we also saw a good number of other dragon and damselfly species which included Orange Featherleg (Platycnemis acutipennis), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), both Large (Onychogomphus uncatus) and Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus), Pronged (Gomphus graslinii) and Western Clubtails (Gomphus pulchellus), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) and Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus).

Late on in the afternoon the Cruiser disappeared as did most of the insects so we decided to make our way back during this walk we found a couple of Darter type Dragons which looked as though they may be teneral Southern Darter (Sympetrum meridionale) but still need to confirm this, however we did have a couple of definate Common Darters (Sympetrum striolatum) and a very fresh Large Pincertail. 

Other species seen during the day along the river included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto). 

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) caterpillar.

Once back at the car we went and checked another area al little up stream which we had crossed on the way in last night, here we only added White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) and Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) to the dragon list but also saw White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). 

After last nights bad attempt at roughing it in the car we decided to book into a bungerlow on a camp site just out side the town, on the way there we saw a couple of Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) and a group of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus). 

We checked in at the site and dropped the kit off before photographing a Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) caterpillar on the wall of the cabin and then went and had an evening meal in Jimena.

El Purche and Old Road to Guejar- Sierra, Granada Province.

A day practicing with the new lens with mixed results.

Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia).

I dropped Jayne off for a mornings retail therapy in the city and headed up to the woodlands around the road out to El Purche and along the old road to Guejar-sierra.

Fragrant Bug Orchid (Orchis coriophora subsp fragrans).

I parked on the roadside and walked a track out in to anarea of open pine woodlands, on the way I either saw or heard Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).
There were also quite a few wildflowers along the way including Berberis vulgaris, Small Pink Cistus (Cistus crispus), Spanish Rusty Foxglove (Digitalis obscura), Galactites tomentosa, White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus), Iberis pectinata, Large Blue Flax (Linum narbonense), Onosma tricerosperma ssp granatensis, Paeonia coriacea, Polygala boissieri, Salvia lavandulifolia and a few spikes of Fragrant Bug Orchid (Orchis coriophora subsp fragrans).

Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum).

Butterflies and Moths were also present and included Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi), Knapweed (Melitaea phoebe) and Marsh Fritillaries (Euphydryas aurinia) and Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum).

From here I continued on up the hill for a while then dropped back down on the old road to Guejar-sierra calling at a few spots on the way, the first was an open roadside grassland area where I quickly found several more new species of butterfly for the day list including Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Mallow / False Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae / tripolinus), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) plus quite a few more Marsh Fritillaries.

Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia).

Birds were quiet but I did add Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).
Around the plants and amongst the scrub I had several Carpentor Bees (Xylocopa violacea), Hornet (Vespa crabro) and a very nice male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) which was hunting well away from any water.

Small-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla).

Again I dropped down the road and made a second stop at a roadside stream and water hole, in the ditch I found several spikes of yet to flower Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata) and a little further down the hill both Small-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla) and Epipactis fageticola which were no where near ready to bloom.
On a dead spike in a hedgerow I had a very nice male Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) and several more species of butterfly in the same area including Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).

I stopped just a short way down the next hill and found several spikes of over with Barton's Orchid (Dactylorhiza insularis) as well as Water Avens (Geum rivale), Southern Polypody (Polypodium cambricum), Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Little Robin (Geranium Purpureum), White Bryany (Bryonia cretica), Rush Loosestrife (Lythrum junceum) and two day flying moths the Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata) and Synaphe Moldavica.

I then dropped right down to the Rio Genil and checked out a track that I have seen some nice species on before, almost as soon as I got out of the car I started to see Marsh Fritillaries and by the time I had finished I must have seen a couple of hundred.

Small White (Artogeia rapae).

I walked down to and crossed the river and up a track on the far side, during this walk I added Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis) and Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) to the bird list and Southern Marbled  (Muschampia baeticus) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Cardinal  (Argynnis Pandora) and Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia) to the butterfly list. 
 Along the track side I also saw a hanging clump of Dianthus lusitanus.

Dianthus lusitanus.

I then had a quick look on the meadows near the bars just below where I was parked but only added Small White (Artogeia rapae), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) and Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines) to the list before going and having lunch with Jayne down in the city.