Granada and the Alhambra, Granada Province.

A morning in the city and an afternoon at the Alhambra for the Ladies.

Day Three for the Leicester Ladies.

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

The morning started with me dropping the ladies off in the center of the City for a few hours sightseeing and shopping, whilst they enjoyed them selves there I popped up to the woodlands behind the Alhambra and had a walk. 

Along a nice newly cut track I had good views of several bird species including Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus). 

Naked / Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica).

Butterflies included Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).

Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum).

Wildflowers and Orchids were abundant and included Naked / Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica), Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum subsp speculum), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis conica), Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Brown Bluebell (Dipcadi serotinum), Neatostema apulum (Yellow Gromwell), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Rosy garlic (Allium roseum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum) and Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus).

Jan, Rona and Sue in the Alhambra.

Later I parked up at the Alhambra and walked down through the wood seeing Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).

I met the Ladies down in the town and we caught a bus back up to the Alhambra where we spent the next few hours admiring the amazing buildings and gardens before heading back to the houses at around 19:00.

Arroyo Marin, Fuente de Piedra, Laguna Dulce, Teba area and back to Marin, Malaga Province.

Woodlands, Wetlands and Gorges.

Day Three with the Leicester Ladies.

The Ladies.

Today's first site was in the wooded river valley of the Arroyo Marin, we parked and walked for a while. 

During this walk we saw and heard Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes),  

Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

The Ladies along Arroyo Marin.

We also found flowering Yellow Bee Orchid (Orquídea Abejera / Ophrys lutea), Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea), Mirror Orchid (Espejo de Venus / Ophrys speculum subsp speculum),  Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Eruca (Eruca sativa), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Shepherds Needles (Scandix pecten-veneris), Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) and White Mignonette (Reseda Alba).

Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).

We moved on to Fuente de Piedra and the Laguna's and pools on the reserve, we started by scanning the entrance road pool from the van and had views of Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus) and Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa glareola), Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).

Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).

We moved on to the car park and then walked down to the board walk, in the car park we had Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and on the board walk we had better views of the Whiskered Tern, Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). 

Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

We walked around to the Mirador where we scanned through the large numbers of Greater Flamingo's and located Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Lesser Flamingo (Flamenco Enano / Phoenicopterus minor) and Greater Flamingo's (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus).

We went to the hide over looking the larger lake and straight away we found a very smart Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), followed by Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus). 

The Ladies at Fuente on the board walk.

From the second hide we picked up a singing Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) but nothing else so we moved back to the Mirador and soon picked out a Lesser Flamingo (Flamenco Enano / Phoenicopterus minor) in amongst the large flock of Greater and then another Lesser was found much closer in the flock along the near shore.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

We went back to the car and then moved on around the western shore to the Mirador at the other end of the lagoon where we had lunch and added Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica).

After getting round the southern side of the lagoons pot holed roads we made it to Laguna Dulcewhere we scanned the pool from the hide and picked up Black-necked (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), a 100+ Red Crested Pochards, White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), 3x Black Tern (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger) and a Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope).
We dropped down the main road towards Malaga and stopped off at the raptor watch point on the Teba road where we watched several Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) drift over and a pair of Peregrine Falcons (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) as they flashed around the cliff faces.

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi).

Our next stop was just down the road at the Tajo del Molino, one of the Jane's stayed on the bridge and watched from there whilst the rest of us dropped down in to the gorge and soon had good views of Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and heard both Wren and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). 

We also saw Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Anthyllis vulneraria (Mediterranean Kidney Vetch), Borago officinalis (Borage), Chrysanthemum carinatum var discolor (Crown Daisy), Convolvulus althaeoides (Mallow-leaved Bindweed), Galactites tomentosa (Galactites) and Helianthemum apenninum (White Rockrose).

Male Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca).

On our way back towards home we called in at Arroyo Marin again and did the same walk as we did during the morning and added Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin), Pied Flycatcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) to the days list before heading back to the houses.

Huétor Fields and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province, Spain.

A good day out on the fields.

Leicester Ladies Day Two.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

We started the day down on the fields checking out the areas around the Arroya Vilano and then out towards the Mesia road ditches, at the first stop along the Rio fields we picked up a late Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

A little further down the road we had a walk along the Northern bank of the Arroya and had views of several Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Iberian (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and heard a Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos).

Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) male.

We moved to the ditches and the first bird seen as we got out of the van was a Nightingale which showed well out in the open on a nearby bush, this was followed by Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), a very nice Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) which flashed across the fields and away and several unseen but heard Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi). 

Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) female.

Our next stop was on the side of the A92 at Balsa de Rigedor, a small man made but well naturalised pool where we added Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) near the van and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) along the track. 

Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

We moved on to the tracks leading out on to the Moraleda fields and stopped to admire the uncommon Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea) which was flowering with Ophrys forestieri on the side of the track. 

A little further on we stopped amongst the Almond groves and had very good views of a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) before continuing on to an area of abandoned Almonds and having a walk. 

Here we saw several more Great Spotted Cuckoo's, European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) and a Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).

Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina).

Again we moved on and stopped on the edge of an Almond plantation which bordered a large crop field where we had lunch before taking a walk. In the area around the van we picked up a Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and on the walk up the field a very nice male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax). 

We headed along the tracks to a nearby ruined Cortijo and scanned the fields but could only hear Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) along with a couple of Swallowtails (Papilio machaon). 

We headed towards Ventas de Huelma and picked up a couple of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).

Once we were through Ventas we headed for Cacín and soon found Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) and further on whilst parked at a good vantage point we had good views of an immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) in flight and in a tree. 

As we dropped down in to the Cacín Valley a Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) flew over and whilst we were watching this bird we also had good views of a group of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster). 

Once we were down in the Valey we headed for the southern point and saw the local Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and by the roman bridge a very nice male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and several Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia).

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

Our final stop of the day was at the Embalse de Cacín where we had very good views of Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

We headed back to the house and I set the Moth trap up before we went through the days list.

Rio Guadalhorce and Laguna Chica, Malaga Province.

Day One with the 5 Leicester ladies from the South Leicester Birdwatchers.

I Meet Jane, Jane Rona, Sue and Jan and then we went out to the beach at Guadalhorce where we scanned the sea and sand. The sea was quiet and we only saw Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), a pair of Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Little Tern (Charrancito Común / Sterna albifrons) and a flight of four Pied Oystercatchers (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus) which landed on the beach amongst the fishermen. On the beach we picked up a couple of male Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) which were new for the year list. Along the river and in the reeds we added Willow Warbler (Mosquitero Musical / Phylloscopus trochillus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus). Also seen in the area we had views of Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula). On the bank  there were plenty of wildflowers including Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum var discolor), Field marigold (Calendula arvensis), Field marigold (Calendula arvensis) and a single butterfly species Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

From here we drove towards Huétor Tajar calling for some lunch on the way adding Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Our next stop was at Laguna Chica and on the way up the track to the spot we had a flock of half a dozen or so Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), a male Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) which unfortunately flew before the ladies got a desent view, Yellow Bee Orchid (Orquídea Abejera / Ophrys lutea), Grey-leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus) and Gorse (Ulex europaeus). At the top of the hill we scanned the pool and saw good numbers of Eurasian Coots, Common Moorhen, Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus). above the water there were good numbers of Barn and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), House, Sand (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and we heard several Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi). Wild flowers included Neatostema apulum (Yellow Gromwell), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Mirror Orchid (Espejo de Venus / Ophrys speculum subsp speculum) and Ophrys forestieri. We also ha an unexpected Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca) which flew low through the tyme plants. We walked back to the van adding Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Blue  (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) to the day list. We continued on and on our way back we picked up Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) near the motorway and as we got closer to the house we crossed the fields north of Huétor adding Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus) before getting to Casa Jasmin where the ladies were staying.

Embalse de Iznajar and Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province.

A morning of Orchids and an afternoon with the Birds.

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

I dropped Jayne off at the Trabuco ladies group meeting and headed off to the Embalse de Iznajar to look for some Orchids, I arrived and started to walk to the main area just as the rain started and it was like this all morning with the odd heavy shower passing through.

Naked / Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica).

Anyway armed with my trusty Ikea bag which works well for kneeling on and as a rain hood for the camera and tripod I made a start with some spikes of Naked / Italian Man Orchid (Orchis italica) which were flowering on a steepish bank under pine trees.

Orchiaceras bivonae.

These were followed by a sing rather tatty looking Orchiaceras bivonae the hybrid between Naked / Italian Man Orchid and Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum), Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana), Bumblebee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora), Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta), Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys scolopax), Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca), Ophrys subfusca and a single spike of Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

Birds in the same area included Subalpine (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax).

Bumblebee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora).

I got all the shots I wanted so I headed back to Antequera and on up the motorway to Fuente de Piedra, I spent most of the visit sat in my car along side the entrance road pool where I watched a group of feeding Whiskered (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus), Gull-billed (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and Black Terns (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger) for a couple of hours.

Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa glareola).

On the same pool there were Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Wood Sandpipers (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa glareola), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Blue-headed (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flava) and a constan stream of both House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). 

Black Tern (Fumarel Común / Chlidonias niger).

I had a quick stroll around to the view point and then to the two hides on the freshwater pools, on the way to the Mirador I had nice views of Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna).

Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).

From the two hides I added Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and a calling Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).

Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus) leaning into the wind.

On the way back to the car I saw several spikes of Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and a Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros). 

Blue-headed (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flava).

I again went and stopped along side the roadside pool but the only new species were Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and a small flock of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) which flew over.

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

After a while a car pulled up in front of me and instead of staying in the car the British birders got out clanging tripods and door which had the expected effect of flushing some birds and pushing every thing to the far side of the pool so i decided to push on and headed back to Trabuco and picked Jayne up. 

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

We got home and as things had warmed up we spent a couple of hours doing some gardening.

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Another trip along the Cacín Valley.

Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides).

I met Martin and his wife just off the A92 near Moraleda and we took a nearby track out in to the Olive and Almond Groves and straight away located find of the day in the shape of three spikes of the uncommon Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea) amongst several spikes of Ophrys forestieri, lots of Eruca (Eruca sativa), Dove's Foot Cranesbill (Geranium molle), Dove's Foot Cranesbill (Geranium molle), Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides) and a female Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides).

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

We moved on along the track getting good views of Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and a very nice Iberian Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus / capensis) which sat nicely in the open. On this lower section birds included Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

Once we were on the top fields we parked and had a walk amongst an area of Almond groves, some in good order and some abandoned. The first things that we started to see were Orchids and these included Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum), Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana) and a single open spike of Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

As we reached the top of a nearby ravin we heard and had fantastic views of a group of 5 or so Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which chased aroundthe trees. In the same area we heard the screams of a pair of Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) as they flew away and disappeared in to the next plantation. In the same are we picked up Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

After a while we walked back to the car and headed out on the main area of open fields and were treated to cracking views of three Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), two male chasing down a female. In the same area we saw both Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Small White (Artogeia rapae). 

Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

We moved off the site and down in to the Valley and were very pleased to see a couple of Iberian Magpies (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus) along with Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) in the Pines.

We stopped off at the Embalse de Cacínand had great views of two male Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) displaying over the reedbeds, a single Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), 6x Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) roosting on the trees in the water, 3x Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), heard Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica).
We continued on down the valley seeing Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) on the way.

Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

In the gorge we had stunning views of both male and female Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) along with Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and a singing but not seen Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis).
We turned around and headed back up the valley calling in at the Rio Cacín on the way where we had Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and heard Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) before heading back to the meeting point and going our own ways.

Thanks to you both for a very pleasant time in the country side and for all the positive comments about the day.