Anchar de Alano's, Sierra Alano, Huesca Province.

A leisurely stroll into the hills?????

Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Three.

Anchar de Alano's.

We were up, had breakfast and were out heading through the stunning local countryside for just 30 or so Km and on the way we saw Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone),  Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). 

Spanish Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella gabasiana).

We parked at a car park a couple of KM along a track, got the kit together and started to make our way along the farm track. Straight away we were seeing lots of Fragrant (Gymnadenia conopsea), Burnt (Neotinea Ustulata) and Greater Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera chlorantha), Piedmont Ringlets (Erebia meolans) and as we made our way into the beech woodlands we saw and heard Coal  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris), Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs). 

Spanish Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella gabasiana).

On the track side banks we saw a nice patch of Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor), Alpine Bistort (Polygonum viviparum), Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) and just as we broke through the trees we found the first of many stunning Spanish Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella gabasiana) and the less showy Frog Orchid (Dactylorhiza viride). As we continued on we saw Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citrinella) and several Citril Finches (Verderón Serrano / Carduelis citrinella) which were a lifer for some of the group. 

Piedmont Ringlet (Erebia meolans).

We continued walking up past the two red roofed farm buildings, just past the second building we left the nice track and took to the hill properly, John and Judy stayed on the track and searched the area below the crags whilst six of us continued on up. 

Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus).

The first part of the walk took us up through some superb orchid meadows packed with Spanish Vinilla, Frog, Fragrant and Lesser Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera bifolia) as well as a good number of Field Gentians (Gentianella campestris). 

Field Gentian (Gentianella campestris).

Before we reached the scree higher up we had views of a couple Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). 

Saponaria species.

We hit the scree level and the walking got slightly harder but we were seeing so many things it was not really noticed, it got even better when a sub-adult Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus) which drifted along the ridge a couple of times giving us nice views. 

Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea).

A little way further on we had Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus), a Red Kite and as we started to push up into the crack throgh the ridge to the meadows above we eventually found our first of the Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis) we had been hearing all the way up. In fact we had come across a family party of two adults and at least three juveniles, one of which gave us incredible views. 

Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis).

In the same area we saw Viola biflora, a carpet of Saponaria species, Mountain Everlasting (Antennaria dioica), Iberis Species and Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera). 

Viola biflora.

We continued up the track a little way after the Accentors and checked out a few plants and had a sit down, whilst we were catching our breath I checked a large crag and had fleeting views of a pair of Snowfinches (Gorrión Alpino / Montifringilla nivalis) but they were gone before I could get the rest of the group on to them. 

Lizard species.

Here Mike L, Mary-Ann and Linda decided to wait and sit on a rock looking for the Snowfinches whilst Mick H, Nick and I continued on up to the meadows above. Once we were out on the grasslands we checked the area seeing Alpine Marmot (Marmota marmota), more Alpine Accentors and a single Snowfinch which I again managed to see but this time I managed to get Mick H on to it before it disappeared over a nearby ridge. 

Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha).

Nick spent a while searching around a nearby patch of snow but the bird did not show again so we made our way down the hill eventually catching up with Mick L, Linda and Mary-Ann and then all of us headed back down through the Orchid meadows where Mary-Ann found a couple of spikes of an interesting looking Orchid which we put down to a hybrid between Spanish Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella gabasiana) X Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) = Gymnadenia pyrenaeensis. 

View from Anchar de Alano.

We dropped down again and met Judy and John down by the first Farm building, we were all pleased to hear that they had seen nearly all the species we had seen except for the Snowfinch but they had seen a Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre / Poecile palustris) a species I had not seen up till now in Spain. 

Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea).

Now that all the group were back together we started the decent to the car adding Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).

Spanish Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella gabasiana) X Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) = Gymnadenia pyrenaeensis.

We got back to the van and had a few minutes resting our feet and soaking them in the river, once we were sorted we started back towards the hotel. As we drove down the track we saw a small group of Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) just across the river, after we watched these smart looking animals for a while and took some photographs we continued on and stopped at a view point on the southern side of Sierra de Alano and scanned the cliffs. 

View of Sierra de Alano.

We only added Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major) along with Comma (Polygonia c-album), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra).

Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra).

Again we carried on and stopped again when we saw several plants of the delecate and beautiful Digitalis lutea and whilst we were stopped in the is area we had a very smart Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Wood White (Leptidea sinapis), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna), Pyrenean Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium ssp. pyrenaica), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and Pyramidal Orchid (Orquidea Pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia).

Digitalis lutea.

Fuendetodos, Belchite, Zaragoza Province and road to Gabadito, Hecho in Huesca Province.

A morning of steppe species and an evening in the mountains.

Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Two.

John, Judy, Mike H, Mike L, Mary-Ann, Linda and Nick.

After a very nice breakfast that Ruth prepared a little earlier than the usual time so that we could get out birding we had a quick look around the hotel and started the day list off with Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) on the pool at the bottom of the track we also recorded Mute (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor) and Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) both of which were well and truly clipped so the group would not let me put them on the trip list !!

Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla).

From here we drove the 20 odd KM to the start of the track out into the steppe area's of Belchite, on the way we had both Iberian Grey (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Ganga Ibérica / Pterocles alchata).

We turned on to the dirt track and made our way out into the dry agricultural areas beyond and made our first stop after a KM or so and scanned the area picking up Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Linnet (Pardillo Común /

Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus).

Carduelis cannabina) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).
Further on we stopped to have a look at the first Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) of the trip and amazingly what turned out to be the only Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) of the tour which was a fine leucistic male. Again we moved on a short distance and stopped to look at a male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) whilst we watched this we started to hear a call in the distance but which was getting nearer which we could not put to a species at first but it soon became apparent that this almost corvid like crock was being made by a group of 3 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Ganga Ibérica / Pterocles alchata). 

Lesser Short-toed Lark (Terrera Marismena / Calandrella rufescens).

These birds passed near by giving us nice views but were soon followed by two more birds which came right over our heads, this was the moment I realized I had left the camera in the van. We continued to hear these birds and others of the same species for a while whilst they moved around the site, we walked a way along this track adding Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alcae), Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina), a teneral male Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Red Fox (Vulpus vulpus).

Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi).

Further on we checked an area near an almost completely dry lake and picked up just Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) before dropping down to a side track which lead out to a small pool which still held a small amount of water, as we drove to this point Mike H quietly said he thought he had seen a slightly strange looking lark on the right of the vehicle just a few meters from the track so we reversed back and scanned the spot and soon relocated this bird.

Ruined Finca.

With in a couple of seconds it showed fully in the open and we where watching the prize of the day a very smart immature Dupont's Lark (Alondra Ricotí / Chersophilus duponti) which pottered around in amongst the dry grassy tussocks giving us great views for the next couple of minutes before slipping out of view into the denser vegetation. We were all very pleased with this bird as I had mentioned in the itinerary that the bird was present but very hard at this time of the year and the chances of seeing one let along getting the views we did were slim to say the least.

Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum).

We parked by the small pool and checked the reeds and Tamarisks nearby and soon added a few species to the Dragonfly list including Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) and Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) along with Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus).

Mary-Ann looking for a Golden Oriole.

We returned to the van and retraced out way a short distance along the track before turning off and then parking again near an area of the lake which still held some water, in the reeds and sedge's on the margins we found Western Willow (Chalcolestes viridis) and a couple of Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus) as well as Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), a couple more Marsh Harriers and lots more Short-toed Larks.

A rather bloody Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

We continued on to another T junction turned left and drove out in to the fields again and had very nice views of a Lesser Short-toed Lark (Terrera Marismena / Calandrella rufescens) which sat on the track and another couple of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse before we turned around and headed back towards the road.

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

On this short drive we saw Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Orphean Warblers (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica). At the end of the road I put Hecho into the Sat-nav and we started the drive North as it was starting to warm up out on the fields, we did make a short stop at a Mirador which looked over the whole area before continuing our drive.

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens).

We travelled up past Zaragoza seeing lots of White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) and stopped at a bridge which crossed the Embalse de Ardisa and had a look along a short track in the woodland there. We added Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) Garden (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin) and Subalpine Warblers (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia Cantillans), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and heard Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla). Butterflies included Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni),  Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

A little further on our attention was drawn to a group of farm buildings due to the large number of Griffon Vultures that were circling the spot, we soon guessed that it was some sort of feeding station so we pulled over and had a look. Some of the birds were so over loaded with food that they could not get off the ground and were just bouncing around in a nearby cereal crop field which looked quite comical whilst others were still feeding and were covered in the bloody evidence. In the same area we saw the first Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) of the trip, Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) and in a roadside ditch several Copper Demoiselle's (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) and Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens). Again we continued on past the impressive rocks of Peñas de Riglos where we stopped and took a couple of view shots and near by picked up a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).

Male Mouflon (Ovis orientalis).

We eventually reached the small village of Siresa and checked in to the Hotel Castillo D'Acher were we going to be spending the next six nights. Once everyone and the kit were in their rooms we went and had a drive to the well known Boca del Infierno where we checked out the stunning gorge and cliffs for birds, here we added Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius). In the same area we had Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Pyrenean Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium ssp. pyrenaica), Pyrenean Saxifrage (Saxifraga longifolia) and a fine male Mouflon (Ovis orientalis) with some stunning horns. We headed back down the valley after a great but tiring day and had the first of many good meals at the hotel.

Barcelona Centre, El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona Airport, El Prat de Llobregat again, Mas de Melons and Fuendetodos.

Pickup day and a bit of birding.

Pyrenees, Day One.

The group Linda, John, Mike L, Judy, Mike H and Nick.

Mary-Ann and I left Vilanova early but not before we saw Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto). 

We headed for Barcelona where we were picking up Mike Langley, we followed the sat-nav directions to a metro station in the city and parked on the roadside where we met Mike with in two minutes of arriving, the first objective of this stress day sorted. 

From here we headed out to a birding site on the edge of the airport as a recce to see if it was worth visiting later with the full group, we first of all had a look at a small pool near the beach where we saw Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). 

We moved back inland slightly to a wide reed fringed canal which we walked along for a few hundred meters, during this walk we had views of Grey (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Purple Herons (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), 3x Penduline Tits (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) and on a small pool from a hide Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). 

During the walk back to the van we picked up Great Reed (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and a Purple Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio). 

Also seen during the walk we saw Stripe-necked (Mauremys leprosa) and Red-eared Terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans), Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and several Mammoth Wasps (Megascolia maculata).

A very low plane over the canal going in to Barcelona.

 

Once we were back at the van we drove to a bar where we had some breakfast before going to pick the rest of the group up at terminal 2 of Barcelona Airport. I parked out side whilst Mary-Ann and Mike went inside, after a while the rest of the guests (Linda, Judy, Mike, Nick and John) came out along with Mike and Mary-Ann. 

We quickly departed and made our way back out to the Canal area to see what was still about, Mary-Ann kindly said she would stay and watch the van as it was now full of cases. 

We did the same walk as earlier and saw most of the species we saw earlier along with Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus F lyllus).

We left the site and had a stop at a bar for some lunch before heading towards Lleida, on the way we stopped at a small roadside pool where we could hear Great Reed Warbler singing from the reedbeds as well as White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes), Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope).

Our next stop was on a track at Mas de Melons where we drove scanning the very dry fields, here we added Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and on a dry field where we had a short walk we had Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Common / Southern Blue (Polyommatus icarus / celina), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) and Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus).

We then drove over to our hotel in Fuentetodos, the Capricho de Goya. On the way we had good views of a very nice Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia). 

When we arrived I looked at the front and was a little worried but once we were inside the rooms were great and the Tapas evening meal was superb. Ruth the one owner made us all feel very welcome, it was just a shame we were only stay one night here. This hotel is idea for a birding trip to Belchite area.

Travelling to Barcelona.

A long drive to start the tour in Barcelona.

Jayne and I drove down to Malaga where I picked up the minibus for the next 10 days before starting to make my way up to Barcelona, on the way down we heard and saw Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). Just out side Malaga I met Mary-Ann Murphy, one of the guests on the tour who decided to travel up with me rather than fly. The journey went well and by early evening we were just south of the City in a town called Vilnova where we stayed at Ricards Hotel. During the drive we saw a few species including Iberian (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus) and Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Black / Cinereous Vulture (Buitre Negro / Aegypius monachus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis). 

Once we had the rooms sorted we had a walk across the road to the fishing port where we had good views of Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province and Laguna Chica, Malaga Province.

A morning in the mountains and the afternoon at Laguna Chica.

Day two with Lynn and Tim.

Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini).

Today we were heading up into the Sierra de Loja looking for upland birds and butterflies, we started off by going up the track to the small quarry and checking the slopes there and the crags. 

Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius).

We soon had Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) on the list along with Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina),  False Ilex (Satyrium esculi) and Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae), Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus) and Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyreaica hispanica).

Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida).

From here we drove across the mountain to the pool of Charca del Negra, on the way we saw Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator). 

Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyreaica hispanica).

We parked near the pool and had a look at what was left of the water and had views of several Sharp-ribbed Salamanders (Pleurodeles waltl) and a couple of male Blue / Common Emperors (Anax imperator). 

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

On the surrounding crags and grassland we saw and heard Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius). 

As we could not find the target Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) we continued on to another set of crags where we soon were having very nice views of both male and female birds of this uncommon and shy species. 

In the same area we picked up a fine female Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), more Black Wheatear's, Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) and Thread-winged Lacewings (Nemoptera bipennis). 

Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis).

We retraced our way down the hill after some time watching these cracking birds but did not get very far as we stopped to check an area of rocks which have the uncommon Erodium cheilanthifolium growing on them, this is the Laval food plant of the uncommon Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis). 

As the the plant was present we thought we might as well have a look for the butterfly in the area and soon had a small insect flying around one of the plants. Tim cracked off a couple of shots which later proved that we had in deed found the Argus we were looking for.

Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis).

Again we continued on down stopping around half way to photograph some Thread-winged Lacewings and also picked up Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus lavatherae), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).

Our last stop on the Sierra was at an area of Broom scrub where we had views of a very flighty Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) and Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

Thread-winged Lacewings (Nemoptera bipennis).

As we drove down the last bit of the track we heard and saw Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Bonelli's Warbler Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Tim and I photographing the Lacewings.

Our next stop was at Laguna Chica where we hoped to track down a few dragonflies as well as boost the bird list a bit, on the water we saw several Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and from the reeds we heard Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and a Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) and finally in the air came European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba). 

Scarlet Darter  (Crocothemis erythraea).

We spent most of the time around the margins amongst the reeds where we found large numbers of Dainty Damselflies (Coenagrion scitulum) along with lesser numbers of Scarlet  (Crocothemis erythraea) and Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Black-tailed (Orthetrum cancellatum) and Long Skimmers (Orthetrum trinacria), Lesser (Anax parthenope) and Blue / Common Emperors and Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) as well as Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria). 

Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata).

From here we headed back to the house.

Moraleda and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

The first of two days with Lynn and Tim from Hampshire in the UK.

Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

Lynn, Tim and I headed out towards the fields near to the town of Moraleda and on the way over we started the list off with Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Ornate Shieldbugs (Eurydema ornata).

Once we were out on the fields the good birds just kept coming with Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), 3+ Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius), 4 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis), a cracker of a Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

Ornate Shieldbugs (Eurydema ornata).

As well as the birds we saw Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia), 100s of Ornate Shieldbugs (Eurydema ornata) and their eggs on Caper Plants (Capparis spinosa) and what looked like the lavae of  Striped Lychnis Moth. 

Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia).

We returned to the road and dropped down into the Cacín Valley and stopped at a point along the river where we had a short walk which took us quite a while as we kept on finding cracking species. 

The best of which was a pair of Western Demoiselles (Calopteryx xanthostoma) which up until now I had only seen a single female of this species so I was surprised to find these two perfect insects here. After checking with a couple of Spanish experts on dragons and their distribution I was very pleased to find out that this was the first record in the province since 1911. 

Chlorophorus trifasciatus.

In the same area we also had White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes), Mercury Bluet's (Coenagrion mercuriale), Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi), Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) for the insects and birds included Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Melodious (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Reed  (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

Lavae of  Striped Lychnis Moth,

Our next stop was at the Contraembalse just up the road, the water level was quite low but there were still good numbers of birds to be seen including Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei). We also had Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto) and a flushed Ni Moth (Trichoplusia ni).

Western Demoiselle (Calopteryx xanthostoma).

We continued on down the road towards Cacín a short was and stopped to look at some roadside Scabious plants which had a good number of butterflies necturing on them and these included False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae), Clouded Yellow, Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and on the opposite side of the road we watched a stunning female Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) egg laying on the Fennel Plants.

Western Demoiselle (Calopteryx xanthostoma).

Whilst we were there we headed a Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) calling from some river side trees so we took our lunch down and found a spot near the River and had our food whilst looking for the bird, we did not see it but added Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

We again continued on down the valley down to the gorge where we had great views of a pair of Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia).

After the gorge we headed back up the Valley and were very pleased to see a fine female Northorn Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) as it dropped off a roadside pylon. 

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Our final stop of the day was at Balsa de Rigedor a small lake on the side of the A92 motorway, here we saw several of the water species we had seen earlier. 

The main reason for calling here were the dragonflies which included Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) and Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum). 

From here we headed back to the house where later we sat and listened to the calling Red-necked Nightjars (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis).