Arroyo Marin, Malaga Province and Sierra Loja, Granada Province, Spain.

River valley and mountain Insects and Birds.

Paul and Helen Brock Day Five.

Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

We all set off for a mornings insect hunting in the Arroyo Marin, Paul and Helen had visited the site with me last year and we had found some nice species.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

We started by walking along a shot track along side the stream where we found several White Featherlegs (Platycnemis latipes), Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca), Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Mediterranean Shieldbug (Carpocoris mediterraneus), Mammoth Wasp (Megascolia maculata) and Cone-head Mantis (Empusa pennata). 

White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes).

Birds included Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

Graphosoma semipunctatum.

We next drove right down to the far end of the valley and parked before checking out the river and soon found a nice male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) as well as Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum), Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus) and Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis).

Cone-head Mantis (Empusa pennata).

In the trees and overhead we had Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum).

As we walked along the river we saw butterflies including Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Polyommatus albicans), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Spider-hunting Wasp (Cryptocheilus discolor).

We moved back up the valley slightly and found a nice patch of Field Eryngo (Eryngium campestris) which had several insect species on it including Hairy (Dolycoris baccarum) and Sriped Shieldbugs (Graphosoma italicum), Graphosoma semipunctatum, Rhombic Leatherbug (Syromastus rhombeus), Spider-hunting Wasp (Cryptocheilus discolor), Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto) and Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia).

Rhombic Leatherbug (Syromastus rhombeus).

Our last stop here was at the middle bridge and in the grassland around the spot we found Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus), Egyptian Grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium), Argiope lobata, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). 

Scolia hirta.

During the afternoon we made our way back towards Loja and went up to the 1000meter mark as the Sierra was shut to cars above this due to the high fire risk. By now it was getting hot so we walked along the roadside checking out the large amounts of Field Eryngo, here we found Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Southern Blue, False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae), Haploprocta sulcicornis, mating pair of Potter Wasp species and a lot of other insect species.

Colpa quinquecincta.

Birds included Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cyanus).

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By the time we finished here we decided a head back in as it was getting rather hot and had gone over the +40 mark.

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Stenopterus ater.

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Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Another go at the Ringlets then a minibus to 3100m and a walk back down to the car.

Paul and Helen Brock Day Four.

Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania).

We started out by parking near the barrier above the ski resort and walking to the area where we had seen some very active Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania) a couple of days ago hoping that being there quite early might make them a bit more approachable.

Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania).

Almost straight away we found several insects on the wing but they were as hoped for far less active and allowed us to get to with in camera range a lot easier than before.

Apollo (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis).

In the same area we saw Apollo's (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis), Nevada Blue's (Polyommatus golgus), Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea), a very tatty Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).

Female Baetica ustulata.

Wild flowers included Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum minutum), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Erigeron frigidus, Spanish Mountain Thistle (Ptilostemon hispanicus) and Eryngium glaciale.

Male Baetica ustulata.

Once back at the car park we made our way to the nearby hotel where we got on to a minibus and were taken up to the 3100m point from where we made our way back down the hill to the car on various tracks and the road.

Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis ssp. ramburi).

On the way we found both male and female Baetica ustulata, an endemic Bush Cricket species which was another of the top target species Paul had wanted to see and both sexes performed well for the camera's.

Pyropteron kautzi.

As we dropped down we also recorded Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), the Sierra Nevada subspecies of Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis ssp. ramburi) which was found amongst it's food plant Erodium cheilanthifolium, more Nevada Blue's and Apollo's, a Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus) at 2700m well above the tree line, Pyropteron kautzi, Carpentor Bee (Xylocopa violacea), Blue-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda caerulescens), Mountain Stone Grasshopper (Eumigus monticola), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), a Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and a great many other insect species most of which I still need names for.

Hoverfly Species.

Sierra Huétor, Granada Province.

Dragonflies and Butterflies in the Mountains North of Granada.

Paul and Helen Brock Day Three.

Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia).

We drove out to the furthest point in the Sierra Huétor and made a short stop just off the motorway checking a large area unsuccessfully for Stick Insects but whilst we were there we did see Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and heard Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus).

Bee Species.

We moved just up the road and parked on the roadside and followed a fast flowing stream for a KM or so up stream checking the trees and fields along it's banks. we soon found the first of many Beautiful Demoiselles (Calopteryx virgo) both males and females were common right along the stream.

Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Polyommatus albicans).

Out on the grassland and amongst the thistles we found Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Polyommatus albicans), High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe) and Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis).

Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus).

Back down by the river we saw several Large Pincertails (Onychogomphus uncatus) which sat for the camera which could not be said for the good numbers of Common Golden Ringed Dragonflies (Cordulegaster boltonii subsp algirica) or the single male Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene) which just would not sit. As we moved up stream we also heard or saw Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sto theitta europaea), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

Beetle Species.

During this walk there were quite a few insect species seen but most still need to be named as well as False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Ornate Shieldbug (Eurydema ornata), Blue-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda caerulescens), Mylabris quadripunctata, Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum), Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) and Striped Grayling.

Long-horn Beetle (Stenopterus ater).

We eventually got back to the car and then crossed the road to the fields opposite where we had a very nice Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Small (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Lulworth Skippers (Thymelicus acteon), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus), a very tatty Spanish Purple Hairstreak (Laeosopis roboris), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small (Artogeia rapae), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Bath Whites (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).

Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe).

Again we eventually reached the car and moved a short way along the same road to the next motorway junction and parked on the roadside under some Pine trees and had our lunch before tracking down several Great Banded (Brintesia circe) and Rock Graylings (Hipparchia alcyone) we were watching whilst eating our food, we found several individuals and a couple of mating pairs which posed nicely for the camera along with Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), a couple of Long-horn Beetle species and quite a few other insects on the umbellifer plants.

Cardinal Fritillary (Pandora / argynnis Pandora).

In the same area we had Sriped Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum), Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

 We moved a bit further this time and over in to the Sierra de Alfacar where we checked a walk I had done many time but found very little which was willing to site as it was by now quite hotso we continued to another spot not to far away and had more of the same including Great Banded and Rock Graylings but then we found a cracking species which I had only once before seen a False Grayling (Arethusana arethusa) which gave us nice chance to get it's photo. 

False Grayling (Arethusana arethusa).

By this time it was late afternoon and hot so we decided to call it a day and head back to the house.

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

A day in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

Paul and Helen Brock Day Two.

Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus).

Paul, Helen and I were up and out heading for the 2500m area of the Sierra Nevada looking for insects, on the way we saw Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Band-eyed Drone Fly (Eristalinus taeniops).

We parked near the hotel which burnt down last year and is being rebuilt and had a walk along a nearby track, it was still quite cool but we did start to find a few species including Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) and one of the main target species an Apollo (Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis).

Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Up on the slopes above us I saw a Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Iberian Grasshopper (Omocestus bolivari).

A bit further on we found several Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), quite a few more Apollo's, Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea), Small- Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Dark-green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and a very fancy eyed Hoverfly type insect called Band-eyed Drone Fly (Eristalinus taeniops).

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).

At the furthest point we turned around and walked back towards the car adding Southern Heath (Melitaea nevadensis), Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia) and Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe), Mediterranean Shieldbug (Carpocoris mediterraneus), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and another of the top target species from Paul's list a very smart Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus).

Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ribauti).

On the opposite side of the track from this find we checked a wet flush and Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata), Southern Darter (Sympetrum meridionale), Mediterranean Shieldbug (Carpocoris mediterraneus), a Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ribauti) and Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus).

Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus).

Well that was the morning gone so we move a little higher up to the top car park and walked a short distance along one of the nearby tracks and almost straight away we started to find rather active Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania), lots more Apollo's,  Queen of Spain Fritillary's, Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Oriental Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lupinnus), Iberian Grasshopper (Omocestus bolivari), Carpentor Bee (Xylocopa violacea), Armeria splendens ssp splendens, Arenaria imbricata, Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Erigeron frigidus, Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Spanish Mountain Thistle (Ptilostemon hispanicus), Eryngium glaciale and Spanish Ibex (Cabra pyreaica hispanica).

Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris).

Birds included Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Southern Darter (Sympetrum meridionale).

We returned to the car and headed back down the mountain and back to the house.

Apollo (Parnassius apollo).

Campo de Golf Channel, Malaga, Malaga Province.

A walk along the Campo de Golf channel and then up to the house.

Paul and Helen Brock Day one.

Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa).

I met Paul and Helen Brock at Malaga Airport and we headed straight out in to the fields looking for insects for Pauls follow up book to A Comprehensive Guide to Insects of Britain and Ireland about the insects of the Mediterranean. 

Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli).

The channel was fairly dry except for the last 100meters or so which were muddy and rather smelly but during the walk we saw Blue-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda caerulescens), Red-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda germanica), Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus), Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Iberian Blue-tails (Ischnura graellsii), Paratettix meridionalis, Southern Sickle Bush-cricket (Phaneroptera nana) and Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa).

Paratettix meridionalis.

Birds at the site included Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Mating Red-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda germanica).

Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus).

Rio Velez, Malaga Province.

Mad dogs and English birders, well for a short while go out in the stinking heat.

I spent a very uncomfortable couple of hours birding along the river near Velez Malaga whilst Jayne was shopping in the town but soon started to think it was not such a bright idea as the temperature soared. I did a quickish walk down to the beach from the road bridge and back again, getting very hot and bothered and only seeing Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild) and Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). As well as Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea), African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi).

RAM and Charca de Suarez, Granada Province.

An hours sea watching and then a visit to Charca wetlands.

Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata).

I met Juan Pérez Contreras out side his apartment and we headed down to Peñón de Jolúcar east of Torrenueva near Motril to spend an hour watching for passing sea birds.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

During the hour surveying the waters we recorded Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), both Cory's (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea) and Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio).

Once we had finished the sea watch we made our way to Charca which opened just as we got there so we did the usual anti-clockwise route around the hides. At the first hide over looking Laguna del Lirio we saw Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).

Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous).

We moved on around to the hide over looking Laguna del Trébol and soon had Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Turtle (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Red Avadavats (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava).

Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus).

We moved on around towards the other hide over Laguna del Trébol, on the way we heard and saw a couple of Penduline Tits (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) which showed well in the top of several willow trees.

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

Once we were in the next hide we heard a Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) and saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria), Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea), Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) and Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope).

Monarch (Danaus plexippus).

The main hide was quiet so we moved on around towards the new pool, on the way we had Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major).

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

When we reached the new pool I was surprised to find a new hide which gave good views over the shallow new pool where we found more Black-winged Stilts including three immature birds, Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Yellow-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Yellow-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta).

Our last stop was at Laguna del Taraje, we watched the reeds opposite and eventually had views of a nice male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) as well as Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica). It was soon around to13:00 so Juan and I headed back up to Granada and then I headed home.

Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus).

Near Valencia to Home.

Last leg of the journey.

Mary-Ann and I left the hotel and made our way back down towards Granada where we were meeting Jayne at Huétor just off the motorway. During the drive we saw a single Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Turtle (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Crag  (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus). Not a bad list for a day spent at 120km an hour on the motorway.

Hecho Valley to Barcelona and beyond.

The final day of the tour.

Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Eight.

Rigilos as we headed South.

We had our final breakfast at the hotel before saying goodbye to Nell and the Hecho Valley. 

We drove across country back to the area called Mas de Melons near  Lleida that we had done on the way out, we again had nice views of Black (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and Red Kites (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) during the drive as well as Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).
The first species seen at the Western end of the site was a single Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) which we picked up on a stubble field. Further along the road several Rollers (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) were seen on wires and at a distant nest box, in the same area we had African Grass (Zizeeia knysna) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).
Other birds seen in this area included Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Northern (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

Red-eared (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Stripe-necked Terrapins (Mauremys leprosa).

We decided to make our way from here over towards the airport seeing several White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) on the way and having some thing to eat before finishing the day and tour at the canals and pools at El Prat de Llobregat. 

We first had a look at a pool up near the beach and added a new species to the full trip list when we saw two adult Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) sat on track side rails and both Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) out towards the beach.
In the same area we had Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).
We relocated to the car park near the largish canal and had a walk seeing Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Great Reed Warblers (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). 

Dragonflies included a stunning male Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Blue / Common (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) and in the water we saw Red-eared (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Stripe-necked Terrapins (Mauremys leprosa).
Time had now caught up with us so we headed to the airport and Mary-Ann and I said goodbye to the Uk bound guest before starting the long drive back to Malaga. We made good progress and by the time we stopped for the night we were well passed Valencia.