Undisclosed Site, Granada Province.

No sign of the Cream-coloured Coursers.

Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) sat on a Rabbit.

I dropped Jayne in the Sierra Nevada Shopping center and then went out to the site for the Cream-coloured Coursers (corredor Sahariano / Cursorius cursor) but after just over 3 hour searching I had not found them. 

Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris).

All the young birds were now flying so they may well still be in the area but lying low.

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

I did however see Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Greater Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Woodchat (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), immature Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Collared (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) as well as several Scarce (Chupaleches / Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli) and Common Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

I then went and met Jayne in the Shopping center where we had a very nice Italian meal before continuing the shopping and the heading home.

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Charca de Suarez, Granada Province.

A few hours around the wetlands with Juan Pérez Contreras.

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

I drove down towards Charca via Granada seeing Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) immature.

I parked and spent a few minutes checking the bushes and reeds through the fence and saw Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix) heard only and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major).

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

I met Beatriz, Juan and Chika on the beach and then Juan and I went into the reserve and started to walk up to the new hide on the way we picked up another calling Common Quail,  Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

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

From the hide we saw Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Sedge (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Melodious (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and Cetti's Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and an immature Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) in the pine trees on the very far shore.
From the next hide over looking the Northern end of Laguna del Taraje seeing another Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina).

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

From the other end of the same Laguna we had several views of a Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea), Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum), Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) and Perez's Frog's (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi).
Further round we had a look at Laguna del Lirio seeing the first Red-knobbed Coots (Focha cornuda / Fulca cristata), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus), 2x Black-rumped Waxbills (Estrilda troglodytes), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) and Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii).

Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

The next two hides looked over Laguna del Trébol adding Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and on our way around to the main hide we saw Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna).
On the island from the main hide we saw Little (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Western Cattle Egrets and on the water Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra).

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

We made our way back around to the new hide and then Laguna del Taraje, between the two places we saw Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Wild Boar (Felis silvestris), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small White (Pieris rapae) and Clouded Yellow ( Colias croceus).
Juan went back up to the New Hide and I headed off home adding Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) on the way.

Undisclosed Site in Granada Province.

12 days on I went to check on the Cream-coloured Coursers.

There are more just published posts about these birds below as the news has just been officially posted.

Cream-coloured Coursers (corredor Sahariano / Cursorius cursor).

I drove out to the site and after a few minutes I found the first of the Cream-coloured Coursers (corredor Sahariano / Cursorius cursor) and by the time I left the site half an hour later I had see the same seven birds that I had see 12 days ago. 

Cream-coloured Courser (corredor Sahariano / Cursorius cursor).

It appears that one of the young birds had not made it but so far a 75% success is very good news.

Cream-coloured Coursers (corredor Sahariano / Cursorius cursor).

I also saw Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Greater Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Woodchat (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) and several Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).

Cream-coloured Coursers (corredor Sahariano / Cursorius cursor).

Cream-coloured Courser (corredor Sahariano / Cursorius cursor).

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Searching for more Butterflies in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Emma and Aiden, Day Two.

♂ Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

We started out from the hotel a little earlier than yesterday so that we had time to get to the spot to catch the minibus, in the car park we had great views of a nice ♂ Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) along with Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus). 

Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris).

We got the minibus up to 3200m where we walked a train near by looking for Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris) but we did not find any did see Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and a soaring Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus). 

Sat photographing the Accentors (Taken by Emma or Aiden).

We returned to the main track and carried on up to the refuge building, on the way we recorded Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum).

Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris).

Plants seen included Eryngium bourgatii, Eryngium glaciale, Hard Fern (Polystrichum lonchitis), Carduus carlinoides subsp. hispanicus, Chaenorrhinum glareosum, Cerastium alpinum subsp. nevadense, Senecio nevadensis and Centranthus nevadensis.

Emma and Aiden at 3200m.

In the area around the refuge we had fantastic views of a couple of adult and an immature Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris) which gave amazing views and were to close to photograph for a lot of the time.

Searching for the Accentors.

We walked back down to the spot where we caught the minibus and then dropped back to the car and the down to another trail near the Ski Resort where we had some lunch before walking out on to the slopes seeing Oriental Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lupinnus), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone), Small (Lycaena phlaeas) and Purple-shot Coppers (Lycaena alciphron), Small White (Pieris rapae), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Nevada (Polyommatus golgus), Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous), Silver-studded (Plebejus argus) and Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Clouded Yellow, Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Niobe (Fabriciana niobe), Southern Heath (Melitaea nevadensis) and Dark-green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja).

Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron).

During the walk down we also saw Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

Silver-studded Blues (Plebejus argus).

Once we were back at the car and then dropped down to the car park at the Botanical Gardens where we checked the flower meadows near the entrance and found Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Hermit (Chazara briseis), Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans), False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Clouded Yellow, Rock Grayling, European Mantis (Mantis religiosa), Saddle-backed Bushcricket (Steropleurus andalusius), Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone) and Oriental Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lupinnus).

The day had flown by and it was time to head back to the Cortijo de Tajar hotel again where we said goodbye and went on our ways.

Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).

Thanks for the two days in the hills, I am pleased that you enjoyed the trips and thank you for doing such a great Trip Advisor review and for the notes which made the blog easier. 

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

Hope to see you over this way at some time in the future.

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).

Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus).

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia).

Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans).

Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora).

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus).

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Searching for Butterflies in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Emma and Aiden, Day One.

Spanish Brassy Ringlets (Erebia hispania).

I met Ema and Aiden near Huétor Tajar and we headed straight off up into the mountains, our first stop was near the ski resort on the A395 when we picked up a raptor which we never got onto properly after we parked but in the vegetation around the pull off we started the Butterfly list with Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) and Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris).

We continued on up to the car parks at 2500m and found a roadside slot as the main parking areas were full being a Sunday. 

Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum minutum).

We got our kit together and then went for a walk out on one of the tracks nearby, luckily most of the people up there were going to the summit so this trail was relatively quiet. 

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia).

As soon as we started out we picked up the first of many Spanish Brassy Ringlets (Erebia hispania) which appeared to be having a good year going by the numbers seen. 

Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp depressa,

We also had quite a few Apollo's (Parnassius apollo) but most of them were quite worn and seemed to be going over early this year, probably due to the extreme heat. 

Gentianella tenella,

We also had good views of Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), an immature Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) which looked a bit out of place amongst the rocks and in the air Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and drifting Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Gentiana boryi,

As we continued along the track the list of butterflies grew and included Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus), Queen of Spain (Issoria lathonia) and Cardinal Fritillaries (Argynnis pandora), Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Idas Blue (Plebejus idas), Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone), Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron), Oriental Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lupinnus) and Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) by the time we reached the area of wet gullies. 

Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris).

We also had a few interesting wildflowers along the track sides, Chickweed (Cerastium boissieri), Fox Glove (Digitalis purpurea),  Hard Fern (Polystrichum lonchitis), Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum minutum), Sideritis glacialis, Arenaria imbricata and both Eryngium bourgatii and Eryngium glaciale.

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma).

In this area we found several nice wild plants including Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp depressa, Gentiana boryi, Gentianella tenella, Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), Pinguicola nevadensis but not in flower, Epilobium atlanticum, Plantago nivalis also not in flower but locally very common, Saxifraga stellaris which was flowering in the damp gullies, Euphrasia willommii, Minature Wild Plum (Prunus prostrata) and then as we walked back we found the first Niobe Fritillary (Fabriciana niobe), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) and Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

Hermits (Chazara briseis) ♂.

Once we were back at the car we had a drink at a nearby bar and then dropped down to the thistle beds near the Visitors centre where we again boosted the list with Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Escher's Blue (Polyommatus escheri) and both ♂ and ♀ Hermits (Chazara briseis) as well as more Silver-spotted Skippers, Cardinal and Queen of Spain Fritillaries, Iberian Marbled Whites, Rock Grayling, Cleopatra and Spanish Brown Argus.

Hermits (Chazara briseis) ♀.

On a bend further down the hill we found Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

Further down the narrow road which was the original road up and down the Sierra we stopped again near to the Entrance to the Seminario amongst the broad leaved woods. The site was much quieter that on my last visit just 10 days earlier, mainly due to the fact that the verges and many of the plants had been strimmed down. 

We did however see Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small White (Pieris rapae), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) and a short way further on Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe), Comma (Polygonia c-album), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).

Cardinal Fritillaries (Argynnis pandora).

We dropped further down the hill but found that as it was a Sunday it was busy with people bathing in the Rio Genel so we carried on and headed back towards Huétor but called in at Balsa de Regidor where we had a look for some dragonflies and found Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) x3♂, Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum) x2♂, Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) x1♂ and a Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii) x1♂.

Birds at this site included an immature Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina).

Just down the road we stopped again to check an area of Wild Capers (Capparis spinosa) but found nothing butterfly wise but added Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

We left this site and made our way back to the hotel where I dropped Emma and Aiden off and set up for the morning, day two.