RAM, Coast Granada and Charca Suarez, Granada Province.

A morning down on the Granada Coast with good friend Juan Pérez Contreras and Eviromental agent / Consultant for the Motril area Verónica.

Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

I picked up Juan Pérez Contreras from Granada, and we headed down to Peñón de Jolúcar near to Torrenueva where we were going to carry out the RAM seabird count, on the parking area we met up with Verónica an Environmental Agent / Consultant from the Motril Town Hall. 

We walked up to the cliffs where we set up and straight away we counted 19 European Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis) either on the sea or coming off the cliffs, loads of the usual noisy Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and a single Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) which was the only one we saw all morning.

During the main count the commonest species and pretty much the only proper seabird recorded was the Scopoli's / Cory's Shearwater (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea / borealis), we also saw Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and Mediterranean Gulls (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and a couple of Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), an adult and an juvenile.

Juan and Verónica checking on one of the areas to possibly be protected.

Around us, we also had large numbers of Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), a couple of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and 2 Eurasian Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) as we walked back down to the car. 

Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii).

Our next stop was on a nearby beach where Juan and Verónica were involved in the protection of some vegetated areas at the top of the beach where both Kentish (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) breed but have been struggling due to the cleaning machinery destroying the nests and from disturbance from people walking through the areas going to the beach. 

As a temporary measure there have been signs and tape put up and this was partly successful but today Juan and Verónica were talking about a more permanent solution.
Whilst on the beach we saw more Audouin's, Med and Yellow-legged Gulls, Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Scopoli's / Cory's Shearwater, female and juvenile Kentish Plovers, European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and on a rock further along the coast a group of roosting European Shags.

Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis).

We drove back along the coast heading for Charca Suarez, picking Verónica's van up on the way as well as seeing a Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus). 

Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis).

We parked and entered the reserve with just two hours for the visit, as we walked towards the new hide overlooking Laguna Blanca we stopped at one of the canals and checked the dragonflies finding Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) x1M, Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) x2M, Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii) x9 and Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum) x1M.

Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) bad shot as I knocked camera on to wrong settings.

As we stood there a male Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) flew passed twice and we heard both Common Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) calling and watched a Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) cross the channel a couple of times whilst Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi) crocked in the reeds.

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

We sat in the main hide amongst the line of photographers watching Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) as well as Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) 2xM and 1 pair in tandem and a male Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) which patrolled up and down the reeds to the right of the hide.

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

We walked around to the main hide, on the way I heard European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and saw African Grass (Nina esmaltada / Zizeeia knysna) and Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) x1TM and several Carpentor Bees (Xylocopa violacea).

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

From the hide we saw loads of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and several Red-knobbed (Focha cornuda / Fulca cristata), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

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

Time was almost up so we walked back to the exit, adding just Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) on the way.

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).

Juan and I said goodbye to Verónica before I dropped Juan just down the road where he was meeting Beatriz his wife and Chika the dog on the beach for the rest of the day.

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

I then headed home picking up Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) on the way and Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) in the fig tree.

Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

Pinos Genil, Granada Province.

A great evening with Jayne, friends Beatriz and Juan and a glow worm.

Female Glow Worm (Nyctophila reichii).

Jayne and I headed up to Pinos Genil but parked at a spot around 3km short of the Resturant where we were going to eat, being as English as us Beatriz and Juan were already there with Chika their dog waiting to get going. We were soon on our way, on the track along the river we picked Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

We also saw  Fragrant Clematis (Clematis flammula) and Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) on the way to Pinos where we had some very good food again at the Restaurante Mesón Casa Guillermo on the side of the Rio Genil.

It was dark by the time we started the walk back but Juan found a single glowing Glow Worm (Nyctophila reichii) in the track side vegetation. It's glow is lost in this shot due to the torch and flash but shows the female nicely.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

New beast for the garden list.

Jayne found this smart looking chap on the back door insect curtain and I relocated it to a nice rook before taking some shots which helped me to put a name to it which I think is Cerambyx welensii, a big Longhorn Beetle found down here in Southern Spain.

Near Archidona, Malaga Province and Moraleda Fields and Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A days birding with Jacki and Gary from the UK.

Several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

I met Jacki and Gary at their hotel in Salinas and we drove the short distance to Archidona, on the way we saw Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus).

Once at the first spot in nearby wooded valley we had a walk along the main track where our main target was to find Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and very soon we heard a male doing it shortened call. As we walked towards the sound we picked up Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and then the first of the good number of Hawfinches (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes).

Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus).

A little further along the track we found the male Golden Oriole which was soon found followed by a less showy but welcome female and the first of several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus).

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

We also was heard several Perez's Frogs (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi) in the river, on the far side of the river a few Rabbits (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus) shot off under the Olive trees and as things warmed up a few Small Whites (Pieris rapae) and Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus) started to fly.

As we returned back to the car where we had views of another male Golden Oriole, a Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) which was carrying food, European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), a single Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).

We then headed off towards Moraleda picking up a Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and a fly passed Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Once we were out on the fields we added a roosting Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) on a pile of rocks, several Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and out by the ruin 3 flying Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) which showed brilliantly as they came round us. Out in the Almond groves we picked up Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Feral Pigeons (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia) and as we went off the site we found a female Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) in one of the weedy fields. We stopped again out on the road and had a short break for a drink and watched a large flock of passing Swifts which included mostly Commons but a good numbers of Pallid (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and a few Alpines (Vencejo Real / Apus melba).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

A bit further along the road we popped in to visit the Little Owl families in the roadside Almonds but only found the a single bird, however he showed well and was quite happy for us to get a few shots. We moved on to a small water pumping house where we found a couple of calling Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and out on the ridge on our way down to Cacín we found a couple of Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), one pale phase and one dark. On the pylons we also picked up an immature Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) and lower down a couple of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and lots of plants of the Wild Capers (Capparis spinosa).

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

We next stopped by the side of the Embalse de Cacín where we scanned the water and quickly found Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) calling from the reedy margins and just as we were leaving a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) came in over the reeds.

We also had a nice male Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). Just down the road we called in at the bridge over the Rio Cacín where we had a walk seeing or hearing Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Wryneck, Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) and Carpentor Bee (Xylocopa violacea).

On the drive back to the hotel in Salinas we saw Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and another Black Kite but this time in Granada Provnce.

Alcala la Real, Jaen Province.

A day out around Alcala and the Fortaleza de la Mota.

Jayne and I headed across country through Montefrio to Alcala, we arrived early and went down into the town for a coffee and some breakfast before returning to the Fortaleza. We paid our €6 and followed then spent a really good 2.5 hours wandering around following a audio tour which was included in the price and well worth doing.

Later we went to the town and had some lunch before visiting the Archeological museum which was also included in the €6 entry fee to the Fortaleza. 

Late in the afternoon it was getting hot so we had a steady drive home after a really good day out.

During the day I saw a few species including White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Turtle (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Common (Urraca / Pica pica) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

A walk along the old tram line in the Sierra Nevada near Gűejar Sierra.

Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis).

As it was Pam and Johns full day so we asked them where they would like to go and Pam said she would like to have a walk along the old tram line where John and I had been the day before. 

We parked by the river and checked the marginal areas where there were again lots of  Southern Marbled (Carcharodus baeticus) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae), Holly (Celastrina argiolus) and Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Small White (Pieris rapae), Comma ( Polygonia c-album) and Spanish Purple Hairstreak (Laeosopis roboris) as well as Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus) and Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator).

Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) in a nest in one of the tunnels.

We walked up on to the road and then went through the tunnel out on to the track along the river, on the Broom and Bramble bushes we recorded Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora) and a very smart male Common Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii).

We came to a damp area on the roadside and found a nice male Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) and literally 100s of Southern Marbled Skippers, a single Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis) which was particularly pleasing as I had not got the camera on one before, Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Bath (Pontia daplidice) and Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi).

We made a stop at one of the bars and had a couple of drinks before making our way back down the track towards the car adding Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe) and two Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) and a Grayling (Hipparchia semele).

Grayling (Hipparchia semele).

Birds during the walk included Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).
We dropped back down the hill and headed back to the house for a quiet afternoon on the terrace.

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

A return to the mountains with John whilst Jayne and Pam tour the City.

Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) male.

Jayne, Pam, John and I set off for the City of Granada where Jayne and Pam spent the day whilst John and I headed back up to the 2500 meter mark on Sierra Nevada where we again tried to find some of the higher altitude Butterfly species but it is obviously going to be a late season for them. We could not find either of the target species even though the weather conditions were a lot better than on our last visit a few days ago and again came away from our first site with just a few species including Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus), Clouded Yellow (Colias  croceus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Southern Mountain Argus (Aricia montensis).

Birds included 5x Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus).

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

We also had Mountain Stone Grasshopper (Eumigus monticolus), Carpentor Bee (Xylocopa violacea), Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum minutum), Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Astragalus incanus subsp. nummularioides, Jasione amethystina, Rhamnus myrtifolia and Sierra Nevada Violet (Viola crassiuscula / Violeta de Sierra Nevada).

We dropped down to a lower track where we walked out on to the slope of the ski resort but again in general it was quiet however we Southern (Polyommatus celina) and Idas Blue (Plebejus idas), Bath (Pontia daplidice), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Small Whites (Pieris rapae), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) and Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera). We also saw Digitalis purpurea, Acinos alpinus subsp. meridionales, Aquilegia nevadensis, Gentiana sierrae, Marsh Violet (Viola palustris), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis). 

Aquilegia nevadensis.

Next came lunch as we appeared to be stuck in the area for an hour due to a bike race, whilst we ate we saw a female type Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

We made our way down the hill and took the old road down off the hill and made our first stop at an area of open grassland amongst the Oaks and Pines where we soon found Lesser Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea trivia), Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli) and Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus) as well as Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater).
Again we dropped down to a wood spot with a very damp verge where we found just a single spike of the beautiful Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata) and lots of flowering Fragrant Clematis (Clematis flammula). On the ash trees along the side of the road we found good numbers of Spanish Purple Hairstreaks (Laeosopis roboris), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Great Banded Grayling (Kanetisa circe) and Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).
Just down the road we stopped again and soon had good views of more Spanish Purple Hairstreaks along with Epipactis fageticola, Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus).

Down by the Rio Genil we made another stop where we checked the rocks by the water looking for puddling butterflies and found a single Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis), Southern Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus baeticus), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora), Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini), Lulworth (Thymelicus acteon) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra) and Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba).
In this area we also had a couple of fly through Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and a couple of Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and on the way home just before we arrived we picked up a roosting Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Rio Guadalfeo, Castillo de Ferro, Cerro Gordo and Salabrena, Granada Province.

A day down on the coast with Pam and John.

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

We set off and headed down to the Granada coast calling in at a spot on the Rio Guadalfeo where we looked for but did not see a Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), however we did find loads of Spotted Flycatchers (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a calling Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus).

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

The only other species seen were Common Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii subsp algirica), Small White (Pieris rapae), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Common / Southern (Polyommatus icarus / celina) and Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) and a Viperine Snake (Culebra Viperina / Natrix maura) which was chasing a group of small fish around in the shallows.

Viperine Snake (Culebra Viperina / Natrix maura).

We moved on down to the coast and east to Castillo de Ferro where we found several ver nice Desert Orange-tip (Colotis evagore) butterflies around their food plant the Wild Caper (Capparis spinosa) along with Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Banded Groundling (Brachythemis impartita), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), a family party of Western Orphean Warblers (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Wild Caper (Capparis spinosa).

Our next stop was down in the town for some lunch where we had a Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) fly in under the canopy whilst we were eating.

We later turned around and went back west along the coast as far as Cerro Gordo where we were hoping to find more butterfly species but it was rather windy and we struggled but found a single Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia) which was new for John and a few birds including Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and to finish a female Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Cabra pyreaica).

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis) female.

Heading back east we stopped off at Salabrena and had a very welcome Leche frio before Pam and John had a dip in the sea. Later we headed back home to the house and had good views of a couple of Red-necked Nightjars (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) from the terrace.

Desert Orange-tip (Colotis evagore) Archive shot from same site as macro lens U/S.

Pam and John at Cerro Gordo.

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

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Cabra pyreaica) with a nice view.

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

A day on the windy Sierra with Pam and John from Norfolk, UK.

Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) male.

Pam, John and I set off up to the 2500 meter or there abouts mark on Sierra Nevada, on the way we started the day list off with a juvenile Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), several Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) perched on the roadside wires along with the commoner Collards (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and in Huétor before we reached the motorway lots of screaming Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) belting around between the houses.

Up nearer to Granada we had Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) which flew across the road in front of us at Santa fe and large numbers of Feral Pigeons (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia).

Libelloides longicornis,

Our first stop in the mountains was next to the Visitor's Center where we checked an area of roadside thistles which in a normal year would be shoulder high and covered in Butterflies but as everything appears to be several weeks behind up the sierra they were only just above ankle high and the only butterflies we found were singles of Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Birds in this area included a family party of Crested Tits (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), a singing Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

Sierra Nevada Violet (Viola crassiuscula / Violeta de Sierra Nevada).

Further up the hill we stopped at the parking area for the Botanical Gardens where we checked the grassland around the edge of the pine woods seeing several more Clouded Yellows, Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Small White (Pieris rapae) as well as several of the brilliant Thread-winged Lacewings / Spoonwings (Nemoptera bipennis) and a good number of the quick flying Libelloides longicornis, a species of Owlfly which was new to me.

Our next stop was for a second breakfast in the ski resort, which without the snow always looks extremely tatty and rather ugly but the coffee and toast with tomato was rather good and set us up for our short walk out along the barranco de San Juan trail. It was shorter than expected due to the amount of snow still there and because it was blowing a gale.

Butterflies were few but we managed more Clouded Yellow, Small, Bath (Pontia daplidice) and Large Whites (Pieris brassicae), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and the first of a small number of Nevada Blues (Polyommatus golgus).

In this area we also found Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), a family of Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) at least three male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis).

The wild flowers were noticeable by there absence but I did find several including Nevada House Leek (Sempervivum minutum) which were not quite out, Sierra Nevada Violet (Viola crassiuscula / Violeta de Sierra Nevada), Ptilotrichum spinosum, Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Minature Wild Plum (Prunus prostrata) and St Bruno's Lilly (Paradisia liliastrum).

John at 2500 meters.

Lower down we called in at one of the tracks out on to the ski slopes but again as at the last site we did not find many butterflies even though the wind was much reduced here. 

We did add a single Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron), more Clouded Yellows, Nevada Blues, Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and a Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) which flew past rapidly.

We had a late lunch and then called at our last location in the El Purche area on the way down the hill, on the slopes John and I searched the scrub and Thistles whilst Pam again got the paints out again in the shade of a roadside tree.

On the bank and along the road we added quite a few species including Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis pandora), Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous), Holly (Celastrina argiolus) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi), Blue Spotted (Mancha Azul / Satyrium spini) and False Ilex Hairstreaks (Satyrium esculi), Small (Coenonympha pamphilus) and Dusky Heaths (Coenonympha dorus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone) and Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto). 

Also seen were Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa), Spanish Thistle (Scolymus hispanicus), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) which were over and Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) not yet in flower. We moved on and made our way back to the house.