Huétor Fields and Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

Morning walk along the Arroyo and then later a stroll around the woods at Hacho.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 38.

Ebird List.

 

Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

I parked at the half way point as I was coming up from Huétor after booking the car in for some work and followed the Arroyo up to the area where I normally park. 

The Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) were on the same area of Lucerne but were more spread out than usual and the Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) was stalking some food in the deeper areas along the one edge of the fields.

Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

I reached the parking place adding Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and the first 6 of quite a few passage Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

I turned around and headed back to the car, along the way finding Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and as I reached the car lots of House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a couple of Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) as well as several Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

Almond blossom at Hacho.

Almond blossom at Hacho.

I stood by the car for a few minutes to see what was on the Asparagus fields and I was pleased to see my first Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) for the year on the patch, a male which sat up on a small stick before moving quickly off up the field when two guys arrived to pick the Asparagus.

More Almond Blossom.

Very active Bee hives on the lower slopes at Hacho.

Continuing on along the Arroyo I found Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Iberian  Magpies (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

On the far stretch down to the railway bridge I stayed on the Northern bank of the Arroyo which was not the best idea I have had as it was very muddy after yesterdays rain but I still found a couple of Bluethroats (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and the first Common Waxbills (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild) for a week or two.

I turned around and walked back to the car, it was warming up slightly by now and I had a couple of both Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus) and Small White (Pieris rapae) and a single Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

I reached the car and returned home where I had some lunch and then went out up to Hacho, I parked down by the road and walked up the track through the stunning trees covered in Almond Blossom, there were still some nice spikes of Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia) but the majority had gone passed there best.

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

When I reached the main pine woods I did a count of the Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum Robertiana) and I soon reached 300 flowering spikes with many many more leaf rosettes ready for future springs.

There were good numbers of Somber Bee Orchids (Ophrys fusca / foresteri) also in flower right the way along the main track and up into the woods.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

Birds included Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and a pair of Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) which passed over quite high.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 21st February 2021.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

17 Moths of 5 Species.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 37.

 

Possible 1736 Agonopterix heracliana.

Slightly warmer last night as it did not drop below +10 so as expected there were a few more moths but still low numbers really.

6496 Evergestis isatidalis.

They included a possible 1736 Agonopterix heracliana which would be a new species if confirmed, 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x12, 8328 Nebula ibericata x1, 10226 Cerastis faceta x2 and 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x1.

8328 Nebula ibericata.

10226 Cerastis faceta.

10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta).

Olive Groves around Home, Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk from the house to the Arroyo Vilano and back.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 36.

 

Field marigold (Calendula arvensis).

After spending the morning pruning, some might say butchering the larger of the Fig trees as it had not been touched for a few years, I went for a walk through the Olive Groves behind the house and headed out as far as the Arroyo Vilano on the road up to Montifrio.

Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) not a good shot of a blue female.

Unfortunately the farmer who tends the Olives near the house is the type that sprays everything to death but fortunately the guy just a couple of hundred yards away leaves the spring wildflowers to grow under the trees and this means a few Butterflies.

Andaluz storksbill (Erodium primulaceum).

As I dropped down to a small stream which is normally dry but was flowing well after the recent rains where I checked the area on the surrounding banks finding several wild flowers including Clypeola jonthlaspi, Andaluz storksbill (Erodium primulaceum), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) leaves, Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca) and Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum).

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

I dropped down to the Arroyo but before I crossed the road I added a few Butterflies including Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small (Pieris rapae), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Bath Whites (Pontia daplidice), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) and loads of Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus).

Clypeola jonthlaspi.

Down by the Arroyo I picked up White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Song (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).

Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum).

I turned around and walked back the same way adding Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) a smart looking blue female, Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba) and Platycapnos spicatus.

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

I crossed back to the far side of the stream and walked back up to the sprayed areas but still added Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and a stunning male Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra).

Platycapnos spicatus.

Later I sat out on the terrace for a while and added a few more birds to the list with Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and a Bee fly species which still needs a name.

Bee fly species.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain

Out again after a couple of rough days.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 35. 

 

Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

After a couple of days where I could not muster the will to go out I had to be up this morning as I had an appointment with the Physio at 08.00 so I was forced out of the pit. After the workout for my back I went back home for some breakfast and then dropped down to the fields.

Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

The water had dropped enough that I could cross at the ford today and parked at the usual spot where I walked out along the top of the Arroyo and stayed on the Northern side. Just a few shots from the walk.

Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) female.

Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).

Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) female.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 18th February 2021.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

4 Moths of 3 Species.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 34.

 

10039 Orthosia cruda (Small Quaker).

I ran the Actinic trap down on the lower terrace but as the temperature was down to +5ish with a frost on the car still at 08.00 I was surprised to find anything in the egg boxes.

However, I did find 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x1, 10039 Orthosia cruda (Small Quaker) x1 which was new for the garden list and 10226 Cerastis faceta x2.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 15th February 2021.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

7 Moths of 4 Species.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 31.

 

8256 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Garden Carpet).

As it was forecast to be dry I moved the trap down into the garden and ran it on the lower terrace, overnight the temperature dropped down to +5, there were still a few moths in the morning. 

9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey).

7 moths of 4 species included 8256 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Garden Carpet) x1, 9676 Xylocampa areola (Early Grey) x1, 10037 Orthosia incerta (Clouded Drab) x1 and 10226 Cerastis faceta x4.

10037 Orthosia incerta (Clouded Drab).

10226 Cerastis faceta.

Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk in the woods.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 30.

Ebird List.

 

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) picture from the trail Camera.

I parked at the bottom of the track near the roadside bins and then walked up to the pine woodlands above the quarry where I had set my trail camera two days ago, when I got home I checked the clips but only found two with anything in it.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

This one with the Red Squirrel and another with a mouse of some sort but it is only visible for the last second of the video and not on the photo.

Whilst there I also had Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Cabra pyreaica), Giant (Himantoglossum Robertiana) and Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri), Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Field marigold (Calendula arvensis) and a Gagea species but they are a difficult group.

Gagea species.

Birds included Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla).

In the Garden and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A morning in the Garden, watched the Wolves and then later a walk down on the fields.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 29.

 

Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) the paler bird.

I was up and about early and once I had the inside jobs done I started with the Garden and then I went and had some lunch sat up on the terrace for the first time this year.

Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) two of the five birds.

Whilst I was sat there I picked up a distant low flying large Raptor over the Olives which turned out to be the four record of Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti) for the terrace. It was again a young bird which looked as though it was coming towards me so I ran down to get the Camera but by the time I got back I could not relocate it so I continued to have Lunch. 

Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) female.

As I was finishing I heard a Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) over head and when I checked it I found 5 birds circling together, 4 dark birds and one which was quite a bit paler.

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Whilst in the garden I also saw Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

At 13.00 I sat down and watched the Wolves play, never used to interested in football and still would not call myself a fan but after spending a year living with two of the most enthusiastic Wolves fans I know (Jayne's brother Martin and his wife Julia) I quite enjoy it now.

Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum).

Anyway, after Wolves pulled a 2-1 win out of the bag I went for a walk down on the fields, the Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) were on the fields and I also had Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and down on the Arroyo edge I found Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Small White (Pieris rapae).

On the far side of the bridge I had wintering Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Bluethroats (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) and Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) and both Large (Pieris brassicae) and Small White (Pieris rapae).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 13th February 2021.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

4 Moths of 3 Species.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

 

4389 Acleris cristana New.

It had been a warm day, but the overnight temp dropped to just +5, so the trap was almost empty with just 4 moths of 3 species including Acleris cristana which was a new species for the garden, thanks to Dave Grundy for the help with the identification.

7694 Agriopis bajaria.

4389 Acleris cristana x1, 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x1 and 7694 Agriopis bajaria x2. 

7694 Agriopis bajaria.

Arroyo Vilano, Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Reed Buntings on the River.

Second Municipal Lock down Day 28.

 

Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

I had already had a good walk around the woods at Hacho so I just sat in the car along side the Arroyo as I wanted to get some better shots of the wintering Reed Buntings (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).