Peñón de Jolúcar in Torrenueva, Playa de las Azucenas, Another beach and Peñon de Jolúcar, Granada Province, Spain.

A morning birding with Andrey and some survey work with Juan in the afternoon.

Ebird list for Peñón de Jolúcar.

Ebird list for Playa de las Azucenas.

Ebird list for Peñon de Jolúcar, second visit.

 

Silene littorea.

I met Andrey in Torrenueva and we walked up to the sea watch point, on the way we saw House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Sea Medick (Medicago marina).

We spent the next 2 hours trying to find sea birds but it was very very quiet, we did see Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) x65, Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) x5, Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) x14, Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) x2, Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) x91, Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) x10 and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) x40.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Whilst we were there we also recorded Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and just as we were leaving a male Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) flew in.

Reichardia tingitana.

We walked back to the car and then moved to the west and checked out Playa de las Azucenas, we parked and walked up on to the bridge finding Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and down along the river a singing Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallard, Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) as well as several Stripe-necked Terrapins (Mauremys leprosa).

Ononis ramosissima.

Down on the beach we had more Yellow-legged, Lesser Black-backed and Med Gulls, a Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) which was feeding on the shoreline, on the Port walls there were lots of other Gull and around 50 Great Cormorants.

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis).

We checked out a couple of fenced off areas for wildflowers finding Ononis ramosissima, Reichardia tingitana, Sea Medick (Medicago marina), Ramping Fumitory (Fumaria capreolata), Silene littorea, the leaves of the Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) and a Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Ramping Fumitory (Fumaria capreolata).

On the way back we added Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Barn Swallow, Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla). 

Linaria pedunculata.

Near the car I found Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum) and Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum) before Andrey headed back north to work and I went to meet Juan Perez.

Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) very heavily cropped shots.

I drove to a near by beach where I met Juan to assist with a survey he has been doing on the breeding Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) for a few years, Juan has been trying hard to get the local town hall to give these special and locally rare birds more protection at their only breeding site in the Province. 

Trumpeter Finch (Camachuelo Trompetero / Bucanetes githagineus).

Some mistakes were made last year in the beach cleaning process and nests were destroyed, Juan has been fighting to get signs and barriers put up to prevent the same thing happening again and to also try and reduce the disturbance by people using the beach, he has been successful in getting signs but the barriers to protect the main breeding areas are still to be sorted.

Trumpeter Finch (Camachuelo Trompetero / Bucanetes githagineus).

We walked the full length of the beach finding two sitting females and several more birds which were roosting down on the beach along with a group of Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and a couple of Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and down on the ground Silene littorea, Sea Medick (Medicago marina), Linaria pedunculata, Ononis ramosissima, Sand Reichardia (Reichardia gaditana) and Seaside Daisy (Asteriscus maritimus).

Trumpeter Finch (Camachuelo Trompetero / Bucanetes githagineus).

As we walked on we found one of the two Trumpeter Finches (Camachuelo Trompetero / Bucanetes githagineus) that had been seen a few days ago as well as a single Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), an Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Meadow Pipit, Crested Larks, Greenfinches and out to sea several Northern Gannets including a strange pale brown plumage bird.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

We returned to the cars and then drove back along the coast to Peñón de Jolúcar where we walked up the new walkway the town hall had built seeing a nice male Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) on our way up.

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

At the top Juan showed me a nice group of 6 Pink Butterfly Orchids (Orchis papilionacea) and up on the cliff tops I also found several spikes of Brown Bluebell (Jacinto bastardo / Dipcadi serotinum) and Hollow Stemmed Asphodel (Asphodelus fistulosus).

Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

I then said goodbye to Juan and headed back home well knackered after the long beach walk, Juan stayed and saw quite a few more bits.

Brown Bluebell (Jacinto bastardo / Dipcadi serotinum).

Pink Butterfly Orchids (Orchis papilionacea).

Hacho and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

An afternoon up the hill and later down along the Arroyo.

 

Linaria amethystea.

I drove up to the hill and I parked amongst the Almonds near the road and walked up the south facing bank behind where I was find a Spanish guy how was picking wild asparagus, I was knelt down photographing some nice spikes of Linaria amethystea and I did not see him so It amused him how high I could jump from a kneeling position.

He asked what the plant was and was quite interested so we spent a while chatting about the wild Asparagus plants and the Orchids.

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

I continued on with my search and found lots of Common Asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Andalucian Gorse (Ulex baeticus), Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata), Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), some very small flowered Common Daisy's (Bellis perennis), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) as well as loads of Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) and a couple of Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus).

Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata).

I reached the top of the bank and followed the ridge along the top of the quarry and then dropped back down to the Almond fields, as I walked I had a nice Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri), Fan-lipped (Anacamptis collina), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri), Ranunculs spicatus ssp blepharicarpos, Clypeola jonthlaspi, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).

Moth species needing a name.

As I walked through the scrub and trees I had a few day flying moths which need a name still.

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

I dropped back to the car where I dropped off my fleece as it was warming up nicely and start out along the Northerly facing hill side where I soon found Giant (Himantoglossum Robertiana) and Southern Early Purple Orchids (Orchis olbienis).

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

As I walked I also heard and saw Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus).

Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).

Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).

I reached the view point over the Quarry and took the lower track out into the Oaks and Almonds again, I was very pleased to find another new site for me of the very smart, scarce and local Provence Hairstreaks (Tomares ballus) as I walked around the area I found at least 4 individuals which spent most of their time chasing each other and the Small Heaths that strayed to close.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

I also found more Fan-lipped, Sawfly, Giant and Somber Bee Orchids, Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule), Andaluz storksbill (Erodium primulaceum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and a singing male Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

I reached the point where I turned around and I took a different route back cutting through the trees and rocky areas, I was very pleased to find around 50 spikes of the very smart Conical Orchids (Neotinea conica) which was a new species for my Orchid list at this site.

Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia).

Again I continued on through the srub and up into the pine trees, on the way I saw something that I have never seen before, a male Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) flew in and landed on one of the overhead wires which run through the area and started to sing which was not unusual but after a minute or two it took off and did a song flight just like a Serin or Greenfinch would do singing all the way round and then returned to the perch and did it twice more before flying off.

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbienis).

Up in the pines I found lot of signs that the Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) were eating well and that the Wild Boar (Jabalí / Felis silvestris) were extremely active digging up the whole area.

Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).

I walked back out of the pines into the scrub finding several spikes of the uncommon Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria hispanica) a really stunning looking plant before making my way back down the hill to the car, just before I got there I had nice views of a male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) which was singing from the Almonds and below them I found Erophila verna and Stellaria media.

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

Once I reached the car I drove home and had a coffee before going down onto the fields where I spent a while checking the southern side of the stretch just before the railway line, I sat in the car and waited to see what approached.

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

Whilst I was there I had views of at least 4 Bluethroats (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), 2 pairs by the look of thinks with one of the males singing a few times from the reeds. 

White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

In the same area I also had several Cetti's Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), a single female Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and quite a few Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) male.

Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) male.

Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) male.

Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) male.

As I drove along the track back to the road I added Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).

Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

I drove along the edge of the Lucerne fields finding just 2 male Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and last of all Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) on my way home.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 9th March 2021.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

14 Moths of 3 Species.

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

 

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

The temp dropped to just +4.5 overnight so I only found 14 Moths of 3 Species in the trap this morning.

10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta).

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1, 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x12 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x1.

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

Near Granada, Cubillas Embalse, Moraleda area, Contra-embalse de Cacín, Granada Province, Spain.

Orchids, Birds and then some more Orchids.

 

Ophrys x Santi-leonardii.

First thing I was in Loja getting the car ITV / MOT sorted and I was pleased when it flew through first time and from there I went up to Granada to purchase some new power tools. 

Ophrys x Santi-leonardii.

Later I went to a site North of the city where I had been a few days ago to rephotograph a few plants that I wanted better shots of.

Ophrys x Santi-leonardii.

I searched the area of Pine woods for a while and even though I thought I knew where the Ophrys x Santi-leonardii was it took me a while to find it.

Ophrys x Santi-leonardii.

In the same area I found loads of Somber Bee (Ophrys fusca / foresteri), a few Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and a single Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

Ophrys dyris.

As I walked back towards the car I found a nice group of Ophrys Orchids including a couple of nice classic Ophrys dyris plants, a good candidate for Ophrys algarviensis and a plant which looked like a plant of Ophrys x brigittae the hybrid between Ophrys fusca and dyris.

Ophrys algarviensis ????????.

In the area where I had been walking I heard and saw European Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Ophrys x brigittae.

I drove to the nearby Cubillas Res and parked by the hide and scanned the lake finding Egyptian Geese (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca) which was sat on a sandbar near the boating buildings, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). 

Ophrys dyris but a none classic looking plant.

For the res I drove back towards home but turned off to the Motorway and crossed the fields near to Maraleda, on the way through the Almond and Olive groves I had a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoos (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) one of which sat for a while in the Almonds but they there less noisy and subdued so I am guessing they are paired up.

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

I also had Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Just down the road I checked the Old roads side Almonds trees and found 4 adult Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which must be quite used to me taking their picture as they just sat there.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

I took a track across country to the road into Cacín on the way adding Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Eurasian Blackcap (Curraca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Rock Dove (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia) and Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

I dropped through Cacín and headed up the valley to the Embalse where I parked and scanned the water finding 4 Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Mallard, Common Pochard, Eurasian Coot, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Great Cormorant.

Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

In the air there was a stunning male Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), lots of Barn Swallows and a few Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and around the margins a distant but showy Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and in the pines opposite a calling but unseen Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 7th March 2021.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

8 Moths of 2 Species.

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

 

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

The weather was not great, but I put the trap out on the covered part of the terrace, the species numbers were low, I only found 8 moths of 2 species.

10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x7 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x1.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk along the Lucerne fields.

 

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

I parked by the Arroyo and walked along the side of the Lucerne fields where I found at least 6 male and 3 female Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) but there were probably more as they were difficult to see as the Lucerne was quite tall.

As I walked along the track I also saw Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).