Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Count.

 

6860 Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth).

Again I ran the Actinic on the lower terrace in the garden, the temperature was up at around +12 over night so there were a decent number of insects including a few new for the year.

9279 Cleonymia baetica.

60 Moths of 21 Species.

4245 Cochylimorpha decolorella.

4245 Cochylimorpha decolorella x2, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x1 very worn, 6860 Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth) x1, 7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x1, 7926 Semiaspilates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x1, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x2, 8256 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Garden Carpet) x2, 8328 Nebula ibericata x2, 8509 Eupithecia cenaureata (Lime-speck Pug) x1, Possible 8579 Eupithecia dodoneata (Oak-tree Pug) x1, 8944 Autophila dilucida x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x3, 9279 Cleonymia baetica x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x2, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x5, 9435 Caradrina noctivaga x4, 10029 Mythimna sicula x5, 10199 Xestia c-nigrum (Setaceous Hebrew Character) x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x1, 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x20 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x4.

8944 Autophila dilucida.

8579 Eupithecia dodoneata (Oak-tree Pug) ??????

8509 Eupithecia cenaureata (Lime-speck Pug).

8328 Nebula ibericata.

10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing).

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

10199 Xestia c-nigrum (Setaceous Hebrew Character).

6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x1.

Cacín Valley, Granada Province, Spain.

A couple of hours down the valley as far as the Embalse de Cacín.

 

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

I drove down to the Embalse de Cacín just to get out for a couple of hours and clear my head a bit. I arrived and found that the water level was down a bit and some of the muddy margins held a few waders including 10x Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), 5x Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) x8, Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) x2 and Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) x1.

Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum).

Out on the water there were still some duck but the numbers were lower, there were around 20x Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), 6x Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), 14x Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus). 

Adonis aestivalis subsp squarrosa.

In the air and around the margins I had a fine male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) flying over the pines, a couple of calling Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), at least 3 Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), quite a few House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Euphorbia species.

I walked down towards the lake and along to the Northern end finding Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum), Adonis aestivalis subsp squarrosa, Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Spiked Fumitory (Platycapnos spicatus), Shepherds Needles (Scandix pecten-veneris), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum) and Field marigold (Calendula arvensis).

Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba).

Other species seen included several Butterflies, Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides).

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

Other birds included Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius).

I drove just up the road to the bridge over the Rio Cacín where I walked to the bridge and then to the dam, on the way I had views of  Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) x3.

Shrubby Gromwell (Lithodora fruticosa).

I returned to the car but decided to walk along the road toward El Turro adding Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and my first Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) of the year which was calling from along the Rio and I only managed brief views.

Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Also seen during this part of the walk were Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), Henbit Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule) and a Shrubby Gromwell (Lithodora fruticosa).

I moved on and headed home across the fields near Moraleda, on the way through I added House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A short walk around the Lucerne fields again.

 

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) Female.

I parked and walked along the track between the Lucerne and the Arroyo, as I walked I had Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and good numbers of Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) Female.

I took the track down to the road bridge finding Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Possible hybrid between Spanish (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

On the fence along side the Lucerne fields I found a large flock of around 60 Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and at least three birds which look like Hybrids between Spanish (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Count.

 

0663 Trichophaga Bipartitella.

The temperature was up at +13.5 and the Moth numbers were greatly improved with 75 Moths of 17 species.

9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw).

0663 Trichophaga Bipartitella x1, 4245 Cochylimorpha decolorella x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x1, 7581 Neognopharia stevenaria x1, 7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x3, 7926 Semiaspilates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x1, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x2, 8256 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Garden Carpet) x1, 8328 Nebula ibericata x3, 9011 Raparna conicephala x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x2, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x7, 9435 Caradrina noctivaga x9, 10029 Mythimna sicula x15, 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x24 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x2.

4245 Cochylimorpha decolorella.

9011 Raparna conicephala.

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

10044 Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi).

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave).

7581 Neognopharia stevenaria.

7926 Semiaspilates ochrearia (Yellow Belle).

8328 Nebula ibericata.

9435 Caradrina noctivaga.

Cerro Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk up Cerro Hacho looking for Orchids.

 

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

As there were lots of Picnickers down at the lower parking areas I drove straight up to the top car park and walked up the hill from there looking for a couple of Orchid species which Anita from Granada found a few days ago.

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

At the start of the track I found Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Somber Bee (Ophrys fusca / foresteri), Mirror (Ophrys speculum) and Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria hispanica), Grey-leaved Cistis (Cistis albidus), Wild Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum) and Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).

Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria hispanica).

Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria hispanica).

In the trees around the car park I also saw and heard Coal Tit  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

Under the pines and along the Northern slopes I found Mediterranean Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Common Asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus), lots of Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbienis) but most were past their best, around 12 spikes of Pink Butterfly (Orchis papilionacea), a good number of Giant (Himantoglossum Robertiana) and Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbienis).

Also seen before I reached the top of the track were Eruca sativa, Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Iberis pectinata, Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba) and Andalucian Gorse (Ulex baeticus).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum Robertiana).

Down below the track on the crags a couple of pairs of Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), a very noisy male Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis).

Iberis pectinata.

Eruca sativa.

Around the top and on the zig-zag trail back down to the main track I found Silvery Paronychia (Paronychia argentea), Spring Rockcress (Arabis verna), Cloven Petalled Campion (Silene colorata), Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia) and Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis). 

Spring Rockcress (Arabis verna).

Common Asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus).

As I dropped down the Zig-zags I saw several Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum),  Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), a male Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Cabra pyreaica) which ran across the track in front of me and 5 very weak looking spikes of Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora).

Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum).

Bellis microcephala.

Birds on the way down included Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus) and a calling Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) off down the valley.

Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora).

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

Just before I reached the main track I found more spikes of Pink Butterfly Orchids which I think were the ones that Anita, I also had Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Western Dappled (Euchloe crameri), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Carpentor Bee (Xylocopa violacea), Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla).

Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).