Mirador Del Alto De Hondonero, Malaga Province, Spain.

Catching up with Andy Tweed and some good butterflies.

Looking down from the Mirador Del Alto De Hondonero.

I was out and about early and met Andy just below the car park at the Mirador but the sun had still not cleared the hill so it was birds that I was listing to start with including Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Western Subalpine (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Western Orphean (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Bonelli's (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Rock (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Cirl (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi).

Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi).

Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi) being eaten by a Iberian Wingless Mantis (Apteromantis aptera).

Iberian Wingless Mantis (Apteromantis aptera).

Once the sun came up over the ridge and the butterflies were soon on the wing, by far the commonest species was the Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi), one of which was being eaten by a very smart looking Iberian Wingless Mantis (Apteromantis aptera).

Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii).

Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii).

Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).

Provençal Fritillary (Melitaea deione).

There were also good numbers of Provençal (Melitaea deione), Knapweed (Melitaea phoebe), Cardinal (Argynnis pandora) and at least 3 of the rare and local Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii).

False Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes abencerragus).

False Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes abencerragus).

False Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes abencerragus).

False Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes abencerragus).

Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes).

Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina).

Also seen were Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Holly (Celastrina argiolus), Lorquin's (Cupido lorquinii), Southern (Polyommatus celina), Panoptes (Pseudophilotes panoptes) and False Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes abencerragus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Small (Pieris rapae) and Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi).

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines).

Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli).

False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi).

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

We also had several Skipper species which I hope I have Ided correctly but included Rosy Grizzled (Pyrgus onopordi), Sage (Muschampia proto), Southern Marbled (Carcharodus baeticus) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).

Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Rosy Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi).

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).

Other things seen included Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus), European Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus), Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata), Ophrys algarviensis (Thanks Perry), Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia), Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Large Blue Flax (Linum narbonense), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Mallow-leaved Convolvulus (Convolvulus althaeoides), Pitch Trefoil (Psoralea bituminosa), Prickly Poppy (Papaver argenone), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Red Phlomis (Phlomis purpurea), Rosy Garlic (Allium roseum), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata), Tassel Hyacinth (Leopoldia comosa), Yellow Phlomis (Phlomis lychnitis), Wild Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus) and Convolvulus meonanthus.

Convolvulus meonanthus.

Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus).

Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus).

Pantaneta de Alhama, Granada Province, Spain.

A bit of a dip.

After breakfast at Bar Florida Mom, John and I headed South to the Pantaneta de Alhama where a male Ring-necked Duck (Porrón acollarado / Aythya collaris) had been seen yesterday.

We arrived but unfortunately as hard as I tried I could not find the bird, I did find Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Bonelli's (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Small White (Pieris rapae) and Perez's Frogs (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi).

After a while I gave up and we headed back towards Loja adding Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

Later we went to do a bit of shopping before returning to the house to chill, later we went up on the terrace hearing Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis). 

Riofrio, Loja and near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A morning out and about then and an afternoon on the terrace.

Ebird List for Riofrio.

We headed off down to Riofrio expecting to have a quiet walk along the river and then a coffee, when we arrived we found that there was going to be a mountain bike race coming through.

We parked and had a nice walk along the river, on the way I saw Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 5th May 23. 
15W Actinic on the terrace, min +12. 

140 Moths of 28 Species.

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

 

5652 Hypsopygia costalis (Gold Triangle).

1655 Ethmia bipunctella x7, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x34, 3757 Sophronia humerella x2, 5578 Lamoria anella x3, 5624 Bostra obsoletalis x53, 5652 Hypsopygia costalis (Gold Triangle) x1, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x2, 5755 Alophia combustella x1, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x2, 6145 Ematheudes punctella x1, 6551 Udea numeralis x2, 6690 Palpita vitrealis x1, 

6860 Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth).

6860 Hyles livornica (Striped Hawk-moth) x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x2, 7765 Peribatodes ilicaria (Lydd Beauty) x2, 8186 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x6, 8246 Orthonama obstipata (The Gem) x1, 8509 Eupithecia cenaureata (Lime-speck Pug) x1, 9097 Acontia trabealis x1, 9128 Odice pergrata x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9425 Caradrina proxima x1, 9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x5, 9435 / 6 Caradrina noctivaga / flavirena x2, 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x2, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x4, 10493 Eilema caniola (Hoary Footman) x1 and 10535 Utetheisa pulchella (Crimson Speckled) x1.

6145 Ematheudes punctella.

9128 Odice pergrata.

Depressaria species / Agg ??????

5742 Etiella zinckenella.

10535 Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella).

Scythris species / Agg ??????

9097 Acontia trabealis.

6690 Palpita vitrealis.

7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

5755 Alophia combustella.

3757 Sophronia humerella.

9425 Caradrina proxima.

 

Marina de la Deuquesa, Malaga Province, Spain.

The meeting of two brothers.

Bob and John.

Mom, John and I set off for the coast and then down to the far end of Malaga Province where John was going to Surprise his brother who he had not seen for a while.

With the aid of messenger Val, Bob's wife and I managed to arrange things and it all worked nicely as Bob hadn't got a clue which showed well when John walked up to him.

Val and my Mom.

We spent a very nice few hours in one of the bars in the port before heading back home.

Granada City, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk around the City.

We spent the morning having a nice walk around a busy city center, it was great to see so many tourists visiting this wonderful City.

We started by having a look around a few shops, the Cathedral and then had an Ice-cream at my favorite place on the via de Colon, Heladería Los Italianos.

We then walked up into Plaza Nueva and de Santa Anna and then walked back down to Plaza de Bib-rambla where we had a coffee in Cafetería / Churrería / Pizzería Alhambra  before heading back to the car and home.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 3rd May 23. 

15W Actinic on the terrace, min +8.8 

130 Moths of 29 Species.

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

 

6830 Acherontia atropos (Death's Head Hawkmoth).

0469 Crassicornella agenjoi x1, 2944 Apatema mediopallidum x1, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x6, 3036 Stibaromacha ratella x1, 3498 Mirificarma eburnella x1, 3757 Sophronia humerella x2, 5578 Lamoria anella x2, 5624 Bostra obsoletalis x78, 6113 Ephestia parisitella x1, 6551 Udea numeralis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 6830 Acherontia atropos (Death's Head Hawkmoth) x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x2, 7765 Peribatodes ilicaria (Lydd Beauty) x1, 7926 Aspitates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x1, 8111 Idaea laevigata x1, 8145 Idaea manicaria x2, 8186 Idaea degeneraria (Portland Ribbon Wave) x4, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x1,  9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x2, 9425 Caradrina proxima x1, 9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x11, 9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic) x2, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x4, 10003 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate) x1, 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x1 and 10528b Coscinia chrysocephala x1.

?????????????

0469 Crassicornella agenjoi.

10003 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate).

9454 Hoplodrina ambigua (Vine's Rustic).

7765 Peribatodes ilicaria (Lydd Beauty).

8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth).

6113 Ephestia parisitella.

????????????

8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug).

2944 Apatema mediopallidum.?????????

??????????????

Symmoca species ??????????

8111 Idaea laevigata.

 

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A few hours sat on the terrace with Mom and John.

Ebird List.

John and Mom up on the terrace.

After a trip into Loja we decided to spend the afternoon up on the terrace relaxing and as we did just that I saw several species including a Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), as well as an immature Golden (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos), a male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and a more surprising male Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes) which flew close to us and landed in a pine a couple of houses down the hill.

Huétor Fields and near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk around the fields and then sometime in the garden.

Ebird List for the Fields.

Ebird List for the Terrace.

I was up and about early and working in the accommodation and garden by 07:30, I got quiet a bit done before I heard a group of calls I recognized as Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) but I couldn't see a single bird so I jumped into the car as fast as I could get my bin's and drove down to the fields as I thought it was likely to be the spot they are going to pass through.

I was down there in a couple of minutes and my guess was correct as I found 26 Terns feeding over the cereal fields at the far end of the spot but they were soon away SE and out of sight.

As I was there I had a walk along the track to the far end of the Lucerne Fields, on the way I picked up the calling male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) and then a second flock of 16 Gull-billed Terns which went pretty much straight through and off in the sam direction as the other birds.

As I walked I picked up a group of Raptors gaining height up out of the far Olives which I soon sorted out as my first Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) of the year and as I was watching these beauties gaining height I noticed two more distant raptors passing west which turned out to be Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Other species included Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae).

I returned home and got a few more bits done before I retreated to the terrace, which turned out to be a bad idea as the Olive Pollen was extremely bad this afternoon due to the wind.

While I was up there I did see Montagu's x2 and Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) female, Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) pale morph x2, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) x2.