Valencia to Albarracín in Teruel Province, Spain.

The first of a few good days searching for butterflies.

Karen and Bob, Day One.

False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi).

After a night of not much sleep due to inconsiderate prats making as much noise as possible as they arrived and departed at all hours I headed for the Airport to pick up Karen and Bob which I was pleased to say went smoothly and we were soon on our way out into the countryside away from the heat and humidity of the city.

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

Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus).

Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans).

Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans).

As we drove through some beautiful scenery we picked up Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans).

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

A few KMs short of Albarracín we pulled off the road and checked an area of Knapweed and Scabious flowers and we started the butterflies list with Small (Pieris rapae) and Bath White (Pontia daplidice), False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi), Silver-spotted (Hesperia comma) and Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Common (Polyommatus icarus),  Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous), Long-tailed, Chapman's (Polyommatus Thersites) and Spanish Chalk-hill Blues (Lysandra albicans), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) a good start to the trip List.

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

We went into the town and checked in to our accommodation and then headed back out to the Zaviers Rambla but is shown as Rambla de Monterde on maps, anyway we had a walk up and around the first three bends but it got a bit hot so we turned around and headed back, during the walk we recorded Spanish Chalk-hill Blues, Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Clouded Yellow and Berger's Clouded Yellow (Colias alfacariensis), False Ilex Hairstreak, Chapman's and Long-tailed Blue, Sage Skipper, Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma).

Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius).

Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius).

We returned to the digs before heading out around town which was a very smart looking place, we later went of something to eat in Monty's.

Travelling to Valencia, Valencia Province, Spain.

Heading out North East to meet friends Karen and Bob for a few days butterfly hunting.

Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca).

I started out quite late after getting a few jobs at home and drove up to my hotel for the night just south of Valencia so that I was ready to meet Karen and Bob first thing next morning, on the way I saw Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Turtle (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus).

Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

Bath White (Pontia daplidice) egg laying female.

After breakfast I made just the One stop in the Rambla de Nogalte near to Puerto Lumbreras but it was generally quite, however I did see plenty of Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), Small (Pieris rapae) and Bath Whites (Pontia daplidice), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura).

Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura).

The rest of the drive was rather / extremely uninspiring so I just kept going and things didn't really improve when I reached the hotel which was in an area which had defiantly seen much better days or I hope it had.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 21st July 23. 
15W Actinic on the terrace, min +24.  

23 Moths of 13 Species.

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

5742 Etiella zinckenella.

Species seen included 5578 Lamoria anella x1, 5742 Etiella zinckenella x1, 5615 Synaphe lorquinalis x1, 5624 Bostra obsoletalis x10, 6551 Udea numeralis x1, 6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold) x1, 6690 Palpita vitrealis x2, 7533 Stegania trimaculata (Dorset Cream Wave) x1, 7564 Itame vincularia x1, 8107a Idaea mustelata x1, 8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe) x1, 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled) x1 and 10018 Mythimna languida x1.

5615 Synaphe lorquinalis.

9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled).

8899 Clytie illunaris (Trent Double-stripe).

8107a Idaea mustelata.

10018 Mythimna languida.

5578 Lamoria anella.

6599 Pyrausta sanguinalis (Scarce Crimson & Gold).

7533 Stegania trimaculata (Dorset Cream Wave).

 

Mirador del Alto de Hondonero, Malaga Province, Spain.

In search of an anomaly.

Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus).

After getting a message from friend Alvaro that he had seen an Andalusian Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus violetae) at a spot near to the Mirador del Alto de Hondonero I decided to give it a go as I have only ever seen this species once before.

Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus).

Striped Grayling (Hipparchia fidia).

I arrived and spent a few hours walking around the site checking the patches of Penny Royal (Mentha pulegium) until it just got too dam hot, I didn't connect with the Blue but I did find several Tree (Hipparchia statilinus) and Striped Graylings (Hipparchia fidia), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Small (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus),  Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

I also had a good view of  a couple of very smart Common Golden Ringed (Cordulegaster boltonii) dragonflies which were in the Hawthorns and rushes along the only wet area on the site.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus).

Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis).

Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).

As I walked I also saw several birds which included Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Rock (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula). 

Common Golden Ringed (Cordulegaster boltonii).

 

Jardín Botánico Hoya de Pedraza, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Spain.

A few (just a few) of the Moths seen during the Survey.

Polyphylla fullo ???????

Species included 6761 Gufria limosa, 6860 Hyles livornica (Striped Hawkmoth), 7717 Nychiodes hispanica, 8092 Idaea mediaria, 8107a Idaea mustelata, 8180 Idaea ostrinaria, 8775 Acronicta cuspis, 8888 Catocala nymphagoga, 8904 Dysgonia algira, 9142 Eublemma parva, 9513 Auchmis detersa, 9787 Litoligia literosa, 10096 Noctua pronuba, 10100 Noctua fimbriata, 10257 Euxoa powelli, 10296 Dichagyris candelisequa, 10406 Sphrageidus similis ?????

Miguel getting ready to check one of the traps.

Looking into the trap.

8775 Acronicta cuspis ???????

10406 Sphrageidus similis ?????

6761 Gufria limosa.

7717 Nychiodes hispanica.

6860 Hyles livornica (Striped Hawkmoth).

9513 Auchmis detersa.

10257 Euxoa powelli.

10296 Dichagyris candelisequa.

 

Jardín Botánico Hoya de Pedraza, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Spain.

Another night Moth surveying up in the Sierra Nevada.

I was out side the Botanical Garden early so I spent a while checking on the birds in the Pines opposite, I saw good numbers of Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) which all crossed into the Botanical gardens along with Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

I also saw Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) before going in to the Gardens with the rest of the group and setting up the traps.

Later we had something to eat under the trees near the big lawn before turning on the MV bulbs at the sheet trap where the Public part of the took place.

El Temple and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province, Spain.

A day out on the Fields with Nuria Garzas and Ivan Martinez.

Ebird List for fist stop.

Ebird List for El Temple area.

Ebird List for Rio Cacín.

Ebird List for the Embalse.

Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) adult.

I met Nuria and Ivan up near Granada, we had originally planned to go up high as it was going to be hot but they had been up in that area for a few days so we headed out on to El Temple, on the way we made a stop starting the list with Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

We moved out onto the fields and as we drove the tracks the heat started to build but we still managed to find Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Short-toed (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) x2 and Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) x2, Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) x5, Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Lesser (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Iberian Grey (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla). 

We crossed from the fields to the Cacín Valley via the ridge where we picked up 3x Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and a couple of Desert Orange-tip (Colotis evagore) butterflies as we dropped down into the village of Cacín.

Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) a younger bird.

On the far side of the village we had a walk along the Rio Cacín where we added Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes), another Booted Eagle, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) x2 and Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus).

Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) adult.

We returned to the car and tried to get up to the Contra Embalse de Cacín but we again got turned back by a guy on junction but he told us we could get to the Embalse via a track next to the cemetery so we out that way and soon found the track and after a while we reached the dam but we couldn't see the water and had to do a steep but short climb up into the Pines but it was worth it as we were soon watching a very smart Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus), Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) x3, Booted Eagle x1, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), loads of Red-rumped Swallows, House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Nuria and Ivan still smiling after getting baked out on the fields.

We returned to the car and after having some lunch we went into the Pine Woodlands further up the valley towards El Turro where we were very pleased to find adult and immature Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and calling Crossbills.

We started to head back towards Granada Via the Moraleda Fields but by now things were extremely hot so we didn't add anything, we returned to our meeting point and then went to try and cool down.