A visit to friends near Grazalema, Cadiz Province Spain.

A wonderful couple of days (Day 2).

European Hornet (Vespa crabro).

The first task of the morning was to sort out the Moth trap which we had set up the previous evening. The first obvious problem was a number of European Hornet (Vespa crabro) had been attracted into the light along with the many moths. Luckily they were all pretty docile and did not take much sorting out, Clive fished them out with a stick and placed them in some vegetation.

10555 Cymbalophora pudica.

The moths included 6690a Palpita vitrealis, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber), 8062 Scopula imitaria (Small Blood-vein), 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal), 8965 Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted), 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow), 10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm), 10555 Cymbalophora pudica and many more.
Also attracted to the light and found in a bush to the side was an African Mantis (Sphodromantis viridis) easily identified by the pale spot on the wing and by a run of yellow lines on the upper leg.

African Mantis (Sphodromantis viridis).

We then had breakfast and relaxed around the garden table again. Jayne had a good wonder around Clive's veg patch and picked his brains about several plants, I walked up and down the driveway pushing Sam in his pushchair trying to get this highly alert young chap to sleep.
On the many trips I picked up another Western Spectre (Boyeria irene), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecola) and several large groups of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
A Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) then gave me the run around on the large Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) bushes that are next to the house but I eventually got a couple of shots.

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

We then sat down at the table for lunch and whilst we were there a ♂ Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) sat out in a dead tree for a while and then dived for cover.
After lunch, we loaded the car with a pool liner, several plants and a load of Clive and Sue's home-grown garden produce (thank you), said our goodbyes and headed off home.

A visit to friends near Grazalema, Cadiz Province.

A wonderful couple of days (Day 1).

A view from the House.

Jayne and I headed over to Sue, Clive and Sam's near to Grazalema for a couple of days of birding and general wildlife watching. 

On the way we picked up Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Hen (Northern) Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) a female and several Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
We arrived a little later than planned but it was not long before we were all sat around the garden table having a drink and a chin-wag in what can only be described as a place of outstanding beauty.
The mountains towered above us on two sides with Griffon Vultures soaring almost continually along their crags, the river which forms the boundary to their property on one side is lined with a dense band of trees and undergrowth which was full of birds and other species.

Iberian Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus).

Whilst we sat and chatted Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotarda / Sylvia atricapilla), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Eurasian Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) were all seen.

The first new species of the trip then whizzed past, a Blue / Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) several more of both sexes were seen over the two days.
Down by the river several Western Willow Spreadwings (Lestes viridis) were still flying and on the driveway a male Common Darter (Sympertrum striolatum) was perched on some brambles.
Our only trip out was for lunch at one of the local bars on the road between Ronda and Sevilla (very nice it was to).

Common Winter Damsel (Sympecma fusca).

On the way back we heard Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) in a group of dying trees and stopped at a small bridge over the river that runs passed Sue and Clive's but further down stream.

European Dwarf (Ameles spallanzania).

Here I had my second new dragon species of the trip a cracking Western Spectre (Boyeria irene), a species that I missed on the last visit, along with more Blue / Southern Hawkers, White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) and Common Darter, plus hundreds of young Iberian Water Frogs (Rana perezi).
In the meadow above the Oleanders (Nerium oleander) several clumps of Southern Autumn Crocus (Crocus serotinus) were found including a completely white specimen and a couple of the tall spikes of Sea Squill (Urginea maritima).

Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa).

We then headed back to the house and relaxed for a while, Sue then found an Iberian Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus) which had been attacked by the cat, unfortunately damaging its tail. 

We later headed up to the rear of the garden looking for Common Winter Damsel (Sympecma fusca) and Mantis species. 

The Damsel's were soon found in the grass below the Olive trees and so were several species of Mantis including European Dwarf (Ameles spallanzania) and Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa). 

We continued our wonder picking up Sardinian Warblers, Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina). 

The Rosemary bushes in the garden were covered with Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa violacea) and a pair of mating Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa). 

We then returned to the garden table and Sue and Clive prepared a very nice evening meal, including homemade passion fruit ice-cream.

Youngest member of the group, Sam.

Whilst Jayne entertained Sam, Sue and I sat by the river watching Western Spectre, Western Willow Spreadwing and Blue / Southern Hawker.

After our evening meal I set up the 125 MV moth trap which almost immediately started to attract moths and unfortunately a few Hornets (Vespa crabro).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 8th October 2009.
15W Actinic on the terrace.
Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

It was a cooler night, down to +10, so I used the 125MV trap, several of the moths caught have still to be identified but the following species were sorted out.

8256 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Garden Carpet).

0663 Trichophaga bipartiella x2, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella, 7504 Watsonalla uncinula (Spiny Hook-tip), 8256 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Garden Carpet), 9023 Eutelia adulatrix x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x3, 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) and 10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm).

0663 Trichophaga bipartiella.

Casarabonela, Malaga Province.

Day of the birds / Bird Fare???

Eurasian Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo).

Jayne and I headed to the coast at Malaga and then inland again to the picturesque hillside village of Casarabonela to attend a bird fair. We eventually found our way up to the swimming pool at the top of the town and found a group of birders and none birders in the gardens and the bar. 

We opted for the bar and the first people we meet were Sue, Clive and Sam from near Grazalema who run Wildside holidays and the Iberia nature forum.

Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

We had a pleasant chat and Jayne got to have a squeeze of Sue and Clive’s baby boy Sam, now 4 and half months old. 

Eventually the Mayor of the town turned up, did a speech and the main event took place, four Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), a Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and Eurasian Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) were all released back into the wild after being rehabilitated at a wildlife hospital in the Sierra de las Nieves.

The Crowds.

Clive, Sue, Sam, Jayne and I then had a very good lunch at the bar by the pool and later strolled down to the town square to have a look at the craft and SEO stands. 

The SEO stand had some nice local books on it but the SEO products were disappointingly scarce and what there was weren't available to buy, I think they missed a few Euros there (I know this was all Ian and his wife Sarah were sent by SEO). Jayne and I then said our goodbyes and headed slowly back up the hill to the car and home.

Return to the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Dodging the showers.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).

John and I headed out to the Cacín Valley for the morning, we visited the regular sites along the agricultural tracks but there was a lot of activity on the fields and birds were few and most were in flight.

These included 60+ Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua). 

We then made our way to the Embalse de Cacín with a quick stop in the roadside pine trees after we spotted a Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) on the ground, by the time we stopped the thing had darted three quarters of the way up one of the trees but we still had good views. 

Once at the lake there were again good numbers of Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Azulón Europeo / Anas platyhynchos), Common Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and the single immature Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) was still there along with several Little Grebes (Zapullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) which has been at the site all summer. 

Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata).

Whilst were watching the birds on the lake a couple of late imm Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator glandarrius) were heard and seen briefly, along with Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris). 

On the way back to the house we stopped at a small lake on the side of the A92 where Dragonflies were the main species seen, they included Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope). 

The birds seen were Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and 5 Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus).

Out of Province visit, Cordoba Province.

A day in Cordoba.

A view across the river to Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.

Another day out and about with friends Lynn and John, we set off early and headed West then north towards Cordoba, on the way we saw White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas). 

Puente Romano de Córdoba.

Once we had found our parking place, we started to walk along the river towards the Roman Bridge and then over it to the Cathedral / Mosque. 

On the way we saw Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos). 

Inside the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

The next couple of hours were spent looking around the Cathedral and later around the centre of the city. 

On the way back to the car we passed along the ruins of the old city wall and followed some ornamental water ways where many Violet Dropwings (Trithemis annulata) were flying.

Embalse de Cubillas and Loja area, Granada Province.

Great White Egret and more.

Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

John Morgan and his parter Lynn had travelled over to see us for a few days, Lynn and Jayne had decided that they wished to have a walk around the Sunday market in Granada. John and I dropped them off and headed for Cubillas Embalse for a couple of hours birding. 

We arrived to find that there were already a lot of people there, including a group setting up a stage on the shore line for a concert of some sort. 

We made our way down to the main bay and the first bird seen was a Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) only the fourth bird of this species I have seen in the Province (following three birds at Balsa de Regidor, Moraleda Granada on the 15th-16th Oct 2006). 

NE end of the Res.

Several Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and two Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were also on the shoreline, along with a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) the only wader seen during the visit. 

Three Short-toed Snake Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) flapped over the site heading south but with the cloudy damp conditions, they were making it look like it was hard going. 

Out on the water there were 20+ Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), 20+ Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and two Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus cachinnans) with Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) all low over the water, no doubt feeding up before the next leg of there journey South. 

Great Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba).

In the surounding Pine woods Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) moved around in a flock, Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Cetti's Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were in the marginal Tamarisks along with a single European Pied Flyctcher (Papamoscas Cerrojillo / Ficedula hypoleuca).

Along the Rio Cacín, Granada Province.

Eleonora's Falcon, a new bird for the Granada List.

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

I meet Rolf, Ann-Mari and Elsa Segerstedt at their Hotel in Granada and after a bit of a delay we headed out to the Cacín Valley. 

As soon as we pulled off the A92 Autovia we picked up a group of 6x Short-toed Snake Eagles (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) that were soaring away west.
As we left the built-up sprawl of Moraleda several Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) were all seen.
Further down the valley we took a track out to an area of agricultural fields where 39+ Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) put on a good aerial display when they were flushed buy one of the farmer’s tractors.

Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe).

We dipped on the expected Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) but picked up Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Tawny Pipit (Bisbita Campestris / Anthus campestris), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

As we were leaving the site, a small flock of Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) were seen perched in some Almonds trees and down on the field.
We then moved on to the Embalse de Cacín, a feeder lake for the local irrigation system. Here there were large numbers of Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Azulón Europeo / Anas platyhynchos), Common Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and 3x Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anus crecca).
Also out on the water were 20+ Little (Zapullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and a single immature Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Little Grebe (Zapullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

Three Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and a single Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) were on the reedy fringes along with Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).
Other birds seen here included Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), a single Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) was heard, Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).
Later we headed a little further along the valley and into the gorge, just as it started to rain we stopped at a site to look for Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and to get better views of Eurasian Crag Martin both of which we got.

Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

As we climbed out of the car a grey looking falcon lifted from the crag below us and the immediate thought was it was a Peregrine but as soon as it banked around against the cliff it became apparent that it was an adult intermediate phase Eleonora's Falcon (Halcón de Eleonora / Falco eleonorae) a new species for me in the Province. 

The bird flew towards the opposite cliff up the face and headed off south. I have seen many of the falcons on Mallorca but it's very nice to catch up with one locally.
A little later we started to make our way back along the valley when Rolf picked up another falcon sitting in an Almond tree about 50 meters back from the road, this time it was a cracking male Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius). 

We then continued on back to Granada and to the Hotel.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 19th September 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace. 

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

8710 Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten).

Again I used the 15 Watt Actinic trap and attracted 2 more species to the garden, they were 10449 Bena bicolorana (Scarce Silver-lines) and 8710 Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten).

10449 Bena bicolorana (Scarce Silver-lines).

Other species caught included 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x2, 10555 Cymbalophora pudica x12, 10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm) x5, 10335 Agrotis lata x1, 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) x1, 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1 and several 6690a Palpita vitrealis x8.

1655 Ethmia bipunctella.

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province..

First Snow of the Year.

After a day of rain, thunder storms and a several hour long power cut we decided to go for a drive to one of the local villages towards Granada. 

As we started along the A92 we noticed that the clouds over the Sierra Nevada had lifted and that there was a scattering of snow again. 

Hope this is not a sign for an early start to the winter.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 11th September 2009.

15W Actinic on the terrace. 

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

7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

Back to using the Actinic trap after an attack on the MV by the local cats which resulted in a broken bulb. The weather was dry but quite a bit cooler, with the temperature dropping down to 14 overnight.

10555 Cymbalophora pudica.

A new species for the garden was 10555 Cymbalophora pudica a species of Tiger Moth which I had seen before down on the coast at Penny Hales near Estapona.

10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm).

10460 Earias insulana (Egyptian Bollworm) x10 were caught along with 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x3, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth), 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal), 7984 Phaiogramma etruscaria, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x8, 10034 Mythimna loreyi (Cosmopolitan), 6690a Palpita vitrealis and 9142 Eublemma parva (Small Marbled).

Ronda and Grazalema Visit, Malaga and Cadiz Provinces.

Calling on friends.

Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestes viridis).

After taking Jayne and her two sisters into the centre of Ronda for a day of retail therapy and a nice lunch, I visited Peter Jones of Spanish Nature for a chat and a rummage around the websites on the net. 

After a pleasant couple of hours I made my way to Sue and Clive's out nearer to Grazalema to have a rattle and see the newest member of the family Sam. 

We spent some time out in the garden, particularly down by the stream which boarders their land, a large part of one of the many trees fell off last winter and opened up a small area of ground and the bank of the stream.

Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestes viridis).

Almost straight away I had a new Dragonfly species for my list, Western Willow Spreadwing (Chalcolestes viridis), several insects chased around in the dappled sunlight. Western Spectre (Boyeria irene) was also in the area but was only seen by Sue as she walked down the drive gates to let me out.

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotarda / Sylvia atricapilla) were all seen. 

They had just had visitors from Cornwall in the UK and had spent a week searching the area for Dragonflies. 

Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Over twenty species were seen but they were now back to work on the PCs keeping the Grazalema Guide and Wildside Holidays websites up and running. 

After a cracking couple of hours I made my way back to Ronda to pick the girls up, we started to make our way towards home via a Vulture feeding station. 

Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

On our arrival a few birds were sitting out in the field but that was about it, so we were just leaving when a tractor with a bucket load of offal left the nearby village. 

What happened next surprised even me, within second two hundred plus Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) were circling the tractor as it turned off the road on to the track and made its way to the dumping site. 

As the vehicle stopped it was mobbed by birds, it tipped its load and left the scavengers tearing the offal up and gorged themselves. 

Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

We then drove back to the main road and got some distant views of the flock in flight as the tractor returned with the second course.

Huetor Tajar, Granada Province.

On the way back from the shopping.

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

I popped down to the Supermarket in Huétor and decided to cut across the fields on the return journey. 

A couple of the lucerne fields were being flooded and had attracted large numbers of passage Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) of all ages and several other subspecies. Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were also feeding on the many insects and animals flushed out by the water.

Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and a single female Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) were all in the same area.

Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus).

Several Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) and Red-veined Darts (Sympetrum fonscolombii) were flying around the weedy edges, along with a single Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum tarraconesis).

African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna).

On a track just before the house several Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus) and a single Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus) were all seen on a small patch of Lucerne. 

Embalse del Cubillas, Granada Province.

Raptors and Waders.

Cubillas, the NE corner.

After dropping Jayne and her two sisters off at the market on the outskirts of Granada, I spent a couple of hours birding at the large reservoir at Cubillas. 

In the main shallow bay at the North East end of the water, there was a large area of exposed shoreline. 

Several Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a single Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were all feeding along the waters edge, along with 50+ Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), 20+ Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and 5 Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus). 

European Honey Buzzard (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus).

On the wider area of shore in the bay 100+ European Honey Buzzards (Aberjero Europeo / Pernis apivorus) and 10+ Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) were sitting in the Tamarisks or on the ground waiting for the thermals to start and over the next hour and a half they all made there way up and off to the West. 

Spawning Carp.

In the Pine woods along the banks of the reservoir Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) were seen, along with Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus). Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Northern Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) all passed over the area and Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) low over the water. 

Pine woods along side the Reseroir.

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and 5 Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) were out on the water. 

Thousands of largish Carp of some species were also seen spawning in the very shallow water all the way along the eastern side of the reservoir.

Sierra de Huetor / Viznar, Granada Province.

Lunch in the mountains.

Rock formation.

Two of Jayne sisters are visiting so we decided that we would take them for a run into the mountains for lunch at the Kiosco Alfaguara a few Kms above the villages of Alfacar and Viznar in the Sierra de Huetor.

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica).

On the drive up we had spectacular views of a Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europea / Circaetus gallicus) carrying a large snake off over the ridge and a couple of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) drifted distantly towards Sierra Nevada.
Whilst we sat and had a very good but rather large lunch a female Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus) was seen feeding under some nearby Oak trees. Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) were also around the same area.

Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

On the way down, several Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica) were seen close to the road and allowed us to take some photos.