Motril area, Granada Province.

RAM, Motril Port and Charca de Suárez.

Cabo Sacratif.

This month, the RAM was put back to the second weekend of the month due to a couple of Spanish holidays. Juan and I set off from Granada at just after seven and arrived down at Cabo Sacratif to the East of Motril where we set up looking over a flat calm sea. The see watching did not produce the numbers but we did see a couple of good species.  

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus).

Arctic Skua (Págalo Parásito / Stercorarius parasiticus) x1 and Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) x3 were probably the highlight of the couple of hours spent on the headland. We also picked up a single Cory's (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea) and good numbers of Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and a pair of Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a small group of Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) also passed by.

Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus).

Along the cliffs Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) were all seen. Amongst the vegetation, I picked up a single Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous).

Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna).

The next stop was the fish docks at Motril, where we had more access that usual now that Juan had managed to get a letter of permission to enter the areas behind the barriers. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls with rings on were recorded along with more Black-headed, Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls, Sandwich Tern, Sanderling and Great Cormorant. New birds included Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus).

Charca.

We moved on later than expected to Charca de Suárez for a quick look at the pools, fortunately Manolo the warden was not in any hurry so we had a good couple of hours there, some of the time spent in the restricted access photographic hide where the light direction is much better. By the gate we saw several Speckled Woods (Pararge aegeria), a single tatty Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Small White (Artogeia rapae). At the first hide Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) were all added to the growing list.

Stripe-less Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis).

We moved around to the hide on the long pool where Western Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) was calling from the reed beds, along with Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and White Wagtail. In the distance a single White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) was picked up soaring, eventually it passed over head. 

We then made our way around to the main hide picking up a couple of Stripe-less Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis) sitting out in the sun. Once in the hide the species flowed again, we picked up Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas Penelope), Mallard, Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and a single Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Eurasian Coot and Common Moorhen.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus).

Out on the pool we also picked up a single female Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

Villanueva Mesia and El Turro areas, Granada Province

Another morning's Atlas work.

White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

The morning started misty and damp but as I approached the start of the area to be worked the visibility improved and I was able to start. I had 8 fifteen minute itineraries to complete, five in the area around the village of Villanueva Mesia and three near El Turro. Along the Rio Genil where it is joined by the Rio Cacín Several Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), 30+ Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and a few Cetti's Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were counted. Out on the fields Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) were the commonest species, they were also joined by a couple of Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and a male Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris).

The next two sections were along the wooded banks of the Rio Cacín, Both Great Spotted (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) were heard the former was drumming regularly. Also picked up here were more Iberian Magpie about 50, European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Later I went to complete the three itineraries near El Turro, here I added Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus).

Huetor Fields, Granada Province.

A visit from Bob Wright from the Axarquia Bird group.

Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

I meet Bob down in Huetor Tajar so that we could go and have a look at the wintering flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which by now numbered 215 birds. I had checked out the site earlier and found the flock on one of their regular fields just out of the town. When we arrived, we counted about 180 birds, most of the flock. Bob took some shots from in the car and then tried to get a bit closer by using the cover of the adjacent Asparagus field. Unfortunately, a train spooked the birds and they flew off to the fields they use in the Loja direction. We then had a look along the river picking up a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

There were also good numbers of Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus).

Bob in the Stone-curlew fields.

Later we went down to the fields where a large flock of Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) had been wintering, but because of a lot of activity on the nearby lettuce fields the flock had splintered, and we only had about 70 birds. 

Also seen were House Sparrow (Gorrión Común), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Near Andújar, Jaen Province.

The Iberian Lynx in Sierra Morena.

A foggy start to the day.

Jayne, Juan and I set off at some unearthly hour to drive into the mountains in Jaen Province with a dream of seeing Iberian Lynx (lince iberico / Lynx pardina). This was a trip I had long waited to do and a species I had wanted to see for many years.

Round-leaved Oak (Quercus rotundifolia).

We arrived before the dawn but found the site was blanketed in Mist and visibility was about 30 meters. As soon as we got out of the car we started to pick things up by sound including the bellowing calls of a great number of rutting Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and as soon as dawn arrived many species of passerine started to show including European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Song (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) were all heard.

Juan scanning the hill sides.

Juan and I had a stroll along one of the tracks and I had a look at some of the trees and plants, the only blooms seen belonged to Iberian Milk-vetch (Astragalus lusitanicus) a species I had seen before in the area around Grazalema, Round-leaved Oak (Quercus rotundifolia), Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) and Gum Cistus (Cistus ladanifer) bushes made up a vast amount of the ground cover. 

At about 12:30 the fog had cleared enough for some serious watching to take place, one of the first interesting finds was an adult Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti) which was sitting in one of the larger Oaks, it later moved closer in a eucalyptus but remained on view all day much to the dislike of the local Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común) population which pestered it all afternoon.

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus).

I then took a stroll along the track again and on my way back I stopped to talk to a couple of Spanish lads and suddenly notice Jayne and Juan waving madly, I soon realized that the walk was a big mistake. The next 200 meters were a blur, I wasn’t but it was the fastest I have moved in a very very long time (probably since PE lessons at school), I got to the others to get a two-second view thought the scope. 

I had seen a Lynx, but not for anything like long enough, but it was a start and I did not wander off again for the rest of the day. 

Luckily a few minutes later the magnificent male Lynx came into view again a lot closer, it moved through the Oaks at speed and then appeared right out in the open on one of the tracks. 

Iberian Lynx (lince iberico / Lynx pardina).

We had marvellous views, it was still about 270 meters away, but through the scope it was great, during the afternoon the animal was seen again briefly several times until its last sighting when it was about a 750m away but again through the scope it could be seen lying in the grass cleaning its self before moving out of sight over a ridge. 

Iberian Milk-vetch (Astragalus lusitanicus).

During the day we also saw Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) a couple called continuously all day, Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata).

A92 from Granada, Granada Province.

Raptor with a death wish.

Jayne and I spent a hectic but good few hours around the large general market in Granada city, well worth an occasional visit. 

On the way back near the exit for Lachar (salida 223) I was looking to the south for a flock of about 40 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which I had seen a few time recently, they were there along with a few Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) and a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). 

As I looked back at the traffic, I was aware of a small raptor flying at about 2 meters down the outside lane of the motorway. It suddenly lifted to the northern side and landed in a small tree. 

All I saw at first was a flash of silver / grey so was expecting it to be a Harrier but as it lifted its small size became apparent as did the black wing patches and I soon realized that the bird was in fact a Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).

Rio Guadalahorce, Malaga Province.

A couple of hours on the beach.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus).

After getting information from Andy Patterson about two Red-breasted Mergansers (Serreta Mediana / Mergus serrator) on the sea from the sea watch point. I arrived at the sea front end of the urbanization and set up the scope on the rocks nearby. 

The first bird seen was a 1st winter Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus) which was feeding on the Common Mussels (Mytilus edulis) on the rock. 

Also seen from here was a winter plumaged Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) which sat on the rocks next to the Oystercatcher till a wave forced both of them up on to the beach.
Out on the sea there was a group of 4 Common Scoters (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra), a single Razorbill (Alca Común / Alca torda), Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser-black backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), along with more Sandwich Terns and 8+ Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta).

Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis).

On the river a couple of Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) were roosting and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were stalking fish from the reedy margins. 

On the sandbar a group of 20+ Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) one of my favourite waders were roosting along with a couple of Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

I then scanned along the shore line and picked up the two Mergansers down by the far sea watch point so I got in the car and made my way down to the reserve entrance, on the walk down to the beach numerous Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flew over, also seen were Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

Red-breasted Mergansers (Serreta Mediana / Mergus serrator).

Whist passing the main pool a quick glance added Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) x3, Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia) x3 and a couple of Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata).

Once on the beach, the two birds were soon picked up down near the river mouth, so I walked down to the sea watch point and had some nice views of them.

I managed a couple of poor record shots and also picked up out on the sea another couple of Common Scoter. I then walked back via the raised ridge, pasted the two hides to the car. 

On the way I picked up a couple of both Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) and Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) but did not see the expected Osprey.

On the pools to the left of the bank several more Sanderling were seen along with Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

Red-breasted Mergansers (Serreta Mediana / Mergus serrator).

On the other drier side of the bank Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) were all recorded. 

Whilst I was wondering, I also saw a single female Red-veined Dart (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and quite a few Painted Lady's (Vanessa cardui).

Fuente de Piedra, Malaga Province.

A pleasant morning with the Axarquia Bird Group.

Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).

On the way over to meet Bob Wright, Andy Patterson and the rest of the group I made a short detour out on to the fields North of Antequera. 

On one of the many tracks that cross the area I picked up 3 Western Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) two males and a juv female. The one male bird was as bright and well-marked as I have ever seen, a real cracker. 

Whist watching the Harriers a large flock of Larks was flushed, most of the birds were Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), up wards of 200, along with Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Eurasian Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis). 

Also seen were European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). 

Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus).

I then continued on towards the meeting point but got caught in a blockage as the electricity people were hoisting a new set of cables between two pylons, one either side of the motorway. I arrived and then so did the rest of the group who had also been stopped. 

After a chat on the car park, we made our way around to the Lagoon. Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Lesser-black backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and White Wagtails were seen on the dried out pools and 30+ Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) on the fields on the approach road. 

Out on the main lagoon a few Greater Flamingos (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), 4+ Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus), 50+ Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna) and hundreds of Gulls. 

We next visited the hides around the rear of the centre where Quite a few Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), several Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) were all the waders seen, along with Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). 

Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

On the banks and in the marginal vegetation good numbers of Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and European Goldfinch were feeding and a single Water Pipit (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) was picked up wandering the rocks that lined one of the islands. 

On the far side of the pools, several Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were seen and a single Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). 

We then moved back towards the car park, picking up a pair of Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) on the way. We moved on around the side of the lake heading south and stopped at a view point part way. It gave a great view out over the fields and marsh that were between the road and the Lagoon, but today there were few birds. 

A little further on, a sizeable (250+) flock of Common Cranes were seen and unfortunately flushed because of the door slamming which went on, the birds settled again but quite a bit further away, we still had good views. 

I then continued on to the Lagoons around Campillos but saw very little except for another closer group of Cranes which I managed a few record shots of.

Near Huétor Tajar and Húetor Tájar, Granada Province, Spain.

First day on the Winter Birds Atlas.

Eurasian Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

I started out from the house on the first part of this winter's atlas, the first two itineraries are through the Olive groves around the house. 

The most notable things seen was a very large concentration of finch species feeding on the newly turned ground between the trees. Several hundred European Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) made up the bulk of the flock but there were also hundreds more Common Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) and House Sparrows (Gorrión Común). 

In the Olives Eurasian Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Blackbirds (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) were the commonest species. 

Huetor Fields.

Once out on to the agricultural areas I started to pick up Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) with a flock of 30+ birds in a row of Fig and Pomegranates, Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and a single Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) which was to be the only raptor recorded. 

In a row of road side Almond trees several Eurasian Collared Doves (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) were all added to the growing list along with a single unexpected Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata). 

I then walked the fields along the river bank, here there are a lot of areas cultivated with Asparagus, which at this time of the year is nice and tall and gives good cover for a lot of species. 

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus).

Along this stretch Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) were seen along with the distant wintering flock of over 200 Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

Rio Velez, Malaga Province.

Good Birding amongst the Filth and Rubbish.

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta).

After a dampish drive down to Torre-del-Mar on the Malaga Coast, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was warm and quite pleasant by the time I reached Rio Velez. 

I parked the car and the first birds seen were a very smart Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) preening in the riverside reed beds, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and a couple of European Robins (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) doing Bluethroat impressions in the reeds. 

Walking further down the river towards the sea I started to hear a call from the tall reeds at the side of the track which I knew were coming from some Penduline Tits (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) but I could not see them until eventually they dropped on to the Reedmace (Typha angustifolia) on the main marshy area.
There I could see that there were 6 males and 2 females in the group, but all too quickly they were off again foraging through the vegetation. 

Along here I also picked up a small flock of Common Reed Buntings (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) at least 6 birds flew up from the side of the river when the two horses that were wandering around wandered just a bit too close. Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and a single male Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava) were all seen before I reached the beach.

Returning fishing boats.

On the beach a little further east a large gull roost had formed with several thousand birds of five species included Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) a few hundred, Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) 1000+ probably the commonest gull I saw during the day, Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) 50+, Lesser-black backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) 1000+ and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) 100s. 

Out at sea there were many more gulls along with good numbers of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and a raft of 36 Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus).
On the beachside of the reserve a large pool held a few Eurasian Coots, Common Moorhens, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), bathing Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and just as I was leaving to head back to the car a group of 5 Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flew through.
On the way back I meet another couple of Birders, and we had a pleasant chat and I then returned to the beach for a while whilst we talked, they told me about a Greylag Goose (Ansar Común / Anser anser) they had seen just back up the river, so I headed back to have a look. 

By the time I found the bird, it had moved down the river and was right by the car. 

A couple of Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta) and several Clouded Yellows (Colias crocea) were the only insects seen. 

On the way out of the site several Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) were noted feeding over the fields near the road bridge.

Greylag Goose (Ansar Común / Anser anser).

A good few hours birding, the only down side to the day was the amount of rubbish and filth that was discarded at the site, some by the river waters from upstream but quite a lot of it was obviously deliberately dumped.

Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

Ring Ouzel's, camera shy Thrushes.

Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

The main reason for the drive up was to try and get some photographs of the Ring Ouzels (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) seen a few days earlier. 

We started our drive from the woodlands above Loja, several species of wildflower were starting to add a nice splash of colour to the area, including Wide-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia) with just a few of the many thousands of blooms were just starting to show, Purple Vipers Bugloss (Echium lycopsis), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) and Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis). 

Passing the crags several climbers were seen scaling the cliffs, whilst Western Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) flew along the ridge above them scalding loudly.

Wide-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia).

Once up on the tops we started to see Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) all of which are regular here. 

Once we reached the area for the Ouzels we parked in a convenient spot and waited, several Corn Buntings (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Black Redstart, Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) all paid a brief visit to the water hole but the Ringed Ouzels remained distant.

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

After a couple of hours the light started to drop so we decided to return down the mountain before dark. On the way we added several small groups of Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) and a flock of about 15 Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis).

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica).

A couple of male Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica) were also seen wandering around alone on the higher rocky ridges.

Near Loja, Granada Province.

Heard but not seen.

The Sunset from Hacho.

Jayne and I made a quick visit to a site about 5 minute from the house, below some rocky cracks and on the edge of a pine woodland we hoped to get views of a pair of European Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo). 

I had first seen these birds about 6 weeks ago whilst a friend from the UK was visiting, and we were out setting up his (John Morgan) bat detectors.

The Sunset on the crags

This evening we were only lucky enough to hear the two birds but they were not willing to show, we did see Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), 100+ Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Padul Area, Granada Province.

From wetlands to Moorlands.

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

Andy Mounteford and I made our way to the Padul Nature Reserve just to the south of Granada City for a few hour birding. 

As we arrived, we met a Spanish chap doing some Ringing/Banding in the reed beds, the birds we saw in the hand whilst we were watching him included Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla).

The Ringer.

We then walked along the track through the reeds as far as a wooden hide (which always seems to be lock) seeing 6+ Common Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum tarraconesis).

Next we drove a circular route around the reserve picking up Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House (Gorrión Común), Spanish (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) x2 and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus) 15+, Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), European Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Andy.

A single Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum tarraconesis) along with several Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea).

Later we went to an area of scrubby hillside looking for Larks, we picked up just Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) along with several Dartford Warblers (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), a dark phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).

White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum).

A few species of butterfly were still on the wing including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanto). 

Whilst were walked around the area, a few plants of White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) were seen.

Huetor Fields and Sierra de Loja, Granada Province.

A visitor from the West, well from over Ronda way.

Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

I spent a very enjoyable few hours birding with Pieter Verheij the CEO of Spanish Nature Wildlife Holidays. 

I met Pieter at the Hotel Cortijo de Tájar just off the A92 at Junction 203 and we made our way out on to the agricultural areas around the town of Huétor Tájar where Pieter was hoping for the chance to photograph the wintering flock of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

Pieter.

The first area checked produce on about 20 Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

We then moved on and found the Bustards in a Lucerne field nearby, Pieter was out of the vehicle and the camera was soon in action, whilst I did a count which reach 205+. 

Once Pieter was happy we moved on along the many farm tracks in the area seeing Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Small White (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae).

The next stop was on the outskirts of the town on a part harvested field of lettuce, here we managed to connect with a flock of at least 70 Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and again Pieter’s camera was at work. 

Also seen in the area were more Northern Lapwings, Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).
In the afternoon we decided to have a drive up Sierra de Loja, this decision was immediately rewarded with views of an Immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) and the distant calls of several Alpine Accentor's (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis). 

Further up the Sierra we made another stop and added Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus). 

Once we reached the higher levels we started to see Ring Ouzel (Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) and by the end of the day about 25 birds had been seen.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Also up on the tops we picked up a late female Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) and several Redwings (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus iliacus).
During the day we also saw Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica), Small (Blanquita de la Col / Artogeia rapae) and Bath Whites (Blanquiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).