Motril, Granada Province.

Our monthly RAM survey and visit to the Fish Docks and Charca.

Drying the catch at the fish dock.

Juan and I made our monthly trip down to Cabo Sacratif, starting out in the dark from Granada and heading south along the new Autovia. Dawn broke whist we travelled and by the time we reached the coast road birds were starting to emerge. The first species noted was a Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) moving out from its roost no doubt looking for some unfortunate small prey. Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) were also moving out into the fields and marshes in quite large numbers and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) scampered around on the roads and verges feeding. 

Drying the catch at the fish dock.

We arrived at the sea watch site and immediately picked up Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) all singing their hearts out, made you think spring is well on its way. Up on the rock Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) were also singing and as we were setting our selves up a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) flew passed carrying prey back towards the cliffs. 

Night Heron (Martinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax).

We then started the two hour sea watch picking up the usual Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) only in small numbers, many Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis), unusually large numbers of Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), a few Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and three Great Skuas (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) two of which were quite near shore. All in all a quiet but much warmer RAM than last month. The Fish docks were also quiet today except for the fishermen hanging their catches out to dry. We noted good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Great Cormorants and a few Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were roosting out on the main breakwater. The final visit was to Charca de Suárez and as usual we saw plenty of species but the highlight was a very confiding immature Night Heron (Martinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) which was roosting in the reeds amongst willow scrub. 

Night Heron (Martinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax).

We started at the long pool picking up Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and some of the hundreds of Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) at the site. Moving on we found and photographed the Night Heron and went around to the next hide, here we added a small group of Red Avadavats (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava) which few into the sedges and disappeared. Further on we heard Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio) grunting and screeching form cover and added Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común), Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) to the day list. 

Night Heron (Martinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax).

From the main hide the light was no good for photographs, this was a shame as several duck species were sat right out in view, these included 3x Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), 6x Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas Penelope), a single male Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), several Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a small flock of Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata). We also managed some distant views of Western Swamp-hen, watched a Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti)singing from cover (as usual), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and finished off by adding two summer migrants making their way north, Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) x3 and a single House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). A couple of butterflies were seen on the walk around Charca, these were

-->Small White (Artogeia rapae) and -->Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria). 

Viperine Snake (Natrix maura).

Amphibians were represented by Southern Tree Frogs (Ranita Meridional / Hyda meridionalis) which were heard and seen and Iberian Water Frog (Rana Perezi). Reptiles also featured with several Spanish Terrapins (Mauremys leprosa) and a single Viperine Snake (Natrix maura).

Around Puente Genil and Sierra Subbetica, Cordoba Province.

Lagoons and Mountains

Laguna Zónar.

Jayne and I headed out towards Antiquera and then North along the brand new Autovia (complete with subsidence) to Lucena to get a few bits from the centre there. On the way we picked up several Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and a couple of Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) all resting on telegraph poles. Jayne then came out with her well know line of "BIG BIRD", which was flying low over the olives and turned out to be a species I had mentioned only a few minutes earlier, a nice male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus). 

After time spent in the town we decided that as we had come out this far that we would make a day of it and picked a place nearby that we had not visited before from the road atlas and set off. Puente Genil was just a few KMs away so we were soon there and having a walk around what turned out to be a busy and very interesting town, one which I am sure we will return to.

Large Cuckoo Pint (Arum italicum).

Later we visited the Nature reserve of Laguna Zónar a few KMs to the north, Jayne sat in the car and read her book as it started to spit with rain as we arrived. I walked down to the first hide (only usable hide) and picked up a few nice species including several White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), a single female Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos). Out on the water there were also good numbers of both Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) along with a few Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo). 

A few Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) were skimming low over the water feeding. Other birds seen included Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major). 

Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia).

Amongst the Olives and other trees that surrounded the lagoon several plants were just starting to break through, these included Large Cuckoo Pint (Arum italicum), Purple Vipers Bugloss (Echium lycopsis) and Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia). I enjoyed the reserve but was disappointed in the viewing and access that was allowed, most of the water remained unchecked. We then started the journey home but went across country via Cabra and Priego de Cordoba, a nice but twisting drive. We did not see a lot except for good numbers of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki and I spotted the first Orchids of the year, Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

Ventorros de San Jose, Granada Province.

First Orchid of the year.

Somber or Dull Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca subsp fusca).

As usual the first orchid species to poke it's head above the ground is Somber or Dull Bee Orchid (Ophrys Fusca subsp fusca), These plants were growing on a damp rocky bank just North of the town. There were three plants seen and the tallest was abot 20cms.

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Raptor's displaying in the Cacín Valley.

Think I can pass????

After a call from John Wainwright from Salar to say that the male Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) was still about, Jayne and I went for a drive down the Cacín Valley for a couple of hours fresh air. On our way down to the Embalse de Cacín Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were all noted. At the lake the bird numbers were much reduced, with only about 50-60 Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) compared to near 200 a couple of weeks ago but the greatest drop was in the number of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) with only about 30 birds being seen this visit. The Red-Knobbed Coot was again only seen very briefly before it dived for the reed beds. 

The winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) was still there along with 25+ Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and singles of male Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), male Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) and a female Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta). 

In the dead trees at the southern end of the lake several Great Cormorants (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) and a couple of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were spending some time roosting quietly until they were all flushed by a very smart female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which flew the full length of the Embalse and off over the Poplar trees. 

As I walked back to the car along the bank I flushed a pair of Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) which flew away scolding me loudly as they moved up into the next bay where they joined a small group of 5 Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Cetti’s Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) were also added to the list.

We then moved to a site for a pair of Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) both birds were seen along with magnificent views of a pair of Golden Eagles (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) displaying in the valley. We also picked up Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

The next stop was at the Pantaneta de Alhama to see if the Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca) seen there a couple of weeks ago was wintering or just passing through. The numbers of birds at this site were also much lower and the duck was nowhere to be seen. There were no new species seen and as there was a brisk cold wind blowing across the pool it was a brief visit.

We then stopped for a drink in Alhama de Granada and made our way back home along the road to Salar. During the journey several large groups of Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and Corn Buntings (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) were picked up, along with Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos.

Rio Velez and Fuengirola Harbour, Malaga Province.

Spanish lifer in Fuengirola.

Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus).

Jayne and I went down to the coast via Salar, Alhama to Torre-del-Mar, I then dropped Jayne off at the shopping center and headed to Nerja to collect some new glasses. I then returned to pick Jayne up via Rio Velez, which was unrecognisable, since my last visit the river has washed away most of the reed beds and is now filling the whole of the channel. 

Without much cover to be found the birds were thin on the ground, the single Greylag Goose (Ansar Común / Anser anser) seen on my last visit was skulking around under some flattened Giant reed along with a single Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), these were the only duck species seen. I quickly made my way down to the beach hoping to find a few more species, several Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) rushed around the shore line along with a single Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and out on the sea I managed to track down a winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), 100s of Black-heads (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and a few Yellow-legs (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). A couple of Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) flew out of the river and followed several Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) off east along the coast.

Common Guillemot (Arao Común / Uria aalge).

I decided to then walk back up the side of the swollen river and picked up Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis). The remaining time was spent trying to catch a puppy with a length of drainage pipe stuck on it's head. I assisted a Finnish lady trying to help the dog but it escaped, a phone call later in the afternoon from this lady said that she and her husband had managed to catch the dog and remove the pipe, good news!

Common Guillemot (Arao Común / Uria aalge).

We then decided that the time was going well so we would kill two birds with one stone and drive the coast down as far as Fuengirola, where we had planned to go in a few days time. We had some lunch and then walked out into the harbour to look for a Common Guillemot (Arao Común / Uria aalge) which had been reported a few days earlier on Andy Patterson’s Birding the Costa Blog. The bird was first seen at the far end of the main channel, I then retuned to the car to get the scope and made my way back to try and get some shots. By the time I returned the bird had vanished. 

I decide to walk along the outer sea wall to the mouth of the harbour but did not see any sign; on the walk back I again found the bird amongst the fishing boats and took some photographs. Whilst I was at the docks I picked up Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and several Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris). On the way home Jayne spotted a nice pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) which drifted over the motorway near Guadlhorce, Malaga.

To Huetor and back, Granada Province.

A stroll in the fields.

Add caption

After we had completed the tasks of the morning Jayne suggested that we should go for a walk down to Huetor and come back across the fields. We set off and were quickly waylaid by the sight of Santiago one of the local Spanish children and a lot of black sausages drying at his grannies house. We continued on down the hill picking up large numbers of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki and Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla). Out on the fields Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común) and Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) were all seen in good numbers. As we approached the town and were passing a cropped lettuce field a group of about 70 Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) flushed up and moved back amongst the dead feathery stalks of the asparagus plants. White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) were also out on the same fields and a group of 20 or so Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) were following a ploughing tractor. 

The sausages.

We stopped for some lunch at one of the bars and then continued our walk back towards home. The temperature had started to drop so we quickened the pace some what but did pick up Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), many singing Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).

Southern Lakes and Ponds, Granada Province.

Censo Provincial De Láridos Invernantes (Gull Survey).

The SEO Sierra Nevada Group.

A group of seven birders from SEO Sierra Nevada met in a cafe on the side of the motoway towards Motril and after a couple of coffees headed out into the campo towards the Embalse de Bermejales. We were carring out checks on Gull numbers on the inland lakes, whilst another small group were checking coastal sites. On the way to the embalse we picking up a couple of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), singing Corn Bunting (Triguero / Miliaria calandra) and several groups of Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra).
The only down side to the drive was when Antonio spotted the corpse of a Long-eared Owl (Búho Chico / Asio otus) lying in the road. We made a short stop near the embalse where we were shown the winter roost site of an Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo), who was conveniently just visible in a hole in the cliff. 
Here we also picked up Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting, Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and a couple of noisy Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia). 

Embalse de Bermerjales.

Down by the lake several Great Cormorants (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) were seen roosting on trees in the margins, three Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and several Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) were out on the water. Then great excitement, our first gull of the day (our only gull of the day) an adult Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) was spotted floating around on a piece of driftwood. Other species seen here included White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) was heard in conifers by the dam. 

Male Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca) and Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina).

We then moved around the shore a few KMs to view the water from a different location and added Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Water Pipit (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) x2, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and a male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

Watching the ducks from the Dam.

The next stop was at the small lake to the south of Alhama de Granada, on the way we added Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).
On the pool there were a few Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and then Juan Pérez Contreras came up with find of the day, a fine male Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca). Also seen here were Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).
Further up the Cacín Valley we called in at the Embalse de Cacín where again there were no Gulls but 180+ Common Pochard, Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata) x8, Eurasian Coot, many Little and a single Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Great Cormorant and the second good find of the day was a male Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) found by Juan Francisco Jiménez.

White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

On our way back to Granada we stopped a couple of time near Moraleda and added Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) to the day list.
Along the A92 we again stopped at a spot where I have been seeing an adult Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) for a few weeks but as usual when you take people to see something its not there. Just as we were leaving the A92 and by-passing Santa Fe a group of about 15 Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) were seen in a flooded field in the company of a single adult White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia). We took some photographs of the bird and then made our way back to this mornings start point, said our goodbyes and headed home.

Moraleda area, Granada Province.

Winter Bird Atlas.

Flooded River Genil.

I started the day to the south of Moraleda in Olive country, the first seven of todays fifteen itineraries were in the agricultural area between the Alhama road and El Turro. The final eight were nearer to Moraleda and the A92, again mainly in agricultural areas but here there were mainly Almond trees and open fields.

The commonest species were again the small finches including Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis). Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) were also common amongst the smaller passerines.  

House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica) were the commonest larger species seen. Best birds of the day were 5x Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) and a couple of Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and singing male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) were probably the best birds seen whilst recording. 

Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis).

On the way home I quickly called at the small lake along side the A92, at first glance it was very quiet but then a single male Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) was seen in the rushes along with two female type birds, probably House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus). Whilst I was watching these birds another small bird flew into view and sat flicking it's tail on a branch just to the side of the male sparrow, this was a male

-->Bluethroat (Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) a good end to the morning.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Well I suppose it makes a change from the rain.

From the garden.

It started to snow at about 10:00 and it was still falling as night fell. It looks great but it does create some problems, a lot of drivers over here do not allow for the weather in the driving method and a phone call from a friend who had been stuck on the A 92 for five hours due to the amount of accidents proves the point.

Out front.

Over the olives.

The Olive harvesters were working first thing this morning but they soon packed in complaining about the cold. 

RAM sea bird survey, Motril fish docks and Charca de Suárez, Granada Province.

Freezing my optics off on the coast.

Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis).

Set off from the car park in Granada with Juan at 07:15 and made our way down to Cabo Sacratif to the East of Motril where we set up the equipment in the freezing wind just as the sun started to rise. By the start time at 08:30 I was already cold and by the time we had both been sat there for 2 hours, parts of our bodies had stopped functioning and just getting out of the chair was an ordeal. Good numbers of birds passed by mostly heading west into the wind, they included a couple of species we had not expected, both of which were new species for my province list. 

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo).

The first were a group of four Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) flying low over the sea and they were closely followed by two Red Knot (Correlimos Gordo / Calidris canutus) also heading west, two Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) also surprised us by passing out at sea, one a good km off shore. Other species seen included Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and two Golden Plovers (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia) which were set upon by the local Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) their fate is unknown as we lost them around the next headland. 

Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina).

The usual Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) were all seen during the time there.
We then visited the fish docks at Motril Port to try and read some of the rings on the Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) but the only concentrations were flushed by an Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) just as we arrived and did not settle with in range of our scopes.
The last stop as usual was at Charca de Suárez where we bumped into Manolo the warden in the first hide where he and a colleague were doing some maintainance work. He offered Juan the keys to the scientific (photographic) hide, so we made our way there as the light would be perfect of getting some shots of the birds on the main lake. 

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Infront of the hide we soon picked up a single winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), a male Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas Penelope), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) along with several more species. 

Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

On the way home Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were added to a good list. I dropped Juan ff again in Granada and headed home calling at the Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) site on the way, there was no sign of the Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) flock seen yesterday but the Kite was seen hunting over the large area of waste ground next to the motorway along with a huge flock Serin and Goldfinch , 200+ birds of each species at least, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus) and a great many Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita). 

A92 Autovia, Granada Province.

Wintering birds.

Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus).

As we were driving up to the city of Granada today the adult Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) and the Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) X 67 were still to be found on the southern side of the motorway, just visible through the snow.

Near Huetor Tajar, Granada Province.

The rain strikes again.

The road just below the house.

After yet another night of continuous heavy rain I decided that I would go down to the supermarket in Huetor Tajar and get a few things we needed whilst Jayne waited in for a delivery from the local delivery company.

The road again further on.

I started down the hill to find the Barranco had burst its banks and had flooded the road, I was about to turn around when a lorry came through from the opposite direction and he pushed a lot of the trapped water off the road just long enough for me to make a run for it. Further along the road was totally flooded, so I took to the tracks across the fields and eventually made it to the town where I first went and had a look at the bridge over the Rio Genil.

Huetor Bridge.

The water had again broken through the banks and the fields as far as you could see were flooded and the road linking the town with the motorway was again closed.

The usually dry river bed between La Fabrica and Huetor.

After the shopping I thought that I would try a different route back but all the cross fields routes were blocked either by water or the debris from the river. I eventually made it home some two hours later after starting a 20 minute trip.

Albolote, Granada, Granada Province.

Special but damp birds.

Long-eared Owl (Búho Chico / Asio otus).

The weather is still fairly bad / good which ever way you look at heavy rainfall, the local minister for water will be well happy I suppose.

Long-eared Owl (Búho Chico / Asio otus).

I headed out to Embalse de Cubillas to have a look at what was there on my way to meet with Juan Pérez-Contreras at a private site near Albolote. I arrived at the Embalse to find it was full to bursting point and the run off channel was flowing very quickly. Birds were few and far between, I only picked up Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis). 

Long-eared Owl (Búho Chico / Asio otus).

I then made my way to the arranged meeting point where Juan and I meet a security guard who escorted us to an area of Pine and Eucalyptus trees on the area of private property. Here we were lucky enough to see thirteen of the wintering Long-eared Owls (Búho Chico / Asio otus) which return in late August and remain till March / April. Most of the birds were sat in tall Pines but a group of five were in a low Stone Pine (Pinus pinea). We also saw Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Moraleda de Zafayona, Granada Province.

A morning’s winter bird Atlas recording.

To start with HAPPY NEW YEAR to any one who takes the time to read and I hope enjoy this blog, Thank You.

Badger (Meles meles) Tracks.

After the wet weather of the last two weeks it was a pleasure to get out with the bins. Today’s route was in the fields to the west of the town of Moraleda, 15 itineraries were planed and completed. The start of the walk was amongst broom and herb scrub where I picked up the only Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) of the day and several Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae). Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) were the commonest birds with 100+ of the former and about 75 of the latter. It was nice to hear the yaffling calls of several Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) during the walk and the distant drumming of a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) made me think that spring is not so far away. A small flock of Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) passed through a small area of Poplar woodland accompanied by large numbers of Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) and Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and a couple of Short-toed Treecreepers (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla). Further along the tracks a small flock of Corn (Triguero / Miliaria calandra), Cirl (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) X5 and Reed Buntings (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) X3 were feeding with large numbers of House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) out on a winter cereal crop field.

Violet Cabbage (Moricandia moricandioides).

Other birds recorded included Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falcotinnunculus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

In the mud along one of the streams several Badger (Meles meles) tracks were found, a mammal I have only seen as a road casualty so far. Several plant species were in flower, Violet Cabbage (Moricandia moricandioides) was by far the commonest.

Huetor Tajar, Granada Province.

Dodging the showers.

Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).

Juan Pérez Contreras from Granada and a friend who was visiting him from near Leon in France stopped by the house whilst they were out birding in the area. We had a quick drive up the road towards Loja to a site for a pair of Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo); it was the wrong time of day so we were not surprised when we did not see them.

White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Later in the day I went down on to the fields just north of Huetor Tajar with the camera hoping to get some shots of the Stone-curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus). There were some 160+ birds on the field but just as I was getting to the site a farm worker flushed several of the closer birds. I took some shots and then headed out towards Villanueva Mesia picking up White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis).

Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

I then took one of the tracks along the bank of the Arroyo de Milano and on one of the many shingle ridges in the stream a large group of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were bathing and in the Poplar trees surrounding the area there were a lot more birds, numbering over 100 in total. Along this track I also saw Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

The next track was along the other side of the Arroya heading back towards town where I had hoped to catch up with the Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) flock but all that was added to the list were 5 Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus) and a Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).

Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla).

I did eventually catch up with some of the Little Bustards, about 60 birds were found on the road out to Loja.

Once at home I set up the camera in the garden and photographed the Iberian  Magpie in a neighbour’s fruit tree.