Sierra de las Nieves and Casares areas of Malaga Province.

26 Orchid species in one day.

Trabut's Limodore (Limodorum trabutianum).

I headed over to Sierra de las Nieves to meet up with Ian Phillips a friend from Malaga with a fantastic knowledge of the Orchids of Andalucia and where to find them. I arrived early so I had a quick look at the entrance to the Sierra de las Nieves national park just off the San Pedro to Ronda road and quickly started to find Orchids. The first was a nice patch of Champagne Orchids (Orchis champagneuxii) flowering nicely under some low trees, in the Cistus scrub the next species was Woodcock (Ophrys scolopax). Italian Man (Orchis italica) and Dull Bee (Ophrys fusca subsp????) were next, flowering on the top of the roadside bank and lower down both Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Mirror (Ophrys speculum) were found. The last two species were Lange's (Orchis langei) and Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) both growing on the more open right hand bank.

Orchis cazorlensis.

Ian and myself then meet up and headed back into the reserve for the main species of the day, on the drive up to the site we picked up some more nice Lange's, Champagne Orchids and Sword-leaved Heleborine. We added Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tentredinifera) and both Purple (Limodorum abortivum) and Trabut's Limodore (Limodorum trabutianum) which were not quite in flower. 
At the main site we soon found four plants of Orchis cazorlensis and large numbers of Man (Aceras anthropophorum) and Woodcock Orchids. Just around the corner from there we found three more Cazorlensis plants and a couple of the hybrids between it and Orchis langei named Orchis x incantata. Whilst in this area we picked up a single female Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) flying over and several singing Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Bonelli’s Warblers (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

Dactylorhiza sulphurea

Our next stop was in the Genil Valley at a site for Dactylorhiza sulphurea, I had expected them all to be well over with but a few spikes were still in fine condition, along with two of the tallest Lange's, Sawfly and a weedy plant of Trabut's Limodore. 
We then moved on to a site near Casares, picking up an Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) on the way. At the first of the Casares sites, which was in an anchent Cork Oak (Quercus suber) woodland we soon started to find new species for the day including Bee (Ophrys apifera), Tongue (Serapias lingua) and Small-tongue Orchids (Serapias parviflora). both Epipactis Tremolsii and lucitanica, plus the hybrid between them were seen in the darker parts of the wood. Limodorum trabutanum and abortivum were both at the site as well. 

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera).

We then moved down towards the coast at Manilva and quickly found several more spikes of Serapias strictiflora than Ian was expecting, he had only found 6 spikes on a previous visit but today we managed to find a fantastic 40 plants in perfect flower and Small Woodcock Orchid was again seen but this time the subsp Picta. We then had a late lunch and later I drove home via the busy coastal motorways.

Serapias strictiflora.

We had several other species of bird during the day including Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans). 

Embalse de Iznajar, Malaga Province.

On the edge of the 1% of the Embalse in Malaga Province.

Iberian Orchid (Ophrys vernixia).

There is a very small patch of the Embalse that just creeps in to the province which includes the southern half of the Dam near Cuevas de San Marcos. With some good directions from Ian Phillips yet again I found several plants of the uncommon Iberian Orchid (Ophrys vernixia). The plants were in an area of Pine woodland not to far from the dam along with several spikes of Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea) and Small-flowered Serapias (Serapias parviflora). The Common Mirror Orchids (Ophrys Speculum) were all pretty much over with, as were a couple of spikes of Giant (Himantoglossum robertiana), a great many Italian Man Orchids (Orchis italica) and also the hybrid between Ophrys speculum and vernixia = Ophrys x innominata.

Iberian Orchid (Ophrys vernixia).

Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) were all seen in the pines. Large numbers of House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) were nesting on the under side of the dam and a couple of pairs of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) must have had a sutable nest site near by as they were also feeding along the dam wall.

Ophrys x innominata.

Zafarraya area, Granada Province.

A morning amongst the Orchids.

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

11 of us (most from the Loja informal English group) set out from Venta San Rafiel in Venta del Raya to spend the morning the area around Zafarraya looking for Orchids, Wildflowers and Birds. The first spot was just to the south of the village where we were hoping to see some of the Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) that had been seen in previous years but as usual the birds behaved impeccably and disappeared for the whole time we were there. We move on to the first of the areas for the Orchids, Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Conical Orchids (Orchis conicia) were the first two species seen. A male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) was then seen well singing from a tree top and 9 Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) passed east at some distance. 

Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides).

Also along the road side we found Wild Peony (Paeonia broteroi) near flowering, Silvery Paronychia (Paronychia argentea), Southern Daisy (Bellis cordifolia), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata ssp pullata) and Southern Butchers Broom (Ruscus hypophyllum). 

We then found a couple more Orchids, Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and a single Italian Man (Orchis italica) were soon followed by Mirror (Ophrys speculum) and Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana), Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) and several Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum) which need a week or two before they would be in flower. 

Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina).

The scope again came in for some use as Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) were seen and Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) were heard.

We then moved out on to the road and walked along to a second area of Oak woodland where we found many more Sword-leaved Helleborines, Conical and a few Lange's Orchids (Orchis langei) along with Small Early Purple (Orchis olbiensis).

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata.

In the same area we had Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) and Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) butterflies on the wing.
We then made our way to Zafarraya for a Coffee and Loo break before having a short walk along the disused railway line, here we saw several Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) doing aerobatics along the cliffs, both Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) perched up on rocks. Other birds seen included Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Pink-butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

Our last stop was on the way back just out side Zafarraya, here we first of all picked up a couple of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) hawking over the fields and a nice male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) sat on a pole. In the woods both Orphean (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) and Bonelli’s Warblers (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) were picked up and a singing male Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) was heard and seen by a few of the group.

The Group.

Then we came across the star plant of the day, a nice patch of Pink-butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea) made just about all the group reach for their cameras. Out in the more open grassland we then added Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta), Small-flowered Tongue (serapias parviflora) and Pyramidal Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis), the later was not quite in flower. We then headed back to the cars adding Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) and Ronda Cranesbill (Geranium malviflorum). 

Coin area and Refugio de Jaunar, Malaga Province.

First new Orchid species of the year.

Serapias vomeracea.

Jayne and I set off down to Malaga to pick my Mother and her partner John up from the airport, they were not arriving till late evening so I took the chance to visit some Orchid sites and Jayne visited a couple of the shopping centres. 

The first stop was at the very unimpressive centre at Coin (not just my feelings); from there we visited a site for a species of orchid that was new to me. Ian Phillips an Orchid buff from Malaga had given me some info on this colony of Serapias vomeracea just north of Coin. The plants were found easily with the direction I was given, at least 100 spikes with very fresh flowers. Spikes of Tongue (Serapias lingua) and Small-flowered Tongue (Serapias parviflora) were also seen. 

We then moved on to another of Ian’s sites which he had shown me last year where I was hoping for a late Atlas Orchid (Ophrys atlantica) but I only managed a couple of plants which were well past there best. I did see more Tongue and Small-flowered Tongue Orchids and added Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Mirror Orchids (Ophrys speculum) to the day list. 

Serapias vomeracea.

The last of the wildlife stops was at Refugio de Jaunar just south east of Monda, once off the main Marbella road Orchids started to appear, two nice spikes of Champagne (Orchis champangeuxii) and a dozen or so of Dense-flowered (Neotinea maculata) were the first. Just before the tarmac road enters the hotel we parked on the track to the view point over Marbella and started to check the woodlands out. The first species seen was Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) dozens of spikes were growing below the Sweet Chestnut and Pine Trees. 

Also here were 50 or so spikes of Barton’s Orchid (Dactylorhiza insularis) all in perfect condition, as were the many Lange’s (Orchis langei) and Southern Early Purple Orchids (Orchis Olbiensis). I continued the search of the woodlands and found many more Barton’s, Lange’s and Sword-leaved Helleborines, but there was no sign of the Red Helleborines (Cephalanthera rubra) I was most interested in, a bit too early I think. 

Barton’s Orchid (Dactylorhiza insularis).

At least two Nuthatch's (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) were calling and both Iberian Green (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos) were noted.

We then started our trip down to the centre at Marbella but picked up a group of four Man Orchids (Aceras anthropophorum) just at the exit back on to the road south. From the shopping centre we went to Malaga airport to meet Mother and John.

Grazalema area, Cadiz and Malaga Provinces.

Heather and Cath, Day Two, amongst the Orchids.

Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta).

I picked Heather and Cath up again in Loja and we headed into what looked like a very wet Ronda area. The rain was pouring when we arrived so we had a coffee and made the decision to head to the furthest point and do the days route in reverse. Firstly we pulled off the road just north of Ronda and had a distant view of a Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) sat on its nest. 

Honeywort (Cerinthe major).

Our second stop was in a very old Olive grove just off the side of the Zahara to Grazalema road beside the lake. The site gets a rough ploughing every few years but this does not seem to affect the Orchids which grow here too much. We soon found all three colour forms of the Small Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys picta) the seples are Pink (most common), White or Green (most uncommon). 

The spikes of Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) were all over with but we also found several spikes of Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Mirror Orchids (Ophrys speculum sub speculum) and good numbers of Small-flowered Serapias (Serapias parviflora) all of which were in good condition. We then moved on and started the drive up over the mountain from Zahara to Grazalema; we soon made our first stop on the side of the road where we photographed Honeywort (Cerinthe major), Blue Alkanet (Anchusa azurea), Fedia (Fedia cornucopiae), Intermediate Periwinkle (Vinca difformis) and Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus). 

Champagne Orchids (Orchis champagneuxii).

A small group of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) passed over quite high in what was fortunately a clearing sky, followed closely by a noisy group of Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). Moving on up the hill we started to find more Orchids including Italian Man (Orchis italica), Lange’s Orchid (Orchis langei), Southern Early Purple (Orchis olbiensis), Dull-bee (Ophrys fusca) and Dense-flowered Orchids (Neotinea maculata), the latter was not Quite in flower. On the rocks near the top viewpoint a great many flowering Spanish Bluebells (Scilla hispanica), Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata subsp pullata), Linaria platycalyx, Candytuft (Iberis crenata), Yellow Anemone (Anemone palmate) and Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus althaeoides) were seen. 

At the viewpoint we saw more Vultures, Choughs and added Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes). On the way down the other side of the ridge dropping in to the town of Grazalema we started to see a few spikes of the Afro-Iberian endemic Ornithogalum reverchonii and Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulataSaxifraga granulata) were in flower along with a still to be confirmed Saxifrage species.

We then called in at the Information / Visitors center on the main car park in Grazalema to pick up a few bits and pieces. We meet Clive in the car park and then had a look inside. Cath bought a couple of books and I picked up a couple of maps.

Algarve Bee Orchid (Ophrys algarviensis).

The next stop was at La Rana a few Kms further on towards Ronda, after scrambling under the electric fence and then over the bolder and wire fence a little further across. There were large swaths of Champagne Orchids (Orchis champagneuxii) including two spikes of a completely white variant. Four spikes of Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea) looked very smart amongst a great many Champagne Orchids and the hybrid between the two Orchis x gennarii. Sawfly (Orchis tenthredinifera) and another Ophrys species which I originally thought was Ophrys dyris but after consulting the new orchid book and seeing a species in there I am sure it is actually Algarve Bee Orchid (Ophrys algarviensis). We then pushed on to wards the Montejaque loop passing several spikes of Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia), Bushes of Grey-leaved (Cistus albidus), Gum (Cistus ladanifer) and White Cistus (Cistus salvifolius) and a couple of spikes of Spanish Iris (Iris xiphium). We next made a stop at a grassland area along the road to Montejaque, here we found the usual Yellow Bee and Mirror Orchids plus an unexpected spike of Pink-butterfly Orchid. We also picked up Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). In the crags area we picked up a few Chough, Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and heard Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei). Here we also found several Man Orchids (Aceras anthropophorum) growing on the tops of the road side rocks.

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

We moved on around the loop and stopped at the Cave of the cat but could not get there as the bridge had been badly damaged. A single Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) was seen to fly into the cave, large numbers of Crag and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) filled the sky along with a passing flock of about 30 European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and a Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti). We then made our way home via Supersol in Ronda.

Arroya Marin, Laguna Dulce, Sierra's Teba and Loja, Malaga and Granada Province.

Heather and Cath Day one, Lagoons and mountains.

Intermediate Perriwinkle (Vinca difformis).

The plan had been to go up Torcal near Antequera but as we got closer we soon realized that this was not going to be a good chose as there was a thick layer of cloud covering the ridge. So we made a quick about turn and headed a short way back down the motorway to the Arroya Mirin just to the south of the town of Archidona. The site is a narrow valley with a woodland line stream, Cistus scrub, broad-leaved and Pine Woods edged in with some nice crags. As soon as we got out of the car several Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) were singing from the track side trees and a distant Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) called somewhere down the valley. 

Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

On the back along the side of the track good numbers of Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum) were in flower along with Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), White Mignonette (Reseda Alba), Intermediate Perriwinkle (Vinca difformis) and Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata). The valley opens out about half way down and there are some nice meadows where there were many more of the two species of Orchid mentioned above.

Several species of butterfly were seen while we were in the meadows including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). 

The distinctive call of European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) rang out from high above as a small flock of birds moved north and lower down the startling rattle of a Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) blasted from the stream side bushes. Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) along Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) were also hawking for food above the valley. 

Great Crested Grebe (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus).

Further down the river we heard a second and third Wryneck calling and found several spikes of the not so exiting Man Orchid (Aceras anthropophorum) under the Pines. We made our back adding Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).

We then moved on to Laguna Dulce where we picked up a couple of White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) both females, Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a small group of Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna). On the shore line several Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) and Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus) were seen feeding amongst the plentiful Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber). 

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

Also out on the water we picked up Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), one of the later was try it best to swallow a Sharp-ribbed Salamander. Over the area good numbers of Gull-billed (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and a single Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chlidonias hybridus) were noted along with both Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus). We then went around some of the other lagoons near by but did not add anything except for a male White headed Duck.

Later at Sierra de Teba we managed a single Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and several Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) along the crags. Also seen here were European Bee-eater, Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crag Martin and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). 

Viola dementria.

On the way home we had a quick look in at Sierra Loja and in the small disused Quarry we soon located the Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) which was sitting out on the edge of the nest platform. We also added Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei). Several plants were seen around the site including Viola dementria, Southern Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) and Intermediate Perriwinkle.