Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

New Dragon for my Granada Province List.

Male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

While I was tatting in our neighbours John and Christine’s garden, I was very pleased to see a cracking male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) flying around the pool. This was the first insect of this recent colonist I have seen in the Province of Granada. Whilst I was there I also had a male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

Guadalhorce Valley, Malaga Province.

Two new Dragons.

Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) ♀.

Steve and I set off for a day's Dragon hunting in the Valley of the Rio Guadalhorce and on some of its tributaries. We travelled down the main road from Campillos to Malaga and made our first stop at the bridge over the Rio Grande. Several Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) were the most common species on the river but we also saw Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). 

Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) ♀.

As soon as we got out of the car dragonflies appeared, Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) was the first with both male and female posing, quickly follow by a less helpful male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma). 

Teneral Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

Down in the vegetation by the river we quickly realized that there was a mass emergence of Epaulet Skimmers as we found loads of teneral insects clinging to plant stems and many exuvia of insects already flown. 

Here we also caught up with Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and several Broad Scarlet’s (Crocothemis erythraea), both ♂♂ and ♀♀. A newly emerged insect was photographed and Steve later identified it as a teneral Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) a new colonizer from Africa, proving that the species is breeding here and not just migrating. 

  Immature ♂ Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

Back near the car we found a subadult male and full ♂ Orange-winged Dropwing as well as an old ♀ Epaulet Skimmer.

The next stop was at a bridge over the arroyo de Casarabonela, again there were loads of Epaulet Skimmers, Orange-winged Dropwings, Broad Scarlet’s, Violet Dropwing and the first sighting of the dragon of the day a ♂ Ringed Cascader (Zygonyx torridus), which cruised up and down the same stretch of river the whole time we were there but only settled briefly, but Steve was equally quick with the long lens camera and managed to crack off a couple of shots (one shown in the blog, thanks Steve). 

Ringed Cascader (Zygonyx torridus) ♂ by Steve Jones.

A nice pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) soared over head and a couple of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) flew up and down the river feeding.

♂ Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

The next stop was on one of the tributaries near Pizarra called the Arroyode las Canas, again the Orange-winged Dropwing was common here along with more Epaulet Skimmers, Broad Scarlet’s, Iberian Bluetails, Violet Dropwings and our second Ringed Cascader of the day. 

A Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea) flew off from up stream and did a wide circle around us be for dropping back in to cover a little down stream, another Booted Eagle flew over and European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) called close by.

The last stop in this valley was a little closer to Pizarra on the Rio Guadalhorce, all the above species were seen again plus several pairs of White Featherlegs (Platycnemis latipes) and Blue-eye’s / Goblet-marked Damselflies (Erythromma lindenii) were seen in tandem. 

Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) ♂.

Up stream there was a small shallow back water off the main river, the water here was very warm and the numbers of dragons in this small area was amazing. 

Birds seen at this included White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and an immature Black-crowned Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax). 

On the down stream side of the bridge we added the only Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) of the day but nothing else.

Our last stop of the day was on the road towards Ronda at a water extraction point on the Rio Guadalieba, again we kept up the sightings of Orange-winged Dropwing with a nice ♂ flying around the lower pool. 

On the upper part of the river very good numbers of Copper Demoiselles (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) danced around in the reeds and by the car a Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa) showed nicely above ground. 

After getting some shots of the Demoiselles we made our way back to Sue and Clive’s and then I continued back home.

Laguna Dulce, and Grazalema Area, Malaga and Cadiz Provinces.

A couple of days with friends in Grazalema area. 

Sue and Sam.

After sorting out a few things at home I travelled over to Grazalema to meet up with Steve Jones and his family, who were staying with Sue, Clive and Sam at there house in the countryside near the town.
On the way I stopped at Laguna Dulce where I sat in the hide with Ana and Jairo, two birders from Granada and had a pleasant hours birding, out on the lake there were good numbers of adult and young Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) along with Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). I did not manage to see the White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) that Ana and Jairo had seen earlier but out on the margins I added a couple of Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and a number of Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber). 

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) ♂.

On the surrounding fields good numbers of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) were feeding and over the lake swarms of Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) picked off the insects.

Also seen during the journey were Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodchat (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) ♀.

As I arrived at Sue and Clives I immediately picked up a Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene) in the willows and some Copper Demoiselle’s (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) along the track.
It was good to see Sue and youngster Sam again and to meet Steve, Lyn and Adam, we all sat down and had a chat waiting for Clive to get home from running the visitors Centre in Grazalema, when he arrived we sat down to a very nice meal.

Other species seen whilst at the house in the evening included Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Europan Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Iberian Green (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

North West of Alhama, Granada Province.

Amongst the agricultural flatlands.

Jayne and I were travelling through the flat agricultural area between Alhama de Granada and Zafarraya in the South of the province when Jayne picked up a large flock of birds flying quite high east. 

Typically the bins were in the boot, we stopped and I slipped quickly in the back of the car just in time to Id the birds as Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), a flock of some 150/200 birds. 

We also saw Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus).

Sierra Hacho, Loja, Granada Province.

More migrants.

This morning I popped down to Loja to try and sort out some photographs for printing and picked up a group of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) circling to gain height, in total there were about 16 birds to start with. 

As I watched them for the next ten minutes or so more birds joined the growing stack and by the time they moved on there were at least 40 birds circling above my head. 

The next move was to surprise me somewhat, all the birds headed off strongly North East, totally the opposite direction to the one I had expected!

While I was watching these birds, I also had good numbers of Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) in the same area.

Sierra Humilladero, Mollina, Malaga Province.

Peace in the Pine woods…..

Cicada’s (Tibicen plebejus).

…except for the deafening row from thousands of Cicada’s (Tibicen plebejus). Again we met at the Hotel Elsava, from there we went to a camp site just out of Mollina and started the walk around and over the Sierra del Humilladero. 

Just as we left the vehicle we passed a small pool of water where several Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and a Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) were all having a drink. 

On the climb up several species of butterfly were seen including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera). 

A couple of Dragonflies flew passed but remained as probable Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

A view from the Sierra.

Out in the open near the highest point a couple of Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) called as they flew off, along with Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

The whole area looked as though it would be good for wildflowers and Orchids in the spring, but everything was well burnt off at the time of the year. 

The Group.

During the descent down the other side of the Sierra I added Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba).

Once back at the car we did the stretches and cool down and then made our way back to the hotel, on the way several Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) were seen perched on the roof of a farm building and two White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) were picked up dropping into the two of Antequera. 

I collected the car and headed home adding Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), ♂ Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) on the way.

Nacimiento de la Villa, Near Torcal, Antequera, Malaga Province.

More rare Orange-winged Dropwings. 

A view down the valley.

I met up with the walkers at the Hotel Enslava in Antequera as usual and we set off to the start point which was on the road out towards El Torcal. I was a little worried how well the ankle would do but all was fine, it was a bit sore afterwards but nothing to bad. 

We first walked a shortish uphill stretch amongst some harvested crop fields, in the air above us I soon picked up Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). 

Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) ♂.

Lower down several Crested Larks (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and a single Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) were seen. 

Once we move into a more scrubby area more birds started to appear including Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), a couple of immature Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus). 

When we arrived back at the start point, we had a look at the two manmade pools which had been created to hold the water from the nearby spring, dragonflies were seen straight away, including 3 ♂♂ of the rare Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator). 

Birds included White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster). 

The Pond.

Several species of butterfly were also seen during the morning including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). 

The last thing of interest was whilst I was driving home, an immature Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) flew west along the motorway.

Sierra de Loja and the Cacin Valley, Granada Province.

The Autumn Migration is under way!

After damaging my ligament in my ankle the day before, I almost cancelled today’s trip out but decided that as it could be done with little or no walking away from the car I went ahead. 

An early start was required today to get down south of Granada to pick up Ned for a day's birding, on the way a Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) flew along the roadside and a couple of Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) were seen in the headlights. 

By the time I reached Ned’s accommodation it was light and whilst I was waiting I added Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus).
At 07:30 promptly we set off back west to the Sierra Loja where we hoped to catch up with Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), on the way we saw our only Eurasian Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica) of the day.
We entered the Sierra via Loja and soon started to add more species including Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). 

At the small disused quarry just above the town we had some cracking views of a family party of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and just as we were leaving a fine 2nd summer male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), which flapped over heading East.
On the way up and at the crags we only added Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).
Once we were up on the tops, Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) were common and so were European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) in all of its many plumages. 

Adult and juvenile Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) perched on many of the Hawthorn Bushes, but during the day we only managed to see a single Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) a very pale washed out bird, an immature Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) was seen perched on roadside rocks, a circling flock of 9 migrating Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) was our first sign of the autumn migration and a single Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) looked out of place in a small Hawthorn right at the top of the hill.
We spent so time near the almost dried out Charca del Negro, a small pool high on the Sierra where we added the first of many Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), unlike Rock Sparrows they were everywhere. 

I was surprise that we had not seen the Sparrow before this point and to find none at a site I had watched 20 pairs at just a couple of weeks earlier, I was just amazed (and it only got worse). We also added Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) several seen coming in to drink and the first Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) of the day. We went a little further on to the goat cave where I saw the only Rock Sparrow of the day but this bird flew out of sight before I was able to get Ned on to it and was it not seen again. 

We did add several Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), at least 6 more Griffon Vultures and a nice male Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata). Several Striped Graylings (Pseudotergumia fidia), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines) and Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) were seen at the site as well.
At this point we turned around and started the journey back down to Loja, on the way we saw a flock of at least 22 more Griffon Vultures moving west, a couple of Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) flashed by.
Continuing our quest for the Sparrow we headed for Alhama de Granada, on the way adding Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and in the gorge near the hot springs at Los Banos we again missed Rock Sparrow in another very good breeding site.
Our next stop was in the Cacin Valley, at a bridge which crosses the gorge. In the trees below we saw a ♂ Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Eurasian Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) sang and a fine Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) did a fly past. 

On the was to the Embalse de Cacin we picked up a nice Short-toed Snake Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) perched on a pylon, a Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) on the one next door and good numbers of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) were perched on the wires in between. On the lake we soon picked up Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), a single Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and several Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and in some dead trees along the Rio Cacin a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) sat quietly. In the air above the Embalse we also saw a single Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) circling in a cloud of Hirundines, several Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and a single White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) were also noted around the margins.
Where the road crosses the Rio Cacin a little way along the road towards El Turro we stopped and had a look, here we saw or heard Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).
Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) and White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) flew around in the reeds and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina ssp hispulla), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) and Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea) were seen on the plants nearby.
We then moved to the last site of the day, an area of agricultural fields nearby, where we quickly found and had good views of 3 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) and near a ruined Cortijo on a hilltop we noted large numbers of both Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli) along with loads of Bath White (Pontia daplidice). 

Due to the heat of the day, few other birds were noted so we left and headed back to Ned’s accommodation just in time for him to join family and friends on a trip down to the beach. 

On my drive home, I only managed to add a single pale Morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) to the list.

Rio Velez, Malaga Province.

Mad birders and Nudist (not a pretty sight) go out in the midday sun. 

Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) ♂.

Whilst Jayne was having a look around the shops and getting her hair cut, I went and had a look at the Rio Velez. I parked near the bridge and walked down the east bank and started to see good numbers of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) of all ages and a single pair of Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) which as usual flew off making far more noise than necessary. 

European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

I dropped off the track and followed the side of the river, large numbers of Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), a couple of both Blue / Common (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) were seen. Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small (Artogeia rapae), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Bath Whites (Pontia daplidice), Mallow / False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna) were all identified on the river side plants. 

Down towards the beach the river widened and several Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) were feeding in the margins and a very smart Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea) fished from the reedy bank. 

African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna) ♂.

On the beach pool there was a roosting flock of gulls which included a single adult Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), a couple of immature Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), about twenty Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) of various ages and a couple of none breeding Mediterranean’s (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and on the shore adult and immature Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) scuttled around with a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

I had a quick look at the beach in the company of a visiting German birder but nothing exciting was seen and after getting some funny looks from the nudist on the sands we decided to walk back up the river. We retraced my steps and added Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).

I then had a walk to the other side of the bridge hoping for some more dragonfly species, but only picked up a single egg laying ♀ Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii). 

New birds for the morning included Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), a single immature Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Near Archidona, Malaga Province.

A better day's weather with the walking group. 

The view from the Monastery.

I again made my way to the hotel Enslava in Antequera and joined the walking group for todays flog around a loop near Archidona, we set off at a fair pace, a few hills soon slowed some of the group down and when we turned off the main track on to a side spur which took us UP on to the cliff edges above Arroya Marin it slowed even more. 

On the first part of the hike I picked up Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Dartford (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Western Orphean (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

The second half of the walk was a bit flatter and was mainly through agricultural land with lots of Olives, along this section I added Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

Once we were back at the cars we move a little way up the road to the parking area at the bottom of the step climb up to the monastery at Archidona and started the climb to the top, along here I added several Alpines (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) and Common Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) to the list.

Torcal, Malaga Province.

Well, the views would have been good but for the cloud layer in July!

The group.

I met Mike and the rest of the walkers at the Hotel Enslava in Antequera and we made our way up to the Torcal, unfortunately the mist / low cloud had come across the ridge, we decided to push on around the longer of the two loops. 

Because of the low cloud very little wildlife was seen, but I did manage to pick up Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). 

Fossils

Towards the end of the walk we made a slight detour out on to a ridge for what would be great views normally but due to the lingering cloud we could not see very far, it was worthwhile to see the fossil remains in the limestone.

Fossils.

Hacho, Loja, Granada Province.

Mad Dog (Yogi) and English Men Go Out in the Mid afternoon Sun, not one of my best ideas.

Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia).

Yogi and I went for a late afternoon walk on the northern side of Hacho, a small sierra just north of the town of Loja, we parked up and stated off up the track from the road to Ventorros de San Jose and picked up a small party of Iberian Magpies (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) nosily moving through the almond trees.

Large numbers of Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), a few Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) all fed along the crags and over the quarry. 

Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia).

A male Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) dropped from sight in to the quarry, several Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) called as they flew over and 20+ Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) wheezed on the cliffs. 

In the grassy areas I picked up several Southern Gatekeepers (Pyronia cecilia), a couple of Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) and Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

On the way back I added Eurasian Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), European Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Further along the Rio, Huetor Fields, Granada Province.

Eurasian Golden Oriole's by the flock. 

Yogi again.

Today’s walk with the Bear was a little further along the river; we parked and followed one of the many farmer’s tracks, on a small pool of water in the now nearly dry river there were a couple of Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) scratching around in the mud and a flock of about 10 Iberian Magpies (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) drinking and bathing. 

All the way along the track I had been able to hear several ♂ Eurasian Golden Oriole's (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) calling from the Poplar plantation on the opposite bank of the river, as I got closer five bird flew out of a solitary tree on my side of the river and dispersed into the plantation opposite, a couple of cracking ♂♂ stayed and showed very well (as they do when you have not got the camera set up) before joining the other birds.

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

A Eurasian Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) called several times from the Poplars but remained unseen, other birds included Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Eurasian Magpie. 

A little way past the woodland, we crossed the river and walked back towards the car.

Huetor Fields, Granada Province.

A walk along the Rio. 

 

Yogi.

Today we jumped in to the car and went down to the bar at the bottom of the road and parked there, Yogi instantly headed for the water and was up to his belly with in seconds of leaving the car. 

We crossed the Rio or what was left of it and started to walk down the far bank, the first birds seen were Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) a small flock flew up from the track side, along with a couple of Eurasian Hoopoes (Abubilla / Upupa epops) which Yogi made a vain attempt to chase. 

We carried on down to the goat herders shelter where a dozen or more pairs of Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus) were breeding in the metal uprights which held up the shade matting, also in the compound there was a single Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and a couple of immature Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator). 

Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla).

Several Iberian Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were feeding in fig trees on the opposite bank, whilst Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) flew low over a flock of goats in a weed field mopping up the disturbed insects. 

As we reached the first road bridge a small group of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) about 20 birds flew over calling loudly, other birds seen along this side of the Rio included Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), European Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

We then walked along the road for a short before Yogi decided that a dip into one of the running irrigation channels would be a good idea, he dived in went fully under the water and was not to impressed, so he jumped straight back out again before changing his mind and diving back in and floating along with the flow for about 50 meters.

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

We then turned back towards the bars on a dirt track on the opposite side of the rio, the first birds added along here were a pair of Greater Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) chasing the hordes of House Sparrows (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) off their patch of field.  

Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) were flushed from the verge all along this track and Zitting Cisticola’s (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) zitted continuously over the maize fields. 

When we again came alongside the river, we disturbed several more Little Ringed Plovers and a single Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus). To finish off we had a quick look at the crossing point and found several ♂ Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum) chasing each other, there was no sign of a ♀.