The Laguna and Torcal de Antequera, Malaga Province

Waders and Ibex.

Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber).

As usual, I called in at the laguna on my way over to the en-slava hotel at Antequera, the sun was low and viewing was not easy. 

I did manage to pick out a good selection of waders including Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Wood (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola) x1 and Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) x2, Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Common Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) and Spotted Redshank (Archibebe Oscuro / Tringa erythropus) x3. 

Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

The regular 50-70 Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were out in the very slightly deeper water along with 2 Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and a few Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis). On the water there were about 50 Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and 8 Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). 

On the fields and in the air above the site I also saw Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) x2, Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) x1 female, Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

The walk was the usual Saturday hike around the yellow trail at El Torcal, The five of us started out from the car park in nice sunny but cool weather and were soon well on the way around the first half of the walk. 

On the way we had some cracking views of the Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica), a small group of female were first seen and then a youngish male stood on the limestone crags. 

European Plumbago (Plumbago europaea).

Also see were Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). 

Along the tracks on the second half of the walk the only plant in flower was European Plumbago (Plumbago europaea) and the only new birds were Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

The Laguna again and Near El Torcal, Malaga Province.

A walk to Davids Finca.

David.

On the way over for to days walk I called at the Laguna again, the first bird which stood out was an adult White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) which was feeding amongst the 50 or so Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber). Waders included Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Curlew (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) and Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Common Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago). 

A couple of Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) were out in the middle of the water fishing and Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) patrolled around the margins. 

About 50 Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and 8 Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) swam along with the Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

Other birds noted were Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Greater Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Western House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and on the track back to the road I picked up a couple of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) on the deck feeding.

Sophie, Rowina, David and I set off from the Hotel and made our way to a spot above Villanueva de la Concepcion where we started a walk out to David’s place called Finca Muerte (Death Farm!!!). 

We started from a watering hole for the local goat population, a row of 6 solid limestone baths and made our way up towards the foot of the Torcal cliffs.

David, Sophie and Rowina.

The views were fantastic, as we climbed further up through the scrub and Oaks we were soon in the low cloud as we were a few days earlier. 

Again the Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) appeared ghost like out of the grey shroud, at least 10 birds were seen along with a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) passing what seemed to be a long way below us.
Along the base of the cliffs a couple of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) and a ♂ Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) were seen perched up on the large boulders and in the dried out grass I identified Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Large White (Pieris brassicae) butterflies. 

We arrived at David’s finca, pretty much a ruin but in a fantastic location amongst the Oak trees and with amazing views right down to the coast. 

We sat and had a drink at the stone building he and his friends had built, here I found a beautiful Spider which turned out to be a ♀ Argyope lobata.

Argyope lobata.

Refreshed we started the walk back down the hill through a much more agricultural area picking up Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and a few Iberian Wall Lizards (Podarcis hispanica) which scuttled around on the track side boulders. We eventually got back to the car and went back to the hotel.

Near Antequera, Malaga Province.

Just the Laguna today.

Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber).

Jayne and I set off to have another look at the newly discovered Lagoon near Antequera and to get some plants for the garden. 

We arrived at the lagoon to again find good numbers of waders, all yesterdays species plus a couple of Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea) and about half a dozen Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia). About 70 Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were also present and looked spectacular in flight when they were flushed by a Micro light Aircraft passing too close. 

Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber).

A single ♀ Western Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) put all the birds up again as she flapped slowly along the far edge of the water and large numbers of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) were watched feeding on the fields nearby. 

Juvenile Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

Other species seen during the drive across county to the town included Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian  Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Northern Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

Both of the Garden Centre’s plants looked worse for ware, so we said we would wait till the weather cools off and try again.

El Choro and Near Antequera, Malaga Province.

Crags, More crags and a Lagoon.

The view from the top of the Arab steps.

Today it was again the same three intrepid walkers that set off on one of David’s lesser known walks called the Arab steps. The walk started below some amazing crags on the Eastern side of El Choro which were clocked in a heavy layer of low cloud / mist. 

At first the way was along a nice level track blow the crags, in the pine trees and scrub we soon found good numbers of birds including Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Common Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and in the clouds over head we had the hazy shapes of Griffon Vulture’s (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) breaking into view occasionally, Eurasian Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Western House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) also darted around. 

The view from the top of the Arab steps.

After a while we reached the bottom of the steps, when David had said that we were going to the top of the cliffs we thought he was joking, WRONG. 

We started the ascent up the steep steps between a fold of rock which made them invisible from below, we move slowly up adding a small herd of Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) which scampered up the almost vertical rock face, Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) and Small White (Artogeia rapae) were also added even though it was thick cloud and cool weather. 

Once we were at the top it was well worth the effort as the moody views through the clouds were great, we move on further up and around the back of the crags eventually coming to a decent track. On the walk down several Spotted Flycatchers (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) were seen in the pine woods along with Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). We arrived back at the car, and we started the drive over to the King's Walk end of El Choro to check out part of a walk I had missed a few days earlier.

We passed along the river and through some spectacular limestone areas until we reached the start point, from here we did most of the normal Choro walk but cut off on a spur which was the part I had missed. 

Here I added Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica). 

Once we were again back at the vehicle we headed back to the Hotel at Antequera where David gave me some directions to a Lagoon which I did not know about.

Bridge of the Kings Walk.

I arrived at the largish area of water to find good numbers of waders on the muddy margins including Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax) x5, Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) 100+, Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola) x2, Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta) x2 and Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago). 

Other species seen included Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Eurasian Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Stonechat, Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Three species of Dragonfly were also seen, Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

El Torcal, Malaga Province.

Another Saturday walk in amongst the rock formations.

David giving a Surmen from the rock pulpit.

Only four of us set out today, Sophie, Rowina, David and I made our way around the longer of the two routes at Torcal. It was much better than the last time I did this walk, as the skies were clear, we could see for miles from the many view points. 

Malaga from Torcal.

On the walk I noted Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Eurasian Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) x6 just as we reached the visitors centre, Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), European Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Eurasian Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and I also had several nice views of Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis).

Looking back to the Visitors Centre.

At the furthest point in the walk we disturbed at least 5 Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) from the rocks and along the way I added Cardinal Fritillary (argynnis Pandora), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

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.