Motril Fish Port and la Caleta (Salobreña), Granada Province.

Ring reading in Motril.

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

I meet Juan Pérez Contreras at AKI on the edge of Granada and we headed off down to Motril to do some Ring reading on the wintering Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) population. We arrived, got clearance from the security people and went out on to one of the large storage areas where there was a flock of about 800 birds roosting. Most were Lesser Black-backs but there were a few Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and a single adult Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii). Also seen was a very large Gull showing some signs of being a possible Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlantico / Larus marinus) but some features pointed to it being a big Lesser. 

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

We checked through the birds for rings and by the time we moved on we had recorded 15 birds information. We also added Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti). We drove around the rest of the docks but birds were few, so we headed off to La Caleta near Salobreña to have a look for waders on the rocky shore line. 

Possible Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlantico / Larus marinus).

On the way we went through the area to the rear of Charca and meet some ringers working in an area of small flooded pools. While we were there we saw an adult female Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) in the hand. Also in the area were several Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), 

Reed Bunting (Escribano Palustre / Emberiza schoeniclus).

a pair of Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus). 

Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

We then parked in the small village of La Caleta and walked down past a disused Rum factory and out onto a sea side walk. On the way I got some shots of a single Audouin's Gull sat on one of the rocks and some bad versions of one of a pair of Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos). On the rocks plenty of Seaside Daisy (Asteriscus maritimus) and Sea or Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritime) gave the cliffs some colour. 

Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii).

On the walk back the sun was quite strong so the sweat top had to come off. Several butterflies were seen including Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) and the first Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) of the spring. 

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

We also saw in the area Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and a fine male Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura).

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

Punta de Calaburras and Guadalhorce, Malaga Province.

Birding the Costa.

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

I parked by the large rock on the side of the main coast road and started to look for waders along the sea front; there were quite a few people about so the area around the parking area was empty of birds. I walked west along the side of the main road and after a Km or so I started to see a few birds including 30+ Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), 25+ Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), 10+ Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) a single Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and the stars 3 Purple Sandpipers (Correlimos Oscuro / Calidris maritime). 

Sanderlings (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba).

I then settle myself on to a nicely located rock and waited for the birds to settle down and move towards me so that I could get some shots. I had just started when two lades voices approached from behind, they stood and watched what I was doing for about five minutes and then instead of diverting the few meters around the back of me they decided to walk past the front of me and flush all the birds. Well impressed with their act I let them know what I thought before moving to where the birds had resettled them selves and carried on with the photographs. 

Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba).

Other birds seen included a single migrating Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), several diving Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo).

I then moved on to Guadalhorce and parked near the school after all the notices about car break-ins. I then walked out to the main hide picking up a single Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) and 3 Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) on the way. The main hide was quiet, lots of roosting Great Cormorants and Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), a pair of Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), some Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and a White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) near it. 

Purple Sandpiper (Correlimos Oscuro / Calidris maritime).

The next hide around was not much better but there were a couple of nicely plumaged White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) and at least 3 male Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca). I then moved on to the sea watch hide near the river mouth, here there were good numbers of Gulls sitting around on the water, most were Lesser Black-backed, Yellow-legged and Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), but a small number of Mediterranean Gulls (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) flew up and down and a single adult Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) landed right in front of the watch point. 

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo).

On the way back to the car I added good numbers of Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and after missing it for the last few visits the wintering Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus).

Granada to the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Good day for the raptors.

 

Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus).

Jayne and I firstly went for a mornings walk around the large market in Granada. Once we had battled our way around the stalls and picked up a few bargains we had a drink in one of the local bars and then went off birding in the El Temple area near Granada. The first birds of note were a couple of flocks of Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) in the fields near Chimeneas and a single Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) circling over the olive groves. 

Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos).

We then came across a flock of at least 10 Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) feeding low over and down in the fields, a couple of Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), a dozen or so Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and a single Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which just passed through the small valley and disappeared as fast as it arrived. It was quite warm and still, so a few butterflies were out and about making the most of the fine weather, they included a lot of Small Whites (Artogeia rapae), a few Bath Whites (Pontia daplidice) and a single Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea).

View to the Sierra Nevada.

We then moved on heading for the Cacín Valley, on the way we had some great views of a pair of displaying Golden Eagles (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) being mobbed by a flock of brave Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and a pair of Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), one of which seemed to actually land on the back of the Eagle for a couple of seconds! Further on we added our third Golden Eagle, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca).

We then dropped down into the Cacín Valley and immediately added Golden Eagles four and five to the day list along with a male Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) which was flying rather slowly due to the weight of the catch in its talons. A bit further along the valley the Bonelli's was watched dropping in to the cliffs and eating part of its prey before taking the rest to a sitting female, she then left the male to the nest duties. At the small Embalse de Cacín there were a small group of 4 Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) sitting on one of the dead tree stumps, the sixth Golden Eagle the last of the day, a displaying pair of Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and both Iberian Green (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) and Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major). 

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

On the water, birds were few, they included 20+ Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), 2x Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), a few Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and a single Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

Further on towards El Turro the first Orchids of the year were seen, about 60 spikes of Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca) were flowering right on the road side. On the fields near by we added two female Hen Harriers (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) to a short but good list of birds for the afternoon.

Somewhere in Granada Province.

Waste ground birding.

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Jayne and I meet Juan Pérez Contreras at a prearranged point from where he took us to a loction a few Kms away for a couple of hours birding, on arrival we meet up with Juan Francisco Jiménez and Jorge Garzón who were already on site. Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) were every where, singling and chasing each other around the area, Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) were also heard. Juan Fran then picked up a male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus) which dropped into the Olives before I got on to it but I did pick up the first of three Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which we were to see during the next couple of hours. We kept adding species including Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) before the main show started about half an hour before dusk. First at least two male Hen Harriers came in much closer than the first bird and gave us some fabulous views as they hunted over the thistle fields, they were joined by all three Black-shouldered Kites which perched together on a field fence a couple of hundred meteres away. While all this was going on the main birds started to fly, first one Short-eared Owl (Búho Campestre / Asio flammeus) did a performance for us and then before long it was joined by at least two possibly three more birds. We were so intently watching the birds we had not notice the Guadia Civil drive up behind us untill they got out of there 4x4, I was quite releaved to see that they had got binnoculars with them and were here for the same thing as us and were quite pleased to have a scan though our scopes. The temprature dropped quite quickly once the sun had gone so we walked back to the car, the last bird of the evening was a single Black-winged Kite drifting off to roost, a cracking couple of hours birding.

Ram and Motril fish docks, Granada Province.

Winter visitors from far afield.

Lycium intricatum.

I meet Juan Pérez Contreras at the same place as usual in Granada and we set off to the point at which we carry out the monthly RAM sea watch survey. We arrived to a calm windless coast, nice to sit in but not so good for the sea birds. We did the usual two hour watch and picked up the usual species, the commonest birds seen were Mediterranean Gulls (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) x282, but we also recorded good numbers of Balearic Shearwater (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) x70, Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) x61, Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) x36, a single Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) and most surprising were the 3 Kittiwakes (Gaviota Tridáctila / Rissa tridactila) we picked up. 

Withania somnifera (flower).

Other birds seen in the area were Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) x3, Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa). A couple of Humming-bird Hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellatarrum) were seen to visit the flowers of Cut-leaved (Lavandula multifida) and French Lavenders (Lavandula stoechas). 

Withania somnifera (seed).

Other plants seen included Sweet Alison (Lobularia maritima), Yellow Sea Aster (Asteriscus maritimus), Blue Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum creticum), Purple Vipers Bugloss (Echium lycopsis), Lycium intricatum and Withania somnifera.

Mediterranean Gulls (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus).

We later visited the port where there were good numbers of gulls on the storage areas. We passed the barriers and started to check through the flock of about 2000 birds for ring numbers. By the time we had finished we had recorded 23 Lesser Black-backed and 2 Med Gulls with rings on. The Lesser Black-backs included birds from Holland, Great Britain, Norway, Germany, Denmark and Belgium, the two Meds were from France and Poland.

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

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

Rio Velez, Malaga Province and Venta de Zafarraya area, Granada Province.

Coast and mountains.

Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola).

Jayne and myself set off down to coast at Torre del Mar via a market / car boot at Puente Don Manuel (or Little Britain). After picking up a few bits and pieces we continued on to the coast where I dropped Jayne off for a wander around the town while I went and had a look at the Rio Velez. The site was fairly quiet on the bird front but on the way down to the beach I picked up a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), some nice flocks of Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) with some handsome male birds, Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). Just before the beach I met a French birder looking out over the river, we chatted and then made our way down to the beach (I am always happier when there are other birders around at this site!). The sea was quiet but on the pool behind the beach there was a single winter plumage Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola), several White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and a Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago). On the sea there were a couple of Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), lots of Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Mediterranean Gulls (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), a single Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo). On the walk back up to the car a small, very noisy group of Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) flew over head and several Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) were in full song. Other birds seen along the river included Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis). Back at the car I was packing the kit away when I heard a call that I had not heard for some time and quickly located in the tree above my head a fine male Siskin (Carduelis spinus), probably bird of the morning.

I picked Jayne up and we went and had a very nice lunch at one of the more Spanish of the fish restaurants just back off the sea front. On the way home we stopped at the disused railway line just on the boarder of Malaga and Granada Province above Venta de Zafarraya. I was about 50 meters from the tunnel entrance when I heard a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) screeching and mobbing two Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) up by the large cave in the cliff. On the rocks below the crags I added 2 male Blue Rock Thrushes (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), a pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) and 6x Rock Sparrows (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) to the list. Over head there were also a pair of Common Kestrels and a flock of about 50 Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) flew in from the crag on the opposite side of the road. Just as I was about to walk back to the car a male Black Wheatear flew up and showed well on a rock quite close by, while I was watching this bird a rusty flash flew through my bins. On the same rock the Wheatear had been joined by a small flock of 3 Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis), well pleased I walked back to the car. We continued on, stopping briefly on the fields further to wards Alhama de Granada seeing loads of Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), a few each of Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus). In the Oak woods on the way home we finished the day with several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), a couple of Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and good views of the Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) flock near the house.

Loja town centre, Granada Province.

First of the summer visitors.

I had parked in the sports centre car park where Jayne had gone to her Tai Chi class and decided to have a stroll through the town centre. On the way up to the Historical Centre I noted three Hirundines flying around and quickly identified them as House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). The birds were visiting some of the old nests on the apartment blocks along the main street. By the time I was walking back it was starting to get dark and the White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla Alba) roost in the trees around the small play area had started to grow quite large and by the time it was fully dark there were at least 500 birds in the trees.

Valencia Province, El Fondo in Alicante Province and Home.

The journey home and another Spanish Raptor.

View of the Reserve.

We started out after breakfast and headed the right way back, avoiding the toll motorway and Benidorm. Our first stop was at El Fondo / Hondo where several Spotted Eagles (Aguila Moteada / Aquila clanga) were wintering, two adults including Tron the radio tagged bird and at least two possible three immature birds have been seen regularly. The access to the site is very restricted so viewing from the perimeter was the only way forward. After asking for info via the Andalucian Bird Society website and drawing a blank, I was given some directions from friend Juan Perez from Granada. I stood on the raised bank with another English birder (sorry useless with names) and three Spanish chaps and scanned the reed beds. The Spanish lads had wandered off along the road which just left the two of us, we soon started to pick up birds including Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita). Then a largish dark bird came in quite low over the reeds and started to circle up and away again, the untagged adult Spotted Eagle gave us some very nice views for several minutes. 

View of the Reserve.

It then dropped from view over some large trees and was replaced by an Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus), we also added several Marsh Harriers (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), a female Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and at least 5 Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila penntuas) to the list. Just after the Eagle disappeared the three Spanish birders returned, they stood with us for a short while then jumped into there car and headed off. Just as they had left the adult Eagle showed very well again for another few minute before dropping away over the trees once more. Other birds seen included Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos). Very pleased with the last hours birding I left the site and we continued on towards home, driving through some salt pans on the way back to the motorway. I added Slender-billed Gull (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) from the car.

Valencia City, Day Two.

Sightseeing around the City.

Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados.

Today was a general wander around the City with a mix of sightseeing and shopping. We started by going to the Mercado de Colon, an old market which had been unsympathetically done up with some not so great looking places to eat. As it was still not raining we headed down to the old river bed parks, the river was moved a few Kms down the road after some very bad floods in the 1950's and the area is now being used for walking and a great many other recreational activities. 

Lace Stalls.

We followed the parks up as far as the Torres de Serranos the Northern gateway into the City and then moved south through the winding back streets until we found our selves passing the Palau de la Generalitat and back in the Plaza de la Virgen. 

Doorway to Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas.

We went inside the Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados and the Cathedral which was close by, both fantastic buildings surrounded by nice public areas.

Torres de Serranos.

Our next stop and for me the highlight of the day was the Mercado Central, what a place to do you shopping, Vegetable, Meat, Fish and many other stores selling what looked like some of the freshest and unmessed with food I had ever seen. 

Mercado Central.

The herb and spice stalls made the place smell great; it was spotless, friendly and just a great experience. Lunch was taken back at La Sardinaria; the menu del dia was very good and set us up for an afternoon in the shopping part of the City. 

Stall in the Market.

After a quick doze in the afternoon we again went out on the town till late on, eventually found a place to eat and the retired back to the room with aching feet.

Valencia City, Day One.

Jayne’s Birthday!!!!

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia building.

Plan one for today was to get lost just wandering around the City streets, but the rain was heavier that we had hoped so plan two was put into action. We caught the bus down to the Ciudad de las Artes Y las Ciencia’s which was what we had planned to do the next day. We arrived and purchased a ticket for the Science Museum and the Aquariums, the buildings in this area are very futuristic and modern looking. 

Jayne and friend.

We entered the Museum and made our way to the top floor and started to explore, we soon came across the one thing I had wanted to visit. I quickly took off my Naturalist anorak and put on the Star Trek version. The exhibition was great with loads of info and items of clothing from the many different versions of the program/ films. 

Jayne on the Enterprise bridge.

We continued to work our way around this attraction and before we knew it we had used the whole of the morning up and so we decided to head over to the Sea life Centre as we were told that this would take us a lot longer than the museum. 

Star Trek costumes.

The only faults with the Science building was a lack of signage and the only loo's being down on the ground floor by the entrance which is one hell of a trek from the third floor, but a good morning.

We started in the Oceanográfic (Sea life centre) by going through the Tropical and Mediterranean tunnels and tanks, it was fantastic with so much to look at we found we had spent another hour and a half just in this area and our stomachs were telling us it was time to find some food. 

Sunfish.

We visited the cafe on site which was reasonable and not too expensive. On our way around the to next tunnel we called in at the bird enclosure, where there was a collection of water birds including Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax), Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), American Green-backed Heron and Rosy Spoonbill amongst others not really the way I like to see birds, but it was a fairly good for a captive collection. 

Green-backed Heron.

We then continued through the Caribbean area and then into the tunnel with all the large Sharks. We finished of by going into the Arctic and Antarctic areas; here we saw Walrus, Beluga Whales and Penguins.

Tropical Fish.

It was early evening by the time we caught the bus back to the hotel, we had 40 winks and then headed out for the night and to find some where nice for a meal. We eventually decided on a small restaurant called La Sardineria which was very popular. 

Male Walrus.

We enjoyed the meal and would fully recommend a visit, the food was good and the owners were very pleasant.

From Loja, Granada Province to Valencia, Valencia Province.

Travelling to Valencia.

We made a fairly early start to our long journey up to Valencia, we travelled via Granada, up past Guadix, Basa and out of the Province into Murcia. The trip as far as here had been pleasent execpt for some rain and fog, we stopped for some breakfast and then pushed on to Alicante. This was where one wrong turn got us onto a pay motorway by mistake heading towards Benidorm, we decided to stay on the toll road till we cleared Benidorm and then drop on to the coast road. It was a lot slower but quite a pleasent drive.

On the way I picked up Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

I was pleased that we reached the city during the afternoon as the traffic was light and with just a single stop to ask for directions to the hotel we arrived and settled in. We later went out and had our first walk around this fine city.

Los Barrios area, Cadiz Province.

Two new raptor's for my Spanish List.

Long-legged Buzzard (Busardo Moro / Buteo rufinus).

An early start was required for today’s trip, so Jayne and I were on our way at 07:00 (Ok I class that as an early start these days!!) heading toward Gibraltar. The journey was uneventful and I had dropped Jayne at the border and I was birding at Los Barrios by quarter to 10. Before I had even stopped the car I had seen the first of the days highlights sitting on one of the many electrical pylons. 

Long-legged Buzzard (Busardo Moro / Buteo rufinus).

I parked and walked back to find the Long-legged Buzzard (Busardo Moro / Buteo rufinus) had disappeared, good numbers of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) about 150 birds could be seen circling over a near by hill side and a couple of Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) hovered over the marshes on the opposite side of the road. The Buzzard then reappeared on one of the more distant pylons, so I jumped back into the car and drove down a dirt track to get a bit better view. 

Paper-white Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus).

The bird sat nicely but was on the far side of the pylon behind some of the metal work so views were not great but I took a few shots, as I was checking them the bird again flew and made its way back to original perch back by the road. Paper-white Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) formed some nice large clumps in the fields and along a small stream at the side of the track, also in the ditch were flowering Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), Hollow Stemmed Asphodel (Asphodelus fistulosus), Bidens aurea, White Asphodel (Asphodelus albus) and Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum var discolor). 

Hollow Stemmed Asphodel (Asphodelus fistulosus).

I then moved back up to the road and got much better views of the bird and some slightly better shots, on the marsh there were lots of Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), a few Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and on the fences Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

After reading on Rare Birds In Spain that a Ruppell’s Vulture (Buitre Moteado / Gyps rueppelli) had been seen in the area a few days earlier I thought that I would try and get closer to the circling birds on the hillside. On the drive round I took some photos of some White Storks on the nest, I stopped to have a look at the flocks of birds but could only pick out Griffons and Storks, which made me think are these birds more difficult to separate than I had suspected? Any way I continued around the hill to the far side where I came to a sharp halt at the sight of a very large Eagle perched on one of the middle distance pylons. 

Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum var discolor).

A quick scan with the bins and I was getting quite excited, it was a plain, very pale brown bird which I could not put a name to at this point. I was sure it would fly before the scope was set up but it was still there and a few seconds later I found another new species for me Decoyus plasticus (Large plastic Eagle) and I was left feeling rather pleased to be birding alone today. The feeling very quickly passed as a small looking mainly dark Vulture appeared a few hundred meters away and flew right over my head. The question I had asked earlier was fully answered, if you only think it might be a Ruppell’s then it is almost certainly a Griffon because as soon as this bird was seen it was obviously with out any doubt an adult Ruppell’s. 

Decoyus plasticus (Large plastic Eagle).

Now feeling rather pleased I set off back around to the site for the Buzzard to see if the dismal light had improve any but it had not so I had a drive around the marshes picking up a Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus) sitting on a fence post, Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita).

Winter Atlas work, Mesia area, Granada Province.

Another day with the local birds.

Visigoth graves.

Today I was surveying a route near the town of Mesia (Itineraries 1-5) and a small stretch of broom scrub near El Turro (6-8). Again I have just put in a list of the birds with the total for the day, pretty much in the order I saw them.

The only detour of the day was when I meet a Spanish gentleman call (I hope I am spelling this right) Manuel López Orten who lead me on a walk over some of the nearby fields to a large rock which we climbed up to the top of. On the highest surface there were two Visigoth graves hacked out of the solid rock, later he also showed me a ruin that he said could be an old Moorish baths. These little detours made the morning a lot more interesting.

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The Birds recorded.

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) x6, Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) x15, Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) x13, Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) x6, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) x35, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) x110, Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major) x13, Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) x5, Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) 3, White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) x19, House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) x61, Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) x6, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) x3, Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) x4, Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) x68, Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) x1, Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis) x25, Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo) x5, Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) x1, Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) x2, Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) x3, Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) x2, Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) x44, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) x1, Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) x4, Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) x5, Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) x1, Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) x2, Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) x7, Brambling (Pizón Real / Fringilla montifringilla) x126, Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) x8, Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) x25, Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) x4, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) x 2, Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) x1, Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) x2, Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) x13, Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) x1, Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) x5, Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) x8, Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) x1, Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) x3, Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) x1, Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) x4, Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) x1, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) x1, Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) x1, Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) x3 and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) x3.

Arab Baths.

Later in the evening I meet up with Beatriz and Juan at a site near Ogíjares where we spent the next hour counting Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) coming in to roost. Just before Juan and Beatriz arrived I had seen a single White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) pass south heading down towards the coast, 2x Hoopoe, Black Redstart and large numbers of Jackdaws (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) which were heading in the right direction to join the large roost at the Airport. I counted 1400ish Egrets coming in from the North but Juan and Beatriz had about 3400 come in from the South, they could be seen heading towards us as two large clouds each containing over a thousand birds.