RAM, Motril Fish Port and Cerro Gordo, Granada Province.

A new Granada tick for Juan and Myself.

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

I met Juan Pérez Contreras at the usual spot in Granada and we made our way down to the coast to carry out the monthly sea birds survey near Motril. We started at 07:30 and continued for the next two hours seeing very good numbers of Cory's Shearwaters (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea), a few Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus), a couple of immature Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), quite a few Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), some early Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and as usual loads of Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). 

Slender-billed Gull (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei).

A Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) did a flyby which stirred up all the local Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus). We also saw Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and a Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

We then moved on to the port to look for ringed Gulls, on the concrete pans we saw a large group of mainly Audouin’s (300ish), a few Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legs. They were joined by small numbers of Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) including some immature birds still beckoning the adults for food and a single immature Slender-billed Gull (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei) which was my new bird for the Province. 

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The Slender-billed was ringed as were twenty odd of the Audouin’s.

We then continued on down the coast to Cerro Gordo where I had seen a couple of White-rumped Swifts (Vencejo Cafre / Apus caffer) a few weeks ago. As we arrived 7 Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) circled in the fog / mist coming in off the sea and they drifted of west. We spent some tome looking from the area near the bar but only picked up Pallids, so we moved around the headland a bit further and located two White-rumped Swifts which appeared to be entering a nest site along with some Pallids, this was Juan’s new bird. 

Juan watching the Swifts.

We also saw Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

Laguna Herrera, Archidona and Salinas, Malaga Province.

Return wader migration gets under way.

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

I set the alarm a bit earlier than normal to give me time to have a good look at the Laguna on the way to the Hotel. The bird numbers were well up, waders made up a good percentage of the new arrivals. On the near shore there were at least 2x Wood Sandpipers (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa Glareola), 30+ Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), 25+ Curlew Sandpipers (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), 10+ Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), 100+ Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), 50+ Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), 1x Little Stint (Correlimos Menudo / Calidris minuta), 30+ Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus).

On the water Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) were the commonest bird but they were joined by good numbers of Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus).

Overhead a couple of Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) were feeding over the fields, along with Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus).

Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

On the fields and in the surrounding reed beds I picked up Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

I then went to the Hotel to meet the guest and we all made our way out towards Archidona and for the usual route there around the top of Arroya Marin. Finn one of the guests had a keen interest in the local wildlife so I was all too happy to show him what was on show on the way round. We saw Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) and down along the stream we saw several White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) Damselflies.

On the way home I called at the small pool at Salinas where I added a new species to the Dragonflies I have seen there, two male Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum). Also seen were Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii).

Near Ronda and Laguna Dulce, Malaga Province.

Visiting Friends.

Jayne and I went over to Ronda for the second time in a few days but this time we were visiting Brenda and Peter to have lunch and to see Penny and John who were driving up from Casares. We were not birding today but having lunch and very nice it was. We chatted for quite some time but it was inevitable that whist we were sat in the garden we would see a few bits and pieces. A couple of Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) were seen passing over, also seen were Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

On the way home we call in at Laguna Dulce, there were hundreds of birds on the lake, so I started to scan through them. Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) were by far the most numerous birds, these were seen along with nearly a 100 White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), 20+ Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina), lots of Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Black-necked (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) and Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and a few Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber). A couple of Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) and Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) were seen on the margins and then I picked a single neck collared Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) out to the right of the hide.

Sierra Humillodero and Laguna Herrera, Malaga Province.

RFH Walk.

Cicada’s (Tibicen plebejus).

We set off from the hotel and I went to the end of the walk near the Saydo Hotel and Antonio went to the far side of the Sierra where he started to walk back towards our point. We set off and walked to the halfway point where we met Antonio and exchanged vehicle keys and continued on our way. On the walk little was seen but the noise from the Cicada’s (Tibicen plebejus) was incredible, we found hundreds of their discarded exuvia on the trees. 

Cicada’s (Tibicen plebejus) exuvia.

We also saw Scarce Swallowtail (Chupaleches / Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Near Grazalema, Cadiz Province.

A visit to a friends garden.

Wasp Spider (Arana Tigre / Argiope bruennichi).

Jayne and I made a late start for an unexpected trip over to Grazalema to see our friend Sue and her young son Sam, on the way we called in at the Visitors center in the town to see Clive. After meeting up with Sue in the town we went back to the house and had some lunch and then I spent some time wandering around the large garden. Down by the river I had some stunning views of a couple of Western Spectre’s (Boyeria Irene), loads of Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) and a single teneral male Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii). 

Pink Crab Spider (Thomisus onustus).

Several butterflies were also along the river including a species that I had not seen before, Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus). Other insects included a Wasp Spider (Arana Tigre / Argiope bruennichi) a fearsome looking thing which was in the center of a large web over the drive side stream, a Pink Crab Spider (Thomisus onustus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Long-tailed (Lampides boeticus), Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) and Holly Blues (Celastrina argiolus). 

Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous).

Birds included Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Lacewing eggs in a Rosemary bush.

While we were driving over we added a pair of Bonelli's Eagles (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus), a number of Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) and loads of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Sue with Sam.

Travelling to and at Laguna Herrerea and El Chorro, Malaga Province.

RFH Walk.

The Group.

I thought that I would be the full anorak this morning and see what species I could see whilst driving to work and before I had left the lane I had seen 20 or so Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) perched on a road side rock pile getting some early morning sun. On the drop down into Loja I added Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata). 

The rest of the journey was along the A92 during which I saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and just as I was exiting the motorway to head up to Laguna Herrera a nice male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus).

At the Laguna Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta), Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) were by far the commonest of the birds seen. There were smaller numbers of Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and a single female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus).

A view from the top of the walk.

The next stop was at the hotel to collect today’s guest for the walk at El Chorro, we started from the usual place on the side of the Embalse and made our way through the large tunnel and then via the pine woods to the top of one of the mountains. On the way up I saw Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia). Once we were at the top the local Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), started to circle the hill hoping one of us had found the climb a bit to much, luckily the went away hungry. On the return walk which took us via the start of the old Kings Walk in to the Gorge and back along the river to the car I added Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and once back at the lake a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

Other none bird species seen included Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Striped Grayling (Pseudotergumia fidia) butterflies and a small herd of around 8 Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

On the drive back to the hotel a couple more Montagu’s Harriers were seen but star birds of the day were a couple of immature Egyptian Vultures (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) circling low over the Olives near Laguna Dulce.

Travelling to and at Rio Velez, Malaga and Granada Provinces.

Dragonflies everywhere !

Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii).

The main wildlife purpose to today was to get some shots of the Dragonflies on the Rio Velez. I arrived and had a walk down the river towards the beach and immediately started to see Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Broad Scarlet’s (Crocothemis erythraea) and a few Iberian Bluetail’s (Ischnura graellsii). On the shingle areas there were upwards of 50 adult and immature Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and a single summer plumaged Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) all of which were soon flushed by a naked man and woman wading up the river (why is it that nudists are always people who really should keep it covered up). They also flushed a couple of Squacco Herons (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides), a Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) and both Grey (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Purple Herons (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea). I reached an area where the bank was a little more open with some blanket weed along the margins and sat down to see what showed up. Almost immediately a pair of Long Skimmers (Orthetrum trinacria) in tandem flashed by and disappeared into some nearby reeds before coming out singly. They performed up and down the spot for the next hour and a half giving me views down to a couple of feet but never settling for the camera. The next nice find was a male Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) which again did not want its photo taken, so I only managed some poor shots of it from far too far away. Whilst I was sat there I also saw more Broad Scarlet’s, Red-veined Darters, Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) and a male Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). 

Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides).

Other birds seen included Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata).

On the way home we also picked up Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

Archidona walk and Salinas, Malaga Province.

RFH walk and getting better shots.

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

The morning started with meeting the guests at the Hotel Eslava in Antequera and then heading out to the loop walk at Archidona, I was walking with Finn a Swedish guy. We had a slight head start on some of the group and we pushed on around the first part of the walk at a fairly brisk pace to the spilt point where the guests are given a choose a to whether they take the slightly more difficult up hill extension or just carry on along the main track. Finn Choose the harder up hill section and so we set off, on our way up I picked a pair of Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) which flew over low calling, several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica). 

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

We soon covered the ground and were back on the main track and quickly caught up with the group which had taken the lower route and passed then on the easier flatter section of the walk, along here I added House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina). Once we reached the cars we gave the guests the second choose of the day which was to either continue the walk to the monastery on the top of the hill above the town or to go up there in the van, five decided to walk and two joined me taking the easy way up in the van. From the top I had views of Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and a few Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) which circled over the next hill.

I then made my way back towards home calling in briefly at a small pool near Salinas hoping to get some better shots of the Spreadwing dragonflies I had seen the week earlier. As soon as I arrived I found several Migrant Spreadwings (Lestes barbarus) and a few, all males of the Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens). Also recorded were Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii), Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) and Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator). 

Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

Birds around the area included Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).

Also seen during the morning were Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cardinal Fritillary (argynnis Pandora), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Scarce Swallowtail (Chupaleches / Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli) and a couple of Viperine Snakes (Culebra viperina / Natrix maura) by the pool.

Laguna Herrera, Fuente de Piedra and Salinas, Malaga Province.

A new species for my Herrera list and two new Dragonflies for my Spanish / Life list.

Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus).

I went up to the Hotel and meet up with Luigi who I was walking with today, he had been over to Fuente de Piedra the day before but wanted to go back so that he could get some better views of the Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber). 

Thinking about his request I first headed to Laguna Herrera which was not to far from the hotel where we had some cracking views of around 150 Flamingo’s including a nice flock of around 50 birds in flight, flushed when one of the micro-lights from the nearby grass strip took off. 

Mixed in with the Flamingo’s were plenty of Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and a single non-breeding adult Slender-billed Gull (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei), my first record of this species at this site. 

On the margins there were Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), lots of Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Avocets (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). 

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

In the vegetation a family party of Great Reed Warblers (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) scolded us from deep cover and the smaller commoner relative Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus, sang from the top of a reed stem, also seen were Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and at least 6 calling Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix) were heard.

We then moved on to Fuente for the walk which we started out by the hide on the road to the west of the Lagoon. 

Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii).

There were thousands of Flamingo’s on view, along with a female Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which did a couple of passes, plenty of Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), adult and immature Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and several Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni). 

Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii).

We completed the walk and headed back to the hotel and I started my journey home via a small pool near the boarder between Granada and Malaga Provinces at Salinas. The main point was to check if there were any Dragonflies present and I was far from disappointed. 

In fact I found two new species for my list. The first was Migrant Spreadwing (Lestes barbarus), of which I saw at least 20 insects and the second was Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens) but this insect was much rarer and I only saw 1 pair in tandem. 

Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma).

Other Dragonflies included Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) and Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

Fuengirola, Malaga Province.

Day around the shops.

Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).

The main reason for today’s trip was for me to pick up a couple of shirts (as I keep ripping holes in the ones I have got) and for Jayne to have a general wander. While Jayne was in the Miramar centre I went and had a look in the Rio Fuengirola just out side. Not a lot was seen except for a very nice male Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) which was patrolling an area near the concrete dams just a little way up stream.

Granada Province.

Back out into the hills.

Juan and Ian with the Orchids.

I first of all meet up with Ian Phillips at salida 203 on the A92, from where we went to Salida 225 where we meet up with Juan. Once Juan and Ian had got acquainted we headed out into the Sierras again hoping to add two new species to Ian's Spanish Orchid list. Our first stop was to have a look at the Red Helleborine's (Cephalanthera rubra) I had seen a few days ago but they were well over with. Just down the road we parked on the road side and ventured into a small wet ravine where after some searching we relocated three spikes of Small-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis microphylla) which Juan had found earlier in the week, the first of Ian's new plants. 

Algerian Butterfly Orchid (plantanthera algeriensis).

Also seen here were a few birds taking advantage of the water in the warm weather, we saw Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Subalpine Warblers (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei). 

High-brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe).

We continued on through the hills to a picnic area where we had a quick walk around looking for anything interesting, I managed some better shots of a nice male High-brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe) and had some nice views of a family party of Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes). We then drove some distance to a new site for me where Juan had found a second sizable population of Algerian Butterfly Orchids (plantanthera algeriensis), we found several plants including a huge spike with many flowers on it all in perfect condition. 

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

Also here we found Common Twayblade (Listera ovata) and Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata). Dragonflies were also in good numbers and they included lots of Common Golden Ringed (Cordulegaster boltonii subsp algirica), Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum), Copper (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) and Western Demoiselle's (Calopteryx xanthostoma), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii), Common Blue (Enallagma cyathinerum) and Large Red Damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula). In the water there were a few tadpoles of the rare Iberian Midwife Toad (Alytes cisternasii) and a single adult Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi).

Epipactis fageticola.

Again we continued on to another site where we saw incredible numbers of Epipactis fageticola growing in a Planted Poplar wood, here we shown another three spikes of Algerian Butterfly Orchid, found some Bug Orchids (Orchis coriophora) but they were well over with and a single spike of Common Twayblade. A single Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) was seen egg laying on some Lotus stems and several Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines) flicked around the bushes. 

Wood White (Leptidea sinapis).

Our last stop of the day was in a small village near by for a drink and some tapas but even here the finds continued with several spikes of Fageticola being seen in a road side Poplar wood, a female Large Red Damsel coming to the table where we sat and a family of Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) on a light fitting above the door of the bar.

Some where in Granada Province.

Two rare Orchids and a couple of new Butterflies.

Algerian Butterfly Orchid (Plantanthera algeriensis).

After the aborted visit last weekend, we tried to find a market (which we did at Santa Fe) and then go up into the hills for the Orchid species that I had missed the last time. The market was busy but enjoyable, we piked up some nice fresh fruit and veg from on of the many stalls.

We then headed off into the mountains to the same site for the Red Helleborine's (Cephalanthera rubra) as we were at last weekend when the car throw a wobbly with the steering. The same 15 or so plants were flowering but slightly past their best. Also flowering here were Polygala boissieri, Bladder Vetch (Anthyllis tetraphylla), Aphyllanthes monspliensis and Salvia lavandulifolia. 

Algerian Butterfly Orchid (Plantanthera algeriensis).

The next stop was a little further along the track where I left Jayne reading near the car while I did the couple of Kms along a private track to the site for the Algerian Butterfly Orchid (Plantanthera algeriensis). I arrived to find that the Robust Marsh Orchids (Dactylorhiza elata) and Common Twayblades (Listera ovata) seen on my last visit with Juan were going or had gone over but the Butterfly Orchids were perfect. I counted at least 25 plants , most of which were around 30cm tall and had around a dozen or so flowers. Also flowering was Thalictrum speciosissimum.

Thalictrum speciosissimum.

Butterflies were also abundant at the site and on the walk down and they included two new species for my list, Mother of Pearl Blue (Plebicula nivescens) and High-brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe). The others were Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Wood White (Leptidea sinapis), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris). 

Mother of Pearl Blue (Plebicula nivescens).

Common Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) was again on site but as usual avoided the camera with great timing and skill. 

High-brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe).

I had not taken my bins with me but I picked up Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) on the way.

Sierra's around Granada, Granada Province.

New Orchid for my Granada List.

Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra).

Jayne and I made our way up to Granada to go to the large Sunday market on the outskirts of the City but as we arrived we found that annual summer Feria was on so the market was cancelled. So we then started the trip up to Sierra's earlier that expected. As we drove into the car park the motor started to make a strange noise, which I thought was something to do with the clutch but it turned out to be the power steering system. I parked up and had a look around the area where Juan had told me he had found several spikes of Red Helleborines (Cephalanthera rubra), after a short search I found 15 or so plants. 

Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra).

These crackers were a new species for my Granada Orchid list. In the area there were large numbers of Common Golden Ringed Dragonflies (Cordulegaster boltonii subsp algirica) and at one location they seemed to be swarming, with around 30 insects in a roadside group.

Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra).

As we pulled out of the car park the noises from the car got worse so the visit to the main Orchid site nearby was postponed and we made a dash for home, topping the hydraulic oil up on the way. On the Monday we took it down to the mechanic who found a leak in one of the pipes and repaired it nice and quickly.

Laguna Herrera and Torcal, Malaga Province.

A good mix of species.

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

I again popped into the Laguna on the way over to the Hotel for work, the numbers of birds which I had expected to drop off had actually risen dramatically. 

There were at least 600 Greater Flamingo’s (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber) spread between the three waters, with most being on the first flooded field. 

Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

They were seen along with a flock of 30 Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), around 150 Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), several Avocet (Avoceta Común/ Recurvirostra avosetta) but most surprising were a pair of Stone-curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) which were wading around in the shallow water.

On the main Laguna there were large numbers of adult and immature Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), more Avocets, Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Gull-billed Terns (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and three male White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) but no sign of the females or young of the last visit. I briefly got out of the car to have a look at the second flooded field from the bank and was aware of hundreds, if not thousands of newly emerged Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii) amongst the grass, along with a few more mature red insects. 

Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica).

On the second flood there were more Flamingo’s and lots of Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos). In the reedy ditches Great Reed (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Melodious Warblers (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) were again seen, along with Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). 

In the air there were the usual Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) which were joined today by large numbers of the large Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba).

Pyramidal Orchid (Orquidea pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia).

I had run out of time so I went up to the hotel to meet David and the four ladies for today’s hike which was at El Torcal. 

The walk for this morning was the basic yellow route which passes through some of the nice limestone gullies and formations, on the way around we had some cracking views of the local Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) including a young male which spent some time nose rubbing with David’s dog Lilly. 

Birds included the regular Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes). 

Linaria anticaria.

Two Orchids were seen on the trail, the commonest by far was the nice pink flowered Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia) but I did see just a single spike of the Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera). Butterflies included Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

A couple of interesting Wildflowers were also noted along the walk, on the rocks the endemics included Linaria anticaria and Saxifaga biternata. 

Saxifaga biternata.

We also recorded Spanish Mallow (Malva Hispanica), Shrubby Jasmine (Jasminum fruticans), Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia baetica) and Mountain Catchfly (Silene andryalifolia). 

A couple of Ocellated Lizards (Lacerta lepida) were also seen on the tracks, including a really bright large adult.