RAM near Motril, Coastal Sierra and Charca de Suarez, Granada Province.

A new Orchid for our Granada Lists.

Pink Butterfly Orchis (Orchis papilionacea).

Juan and I set off from the usual meeting point at Aki and drove down to Motril and on to the sea watch point near Torrenuavo, on the way we had some nice views of a pair of Golden Eagles (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) which were flying close to the side of the motorway. 

Once we reached the spot for the sea watch, we made the decision to stay slightly off the top of the hill as it was a bit breezy up there. 

Birds were few and far between which given that the wind was coming inland was a bit of a surprise, we recorded just 5 Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) all in one group heading west, a single Black-legged Kittiwake (Gaviota Tridactila / Rissa tridactila) which was also heading west. 

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

Juan did not see either of these species as I had shouted that they were heading east by mistake and sent him looking in totally the wrong direction (Sorry Juan). Other species seen included Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii). Juan picked up a Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Catharacta skua) and what was probably an Arctic Skua (Págalo Parásito / Stercorarius parasiticus) both of which I missed even with the correct directions from Juan. A female Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) past in front of us a few times, the first it was eating prey whilst in flight. 

Dense-Flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata).

Other species seen included Common Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

We then made our way to a site in the mountains where we were looking for Orchids with the main target being Atlas Orchid (Ophrys atlantica). 

We parked near the site and finished off by walking along a dirt track and on to the slopes of a steep sided ravine where we started to find good numbers of Pink Butterfly (Orchis papilionacea), Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Dense-Flowered (Neotinea maculata) and Sawfly Orchids (Ophrys tenthredinifera). 

After around an hour and a half of searching, I heard the distinctive sound of a very pleased Spanish Orchid hunter calling me from down on the lower slopes and guest that Juan had found our Target. 

Atlas Orchid (Ophrys atlantica).

I reached him and he showed me a short nearly opened Ophrys atlantica which was a cracking find and a new Orchid species for my Granada list but was not the best specimen to photograph. 

After another few minutes, Juan again came up trumps with a couple of spikes which were in full bloom and in perfect condition. 

We spent quite a while getting some nice shots of this beautiful orchid before making our way back to the car. Birds in this area included Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Common Nightingale, Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and quite a few Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica). 

Atlas Orchid (Ophrys atlantica).

Other wildlife was made up of a few butterflies, Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli) and Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) plus the usual common whites. 

In a small deposito on the slopes there were a lot of tadpoles of Common Toad (Bufo bufo) and in the grass on the slopes there were a couple of Large Psammodromus (Emys orbicularis) which rushed for cover very quickly.

We then started the drive down towards Charca del Suarez but we soon realized that we were not going to be there on time, so Juan phoned Manuel the warden and between them sorted out our access to the site for the afternoon. 

Up till this point the weather had been pretty kind to us but this was not going to last and once we were looked in it took a nose dive. 

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

Soon we were getting heavy rainstorms passing and the wind just went from strength to strength which did not help with the birding let alone photography. 

Anyway we did have some nice views of the Baillon’s Crake (Pollueta chica / Porzana pusilla) from the same hide as last week along with 15 Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus) in flight as they moved on east, Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Western Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Yellow-legged Gull, Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) later we saw an adult with two very young chicks and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta). 

In the air over the pool there were large numbers of hirundines and Swifts including Red-rumped and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus). 

After hoping the Baillon's might come and site out in the open nicely for about 2 hours we gave up and went around to the main hide to look for last week's Little Crake (Polluela bastarda / Porzana parva) but the wind was just lashing across this pool and any self-respecting Crake was tucked up in a nice thick stand of Iris’s and staying well out of view. 

Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

However a singing Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) was seen along with Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocorax carbo), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) only in flight, Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and heard Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Common Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus). 

We later walked back around the reserve towards the main gate to be let out at 18:00, on the way we saw a single adult Black-crowned Night Heron (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) in the usual roosting area, another Western Bonelli’s Warbler, White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major). 

We also heard both Iberian Water (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and Stripeless Tree Frogs (Hyla meridionalis) during the rain storms.

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

We then made the trip back up the motorway to Aki where I dropped Juan at his car and started the journey back home, on the way I added Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and a fine male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) to the day list.

Travelling to and at Rio Velez, Malaga Province.

Some more summer visitors.

Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina).

Whilst Jayne was getting ready I went and put my bins and scope in the car and as I was walking back to the door I added two species to the garden list in about 10 seconds. The first were a pair of Cirl Buntings (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) which made a short stop in the top of our still nearly leafless fig tree and then within seconds a cracking male Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica) popped up onto the wires at the side of the house and sat there for a couple of minutes before heading off into the Olives.

Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba).

A little later Jayne and I drove down to Rio Velez via Salar and Zafarraya, on the way we picked up Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus). Jayne spent a couple of hours touring the shops in Torre-del-Mar while I went and had a look at the River, it made a change for the most annoying part of this site not to be the weirdo’s (it was very windy) hanging around the bushes but for it to be a compete (British) pillock who was ripping up the entrance road with his big flash 4X4 and making access more difficult for every one!

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

I parked and had a wander along the banks for the eastern side of the river where I quickly located several wader species including 3 Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) including a multiple colour ringed bird, a Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) which was starting to show signs of summer plumage, Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) x2, Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) x20+, Little Ringed (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Ringed (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Kentish Plovers (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus).  

Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) were singing all along the river and in a couple of places there were Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) scratching out a note, along with a single Sedge (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) which flashed up from amongst a bank of both varieties of Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum) with a male Common Whitethroat (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis). A couple of Hoopoes (Abubilla / Upupa epops) did a fly past and a male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) was perched high up on a snapped off reed stem looking for its next snack. I then went up on to the very windy beach were the sand was being whipped up and this made sea watching hard work so I dropped back on to the marshy area and sat on a log and did a bit from back there. 

Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula).

Good numbers of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) were fairly close in riding the waves along with a couple of Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and what must be 3 quite late Razorbills (Alca Común / Alca torda). Gulls included Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) and Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) were seen in largish numbers and they were joined by several Meds (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) and a single Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii). I then made my way back along the river getting some shots of the waders and a very confiding Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). 

Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum).

Other butterflies included Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small (Artogeia rapae), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Bath Whites (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), African Grass Blue (Niña esmaltada / Zizeeia knysna) and Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli). Just a single Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) was seen cruising up and down the more sheltered western bank of river. 

Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum).

Other birds seen during the visit were Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) lots, Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla).

Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

We called at several garden centres during the afternoon which was the main reason for the trip these plants were to replace the many lost during the cold winter.

On the way back up over the hill to Zafarraya and on the agricultural areas further north we added Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) to the list.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 8th April 2012.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

Any corrections, PLEASE send me a comment on the post, thanks.

9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder).

After a cold winter the nights have started to get a bit warmer now so I put the 15watt Actinic trap out to see what was about. 

7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

I had a few moths this morning but less than I had hoped for, the commonest by far was 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) with 15 insects caught, along with 6496 Evergestis isatidalis x2, 7725 Menophora japygiaria  (Brassy Waved Umber) x2 both quite different looking, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (The Four-spotted) x1, 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) x1, 9207 Cucullia chamomillae (Chamomile Shark) x1 and 9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x4.

7725 Menophora japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

The only micro was a single 3264 Isophrictis anthemidella. The weather is looking a lot more settled next week so hoping to start running the light again a couple of times a week at least.

9207 Cucullia chamomillae (Chamomile Shark).

I have a couple that I am going to have to send down to Moth expert Penny Hale for her to check and 1 I hope she will be able to put a name to.

3264 Isophrictis anthemidella.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

From the sun Terrace.

After catching up with the days tasks Jayne and I sat out on the back terrace for a meal and then we spent some time getting a few rays and reading. After a while I was spending more time scanning the Olives with the bins and watching a very nice 1st summer male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) which drifted up and down a couple of times. A flock of Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki)  that were calling distantly to start with, closed in before the whole flock flew up and over our neighbors house and into the Olives on the other side of the road, there were at least 90 birds which for this time of the year was a large flock indeed. My first Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) seen from the house this year flew past at eye level and then spent some time drinking in the swimming pool a few doors up the hill. Other birds seen included Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino /Parus cristatus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

Several butterflies were also seen in the barranco including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) but most surprising was a very smart Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) which did a couple of circuits of the fig tree before disappearing out over the olives. Not bad for a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon with a glass of Cava.

Motril Area, Granada Province.

12 year ticks, 4 Granada Province ticks and 2 Spanish lifers.

Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea).

I was up and out of the house by 06:00 on my way to meet Juan for a days birding and Orchid hunting down in the Motril area. On my way down to Huétor Tajár and the A92 I got the first nice bird of the day when I saw a fine Barn Owl (Lechuza Común / Tyto alba) in the head lights perched up on a road side telegraph pole, a good start but it was only going to get better! Juan and I started the drive down to the coast and as we reached the Acebuches area on the motorway the very large broad wings of an Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) flapped in front of us, the second year tick and the sun was not even up yet.

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

Once down near Motril we went and had a look at the agricultural area and marshes near Charca, straight away we picked up several Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava) and started to hear calling Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix). in the reeds Nightingales (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) were all singing. In this area we also saw Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer Montanus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Little (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). 

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

The one species I had hoped we would see here was Savi's Warbler (Buscarla Unicolor / Locustella luscinoides) but we did not see or hear any sign.

We then made our way around to the entrance of the reserve where we met up with several birders from Malaga, Manuel Mañani the warden arrived and we all went in and started to have a look around. Juan and I were only staying for a short period on this visit and returning later in the day as we were going to search for some Orchids nearby. 

We had 40 minutes or so there and made the most of it from the first hide on the anticlockwise route we saw a nice female Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) which was struggling through the brambles and dead reed stems on the left hand bank, Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Nightingale. 

A view down the hill.

On the way around to the next hide we added at least 5 Night Herons (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax), Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) and once we were in side the hide Western Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) were soon ticked off. We then walked back passed the office and around clockwise to the first hide on this side of the reserve, on this smaller pool we could hear several Sedge Warblers (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) in the bushes on the far side of the reeds, a Western swamp-hen was sat on a pile of cuttings preening and a Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) called from deep cover and on the bank nearby I picked up my second Common Whitethroat of the morning but this time it was a male.

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

We then made our way back to the entrance where Manuel let us out of the gates and we made our way further East along the coast and then inland and up a mountain. After some distance along a rutted dirt track Juan decided that his car was not really designed for this so we got onto shanks pony and legged it the last bit. Once in the area we started to find lots of Pink Butterfly (Orquídea mariposa / Orchis papilionacea), a few Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea), Fan-lipped (Orchis collina), Sawfly (Abejorros, flor de avispa / Ophrys tenthredinifera) and Mirror Orchids (Espejo de Venus / Ophrys speculum subsp speculum). There were plenty of wild flowers around including Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), White Asphodel (Asphodelus albus), Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum), Galactites tomentosa, Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus) and carpets of the problem Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae).

Baillon’s Crake (Pollueta chica / Porzana pusilla).

Butterflies were also seen and these included Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria). On the walk around the two ravines we also saw Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and a female Blackcap. 

We made our way back down to the car and headed back towards Charca but this time took the road straight down into Motril over the mountain scrub area and then down through the pine woods. Along this stretch we saw or heard Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tits (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus).

Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus).

We arrived back at Charca just in time to have a word with the Malaga lads who gave us some very good information about what they had seen during their morning visit. We made our way to the third of the hides on the anticlockwise route where we quickly picked up a cracking Purple Heron which sat nicely in the reed, several Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) which were feeding low over the water with large numbers of House Martins, Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, Pallid and Common Swifts. 

A couple of Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus) then flew in and started to feed in amongst the stands of Yellow Flag Iris’s and in the reeds to the side of us we heard both Iberian Water (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and Stripeless Tree Frogs.

Juan then got a fleeting glimpse of the Baillon’s Crake (Pollueta chica / Porzana pusilla) Which we had been told was seen from the hide we were in or the one opposite which was where Juan had seen it. We packed all our bits up and relocated around to the other hide and quickly got some cracking views of this smart little bird (Spanish Lifer 1) but the dam thing was just to quick for me to get any good photographs but I did manage a poor record shot. 

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus).

After spending a hour plus watching this bird I decided that I wanted to go and have a try at seeing one of the Little Crake (Polluela bastarda / Porzana parva) seen earlier, so I made my way around past the main hide to the screens that run along side the long reedy pool on the western side of the reserve, I spent another hour or so here but other than getting views of another couple of Purple Herons and a Sedge Warbler I saw very little. I then made my way back around to Juan in the Baillon’s Hide, on the way I managed to get a shot of a rather tatty Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) which was one of two there but each time they settled a couple of Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) chased them back into the air.

I had a chat with Juan before going to the main hide from here I picked up Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) which Juan had seen earlier and then out from the reeds right in front of the hide wandered a superb male Little Crake, it was in view for just a short time before it was flushed by a very territorial Common Moorhen and ran off into the vegetation to the right of the hide. 

Little Crake (Polluela bastarda / Porzana parva).

I called Juan on the mobile and he soon joined me in the main Hide. Whist we waited for the bird to show again we picked up a couple of Common Moorhens with strange bill colouration which looked very similar to a certain bird recently on the net, the bill was not right for a full adult bird but slightly brighter than the bird in question. 

We also saw a fine Squacco Heron (Garcilla Cangrejera / Ardeola ralloides) and on the main island there were a couple of Grey (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and a single Purple Heron which had remained hidden until it flushed up and landed right in front of the hide on one of the tree stumps but as soon as I bought the Scope around it flew off, also there were a few Western Cattle and Little Egrets and 3 Glossy Ibis which made for a nice selection of heron type species. After some time the Crake reappeared and showed very well but as with the Baillon’s it was quick moving and when it did eventually stay still it did it in the darkest corner of the reeds so the shots again are poor. I then went for a quick look at the Baillon’s which had swapped sides of the hide and was giving great views but was always behind plants or dead reeds. 

Collared Pratincole (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola).

Juan later joined me again before we went back around to spend the last of the time in the main hide and even this late in the day the birds still had a surprise in the shape of a very tied looking Collared Pratincole (Canastera Común / Glareola pratincola) which did one circuit of the island before landing and trying to get some rest but one of the Western Cattle Egrets was not happy about this and started to chase it around but eventually left it alone to rest. The warden then arrived with his evening tour group; we continued watching the Little Crake whilst they were in the hide. We then made our way back around to the gate and left just after 20:00 for the drive home.

Loja Easter parades, Zafarraya and Huétor evening parade, Granada Province.

A couple of Easter parades and some Orchid hunting.

The Censers in white, groups of 8 members called Corrías.

Jayne and I headed down to Loja to watch the start of the Good Friday Easter parade; we parked up and made our way to the far end of town where the masses were congregating. It started pretty much on time and made its way down the main street and on wards around the town. Even for people with no religious beliefs they still make for a spectacular and enjoyable event.

The Censers in Black, groups of 8 members called Corrías.

We later headed out towards Zafarraya calling in at a couple of Orchid site to check whether it was worth organising another wildlife walk towards the end of April but on the showing today I suspect that May might be a better idea. At the first stop I found a good number of Conical (Orchis conica) and Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) in full bloom along with a few Southern Early Purple (Orchis Olbiensis), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and a single Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

One of the many younger musicians.

In the same area there were other plants but they were along way from flowering including Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) and Lange's Orchid (Orchis langei). A few birds were seen and heard including Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Wood (Totovia / Lullula arborea) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus). 

The main Float.

A couple of Bath Whites (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), a tatty Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) and a Provencal Hairstreak (Tomares ballus) were also recorded.

Conical Orchid (Orchis conica).

We then moved on towards Zafarraya to the second stop and again Conical and Giant Orchids were common but I also saw a few Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina), along with the rosettes of Small Woodcock (Ophrys picta), Small Tongue (Serapias parviflora), Pyramidal (Orquidea pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia), Pink Butterfly (Orquídea mariposa / Orchis papilionacea) and Lizard Orchids (Himantoglossum hircinum). Birds included Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus). 

Conical Orchid (Orchis conica).

We then went and had a cracking menu del dia at the last bar on the left just before you go through the arch into Malaga Province. We made our way back home across country to the Salar to Alhama road and the back up to Loja. 

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis Olbiensis) Hypochromatic form.

On the way round we added a pair of Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), a couple of dozen of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Crested (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis Olbiensis).

We returned home and Jayne called me to the back door where a Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus) could be heard out in the Olives. Later we went down to Huétor to watch the evening parade there which was very enjoyable also.

Local Patch, Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Another couple of species for the year list.

Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius).

I popped down the fields for a couple of hours to have a look if the Spotted Crakes (Polluela Pintoja / Porzana porzana) I had seen a couple of days ago was still about but there was no sign of either bird, this I think was mainly due to the water had nearly dried up. 

Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

On the way down I saw several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), a very dull looking female Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Willow Warbler (Mosquitero Musical / Phylloscopus trochillus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus). 

Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

At the spot there was a pair of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) which kept seeing off the couple of remaining Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and numerous Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). 

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

A Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) was singing from one of the stands of reeds but remained well hidden, the first year tick were at least 5 male Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) which were singing and flying between two Poplar plantation and then the second year tick, a calling Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) which although it was just on the far side of the dry river remained out of sight. 

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

Other species seen here included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Meadow Pipit (Bistita Común / Anthus pratensis), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

After spending an hour or so looking for the Crakes I decided to have a drive out towards Mesia and have a look at more of the irrigation and drainage channels. On the way round I added Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), at least 5 more Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), loads more Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail including one that posed nicely and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

I then had another quick look at the Crake spot but did not see any thing new so I started to head home picking up another Woodchat Shrike on the wires and a flock of around 10 European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).