Laguna Grande, Laguna Chica and Salina's, Malaga Province.

Yet another new Dragon.

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus).

I dropped Jayne off in Trabuco at her Craft Group and instead of heading over to Arroyo Marin as I usually do I made my way across country to the track along side the motorway which leads up to Laguna Grande and Laguna Chic both of which I had expected to be quite dry. So when I arrived at the former I was very pleased to see it had quite a good depth of water and held quite a decent number of birds. The commonest species by far were Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) with 50+ being seen, Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina) around 20 birds and 15 + Mallards (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos). There were a couple of pairs of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), a single Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia) and 5 Black-winged Stilts (Ciguenuela Común / Himantopus himantopus) all on the margins along with several Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus). 

Carline Skipper (Pyrgus carlinae).

Over head Good numbers of Swifts were feeding quite low down over the water including Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), these were joined by House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica). I then found a single female Red-crested Pochard (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) on the near shore and a Red-knobbed Coot (Focha Moruna / Fulca cristata) which started off on the far shore but eventually moved around and came close in near the Pochard. The Red-knobbed Coot is a species that used to be seen quite regularly at this site but this is the first time I have seen them for around three years. 

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

In amongst the dead branches that remain clear of the water along the margins there were several White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), a single Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and several European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) all perched preening. Several species of Dragonfly were also present including hordes of Broad Scarlet’s (Crocothemis erythraea), Epaulet Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysostigma) and Violet Dropwings (Trithemis annulata). Other birds seen included Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Bonelli’s (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Subalpine (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Orphean Warblers (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus). During my walk around the Laguna I also saw several butterfly species including Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi) and Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus).

Dainty Damselfly (Coenagrion scitulum).

I then walked across to Laguna Chica and was even more surprised to find that this pool was pretty much full and held three more surprising birds, the first was my second Red-knobbed Coot of the visit, the second were a pair of Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and the third was a fine male White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) which was chasing Eurasian Coots and any of the Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) off that came to close to its patch of Tamarisk. In the marginal thistle beds I saw several more species of butterfly including a new species for my list which was a very nice Carline Skipper (Pyrgus carlinae), also there were Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora), Clouded Yellow, Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) and Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli). 

On the edge of the reeds a little further around the pool I had a couple of Small Spreadwings (Lestes virens), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) and a few Dainty Damselflies (Coenagrion scitulum) which were new to my Dragonfly list. 

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

From here I dropped back across some fields to the motorway service road and walked back to the car, on the way I saw Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) to boost the Butterfly list and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) for the birds.

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Once back at the car I headed to a spot near Salinas to look for some more Dragon’s, here I saw loads of Broad Scarlet’s, Epaulet and Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) and Mercury Bluet (Coenagrion mercuriale). Birds included a pair of Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and a nice male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus). The only new butterfly for the day was a very well behaved Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto) which sat for shots nicely. I then headed back over to Trabuco as the afternoon heat was getting a bit much and a sandwich and a drink seemed like a good idea.

Grazalema Area, Cadiz Province, Spain.

Day two and three new Dragonflies for my Spanish List!

Grazalema Poppy (Papaver rupifragum).

After a good but warm nights sleep we were up in time to leave with Sue and Sam for the trip up to Grazalema so the Sam could join Clive before going to school. On the way up there were several early morning Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) up over the nearby crags. 

Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

We met Clive and then went and had some breakfast at one of the bars in town. Later we all jumped into our car and headed up the hill out of town to visit a small lake that Sue had visited a week or so earlier and had recorded some good Dragon and Butterfly species. 

On the way I mentioned to Sue that I had never seen the local endemic Grazalema Poppy (Papaver rupifragum) so we did a quick change of direction and were soon on a roadside car park and starting a walk up the nearby mountain. 

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

On the way we saw lots of Iberian Marbled Whites (Melanargia lachesis), along with Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto). 

Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis).

After around 20 minutes we reached a rocky out crop where we soon found several flowering plants of the poppy, a week or two earlier and the spot would have been covered going by the number of seed heads. 

Spanish Crassula (Pistorinia hispanica).

In the same area there we also recorded several more rare plants including Mountain Catchfly (Silene andryalifolia), Spanish Crassula (Pistorinia hispanica) and Campanula specularioides. In the same area we picked up a Large Skipper (Ochlodes venatus), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi) and Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus). 

Campanula specularioides.

On the way back down we also found a couple of Orchids, first were a small group of the none fragrant Bug Orchid (Orchis coriophora) and the other was a single spike of Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum) out on the road side. 

A new water trough had been put in at the site and around here we found a couple more butterfly species including a possible Dusky Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lycaon) but as usual when your not sure they do a quick exit, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and the day flying Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum).

6765 Psilogaster loti.

Our next stop was at the original lake or at the top of a track which takes you down to it, straight away we were swamped by Iberian Marbled Whites, they were seen during this walk literally in their hundreds. Heading down hill we saw another Grayling species which did not sit around long enough for me to get a good enough look at it, a moth on the underside of a plant called Lasciocampa trifolii and lots of the white Thistle called Cynara baetica, a single plant of Achillea ageratum and some Meadow rue (Thalictrum flavum subsp glaucum). 

Cynara baetica.

We then reached the lake where a small Skipper species was seen and photographed and later Identified as Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae) and along with a female Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) this made for a good start by the lake but it was about to get even better. A little way along the eastern shore Sue spotted a Dragonfly settled in a gorse bush eating a rather large Mayfly type thing, this turned out to be the second new Dragon for my Spanish list on this trip. It was a fine male Pronged Clubtail (Gomphus graslinii) and it did not want to fly so we had a great chance to get some nice shots of this cracking insect. After spending quite a while admiring the Clubtail we continued on along the shore line to some reeds where Jayne sat her self down on a nice shaded rock while Sue and I continued the hunt. Here we also recorded White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), a couple of male Violet Dropwings, a male Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum), another Clubtail and then the second gem of the morning. 

Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae).

I had spotted a second Pronged Clubtail up in a tree along the track above where we were sat, so Sue when up to get some shots and on her way back down found a tandem pair of the uncommon Orange Featherlegs (Platycnemis acutipennis) which I did not get shots of but Sue managed to get one which she has kindly let me use here in the blog. 

Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata).

We then had two more glimpse of species that will remain unknown, a smallish all dark looking dragon which reminded me of yesterdays Orange-spotted Emerald (Oxygastra curtisii) and also a tandem pair of Skimmers which managed to give us the slip even though we were both certain that we knew which clump of Rush they were in.

Mantis species.

We then started the walk back up towards the car, on the way we saw Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus) and Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora). Once we reached the car we decided that we would head for some lunch with a quick stop near the sewage treatment work below Grazalema, here we soon had the main target species under the belt there were at least two male Broad-bodied Chasers (Libellula depressa) along with an egg laying female. These were accompanied by several Southern and Epaulet Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysostigma), several male Blue / Common Emperors and an egg laying female.

Our next stop was lunch at a bar nearby, after eating we decided to visit another lake near by that Sue had again been to a week or so earlier and had recorded some interesting species. 

Pronged Clubtail (Gomphus graslinii).

We arrive and were greeted by the calls of Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), the chipping of a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and singing Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans). 

We walked for a while through some Oak woodlands before reaching the man made lake in amongst the trees, on the margins we saw several Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) which were coming down to drink. 

Orange-spotted Emerald (Oxygastra curtisii).

Jayne again found a nice shady spot and Sue and I went looking to see what was about,, we soon added a good number of Black-tailed Skimmers (Orthetrum cancellatum) and a nice male Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) to the list. In a small out let pool several male Violet Dropwings were being chased around by a couple of Blue / Common Emperors but we could not find much more so we returned to Jayne who pointed out a huge male Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) which she had been watching taking a mud bath on the far side of the lake. On the water there were good numbers of Eurasian Coots (Focha Común / Fulica atra) but little else but of more interest was a pair of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and a single Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) on the muddy margins. In the woods a Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) was heard and Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Crested Tits (Herrerillo Capuchino /Parus cristatus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) were all seen.

Jayne relaxing in the shade.

We then walked back to the cars and said our goodbyes to Sue and started the Journey home, which apart form several Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and a couple of Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) was uneventful.

Grazalema Area, Cadiz Province.

Day one of our Dragon chasing trip with Sue.

Common Golden Ringed (Cordulegaster boltonii).

Jayne and I set off on our way over to visit our friend Sue and her son Sam for a couple of day near Grazalema over on the Cadiz / Malaga border. On the way we passed by Laguna Dulce but did not stop but even from the car we managed to pick out Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus ruber), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica) and Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra). 

Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene).

We made good time and fairly soon we found our selves driving down the rough track to there house where we picked up the first Dragonflies of the trip, these were a couple of Common Golden Ringed (Cordulegaster boltonii) chasing each other along a fast flowing ditch at the side of the track and several Copper Demoiselle’s (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) which fluttered up from the brambles near the start of the drive to their house. We parked up and spent some time chatting with Sue and catching up with what has been going on in the garden and nearby. After a while the lure of her fantastic garden could not be resisted any longer so I grabbed the bins and the camera and headed out. 

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus).

As soon as I was out of the house the air was filled with the calls of several Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), a noisy rabble of Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and singing Blackcaps (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla). After a short walk I was down on the wooded banks of the river which passes along the one edge of the garden and within seconds had encountered my first of quite a few Western Spectre’s (Boyeria Irene) which was flying low hugging the darker more shaded stretches of bank amongst the large rocks. I watched this insect of almost an hour and not once in that time did it touch down once to give me a chance of a shot. 

Female Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus).

Whilst sat on the rock watching this cracking Dragon I also saw several of the larger faster moving Common Golden Rings, masses of Copper Demoiselle’s and a couple of Large Red Damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) before I waded further down stream to the next pool. Here I got the first new species for the trip when what looked like an all dark dragonfly came up the river and spent a minute or so skimming around me at knee level, I soon realized that this was one of the rare Orange-spotted Emeralds (Oxygastra curtisii) Sue had been seeing. It did not land and that was to be my only encounter with this beautiful chap. 

Sue at Steve's bridge.

Continuing on down stream I came across several more Spectre’s one of which stayed perched long enough for a couple of shots but it was in a very dark spot so they are not great, a very well behaved Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus) which allowed me to get some nice shots, several more Common Golden Rings and the first of the many Small Pincertails (Onychogomphus forcipatus). Birds were constantly moving through the dense cover along the banks, a family party of Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) flew up from the water flashing their Rufous tails as they went, Blackcaps seemed to be every where and a cracking adult Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) nearly gave me a new parting (well it would have if I had any hair), it came in so low over my head I felt a draft. 

Me at Steve's bridge.

I then came up out of the river and had a walk back down the drive way where I got views and some nice shots of a female Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus). In the garden butterflies were every where and included Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), False Ilex Hairstreak (Satyrium esculi), Holly (Celastrina argiolus), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Lang's Short-tailed (Leptotes pirithous) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera). 

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

As I walked back up towards the house a party of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) flew over nosily, a calling Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) made its way up one of the large Walnut trees and a couple of screeching Jays (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) burst up from the bushes next to the track. Once back at the house we had some lunch and then later Sue and I headed down to the world famous STEVE’S BRIDGE looking for more dragonfly species whilst Jayne relaxed for a while back at the house with a book. 

Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus).

As soon as we were on the river we picked up several Orange-winged Dropwings (Trithemis kirbyi) males, females and teneral insects all in the same area but as usual with this species they are very flighty and difficult to get shots of. A little further up stream we came across several Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum), a couple of Epaulet Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysostigma) and several White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) along with many more of both Large and Small Pincertails. 

Steropleurus andalusius.

We turned around and headed off down stream, the first thing of interest was a newly emerged female Large Pincertail which sat in an Oleander drying its wings which allowed us to get some nice shots, next came the a Bush Cricket called Steropleurus andalusius, followed by several females and a single male of the colourful Wasp Spider (Arana Tigre / Argiope bruennichi) and all along the river we flushed Iberian Water Frogs (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) which splashed into the water at regular intervals. Sue and I then made our way back to the house picked up Jayne and went up into Grazalema to collect Sam and to have a chat with Clive at the visitor’s center on the main car park in the town. We had a look through the locally made crafts and bought a couple of bees wax candles which we found out were made by Sue. It is a cracking center with lots of useful books and is a place full of information about the local area and is a must visit place when your in the town. 

Whilst there we saw Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and had brief views of a Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe) as I shot through the car park.

Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus).

We later headed back down to the house where I was taken out for a walk around the garden by the renowned wildlife guide and Photographer Sam. We spent an hour or so working our way along the drive, out onto the track and along the smaller stream before returning through the garden. On our way around we had some brilliant views of Western Spectre, Golden Ring and Copper Demoiselle. In the garden there were Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

Wasp Spider (Arana Tigre / Argiope bruennichi).

We got back to the house and had our evening meal, a little later I popped back out onto the stream and just sat on a large boulder and spent 40 minutes watching a beautiful Western Spectre cruising up and down its territory. Also seen were lots of Pond Skaters which ranged in size from tiny ones about the same size as my little finger nail up to ones that were the size of a big serving spoon and looked as though if the got coordinated they could pull you under. We spent the rest of the evening entertaining Sam and chatting to Sue. A brilliant day.

Arroya Marin, Malaga Province.

Grabbing a couple of hours with the wildlife.

Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans).

I dropped Carole and Jayne off at their Craft Group in Trabuca and headed the few km north to the Arroyo Marin where I was hoping to catch up with a few Butterflies and Dragon’s. I started by the first of the two bridges that cross the stream, on a small patch of dam mud /sand several butterflies were coming down to take the minerals. 

Adonis Blue (Niña Celeste / Lysandra bellargus).

These included a couple of very nice Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans), Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) and Small White (Artogeia rapae). 

In the trees I could hear Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) and Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) calling whist over head Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) were feeding along with both House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus). 

Spanish Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

I then moved further along the valley to the next bridge and put the wading sandals on and headed down stream to the rocks in the center of the main stream where I had cracking views of a couple of Small Pincertails (Onychogomphus forcipatus) and a flyby Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene). 

Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus).

In the undergrowth along the bank good numbers of White Featherleg’s (Platycnemis latipes) were seen along with a couple of Small Red-eyed’s (Erythromma viridulum). Back on dry land I was soon totting up quite a nice list of butterflies including Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon), Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba), Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi), Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini) and Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus).

Its not the best time of the year for birds but I had nice views of Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Subalpine (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Orphean (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) and Bonelli’s Warblers (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). 

Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon).

Next I started the drive back along the valley, this time with the scope on the window just in case any thing stayed in view long enough for me to get a shot. The first cooperative chap was a nice male Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) which perched up on the ruined chimney of a disused finca; it was soon joined by an immature bird which was quite obviously hungry. The male flew off and soon came back with a couple juicy looking grubs which shut the youngster up for all of about 5 seconds. They were joined on the roof by a male Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and in the surrounding trees Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) and Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes) were all heard or seen. 

Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

Further along I parked the car on the verge next to some dead tree stumps and just watched what turned up, almost straight away there was a female Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and well grown immature Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos). 

A Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula) was singing from a stream side Ivy covered Oak tree and on the dryer back to the right a male Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) sang along with a Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) for accompaniment. After a while I moved further along to the more open area near the weight Bridge and here added Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) heard only, Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Blue Rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

On the banks there were good number of Scabious plants where I saw Berger’s Clouded Yellow (Colias alfacariensis), Blue Spotted Hairstreak (Satyrium spini), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Large White (Pieris brassicae). After picking Jayne and Carole we headed home and on the way we saw a soaring Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) over the motorway.

Sierra de Huétor, Granada Province.

More Butterflies and hills!

Beautiful Demoiselle’s (Calopteryx virgo).

Pam, John and I set off towards Granada and then skirted the northern side and went to the far end of the Sierra de Huétor. 

We started the day along the Prado Negro near Venta del Mollinillo where we very quickly picked up large numbers of Beautiful Demoiselle’s (Calopteryx virgo) along the wooded stream. 

I had seen just a single insect a few years ago so when we turned up and found hundreds I was very pleased but large numbers do not mean that they are going to be any easier to get shots.

Eventually we got some good results and added Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus) and Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) to the list along with a smart looking Plumb Moth which is still in the to be identified file. 

Beautiful Demoiselle’s (Calopteryx virgo).

Butterflies were all over the meadow including several Iberian Marbled Whites (Melanargia lachesis), a couple of Knapweed Fritillaries (Melitaea phoebe), Meadow Browns (Maniola jurtina), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus). 

Right by the entrance we could hear a couple of calling Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) in the Poplar trees that lined the stream, these were seen along with Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Bonelli’s Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius). 

Large Pincertail (Onychogomphus uncatus).

John and I continued up the valley while Pam got out the pencils and did some drawing; on a swifter part of the stream we located a male Common Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) which was defending its territory vigorously against a couple more Large Pincertails. 

On this stretch there were lots more Beautiful Demoiselle’s and they were joined by a single male Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) and in the scrub along the shore we found several Common Blues (Polyommatus icarus), some very tatty Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi) and a couple of Blue Spotted Hairstreaks (Satyrium spini). 

On the walk back down to Pam we added Great (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) to the seen list and heard a Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus). 

Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis).

New butterflies for the day were Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora) and Brown Argus (Aricia agestis). We also saw several of the common day flying moth the Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata).

We then made our way back to the car and moved on to a site deeper into the Sierra called Fuente de los Potros where there is a large picnic area and a Casa Forestal. 

Here we followed a short walk which had been laid through the woods from the far end of the car park finding several spikes of Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata) and Bug Orchid (Orchis coriophora). There we more butterflies, some were coming down to the water side made them easier to see, they included Grayling (Hipparchia semele), Spanish (Pyronia bathseba) and Southern Gatekeepers (Pyronia cecilia) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).

Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).

We also saw another Common Golden Ringed here along with Robin (Petirrrojo / Erithacus rubecula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

We then started the drive through to La Alfaguara where we were going to have lunch on the way we stopped a couple of times, the first was when I got views of a Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) but by the time we got out of the car it had moved on and we just picked up more Black-veined Whites and added Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) to the bird list.

Escher’s Blue (Polyommatus escheri).

A little further on our second stop was again because of a butterfly I had picked up in flight as we drove passed an area of open grassland, this time I had thought that it was a Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone) but very quickly realized that it was actually my second ever Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe), we had good views of it as it skirted the Cistus plants that lined the edge of the clearing.
We followed and eventually it perched very briefly in an Oak tree, just as it took flight again my attention was drawn to a small brown and red butterfly which was flitting around in the Cistus plants, after a couple of brief views the insect sat out and let us identify it as the hard to find Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis) before zipping off into the distance. Here we also added Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto), Dusky Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lycaon) and Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli) along with a couple of singing Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) and a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto).

Lunch was our next port of call at the Venta at Alfaguara and after having a plate of Tomato’s with Garlic, Poor-mans Potato’s and Broad beans mixed with Eggs and Ham we were set up for a walk in the woods nearby.
We did not get any new butterflies here but had good views of Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) and Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino /Parus cristatus) and found around 20 spikes of the uncommon Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra).

From here we moved on to our last site of the day at Cerro de Fuente Fria, where I was hoping we would find Rock Grayling.

Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone).

We started the walk up to the Civil war defenses which have been rebuild around the summit of the hill, on the way we had a male Escher’s Blue (Polyommatus escheri) and a single Rock Grayling which behaved very well and sat on the trunk of a pine tree so that John could get nice views.
Here we had several calling Coal Tits (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and then a bit of a surprise when a Hobby (Alcotán Europeo / Falco subbuteo) flew out of a nearby tree, a species that I see occasionally on passage but this was far to late in the summer to be passing through.

We then headed back to the house where Jayne had prepared us a very nice meal, which we ate out on the terrace and spent the rest of the evening chatting and watching Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) flying over the olives. The tally of butterflies for the two days in the field came to a vert pleasing 44 and of these 21 were new for Johns list and 3 were new for my Spanish list.