Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

Amongst the high level plants and birds.

Polystichum lonchitis.

What know seemed to be getting a bit of a habit I was meeting Juan Perez at Aki in Granada again but this time we were going off up in to the higher reaches of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park looking for upland species. We met at 07:00 and were up near the Parador Hotel at around 2500meters by 08:00 to catch the minibus up to a point just below Valeta where we started off by walking a little way along a track on the first ridge above the stop.  

Carduus carlinoides ssp hispanicus.

Almost immediately we picked up our first of quite a few Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis), next can a family party of Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and some calling Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). We then started searching through the cracks and fishers in the rocks for plants and soon found several fern species including Rusty-back Fern (Ceterach officinarum), Polystichum lonchitis and Cryptogramma crispa. Also seen in the same spot were Carduus carlinoides ssp hispanicus, Ptilotrichum spinosum and the tiny Eyebright (Euphrasia willkommii). 

Senecio nevadensis.

We then started to climb a bit higher up the road towards the small refuge below Valeta where again we bumped into more Alpine Accentors and several plants of the endemic Senecio nevadensis. We then started the decent, Juan checked his GPS and it said that we were at 3200meters as we set off down quite a steep scree slope on a reasonable enough track heading down the Dilar Valley, in amongst the rocks on the way down we saw lots of Reseda complicata which is endemic to the park along with Plantago nivalis, Arenaria pungens and Epilobium alsinifolium. Eventually we reached the first of the small mountain lakes where we made a brief stop to remove a couple of layers as the sun was now on the area and I had regained some use of my fingers after the cold we had endured near the start of the walk. 

View of the snow still on the ridge.

In this area we found several more plants in flower including Veronica turbicola, Saxifraga stellaris ssp alpigena and Eryngium glaciale. At the far end of the pool a small group of Alpine Accentors were seen with one of the birds bathing in the water before flying up onto some near by rocks where I managed to get some shots. 

Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis).

As we continued to descend we started to see larger numbers of Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) which made finding the target bird Ortolan Bunting (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana) harder, whist we sere scanning through these birds we picked up a summer plumaged Water Pipit (Bistita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) which Juan was very pleased with as it is quite a rare bird in the area. As we entered a small level area of damp grassland and rocks a small group of Linnets went up with another bunting type bird with them but this was the only sighting and I did not get anything on it to give it a name. 

First small pool.

This was as close as we got to a possible Ortolan, so I will have to return to the area a little earlier and try again. We continued on down to another area of level rocky ground and on this section of the walk we started to see the first butterflies of the day, most were Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea) but there were a few Oriental Meadow Browns (Hyponephele lupinnus), Silver-spotted Skippers (Hesperia comma), a Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Dark-green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) and Clouded Yellows (Colias Común / Colias crocea). We were still at around 2700 meters and were quite surprised when a pair of Hoopoes (Abubilla / Upupa epops) flew up from the grass in front of us, they were joined by one of several Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) we had in the area and a Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). 

Eryngium glaciale.

In the air at least 3 Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) were hunting and they were joined by more Pallid Swifts and some small groups of House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica). We then started to climb back up towards the track out of the valley and back towards the upper Ski station, on the way we walked through a meadow containing lots of the rare Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp depressa and stopped by a large crag to look at some large clumps of the endemic Centranthus nevadensis. 

Juan on the descent.

Juan had said earlier that he preferred to walk up hill than down the steep slopes we had done earlier, I said that I was not sure. Well three quarters of the way up this climb I was, give me down hill every time. Whilst I was slowly and nosily diying during this climb (I miss the work with RFH which kept me fit) I added Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Mountain Argus (Aricia artaxerxer montensis) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) to the butterfly list. We then made our way out to the upper station and on down the road back to the Parador where the car was, on the way seeing several nice big male Spanish Ibex (Capra pyreaica hispanica) and back at the car we added Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) to the list in the Pines. 

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

We then drove back down to the City and I made my way home. Most of me had a great day, my ankles took a few hours to calm down but we saw some cracking stuff, thanks Juan.

Centranthus nevadensis.

Cabo Sacratif, Motril Port and Charca del Suarez, Granada Province, Spain.

A Sea Bird Survey followed by ring reading and some general birding, a nice combination.

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

I left home just after five in the morning to meet up with Juan Perez at the usual spot in Granada, on the way I have cracking views of a Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) which was sat on the road between the house and Huétor Tajár. Once Juan and I had met we headed down towards Motril and then on to Cabo Sacratif where we were doing the RAM seabird survey for August. As we approached the coast the cloud cover increased and the air grew more and more unpleasantly hot and sticky. We walked up onto the high point at the sea watch point from where we could see the bright flashes of the lighthouse through the mist. 

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

The sea was flat calm but with the mist it was difficult to judge distances and to focus the scope but it was immediately obvious that there were more birds around than on the last survey morning. Cory's Shearwaters (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea) were by far the commonest species seen during the period, I am not sure of the final number but I suspect it was over 150 birds. Most were just milling around a few hundred meters out to sea and at times forming sizable rafts. We also recorded a couple of dozen Balearic Shearwaters (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus) and a single immature Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus). Gulls included lots of Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and a few summering Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus) plus Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii). Juan also had a single Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) but that eluded my best efforts. A small pod of Dolphins passed heading east; they were particularly easy to see as the surface of the sea was very still. 

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

Other birds seen during the watch included two Peregrine Falcons (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

We completed the survey and headed around to the port where we hoped to see some gulls with rings to read and we were not disappointed, amongst the flocks of gulls made up mainly of Audouin’s and Black-headed with a couple of Meds (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus) amongst which we found a couple of Lesser Black-backs with rings but most of the twenty or so rings recorded were on the Audouin’s plus a single Black-headed. One of the Audouin’s was from Italy, the Black-headed originated from Poland and one of the Lesser Black-backs was from Holland! 

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

We moved on to Charca after checking through the flocks for a walk around the reserve, we arrived to find a Spanish chap doing some ringing in the main office and he allowed us to take a shot of a Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) which he had just processed. We then moved on around the hides, from the one that over looked Laguna del Lirio we started the list with Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Cetti’s Warblers (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a fly through Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava). In the water there were lots of Spanish Terrapins (Mauremys leprosa) and in the air several Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) and Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) Dragonflies. 

Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus).

We then moved around to get a view from the southern hide over Laguna del Trebol from where we saw pretty much the same species but added Purple Swamp-hen (Calamón Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Pallid Swift, House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). On the floating weed several Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) and a single Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria) we picked up along with several Black-tailed Skimmers (Orthetrum cancellatum) which preferred the reed stalks higher up for sitting on. From the hide on the far side of the same laguna we just heard but did not see a Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) before we moved around to the main hide. On the way we picked up Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) which was blowing raspberries at us from the reeds. 

Yellow-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta).

Once in the main hide we soon had a very nice Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) in the scope, which was soon followed by a Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) and Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus) which I missed as it flew across the main Lagoon. We spent quite a while here but did not see a lot else so we went on around to the last hide over looking Laguna de Taraje, here we saw several of the stripy humbug young of the Little Grebes, a Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) which I again missed as it dipped back in to the reeds before Juan had the chance to put me on to it and slightly more worrying were at least three of the destructive introduced Yellow-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) a close relative of the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). 

Catocala elocata Moth.

Then just as we were leaving a large Catocala elocata Moth was found attached to one of the log poles of the hide, a nice end to a cracking day. Well almost the end as on the way back to Granada we saw singles of Short-toed (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus).

Sierra Nevada, Granada Province.

A day of Plants, birds, butterflies and wind!

Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea).

I started off by walking out from the barrier above the main car parks and walking to wards the head of the Barranco de San Juan looking for Birds and Butterflies but mostly for the endemic wildflowers which this area is famous for. 

Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea).

The wind which was very strong whilst I was loading the kit into my pocket meant that any photography was going to be hard going particularly of the butterflies. 

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma).

I started the walk and was amazed by the number of Black Satyr (Satyrus actaea) which were flushing up from along side the track and disappearing down the hill at a rapid rate of knots. 

Also seen along the first stretch were several Silver-spotted Skippers (Hesperia comma), Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and a single Dark-green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) which also must have broken some sort of record for the speed of a butterfly in flat flight. 

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma).

The first interesting flowers we soon showing up with large patches of the rare Nevada House-leek (Sempervivum vicentei ssp lainzii), followed by Armeria splendens ssp splendens and Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). 

In an area of bolder scree there were a few more birds showing up as at this point I had walked around a large knoll in the hill side and the wind had died down, they included a party of immature Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Rojo / Monticola saxatilis), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe). 

Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice).

The Black Satyr Butterflies were still flying in masses and they were joined by more of the Silver Spotted Skippers which I eventually managed to get some shots of and several Oriental Meadow Browns (Hyponephele lupinnus), Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice) and a number of very tatty Silver-studded Blues (Plebejus argus hypochionus). 

Gentiana boryi.

I eventually reached the wet flushes that are the area where the stream call the Barranco de San Juan begins, an area I have visited on several occasions but never this late in the season. There were lots of the dead spikes of the earlier flowering Nevada Spring Gentian (Gentiana sierrae) along with the rosettes of the over with endemics Nevada Plantain (Plantago nivalis) and Nevada Butterwort (Pinguicula nevadensis). 

Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp depressa.

But on the plus side there were lots of the small but beautiful Gentiana boryi which I had only seen a single plant of before and some trumpets of the much larger and showier Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp depressa which I had only seen in tight bud in the past. In the Borregulies (wet flushes) Saxifraga stellaris ssp alpigena and Epilobium alsinifolium were still flowering along with the second new plant of the day for my Spanish list, Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) which was growing commonly in all the wetter areas. 

Borregulies (wet flushes).

Around the same patch I also added Arenaria tetraquetra subsp amabilis and Campanula herminii. I then started the walk back and the first thing I saw was a striking little Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) but of the Nevada greyer form, this was followed by a Tawny Pipit (Bisbita campestre / Anthus campestris), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and a couple of Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) which drifted through to the West. 

Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris).

I got back to the car and headed down through the Ski resort (it must look much better in the snow, I am sure) and stopped at a track out on to the slopes. 

Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron subsp gordius).

Here the wind was still quite strong but there were plenty of butterflies still feeding on the mint plants in the wet flushes, the commonest by far was still the Black Satyr which were there in there hundreds and Silver-spotted Skipper, also in the area I picked up a few Adonis Blues (Niña Celeste / Lysandra bellargus), Bath Whites, Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias crocea), Purple-shot Coppers (Lycaena alciphron subsp gordius), Mountain Argus (Aricia artaxerxer montensis), Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), Dark-green Fritillary, Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia) and Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas). 

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia).

The only new birds were a pair of Common Whitethroats (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino /Parus cristatus). 

I then started the drive back down the hill calling at a small flush where I found a dozen or so spikes of Robust Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza elata) still in flower along with Salvia lavandulifolia, Throatwort (Trachelium caeruleum) and White Flax (Linum suffruticosum).

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A warm day in the Valley.

Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa).

Today I was back down the Cacín Valley with Catherine and her parents who I was meeting on the car park of the Cortijo de Tajár Hotel just off the A92. Whilst I was waiting I picked up a few species including 9 Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), a calling Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus). 

The agricultural plains near Moraleda.

Once we had met up we headed off to Balsa del Regidor a small very naturalized man made water deposito, here we quickly picked up good numbers of Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) out on the water. In the surrounding trees and bushes there were Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and a couple of Western Cattle Egrets which dropped in for a short rest before pushing on towards Granada.

Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis).

In the air over the site we also saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swifts (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and a flock of Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) which passed over noisily. Small dark heads of Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) were seen bobbing up and down in the rather green water with a few sat out on the marginal log piles which were also being used by a single Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Our next stop was out on the agricultural plains near Moraleda where we started off with the resident Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was sat on the edge of the field and was being mobbed by a very annoyed Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator). There were again loads of Barn Swallows and Swifts over the fields along with a couple of Common Kestrels (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) which were calling from the Almond trees. 

European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).

We moved on around the site to the far side of the Solar panel farms where we picked up several Lark species in the clearer areas between the Olive trees, these included several Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), a Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) and two flocks of Calandra’s (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra). Whilst here a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus) dashed down through the Olives and away and we also heard a Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which was in the near by Almonds but it remained elusive. Other species seen here included Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), a Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) which was perched up high on an Olive, Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and quite a few Hoopoes (Abubilla / Upupa epops) which were feeding in a stubble field.

We moved on and made a quick stop for a Coffee in the bar in El Turro before continuing on down to the bridge which crossed the Rio Cacín just below the Embalse; here we had bird of the day which was a roosting Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) sat in a cliff face cave. On the river there were several Copper Demoiselles (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) flitting around amongst the reeds along with a Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus) which we got in the scope, several Small (Artogeia rapae) and Bath Whites (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice). In the near by pine trees a Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) and Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) were calling. 

Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus).

We then picked up our first eagle which was a soaring dark phase Booted (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) and on nearby wires a couple of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) perched and showed nicely through the scope. We moved on up to the Embalse which to my surprise was full again, the water people must have let a considerable amount out of Embalse de Bermejalis to top it up. On the water there were much the same species as at the Balsa earlier but we did add Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and the first Western Cattle Egret since we had started the tour. In the area several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were seen crossing from the ridge on our side of the lake to the pine trees across the way. We started to get a bit warm here so we moved on down the valley and did a bit of a walk along the Rio Cacín just out side the village, we started with a nice male Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) in the ditch next to where we parked and then added Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) heard only, Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and a little way along the track under the Poplars a single Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla) which was feeding on the ground amongst a flock of Serins and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs). Butterflies included Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias crocea), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Long-tailed (Lampides boeticus) and Lang's Short-tailed Blues (Leptotes pirithous) and Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli). 

At Embalse de Cacín.

We the did the drive up the ridge and over to Ventas de Huelma, along here we picked up our only Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), a pale phase Booted, Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae). We stopped for lunch in a bar in the town before heading to the motorway and back to the hotel due to the afternoon heat being a bit to much to continue to bird in.

Thank you to Catherine and her parents for a nice day in their company and I hope they enjoyed what we did see at this quiet time of the year.

Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

Day two of Sue and Sam's visit.

Again Sue, Sam, Jayne and I were out and about early to avoid some of the heat and were heading off down the Cacín Valley. We started off on the western end of El Temple amongst the large harvested crop fields looking for some of the interesting species in this area. Well they had all obviously take a late July break as the place was very quiet, however we did pick up a Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulga / Falco tinnunculus), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus). We then moved down into the Cacín Valley and drove down towards the Embalse de Cacín, on the way we saw several European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) perched on the roadside wires, Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). The water level at the lake was very low and there was a large area of mud exposed which gave us our only two waders of the day with two Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and three Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) being seen. A couple of eagles were then picked up, one on each side of the valley. The first was a cracking Short-toed (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) which was soaring over the ridge on the far side of the lake and the other was a pale phase Booted (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), the Short-toed very quickly crossed the valley and joined the Booted and the both drifted off to the west. On the water there were several Common Pochards (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). Other birds seen included Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). We moved on down to the river at Cacín and had a short walk along the banks through the poplar woods. Here we picked up a few new species including a fly over Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotraustes), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Great Tit (Carbonero Común / Parus major), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes). We then headed up over the ridge towards Granada and on the way picked up another couple of Short-toed Eagles, Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki). We made our way back across country to the Hotel Cortijo de Tajar where we had some lunch before heading home where Sam had a nice cool down in the paddling pool under the grape vines.

Laguna Chica and Salinas, Malaga Province.

Some new dragons for Sue and Sam.

Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii).

Sue and Sam had travelled over from Grazalema yesterday and after a pleasant quiet evening at our house we decided that we would spend the morning around a couple of areas of wetland looking for Dragonflies. The day was forecast to be a hot one so Jayne, Sue, Sam and I started out straight after breakfast so we arrived at the laguna in good time. As we arrived a party of European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) flew out of one of the nearby Oak trees and several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) were seen and heard on the far side of the pool. 

Black Pennant (Selysiothemis nigra).

As we approached the water we picked up several species out on the water including Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). Once we were on the margins we started to see Dragonflies and Damselflies including Iberian Bluetails (Ischnura graellsii), Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) and Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea). 

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum).

We then moved back out in to the area between the reeds and the scrub where we quickly found a cracking male Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria) which Sue managed to take some nice shot of. Further round we saw good numbers of Red-veined Darters of all ages and sexes along with a couple more Long Skimmers and a really nice male Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma). 

Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria).

In the nearby Eucalyptus stand there were more  Iberian  Magpies and loads of Woodpigeons (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), a few Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator). A little further along the track we found a female Black Pennant (Selysiothemis nigra) which sat nicely for us to get some shots, here we also came across a couple of Adonis Blues (Niña Celeste / Lysandra bellargus) and a single Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice). It was now getting dam hot so I went back and got the car while the others sheltered in the shade of one of the larger Oak trees, I met up with them and we had a drink and snack, while we were there we picked up a second Woodchat Shrike and a female Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis) which both sat in the same tree.

Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens).

We then moved onto the small pool near Salinas where we were hoping to catch up with a few more species. As soon as we arrived we started to see lots of Southern Skimmers (Orthetrum brunneum) hunting along the small road side ditch, also there were a few Mercury Bluet’s (Coenagrion mercuriale), Broad Scarlet and a female Long Skimmer which was a new species for the site. The Long Skimmer played hard to get for a while but eventually sat nicely, near by we also had a nice male Small Spreadwing (Lestes virens) followed by several more including a couple of pairs in tandem. We then went and had a look at what remained of the pool on the opposite side of the road where we found several more Broad Scarlet’s, at least another half a dozen Small Spreadwing’s and a nice male Blue Emperor. 

Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus).

At this point the heat started to get to us so we headed for home. Back at the house we spent some time watching the antics of the local Golden Orioles (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and Iberian Magpies trying to eat as many of our figs as they could. During the evening we sat out on the terrace and had nice but brief views of a single Red-necked Nightjar (Chotacabras Cuellirrojo / Caprimulgus ruficollis) as it fly close to the house.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

New species for the garden list.

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The heat in the afternoon has been quite draining for a while now but it would appear that even reptiles like to take a dip to cool off. We noticed the beautiful little Horseshoe Whip Snake (Coluber hippocrepis) on the side of our bird bath with just a small length of its body hanging into the water. 

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It stayed there for quite a while so I managed to get a couple of shots.

Rio Velez, Malaga Province and near Zafarraya, Granada Province.

A couple of hours birding with Bob Wright.

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

Jayne and I set off down to Torre del Mar on the Malaga coast, on the way we passed Salar and made our way through the Oak woodlands above the town before dropping down through the agricultural areas between Alhama de Granada and Zafarraya. In the area of oaks we had several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and a couple of Jays (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) fly across the road Infront of us and in the bushes at the roadside I saw Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula). Out in the more open areas there were very good numbers of Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), one perched every 50meters or so along the telegraph wires. 

Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

In the same area we also had Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis). We turned off the Alhama road and headed towards Zafarraya, out in the Agricultural areas we started to pick up a few Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), along with Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer Domesticus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) around the farms. 

African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna).

In the air we added Pallid (Vencejo Pálido / Apus pallidus) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) to the day list.

I dropped Jayne off in the town and went and met Bob who had been at the site since 08:00 on my drive down to the pump house I picked up a skulking Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinula Chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) which flushed of the overhead wires.

Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) by Bob Wight.

We started by watching a family group of 3 or four immature Spotted Flycatchers (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), the first of several Monk Parakeets (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Serin and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), by the pump house before moving down to the beach. On the way we saw some more young Spotted Flycatchers and a Cetti’s Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Bob also got the chance to practice some of his dance moves dodging all the piles of crap as the dirty gits that use the beach seem to think it’s OK to use the track as a toilet!!

Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) by Bob Wight.

Anyway back to the birding, we set the scope up on the beach and as there were a few fishing boats heading back in towards Torre bird numbers were quite good with lots of Gulls following the fishermen. They included lots of Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), a couple of summering Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Somria / Larus fuscus), summer and winter plumage Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and a dozen or so Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) most of which were just loafing around on the sea. In the boats wake we also saw a couple of Northern Gannets (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), two Cory's Shearwaters (Pardela Cenicienta / Calonectris diomedea) and a single Balearic (Pardela Balear / Puffinus mauretanicus). We then gave the beach pool a scan but found little else except for a Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scirpaceus), more Eurasian Coots, Common Moorhens and a family party of Zitting Cisticola’s. 

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

We walked back along the beach and past the dump track and out onto the fields where we soon picked up an immature Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) which was perched on one of the field fences and a couple more Western Cattle Egrets flew over the reeds by the river. We turned back towards the track and were soon watching a small group of around 5 Short-toed Larks feeding in amongst the cut stems of what looked like Sprout plants. Back by the main track we again took some more shots of the Spotted Flycatchers and then move out on to the river bank.

We walked up the river and started to pick up a few Dragonflies (not in the numbers expected) including a very nice male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator) which sat nicely for Bob to get a few shots and disappeared as soon as I tried. We also picked up Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma), Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea), Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) but the best find was a nice male Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii). Several African Grass Blues (Zizeeia knysna), Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Small White (Artogeia rapae) were the only butterflies seen. 

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Birds added to the list included Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and a very nice little flock of 6 or so Common Waxbills (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild) which were a nice addition to the year list which stands at 239. 

Eventually we found our way back around to the cars and after what had been a very pleasant couple of hours birding Bob and I said our goodbyes and headed off. 

I met Jayne and we went and had some lunch before spending an hour or so at the shopping center then headed for home.

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

As we started the drive back we saw an eagle soaring over the main road up to Zafarraya near the Tripache which I thought was almost certainly going to be a pale phase Booted (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) so I was pleased when it turned and gave away the fact that it was in fact a very nice Bonelli's (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus).

Further along on the way back I took the route up the Western side of Sierra de Loja and stopped at a site where Juan Perez and I had seen Epipactis tremolsii last year. I parked the car under some nice old oak trees and was immediately aware of large numbers of Hairstreak Butterflies whizzing around in amongst the leaves. I had a walk to the Orchid spot but found that I was a week or two too late and the flowers were well dried. I then took another look at the butterflies and was surprised to find that all the ones that settled long enough for me to check were female Purple Hairstreaks (Favonius Quercus) and not False Ilex (Satyrium esculi) as I had expected. 

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius Quercus).

Other species included Clouded Yellow, Cardinal Fritillary (Argynnis Pandora) and Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia).