Moraleda and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

A new car boot, some birding and good food.

Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

Jayne and I started off by going to the new car boot sale just off the A92 at exit 212 but it was somewhat disappointing but hopefully it will get better once the dam rain stops. Later we headed out to the far side of Moraleda where we did a bit of a drive around the tracks that cross a large area of cereal crop fields mixed in with a few Olive and Almond groves. The first stop was by a ruin of an old Cortijo which sites nicely on a high point in the fields which gives a good vantage point, several species of butterfly were congregating around this hill including several Swallowtails (Papilio machaon), Wall Browns (Lasiommata megera), Small (Artogeia rapae), Large (Pieris brassicae), Bath (Pontia daplidice) and a couple of Green-striped Whites (Euchloe belemia) this was the first time I had seen this species in Granada Province so I was very happy with this find.

Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus).

After trying and failing to get any shots of the butterflies except for the Swallowtails I had a good scan around the fields picking up singing Calandra (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), along with a couple of Short-toed Larks (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) which took me ages to track down as they were singing from a great hieght. Good numbers of both Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) skimming low over the crops. We then moved on around the site passing a large area of solar panels until we reached a large area of Almond trees, on the way around we had good views of both Iberian Grey (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a cracking Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Small White (Artogeia rapae).

I parked in the almonds and went for a walk whilst Jayne got stuck in to her book, I was soon adding butterflies to the list including Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and a cracking male Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides). Birds in the plantation included a few very noisy Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), a fine male Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and males of both Orphean (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis) and Spectacled Warblers (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

View from one of the tracks.

We then moved on back to the road before heading off toward Castillo de Tajarja where we got on to another track which took us across country to Ventas de Huelma, on the way along here we had good views of another Great Spotted Cuckoo which flew across the track, Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni), a female Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and a really bright male Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata). Our next track took us out into an area where I have on a couple of occaions seen a huge immature Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti), the area is well known as a site where young birds of this species and Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) hang around for long periods before heading off to set up there own territories.

Ophrys forestieri.

On this visit I just managed a singleton of the latter species but this was a fine sight anyway. In the same area we saw a rhaspberring male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) displaying a nearby crop field, several singing Calandra Larks, more Lesser Kestrels and a very pale Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) which drifted along a distant ridge. We retraced or steps back to the road and went into Ventas de Huelma for some Lunch at Bar / Restaurant Bernardo's on the main cross roads in the town. We had a very nice meal which was only spoil by several of the Spanish clients smoking in the bar which as far as I am aware is still illegal in Andalucia????
Anyway after lunch we made our way along the road towards Cacín, on the way I spotted a very large nest up in a large Poplar tree and just as we came level with it a beautiful pale phase Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) flew in and landed on it with some material to do some DIY. Other species along here and at the Rio Cacín bridge included Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and a largish Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) which dived across the road.

Ophrys forestieri.

Once we were through Cacín we turned North along the Valley up towards Embalse de Cacín, on the way we saw a Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) soaring over the pine covered ridge off to our right. On the lake there were just a few wildfowl including a dozen or so male Common Pochards (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina) and the odd Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) which were joined by a few Common Moorhens (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and a single summer plumage Black-necked Grebe (Zampullín Cuellinegro / Podiceps nigricollis) but the biggest surprise was the total absence of Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra). Other species seen nearby included Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), a fine male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) and several Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) in the pines on the far bank. We moved on and drove up the valley to El Turro, on the way a male Goshawk (Azor Común / Accipitor gentillis) flew low along the road below the height of the Pines for around 300 meters before it cut out to the left by the disused substation, we parked and I had some super views of this bird as it displayed and wing clapped out over the valley.

Ophrys forestieri.

Here we also saw and heard Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) and on both verges there were a couple of hundred spikes of Ophrys forestieri in good condition still. We continued on along the road and then up through El Turro back to Moraleda and on to home.

Loja and Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Business and pleasure.

Blue-headed (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flava).

Jayne and I headed off into Loja first thing this morning, Jayne had a wonder around the shops whilst I went to see the accountant. On my walk up to his office I did see my first Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) of the year, along with loads of House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and a few Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

After the meeting I met up with Jayne and we headed back home for some lunch, later I went down onto the fields north of Huétor Tájar for a couple of hours birding. On the way down I saw at least 5 Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) sat up on the wires or in road side bushes and a pair of Little Owls (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) sat out on a roof top getting some sun. My first stop was along side the Arroyo del Vilano where there were loads of Barn Swallows, House Martins and a few Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).
On the sides of the Arroyo several Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) were chasing each other around and both White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) were feeding on the exposed shingle bars. I then continued on to the other side of the road bridge and back on to the track along the Arroyo again a little further down stream, from here I could scan the flooded fields and soon picked up a few remaining waders. These included Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and a year tick in the form of a Wood Sandpiper (Andarrios Bastardo / Tringa glareola).

Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flavissima).

After seraching the floods I turned around and headed back towards the road, on the way I had the second year tick of the afternoon, this time it was a fine male Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus), in the same area I had Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula). My next stop was on the railway bridge looking over the floods from the other side, from here I added just Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago) to the list before continuing on along this track towards the Mesia road. I spent quite a while sat at the side of a large puddle filled field of Lucerne where there was a flock of around 40 Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), a couple of Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) and loads of Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) along with good numers of both Blue-headed (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flava) and Western Yellow Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flavissima) the UK sub-species.

Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

In the same area I saw Willow Warbler (Mosquitero Musical / Phylloscopus trochillus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), several passage Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and my first singing Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) of the spring. I then drove back towards the house via the far fields seeing and photographing a very nice Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) on the way, on the far fields I was very pleased to see that there was still a small flock of just nine Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) still hanging around. There was a cracking male in the flock and eight female types, also on the fields were a couple of roosting Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) and a large flock of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). On the way back up to the house I saw and heard a singing male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and as I got out of the car a Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) flew over the house.

Home near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

4 Raptors in an hour from the garden.

I was stood out side the house talking to our neighbours Christine and John when a male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) flew over, it was followed within a minute ot two by a Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus). A little later I was on the terrace and an immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) flew over heading towards Hacho and a short time later a Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila-azor / Hieraetus faciatus) flew in the same direction. Not bad for a couple of hours around the house.

Balsa de Regidor and Hacho, Granada Province.

Another couple of year ticks.

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Jayne and I popped up to Garden Centre on the A92 at Moraleda to pick up a couple of plants and on the way back we called at Balsa de Regidor where I had a quick scan of this man made naturalised pool. On the water there were a fewmale Common Pochards (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), two pairs of Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), a few Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

I then picked up a couple of Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus) which were roosting in a muddy along with a couple of male Eurasian Teals (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca). In the air and around the margins I located Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Willow Warbler (Mosquitero Musical / Phylloscopus trochillus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Jayne and I then went passed the house and up to the Northern slopes of Hacho where we were looking for more Pine Cones to stop the ******** cats from dumping in the herb patch. While Jayne filled two bags of cones I spent some time looking for some Orchids, there were loads of Giant Orchids (Himantoglossum robertiana) of varying colours, dozens of Ophrys forestieri, a couple of Sawfly Orchids (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and a few Southern Early Purple's (Orchis olbiensis). In the same area there were lots of Yellow Anemone (Anemone palmata).

Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertiana).

Birds included Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops) and down in the quarry a male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

Ophry Dyris.

Sawfly Orchids (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbiensis).

Yellow Anemone (Anemone palmata).

Sierra de Mijas, Coin, Malaga Province and Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

Shopping, Birds and Orchids.

Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys scolopax).

Jayne and I headed off down the coast and then inland to Alaurín del la Torre where we visited a couple of charity shops hoping that Jayne may pick up some material for her patch work but we were unlucky this time. Our next stop was in the Pine woods on the North West corner of Sierra de Mijas where I was looking for Orchids, on the way up we saw a migrating Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 

Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys scolopax).

In the wooded area I heard Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and saw Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus). 

Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

In the grassland I found several Orchid species including some very nice spikes of Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys scolopax), Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea), Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum) and Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera). There were also a few butterflies about, the commonest were African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna) and Bath White (Pontia daplidice), these were seen along with the odd Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and a single Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra). 

Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea).

We then moved on up the road to a site a bit nearer to Coin but was very disappointed when I got there to find the the site had been ploughed up to produce a fire break. I did have a good search around but I could find very few of the Orchids which usually covered this area including some extremely rare species. 

African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna).

I did find a few Sawfly Orchids and singles of Ophrys dyris and Mirror Orchid. Other things of interest were a couple of Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Clouded Yellow. We then dropped back down towards Malaga, calling at a garden center on the way to the Lario's Center in the City. 

African Grass Blue (Zizeeia knysna).

Later we headed back home and called at the flooded fields on the fields north of the town, straight away I located two of the Egyptian Geese (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca) that had turned upa few days ago, also see were Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and on the way back up to the house we saw Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

Ophrys Dyris.

Huétor Tájar, Granada Province.

What a day for a day dream.

The Genil at Huétor.

Well it was if you were dreaming of some sun as we got a bit but after the last horrendous 24 hours of rain it was goo to get a glimpse of it. The Rio Genil had burst its banks and we had to go down the coast via Loja.

The Genil at Huétor.

Huétor Fields and Padul, Granada Province.

A sunny start and then rain, more rain and to finish the day more rain !!!!!

Padul in the rain!!!

I started off by going down on to the fields to have a look and see if any of the Egyptian Geese (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca) that have been about for a few days were still on site but they had gone. On the flooded fields there were still good numbers of Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Western Cattle Egrets (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and a few Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and at least a dozen Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago). In the surrounding scrub and in the Poplar plantation there were very good numbers of Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).
I then moved around to the far side of the flooded area and drove along the track on the bank above the Arroyo del Vilanowhere I soon had a very nice male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) in the bins as it sat in a bare Fig tree, also seen along here were a male Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris) and Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia). I scanned the floods again but came up with nothing else so I returned back alon the track seeing a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and a surprise male Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis) which was in making its way through some thin scrub along side the car from where I had very good views, seeing the pale eye and confirming this early migrants identification.

Later in the day Jayne and I went up to Granada to Juan Perez and Beatriz'a appartment where Jayne and Beatriz did some English work whilst juan and I went birding down to Padul, as soon as we arrived it started to rain so we went straight into the hide which over looks the main pool and before long the rain was so heavy that we could not see the far side of the lake.
Then the Lightening started and some of the longest rumbles of thunder I have ever heard. Whist in this hide we could see good numbers of Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) along with Sand (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra) and Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus).
On the marginal areas we recorded Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Snipe, Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), White Wagtail, Common Chiffchaff, Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and then we eventually picked up one of the two Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) Juan had seen earlier in the week. We then decided that the rain was going to win so we went back to Granada and Jayne and I went back home.

Torre del Mar and travelling, Granada and Malaga Provinces.

An unplanned trip down the coast.

Jayne and I set off to pop down to the supermarket and before we knew it we were on our way down to the coast at Torre. On the way down we went past Salar, Venta de Zafarraya and onwards down through Vinuela and I picked up Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros).

Down on the coast we had a very nice walk along the prom and had an nicer lunch at one of the chiringuito's on the sea front. During the walk I recorded Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Sandwich Tern (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) on the seaward side. On the inland side I picked up Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Crag Martin, House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Spotless Starling. We had a look around the town and then headed back towards home and on the way added Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).

Charca del Suarez area and the Cacín Valley, Granada Province.

80 odd species in a day.

Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).

I met up with Juan Perez at 07:30 and we made our way down towards Charca del Suarez near Motril, on the way in we checked out the agricultural areas near the site and a couple of pools on a Golf Course near the beach. On the road thought the crops we found a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) out on the tarmac, Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) which sat preening in a rush tussock, a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was sitting on a farm building roof, Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) calling from the pampus grass fields and in the air above the site there were quite good numbers of Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and a fine male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) which quartered the fields.

Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia).

We then moved on down the coastal stripe and checked out a pool on the edge of a golf course where we soon had Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), several Spanish (Yellow) (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and Blue-headed (Yellow) Wagtails (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava flava), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti). We then had a look on the beach and found three adult Audouin's Gulls (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii), also in the area where several Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), 20+ Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba) and Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).

On our way back to the car we scanned another pool on the golf course where we added Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

At 09:00 we got to the entrance and went into the reserve and into the first hide. Almost as soon as we got in there the rain started to pour and went on for a good while. From this hide we located the first of several Sedge Warblers (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), more Little Grebes, Common Moorhens and Eurasian Coots. The rain eased a little so we moved around towards the next hide checking out the willow scrub where we located at least three Night Herons (Marinete Común / Nycticorax nycticorax) roosting in the lower branches.

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

We then continued on around the walk way to find that the first hide is barriered off so we continued on to the next location where we stayed for a while mainly due to the fack that it was humming it down with rain. The rain forced some of the hirundines to perch on the reed tops which gave me the chance to get some shots, at one point there were Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, House and Sand Martins all sat on the same reed stem but they all flew off before I could get the camera on to them. From the same spot we also added Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallingao gallinago), Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti).

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

Around at the main hide we were again pinned down for a while by the rain but picked up Eurasian Wigeon (Silbón Europeo / Anas penelope), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Crag Martins which were flying in and landing on the shelves on the out side of the hide, Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and several quite noisy Stripeless Tree Frogs (Hyla meridionalis). We then moved on around to the last hide but we saw very little but we did get some cracking views of a couple more Sedge Warblers and heard the crocking row from a couple of Western Swamp-hens. Juan and I then headed down the coast a short way to the eastern side of Salabrena where we were looking for a Great White Egret (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) but we dipped even though we had Juan's nice big 4X4 to go along the embankment in which gave us good views. We did see more Mallards, Little Egrets, Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails and hundreds of hirundines. After we dropped down off the embankment we crossed the agricultural area again on our way back to the motorway junction and added two cracking male Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica). We then headed off up the motorway back to Granada where Juan dropped me back to my car before heading home, I headed home but the long way round via La Malaha and the Cacín Valley. My first stop was at a large disused Cortijo where I soon had my first Lesser Kestrels (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) of the year along with Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).

Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo).

From here I headed west to the large industial area near La Malaha and spent some time driving around the fields in this area where I saw lots more Lesser Kestrels, a single Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), several Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), along with Crested, Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Skylarks (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis). I continued on heading west through Ventas de Huelma and on to the road to Cacín, after a few KMs I turned off on to a dirt track and drove out into the fields where I soon located more Lesser Kestrels, Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

At the far end of this track I stopped and parked and whilst I scanned the fields a flock of 9 Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Ganga Ortega / Pterocles orientalis) which flew up from near the track and dropped down on the top of a ridge half way down the field. I then made my way back to the road and continued on towards cacín, on the way I found an immature Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos) hanging in the strong winds coming up of the ridge, the bird was being mobbed by 20 or so Jackdaws but they had little effect and the bird continued hunting. I made a short stop at the Rio Cacín but only added Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) in the willows.
Further along the valley I called at the Embalse de Cacín where I was surprised to find that even after all the rain we have had the water level was still low and there were some quite large muddy margins. On the mud there were quite a few Green Sandpipers (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), a couple of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and lots of White Wagtails. On the water there were a few Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Northern Shoveler, Mallard and a couple of Little Grebes. In the air a male Marsh Harrier was display flying over the reed beds and over the water there were large numbers of hirundines including Sand, Crag and House Martins along with both Barn and Red-rumped Swallows.

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

I then moved North along the Valley through El Turro to the crags, on the way I saw dozens of spikes of Ophrys forestieri growing on the roadside. At the crags I soon had both Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius) and Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura) on the day list along with Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater).

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

My last stop of the day was on the local patch at the flooded fields along side the railway line, from the bridge I could see several Green Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers, a couple of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Little Egret, Grey Heron and to my surprise there were three Egyptian Geese (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca) grazing on the far side of the water. Other species seen in the area included Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), White and Spanish (Yellow) Wagtails. I then made my way back up to the house after seeing 85+ species during the day.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province.

A Spanish Lifer and another local patch tick.

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

I made my way down to the flooded fields Juan Perez and I scanned the evening before to find even more waders there along with a group of four Egyptian Geese (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca) which were the first I had seen in Spain, they were probably the same birds which have been reported on and off for a while from Embalse de Bermijalis. On the muddy margins there were at least 22 Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and 2 Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), a single Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), a Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) which was a local tick, 2x Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), 15 or so Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius) and 5 Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

Egyptian Goose (Ganso del Nilo / Alopochen aegyptiaca).

On the way back I picked up a few more bits including Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Huétor Fields (twice) and Moraleda, Granada Province.

A new bird for the local patch and three year ticks.

During the morning I went down to the Supermarket and picked up a few bits and on the way back I detoured through the fields to see what was about. From the railway bridge I could see a good many Barn Swallows (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) feeding low over the fields which still held the last three Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), a good number of Stone Curlews (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).
I then moved on down to the track which goes along the river to the railway bridge but it was very muddy so I turned around and headed back to the road but not before I added Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea). I then made a stop down by the river behind the bar where a cracking male Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) which was sat on the top of some broken off reed tops, this cracked was seen along with Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) and the very graceful Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica).

I then went back up home and did a few bit and pieces until later in the day when Juan Perez and Beatriz came over. Juan and I went out onto the fields looking for the Woodchat Shrike which was going to be a year tick for Juan as it was still in the same area but now it had moved down nearer to the river and was sat in a nearby Tamarisk bush. In the same area we saw more Red-rumped and Barn Swallows, House Martins, several Skylarks and good numbers of Thekla's (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae). We then started to make our way over towards Moraleda going across country via Mesia but on the way we were drawn to a largish area of flooded fields which had been washed out after the storms a couple of days ago.
On this area we found good numbers of waders including 13 Green (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus) and 2 Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), a Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), 9 Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Western Cattle (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Little Egrets (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta),  Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Barn Swallow, House Martin, Spotless Starling and in the Poplars we saw and heard a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

We then moved on over to the other side of the A92 to a site not to far from Moraleda where we were searching the agricultural areas above the Cacín Valley. The first birds seen were more Thekla, Crested and Skylarks and these were joined by several Calandra's (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra). We spent some time walking a large Almond Grove looking for migrants but we only managed Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).
In the same area there were lots of butterflies, most of which were Provence Hairstreaks (Tomares ballus), other species seen included Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).
We continued on around the site and eventually found a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which were calling from nearby olive grove. We also picked up Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto) and Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

Balsa de Regidor, Granada Province.

Just the one year tick but a smart little bird.

Jayne and I called in at the small lake which is just North of the A92 near Moraleda. We parked and started to picked through of Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirudo daurica) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and quickly located several Sand Martins (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) for another year tick. They are cracking little birds and are for some reason always the last of the four migratory hirundines I see which is the exact opposite to how it usused to be in the UK with Sand Martins arriving days earlier than the others.
Out on the water there were good numbers of wildfowl including around 35 Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), 5+ Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), 2x Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and a couple of Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). In the nearby trees there were several Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Common Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).
Other species seen included Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Alhambra Hills and Dupont's Lark site, Granada Province.

A good mixed day with a bit of everything.

Narcissus cantabricus.

I headed up to Granada city, passing through the fields on the way and was very pleased to find that the wintering Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) was still about and was sat in its usual tree. On the way through I also saw Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) and Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus).
I continued to Granada via the log shop to confirm it was open later as we need a few to keep us going and then continued on up passed the Alhambra car park and out into the campo above the site.

Narcissus cantabricus.

I parked the car and started out along one of the tracks to an area of land which was burnt off a few years ago which cleared the scrub. This allowed the uncommon Narcissus cantabricus to flourish and this year was no different with several plants in flower.

Narcissus cantabricus.

They all grow on one Northish facing slope and it looked truly superb, on the way out and back I also saw good numbers of Wall Browns (Lasiommata megera), Bath (Pontia daplidice), Large (Pieris brassicae) and Small Whites (Artogeia rapae), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Narcissus cantabricus.

Along the path side I also heard several scuttling sounds amongst the shrubs, most of which were Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) but at least one was a small Horseshoe Whip Snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) which moved away at an incredible speed.
Birds were few and far between but there were several Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Dartford (Curruca Rabilargo / Sylvia undata) and Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei).
All the way along the walk there were Hummingbird Hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellatarum) whizzing passed and searching along the banks of Field marigolds (Calendula arvensis). 

Winter Webworm (Ocnogyna baetica).

Once back at the car I drove further up the hill and then turned right on the tarmac road and then I parked. From here I immediatly started to hear the distinctive call of the newly arrived Great Spotted Cuckoo's (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius) which were making the local Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica) lives difficult. Also around here there were quite a few spikes of Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera) growing under the pines, in the same area there were also Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus). 

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri).

I then moved back down the hill picking up Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Winter Webworm (Ocnogyna baetica) and several spikes of Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca / foresteri). 
After driving back back down the hill I went back to the wood yard again where I filled the boot and headed off to Juan Perez's. From here Juan, Beatriz and I went out birding in their very smart new to them Land rover freelander, which made going up the track to the Dupont's Lark site a lot easier. 
We arrived and walked around this moorland type place listening for Lark species, straight away we had Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea) on the list, along with Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa). 
After some time we got back to the car and took another track off to a small pool which Juan knew about and a rocky gorge a little further on. On the way we picked up a cracking male Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) which was a year tick for us all and in the small pool we found a couple of Natterjack Toads (Sapo Corredor / Bufo calamita) latter we heard several toads calling, I was surprised how far the call carried. 
We had a little further on down into a gorge where Juan had seen Eagle Owl (Buho Real / Bubo bubo) but we dipped on this visit but did add Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba). 
We got back to the car just as it was starting to get cool but just before we got there we had another Natterjack Toad but this time it saw hopping across the track in front of us which gave me the chance to get some shot.

Natterjack Toads (Sapo Corredor / Bufo calamita).

We then headed back down to the city, I went off home getting back at about 21:00.