Sierra de Loja and Western slopes, Granada Province.

Straight back in to some super local birding with Mehdi and Tatiana from Switzerland.

Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo).

After arriving back home from the UK at 01:15 in the morning I was out birding with Mehdi and Tatiana by 08:00 and met them at the Abades and we went up the tracks to the lower quarry and were soon watching a Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata) one of the main targets for Mehdi which Tatiana picked up on the slopes by the car.

Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia).

A few minutes later we were also watching a couple of Eagle Owls (Buho Real / Bubo bubo), in one hole there was an immature bird which was being watched over by an adult from the upper hole.

Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata).

In the quarry and along the track we soon found a Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) with a mouthful of grubs,  pair of Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), a group of jingling Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and a couple of calling Sardinian Warblers (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata).

As we walked up and down the track we also found Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides), Bath White (Pontia daplidice), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida), Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Yellow Phlomis (Phlomis lychnitis), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari comosum), Southern Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp. australis) which had gone to seed, Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Navel-wort (Omphalodes commutata), Mediterranean Catchfly (Silene colorata), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Common Grape Hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Blue Hedgehog Broom (Erinacea anthyllis) and several spikes of the beautiful Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia).

Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

We drove further up on to the tops and right out to the furthest point where we were looking for the Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) which we found but had very brief views as a pair flew around the corner of a crag not to be seen again, typical. 

Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

In the same area we had good numbers of Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator) and in one of the Hawthorn bushes around the corner a singing male Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis) which showed briefly but well for us.

Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida).

We moved back down along the crags looking for the Rock Thrush but we did not see them again, however we did see Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula).

Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

By the pool of Charca del Negra we found Sharp-ribbed Salamanders (Pleurodeles waltl) and Natterjack Toads (Sapo Corredor / Bufo calamita) coming up through the Pond Water Crowsfoot (Ranunculus Peltatus), we also heard a calling Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) off in the distance.

Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).

We dropped down the hill picking up Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Rock Dove (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and a fine Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata) which showed well for us. 

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

We then took the road to the west making a stop in the bar in Venta del Raya for a baguette or two (Mehdi) seeing a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) on the way and whilst we were sat there we heard a Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) which was hiding in trees on the other side of the road.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

We moved on to a spot just down the road and took to a track where we had some great views of several Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) over the Olive groves and cereal fields, in the same area we also had Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Southern Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus boeticus), Western Dappled (Euchloe crameri) and Small Whites (Pieris rapae).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

We drove back to Venta del Raya and took a small road off west and just as we turned the corner we saw a couple of stunning European Bee-eaters (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster) on the wires and further along the track Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus).

Our last stop of the day was at Laguna Grande, on the drive up the track we had a single Hawfinch (Picogordo / Coccotraustes coccotrauetes) fly across the track and Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur) on the track, when we arrived at the pool we were surprised that it was still full to the brim and held a family group of 2 adult and 3 immature Great Crested Grebes (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), a well hidden Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea) and in the surrounding we had Sardinian, two very close Bonelli's (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and a difficult to find but singing Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus).

Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus).

We returned to the Service area where I said goodbye to Mehdi and Tatiana before heading home.

Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).

Travelling South to Malaga Airport and Guadalhorce, Malaga Province.

Leicester Ladies tour of Extremadura.

Travelling and some Birding, Day Eight.

Lots of Motorways and then a good number of trip ticks to finish off with.

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

We were up and on our way early, heading south to Malaga Airport so that we could get Rona there for her earlier flight to Glasgow. As we drove south we picked up a few new species and had views of others including Short-toed (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) and Golden Eagle (Águila Real / Aquila chrysaetos), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), near La Granjuela our second Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which sat nicely on a wooden telegraph pole for us, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), a couple of Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Common (Urraca / Pica pica) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) and lots of Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) which were searching the tarmac for roadkill.

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

We stopped for fuel and some of the ladies heard Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis) whilst we were stopped and on a wooded bank opposite we saw Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and heard a calling Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa).

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

We continued south and by the time we reached the Airport we had made a lunch stop and added Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) on some flooded rice fields, Rock Dove (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and down on the coast Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis).

From right to left and back to front Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula) and Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba).

We arrived at the airport on time and the Ladies and I said goodbye to Rona and then went back out for another couple of hours birding down at the Pools at Guadalhorce. We walked into the reserve along the beach and made for the main hide where the new species for the trip just kept coming and included Audouin's (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and Slender-billed Gull (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei), Sandwich (Charrán Patinegro / Sterna sandvicensis) and Whiskered Terns (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Kentish (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus) and Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Curlew Sandpiper (Correlimos Zarapitin / Calidris ferruginea), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli) and a very smart Grey-headed (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava thunbergi) which is one of the more northern races which pass through the area but is rarer than most.

Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina) and Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba).

We added more species as we walked around the reserve which we had already seen and then headed to the airport again where I said goodbye to the rest of the Leicester Ladies before travelling back home.

Whiskered Terns (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus).

Thanks to all the Ladies for making this a very successful trip, they all worked hard to find as many species as possible. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Castillo de Monfrague, Rio Tozo, La Cumbre, Río Tamuja near Santa Marta de Magasca, Llanos de Cáceres, Trujillo, Rio Almonte, Fields Near Torrejón el Rubio, Extremadura.

Leicester Ladies tour of Extremadura.

Full days Birding, Day Seven.

Mountains, Fields, more Fields and some water.

Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla).

Jane H, Sue, Jan and I headed up to the car park below the Castillo whilst Rona and Jane W had a day around Torrejon. We parked and then took a walk up through the woods to just below the castle and for the whole walk we could hear singing Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) but it was not until we were nearly back down at the van when a pair flew across infront of us.

Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla).

As we walked up we had Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), a singing male Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans) as well as several Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and a fine male Orphean (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis) which showed well for us.

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

We also heard and then saw a Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla),
Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Griffon (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) and European Black Vulture (Buitre Negro / Aegypius monachus), House (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), a calling Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and as we got back to the van a male Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus).

Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida).

We got back in to the van and headed south and stopped again at the bridge over the Rio Tozo where we scanned up and down stream finding European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Great Reed (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Golden Oriole, Red-rumped Swallow, Crag Martin, Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and on one of the wire fences a newly arrived Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata).

Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus).

We continued on down to Trujillo and then headed west towards Santa Marta de Magasca and out on to the fields. We drove out along the track and parked in the same area as we had a couple of days earlier but things were quiet, there were no Great (Avutarda Común / Otis tarda) or Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) or the corvid like calls of the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Ganga Ibérica / Pterocles alchata). 

Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica).

However we did record Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta) and further along the track in the narrower parts between large dry stone walls we found a couple of Ocellated Lizards (Lacerta lepida), several Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus), an Andalucian Wall Lizard (Podarcis vaucheri) along with the best views of the trip of an adult Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti).

Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida).

As we drove back towards the tarmac we found European Bee-eater, Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), a newly flying young Barn Swallow, Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

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

We passed Santa Marta de Magasca this time even though the pull of the coffee was strong and stopped again by the bridge over the Rio Tamula where we again saw a couple of Viperine Snakes (Culebra Viperina / Natrix maura), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Perez's Frogs (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), quite a few birds already mentioned and half a dozen or so Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselflies (Erythromma lindenii).

Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis).

We continued along this road and spent some time on the road along side the fields of Llanos de Cáceres where we again had good views of Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) and Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) which were still battling over a nest box, Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and a Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax).

White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

Once we were back at the motorway we headed back into Trujillo and to the Bullring where we had views of the Lesser Kestrels,  which swooped in and landed amongst the many Spotless Starlings and House Sparrows whilst a couple of Black Kites quartered the roof tops looking for some prey.

Tounge Orchid (Serapias lingua).

We started to make our way back to the accommodation via the Rio Almonte where we spent a short time finding Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and more European Bee-eater.
We returned to Torrejon and then went just down the road to check a spot where in the past I have seen a nest site of an Spanish Iperial Eagle but it was no longer there, however by a small pool nearby we found a Woodlark (Totovia / Lullula arborea), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Woodchat Shrike, Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), many more Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselflies, Tounge (Serapias lingua) x100+ and Small-tongue Orchids (Serapias parviflora) x1.
Our final stop of the day was at the Embalse de Torrejón el Rubio which looked like a good spot but was quiet on our visit and we only added a Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and a Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) before heading back to the apartment.

Small-tongue Orchid (Serapias parviflora).

Blue-eye / Goblet-marked Damselflies (Erythromma lindenii).

Castillo de Monfrague, Salto Del Gitano, Mirador La Tajadilla, Mirador de la portilla del Tietar, Arroyo de Valbueno and Embalse de Arrocampo, Extremadura.

Leicester Ladies tour of Extremadura.

Full days Birding, Day Six.

Mountains, Woodlands and back to the Embalse to finish the day.

Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

We set off towards the Monfrague area and as we were quite early drove up to the parking area by the steps up to the Castle dropping Jane W, Jan and Sue at the bottom to walk up. Rona and Jane H headed off up to the Castillo whilst I waited for the others.

Andalucian Wall Lizard (Podarcis vaucheri).

In the sky over head and below us by the time we reached the fort we could see Griffon (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), European Black (Buitre Negro / Aegypius monachus) and Egyptian Vultures (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) and on the buildings and in the woods around the castillo we saw Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and in the air House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica),  Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), as she walked down to the Van Sue had a Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus) in the Oaks and we all saw a tree climbing

The Ladies up at the Castle.

Andalucian Wall Lizard (Podarcis vaucheri), on the drive back down we heard Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus) and Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis).

On the walk down the track from the Castillo.

Our next stop was down at the main Salto Del Gitano where we parked and watched the Pena Falcon crags, we were quickly put on to a distant Bonelli's Eagle (Aguila Perdicera / Aquila faciatus) which was up with large numbers of Griffon Vultures and other raptors.

Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) sat on nest.

In the same area we had a couple of Black Storks (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra) one which was sat on a nest below us and another stood on the rocks higher up, a male Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), plenty of Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), a Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) which came in close, Serins (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), a flying Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans).

We returned to Van and then drove to Mirador La Tajadilla where we had views of a sitting Egyptian Vulture, a flying Black Stork, Small White (Pieris rapae), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

Mirador de la portilla del Tietar was the next stop where we had a great views of a adult Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti) which flew out over the river and away, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), lots of Griffon and a couple of Black Vultures and as we walked back to the Van we caught up with a male Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia cantillans), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), a singing Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and a couple of Common Sandpipers (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) which flew along the banks of the river below us.

Black Stork (Ciguena Negra / Ciconia nigra).

Just up the road from here we stopped by the Arroyo de Valbueno and had our lunch before finding a smart singing Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Melodious (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), more Nightingales, Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), a fly through Kingfisher (Martin Pescador / Alcedo atthis) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) which went through equally as fast.

Adult Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aguila Imperial Ibérica / Aguila adalberti).

We moved on east finding a nice colony of Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) on the way and at a spot near Embalse de Arrocampo where we had really nice views of a stunning adult Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) which was sat in a dead tree in a field. 

Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta).

In the same area we had European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Cardinal Fritillary (Pandora / Argynnis pandora).

Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus).

We drove to the reserve at the Embalse where we went straight out to hide 2 where we stood on the ramp up again and had good views of a group of 5 Glossy Ibis (Morito Común / Plegadis falcinellus), Purple (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea) and Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Little (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Great (Garceta Grande / Egretta alba) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus), Savi's Warbler (Buscarla Unicolor / Locustella luscinoides), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Great Reed Warbler (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos),a calling Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) which some of the ladies heard and as we were driving out a nice group of Spotless Starlings (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) which posed well for us.

Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) female.

We moved on round to hide 4 where we heard a calling Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) several time but we did not find it, we also had Reed Warbler (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), a calling Common Cuckoo (Cuco Común / Cuculus canorus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), a noisy but elusive Western Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) and several male and 1 female Banded Groundlings (Brachythemis impartita).

Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) male.