Sierra de Loja and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A days birding up my favorite mountain with Katrina and Dave.

Ebird List for the Sierra.

Ebird List for the Fields.

 

I met Katrina and Dave at the bottom of the hill but we were soon on our way up and heading out to the furthest point, on the way we saw the first of quite a few Rock Buntings (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Red-legged Partridges (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa) and Common Stonechats (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

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

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

We also saw smaller numbers of Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) as well as 9 well behaved Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica hispanica) which showed very well.

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) female beating a lizard to death.

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) female beating a lizard to death.

We reached the far crags and set up the scope and started to scan the tops of the rock faces and we soon picked up the first of a few Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura), good numbers of Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and then quite quickly one after the other Rufous-tailed (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) and Blue-rock Thrushes (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius).

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica hispanica).

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica hispanica).

We continued on a short way and checked out the Hawthorn bushes finding a singing Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Common stork's bill (Erodium ciconium). 

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

As we turned around a nice pair of Woodchat Shrikes showed for us and as we headed back down towards Charca del Negro we had a second male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, two more Blue Rock Thrushes, a female Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) and just a single flower of Erodium cheilanthifolium.

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

We reached Charca del Negro and had some lunch whilst watching 3 Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) drift passed, Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), once we had finished we went for a walk to the crag where we found the dried flowers of Narcissus bugei, along with Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina), Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and in the Charca several Sharp-ribbed Salamander (Pleurodeles waltl).

Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica hispanica).

A little bit further down the hill we made another stop at a small roadside dell were we saw another 3 Spanish Festoons, Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Viola dementria and a nice clump of not quite in flower Wild Peony (Paeonia broteri).

One of the three Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Again we continued on down, as we drove Katrina spotted a superb looking Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus) sun bathing on a rock, we also saw a Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua) which was also sat up catching a few ray and a Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis).

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

Down at the middle quarry we did a walk back down the track where we saw Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Bonelli's (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Dartford (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum baeticum), Tassel Hyacinth (Leopoldia comosa), White Asphodel (Asphodelus macrocarpus) and Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris).

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina).

We returned to the meeting point and then headed over to Huétor Fields, here we drove the Arroyo and then visited the Lucerne fields adding Iberian (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and Common Magpies (Urraca / Pica pica),  Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) and at least 4 Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) which included 2 adult males, 1 2cy male and a single female.

Erodium cheilanthifolium.

We headed back to the town and Katrina and Dave headed off and I popped back up to the fields for a short walk but didn't add anything new.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A late afternoon walk around the fields.

Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) Exposed Male.

After spending some time up on the terrace I decided to head for the fields where I was surprised to see the one male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) was still out on the fields strutting his stuff even though all the Alfalfa fields had all been cut.

Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

Other species of interest were my first Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra) of the year, as well as Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis) and Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki).

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 7th April 23. 
15W Actinic on the terrace,  min +5. 

40 Moths of 20 Species.

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

 

8981 Drasteria cailino.

4215 Phtheochroa ecballiella x1, 0465 Myrmecozella ataxella x1, 0488 Reisserita chrysopterella x1, 3029 Dysspastus fallax x1, 3424 Carpatolechia decorella x1, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x1, 6488 Evergestis frumentalis x2, 6551 Udea numeralis x2, 7564 Itame vincularia x1. 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x4, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata x1, 8981 Drasteria cailino x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x2, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x4, 9929 Hecatgera weissi x1, 9961 Hadena sancta x1 ????? 10029 Mythimna sicula x2, 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x7 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x4.

4215 Phtheochroa ecballiella.

0465 Myrmecozella ataxella.

0488 Reisserita chrysopterella.

3029 Dysspastus fallax.

3424 Carpatolechia decorella.

8059 Scopula marginepunctata.

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

10029 Mythimna sicula.

9961+ Hadena species.

9929 Hecatgera weissi.

9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw).

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

Near Realenga de Agicampe, Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A short morning walk to loosen the back and another during the afternoon.

Ebird List for the morning.

False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae).

I got up, took some pain killers and then once they had started to take away the pain a bit I went to try and walk it off, I set off up the hill and then back again, interesting species included European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae).

I spent most of the day up on the Terrace sat in one of the straight backed hard chairs which helped the back greatly, later in the afternoon I went for a stroll out into the Olives, once I cross the dry barranco I started to see a few butterflies including Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x8, False Mallow / Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus / alceae) x1, Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) x1, Small White (Pieris rapae) x1, Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) x6, Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri) x1, Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) x2 and Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) x1.

Rough Poppy (Papaver hybridum).

As I walked I also saw Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Iberian  Magpie, Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Rough Poppy (Papaver hybridum).

Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera).

I dropped down to the Arroyo Vilano, just over the Mesia road to see if there were any Dragons on the wing yet but there were not but I had a single Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) as well as Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and singing Nightingales. I returned to the house and to the terrace.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A quick visit to the fields to meet Barbara and Jerry.

 

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

During the morning I again went down to the hospital to have the other eye destoned and then returned home to do some pruning in the garden but unfortunately I put my back out whilst climbing down off the wall, so I was sat down for the rest of the day until Barbara and Jerry rang to say that they were down on the patch.

I managed to get down to them and before we went and did a bit of birding we went into town for a drink and a tapas.

Later we went out on to the fields where we had the calling male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), 3 male and 1 female Montagu's Harriers (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) and Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus) before my back started to hurt and I headed back home.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 5th April 23.
Garden Light, min +6. 

 

5864 Acrobasis obliqua.

Species included 2868-003 Coleophora amethystinella (Coast Green Case-bearer) x1, 5864 Acrobasis obliqua x1, 6488 Evergestis frumentalis x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x5, 7926 Aspitates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x1, 8328 Nebula ibericata x2, 9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x8, 9435 Caradrina noctivaga x1, 9957 / 8 Hadena perplexa / nevadae x2, 10199 Xestia c-nigrum (Setaceous Hebrew Character) x1, 10343 Shuttle Shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) x3, 10346 Agrotis ipsilon (Dark Sword-grass) x1, 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x3 

2868-003 Coleophora amethystinella (Coast Green Case-bearer).

6488 Evergestis frumentalis.

10199 Xestia c-nigrum (Setaceous Hebrew Character).

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth).

9957 / 8 Hadena perplexa / nevadae.

9957 / 8 Hadena perplexa / nevadae.

9433 Paradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow).

10346 Agrotis ipsilon (Dark Sword-grass).

 

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Back to the patch, I missed the mountains and the company of the last few days!!! but had a patch lifer.

Ebird List.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

I popped down to Loja for an appointment at the hospital to have my one eye de stoned, after it had settled down I did the usual walk along the Arroyo and around the Lucerne fields, I started by going up stream and then cam back passed the car and out as far as the railway bridge at the far end of my normal walk.

Male Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

As I walked up stream I passed a patch of low poplar trees which are regularly a bit of a magnet for migrant warblers and today was no exception as almost straight away I could hear a singing Iberian Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Ibérico / Phylloscopus brehmii), after a while searching I had brief views but it stayed in the denser parts of the tree which was now carrying quite a good amount of fresh leaves.

Female Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Other interesting species included the calling male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Black-winged Kites (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), 3x Booted Eagles (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), a single male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), a Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago) which flushed from a damper part of the Arroyo, Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), a singing Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), 4x Greater Short-toed Lark (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla) which were my first on the patch this year, Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and a few left over Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) which should be off North soon.

Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).