Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 24th March 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace.

 

6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl).

After the heavy rain over night and high winds I was surprised to find over 20 species had come into the light.

8265 Catarhoe basochesiata.

8328 Nebula ibericata.

0706 Monopis nigricantella x1, 6531 Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 8265 Catarhoe basochesiata x1, 8328 Nebula ibericata x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x1 8211 Rhodometra sacaria (The Vestal) x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x2, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x5, 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x8, 9435/6 Caradrina noctivaga / flavirena x9, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x1, 10029 Mythimna sicula x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x1, 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x13 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x4.

7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber).

8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth).

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled).

9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw).

10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing).

Fuente de Piedra, Monda, Sierra de Mijas, Malaga Province and Embalse de los Bermejales, Contra-embalse de los Bermejales and near Moraleda, Granada Province, Spain.

Orchids and birds in Malaga and Granada Province.

Ebird List for Fuente de Piedra, 47 Species.

Ebird List for Contra-embalse de los Bermejales, 19 Species.

Ophrys x fernandii.

After spending the evening with a friend down on the coast and an unexpected return home and then back again in the early hours due to an alarm malfunction but with a slight change of plan we did some birding first before seeing some nice Orchids later.

Ophrys x fernandii.

Ophrys x fernandii.

Ophrys x fernandii.

After the changes to our plans we met at Fuente de Piedra first at 07:30 where we first checked the roadside pool picking up Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Black-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Ruff (Combatiente / Philomachus pugnax), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus) and White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia).

Bumble-bee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora) one of the parents.

After Parking we walked our onto the board walk were we had a calling Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Avocet (Avoceta Común / Recurvirostra avosetta), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Gull-billed Tern (Pagaza Piconegra / Gelochelidon nilotica), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops).

Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum) and the other.

I walked around to the Mirador on the lower track seeing more of the same species and added Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and a group of 5 Great Cormorants (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) which flew over. From the Mirador I saw more Greater Flamingo's, Shelducks, Gull-billed Terns and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).

Around the back at the hides which over look the fresh water pools I added several new species including Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Red-crested (Pato Colorado / Netta rufina) and Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Little (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis) and Black-necked Grebes (Zampullín Cullinegro / Podiceps nigricollis), Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), 3 fly over Grey Herons (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

We returned to the cars and went to find some Orchids, the first point of call was near Monda where we was very pleased to find 4 spike of the uncommon Ophrys x fernandii the hybrid between Bumble-bee (Ophrys bombyliflora) and Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

Italian Man Orchid (Orchis Italica).

Italian Man Orchid (Orchis Italica).

At the same site there were also numbers of Mirror (Ophrys speculum), Bumble-bee (Ophrys bombyliflora), Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) and Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).

Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) and Common Pochards (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina).

Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) and Common Pochards (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina).

I moved to a nearby site where I parked and searched the Pine Woodlands finding spikes of Pink Butterfly (Orchis papilionacea), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) and Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina), Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae), Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Palmate Anemone (Anemone palmata) and Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis).

Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea).

I started to head home but got a message from friend Juan Perez about a male Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) which had been seen at the Contra-embalse de los Bermejales so I headed there but first of all went to the Embalse de los Bermejales where I looked for some orchids but only found very small numbers which I was surprised at as I have been finding better numbers in most places this year, species included Somber x40+, Yellow Bee x100+, Mirror, Sawfly and Italian Man Orchids (Orchis Italica) 25+.

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

I made my way along the Cacín Valley up to the Contra-embalse where I soon found the male Tufted in amongst a diving flock of Common Pochards, other species included Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Black-winged Stilt x4, Green Sandpiper x6, Sand Martin (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia), Red-rumped (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica) and Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Bumble-bee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora).

My last stop was at a spot near Moraleda where I found 5 spikes of Somber Bee x4, Bumblebee x140+, Yellow Bee x35, Mirror x 15 and Dark Spider Orchid (Ophrys incubacea) x8, Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki) and noisy Great Spotted Cuckoo (Crialo Europeo / Clamator gladarius).

I headed home as the weather was closing in and the Calima was getting much worse.

Hacho, Granada Province, Spain.

Doing the early morning Moth Counts with Dave Grundy.

Moth Records for the 26th March 24.

4x 2Watt LED, +7.

Ebird List for Cerro Hacho.

One of the trap sites.

Dave and I headed up to Hacho just after 07:00 to count the Moths that had come into the lights of the 4 traps set up, species for the morning included 0663 Trichophaga bipartitella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella (Bugloss Ermine) x3, 4298 Aethes moribundana x1, 4598 Aphelia peramplana x1, 5539 Hellinsia coniodactylus x1, 5835 Epischnia asteris x1, 5850 Oxybia transversella x1, 6590 Ecpyrrhorrhoe diffusalis x3, 6619 Uresiphita gilvata x1, 6775 Phyllodesma suberifolia x4, 7504 Watsonalla uncinula x6, 7564 Itame vincularia x14, 7581 Neognopharmia stevenaria x3, 7626 Toulgoetia cauteriata x2, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x2, 

10052 Panolis flammea (Pine Beauty).

8062 Scopula imitaria (Small Blood-vein).

7599 Perigune narbonea x32, 7806 Adactylotis gesticularia x14, 7882 Charissa mucidarius x80, 7926 Aspitates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x10, 7932 Dyscia penulataria x4, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x17, 8062 Scopula imitaria (Small Blood-vein) x1, 8143 Idaea longaria x6, 8256 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Garden Carpet) x2, 8265 Catarhoe basochesiata x1, 8280 Epirrhoe sandosaria x15, 8328 Nebula ibericata x107, 8490 Eupithecia irriguata (Marbled Pug) x1, 8578 Eupithecia abbreviata (Brindled Pug) x1, 8579 Eupithecia dodoneata (Oak Tree Pug) x1, 8581 Eupithecia cocciferata x5, 8587 Eupithecia oxycedrata x1, 8944 Autophila dilucida x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x2, 

5850 Oxybia transversella.

7626 Toulgoetia cauteriata.

9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x3, 9243 Calophasia platyptera (Antirrhinum Brocade) x1, 9279 Cleonymia baetica x18, 9298 Metopoceras felicina x2, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x11, 9435/6 Caradrina noctivaga / flavirena x162, 9438 Caradrina flava x7, 9447 Caradrina ibeasi x3, 9522 Callopistria latreillei (Latreille's Latin) x5, 9593 Agrochola ruticilla x2, 10022 Mythimna l-album (L-Album Wainscot) x2, 10028 Mythimna sicula x14, 10052 Panolis flammea (Pine Beauty) x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x5, 10342 Agrotis catalaunalis (Grouville Dart) x1, 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x104, 10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) x1, 10347 Agrotis trux (Cresent Dart) x2 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x18. 

9447 Caradrina ibeasi.

8280 Epirrhoe sandosaria.

5539 Hellinsia coniodactylus.

Other species seen were a group of male Spanish Ibex (Cabra montés / Capra pyrenaica hispanica) some of which were cracking heads, Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), Conical (Neotinea conica) x6, Southern Early Purple Orchid (Orchis olbienis) x60+, Fan-lipped (Anacamptis collina) x16, Mirror (Ophrys speculum) x14, Yellow Bee (Ophrys lutea) x8, Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera) x30+ and Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca) x90+, Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Crested Tit (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus) and Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum).

Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 21st March 24.

15W Actinic, min +13.6.

199 Moths of 38 Species.

 

0706 Monopis nigricantella.

Set the light up on the Terrace after getting back from Andujar and before Dave Grundy arrived for a couple of nights, heavy Calima over night and the Moth count was by far the best of the year.

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder).

9298 Metopoceras felicina.

0706 Monopis nigricantella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella (Bugloss Ermine) x2, 3890 Platyedra subcinerea x2, 5765b Merulempista azrouella, 6207 Euchromius ocellea (Silver-spotted Veneer) x1, 6521 Hellula undalis (Old World Webworm) x1, 6604 Pyrausta aurata (Mint Moth) x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x4, 7581 Neognopharmia stevenaria x1, 7725 Menophra japygiaria (Brassy Waved Umber) x1, 7926 Aspitates ochrearia (Yellow Belle) x2, 8328 Nebula ibericata x15, 8576 Eupithecia unedonata x1, 8579 Eupithecia dodoneata (Oak-tree Pug) x1, 8581 Eupithecia cocciferata x2, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8638 Lithostege griseata (Grey Carpet) x1, 8944 Autophila dilucida x1, 8981 Drasteria cailino x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x22, 9100 Acontia lucida (Pale Shoulder) x1, 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x2, 9298 Metopoceras felicina x1, 9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x23, 9438 Caradrina flava x1, 9435/6 Caradrina noctivaga / flavirena x42, 9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow) x3, 9743a Mniotype occidentalis x1, 10022 Mythimna l-album (L-Album Wainscot) x2, 10029 Mythimna sicula x1, 10034 Leucania loreyi (Cosmopolitan) x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x2, 10342 Agrotis catalaunalis (Grouville Dart) x1, 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x31, 10346 Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) x5, 10347 Agrotis trux (Cresent Dart) and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x15.

10029 Mythimna sicula.

9438 Caradrina flava.

8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug).

8576 Eupithecia unedonata.

6207 Euchromius ocellea (Silver-spotted Veneer).

6521 Hellula undalis (Old World Webworm).

8581 Eupithecia cocciferata.

8638 Lithostege griseata (Grey Carpet).

9367 Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw).

10347 Agrotis trux (Cresent Dart).

9460 Spodoptera exigua (Small Mottled Willow).

9743a Mniotype occidentalis.

8981 Drasteria cailino.

10342 Agrotis catalaunalis / syricola (Grouville Dart).