Cabo de Gata area, Almeria, Spain.

A morning with Lynn and Steve and an afternoon in a bar.

Ebird List for Rambla Morales.

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

I left home early and reached the spot where Steve and Lynn were staying by 09.00 and from there we headed around to the northern edge of Cabo de Gata from where we walked down towards Rambla Morales and not long into the walk we picked up 3 very smart Eurasian Dotterels (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus) which posed very well for us and allowed us to get great views.

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

We were searching for a Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) which had been around for a few days but had not been reported for a couple of days unfortunately and we didn't relocate the bird but we did see Iberian Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Slender-billed (Gaviota Picofina / Larus genei) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

As we walked we also saw Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) x2, Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) x3, Spiny-footed Lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus), Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), Helichrysum stoechas, Mallow-leaved Convolvulus (Convolvulus althaeoides), Pseudopodospermum hispanicum and Sand Lotus (Lotus creticus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

Eurasian Dotterel (Chorlito Carambolo / Eudromias morinellus).

We returned to the car and made our way around to Torre Garcia after collecting Lynn and Steve's Motor where we were hoping to see the local Common Tiger Blue (Tarucus theophrastus) x6 butterfly which is found in this dry scrubby area and not long after we had parked up we found half a dozen or so of these tiny, fast moving insects on the wing. 

Common Tiger Blue (Tarucus theophrastus).

Common Tiger Blue (Tarucus theophrastus).

Common Tiger Blue (Tarucus theophrastus).

We also saw Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), 6843 Macroglossum stellatarum (Hummingbird Hawkmoth), Cynomorium (Cynomorium coccineum), Lobularia maritima, Yellow Sea Aster (Asteriscus maritimus) and Lycium intricatum.

Lobularia maritima.

Cynomorium (Cynomorium coccineum).

At this point I said Goodbye to Lynn and Steve for a few day and I headed off around to Rambla Morales where I parked at the end of the beach road and walked to the lake where I had nice views of Slender-billed, Black headed, Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Whiskered Tern (Fumarel Cariblanca / Chilidonias hybridus) x3, Greater Flamingo (Flamenco Común / Phoenicopterus roseus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Kentish Plover (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Charadrius alexandrinus), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Just a little further along the track to the side of the Rambla I followed a track into the dune area and almost straight away a cracking Mediterranean / Lesser Short-toed Lark (Terrera Marismena / Calandrella rufescens) flew in from behind me and landed on a sandy bank just a couple of meters away allowing me to get some nice shots before it flew on and away up the coast.

Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae).

I was going to this area to check to see if a Richards Pipit (Bisbita de Richard / Anthus richardi) which had been seen by friends Ricky and Kevin a few days earlier was still in the area but as there was a lady with a dog off the lead just ahead of me I was not confident but as she walked I saw two birds fly up in front of her and circle back around towards the spot where I going to look and as soon as they took off I could hear that they were both Richards, they Landed around 50 meters from me so I took a few pictures before they again flew off.

Richards Pipit (Bisbita de Richard / Anthus richardi).

Richards Pipit (Bisbita de Richard / Anthus richardi).

The pictures were extremely bad due to the heat haze, it was now getting warm so I decided that after an early start I would head to San José where I was staying, check in to my hotel and find a bar.

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk along the Lucerne fields.

Ebird List, 41 species.

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

I started the day by working through the moths before heading down to the fields for a walk, I still couldn't get to the usual parking spot so I started from the Walnut trees and walked back up stream and went on passed the parking spot up as far as the pool in the Arroyo.

Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

During the walk I saw and heard the male Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus), Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Green Sandpiper (Andarrios Grande / Tringa ochropus), Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Sedge (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) and Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlona / Sylvia hortensis), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla), Sand (Avión Zapador / Riparia riparia) and House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Barn (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Red-rumped Swallow (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra). 

Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus).

Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus).

Sedge Warbler (Carricerin Común / Acrocephalus schoenobaenus).

Other species seen included Small White (Pieris rapae) x4, 6843 Macroglossum stellatarum (Hummingbird Hawkmoth), Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), Perez's Frog (Rana Común / Pelophylax perezi) and Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax).

Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricapilla) female.

Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator).

On my way back to the house I saw several Iberian  Magpies (Rabilargo / Cyanopica cooki), a couple of Turtle Doves (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur),

6843 Macroglossum stellatarum (Hummingbird Hawkmoth).

Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa).

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 7th April 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +6.5.

62 Moths of 14 Species. 

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

1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth).

1525 Plutella xylostella (Diamond backed Moth) x2, 6551 Udea numeralis x2, 8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave) x2, 8328 Nebula ibericata x2, 8509 Eupithecia centarueata (Lime-speck Pug) x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1, 9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x13, 9435/6 Caradrina noctivaga / flavirena x16, 9895 Anarta trifolii (Nutmeg) x1, 10028 Mythimna sicula x1, 10035 Mythimna unipuncta (White Speck) x4, 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x14 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x2.

Pyralid Species.

8328 Nebula ibericata.

8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave).

8059 Scopula marginepunctata (Mullein Wave).

9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y).

 

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 7th April 24.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +12.5.

108 Moths of 24 Species. 

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

2868-003 Coleophora amethystinella.

I was up a tad earlier than usual and had to do the Moths in the dark as I was going to be spending a good part of the day at Loja Hospital for some tests.

7564 Itame vincularia.

The temperature had stayed up quite well over night but the Calima had cleared by morning, species included 0706 Monopis nigricantella x1, 1655 Ethmia bipunctella x1, 2868-003 Coleophora amethystinella x1, 6551 Udea numeralis x1, 6719 Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer) x1, 7564 Itame vincularia x1,  8328 Nebula ibericata x1, 8509 Eupithecia centarueata (Lime-speck Pug) x1, 8581 Eupithecia cocciferata x1, 8599 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Double-striped Pug) x1, 8965 Tyta luctuosa (Four-spotted Moth) x1, 9056 Autographa gamma (Silver Y) x1, 9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled) x1, 9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark) x1, 9433 Caradrina clavipalpis (Pale Mottled Willow) x22, 9435/6 Caradrina noctivaga / flavirena x38, 9895 Anarta trifolii (Nutmeg) x1, 10003 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate) x1, 10022 Mythimna l-album (L-Album Wainscot) x1, 10028 Mythimna sicula x2, 10035 Mythimna unipuncta (White Speck) x1, 10238 Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing) x2, 10343 Agrotis puta puta (Shuttle Shaped Dart) x23 and 10351 Agrotis segetum (Turnip Moth) x3.

8509 Eupithecia centarueata (Lime-speck Pug).

8581 Eupithecia cocciferata.

9140 Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled).

9206 Cucullia calendulae (Marigold Shark).

9895 Anarta trifolii (Nutmeg).

10022 Mythimna l-album (L-Album Wainscot).

10003 Mythimna vitellina (The Delicate).

Baza area, Granada Province, Spain.

Out for a days Butterfly hunting with friends Lynn and Steve.

 

The Habitat.

Knowing that good friends from the UK, Steve and Lynn were in the Embalse de Negratín area I headed up there to meet them for a day out looking for a very special butterfly species the Spanish Greenish Black-tip (Euchloe bazae) which is listed as Endangered and has eluded me for the last 15 years.

Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

On the way up there I picked up Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

Matthiola fruticulosa.

I reached the spot where Lynn and Steve were staying and whilst I was waiting as I was a bit early I started the list with a good number of Common Crossbills (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) most of which were immature birds, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

Spectacled Warbler (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata).

Steve and Lynn joined me and we drove the 20 odd KM to a spot near Baza where over the last few years I have looked for the Spanish Greenish Black-tip without success, we parked and walked around 4.5 KM out into the area but due to the very heavy Calima and cloud there was very little / no sun and no butterflies but we did see several Spectacled Warblers (Curruca Tomillera / Sylvia conspicillata), Mediterranean / Lesser Short-toed (Terrera Marismena / Calandrella rufescens) and Thekla Lark (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Yellow-legged Gulls (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) x3, Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) and Black Wheatear (Collalba Negra / Oenanthe leucura).

Cistanche lutea.

Cistanche lutea.

We also recorded Cistanche lutea, Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), Rabbit (Conejo / Oryctolagus cuniculus), Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) and a very smart Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus) which Steve found in a small hole in the track side bank.

Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus).

Steve and the Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus).

We turned around and retraced our way back to the Barranco crossing, just before we got there we had the first butterflies of the day, 2x Western Dappled (Euchloe crameri) and a single Small White (Pieris rapae).

Adonis annua.

It had started to warm up but there was still no sun so when we reached the Barranco crossing point we went off track and walked the bottom of the barranco back up towards the car, on the way we picked up Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and a couple of very smart Western Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica).

Small White (Pieris rapae).

Plants included Adonis annua, Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), Buglossoides incrassata, Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Red-horned Poppy (Glaucium corniculatum), Large Blue Flax (Linum narbonense), Tree Mallow (Malva arborea), Matthiola fruticulosa and Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis).

Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).

Western Dappled White (Euchloe crameri).

As it warmed up we saw more and more butterflies and Moths including Western Dappled x20+, Portuguese Dappled (Euchloe tagis) x3, Bath (Pontia daplidice) 8+,  Small x30+ and Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x2, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x2, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x2, 6843 Macroglossum stellatarum (Hummingbird Hawkmoth) and 6619 Uresiphita gilvata.

Bath White (Pontia daplidice).

We walked and suddenly I heard Steve call excitedly saying he had a Spanish Greenish Black-tip flying off up the steep bank on the far side of the Barranco, Lynn saw it and I had a glimpse but not enough to know what I was seeing. 

Spanish Greenish Black-tip (Euchloe bazae) an egg laying female.

We continued on and I walked a little higher up on the far side of the Barranco and after a while I had another Black-tip fly up in front of me and then drop down into the Barranco where Steve and Lynn kept an eye on it until I caught up and had some nice views.

Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

We again continued on getting another fly over by what was possibly the same insect, we got close to the car and I started to walk towards it to get some water when I heard Steve call to say he had another, so I got to him as quickly as possible and we had more good views and this time she landed to lay eggs but stayed on the ground long enough for us to get some shots, brilliant moment.

Red-striped Oil Beetle (Berberomeloe majalis).

Red-striped Oil Beetle (Berberomeloe majalis).

On the way back to the car after the Black-tip shot off up the crags and away, as we walked we had several Red-striped Oil Beetles (Berberomeloe majalis) and a Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) which was laying eggs on Fennel Leaves.

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Once back at the car we drove back towards where Lynn and Steve we staying but stopped for some Lunch on the way before going for a short walk in the area above the Embalse de Negratín but my ankle started to give me some stick so we returned to the bar where they were staying for a drink before I headed home, during the walk we saw Ground-pine Germander (Teucrium pseudochamaepitys), Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea), Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), a badly damaged Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus) which was being eaten by a spider and a couple of Red-rumped Swallows (Golondrina Dáurica / Hirundo daurica).

Happy butterfly hunters.

I headed home adding a pale morph Booted Eagle (Aguila Calzada / Aquila pennatus) to my day list before I reached the house, Tired but a very happy bunny.

Embalse de Negratín.

Very pleased to have shared a great moment with two good friends, Thanks.