Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk back from the Mechanic's.

Ebird List for the Fields.

 

Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica).

I took the car down to Venta Nueva and walked the 7.5km back to the house over the fields via Huétor, on the way I checked the tracks to either side of the bridge along side the Rio Genil but found nothing special so I continued on up through the town and out on to the northern side of the town.

On the way I saw Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba).

Eurasian Tree (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).

On the Northern side of the town I picked up Eurasian Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Eurasian Tree (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus) and Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum).

Eurasian Tree (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus).

Along the Lucerne Fields I found Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), the adult and immature Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus), Little Bustard (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax), a returning Black-winged Kite (Elanio Común / Elanus caeruleus), Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Common Linnet (Pardillo Común / Linaria cannabina), Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki) and Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis).

Red Avadavat (Bengali Rojo / Amandava amandava).

On the last leg from the fields up to the house I picked up Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).

Later I spent an hour or two in the garden which has been neglected since November, so an hour or two didn't get me far but it's a start.
In the evening I was pleased to get the car back ready for some birding tomorrow.

Rio Genil and Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

Back along the Rio and out to the fields.

Ebird List for the Rio Genil.

Ebird List for Huétor Fields.

 

Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus).

I went down to the mechanics to book the car in for a couple of jobs and on the way back I went for a walk along the Rio Genil again along the same route as Juan, Beatriz and I had done yesterday.

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

During the walk I saw Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador Común / Alcedo atthis), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Long-tailed (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Grey (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris) and European Serin (Serin Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).

Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild).

I headed up to the Lucerne Fields and parked in the usual spot and then went for a walk out as far as the Railway bridge, around the Lucerne fields I picked up a couple of Northern Lapwings (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), the 2 Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, European Serin, Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

Common Cranes (Grulla Común / Grus grus).

I continued on along the Arroyo adding Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x1, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x2, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), Spanish (Yellow) Wagtail (Lavandera Boyera / Motacilla flava iberiae) and on my way back my first Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca Carrasqueña Occidental / Curruca iberiae), a couple of Little Bustards (Sisón Común / Tetrax tetrax) and way off over the hills a couple of Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and a Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki).

Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki).

Cerro Hacho and the Western Section of Rio Genil, Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk around parts of the lower loop at Hacho and then a very pleasant walk with Juan, Beatriz and Chika along the Rio Genil.

Ebird List for Cerro Hacho.

Ebird List for Rio Genil West.

 

Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).

I started the day by doing a few job and cleaned the car before going for a walk up on the lower loop at Cerro Hacho, I parked by the pretty much dry puddle and walked around to the far side of the Quarry.

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

On the way I saw Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Long-tailed (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), European Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Lophophanes cristatus), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Curruca melanocephala) and Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Curruca undata), Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Europeo / Certhia brachydactyla), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra) and Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).

Giant Orchid (Himanthoglosum Robertiana).

Giant Orchid (Himanthoglosum Robertiana).

Other species seen included Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x4, Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) x1, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x2, Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) x1, Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) x3, Small White (Pieris rapae) x5, Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Fan-lipped (Anacamptis collina) x2, Giant Orchid (Himanthoglosum Robertiana) x34 and Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis) x40+.

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).

Somber Bee Orchid (Ophrys lupercalis).

Fan-lipped Orchid (Anacamptis collina).

On my way down the hill back to the road I made another stop and walked up the Northern slope of the valley finding Bellis microcephala, Common Whitlowgrass (Erophila verna), Cymbalaria-leaved Speedwell (Veronica cymbalaria), Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare), Linaria amethystea and several Western Dappled Whites (Euchloe crameri) x5.

Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia).

Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia).

Bellis microcephala.

Cymbalaria-leaved Speedwell (Veronica cymbalaria).

As I drove back to the house I added one of the regular Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) and a single spike of Giant Orchid at a new site in the Olives along the roadside.

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua).

I did a few more bits at home and then had some lunch, I then notice a message from friend Juan and Beatriz to say they were having lunch in the Cortijo de Tajar and then later they were going to have a walk along the Rio Genil near the town so I rang Juan and said I would meet them at 15:00.

We parked and walked along the southern side of the Rio Genil for around 1.75KM and then back again, Juan and Beatriz showed me 4 old Eurasian Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) nests and as we walked we also saw a single male bird which was calling regularly.

Old Eurasian Penduline Tit (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) nest.

Other species seen included Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kingfisher (Martin Pescador Común / Alcedo atthis), Eurasian Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Green-Striped White (Euchloe belemia) x1, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x2, Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina) x1 and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).

After a very pleasant afternoon Juan, Beatriz and Chika headed off and I headed home.

Near Huétor Tajar, Granada Province, Spain.

Moth Records for the 22nd Feb 25.

15W Actinic on the terrace, +3.5

0 Moth of 0 Species.

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

 

Empty again.

 

Huétor Fields, Granada Province, Spain.

A walk around the Fields as far as the Poplars.

Ebird List for Lucerne Fields.

Ebird List for the Mesia Road.

 

Looking forward to some of this.

I  popped down to the fields and parked at my usual spot and did a walk out as far as the Poplar plantation and then came back to the crossroads turned left and then right along the Arroyo back to the car.

During the walk Interesting species included a female Merlin (Esmerejón / Falco columbarius) which I saw hunting Meadow Pipits (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Eurasian Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) on the far edge of the Lucerne strips.

Other species were Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Iberian  Magpie (Rabilargo Ibérico / Cyanopica cooki), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Spanish Sparrow (Gorrión Moruno / Passer hispaniolensis) and Corn Bunting (Escribano Triguero / Emberiza calandra).

I moved around to the Mesia road Irrigation ditches but added nothing new bird wise but did find Bath (Pontia daplidice) x1 and Small White (Pieris rapae) x4, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x1 and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x1.

I also noticed that the local Asparagus was well on it way to being ready to be picked, looking forward to trying some soon.

La Janda, Costa Ballena, Chipiona Port and Playa de Montijo, Cadiz Province, Spain.

A windy day around Cadiz Province.

Ebird List for La Janda.

Ebird List for Costa Bellena Parque de Los Lagos.

Ebird List for Costa Bellena Laguna Norte.

Ebird List for Chipiona Port.

Ebird List for Playa de Montijo.

 

A couple of Great Egrets (Garceta Grande / Ardea alba)just as it was starting to get light.

I started the day with breakfast just down the road to the Hotel and then went back to the spot for the Black-faced Bunting (Escribano carinegro / Emberiza spodocephala) but it was much windier this morning and the birds were keeping their heads down and if the did come up they were blown passed very quickly so I was not surprised that I didn't find the bird.

Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

However, I did see White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia), Great (Garceta Grande / Ardea alba) and Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta),  Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Crane (Grulla Común / Grus grus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Chico / Thinornis dubius), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Western Marsh (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and a fine male Hen Harrier (Aguilucho Pálido / Circus cyaneus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Crested Lark (Cogujada Común / Galerida cristata), Zitting Cisticola (Cistícola Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Bluethroat (Ruiseñor Pechiazul / Luscinia svecica) and a Weasel (Mustela nivalis) which ran across the road.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) male.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) male.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) male.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) male.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) male.

Just after 09:00 I decided to move on as the wind was getting stronger by the minute and I wanted to get to a few more sites before heading home, so I set off for Costa Bellena and for the Parque de Los Lagos where I parked and walked out to the Lagoon.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) female.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) female.

White-headed Duck (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala) female.

As I did a loop I found a group of 3 White-headed Ducks (Malvasia Cabeciblanca / Oxyura leucocephala), the 2 males were all far too busy getting amorous with the single female that they took no notice of me which allowed me to get some decent shots.

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia).

Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia).

Other species seen included Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Europeo / Aythya ferina), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos), Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Common Kestrel, Monk Parakeet (Cotorra Argentina / Myiopsitta monachus), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Western House Martin (Avión Común Occidental / Delichon urbicum).

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus).

Mediterranean Gull (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus).

I went down to the nearby Laguna Norte, there were loads of work being carried out and there weren't many birds about but I still added Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) and Western Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis) before I moved on to the Port at Chipiona.

Little Swift (Vencejo Moro / Apus affinis).

Little Swift (Vencejo Moro / Apus affinis).

Little Swift (Vencejo Moro / Apus affinis).

Little Swift (Vencejo Moro / Apus affinis).

After parking, I walked to the dog walking spot where after dodging all the dog S**t I had really nice views of 30 odd Little Swifts (Vencejo Moro / Apus affinis) and loads of Gull.

One or two Gulls at the Port.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

My final stop of the day was just up the road at Playa de Montijo, the tide was dropping and as I stood there scanning the beach I saw 3x Western Ospreys (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus), Grey (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola), Kentish (Chorlitejo Patinegro / Anarhynchus alexandrinus) and Common Ringed Plover (Chorlitejo Grande / Charadrius hiaticula), Whimbrel (Zarapito Trinador / Numenius phaeopus), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Sanderling (Correlimos Tridáctilo / Calidris alba), Great Skua (Págalo Grande / Stercorarius skua), 3x Caspian (Pagaza Piquiroja / Hydroprone caspia) and several Sandwich Terns (Charrán Patinegro / Thalasseus sandvicensis).

Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus).

Western Osprey (Águila Pescardora / Pandion haliaetus).

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta).

Caspian Tern (Pagaza Piquiroja / Hydroprone caspia).

I also saw Vagrant Emperor (Anax ephippiger) x1, Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) x2, Large White (Pieris brassicae) x3, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) x1 and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) x1.

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina).

Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina).

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus).

Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola).

As I drove home I saw Red (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) and Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Eurasian Hoopoe (Abubilla Común / Upupa epops) and Northern Raven (Cuervo grande / Corvus corax).