Great Spotted Cuckoos - clamator glandarius Awoke early this morning to the sound of the Blue Rock Thrush singing on our terrace wall. We were leaving early for a day´s birding with friend and professional guide Mick Richardson on his local patch near Loja.
And what a cracking day it was. Lots of Azure-winged Magpies along the picturesque road between Zafarraya and Loja. Then after a welcome cup of coffee with Mick we scoured the fields around his village, Huetor Tajar. Before long I had a lifer, a pair of Jack Snipe which we put up from an irrigation ditch, along with a few Common Snipe and a Green Sandpiper. A Bluethroat as well made it a very good start and an omen of things to come. These birds were too quick for us to get any decent shots though.
And what a cracking day it was. Lots of Azure-winged Magpies along the picturesque road between Zafarraya and Loja. Then after a welcome cup of coffee with Mick we scoured the fields around his village, Huetor Tajar. Before long I had a lifer, a pair of Jack Snipe which we put up from an irrigation ditch, along with a few Common Snipe and a Green Sandpiper. A Bluethroat as well made it a very good start and an omen of things to come. These birds were too quick for us to get any decent shots though.
 Yellow Wagtail - motacilla flava | Splashes of yellow were provided by Yellow Wagtail and Serins, in and around the growing fields |  Serin - serinus serinus |
Common Waxbill - estrilda astrild Mick had been pleased to find a flock of Common Waxbill a few days earlier, and they were still here. Not a species one would expect so far inland and at a higher altitude than on the coast where we normally find these birds. Nice to see though.
 Corn Bunting - emberiza calandra |  Blackcap - sylvia atricapilla Corn Buntings were out in force in the sunny weather, and Blackcaps were adding their delightful song to a pleasant day. As we moved further out of the village a lone Little Bustard could be seen wandering across a green field, however we were in two minds whether to follow the bustard on our right, or try to get closer to the Great Spotted Cuckoo that had flown into the trees to our left. Hobson´s choice! |
Great Spotted Cuckoo - clamator glandarius
Little Bustard - tetrax tetrax In the event we chose to go for the Cuckoo which flew deeper into the woods, so this is a shot from excellent views we had later of a pair that settled in a tree right next to the car, bonanza! We did get a couple of distance shots of the Little Bustard for the record though. One of two observed during the morning.
Stone Curlew - burhinus oedicnemus Shortly afterwards we stopped to look for Black-Bellied Sandgrouse, but in the event we were to be unsuccessful with them but I was not too disappointed as we were treated to good views of a pair of Stone Curlew, and I picked up a new butterfly for my life list, a Provence Hairstreak, an attractive ground-hugging species that settled nicely for us to get some good close-up shots.
Provence Hairstreak - tomares ballus
Lesser Kestrel - falco naumanni From Huetor Tajar we proceeded to drive up the picturesque Cacin Valley which is always a pleasure. We were primarily looking for large raptors as this is usually an outstanding location for them, today was relatively quiet from that aspect, but we did have superb views of a female Bonellis Eagle, a few Common Buzzards were about and Marsh Harriers were quartering the marshes. Later we came across a colony of Lesser Kestrels, one of my personal favourites.
Birds of the day must go to the pair of Great Spotted Cuckoos that flew into a tree close to our car giving good photo opportunities. We were also treated to them calling loudly, a sound Mick described as being like a "demented Green Woodpecker". Now anyone who has heard both would agree that´s a perfect description.
Birds of the day must go to the pair of Great Spotted Cuckoos that flew into a tree close to our car giving good photo opportunities. We were also treated to them calling loudly, a sound Mick described as being like a "demented Green Woodpecker". Now anyone who has heard both would agree that´s a perfect description.
Great Spotted Cuckoos - clamator glandarius
Great Spotted Cuckoos - clamator glandarius
Great Spotted Cuckoos - clamator glandarius Thanks to Mick for another fantastic day out. So many birds seen including Jack and Common Snipe, Azure-winged Magpie, Green Sandpiper, Bluethroat, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Common & Lesser Kestrel, Buzzard, Bonellis Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker (Heard), Pochard, Teal, Shoveler, Cirl Bunting, Song Thrush, Southern Grey Shrike, Crested - Thekla - Calandra and Skylarks, Linnet, Wren, definitely heard an Iberian Chiffchaff (Mick pointed out the different call), and a host of common species I will not list.
Butterflies seen include Provence Hairstreak, Cleopatra, Small Tortoiseshell, Western Dappled White, Swallowtail and Bath White, plus the usual Small & Large Whites.
Butterflies seen include Provence Hairstreak, Cleopatra, Small Tortoiseshell, Western Dappled White, Swallowtail and Bath White, plus the usual Small & Large Whites.
 Departing Stone Curlew |  Linnet |  Departing Snipe |
