27-4-20II MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SIERRA NEVADA OCELLATED LIZARD (Timon nevadensis)

Timon nevadensis, the Sierra Nevada lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is endemic to Spain. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the ocellated lizard.

It feeds mainly on large insects, especially beetles, spiders, and snails, and also robs birds’ nests for eggs and nestlings and occasionally takes reptiles (other lizards and small snakes), frogs, and small mammals. It also eats fruit (such as berries) and other plant matter, especially in dry areas.

This is a robust lizard with a serrated collar. The male has a characteristic broad head. It has thick, strong legs, with long, curved claws. The dorsal background colour is usually green, but sometimes grey or brownish, especially on the head and tail. This is overlaid with black stippling that may form a bold pattern of interconnected rosettes. The underside is yellowish or greenish, with both the male and female sporting bright blue spots along the flanks, though the male is typically brighter in colour than the female. Young are green, grey, or brown, with yellowish or white spots (often black-edged) all over.

Timon lepidus is native to southwestern Europe. It is found throughout the Iberian peninsula (Spain, Portugal,[north African]Gibraltar), and is patchily distributed in southern France and extreme northwestern Italy. It is also found in northwest Tunisia within the forests of Ain Soltane and El Feija in Ghardimaou, Jendouba. 

It is found in various wild and cultivated habitats from sea level up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft) in southern Spain. It is rare at higher altitudes. It prefers dry, bushy areas, such as open woodland and scrub, old olive groves and vineyards, and is sometimes found on more open, rocky or sandy areas. It can occasionally be seen basking on roadsides. The lizard usually stays on the ground, but climbs well on rocks and in trees. It can dig holes and sometimes uses abandoned rabbit burrows.

27-6-2012 ALBUFEIRA, VALENCIA - NORTHERN BANDED GROUNDLING (Brachythemis impartita)

Brachythemis impartita, the Northern banded groundling, is a species of dragonfly, a skimmer from the family Libellulidae from central and northern Africa, its range extending into southern Europe and the Middle East. It was previously considered to be conspecific with B. leucosticta.

Brachythemis impartita has a pale cream pterostigma in both sexes and their eyes appear to be striped. The female has a buffy abdomen and thorax, males are darker and mature males can be dark blue to black on the abdomen and thorax. Males have bands on the outer wings from the node to just short of the pterostigma, this is paler in teneral individuals but darkens as the dragonfly matures. Where they overlap with B. leucosticta the males can be distinguished by the colour of the veins and the genital lobe, as well as by the ventral structure of segment 8. The females cannot yet be told apart. The length of this dragonfly is from 25 to 34 millimetres (0.98 to 1.34 in) and the span of the hindwings is 20 to 26 millimetres (0.79 to 1.02 in).

Brachythemis impartita is found from central Africa as far south as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania north through Africa and to the Mediterranean Sea. Its range also extends into the Middle East where it has been recorded from the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Cyprus and southern Anatolia. It has colonised southern Europe and was first recorded there in Portugal in 1957 but it is now also found in Spain, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily and by 2015 in mainland Italy.

28-4-2014 MARXUQUERA, VALENCIA - ADONIS BLUE BUTTERFLY (Polyommatus bellargus)

The Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus, also known as Polyommatus bellargus) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It inhabits the Palearctic realm (Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Southern Russia, Iraq, Iran, Caucasus, Transcaucasus, and Turkey).

It is found in chalk downland, in warm, sheltered spots, flying low over vegetation, seeking females that are rich chocolate brown in color. The male has brilliantly colored blue wings that give it its name.

The male has the upper side wings a brilliant sky blue, with a fine black line round the edge and a white margin. The female is chocolate brown with a few blue scales near the base, and with orange spots, bordered by blue scales, around the edge of the hind wing. The fringes are chequered both sexes. The underside is brownish grey with black and orange crescent spots. The wingspan is about 3 cm (1.2 in). The caterpillar reaches 1.6 centimetres (0.63 in) in length, has a dark green body with dark spines, and yellow bands along the back and sides.

11-9-2014 PANAMA CITY, PANAMA - RED STRIPED LEAFWING (Siderone galanthis)

Siderone galanthis, the scarlet leafwing or red-striped leafwing, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to southern Brazil. The habitat consists deciduous and evergreen forests at altitudes up to 900 meters.

Adults have been recorded imbibing mineralised moisture from the ground.

The larvae have been recorded feeding on Casearia sylvestris and Zuelania quidonia.

2-6-2006 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN WHITE BANDED SPIDER (Evarcha jucunda)

Evarcha jucunda, known as the mediterranean white-banded spider, is a species of jumping spider.

It occurs naturally in the Mediterranean region, but was introduced to Belgium. It is also sometimes found in German greenhouses. Typically, it shows a large white or yellowish band surrounding the head region and a smaller one at the anterior end of abdomen. Males are black with a white line around their head and the top of their abdomen, which is brown.

Name

The species name is derived from Latin jucundus "pleasant".

11-6 2013 TUDELA, NAVARRA - WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia)

The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a majestic bird, notable for its predominantly white plumage with contrasting black flight feathers. Adults boast impressive red legs and long, pointed red beaks. They average a length of 100–115 cm from beak to tail and have a wingspan ranging from 155 to 215 cm.

To identify the White Stork, look for its white body, black wingtips, and distinctive red legs and beak. In flight, they extend their necks and legs, presenting a stretched-out appearance. Juveniles have duller beaks and legs, which become brighter as they mature.

White Storks favor open farmlands, grassy meadows, and shallow wetlands. They avoid dense vegetation, preferring areas where they can easily spot and access their prey.

The White Stork breeds across Europe, northwestern Africa, southwestern Asia, and southern Africa. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering as far south as South Africa and on the Indian subcontinent.

These social birds can be seen in flocks, especially during migration. They are monogamous breeders, with both parents involved in nest building and care of the young. They walk with a slow, steady gait and rest with their heads hunched between their shoulders.

The White Stork is largely silent, but it is known for its bill-clattering display, which resonates from its throat pouch and serves as a form of communication.

White Storks build large stick nests, often reused for several years. Females lay clutches of usually four eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties. The young fledge after about two months but remain dependent on their parents for a short while thereafter.

The White Stork can be confused with the yellow-billed stork, great white pelican, and Egyptian vulture when seen at a distance in flight. However, differences in beak shape, leg length, and flight posture can help distinguish these species.

As carnivores, White Storks consume a variety of prey, including insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and occasionally small birds. They forage on the ground and in shallow waters.

The White Stork is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its populations have benefited from conservation efforts, leading to reintroduction in areas where it had previously disappeared due to changes in land use and industrialization.

23-4-2014 JALON, ALICANTE - ALPINE ACCENTOR (Prunella collaris)

                 

The Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris, is a small, robust passerine bird, slightly larger than the familiar dunnock. It measures 15–17.5 cm in length and is characterized by a streaked brown back, reminiscent of a house sparrow. The adult's head is a distinguished grey, with red-brown spotting adorning the underparts. Its bill is finely pointed, befitting its insectivorous diet. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males may exhibit more pronounced contrasts. Juveniles can be identified by their browner heads and underparts.

When observing the Alpine accentor, look for its robin-sized stature and the distinctive grey head of the adults. The red-brown spotting on the underparts is a key feature, along with the streaked brown back. The fine pointed bill is another identifying characteristic of this species.

This bird favors the bare mountainous areas, where low vegetation provides a sparse cover. It thrives at altitudes above 2,000 meters.

The Alpine accentor is native to the mountain ranges of southern temperate Europe, parts of Lebanon, and Asia. It is generally a resident bird, but during winter, it may descend to lower altitudes and latitudes. Occasionally, some individuals may wander far from their usual range, turning up as rare vagrants in places like Great Britain.

The Alpine accentor is known for its unique social structure, forming breeding groups that consist of several unrelated males and females. These groups exhibit a polygynandrous mating system, where both sexes may mate with multiple partners. Dominance hierarchies exist among males, with alpha males typically being older and more dominant than subordinates.

Nesting low in bushes or rock crevices, the Alpine accentor lays 3–5 unspotted sky-blue eggs. The breeding groups, consisting of multiple males and females, share complex mating and parental care behaviors. DNA fingerprinting has revealed mixed paternity within broods, though each female is the true mother of her nestlings. Males provide care to chicks in various nests, depending on their likelihood of being the true fathers. 

 

                          

It builds a neat nest low in a bush or rock crevice, laying 3–5 unspotted sky-blue eggs.

The mating system is of particular interest. Home ranges are occupied by breeding groups of 3 or 4 males with 3 or 4 females. These are unrelated birds which have a socially polygynandrous mating system. Males have a dominance hierarchy, with the alpha males being generally older than subordinates. Females seek matings with all the males, although the alpha male may defend her against matings from lower ranking males. In turn, males seek matings with all the females. DNA fingerprinting has been used to show that, within broods, there is often mixed paternity, although the female is always the true mother of the nestlings raised within her nest. Males will provide food to chicks at several nests within the group, depending on whether they have mated with the female or not – males only provide care when they are likely to be the true fathers of the chicks.

It is found throughout the mountains of southern temperate Europe, Lebanon and Asia at heights above 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It is mainly resident, wintering more widely at lower latitudes, but some birds wander as rare vagrants as far as Great Britain.

It is a bird of bare mountain areas with some low vegetation.

28-7-2014 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - DICTYOPHARID PLANTHOPPER (Family Dictyopharidae)

Dictyopharidae is a family of planthoppers, related to the Fulgoridae. The family comprises nearly 760 species in more than 150 genera which are grouped into two subfamilies, Dictyopharinae and Orgeriinae.

Like all other fulgoroids, they have the antennae arising on the side of the head below the compound eye (not between the eyes as in the Cicadoidea). Many species have an elongated frons. Those that do not have this elongation may have 2 or 3 carinae (keels). The median ocellus is absent.

A number of species are known from the fossil record, which reaches back to the Santonian age of the Late Cretaceous. The oldest fossil, Netutela annunciator belonging to the extinct dictyopharine tribe Netutelini, was described from Taymyr amber on the Taymyr Peninsula of Russia. Younger amber fossils include the amber genus Alicodoxa described from Eocene Baltic and Rovno ambers Compression fossil species include the Ypresian Limfjordia breineri from the Fur Formation in Denmark and the Priabonian Florissantia elegans from the Florissant Formation, Colorado.

7-6-2014 FORNA, VALENCIA - BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a migratory passerine bird, recognized as the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail, known for its graceful flight and agile maneuvers. The adult male of the nominate subspecies is 17–19 cm in length, including elongated outer tail feathers, and has a wingspan of 32–34.5 cm. It is adorned with a rufous forehead, chin, and throat, which are set apart from the off-white underparts by a broad dark blue breast band. The outer tail feathers are elongated, contributing to the iconic "swallow tail."

The barn swallow can be identified by its steel blue upperparts, a rufous face, and a dark blue breast band that separates the rufous from the off-white underparts. The deeply forked tail is a key characteristic, with a line of white spots across the upper tail's outer end. Females resemble males but have shorter tail streamers and less glossy blue coloring. Juveniles are browner with paler rufous faces and whiter underparts, lacking the adult's long tail streamers.

The barn swallow favors open country with low vegetation, such as pastures, meadows, and farmland, often near water. It avoids heavily wooded or steep areas and densely built-up locations. The species typically nests in man-made structures like barns and stables, or under bridges and wharves.

4-6-2014 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

Podarcis liolepis, the Columbretes wall lizard or Catalan wall lizard, is very similar to the other lizards in the genus Podarcis. This species was formerly described as a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard, but has now been elevated to species status. These are slender lizards with long tails, narrow tapered heads and long thin toes, and stout legs. Colours are variable, although generally grey-brown. Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female. The underside is a much lighter cream or beige with sometimes a reddish tint. Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail. Body length can be a little as one third of the total body length, the tail making up the other two thirds.

9-7-2014 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small, elegant passerine bird, a member of the family Motacillidae, which includes pipits and longclaws. This slender bird measures between 16.5 to 19 cm in length, with East Asian subspecies reaching up to 21 cm. It is characterized by its long, constantly wagging tail, a behavior that has become synonymous with the genus. Weighing an average of 25 g, the White Wagtail can live up to 12 years in the wild.

Adult White Wagtails exhibit a distinctive plumage with a combination of grey, black, and white. The bird's upper parts are generally grey, with a white face, belly, and breast. Males during the breeding season may show a darker back, and the species is known for its sharp, brisk call and more melodious song during courtship.

The White Wagtail is commonly found in open country, often in close proximity to human habitation and water sources. It shows a preference for bare areas which facilitate the sighting and pursuit of prey. This bird has adapted well to urban environments, utilizing paved areas such as parking lots for foraging.

This species has a vast breeding range across Europe, the Asian Palearctic, parts of North Africa, and has a presence in Alaska. It is a migratory bird, with populations moving to Africa and parts of Asia during the winter. In Great Britain and Ireland, the darker subspecies known as the Pied Wagtail is more prevalent.

The White Wagtail is known for its perpetual tail wagging, a behavior that remains somewhat enigmatic but is thought to be a signal of vigilance to predators. It is a monogamous bird that defends its breeding territory with determination.                                             

9-7-2014 PEGO MARSHES, ALICANTE - NOMAD DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Sympetrum fonscolombii)

The red-veined darter or nomad (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum.

Sympetrum fonscolombii was named under the protonym Libellula fonscolombii by the Belgian entomologist Edmond de Sélys Longchamps, in 1840, in honor of the French entomologist Étienne of Fonscolombe (hence the species name). Its name is sometimes spelt fonscolombei instead of fonscolombii but Askew (2004) gives the latter as the correct spelling.

Sympetrum fonscolombii can reach a body length of 38–40 millimetres (1.5–1.6 in). This species is similar to other Sympetrum species but a good view with binoculars should give a positive identification, especially with a male.

Males have a red abdomen, redder than many other Sympetrum species. The frons and the thorax are red-brown. The eyes are brown above and blue/grey below. The wings have red veins and the wing bases of the hind-wings are yellow. The pterostigma is pale yellow with a border of black veins.

Female are similar but the abdomen is ochre yellow, not red, with two black lines along each side. The wings have yellow veins at the costa, leading edge and base, not red veins as found in the males. The legs of both sexes are mostly black with some yellow.

Immature males are like females but often with more red and a single line along each side of the abdomen.

Male S. fonscolombii can be mistaken for Crocothemis erythraea as both are very red dragonflies with yellow bases to the wings, red veins and pale pterostigma. However C. erythraea has no black on the legs, a broader body and no black on the head. Also C. erythraea females do not oviposit in tandem. The gestalt image of these two species is different and with some experience are easy to tell apart.

9-6-2014 PEGO MARSHES, ALICANTE - SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)

The Squacco Heron is a tawny buff brown heron with a streaked head and back, and in breeding a black and white mane.

Adult: The adult nonbreeding Squacco Heron has a head that is finely streaked in black, brown, and grey, forming a modest crown but no elongated plumes in nonbreeding season. The relatively large and powerful bill is pale green yellow with a black tip and top. The lores are dull yellow green. The irises are yellow. The hind neck, like the head, is finely streaked in black, brown and grey. The upperparts are buff brown with slight tawny tinge. The wings are white and are mostly concealed at rest by the back plumes. The plumes are shorter than in the breeding season. The rump and tail are white. Foreneck and breast are bright buff coarsely streaked in dark brown. The remaining underparts are white. The relatively short legs and the feet are dull yellow green.

In breeding plumage, the upper parts become brighter and deeper. The crown is a mane of yellow buff or straw-colored feathers. The crown feathers are slightly elongated (1-5 cm) and are bordered with black. Several very elongated feathers (13-14 cm long) occur on the back of the crown. These are white bordered with black, and extend over the upper back. The lores are green or blue. The lower neck and back plumes are golden to cinnamon buff. The foreneck and breast are red gold. During courtship, the bill becomes bright blue except for the dark to black tip. The lores turn briefly blue before reverting via emerald to yellow green. The irises in courtship are richer yellow. The back is pink brown, with longest back feathers being golden and drooping over the wings. The legs are bright red in courtship, fading to pink after pairing. The other soft parts colors return to normal after the eggs are laid.

Variation: The sexes are alike. Geographic variation is not recognized taxonomically. South and central African birds were once considered recognized as the subspecies paludivaga.