24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BAY HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)

The bay-headed tanager (Tangara gyrola) is a medium-sized passerine bird. This tanager is a resident breeder in Costa Rica, Panama, South America south to Ecuador, Bolivia and north-western Brazil, and on Trinidad.

It occurs in forests, particularly in wetter areas. The bulky cup nest is built in a tree and the normal clutch is two brown-blotched white eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 13–14 days to hatching, with another 15–16 days before the chicks fledge.

These are social birds which eat mainly fruit, usually swallowed whole. Insects are also taken, mainly from the underside of branches.

This tanager favors forested environments, showing a preference for the more humid regions. It is adept at making its home in these lush habitats, where it constructs a bulky cup nest within the trees.

The Bay-headed Tanager is a resident breeder with a wide range extending from Costa Rica and Panama through South America to Ecuador, Bolivia, and northwestern Brazil. It is also found on the island of Trinidad.

Bay-headed Tanagers are sociable creatures, often seen in groups. They primarily feed on fruit, which they typically consume whole. Insects also form part of their diet, with a particular penchant for those found on the underside of branches.

The song of the Bay-headed Tanager is a melodious sequence of slow 'seee, seee, seee, tsou, tsooy' notes, which can be heard resonating through their forested habitats.

The species constructs a robust cup-shaped nest in trees to lay their clutch, typically consisting of two white eggs adorned with brown blotches. The female takes on the responsibility of incubating the eggs for a period of 13 to 14 days until they hatch. The fledging period for the chicks lasts an additional 15 to 16 days.

31-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHEEPS-BIT (Jasione montana)

31-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PEA BLUE BUTTERFLY (Lampides boeticus)

The pea blue butterfly, also known as the Long-tailed Pea Blue, is a widely distributed species with a wingspan of about 2.5–3.0 cm. It is known for the male's purplish-blue upper wings and the female's brown wings with a blueish tinge. A key feature is the "false head" created by two black spots and fine, tail-like filaments on the hindwings, which helps confuse predators. 

Appearance and identification

Males: Have a vivid purplish-blue upper side with dark brown margins.

Females: Have a more muted appearance, with brown upper wings that have a blue-purple wash, especially on the forewings.

Underside: Both sexes share a light brown underside with white, linear markings and a pronounced white band near the outer edge.

"False head": The hindwings have two small black spots on the outer margin, with a sky-blue or metallic green rim, and a fine, tail-like appendage that mimics an antenna.

Size: The wingspan is typically between 2.5 and 3.0 cm. 

Habitat and distribution

Widespread: Found across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in parts of Australia and New Zealand.

Adaptable: Lives in a variety of habitats, including suburban gardens.

Migratory: This species is a strong and active migrant. 

Behavior and life cycle

Flight: They have a fast and jerky flight style and often stay close to the ground.

Basking: They often bask with their wings partially open, both in the morning and around midday.

Feeding: Adults feed on nectar and may also be attracted to damp soil to absorb minerals.

Pest status: Can be considered a minor pest in gardens, as the larvae feed on leguminous plants like peas and beans.

Ant association: The larvae are sometimes attended by ants, which protect them from predators. 

30-12-2019 RIO SERPIS VILLALONGA, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a statuesque wading bird belonging to the family Ardeidae. It is a familiar sight in both rural and urban settings, often seen standing stoically along the water's edge. An adult Grey Heron is a large bird, reaching up to 100 cm in height, with a wingspan between 155 to 195 cm. It weighs between 1 to 2 kg. The plumage is predominantly ashy-grey above, with a greyish-white underbelly and some black on the flanks. A striking feature is the white head and neck adorned with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The beak is pinkish-yellow, long, and sharply pointed, while the legs are a brown hue.

When identifying the Grey Heron, look for the white head with the black supercilium and crest, the long grey neck, and the ashy-grey wings and back. The underparts are lighter, and the legs are long and brown. Juveniles can be distinguished by their duller grey neck and smaller crest. The beak is a useful indicator of age, being brighter in breeding adults.

Grey Herons are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of watery habitats including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and coastal environments. They require shallow waters for foraging or areas with shelving margins where they can wade.

Native to temperate Europe and Asia, as well as parts of Africa, the Grey Heron has a broad range. Northern populations may migrate southwards in autumn, while others remain resident year-round. Vagrant sightings have occurred in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and parts of North America.

The Grey Heron exhibits a slow, deliberate flight with its neck retracted in an S-shape. It is known for its solitary foraging habits, often standing motionless or stalking prey through shallow waters. It is also a communal rooster, often found in trees or cliffs at night.

The primary call of the Grey Heron is a loud croaking "fraaank." At breeding colonies, a variety of guttural and raucous noises can be heard, including greeting calls between mates and alarm calls when predators are nearby.

Breeding takes place in colonies, or heronries, typically in high trees near water. Nests are reused and added to each year. The breeding season sees a clutch of three to five bluish-green eggs laid, which both parents incubate. Chicks fledge at 7-8 weeks old.

Grey Herons are apex predators within their ecosystem, feeding on a variety of aquatic creatures such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects. They have also been known to consume small mammals and juvenile birds.

The Grey Heron is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable and widespread population.

30-12-2019 RIO SERPIS VILLALONGA, VALENCIA - MALLARD (MALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallards are adaptable, medium-sized dabbling ducks found in wetlands across the Northern Hemisphere. Males have a distinctive iridescent green head and yellow bill, while females are mottled brown with an orange bill. Both sexes have a blue-and-white-bordered wing patch and share a diet of seeds, plants, and small animals, with ducklings being mostly insect-eaters. 

Diet: Omnivorous, eating seeds, acorns, berries, aquatic plants, insects, and shellfish.

Foraging: Dabble for food in shallow water by tipping their bodies forward, or dive for food if necessary.

Habitat: Found in various wetlands, including marshes, ponds, and rivers, and are also common in urban areas like parks. 

29-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SMALL DUSTY WAVE MOTH (Idaea seriata)

29-12-2019 MARJAL DE GANDIA, VALENCIA - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)

The Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, is a diminutive and sprightly leaf warbler known for its distinctive, onomatopoeic song. This small, migratory passerine is characterized by its greenish-brown upperparts and off-white underparts, with a weight ranging from 6 to 8 grams and a length of 10-12 centimeters.

In the field, look for the Common Chiffchaff's short whitish supercilium, fine dark bill, and dark legs. Its primary projection is short, and the plumage may appear duller and browner as it wears. Juveniles are browner above with yellow-white underparts, but they soon acquire brighter plumage after their first moult.

The Common Chiffchaff breeds in open woodlands with a mix of taller trees and ground cover across northern and temperate Europe, Asia, and parts of north Africa. It prefers woodland with trees at least 5 meters high and an undergrowth of grasses and nettles.

This species has a vast breeding range, extending from Europe to eastern Siberia and northward to about 70 N. It winters in southern and western Europe, southern Asia, and north Africa. The Common Chiffchaff is one of the earliest spring migrants to return to its breeding grounds and one of the last to depart in autumn.

29-12-2019 MARJAL DE GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

29-12-2019 MARJAL DE GANDIA, VALENCIA - MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadow_pipit

29-12-2019 MARJAL DE GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13094-Erithacus-rubecula

29-12-2019 MARJAL DE GANDIA, VALENCIA - MALLARD HYBRID (MALLARD X MUSCOVY DUCK) (Anas platyrhynchos × Cairina moschatas)

Anas is a genus of dabbling ducks. It includes the pintails, most teals, and the mallard and its close relatives. It formerly included additional species but following the publication of a molecular phylogenetic study in 2009 the genus was split into four separate genera. The genus now contains 31 living species. The name Anas is the Latin for "duck".

The genus Anas was introduced by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae. Anas is the Latin word for a duck. 

The genus formerly included additional species.

In 2009 a large molecular phylogenetic study was published that compared mitochondrial DNA sequences from ducks, geese and swans in the family Anatidae. The results confirmed some of the conclusions of earlier smaller studies and indicated that the genus as then defined was non-monophyletic. Based on the results of this study, Anas was split into four proposed monophyletic genera with five species including the wigeons transferred to the resurrected genus Mareca, ten species including the shovelers and some teals transferred to the resurrected genus Spatula and the Baikal teal placed in the monotypic genus Sibirionetta.

29-12-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

28-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

28-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Vanessa cardui)

28-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta)

Vanessa atalanta, the red admiral or, previously, the red admirable, is a well-characterized, medium-sized butterfly with black wings, red bands, and white spots. It has a wingspan of about 2 inches (5 cm). It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. The red admiral is widely distributed across temperate regions of North Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. It resides in warmer areas, but migrates north in spring and sometimes again in autumn. Typically found in moist woodlands, the red admiral caterpillar's primary host plant is the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica); it can also be found on the false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica). The adult butterfly drinks from flowering plants like Buddleia and overripe fruit. Red admirals are territorial; females will only mate with males that hold territory. Males with superior flight abilities are more likely to successfully court females. It is known as an unusually calm butterfly, often allowing observation at a very close distance before flying away, also landing on and using humans as perches.

In northern Europe, it is one of the last butterflies to be seen before winter sets in, often feeding on the flowers of ivy on sunny days. The red admiral is also known to hibernate, re-emerging individuals showing prominently darker colors than the first brood. The butterfly also flies on sunny winter days, especially in southern Europe.

Male red admirals are territorial and perch during the afternoon until sunset. Larger territories are optimal and subject to intrusion by other males more frequently than smaller territories. Territories tend to be oval, 8–24 feet (2.4–7.3 m) long and 13–42 feet (4.0–12.8 m) wide. Males patrol their territory by flying around the perimeter between 7 and 30 times per hour. On average, territory holders interact with intruders 10 to 15 times per hour.

When another male encroaches on a red admiral's territory, the resident chases away the intruder, often in a vertical, helical path to disorient or tire out the intruder while minimizing the horizontal distance it travels from its perch. The red admiral immediately returns to its territory after chasing off encroaching males. Time spent patrolling increases as number of the intruder interactions increases.

28-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LANG'S SHORT TAILED BLUE BUTTERFLY (Leptotes pirithous)

28-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WESTERN HONEY BEE ( Apis mellifera)

The western honey bee or European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most common of the 7–12 species of honey bees worldwide. The genus name Apis is Latin for 'bee', and mellifera is the Latin for 'honey-bearing' or 'honey-carrying', referring to the species' production of honey.

Like all honey bee species, the western honey bee is eusocial, creating colonies with a single fertile female (or "queen"), many normally non-reproductive females or "workers", and a small proportion of fertile males or "drones". Individual colonies can house tens of thousands of bees. Colony activities are organized by complex communication between individuals, through both pheromones and the dance language.

The western honey bee was one of the first domesticated insects, and it is the primary species maintained by beekeepers to this day for both its honey production and pollination activities. With human assistance, the western honey bee now occupies every continent except Antarctica. Western honey bees are threatened by pests and diseases, especially the Varroa mite and colony collapse disorder. There are indications that the species is rare, if not extinct in the wild in Europe and as of 2014, the western honey bee was assessed as "Data Deficient" on the IUCN Red List. Numerous studies indicate that the species has undergone significant declines in Europe; however, it is not clear if they refer to population reduction of wild or managed colonies. Further research is required to enable differentiation between wild and non-wild colonies in order to determine the conservation status of the species in the wild, meaning self sustaining, without treatments or management.

28-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - VESPERID BEETLE (Vesperus xatarti)

Vesperus xatarti , known as the longicorn , is a species of beetle in the family Vesperidae . These longicorns are found in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands , and in southern France . 

The castañeta measures between 18 and 30 mm , and adults are active year-round except in midsummer; they cause significant damage to olive trees . Females have ovipositors and lay their eggs in groups on wood.

The following methods can be used to combat it:

Monitoring the emergence of adults with traps.

Cultural methods: debarking.

Chemical control: against neonatal larvae, with organophosphates (chlorpyrifos).

Biological control: nematodes .

27-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PUG MOTH (Genus Eupithecia)

Eupitheciini is a tribe of geometer moths under subfamily Larentiinae, often referred to as pugs. The tribe was described by Tutt in 1896.

The tribe consists of about 47 genera, 15 of which are monotypic.

Eupithecia is a large moth genus, also called 'pugs' due to short underwings. Adults often hold forewings at right angles, and the name means 'beautiful ape'.

Generic epithet Eupithecia is Greek meaning "beautiful ape." 

Commonly referred to as pugs because of the short underwings. 

By far the largest moth genus with over 1400 species worldwide. About 160 Eupithecia species are found in America north of Mexico. 62 species in Canada (CBIF). Several species are Holarctic.

 

Many Eupithecia species require dissection for identification and there are many undescribed species.  Adults at rest often hold their long forewings (with hindwings hidden beneath) at right-angles to the body, giving a distinctive "soaring hawk" appearance.

6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - WATER THICK NEE (Barhinus Vermiculatus)

The water thick-knee is a nocturnal bird found in sub-Saharan Africa that lives near freshwater. It forages for insects, crustaceans, and small vertebrates up to 1 km from water, and its diet can include a wide range of invertebrates and small vertebrates. It nests in a simple scrape on the ground and forms a unique symbiotic relationship with Nile crocodiles, where the birds act as sentries for the crocodiles' nests. 

Habitat and diet

Habitat: Found near rivers, lakes, estuaries, and beaches in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nocturnal behavior: Active at dawn, dusk, and night, though they can be seen during the day.

Foraging: Forages on the ground, sometimes up to a kilometer away from water.

Diet: Primarily feeds on insects, crustaceans (like crabs), and mollusks (like snails), but also eats frogs, tadpoles, and other small vertebrates. 

Breeding and nesting

Nesting: Builds a simple scrape in the ground, often near rocks or other structures for camouflage.

Eggs: Lays 1-3 sandy-yellow eggs, which both parents incubate for 22-25 days.

Parental care: Both parents are responsible for brooding the eggs and feeding the young, which fledge at around two months. 

Symbiotic relationship with Nile crocodiles

Mutualism: Often nests adjacent to or even on top of Nile crocodile nests.

"Sentry" duty: The loud and energetic thick-knees act as sentries, harassing and pecking at potential nest raiders.

Crocodile protection: If the thick-knees cannot drive off the intruder, their calls can alert the mother crocodile, which then protects its nest. 

Physical characteristics

Appearance: A terrestrial wading bird with large yellow eyes, a stout bill, and thick ankles.

Camouflage: Has cryptically colored plumage that blends in with sandy and rocky environments.

Size: Grows to about 38-41 cm in length and weighs around 440g. 

26-12-2019 POTRIES, VALENCIA - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)

The Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, is a diminutive and sprightly leaf warbler known for its distinctive, onomatopoeic song. This small, migratory passerine is characterized by its greenish-brown upperparts and off-white underparts, with a weight ranging from 6 to 8 grams and a length of 10-12 centimeters.

In the field, look for the Common Chiffchaff's short whitish supercilium, fine dark bill, and dark legs. Its primary projection is short, and the plumage may appear duller and browner as it wears. Juveniles are browner above with yellow-white underparts, but they soon acquire brighter plumage after their first moult.

The Common Chiffchaff breeds in open woodlands with a mix of taller trees and ground cover across northern and temperate Europe, Asia, and parts of north Africa. It prefers woodland with trees at least 5 meters high and an undergrowth of grasses and nettles.

This species has a vast breeding range, extending from Europe to eastern Siberia and northward to about 70 N. It winters in southern and western Europe, southern Asia, and north Africa. The Common Chiffchaff is one of the earliest spring migrants to return to its breeding grounds and one of the last to depart in autumn.

26-12-2019 POTRIES, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (MALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus), is a diminutive member of the finch family, Fringillidae. This sprightly bird is the smallest within its family, closely related to the Atlantic canary. It is characterized by its short tail and a length that spans a mere 11 to 12 centimeters. The serin's plumage is a tapestry of nature's palette, with upper parts dappled in dark-streaked greyish green and a conspicuous yellow rump. The underparts are a canvas of yellow breast and white belly, both adorned with heavy streaks.

 

When attempting to identify the European serin, look for the male's radiant yellow face and breast, which stand out against the greenish backdrop of its feathers. The male also boasts yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides, which can be quite helpful in distinguishing it from similar species. Both sexes share a buzzing trill of a song that resonates through their Mediterranean habitats.

The European serin is partial to open woodland and cultivated areas, often with a sprinkling of conifers. These environments provide the perfect backdrop for breeding and foraging.

This species has a breeding range that extends across southern and central Europe and into North Africa. Populations along the southern and Atlantic coasts tend to be resident, while those in the north are migratory, seeking warmer climates in southern Europe during the winter months.

7-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN AFRICAN CROCODILE (Crocodylus niloticus ssp. cowiei) PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

7-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a wader in the family Jacanidae. It has long toes and long claws that enables it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, its preferred habitat. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. For the origin and pronunciation of the name, see Jacanidae.

The African jacanas is a conspicuous and unmistakable bird. It measures 23 to 31 cm (9.1 to 12.2 in) in overall length. As in other jacanas, the female is on average larger than the male. Males can weigh from 115 to 224 g (4.1 to 7.9 oz), averaging 137 g (4.8 oz) and females from 167 to 290 g (5.9 to 10.2 oz), averaging 261 g (9.2 oz). Alongside the similarly-sized Madagascar jacana, this appears to be the heaviest jacana species. They have chestnut upperparts with black wingtips, rear neck, and eyestripe. The underparts are also chestnut in the adults, only in juveniles they are white with a chestnut belly patch. The blue bill extends up as a coot-like head shield, and the legs and long toes are grey.

African jacanas feed on insects and other invertebrates picked from the floating vegetations or the surface of the water.

African jacanas breed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is sedentary apart from seasonal dispersion. It lays four black-marked brown eggs in a floating nest.

The jacana has evolved a highly unusually polyandrous mating system, meaning that one female mates with multiple males and the male alone cares for the chicks. Such a system has evolved due to a combination of two factors: firstly, the lakes that the jacana lives on are so resource-rich that the relative energy expended by the female in producing each egg is effectively negligible. Secondly the jacana, as a bird, lays eggs, and eggs can be equally well incubated and cared for by a parent bird of either sex. This means that the rate-limiting factor of the jacana's breeding is the rate at which the males can raise and care for the chicks. Such a system of females forming harems of males is in direct contrast to the more usual system of leks seen in animals such as stags and grouse, where the males compete and display in order to gain harems of females.

The parent that forms part of the harem is almost always the one that ends up caring for the offspring; in this case, each male jacana incubates and rears a nest of chicks. The male African jacana has therefore evolved some remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to pick up and carry chicks underneath its wings.

26-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - DOUBLE STRIPED PUG MOTH (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

25-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.

Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.

The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.

This species is widely distributed across south and central Europe, Asia, and north-west Africa. It is a resident in milder regions, while populations in the northeast migrate to warmer areas during winter.

The Black Redstart is known for its robin-like movements, including quick ducks of the head and body, and frequent tail flicking. Males possess a rattling song and a tick call, adding to their distinctive presence.

The Black Redstart's vocal repertoire includes a variety of calls, which differ among subspecies. The male's song is a rattling melody, while its call is a sharp 'tick', often heard during its active foraging.

Typically monogamous, the Black Redstart begins breeding in mid-April. Nests are built by females in sheltered nooks, lined with soft materials. Clutches consist of 4 to 6 eggs, incubated primarily by the female. Both parents tend to the fledglings, which leave the nest after 12 to 19 days.

The Common Redstart shares some similarities but can be distinguished by its different behavior, ecological requirements, and less dark plumage.

The Black Redstart's diet includes insects, which it often catches mid-flight. It is also known to forage in coastal areas for tiny crustaceans and flies.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Black Redstart as Least Concern, indicating a stable population across its extensive range.

25-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This small bird typically measures around 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighs between 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females and young birds displaying pale brown and grey plumage, while males are characterized by more vibrant black, white, and brown markings.

Males can be identified by their bright black, white, and brown markings, with a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, and a grey crown. Females lack the striking head patterns of males and are predominantly buffish with softer coloration. Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler with less defined markings.

The house sparrow is highly adaptable and can thrive in both urban and rural environments. It is commonly found in close association with human habitation and avoids dense forests, grasslands, polar regions, and deserts far from human development.

Native to Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and much of Asia, the house sparrow has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, making it one of the most widely distributed wild birds.

House sparrows are social birds, often seen in flocks. They exhibit a range of behaviors, including dust or water bathing and communal roosting. Males are known to be territorial around their nesting sites.

The house sparrow's vocalizations are predominantly variations of a simple chirping call. Males may sing or give an "ecstatic call" during the breeding season, and the species uses a variety of calls for different social interactions.

House sparrows are generally monogamous and may mate for life. They can breed in the season following their hatching and often produce multiple clutches per year, with each clutch containing up to five eggs. Nest sites are varied, with a preference for cavities.

The house sparrow can be confused with other seed-eating birds, such as the Eurasian tree sparrow, which has a chestnut crown and a black cheek patch.

An opportunistic feeder, the house sparrow's diet consists mainly of seeds from grains and weeds, but it also consumes insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season when feeding young.

Despite its widespread distribution and abundance, the house sparrow has experienced declines in some areas. However, it is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

25-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONGHORN BEETLE (Oxypleurus nodieri)

Oxypleurus nodieri is a rare Mediterranean longhorn beetle associated with a variety of pines [✮][✳]. The larvae feed in recently dead branches and pupate in shallow pupal cells built in sapwood. The adults are nocturnal and can be found early in the spring. The species has been described from France by Étienne Mulsant in 1839 [❖]. Morphology of genus Oxypleurus has been well described by Petr Švácha and John F. Lawrence in 2014 [✧].

25-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GEOMETER MOTH (Chemerina caliginearia)

A lepidopteran of the family Geometridae and subfamily Ennominae ,  present in Spain. It measures between 27 and 37 mm in wingspan. Within Europe, it has a mainly Mediterranean distribution.

It is quite variable in terms of the nuances of its forewings depending on the specimen.

The upperside of the forewings is grayish with some pale spots. A prominent band, which may be more or less distinct, is very pale yellow or yellowish-brown and runs diagonally across each forewing from the middle of the inner margin to the apex. Occasionally, another parallel line appears further distally. This same color is present in the venation distal to this band, in the marginal area (very subtle). There are usually two small dark spots in the forewing cell.

The upperside of the hindwings is light gray. The underside is pale.

Usually  seen it in winter (January-March).

Helianthemum, Dorycnium, Cistus, Thymus and Genista have been described as host plants .

24-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)