27-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SPINY FALSE WOLF SPIDER (Zoropsis spinimana)

Males of Z. spinimana reach a length around 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in), while females are 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) long. This spider resembles a wolf spider, as its eyes are of the same configuration, but unlike wolf spiders, the eyes of Zoropsis spiders are more spread out along the front third of the cephalothorax. The front body (prosoma) is brownish with broad darker markings. The abdomen (opisthosoma) has median black markings. The legs are mainly a speckled brown color.

The brown and light marking on the upper side of the front body evokes the face of the vampire of the 1922 German silent film Nosferatu, which led to the common German name of the spider, Nosferatu-Spinne.

Zoropsis spinimana is distributed widely in the Mediterranean, but reaches into Russia, and was introduced to the United States, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the United Kingdom, primarily the London area.

27-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SMALL DUSTY WAVE MOTH (Idaea seriata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/322983-Idaea-seriata

26-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - VESTAL MOTH (Rhodometra sacraria)

Rhodometra sacraria, the vestal, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae.

It can be found throughout Europe, in the Near East, in North Africa, in the Afrotropical realm and in large parts of Asia. It is also found in South America (Chile and Argentina).

Rhodometra sacraria inhabits meadows, forest clearing, paths, gardens and urban environments.

Rhodometra sacraria has a wingspan reaching 22–28 mm, while the length of the forewings is 12–14 mm. The late generations are smaller and the wingspan has an average of 16–26 mm. These moths are easily distinguishable from the mahogany or pink stripe, located on yellowish or cream background, crossing diagonally the dorsal sides of the upperwings from the posterior margin up to the apex. Discal spots are usually present and have the same colour as the postmedial line.

26-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVED UMBER MOTH (Menophra abruptaria)

Menophra abruptaria, the waved umber, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1792. It is found in south-western North Africa, southern Europe and Anatolia; in the north, it is found from England to Switzerland, south-western Germany, Bangladesh . The wingspan is 36–42 mm. Adults are on wing from April to June. Normally, there is one generation per year, although there can be a partial second generation in summer.

The larvae feed on Ligustrum ovalifolium and Syringa vulgaris.

26-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (FEMALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/15299-Sylvia-melanocephala

24-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PINE PROCESSIONARY MOTH (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/61293-Thaumetopoea-pityocampa

25-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (FEMALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/15299-Sylvia-melanocephala

24-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (JUVENILE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

The Sardinian warbler, Curruca melanocephala, presents itself as a charming and distinctive bird of the Mediterranean. The males are adorned with a sleek grey back and pristine whitish underparts, crowned with a striking black head, a pure white throat, and captivating red eyes. The females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette, with brown upperparts and buff underparts, complemented by a subtle grey head.

When attempting to identify the Sardinian warbler, look for the male's black head and red eyes, which contrast with the white throat and grey back. Females can be recognized by their brown and buff coloration with a greyish head. The variability in plumage, including the presence or absence of a reddish hue, can be a helpful clue in distinguishing between subspecies.

This typical warbler favors open landscapes and cultivated areas, where it can find bushes suitable for nesting. Its preference for such environments makes it a familiar sight in the Mediterranean countryside.

The Sardinian warbler is a resident of the southernmost regions of Europe, extending its range into Asia in Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. While not extensively migratory, some individuals do venture to North Africa for the winter, and the species has been known to appear as a vagrant as far as Great Britain.

24-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

The Catalonian wall lizard (Podarcis liolepis), often called the Columbretes wall lizard or sargantana bruna, is a slender, 15–20 cm long reptile native to Northeast Spain and Southern France. Known for being highly adaptable, these brownish, long-tailed lizards thrive on rocks, walls, and in human settlements from sea level to 2000m in the Pyrenees. 

Key Facts About the Catalonian Wall Lizard:

Appearance: They are slender with long tails (roughly two-thirds of total length) and narrow, tapered heads. Their color is usually grey-brown, often with faint, reticulated, or striped patterns, especially in females.

Habitat: They prefer sunny areas and are found in rocky areas, dry-stone walls, and buildings. They are highly adapted to climbing.

Distribution: Primarily found in Catalonia (Spain), extending to the Columbretes Islands and parts of Southern France.

Diet: They are insectivores, feeding on insects such as crickets and grasshoppers.

Behavior: They are diurnal (active during the day).

Subspecies: Significant variability exists, with identified forms like P. liolepis cebennensis (Southern France) and P. liolepis atratus (Columbretes Archipelago).

Status: Classified as "Least Concern" (LC) by the IUCN, though they face threats from habitat alteration.

Distinction: Formerly considered a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis hispanicus), it is now recognized as a distinct species. 

24-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLUE ROCK THRUSH (JUVENILE) (Monticola solitarius)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13141-Monticola-solitarius

24-8-2020 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LARGE PSAMMODROMUS LIZARD (Psammodromus algirus)

Psammodromus algirus, known commonly as the Algerian psammodromus or the large psammodromus, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is found in southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa.

Psammodromus algirus is found in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) and in Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula: Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar; southernmost France, and Italy near Lampedusa).

P. algirus typically occurs in dense bushy vegetation, but it can also venture to more open areas. It can be found at elevations up to 2,600 m (8,500 ft) above sea level, but it is more common at lower elevations.

Psammodromus algirus mainly feeds on terrestrial arthropods, specifically Orthoptera, Formicidae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae.

P. algirus is threatened by habitat loss.

P. algirus commonly reaches a snout–vent length of about 7.5 cm (3.0 in), occasionally 9 cm (3.5 in). The tail is 2–3 times the body length. Dorsal colouration is usually metallic brownish with a pair of conspicuous white or yellowish stripes on both sides.

It is an animal with daytime habits, although it also has some nocturnal activity in the summer.  They are usually active from February to October, although during the cold months it is frequent on sunny days, especially young individuals. It mainly moves through the litter, on the ground, although it can climb very well and rise the bushes.  It feeds on a variety of small invertebrates hunting them both actively and waiting. It uses its ear to detect insects among leaf litter, as well as the vomeronasal organ (or Jacobson organ) to detect chemical signals.

24-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (FEMALE) (Carduelis carduelis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9398-Carduelis-carduelis

27-3-2018 FERNKLOOF, SOUTH AFRICA - ORANGE BREASTED SUNBIRD (FEMALE) (Antohobaphes violacea)

The orange-breasted sunbird, Anthobaphes violacea, is a small, nectar-feeding bird endemic to the fynbos biome of southwestern South Africa. It is the sole representative of its genus, Anthobaphes, within the family Nectariniidae. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the male is a vibrant mix of orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, particularly on the head and neck, while the female is dressed in more subdued olive green tones.

Males can be identified by their metallic green head, throat, and mantle, violet upper breast, and bright orange lower breast, which fades into yellow on the belly. Their long, decurved bills are adapted for nectar feeding, with the male's bill being notably longer than the female's. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with olive-greenish grey upperparts and paler underparts.

The orange-breasted sunbird is a denizen of the fynbos, a unique heathland habitat. It is particularly associated with ericas and proteas, which provide much of its nectar diet.

This species is confined to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it is a common breeder within its range.

23-8-2020 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4954-Ardea-cinerea

23-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CRICKET BAT ORBWEAVER (Mangora acalypha)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/319548-Mangora-acalypha

23-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MANTIS (FEMALE) (Mantis religiosa)

The European mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a large hemimetabolic insect in the Mantidae family, which is the largest family of the order Mantodea (mantises). Their common name praying mantis is derived from the distinctive posture of the first pair of legs that can be observed the mantis is in repose, resembling a praying position. Both males and females have elongated bodies with two pairs of wings. The most striking features that all Mantodea share are a very mobile, triangular head with large compound eyes and their first pair of legs (the 'raptorial legs'), which is highly modified for the efficient capture and restraint of fast-moving or flying prey.

The phenomenon that conspecifics are attacked and eaten after, during, and even before copulation is called sexual cannibalism. Many examples are known in various groups of invertebrates, including the mantids. Some speculations exist about the benefits of this behaviour, but its causes are not fully understood yet.[23] For quite some time, the belief that sexual cannibalism in M. religiosa only occurred in captivity was widespread. It was believed to be an artefact of improper animal keeping (too little food or space). In 1992, however, the cannibalising behaviour of female M. religiosa was observed in a field study. 

Lawrence compared the percentage of cannibalism in natural and manipulated (males and females were put close together in the field) pairings and found rates of 31% and 24%. This proves that sexual cannibalism in this praying mantid is not caused by laboratory conditions. They can, however, intensify the phenomenon; females that were starved for more than three days were more likely to attack males, even before copulation.

In Germany, M. religiosa is listed as Gefährdet [endangered] on the German Red List on the basis of an assessment from 1998. It is not supposed to be caught or held as a pet. At a global level, it is assessed by the IUCN as least concern.

22-8-2020 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/20969-Upupa-epops

22-8-2020 GANDIA, VALENCIA - SILK FLOSS TREE (Ceiba speciosa)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/154290-Ceiba-speciosa

21-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (MALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/15299-Sylvia-melanocephala