11-6-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a modestly adorned yet charming small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It is a migratory species, breeding across Europe and the Palearctic as far as Siberia, and spending the winter months in Africa and southwestern Asia. Despite its widespread presence, there is concern over its decline in certain areas.

Adult Spotted Flycatchers possess grey-brown upperparts and a somewhat pallid underbelly. Their crown and breast are streaked, which is the origin of their common name. They have short, black legs and a black bill shaped to suit their insectivorous diet. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner plumage and the presence of spots on their upperparts.

These birds favor deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens, particularly those with open spaces amidst trees.

The Spotted Flycatcher has a broad breeding range, extending from Europe to western Siberia and northwest Africa. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to southern Africa.

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)

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

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)

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

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

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

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis)

The Zitting Cisticola, or Streaked Fantail Warbler, is a diminutive bird, measuring a mere 10 to 12 centimeters in length. Its upper parts are adorned with a brown plumage, intricately streaked with black, while its underparts remain a modest whitish hue. The tail is a noteworthy feature, broad and tipped with white, and is frequently flicked—a behavior that has inspired one of the bird's colloquial names.

To identify the Zitting Cisticola, look for its rufous rump and the absence of gold on the collar. The tail, brownish with white tips, is another distinguishing characteristic. Males, during the breeding season, exhibit less crown streaking and more pronounced back markings than females, though differences between sexes are generally subtle.

The Zitting Cisticola favors grasslands as its primary habitat, often found in proximity to bodies of water.

This species boasts a broad range, encompassing southern Europe, Africa (excluding deserts and rainforests), and southern Asia, extending to northern Australia. It is largely sedentary, though certain East Asian populations undertake migrations to warmer climes in winter.

These birds are predominantly insectivorous and may be observed in small flocks. The breeding season is timed with the rains, and in many regions, the Zitting Cisticola is known to produce two broods annually. Males display polygynous tendencies, though monogamous pairings are not uncommon. The male initiates nest construction within the grasses and performs a specialized display to attract females, who then complete the nest.

The male's breeding season is marked by a distinctive flight display, punctuated by a series of "zitting" calls reminiscent of the sound of scissors snipping.

Nests are artfully constructed with living leaves woven into a soft matrix of plant down, cobwebs, and grass. The structure is cup-shaped with an overhead canopy for camouflage. Females lay 3 to 6 eggs and are solely responsible for incubation, which lasts approximately 10 days. Multiple broods may be raised in a single season.

Their diet consists primarily of insects, which they forage for within their grassland habitats.

The Zitting Cisticola is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED ROSE CHAFER (Protaetia morio)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/362607-Protaetia-morio

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-winged_stilt

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

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

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)

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

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - AUDOUIN'S GULL (Ichthyaetus audouinii)

The Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii, presents itself as a large gull species, predominantly inhabiting the Mediterranean, the western coast of Saharan Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula. Its name pays homage to the French naturalist Jean Victoire Audouin. Resembling a small European herring gull, the adult Audouin's gull is distinguished by its short, stubby red bill and the unique "string of pearls" white wing primary tips. The legs of this bird are a subtle grey-green, and it takes a full four years for the gull to don its adult plumage.

When observing the Audouin's gull, one should note the red bill and the distinctive pattern of white spots along the wingtips, which contrast with the larger "mirrors" seen in other gull species. These features are key to distinguishing it from its relatives.

This gull favors coastal and pelagic environments, strictly adhering to regions where it can pursue its specialized diet.

The Audouin's gull is found in the Mediterranean, along the western Saharan African coast, and on the Iberian Peninsula. It breeds on small islands, either colonially or in solitude.

Once considered one of the world's rarest gulls, the Audouin's gull has established new colonies but remains a rare sight with a population of around 10,000 pairs. This bird is not known to wander far from its breeding grounds, though occasional records exist of it appearing as far afield as the Netherlands, England, and even Trinidad.

Unlike many of its kin, the Audouin's gull does not scavenge but is a specialist fish eater. It feeds at night, often far out to sea, and also patrols beaches, occasionally dipping its legs into the water to create drag, aiding in its hunting technique.

The Audouin's gull breeds on small islands, laying 2-3 eggs in a ground nest. It has been known to breed both in colonies and as solitary pairs.

The Audouin's gull is currently classified as Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List. It is also one of the species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)

The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), a statuesque avian, stands with a height ranging from 70 to 94 cm and boasts a wingspan of 120 to 152 cm. Despite its grand stature, it is a slender creature, tipping the scales at a mere 0.5 to 1.35 kg. This bird is slightly smaller and more svelte than its cousin, the Grey Heron, and is adorned with darker, reddish-brown plumage.

Adult Purple Herons are distinguished by their black foreheads and crowns, with a dark stripe cascading down the back of the neck, culminating in a modest, dangling crest. Their heads and necks are a buffish chestnut, streaked with dark lines, while the mantle dons an oily brown hue. The upper parts and tail are a brownish grey, and the underparts are a mix of chestnut and black. During the breeding season, the beak of the adult brightens, and the eyes gleam with a yellow iris.

The Purple Heron is a denizen of marshes, lagoons, and lakes, often shrouded by dense vegetation. It has a penchant for freshwater habitats, particularly those with expansive reed beds of Phragmites. Coastal mangrove swamps are also within its realm, though less frequently visited.

This heron has a broad range that spans Africa, central and southern Europe, and the southern and eastern Palearctic. While the Western Palearctic populations are migratory, their African and tropical-Asian counterparts are mostly sedentary, save for occasional dispersive movements.

The Purple Heron is a creature of stealth and grace, often retreating to the sanctuary of reed beds. It exhibits a slow, deliberate flight, with its neck retracted and legs trailing behind. On land, it moves with long toes that allow it to traverse floating vegetation or even bushwalk without grasping the branches. Dawn and dusk are its preferred times for activity, with the bird often seen stalking or standing in ambush for its prey.

The heron's vocalization is a subdued "frarnk," a quieter and higher-pitched affair compared to the Grey Heron. It is generally less vocal, but similar guttural sounds may emanate from its colonies.

Purple Herons are colonial breeders, constructing bulky nests from dead reeds or sticks in close proximity to water. They lay about five bluish-green eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties. The young emerge after approximately four weeks and take their first flight six weeks later.

A versatile predator, the Purple Heron's diet includes fish, rodents, frogs, insects, and more. It employs both stalking and ambush tactics to capture its prey, often waiting motionlessly or slowly stalking its victim.

10-6-2020 ULLAL DE BOLDOVI, VALENCIA - CABBAGE WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris rapae)

Pieris rapae is a small- to medium-sized butterfly species of the whites-and-yellows family Pieridae. It is known in Europe as the small white, in North America as the cabbage white or cabbage butterfly, on several continents as the small cabbage white, and in New Zealand as the white butterfly. The butterfly is recognizable by its white color with small black dots on its wings, and it can be distinguished from P. brassicae by its larger size and the black band at the tip of its forewings.

The caterpillar of this species, often referred to as the "imported cabbageworm", is a pest to crucifer crops such as cabbage, kale, bok choy and broccoli. Pieris rapae is widespread in Europe and Asia; it is believed to have originated in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Europe, and to have spread across Eurasia thanks to the diversification of brassicaceous crops and the development of human trade routes. 

Over the past two centuries, it spread to North Africa, North America, New Zealand, and Australia, as a result of accidental introductions.

The species has a natural range across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It was accidentally introduced to Quebec, Canada, around 1860 and spread rapidly throughout North America. The species has spread to all North American life zones from Lower Austral/Lower Sonoran to Canada. Estimates show that a single female of this species might be the progenitor in a few generations of millions. It is absent or scarce in desert and semidesert regions (except for irrigated areas). It is not found north of Canadian life zone, nor on Channel Islands off the coast of southern California. By 1898, the small white had spread to Hawaii; by 1929, it had reached New Zealand and the area around Melbourne, Australia, and found its way to Perth as early as 1943. It does not seem to have made it to South America.

10-6-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus)

The Little Bittern, or Common Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), is a diminutive member of the heron family, Ardeidae. This species is the smallest of the breeding herons in Europe, distinguished by its compact stature, elongated and pointed bill, and robust neck.

Male Little Bitterns exhibit a striking pattern with a black crown, nape, back, tail, and scapulars that may show a subtle green sheen. Their underparts are a soft buff, and the wings feature a distinctive pinkish buff oval panel formed by the inner wing coverts. Females are more subdued in color, with brownish-black upperparts and streaked underparts. Juveniles resemble females but are rufous and heavily streaked.

This species thrives in dense reedbeds, rushes, and bushes that grow above water bodies, providing them with ample cover and feeding opportunities.

The Little Bittern is native to the Old World, with a breeding range that spans Africa, central and southern Europe, western and southern Asia, and Madagascar. Migratory populations from Europe and western Asia winter in Africa and southern Asia, while tropical populations are generally sedentary.

A crepuscular and elusive bird, the Little Bittern is often solitary, hunting fish, amphibians, and insects within or along the edges of reedbeds. Males establish territories in spring, signaling their presence with a deep, barking call. The species is monogamous for the breeding season, with nests built in dense vegetation over water. They typically lay 5-6 eggs, which are incubated for 17-19 days, and chicks fledge after 25-30 days.

The male's territorial call is a deep, barking or croaking sound, used to attract a mate and declare ownership of his breeding area.

Breeding occurs in dense reedbeds, with a single brood per season. The eggs are laid from mid-May, with both parents involved in raising the offspring.

The Little Bittern can be confused with other small herons, but its size, distinctive wing panels, and behavior help differentiate it.

Their diet consists of fish, amphibians, and insects, which they hunt by stealthily stalking their prey in their aquatic habitats.

The Little Bittern is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, populations have declined in some areas, and the species is subject to conservation efforts under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds.

Diet: They feed primarily on small fish, frogs, insects, and small crustaceans. They are solitary hunters, stalking prey within the marsh vegetation.

Behaviour: Known to be extremely secretive and often crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). They are agile climbers among reeds due to their long legs and toes.

Reproduction: Males emit a monotonous, repeated barking "koh" call in the breeding season. They usually build nests in reedbeds, and they may nest one or more times if the breeding season is long enough.

Conservation Status: The species is classified as Least Concern, although it is considered rare in some parts of Europe, like Britain. 

10-6-2020 BONAIRE, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_bee-eater

10-6-2020 BONAIRE, VALENCIA - EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)

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

9-6-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COASTAL PEARL MOTH (Mecyna asinalis)

Mecyna asinalis, sometimes known as the madder pearl, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae found in Europe.

The wingspan is 25–29 millimetres (0.98–1.14 in). The forewings are grey; lines darker, first indistinct, sometimes followed by a dark fuscous triangular subdorsal spot, second sometimes blackish -dotted, curved, with a deep abrupt sinuation inwards below middle, often preceded by a brownish or dark fuscous trapezoidal subdorsal spot; very large orbicular, and reniform discal spot somewhat paler, latter preceded and followed by faint brownish sometimes dark-edged spots. Hind are wings grey; a darker postmedian line. The larva is yellow-brownish; dorsal line reddish-brown; subdorsal broader, brown; lateral brown; spots black.

The moth flies from May to October in two generations per year.

The larvae graze the leaves of the foodplant eating the parenchyma and leaving a ″window″ in the upper epidermis. Foodplants include taupata (Coprosma repens), crosswort (Crucianella maritima) and wild madder (Rubia peregrina).

It is found in west and southern Europe, including Ireland, Britain, the Iberian Peninsula, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Albania, Croatia, Greece and Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, Madeira, Corsica, the Azores and the Canary Islands.

9-6-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOVER FLY (Sphaerophoria rueppellii)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/337925-Sphaerophoria-rueppellii

7-6-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea ostrinaria)

Idaea ostrinaria (Coral-bordered Wave) is a small geometrid moth found in European, Mediterranean, and Western Asian xerophilous (dry) habitats, typically at 0–800m altitude. It features a characteristic coral-red bordered wing and is polyphagous, with larvae feeding on withered foliage and detritus from herbaceous plants like thyme (Thymus) and heliotrope (Heliotropium). 

Key Facts about Idaea ostrinaria:

Scientific Classification: Belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Geometridae, and subfamily Sterrhinae.

Habitat: Prefers dry, coastal areas, and warm, open landscapes.

Appearance: Known for its reddish or "coral-bordered" wing markings, often featuring a delicate, pale, or brownish-grey ground color.

Larval Diet: Polyphagous, meaning they eat a variety of plants, including Labiatae (mint family), Boraginaceae, Campanulaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Caryophyllaceae.

Range: Primarily found in South-West Europe, the Mediterranean region, and parts of Western Asia.

Flight Season: Frequently observed in late spring and summer months (e.g., June sightings). 

8-6-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SCARCE FOOTMAN MOTH (Eilema complana)

7-6-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FLAT HEADED ROOT BORER (Capnodis tenebrionis)

Capnodis tenebrionis (flat-headed root-borer) is a devastating pest of stone fruit trees (cherry, peach, almond, apricot) in Mediterranean regions. Larvae cause major damage by boring into roots and trunks. Key facts include a 13-month lifecycle, 13-25mm size, and white larvae, which can be managed by biological agents like e-nema nematodes. 

Key Facts About the Flat-Headed Root-Borer (Capnodis tenebrionis)

Pest Type: It is a jewel beetle (Buprestidae family) that predominantly attacks stone fruit trees in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

Destructive Life Stage: The larva is the most destructive stage, living within the tree for up to a year, eating through roots and the root collar, as detailed in the Atlas of Forest Pests.

Damage Symptoms: Larvae feed under the bark, creating tunnels and filling them with frass (sawdust-like waste). This causes tree weakness, dieback of branches, and often death of young trees.

Lifecycle: Adults emerge in spring, with females laying thousands of eggs in the soil near tree bases. Larvae hatch and burrow into the roots.

Identification: Adult beetles are oval, flattened, and black or dark gray, usually 15-25 mm long. Larvae are white, soft-bodied, and worm-like with a distinctively broad, flattened "head" (actually the thorax).

7-6-2020 GANDIA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12971-Muscicapa-striata