9-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is a bird of prey from the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, it is often simply referred to as the "kestrel." This raptor is small compared to other birds of prey but larger than most songbirds, with long wings and a distinctive long tail.

Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The male has a blue-grey cap and tail with a black tip bordered by a narrow white rim. Its back is chestnut with black spots, and the underside is buff with black streaks. The female is larger and lacks the blue-grey coloring, having a brown back with black bars and a similar underside to the male. Both sexes have a prominent black malar stripe, bright yellow cere, feet, and eye-ring, with dark toenails, bill, and iris.

 

The common kestrel favors open habitats such as fields, heaths, shrubland, and marshland. It does not require woodland but needs alternative perching and nesting sites like rocks or buildings. It thrives in treeless steppes and can adapt to human settlements and various landscapes, from wetlands to arid savannas.

This species has a vast range, being widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. It has colonized some oceanic islands, though vagrant individuals are generally rare.

The common kestrel is diurnal and can be sedentary or migratory, depending on the region. It is known for its characteristic hunting behavior, hovering 10-20 meters above the ground before diving steeply onto prey. It is also capable of seeing ultraviolet light, which aids in detecting the urine trails of small mammals.

Breeding occurs in spring or the start of the dry season, with the kestrel preferring cavity nests in cliffs, trees, or buildings. Clutches typically consist of 3-7 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The young fledge after 4-5 weeks and stay with the family for a short period thereafter.

The lesser kestrel and American kestrel are similar but not closely related. The lesser kestrel lacks black on the upperside except for wing and tail tips, while the American kestrel has much grey in the wings of males.

The common kestrel's diet consists almost exclusively of mouse-sized mammals, such as voles, shrews, and true mice. It may also consume small birds, particularly during the summer when fledglings are abundant. Invertebrates and arthropods can be significant food sources seasonally.

7-12-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - NORTHERN CADDISFLIES (Tribe Stenophylacini)

Northern caddisflies (family Limnephilidae) are a diverse group of aquatic insects known for building protective, portable cases from silk, plant, and mineral materials as larvae. They are a critical, pollution-sensitive, and widespread aquatic macroinvertebrate. Larvae are mostly aquatic herbivores or detritivores, while adults are short-lived, moth-like insects.

Key Facts About Northern Caddisflies (Limnephilidae)

Case-Building Larvae: Larvae use saliva to turn silk into cases made of sand, pebbles, twigs, and leaves. These cases often take on a "log-cabin" appearance in certain genera.

Habitat & Distribution: As one of the most diverse families of caddisflies, they are found in cold streams, lakes, ponds, and marshy habitats throughout Northern temperate regions.

Ecological Indicators: Their presence signifies good water quality and healthy ecosystems, as they cannot survive in low-oxygen or polluted water.

Unique Adaptation: The genus Enoicyla is the only terrestrial caddisfly, living in damp leaf litter rather than water.

Lifecycle: They go through a complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (often up to 1 year), pupa, and adult.

Adult Appearance: Adults resemble moths with long antennae, but they have hairs (setae) on their wings instead of scales. They are mostly brown, with a tapered, tent-like wing structure.

Feeding Habits: Larvae act as scavengers or browse on algae. Adults are believed to feed on nectar or not at all, focusing on mating. 

6-12-2020 MARJALES DE INTERIOR, ALBUFERA - COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)

The Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos, is a small wader of the Palearctic region, easily recognized by its greyish-brown upperparts and pristine white underparts. Adults typically measure between 18-20 cm in length, with a wingspan of 32-35 cm. They possess short, dark-yellowish legs and feet, and a bill that is pale at the base with a dark tip.

In the field, look for the Common Sandpiper's distinctive stiff-winged flight pattern, just above the water's surface. During the non-breeding season, they appear duller and exhibit more noticeable barring on the wings, which is most visible at close range. Juveniles display heavier barring above and buff edges to their wing feathers. The species can be differentiated from the similar Spotted Sandpiper by its darker legs and feet and the crisper wing pattern, especially in flight.

These birds are often found near freshwater sources, where they nest on the ground in close proximity to the water's edge.

The Common Sandpiper breeds across much of temperate and subtropical Europe and Asia. It is a migratory bird, wintering in Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. During migration, large numbers may congregate in stop-over locations such as Palau in Micronesia.

Common Sandpipers are typically solitary or found in small groups. They may form larger flocks during migration or at breeding season roosts but seldom join multispecies flocks.

When breeding, these birds nest on the ground near freshwater. A notable behavior is the young's ability to cling to a parent's body, being flown to safety when threatened.

The Spotted Sandpiper (A. macularia) is the most similar species, especially in non-breeding plumage. However, the Common Sandpiper's darker legs and more defined wing pattern in flight help distinguish it.

The Common Sandpiper forages by sight, picking up small food items such as insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates from the ground or shallow water. It is also known to catch insects in flight.

The species is widespread and common, thus classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, it is considered vulnerable in some Australian states. The Common Sandpiper is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

6-12-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLOODY NOSED BEETLE (Timarcha tenebricosa)

The bloody-nosed beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa), also called blood spewer or blood-spewing beetle, is a leaf beetle native to Europe.

T. tenebricosa measures 15–20 mm in length, is blue-black in colour and is both larger and more constricted on the base of its pronotum than the visually similar T. goettingensis (the lesser bloody-nosed beetle). The body is strongly curved, and elytra smooth and finely punctuated. Its antennae are thick and well segmented, its legs have long tarsi and terminate with a double hook.

Timarcha tenebricosa is monophagous; the larvae feed exclusively on bedstraws, especially species with tender leaves (such as Galium verum and Galium mollugo). The adult beetles usually move slowly on the ground, in the grass and herbaceous plants, mainly at night.

 

As a defensive behaviour, they exude droplets of their bright red-orange hemolymph by breaking thin membranes in their mouth, which is foul-tasting to predators. This phenomenon of reflex bleeding exists in some other insects, such as ladybugs.

Eggs are laid in spring on bedstraw. Larvae may measure up to 20 mm and are blue-black in colour. The pupae overwinter.

The beetle can be found in southern and central Europe, and is common in Britain and Ireland.

6-12-2020 MARJALES DE INTERIOR, ALBUFERA - MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis)

The meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) is a small passerine bird that breeds throughout much of the Palearctic, from south-eastern Greenland and Iceland east to just east of the Ural Mountains in Russia, and south to central France and Romania; an isolated population also occurs in the Caucasus Mountains. It is migratory over most of its range, wintering in southern Europe, North Africa, and south-western Asia, but is resident year-round in western Europe, although even here many birds move to the coast or lowlands in winter.

It is primarily a species of open habitats, either uncultivated or low-intensity agriculture, such as grassland, moorland, and heathland, but also occurs in small numbers on arable land. In winter, it also uses saltmarshes and sometimes open woodland. It is a fairly terrestrial pipit, always feeding on the ground, but using elevated perches such as shrubs, fence lines, or electric wires as vantage points to watch for predators.

6-12-2020 MARJALES DE INTERIOR, ALBUFERA - WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta)

The Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) is a small, sprightly passerine bird, a denizen of the mountains of Southern Europe and the Palearctic, extending its range eastwards to the vastness of China. This bird is a short-distance migrant, often descending to lower altitudes or seeking the openness of wet lowlands when winter's grip takes hold.

In its breeding attire, the Water Pipit dons greyish-brown upperparts, modestly streaked with a darker hue, and a pale pink-buff on the underparts, which gently fades to a whitish tone on the lower belly. The head is adorned with a grey crown and a striking broad white supercilium, while the outer tail feathers flash white. Come winter, the plumage is more subdued; the head becomes grey-brown, the supercilium less pronounced, and the upperparts bear more pronounced streaking. The underparts transition to white, with light brown streaks gracing the breast and flanks. The three subspecies show only minor variations, and both sexes present a near-identical appearance, with the young resembling the adults.

 

The Water Pipit is a bird of the high mountains during the breeding season, favoring alpine meadows and pastures with short grass, often near wet areas or slopes.

This species breeds in the mountainous regions of southern Europe and across Asia to central China, with some populations residing on the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica. In winter, many birds migrate to coastal wetlands, marshes, and rice fields.

The Water Pipit is a bird that values its privacy, often proving more elusive and wary than its relatives. When disturbed, it takes to the wing, flying a considerable distance before alighting once more.

The Water Pipit's song is a series of four or five blocks, each composed of about six repetitions of a distinct short note, performed from a perch or during flight. Its call is a sharp "dzip," and its flight call a short, thin "fist," sitting between the calls of the Meadow and Rock Pipits.

6-12-2020 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis ssp. ibis)

The western cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. Most taxonomic authorities lump this species and the eastern cattle egret together (called the cattle egret), but some (including the International Ornithologists' Union) separate them. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century.

It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Western cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations of the cattle egret are migratory and others show post-breeding dispersal.

6-12-2020 MARJALES DE INTERIOR, ALBUFERA - COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3978-Actitis-hypoleucos

 

6-12-2020 CREU DE LONGA, 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.

The call of the White Wagtail is a sharp "chisick," softer than that of the Pied Wagtail. Its song is more structured and is used by males to attract females rather than to mark territory.

White Wagtails are monogamous breeders, with both sexes contributing to nest building. The nest is often placed in crevices or holes near water or in human-made structures. The species lays three to eight cream-colored, speckled eggs, which both parents incubate. Chicks fledge after 12 to 15 days and continue to be fed for a week thereafter.

The Pied Wagtail, particularly the subspecies M. a. yarrellii, is similar but has a darker back and is found in Great Britain and Ireland. Other subspecies vary in wing, back, and head coloration.

The diet of the White Wagtail primarily consists of insects and small invertebrates, including beetles, dragonflies, flies, and crustaceans. It continues to feed on insects even in winter, unlike many other insectivorous birds in temperate climates.

The White Wagtail is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its population is large and stable, and the species has adapted well to human-altered landscapes. However, it faces threats from being kept as pets, used for food, and potentially from climate change affecting migration patterns.

The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia and has been depicted on the postage stamps of several countries. It is celebrated in Latvian folk songs and holds a special place in the cultural heritage of the regions it inhabits.

4-12-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON CREVICE CRICKET (Gryllomorpha dalmatina)

Gryllomorpha dalmatina, common name wingless house-cricket, is a species of cricket belonging to the family Gryllidae subfamily Gryllomorphinae.

This cricket is mainly present in France, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, in the Near East and in North Africa.

Gryllomorpha dalmatina is the largest species of the genus Gryllomorpha. The adults grow up to 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in). They are wingless. The basic coloration of the body is pale brown, with dark-brown markings on the body and the legs. The antennae are very long. Also legs are rather long. The female ovipositor is long and thin and can reach a length of about 12–17 millimetres (0.47–0.67 in).

They can commonly be encountered in nature from April through early Autumn, but in the domestic environment they are active all year round. They can be found in buildings, especially in dark moist places, as caves, cellars, basements, but also under stones and bark.  As a matter of fact, these crickets fear the light and feed on organic debris.

4-12-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

3-12-2020 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is a bird of prey from the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, it is often simply referred to as the "kestrel." This raptor is small compared to other birds of prey but larger than most songbirds, with long wings and a distinctive long tail.

Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The male has a blue-grey cap and tail with a black tip bordered by a narrow white rim. Its back is chestnut with black spots, and the underside is buff with black streaks. The female is larger and lacks the blue-grey coloring, having a brown back with black bars and a similar underside to the male. Both sexes have a prominent black malar stripe, bright yellow cere, feet, and eye-ring, with dark toenails, bill, and iris.

The common kestrel favors open habitats such as fields, heaths, shrubland, and marshland. It does not require woodland but needs alternative perching and nesting sites like rocks or buildings. It thrives in treeless steppes and can adapt to human settlements and various landscapes, from wetlands to arid savannas.

This species has a vast range, being widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. It has colonized some oceanic islands, though vagrant individuals are generally rare.

The common kestrel is diurnal and can be sedentary or migratory, depending on the region. It is known for its characteristic hunting behavior, hovering 10-20 meters above the ground before diving steeply onto prey. It is also capable of seeing ultraviolet light, which aids in detecting the urine trails of small mammals.

Breeding occurs in spring or the start of the dry season, with the kestrel preferring cavity nests in cliffs, trees, or buildings. Clutches typically consist of 3-7 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The young fledge after 4-5 weeks and stay with the family for a short period thereafter.

The lesser kestrel and American kestrel are similar but not closely related. The lesser kestrel lacks black on the upperside except for wing and tail tips, while the American kestrel has much grey in the wings of males.

The common kestrel's diet consists almost exclusively of mouse-sized mammals, such as voles, shrews, and true mice. It may also consume small birds, particularly during the summer when fledglings are abundant. Invertebrates and arthropods can be significant food sources seasonally.

3-12-2020 GANDIA, 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.

The call of the White Wagtail is a sharp "chisick," softer than that of the Pied Wagtail. Its song is more structured and is used by males to attract females rather than to mark territory.

3-12-2020 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.

1-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (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.

2-12-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ORIENTAL COCKROACH (Blatta orientalis)

Oriental cockroaches (Blatta orientalis), often called "water bugs" or "black beetle cockroaches," are large, shiny black/dark brown pests, measuring about 1 inch long. They prefer cool, damp, dark environments (sewers, basements) and are relatively slow-moving, flightless scavengers that can survive over a month without food. They are major hygiene hazards, feeding on decaying matter and spreading bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.

Key Facts & Characteristics

Appearance: Glossy black or dark brown body. Adult males have wings covering 75% of their body, while females are larger with small, non-functional wing pads (appearing wingless).

Behavior: They are sluggish and, unlike other species, cannot climb smooth surfaces efficiently, meaning they stay near ground level, in basements, or in damp, cool areas.

Habitat: They thrive in high-moisture areas like sewers, drains, damp basements, and crawl spaces. They are often found in large, grouped populations.Diet: They are scavengers, eating filth, garbage, decaying organic matter, and food scraps.

Lifespan & Breeding: Adult males live about 1 to 4 months, females up to 6 months. A female produces an average of 8 egg capsules (oothecae) in her life, each holding up to 16 eggs.

Health Risk: These pests spread dangerous bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli) and pathogens.Control: Due to their love of moisture, fixing leaky pipes and dehumidifying areas is crucial. They often require professional pest control.Differences from Other CockroachesMobility: They cannot fly and are slower than other species.

1-12-2020 MARJOLES DE INTERIOR, ALBUFERA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), a robust seabird, is cloaked in predominantly black plumage. It is a member of the cormorant family, with a widespread distribution. The species exhibits considerable size variation across its range, with males generally larger than females. Notable features include a longish tail and a distinctive yellow throat-patch. During the breeding season, adults boast white patches on their thighs and throat.

To identify the great cormorant, look for its large size, heavy build, and thick bill. It lacks a crest and its plumage does not have a green tinge, distinguishing it from the common shag. In North America, it is bulkier than the double-crested cormorant and has less yellow on the throat and bill. The white thigh patches are a key identifier.

1-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - COMMON KINGFISHER (FEMALE) (Alcedo atthis)

The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), also known as the Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher, is a vibrant, pocket-sized gem among birds. With its unmistakable silhouette characterized by a stout body, large head, and a long, sharp bill, it is a sight to behold. The male boasts a striking palette with blue upperparts, an orange belly, and a conspicuous white throat and collar. The female mirrors the male's vivid colors but can be discerned by her orange-red lower mandible with a black tip.

To identify the Common Kingfisher, look for its bright blue and orange plumage and its rapid, low flight over water. The male's bill is predominantly black with some red at the base, while the female's bill features an orange-red lower mandible. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, greener upperparts and paler underparts. Their black bill and legs gradually acquire the adult coloration.

The Common Kingfisher is found along clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, as well as lakes with well-vegetated banks. It prefers areas with overhanging branches that provide vantage points for hunting. In winter, it may move to coastal regions, frequenting estuaries, harbors, and rocky shores.

This species has a broad range across Eurasia and North Africa. It is a year-round resident in many parts of its range but migrates from colder regions where water bodies freeze in winter.

The Common Kingfisher is a solitary and highly territorial bird, particularly during the breeding season. It is known for its fast and direct flight, often creating a flash of electric blue as it moves along waterways. When hunting, it perches above the water before diving in to catch prey with remarkable precision.

The Common Kingfisher's call is a sharp, high-pitched whistle, often repeated in flight. When alarmed, it emits a harsher sound, and nestlings vocalize with a churring noise to signal hunger.

Breeding pairs form in the autumn, with each bird maintaining its own territory. The courtship involves chasing and ritual feeding. Nests are burrows tunneled into riverbanks, where the female lays glossy white eggs. Both parents share incubation duties, and the young fledge after about a month.

In its range, the Common Kingfisher could be confused with other small blue kingfishers. However, its rufous ear patches and specific head pattern are distinguishing features.

The diet of the Common Kingfisher is predominantly fish, complemented by aquatic insects and, in winter, crustaceans. It hunts by diving from perches, using specialized vision to locate prey underwater.

The Common Kingfisher is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. It has a large, stable population and a vast global range. However, it remains sensitive to water pollution and habitat disturbance, which can impact local numbers.

30-11-2020 FORNA, ALICANTE - MEDITERRANEAN MANTIS (FEMALE) (Iris oratoria)

Iris oratoria, known by the common name Mediterranean mantis (or less frequently iris mantis), due to humans first studying it in lands around the Mediterranean Sea, is a species of praying mantis. Its range is expanding in the Middle East, Western Asia and the United States.

Albania, Bulgaria, Brač Island, Korčula Island, France (Including Corsica), Greece (Including Ionian Islands, Crete, Cyclades Islands), Italy (Including Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Portugal, Spain (Including Balearic Islands), Yugoslavia (Including Serbia, Kosovo, Voivodina, Montenegro), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, North Chad), Cyprus, West, Central and South Asia (Asian Turkey, India, Israel, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Turkestan Non-native to the Southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas.

I. oratoria is very pale when young but matures to grass green, and grows to about 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long. The species may be distinguished from Mantis religiosa and other mantids with which it shares a range and general size and shape by the red-orange spot on the ventral side of the fourth (second to last) abdominal segment; also, its cerci are shorter than those of M. religiosa. The species is distinctive in having two large startling violet-brown eyespots on its hind wings which are revealed when its wings are unfolded. The adult is more slender than Tenodera sinensis, more like Mantis religiosa in shape. Females have wings shorter than the abdomen, very similar to some Stagmomantis species, but easily distinguished if the hindwings are visible.

29-11-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHIELDBACK KATYDID (Thyreonotus corsicus)

Thyreonotus corsicus is a species belonging to the family Tettigoniidae subfamily Tettigoniinae. It is found in the western Mediterranean from the Iberian Peninsula over the south of France to the southwestern Alps. Isolated populations are found in Corsica and Sardinia.

Shieldbacks have a substantial pronotum that looks like a shield. 

They look like tiny armored tanks – rounded, plump, sturdy - but they are not as invulnerable as they appear and can be seriously injured if dropped. It might be a good idea to leave them where you find them (should you be fortunate enough to locate one) and simply watch what they do - including catching and eating other insects. I observed a Protean Shieldback about to grab and eat a male Japanese beetle that was in the process of mating!

They live in woodland edges and shrubby meadows, and their shades of brown blend very well with bark, shrub stems, and dry leaves. These katydids are generally nocturnal and are predators on smaller insects. Although I seldom see or hear them, they seem to mature in the beginning of July.

Their song is an electrical buzzing reminiscent of a humming wire. Although non-native, they mature earlier than our native meadow katydids and don’t seem to be a problem. Listen for them in grassy meadows from later June into July.

The Shieldback Katydid (Thyreonotus corsicus) is a flightless bush cricket native to the western Mediterranean, spanning the Iberian Peninsula, France, and isolated islands like Corsica and Sardinia. Recognized by a massive, saddle-like shield covering its thorax and vestigial wings, this chunky insect plays a vital role in natural pest control.

Key Characteristics & Ecology

Appearance: These katydids measure between 20 to 29 mm in length (excluding the female's prominent, sword-like ovipositor). They exhibit distinct, armored-looking "shields" (pronotums) and come in both green and brown color variations to blend into the shrubbery.

Flightless: Both sexes have reduced, atrophied wings. Because they cannot fly, they rely entirely on climbing and long, powerful legs for navigation.Diet: They are omnivorous and act as important biological controllers. They are highly valued in forestry because they consume the eggs and young caterpillars of the destructive pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa).

Habitat: They thrive in areas with dense, low vegetation like scrublands, maquis, garigue, and open, dry woodlands.

Life Cycle: Adults emerge in late summer (typically July) and are active until November. Females lay eggs singly directly into the soil.

26-11-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ORIENTAL COCKROACH (Blatta orientalis)

The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis), often called a "waterbug" or "black beetle," is a slow-moving, dark brown to black pest. Measuring about 1 inch in length, they thrive in cool, damp, and decaying environments. Because they frequent sewers and filth, they are major vectors for bacteria and viruses.

Physical CharacteristicsFlightless: Neither sex can fly. Males have wings covering most of their bodies, while females only have short, rudimentary wing pads.

Size & Color: Adults are about 1 inch (25-32 mm) long with a glossy, dark brown or nearly black exoskeleton.

Legs: Unlike other roaches, their legs lack specialized pads, preventing them from climbing smooth vertical surfaces.

 Behavior & Habitat

Moisture Seekers: Often referred to as waterbugs, they gather in damp basements, crawlspaces, floor drains, and water meter boxes.

Cold Hardiness: They prefer cooler temperatures (around 20-30 °C) and are highly resistant to cold, often thriving in unheated spaces.

Diet: Omnivorous but with a preference for starchy foods and decaying organic matter.

Life Cycle

Egg Cases: Females produce egg capsules (oothecae) containing about 16 eggs. They typically drop or glue these capsules in warm, sheltered spots.

Development: Development from nymph to adult is slow, taking anywhere from 12 months to up to 800 days depending on temperature.

Health & Infestation 

RisksDisease: They frequently travel through sewer pipes and live in filth, easily transferring pathogens (like E. coli and Salmonella) onto food and food-prep surfaces.

Odor: Large infestations can emit a distinct, musty, unpleasant odor.

24-11-2020 MARJALES DE INTERNAL, ALBUFERA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/472766-Falco-tinnunculus

 

20-11-2020 VILLALONGA RESERVIOR, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

The Little Egret frequents a variety of wetland habitats, from the shores of lakes and rivers to marshes and coastal regions. It is often found in open environments, such as mangroves, swamps, mudflats, and sandy beaches, as well as human-altered landscapes like rice fields.

The species has a broad breeding distribution across warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Africa and southern Asia, while others remain as permanent residents in warmer areas.

20-11-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PUG MOTH (Genus Eupithecia)

Eupithecia is the largest genus of moths of the family Geometridae, and the namesake and type genus of tribe Eupitheciini. Species in the genus are, like those of other genera in the tribe, commonly known as pugs. The genus is highly speciose, with over 1400 species, and members of the genus are present in most of the world with exception of Australasia. Roughly a quarter of described Eupithecia species occur in the Neotropical realm, where they have an especially high species diversity in the montane rain forests of the Andes. The genus includes a few agricultural pest species, such as the currant pug moth, Eupithecia assimilata, which is a pest on hops, and the cloaked pug moth, Eupithecia abietaria, which is a cone pest in spruce seed orchards.

Adult specimens of Eupithecia are typically small, often between 12 and 35 mm, with muted colours, and display a large amount of uniformity between species. As a result, identification of a specimen as part of genus Eupithecia is generally easy, but identifying the exact species is difficult and often reliant on examination of the dissected genitals. Most species share a characteristic resting pose in which the forewings are held flat at a right angle to the body—that is, the costal margins of both forewings form a more-or-less horizontal line—while the hindwings are largely covered by the forewings. They are generally nocturnal.