13-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (MALE) (Saxicola rubicola)

The European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, is a small, charming passerine bird, once thought to be a member of the thrush family but now placed within the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This species exhibits a striking sexual dimorphism, with males donning a black plumage with vibrant orange throats and females wearing a more subdued brown.

Males in their summer plumage are unmistakable with their black heads, orange throats, and white bellies. They also sport a distinctive white half-collar and small white patches on the wings and rump. Females, on the other hand, are predominantly brown with less pronounced white wing patches. Both sexes have notably short wings, which are shorter than those of their migratory relatives.

The European stonechat favors heathlands, coastal dunes, and open grasslands dotted with shrubs, brambles, and heather. These habitats provide the perfect backdrop for their active foraging and breeding behaviors.

This species is widely distributed across Europe, reaching as far east as Ukraine and the South Caucasus, and can also be found in parts of North Africa.

Stonechats are known for their lively presence, often perching conspicuously as they keep a vigilant eye on their surroundings. They exhibit a partial migratory pattern, with some populations moving southward to escape the colder winters.

The male stonechat's song is a delightful, high-pitched twitter, reminiscent of a dunnock's melody. Both sexes communicate with a distinctive call that evokes the sound of two stones being tapped together.

European stonechats are monogamous during the breeding season and commence their reproductive efforts at one year of age. They raise two to three broods per season, with the female constructing the nest and both parents tending to the young.

These birds are adept insectivores, gleaning a variety of invertebrates from their environment to sustain themselves and their offspring.

13-12-2020 EL PALMAR, 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 white wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. The species breeds in much of Europe and the Asian Palearctic and parts of North Africa. It has a toehold in Alaska as a scarce breeder. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. In Ireland and Great Britain, the darker subspecies, the pied wagtail or water wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) predominates; this is also called in Ireland willie wagtail, not to be confused with the Australian species Rhipidura leucophrys which bears the same common name. In total, there are between 9 and 11 subspecies of M. alba.

13-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (MALE) (Saxicola rubicola)

The European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, is a small, charming passerine bird, once thought to be a member of the thrush family but now placed within the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This species exhibits a striking sexual dimorphism, with males donning a black plumage with vibrant orange throats and females wearing a more subdued brown.

Males in their summer plumage are unmistakable with their black heads, orange throats, and white bellies. They also sport a distinctive white half-collar and small white patches on the wings and rump. Females, on the other hand, are predominantly brown with less pronounced white wing patches. Both sexes have notably short wings, which are shorter than those of their migratory relatives.

The European stonechat favors heathlands, coastal dunes, and open grasslands dotted with shrubs, brambles, and heather. These habitats provide the perfect backdrop for their active foraging and breeding behaviors.

This species is widely distributed across Europe, reaching as far east as Ukraine and the South Caucasus, and can also be found in parts of North Africa.

Stonechats are known for their lively presence, often perching conspicuously as they keep a vigilant eye on their surroundings. They exhibit a partial migratory pattern, with some populations moving southward to escape the colder winters.

The male stonechat's song is a delightful, high-pitched twitter, reminiscent of a dunnock's melody. Both sexes communicate with a distinctive call that evokes the sound of two stones being tapped together.

European stonechats are monogamous during the breeding season and commence their reproductive efforts at one year of age. They raise two to three broods per season, with the female constructing the nest and both parents tending to the young.

The European stonechat can be confused with the Siberian stonechat and the African stonechat, but genetic evidence supports their distinction as separate species.

These birds are adept insectivores, gleaning a variety of invertebrates from their environment to sustain themselves and their offspring.

The European stonechat does not currently face any significant conservation threats and enjoys a stable population across its range.

13-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (FEMALE) (Saxicola rubicola)

The European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, is a small, charming passerine bird, once thought to be a member of the thrush family but now placed within the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This species exhibits a striking sexual dimorphism, with males donning a black plumage with vibrant orange throats and females wearing a more subdued brown.

Males in their summer plumage are unmistakable with their black heads, orange throats, and white bellies. They also sport a distinctive white half-collar and small white patches on the wings and rump. Females, on the other hand, are predominantly brown with less pronounced white wing patches. Both sexes have notably short wings, which are shorter than those of their migratory relatives.

The European stonechat favors heathlands, coastal dunes, and open grasslands dotted with shrubs, brambles, and heather. These habitats provide the perfect backdrop for their active foraging and breeding behaviors.

This species is widely distributed across Europe, reaching as far east as Ukraine and the South Caucasus, and can also be found in parts of North Africa.

Stonechats are known for their lively presence, often perching conspicuously as they keep a vigilant eye on their surroundings. They exhibit a partial migratory pattern, with some populations moving southward to escape the colder winters.

The male stonechat's song is a delightful, high-pitched twitter, reminiscent of a dunnock's melody. Both sexes communicate with a distinctive call that evokes the sound of two stones being tapped together.

European stonechats are monogamous during the breeding season and commence their reproductive efforts at one year of age. They raise two to three broods per season, with the female constructing the nest and both parents tending to the young.

The European stonechat can be confused with the Siberian stonechat and the African stonechat, but genetic evidence supports their distinction as separate species.

These birds are adept insectivores, gleaning a variety of invertebrates from their environment to sustain themselves and their offspring.

The European stonechat does not currently face any significant conservation threats and enjoys a stable population across its range.

13-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - SPOTLESS STARLING (Sturnus unicolor)

The Spotless Starling, known scientifically as Sturnus unicolor, is a member of the starling family, Sturnidae. It bears a striking resemblance to its cousin, the Common Starling, but is distinguished by its slightly larger size, measuring 21-23 cm in length and weighing between 70-100 grams. Its plumage is a glossy, oily black, which may exhibit purple or green iridescence under bright light. Notably, during the spring and summer, its feathers are completely devoid of spots, while in winter, it sports only minuscule pale spots.

To identify the Spotless Starling, look for its longer throat feathers, which are double the length of those on the Common Starling, creating a pronounced "beard" especially visible when the bird vocalizes. Its legs are a vivid pink, and the bill color changes with the seasons: yellow with a bluish or pinkish base in summer, and a duller, often blackish hue in winter. Juveniles present a dull brown plumage, darker than their common counterparts, with a black bill and brown legs.

The Spotless Starling is quite adaptable, inhabiting a variety of open environments from farmlands and olive groves to urban areas. It thrives particularly well in open grazed holm oak woods and in cities like Gibraltar, where it is a common sight.

13-12-2020 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 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.

13-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecica)

The Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) is a small and enchanting passerine, reminiscent of the European robin in stature, measuring 13-14 cm in length. The males are particularly striking with their vibrant throat plumage, which boasts a rich blue central patch framed by black and rust-colored borders, evoking the hues of the Swedish flag. Above, they are a modest brown, save for the black tail adorned with red side patches, and they possess a pronounced white supercilium that stands out against their plumage.

To identify the Bluethroat, look for the male's resplendent throat, which is its most distinguishing feature. Females and juveniles are more subdued, with the females typically displaying a blackish crescent on a cream throat and breast. Juveniles are freckled and spotted with dark brown above. All share the characteristic white supercilium and black tail with red side patches.

The Bluethroat favors wet birch woods or bushy swamps for breeding, finding solace in the dense undergrowth where it can nest in tussocks or low bushes.

This migratory bird breeds across the Palearctic and has a foothold in western Alaska. When the cold season approaches, it retreats to warmer climes, wintering in the Iberian Peninsula, northern Africa, and southern Asia, including the Indian subcontinent.

The Bluethroat is a bird of secretive nature, often found flitting through dense vegetation. It is migratory, with moulting beginning in July after breeding and completed in 40-45 days before the birds embark on their long journey to wintering grounds.

The male Bluethroat is a skilled vocalist with a song that is both varied and highly imitative. Its call is a characteristic chat "chack" noise, which can be heard amidst the underbrush where it dwells.

Bluethroats nest in tussocks or low in dense bushes, preferring the sheltered environment of wet woodlands or swampy areas.

As an insectivorous bird, the Bluethroat's diet consists primarily of insects, which it seeks out in its wetland and swampy habitats.

The bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. It, and similar small European species, are often called chats.

It is a migratory insectivorous species breeding in wet birch wood or bushy swamp in Europe and across the Palearctic with a foothold in western Alaska. It nests in tussocks or low in dense bushes. It winters in the Iberian Peninsular, the northern half of Africa, and in southern Asia (among others including the Indian subcontinent).

The bluethroat bird is similar in size to the European robin at 13–14 cm. It is plain brown above except for the distinctive black tail with red side patches. It has a strong white supercilium. Despite the distinctive appearance of the males, recent genetic studies show only limited variation between the forms, and confirm that this is a single species. Moults begins in July after breeding and are completed in 40–45 days, before the birds migrate.

The male has a varied and very imitative song. Its call is a typical chat chack noise. 

12-12-2020 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - TAWNY OWL (Strix aluco)

The tawny owl (Strix aluco), also called the brown owl, is a stocky, medium-sized owl in the family Strigidae. It is commonly found in woodlands across Europe, as well as western Siberia, and has seven recognized subspecies. The tawny owl's underparts are pale with dark streaks, whilst its upper body may be either brown or grey (in several subspecies, individuals may be of both colours). The tawny owl typically makes its nest in a tree hole where it can protect its eggs and young against potential predators. It is non-migratory and highly territorial: as a result, when young birds grow up and leave the parental nest, if they cannot find a vacant territory to claim as their own, they will often starve.

The tawny owl is a nocturnal bird of prey. It is able to hunt successfully at night because of its vision, hearing adaptations and ability to fly silently. It usually hunts by dropping suddenly from a perch and seizing its prey, which it swallows whole. Its typical prey are rodents, although in urbanised areas its diet includes a higher proportion of birds. It also sometimes catches smaller owls, and is itself sometimes hunted by the eagle owl and the Eurasian goshawk.

Its retina is no more sensitive than a human's. Its directional hearing skill is more important to its hunting success: its ears are asymmetrically placed, which enables it to more precisely pinpoint the location from which a sound originates.

The tawny owl holds a place in human folklore: because it is active at night and has what many humans experience as a haunting call, people have traditionally associated it with bad omens and death. Not all owl species make a hooting sound. The double hoot, the tawny owl's prototypical call, is a call and response between a male and a female.

9-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecica)

The Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) is a small and enchanting passerine, reminiscent of the European robin in stature, measuring 13-14 cm in length. The males are particularly striking with their vibrant throat plumage, which boasts a rich blue central patch framed by black and rust-colored borders, evoking the hues of the Swedish flag. Above, they are a modest brown, save for the black tail adorned with red side patches, and they possess a pronounced white supercilium that stands out against their plumage.

To identify the Bluethroat, look for the male's resplendent throat, which is its most distinguishing feature. Females and juveniles are more subdued, with the females typically displaying a blackish crescent on a cream throat and breast. Juveniles are freckled and spotted with dark brown above. All share the characteristic white supercilium and black tail with red side patches.

The Bluethroat favors wet birch woods or bushy swamps for breeding, finding solace in the dense undergrowth where it can nest in tussocks or low bushes. 

9-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA -WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)

The white wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. The species breeds in the Palearctic zone in most of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa; it also has a toehold in western Alaska as a scarce breeder. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. In total, there are between 9 and 11 subspecies of M. alba; in Ireland and Great Britain, the black-backed subspecies known as the pied wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) predominates.

The white wagtail is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas, it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and human-made structures. 

 This species breeds throughout Eurasia up to latitudes 75°N, only being absent in the Arctic from areas where the July isotherm is less than 4 °C. It also breeds in the mountains of Morocco and western Alaska. It occupies a wide range of habitats, but is absent from deserts. White wagtails are residents in the milder parts of its range such as western Europe and the Mediterranean, but migratory in much of the rest of its range. Northern European breeders winter around the Mediterranean and in tropical and subtropical Africa, and Asiatic birds move to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Birds from the North American population also winter in tropical Asia.

9-12-2020 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.

9-12-2020 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

The Mallard, or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is a familiar and widespread dabbling duck with a presence across temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to parts of the Southern Hemisphere. The male is renowned for its iridescent green head and white collar, while the female sports a brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes boast a speculum—a patch of feathers with iridescent purple or blue hues bordered by white. The Mallard's length ranges from 50 to 65 cm, with a wingspan of 81 to 98 cm, and it typically weighs between 0.7 and 1.6 kg.

Males during the breeding season are unmistakable with their glossy green heads, white collars, and purple-tinged brown breasts. Females are mottled brown with buff cheeks and an eye-stripe. Both sexes have the distinctive speculum on their wings. The male's bill is yellowish-orange tipped with black, while the female's is darker, ranging from black to mottled orange and brown.

Mallards are found in a variety of wetlands, including parks, small ponds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. They prefer water depths less than 0.9 meters and are drawn to areas with aquatic vegetation.

This species is distributed across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, from Alaska to Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, across the Palearctic, and down to southeastern and southwestern Australia and New Zealand.

Mallards are social birds that often form large flocks outside the breeding season. They are adaptable and can thrive in urban areas. The species is migratory in the northern parts of its range.

The female Mallard is known for its quintessential "quack," while the male's call is a quieter and deeper version of the female's. Vocalizations can vary by region, with urban ducks being louder than their rural counterparts. 

9-12-2020 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - COMMON KINGFISHER (FEMALE) (Alcedo atthis)

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), also known as the Eurasian kingfisher and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter.

This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptations to enable it to see prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.

The common kingfisher was first described by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae in 1758 as Gracula atthis. The modern binomial name derives from the Latin alcedo, 'kingfisher' (from Greek ἀλκυών, halcyon), and Atthis, a beautiful young woman of Lesbos, and favourite of Sappho.

The genus Alcedo comprises seven small kingfishers that all eat fish as part of their diet. The common kingfisher's closest relative is the cerulean kingfisher that has white underparts and is found in parts of Indonesia.  

The Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small kingfisher widely distributed across Eurasia and North Africa. It is amongst the most colorful birds but despite its extraordinary colors, sometimes the Common kingfisher is difficult to see when it is in a dappled shade, and its colors are also not very obvious in flight. Furthermore, due to its shy nature, the Common kingfisher often remains hidden from a human's eye.

The Common kingfisher has the typical short-tailed, dumpy-bodied, large-headed, and long-billed shape. The adult male of the western European subspecies, A. a. ispida has green-blue upperparts with pale azure-blue back and rump, a rufous patch by the bill base, and a rufous ear patch. It has a green-blue neck stripe, white neck blaze and throat, rufous underparts, and a black bill with some red at the base. The legs and feet are bright red. The female is identical in appearance to the male except that her lower mandible is orange-red with a black tip.

9-12-2020 EL PALMAR, 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.

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.