19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)

The Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) is a small, graceful pigeon with a long tail, known for its gentle, unassuming presence across a vast range. Exhibiting a pinkish-brown underside with a lilac-tinged head and neck, this dove carries an air of delicate beauty. The species is recognized by its pinkish head and underparts, transitioning to buff on the lower abdomen. Adults boast a distinctive chequered rufous and grey patch on the neck, composed of split feathers, while the upper parts are brownish with a bluish-grey wing band.

When observing the Laughing Dove, look for its slim profile, about 25 cm in length, and the graduated tail with white-tipped outer feathers. Both sexes appear similar, making field identification by gender challenging. Juveniles can be identified by the absence of the chequered neck markings. The red legs are another characteristic feature to note.

This species thrives in dry scrub and semi-desert regions, often seen in pairs as they forage on the ground. It has adapted well to human habitation, becoming quite tame in areas where people are present.

The Laughing Dove has a broad range that includes Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia. It is a resident breeder in these areas, with some populations showing sedentary behavior, while others may exhibit local movements.

19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - SMITH'S BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraderus Cepapi)

Smith's bush squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi), also known as the yellow-footed squirrel or tree squirrel, is an African bush squirrel which is native to woodlands of the southern Afrotropics.

It is found in Angola, Botswana, the DRCongo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is a common rodent which is diurnal by nature.

Smith's bush squirrels are primarily vegetarian, but like most rodents, they take insect prey and use their front feet to manipulate food items when feeding. They scatter-hoard seeds next to tree trunks or grass tufts, thereby facilitating tree regeneration.

Essentially arboreal animals, they also spend a great deal of time on the ground, foraging for food. When disturbed, Smith's bush squirrels always seek the refuge of trees. At night, territorial family groups nest together in holes in trees. Offspring become sexually mature between six and nine months old, when they are forcibly evicted by the breeding pair. The males are mainly responsible for territorial defense, although females also chase intruders when they care for dependent pups. To promote group cohesion, a common scent is shared by mutual grooming, which is an important facet of the social fibre of this species. Smith's bush squirrels are diligent in their grooming and a mother tree squirrel holds her offspring down with her fore legs while grooming it with licks, nibbles, and scratches with her claws.

Its total length is 350 mm (14 in), half of which is tail; weight 200 g (7.1 oz). The coat colour varies throughout the region. In the western and arid parts of its range, it is pale grey, and in the eastern localities, more brown. Its head and legs are a rusty colour. Colouration on the chest varies from yellowish to buff in the east, to white in the west. This squirrel's belly is white. These alert and ever busy creatures carry their long tails extended backwards.

A conspicuous feature of their behaviour when under threat is 'mobbing': all the members of the colony make harsh clicking sounds while they flick their tails, building up momentum and gradually getting louder. In some areas, they are solitary, or are found in small family groups; a lone tree squirrel relies on its wits when in danger and always keeps a branch or the trunk of a tree between it and the enemy. Smith's bush squirrels are always alert, and when alarmed, run away with great speed, making for the nearest tree where they lie motionless, flattened against a branch.

3-4-2022 LLUTXENT, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/43151-Oryctolagus-cuniculus

3-4-2022 POBLA DEL DUC, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (FEMALE)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201192-Saxicola-rubicola

3-4-2022 MONTAVERNER, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (MALE)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201192-Saxicola-rubicola

3-4-2022 LLUTXENT, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

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

31-3-2022 GANDIA, VALENCIA - BLOXWORTH SNOUT MOTH (Hypena obsitalis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/342196-Hypena-obsitalis

2-4-2022 POTRIES, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (MALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

2-4-2022 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12716-Turdus-merula

2-4-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BUFF TAILED BUMBLE BEE (Bombus terrestris)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/57516-Bombus-terrestris

2-4-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COLLARED ANT (Genus Aphaenogaster)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/68931-Aphaenogaster

1-4-2022 EL FONDO, ALICANTE - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13858-Passer-domesticus

1-4-2022 EL FONDO, ALICANTE - RED KNOBBED COOT (JUVENILE) (Fulica cristata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/487-Fulica-cristata

1-4-2022 EL PINET, ALICANTE - PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4883-Recurvirostra-avosetta

1-4-2022 EL PINET, ALICANTE - COMMON SHELDUCK (MALE) (Tadorna tadorna)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7067-Tadorna-tadorna

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN RED BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris)

The Southern red-billed hornbill, Tockus rufirostris, is a distinguished member of the Bucerotidae family, gracing the savannas and drier bushlands of southern Africa with its presence. This bird is characterized by its striking red bill and the streaks of blackish plumage that extend from its ear coverts down the side of its neck.

Upon observing this species, one will note the sexual dimorphism where males are generally larger with slightly longer bills. The male's lower mandible may exhibit varying degrees of black pigmentation. Both sexes boast a yellow iris surrounded by pale orbital skin, ranging from pink to greyish hues. The throat is a pristine white, and the wing coverts are adorned with conspicuous spots.

The Southern red-billed hornbill is a native inhabitant of the savannas and dryer bushlands, thriving in these open environments where it can forage and nest.

This hornbill's range extends from Malawi and Zambia to southern Angola, northeastern Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, eastern Eswatini, and northern South Africa, including Transvaal and northern KZN province. It is also found in the upper Zambezi valley of Mozambique, though it is mostly absent from the eastern lowlands.

A notable behavior of the Southern red-billed hornbill is its unique call, an accelerating series of notes that culminates in a crescendo of double notes. Unlike its congeners, this species does not engage in wing-raising displays.

19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

The white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals.

The white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals.

During his expedition to the interior of southern Africa in 1834–35, Andrew Smith collected specimens of the white-browed sparrow weaver at the Modder River, which he described in 1836, giving it the scientific name Plocepasser mahali.

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius)

The Kittlitz's plover, named after Heinrich von Kittlitz, is a diminutive shorebird, tipping the scales at a modest 35-40 grams. This species is adorned with a black bill, dark brown eyes encased in black eyelids, and legs that may shift in hue from black to greenish or grey. During the breeding season, the male is distinguished by a white forehead and a series of bands on the forecrown, while the female's plumage is similar but with a narrower black band. The non-breeding plumage sees little change, save for a paler underbelly and a browner eye stripe.

Adults boast a wing length of 100–110 mm, a bill length of 15–23 mm, and a tarsus length of 26–33 mm. Juveniles resemble adults but lack the black facial markings and have brown upperparts with a buff-colored hindneck collar.

Kittlitz's plover is partial to open habitats near water, such as lakes, lagoons, rivers, tidal mudflats, and inland saltmarshes. It breeds in areas with short vegetation and is strictly terrestrial in its activities.

19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRO NEOTROPICAL DWARF GECKO (Genus Lygodactylus)

Lygodactylus is a genus of diurnal geckos with 82 species. They are commonly referred to as dwarf geckos. They are mainly found in Africa and Madagascar although two species are found in South America. Lygodactylus picturatus, the best known species, is found in Kenya and commonly known as the white-headed dwarf gecko. Recently, illegal importation from Tanzania of brightly colored (and critically-endangered), Lygodactylus williamsi, known as electric blue geckos, has been gaining attention for Lygodactylus geckos in the reptile trade.

Since all trade in wild-caught Lygodactylus williamsi is illegal, shipments of these geckos are often intentionally mislabelled as Lygodactylus spp. or as Lygodactylus capensis. As some customs officials have difficulty identifying members of this genus, a Lygodactylus spp. identification guide has been published online by CITES.

19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - RAINBOW SKINK (Trachylepis margaritifera)

Rainbow skinks are a diverse group of lizards known for their vibrant coloring, with males often displaying more bright and bold patterns than females. They are native to parts of Africa and Australia, but invasive populations exist elsewhere, and they are often found in habitats like rock crevices, scrub, and savannahs. Key facts include their diet of insects, ability to regenerate a lost tail, and sexual dimorphism (color and size differences between males and females). 

28-3-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - NOBLE FALSE WIDOW SPIDER (Steatoda nobilis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/366894-Steatoda-nobilis

29-3-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON SAWFLY (Genus Athalia)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/333157-Athalia

29-3-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHORT TAILED ICHNEUMOID WASP (Genus Ophion)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/143195-Ophioninae

29-3-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COSMET MOTH (Genus Pyroderces)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/243807-Pyroderces

6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)

The Blacksmith Lapwing, known scientifically as Vanellus armatus, is a striking bird with a bold pattern of black, grey, and white, which may serve as a warning to predators. Its red eyes are a distinctive feature, shared with only four other lapwing species across the globe. Adorning the wrist joint is a carpal spur, a sharp black protrusion used in defense of their young, with aggressive aerial dives often aimed at the heads of intruders.

When identifying the Blacksmith Lapwing, look for its red eyes and the contrasting pied plumage. The bill and portions of the legs are black, with the legs sometimes showing a white-grey mottling. The sexes appear similar, though females tend to be slightly larger and heavier.

This lapwing species is commonly found in association with wetlands of varying sizes, from expansive marshes to the smallest damp areas caused by spilling water troughs. In South Africa, they are particularly abundant in mesic grassland regions.

The Blacksmith Lapwing is a common sight from Kenya through central Tanzania to southern and southwestern Africa. They have expanded their range in the 20th century, notably establishing a presence in the western Cape region of South Africa since the 1930s.

Partially migratory, the Blacksmith Lapwing does not engage in large-scale, regular migrations. They are known to be aggressive during the breeding season, particularly towards other lapwings or African jacanas entering their territory.

Breeding occurs in spring, with nests being shallow depressions on bare ground or short grass near water. The nests are typically spaced at least 400 meters apart. After breeding, the young gradually separate from their parents and do not return to their natal areas.

The diet of the Blacksmith Lapwing consists of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, which they forage for in their wetland habitats.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Blacksmith Lapwing as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.