31-5-2019 THORNTREE CAMP, ZAMBIA - BROWN HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)

The brown-hooded kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) is a species of bird in the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It has a brown head and blackish and turquoise wings. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, living in woodland, scrubland, forest edges, and also suburban areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern.

This species was described as Alcedo albiventris by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1786. Four subspecies are recognised: Halcyon albiventris albiventris, H. a. orientalis, H. a. prentissgrayi and H. a. vociferans. Subspecies hylophila and erlangeri have also been described, but they are not considered distinct enough.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri ssp. transvaalensis)

Meyer's parrot (Poicephalus meyeri), also known as the brown parrot, is a species of parrot native to Africa. A Meyer's parrot has grey feathers, turquoise belly, blue rump, and bright yellow markings on the carpal joint of the wings. Most subspecies have some yellow on the top of the head as well. Forshaw (1989) recognizes six subspecies of P. meyeri which vary in home range, size and in markings, including the extent of yellow markings to the head and wings, and the intensity of turquoise markings on the belly and rump.

Taxonomy

German physician and ornithologist Philipp Jakob Cretzschmar described Meyer's parrot in 1827. The name commemorates the German ornithologist Bernhard Meyer.

27-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea cervantaria)

1.4 to 2.2 cm wingspan. Straw-coloured, with yellowish wings with scattered dark, brown or greyish scales. On each wing it has a wavy line with small pointed spots, pointing backwards. Sometimes these details are barely noticeable. Between these lines and the rear edge, it has dark spots that may have a  light wavy stripe. It has a spot on each wing but those on the front wings may go unnoticed.

There are other similar species that are impossible to distinguish externally, so for a correct and safe identification, genital analysis must be used. Several of them have been found in the province of Malaga, although I. cervantaria is currently the most common and the only one that has been observed in urban environments.

The caterpillars feed on dry leaves of herbaceous plants and in captivity on petals of different Asteraceae and sea alder (Lobularia maritima), the latter common in our province, especially in sunny areas of the limestone mountains, and occasionally used in gardening for the showiness of its inflorescences.

28-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - JUMPING BRISTLETAILS (Genus Dilta)

The Machilidae are a family of insects belonging to the order Archaeognatha (the bristletails). There are around 450 described species worldwide. These insects are wingless, elongated and more or less cylindrical with a distinctive humped thorax and covered with tiny, close-fitting scales. The colour is usually grey or brown, sometimes intricately patterned. There are three "tails" at the rear of the abdomen: two cerci and a long central epiproct. They have large compound eyes, often meeting at a central point. They resemble the silverfish and the firebrat, which are from a different order, Zygentoma.

Machilids undergo virtually no metamorphosis during their life cycles, and both nymphs and adults are generally inconspicuous herbivores and scavengers. Many species are restricted to rocky shorelines, but some are found in well-vegetated habitats inland. They can move very fast and often escape by jumping considerable distances when disturbed.

Like all Archaeognatha, machilids transfer sperm indirectly from male to female. Some species can spin silken threads that lead the female to the spermatophore. Other species can produce silken stalks on which they place droplets of sperm.

There are no aquatic species, but some littoral forms, such as Parapetrobius and Petrobius, can swim.

Their fossil records extends back into the Triassic with the genus Gigamachilis from the Middle Triassic of Italy and Switzerland, around 240 million years old.

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

The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a bird of modest size, comparable to a sparrow, with a length ranging from 17 to 19 cm. It is predominantly brown with a distinctive broad, white eyebrow stripe and a white rump that becomes conspicuous during flight. Males are marked by a stark black bill, while females exhibit a horn-colored bill, and juveniles possess a pinkish-brown bill. In Zimbabwe, this species may show faint brown spotting across its white breast.

To identify the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, look for the white eyebrow stripe and the white rump in flight. The male's black bill is a key distinguishing feature, contrasting with the female's lighter bill. The bird's size and general brown plumage also aid in identification.

This species is typically found in dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland. It nests in colonies along thornveld and scrubby, dry riverbanks.

The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is prevalent in north-central southern Africa, with its range extending from Botswana to Tanzania and western Mozambique, and as far north as Ethiopia. It is particularly abundant in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, and southern Malawi.

18-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CARPET MOTH (Nebula ibericata)

Nebula ibericata is a geometer moth (family Geometridae) found in Europe, known for feeding on Galium (bedstraw) species, especially G. lucidum, and flying in multiple generations (bi-voltine) from spring to autumn, with larvae specifically eating these plant leaves. It's part of the Nebula genus, characterized by its distinctive patterns, and is studied for its biology and life cycle, often appearing across Spain and other European regions. 

Classification: A moth (Order Lepidoptera) in the Geometridae family (Geometer Moths).

Food (Larvae): Primarily feeds on Galium lucidum (Shiny Bedstraw) and Galium aparine (Goosegrass).

Flight Periods: Bi-voltine, meaning two generations per year, typically from mid-March to late April and again from mid-August to mid-October, with some winter activity.

Habitat/Range: Found in various parts of Europe, with records in Spain, including central Spain.

Identification: A distinct species within the Nebula genus, known for its patterned wings. 

Biology & Behavior:

Monophagous: Larvae are apparently specialists, feeding on very specific host plants within the Rubiaceae family.

Life Cycle: Studied for its larval morphology and phenology (timing of life cycle events). 

21-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EGYPTIAN BIRD GRASSHOPPER (Anacridium aegyptium)

Anacridium aegyptium, the Egyptian grasshopper or Egyptian locust, is a species of insect belonging to the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae.

A fairly common species, the Egyptian grasshopper is present in most of Europe, the Afrotropical realm, eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa, and has recently been observed in Cape Town, South Africa.

These grasshoppers inhabit trees and shrubs, scrub land, maquis, and orchards in warm and bright environments, at an elevation from sea level to 1,500 m.

Anacridium aegyptium is one of the largest European grasshoppers. Adult males grow up to 30–56 mm (1.2–2.2 in) long, while females reach 46–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in length. Their bodies are usually gray, brown, or olive-coloured, and their antennae are relatively short and robust. The tibiae of the hind legs are blue, while the femora are orange. The hind femora have characteristic dark marks. They are also easily identified by their characteristic eyes, which have vertical black and white stripes. Their pronota show a dorsal orange stripe and several small white spots. The wings are clear with dark marks.

This species is a folivore, essentially feeding on leaves of various plants. It is a solitary species, harmless to crops. Adults are mainly seen in August and September, but they are active throughout the year. After mating, these grasshoppers overwinter as adults. Spawning occurs in spring just under the soil surface and the nymphs appear in April. These grasshoppers undergo several molts.  Nymphs differ from adults in appearance; their color varies from yellow to bright green and ocher and the wings are absent or small, as they are gradually developed after each molt.

20-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FRENCH PAPER WASP (Polistes gallicus)

Polistes gallicus is a species of paper wasp found in various parts of Europe, excluding England, Denmark, and Scandinavia, from warmer climates to cooler regions north of the Alps. Nests of these social insects are created in these various conditions. The Polistes species use an oral secretion to construct their nests, which consist of a combination of saliva and chewed plant fibers. This structural mixture physically protects the nest from various harsh elements and from weathering over time.

P. gallicus, like other members of the subgenus Polistes (Polistes), has recognizable, bright yellow and black markings. They have smaller bodies than many of its allies that overlap in range, and their bodies are largely hairless. The species may be separated from allies through the following traits.

The range of P. gallicus extends across much of Europe, where it is a common species. It can be found from northern Italy and southern Switzerland south into northwest Africa and east to Croatia and Corfu. The species inhabits a variety of climates and habitats throughout this range, although it more frequently nests in warm and dry regions, where its nests are built hanging in the open with the cells towards the ground. In cooler regions north of the Alps, its nests are often built in more protective enclosures such as in pipes or metal scraps.

20-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MORNING GLORY PLUME MOTH (Emmelina monodactyla)

Emmelina monodactyla (also known as the T-moth or morning-glory plume moth) is a moth of the family Pterophoridae found in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

The moths fly nearly year-round. They are pale russet in colour, with a wingspan of 18–27 millimeters. The colouration is extremely variable, ranging from off-white with indistinct markings to a strong rust brown. The markings may vary considerably in size. The second and third segments are elongate. The caterpillars are greenish-yellow with a broad green band on the back, and a narrow broken yellow line running down the center. Some specimens may also have a wine-red marking on the back. The colour of the pupae may range from green to reddish brown, sometimes with black markings.

The larvae feed from May to September in two overlapping generations. They mainly feed on Convolvulaceae species, including hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium), low false bindweed (Calystegia spithamaea), sea bindweed (Calystegia soldanella), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Cantabrican morning glory (Convolvulus cantabrica), Convolvulus floridus, Convolvulus prostratus, dwarf morning-glory (Convolvulus tricolor), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), Ipomoea eriocarpa and common morning-glory (Ipomoea purpurea). They also feed on Atriplex species, including common orache (Atriplex patula) and Chenopodium, including fat-hen (Chenopodium album) from the family Amaranthaceae, cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) from the family Asteraceae, and thorn apple (Datura stramonium) and henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) from the family Solanaceae.

It is found in Europe, central Asia, Japan, North Africa and North America.

20-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - DOUBLE STRIPED PUG MOTH (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

The double-striped pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a widespread and common species, being found throughout the Palearctic region, including the Near East and North Africa.

This is a variable species but always easy to recognize due to the two prominent dark fascia across each forewing which give the species its common name. The forewing ground colour ranges from light to dark reddish brown. The crosslines are distinct. The inner margin of the pale white sub-marginal line bears black marks. The hindwings are pale grey with darker fringes, darker lines and a small black discal spot. There is a dark band across the basal segments of the abdomen. The wingspan is 15–19 mm.

The caterpillars reach a length of up to 17 millimeters and have a very variable basic colouration. It ranges from whitish to yellowish green, brown, red to purple. On the back there is a pale band marked with a series of dark diamonds or triangles. The drawing resembles a rear-facing trident, is sometimes crow-foot-like and can occasionally be only weakly formed. The head is yellowish brown.

Two, sometimes three, broods are produced each year and the adults are on the wing in April and May (sometimes earlier), July and August, and sometimes later in the autumn. Later broods are more heavily marked. It flies at night and is attracted to light and flowers, both of its food plants and others.

The larva feeds on the flowers of a huge range of plants (see list below) and has also been known to feed on the larvae of other lepidoptera. The species overwinters as a pupa.

17-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BARN FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDER (Genus Tegenaria)

Tegenaria is a genus of fast-running funnel weavers that occupy much of the Northern Hemisphere except for Japan and Indonesia. It was first described by Pierre André Latreille in 1804, though many of its species have been moved elsewhere. The majority of these were moved to Eratigena, including the giant house spider (Eratigena atrica) and the hobo spider (Eratigena agrestis).

They construct a typical non-sticky funnel web with flat open sheet like area, usually in dark corners, commonly in outbuildings.

Mating takes place during the summer months.

Tegenaria can be difficult to identify because they resemble wolf spiders and other funnel-web spiders in their area, unless found in an area where they do not occur naturally. They live on sheet webs, usually stretching across the corner between two walls. They have eight eyes in two straight or almost straight rows. Size varies from one species to another, but the body length of adults can range from 10 millimetres (0.39 in) to 20 millimetres (0.79 in), not including the legs. The cardinal spider is the largest funnel weaver, with females that can grow up to 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long.

With access to a microscope, Tegenaria can be distinguished from other members of Agelenidae (particularly Eratigena) by its 3 to 7 large teeth present in its cheliceral retromargin (Eratigena has 6 or more teeth, and distal teeth smaller than proximal teeth). Additionally, Tegenaria epigyna will be broader than long, whereas Eratigena epigyna will be close to longer or longer than broad.

12-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BOAT BUG (Enoplops scapha)

Enoplops scapha is a squashbug in the family Coreidae, measuring 11-13 mm in length. Key facts include its dark gray coloration with creamy spots on the sides, a diet of plant juices from plants in the Boraginaceae and Asteraceae families, and its habitat of coastal dunes and cliffs in certain regions of Europe. It is distinguished from similar species like Coreus marginatus by its more pointed abdominal tergites and narrower "shoulders". 

Native range: Europe, including Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands

Habitat: Coastal cliffs and sand dunes

Distribution in Britain: Confined to coastal areas between Kent and North Wales, with additional populations on the North Yorkshire coast

Other locations: Records also exist from North Africa and China 

Behavior and life cycle

Behavior: Feeds by sucking plant fluids from leaves and ripening fruits

Mating and oviposition: Occurs in May and June

Eggs: Laid on the basic leaves of host plants

Nymphs: Appear from June to September

Communication: Can produce vibrations to communicate 

11-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RUSTY DOT PEARL MOTH (Udea ferrugalis)

Udea ferrugalis, the rusty dot pearl, is a moth of the family Crambidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1796.

This species can be found in central and southern Europe, Asia Minor, Africa, India and Japan.

The wingspan is 18–22 mm. The forewings of these small moths have yellow, brown or ferruginous ground colour and prominent indistinct dark brown or blackish markings towards the edge. Hindwings are brownish grey. Legs are whitish. Caterpillars can reach a length of 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in). They are greenish with yellowish head.

These moths are bivoltine or trivoltine. The moth flies through the year, but mainly in the autumn, depending on location. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, such as Stachys, Arctium, Lycopus, Mentha, Eupatorium cannabinum and Fragaria vesca. They overwinter in the soil as a chrysalis. This species is sometimes considered a pest, as the larvae attack various crop plants.

11-12-2025 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.

11-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GARDEN CARPET MOTH (Xanthorhoe fluctuata),

The garden carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is an abundant and familiar species across its huge range which covers the whole Palearctic region from Ireland to Japan and including the Near East and North Africa. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

It has a wingspan of 27–31 mm (1.1–1.2 in). The wings are greyish white with three irregular black blotches along the costa of the forewing, the largest in the middle. Occasionally, much darker (melanic) forms occur. "Easy to recognize, in spite of its variability. In the typical form the ground colour is dirty whitish and the median band is almost or altogether obsolete in its posterior half.

The species has an exceptionally long flying season spanning two or three broods, and the adults can be seen any time from April to October in the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of its range. It flies throughout the night and is attracted to light – it is one of the species most likely to be seen at lighted windows.

The larva is grey or green with pale, diamond-shaped markings along the back. It usually feeds on crucifers: both cultivated brassicas and wild species such as flixweed, garlic mustard, perennial wall-rocket, wallflower, and wild radish. It has also been recorded feeding on nasturtium. The species overwinters as a pupa.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - BLACK MUD WASP (Delta emarginatum)

Delta emarginatum is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae of the family Vespidae.

Delta emarginatum can reach a length of about 35 mm (1.4 in) in females. The males are smaller than the females.

This species can be found in Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mozambique, Angola, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Gaboon, Liberia, Niger, Senegal, Mauritania, Central Sahara, Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, South Africa, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

8-12-2025 GRAU GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)

The Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, is a medium-sized passerine bird characterized by its glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen. Throughout the year, the plumage is speckled with white, though less so during the breeding season. Adults measure approximately 20 cm in length, with pink legs and a seasonally changing bill color—black in winter and yellow in summer. Juveniles display browner plumage compared to adults.

To identify the Common Starling, look for its iridescent black feathers, which may appear purple or green when reflecting light. The bird's bill is black in the winter and transitions to yellow in the summer, aiding in identification. The starling's flight is strong and direct, with pointed wings that are distinctive in the air. On the ground, its waddling gait is notable.

Common Starlings are highly adaptable, favoring urban and suburban areas where they find ample nesting and roosting opportunities. They also inhabit grasslands, such as farmlands and pastures, where short grass makes foraging for invertebrates easier.

Native to temperate Europe and western Asia, the Common Starling has been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, North America, and other regions. Its range extends from Europe to northern Africa and across the Palearctic to western Mongolia.

8-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - OLEANDER APHID (Aphis nerii)

The Oleander Aphid (Aphis nerii) is a bright yellow, black-legged aphid that infests oleander, milkweeds, and other related ornamentals, reproducing rapidly as all-female clones (no males/eggs) and causing damage by sucking sap, leading to stunted growth, leaf curl, and sooty mold from honeydew. They sequester toxins from their hosts, making them distasteful to predators, but are controlled by natural enemies like ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and fungi. 

Key Facts:

Appearance: Bright yellow body with black antennae, legs, and cornicles (tubes on abdomen). Winged forms have dark wing veins.

Hosts: Primarily Oleander (Nerium oleander) and Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), but also Vinca, Wax Plant, and some citrus.

Reproduction: All females (viviparous, parthenogenetic), producing live nymph clones; males don't exist in the wild, allowing populations to explode quickly.

Damage: Sucks plant sap, causing stunting, deformed growth, and sooty mold from sticky honeydew. Can transmit viruses.

Defense: Sequester plant toxins (cardiac glycosides) to become toxic to predators, deterring many beneficial insects.

Control: Susceptible to natural enemies (lady beetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps, syrphid flies, fungi) and can be managed with insecticidal soaps or neem oil. 

Life Cycle & Behavior:

Populations start new each year from single founding females on new growth.

Colonies form dense clusters on new shoots and leaf undersides.

Winged adults (alates) develop when plants get crowded, allowing migration.

White, shed skins (exuviae) accumulate, often mistaken for the insects themselves. 

7-12-2025 SOLLANA SOUTH, ALBUFERA - 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 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.

7-12-2025 SOLLANA SOUTH, ALBUFERA - BLACK HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Not really a black-headed bird, the Black-headed Gull's head is more chocolate-brown. In fact, for much of the year, it has a white head. It's most commonly found almost anywhere inland. Black-headed Gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks, often gathering into larger parties where there is plenty of food, or when they are roosting.

Spring and summer days are full of squawking and squabbling for Black-headed Gulls. These dainty gulls nest in tightly packed colonies, where safety in numbers gives the best chance for their chicks’ survival. Like other members of their family, Black-headed Gulls are adaptable, and these colonies are as at home on our coastlines as they are in our towns. Large groups of birds are often seen following tractors on our farmland, too.  

7-12-2025 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)

The Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, is a medium-sized passerine bird characterized by its glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen. Throughout the year, the plumage is speckled with white, though less so during the breeding season. Adults measure approximately 20 cm in length, with pink legs and a seasonally changing bill color—black in winter and yellow in summer. Juveniles display browner plumage compared to adults.

To identify the Common Starling, look for its iridescent black feathers, which may appear purple or green when reflecting light. The bird's bill is black in the winter and transitions to yellow in the summer, aiding in identification. The starling's flight is strong and direct, with pointed wings that are distinctive in the air. On the ground, its waddling gait is notable.

Common Starlings are highly adaptable, favoring urban and suburban areas where they find ample nesting and roosting opportunities. They also inhabit grasslands, such as farmlands and pastures, where short grass makes foraging for invertebrates easier.

Native to temperate Europe and western Asia, the Common Starling has been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, North America, and other regions. Its range extends from Europe to northern Africa and across the Palearctic to western Mongolia.

The Common Starling is a gregarious bird, especially in autumn and winter, forming large flocks known as murmurations. These flocks are thought to be a defense against predators. On the ground, starlings forage in groups, often following grazing animals to feed on disturbed invertebrates.

The Common Starling's song is a varied mix of melodic and mechanical sounds, including mimicked noises from other bird species and the environment. Males sing to attract mates and defend their territory. Calls include a harsh alarm scream and a variety of social chatters.

Breeding occurs in the spring and summer, with the female laying four to five glossy, pale blue eggs in a nest built within a natural or artificial cavity. Both parents share incubation duties, and the young fledge after about three weeks.

Omnivorous, the Common Starling's diet includes a wide range of invertebrates, seeds, and fruit. They employ various foraging techniques, such as probing the ground and catching flying insects.

7-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY (Lasiommata megera)

Lasiommata megera, the wall or wall brown, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae (subfamily Satyrinae). It is widespread in the Palearctic realm with a large variety of habitats and number of generations a year.

P. megera L. [— xiphie Boisd. pt (45d). Above reddish yellow, with a black mark which traverses the distal band from the cell of the forewing to the abdominal margin of the hindwing, short black stripes crossing the disc and the cell of the forewing.

The species lives in North Africa, Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, the Middle East, western Siberia, northern Tian Shan, Dzungarian Alatau, Kazakhstan and Dzungaria.

Habitats include forest edges and clearings, shrubby areas in ravines and river valleys and sparse woodlands. It is also found in mountain habitats up to 0–3,000 metres (0–9,843 ft) above sea level.

The imago flies from April to October in two or three generations depending on locality and altitude. The larva feeds on grasses in the genera Festuca, Bromus, Deschampsia, Poa, Dactylis and Brachypodium.

"The egg is pale green when first laid, and in shape it is almost spherical, but rather higher than broad; it is finely ribbed and reticulated, but unless examined through a lens it appears to be quite smooth. The caterpillar when full grown is whitish-green, dotted with white. From the larger of these dots on the back arise greyish bristles; the three lines on the back (dorsal and sub-dorsal) are whitish, edged with dark green; the line on the sides (spiracular) is white, fringed with greyish hairs; anal points green, hairy, extreme tips white. Head larger than the first ring (first thoracic segment), green dotted with white and hairy, jaws marked with brownish. The chrysalis is green, with yellow-tinted white markings on the edge of the wing covers and ridges; the spots on the body are yellowish, or sometimes white. Occasionally the chrysalids are blackish, with white or yellow points on the body".

5-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (\(Phoenicurus\) \(ochruros\)) is a small bird, about the size of a robin, known for its dark plumage and bright red tail. It is adaptable and can be found in both natural rocky habitats and urban environments like cities and quarries. Its diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, and worms, supplemented by seeds and berries, and some populations migrate in winter. 

Appearance Size: Approximately \(14.5\) cm in length, with a wingspan of \(23-26\) cm.Males: Dark grey body with a black face and throat, and a white patch on the wings.Females and Juveniles: Grey-brown all over.Tail: Both sexes have a bright red tail with a single black band down the middle. 

Habitat and Behavior Habitat: Found in warm, sunny rocky areas, quarries, cliffs, and urban settings like cities and villages.Behavior: They are often seen hopping on the ground and frequently sing from high perches on buildings or rocks.

3-12-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MAIDEN TIGRIS (Athalia ancilla)

The Maiden Tigress (Athalia ancilla) is a small, orange and black sawfly (an insect in the same order as bees and wasps, but lacking a "wasp-waist") found across Eurasia and Africa. 

 

Size: Adults are typically 5 to 7 mm long.

Appearance: They have a stout, non-stinging, orange and black body. Like other sawflies, they lack the distinct narrow "wasp waist" (petiole) found in wasps, bees, and ants.

Diet & Host Plants: The larvae feed exclusively on cruciferous plants (family Brassicaceae). Specific host plants include garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), various cabbages (Brassica spp.), and hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale). Adults feed on nectar from a variety of plants. 

Habitat: This species is associated with damp or wet environments where its host plants grow.

Distribution: In Great Britain, it is mostly recorded in the south-west, though sparse records exist north to Scotland. The genus Athalia is found across Eurasia and Africa.

Flight Period: Adults are typically seen flying from May to September.

Status: In Great Britain, the species has a conservation status of "Least Concern".

Identification Note: Due to the existence of several very similar species within the Athalia genus (known as "tigress sawflies"), detailed examination is required for positive identification. 

29-11-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPIDER WASP (Family Pompilidae)

Aporus is a genus of spider wasps from the family Pompilidae, they specialise in hunting ground dwelling spiders in their burrows for laying eggs on.

Species within Aporus include

Aporus andradei Wolf, 1970

Aporus apicatus Banks 1910

Aporus bicolor Spinola, 1808

Aporus concolor (Smith, 1860)

Aporus cuzco Evans, 1973

Aporus hirsutus (Banks, 1917)

Aourus idris (Cameron, 1867)

Aporus japonicus Yasumatsu & Torikata 1934

Aporus luxus (Banks, 1914)

Aporus niger Cresson 1897

Aporus pollux (Kohl, 1888)

Aporus unicolor Spinola, 1808