29-4-2026 EL HONDO, ALICANTE - BLUE EMPEROR DRAGONFLY (Anax imperator)

The emperor dragonfly or blue emperor (Anax imperator) is a large species of hawker dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is the largest dragonfly in most of Europe, including the United Kingdom, although exceeded in some areas by other species.

This dragonfly has a wide distribution through Afroeurasia; it is found throughout Africa and through most of Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, and south-western and central Asia. Since the 1990s, its range has expanded in Europe, both northwards and to higher altitudes. For example, the first Scandinavian record was in 1994 in Denmark; in 2002 it was first recorded in Sweden and in 2004 first in Scotland; today it is regular in all three countries. The species' northward expansion has been tied to global warming, and it is among the first odonata to do so.

The emperor dragonfly is a large and bulky species. It is 73–82 mm (2.9–3.2 in) long, with average being 78 mm (3.1 in) and males growing larger than females. The average wingspan is 104 mm (4.1 in). When they first emerge, both sexes appear pale green with brown markings. The legs are brown with a yellow like base. Wings are born black but grow yellow-brown when they grow. Males have a bright sky blue or turquoise abdomen marked with a diagnostic black dorsal stripe. However, their blue colour may be faded during cold weather spells. The thorax and head of a male is apple green and their prominent eyes are blue. Females have similar markings but they are mainly a duller green. As the females age, their wings become browner. Less immediately visible features for both sexes are the yellow costa and brown spots on the wings. Emperor dragonflies can also be recognised by their flight patterns: they often fly with their abdomen hanging slightly downwards.

One of the largest species in Europe, the emperor dragonfly is exceeded by magnificent emperor, which occurs only marginally in the east Mediterranean and in length by females of the golden-ringed dragonfly, a species with an unusually long ovipositor.[ Thus, in most of Europe the emperor is the largest dragonfly species present.

They frequently fly high up into the sky in search of prey, which includes butterflies, other odonata and tadpoles. If their hunt is successful, they eat their smaller prey while flying. The dragonflies breed in a variety of aquatic habitats from large ponds to dikes and slow-moving rivers, but require a plentiful supply of vegetation in the water. They do sometimes breed in brackish water.[8] The females lay the eggs into plants such as pondweed, and always lay alone. The aquatic larvae are very aggressive and are likely to influence the native species composition of freshwater ecosystems they arrive in. The larvae are also very large–around 46 millimetres (1.8 in). The adult male is highly territorial, and difficult to approach.

The mitogenome of the emperor dragonfly is the longest of all known dragonfly sequences. It has 16,087 base pairs. For comparison, the human mitogenome has 16,569 bp and the closely related dragonfly Anax parthenope has 15,366.

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN LION (MALE) (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

The Southern lion (Panthera leo melanochaita) is a subspecies inhabiting Southern and East Africa, often characterized by large males with dark, extensive manes. As Africa's largest cat, they live in social prides, with females acting as primary hunters. They are classified as Vulnerable, facing threats from habitat loss and human conflict.Physical and Biological FactsAppearance: 

They are the largest of Africa's big cats, with males often weighing over 190kg (up to 225kg+ in some regions) and standing over 3 meters from nose to tail.Manes: Southern males often possess large, dark manes, though color varies from blond to black based on age and climate.Adaptability: They are found in diverse habitats, including savanna grasslands, open woodlands, and semi-arid deserts.

27-4-2026 MARJAL DE LA SAFOR, GANDIA - 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.

25-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Scopula asellaria)

Scopula asellaria is a moth species in the Geometridae family, found in North Africa and southern Europe, including Spain. It belongs to the Sterrhinae subfamily and often inhabits warm, Mediterranean habitats. Larvae are known to feed on Silene species, particularly flowers. It was described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1847 and is sometimes listed under the genus Glossotrophia. 

Key Facts About Scopula asellaria:

Family: Geometridae.

Subfamily: Sterrhinae.

Distribution: Southern Europe and North Africa.

Host Plants: The larvae feed on the flowers of Silene species (Caryophyllaceae).

Synonyms: Acidalia asellaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1847, Glossotrophia asellaria, and Glossotrophia dentatolineata Wehrli, 1926.

Appearance: Like other members of the Scopula genus (sometimes called "waves"), they typically have a light, often sandy-coloured or whitish wing base with faint, wavy transverse lines. 

27-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN PAPER WASP (Polistes dominula)

The European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) is an invasive species, often identified by its slender, black-and-yellow appearance (resembling yellowjackets) and trailing legs during flight. Unlike native species, they build small, open-comb nests in sheltered, dark, and often artificial areas like pipes, eaves, and electrical boxes.

Key Facts about the European Paper Wasp:

Appearance and Identification:

Coloration: Primarily black with bright yellow markings, often mistaken for yellowjackets.Body Shape: Slender with a narrow "waist".Flight: Long hind legs dangle below them while flying.Size: Similar to other paper wasps, but generally more slender.

Behavior and Ecology:Nesting: They build small, open-comb, papery nests made of chewed, saliva-mixed wood fibers.

Habitat: They prefer urban environments, nesting in hidden, dark, or enclosed spaces such as eaves, bird boxes, and utility pipes.Diet: They are predatory, preying on insects, particularly caterpillars, to feed their larvae, and also feed on nectar and fruit.Temperament: They are generally less aggressive than yellowjackets and tend to sting only when their nest is disturbed.

27-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA -SPLENDID HELIX (Pseudotachea splendida)

The Helix genus includes some of the world's most famous land snails, like the large Roman snail (Helix pomatia) and the common garden snail (Helix aspersa). Known for their globular shells and slow-motion lifestyles, these air-breathing mollusks are native to Europe and the Mediterranean but have traveled globally as both a delicacy and accidental hitchhikers.

Instead of traditional teeth, snails have a tongue-like organ called a radula covered in thousands of tiny chitinous teeth. They use it like a "bucket-wheel excavator" to rasp and grind down their food.Retractable Eyes: Their larger upper tentacles hold their eyes, while the lower pair helps them "feel" the ground. Both can be pulled back inside their heads for safety.

Hermaphrodites: Every Helix snail has both male and female reproductive organs. However, they still need to mate with another snail to fertilize their eggs.

Calcareous Shell: Their shells are made mostly of calcium carbonate. They must eat calcium-rich plants or soil to grow and maintain their "mobile homes".

Surprising BehaviorsLove Darts: During courtship, some species like H. aspersa "shoot" their partner with a sharp love dart made of calcium. This dart is coated in mucus that helps more of their sperm survive inside the other snail.Hardcore Hibernation: To survive winter or extreme dryness, they create a hard, chalky "door" called an epiphragm to seal their shell's opening and lock in moisture.

27-4-2026 GANDIA GRAU, VALENCIA - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (JUVENILE) (Larus michahellis)

The Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) is a large, robust seabird with a commanding presence. Its size can be quite variable, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a Common Gull, and the largest males approaching the heft of a Great Black-backed Gull. Adults typically exhibit a grey back, a shade lighter than that of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, and their heads are notably whiter in the autumn months. A distinctive feature is their yellow legs, which give this species its common name.

When observing the Yellow-legged Gull, look for the yellow legs that contrast with the grey back and the white head, which becomes even whiter during the autumn. The wing tips are black with limited white spots, and adults have a red spot on the bill. The eye is surrounded by a red ring. Juveniles can be identified by their paler head, rump, and underparts, dark bill and eyes, and a black band on the tail.

This gull favors a variety of coastal environments, often nesting on sea cliffs, islands, and occasionally on buildings within urban settings. It is also known to breed on trees in some regions.

The Yellow-legged Gull has a breeding range centered around the Mediterranean Sea, extending to the Atlantic islands and coasts as far north as Brittany and west to the Azores. Its presence is also noted on the western side of the Black Sea.

The species is known for its adaptability, with many individuals remaining in the same area year-round, while others migrate to milder regions of western Europe or head south to areas such as Senegal and the Red Sea. Post-breeding dispersal can lead to increased numbers in regions like southern England from July to October.

27-4-2026 MARJAL DE LA SAFOR, GANDIA - GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)

The Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus, is a wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae, known for its striking, sickle-shaped bill. This mid-sized ibis measures 48–66 cm in length, with a wingspan of 80–105 cm. Breeding adults boast reddish-brown bodies and iridescent bottle-green wings, while non-breeders and juveniles display a more subdued coloration. The species is characterized by a brownish bill, dark facial skin with blue-gray to cobalt blue borders, and red-brown legs. In flight, the ibis extends its neck and exhibits a graceful V formation.

When identifying the Glossy Ibis, look for its unique glossy feathers and the distinct shape of its bill. The bird's flight pattern is also a telltale sign, as it flies with its neck outstretched, unlike herons. Listen for its various croaks and grunts, particularly the hoarse grrrr sound during the breeding season.

The Glossy Ibis favors freshwater or brackish wetlands with tall, dense emergent vegetation such as reeds, papyrus, or rushes, and low trees or bushes. It can also be found in lagoons, floodplains, wet meadows, swamps, reservoirs, sewage ponds, rice paddies, and irrigated farmland. Coastal habitats like estuaries and salt marshes are less common for this species.

25-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SCARCE CRIMSON AND GOLD MOTH (Pyrausta sanguinalis)

Pyrausta sanguinalis, the scarce crimson and gold, is a moth of the family Crambidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae.

The wingspan is 14–18 mm. The forewings are brownish ochreous, basal and dorsal areas deep yellow, disc yellow mixed; markings purple-crimson; a streak along costa to 3/4; a fascia before middle; an oblong discal spot, connected above with costal streak, and sometimes beneath with preceding fascia; a subterminal fascia. Hindwings in male light grey, darker terminally, in female grey; termen crimson in middle. The larva is greenish-grey, reddish tinged; subdorsal and spiracular lines whitish; head brown.

The moth flies from June to August depending on the location.

The larvae feed on common sage, rosemary and thyme.

26-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SOFT WINGED FLOWER BEETLE (Psilothrix viridicoerulea)

Psilothrix viridicoerulea is a species of soft-winged flower beetle belonging to the family Melyridae, subfamily Dasytinae.

This beetle is mainly present in most of Europe (Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland) and in the Near East. There are also additional localized populations in England, mostly on the southern coastline.

They are quite common in summer on meadows, pastures, and grasslands, to be seen on a variety of flowers.

The adults grow up to 4.8–6.6 millimetres (0.19–0.26 in) long. The colour of this beautiful insect is brilliant metallic bluish-green. Body is rather long and narrow. Head is slightly longer than wide, with a flat face, large, round eyes and short, green-metallic, hairy antennae, composed by eleven short inwards protruding articles. Pronotum and elytra are thickly, deeply and strongly punctuated and covered of black erect hairs. Elitra are very elongated, square at the base. Legs are long and slender, greenish and hairy. Pygidium (last male tergite) shows a deep but small V-shaped notch. This species is rather similar to Psilothrix aureola.

5-3-2020 THATTEKAD, INDIA - MALABAR FLAMEBACK WOODPECKER (MALE) (Chrysocolaptes socialis)

 The Malabar flameback (Chrysocolaptes socialis) is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.

It was previously considered a subspecies of the greater flameback (C. guttacristatus), but was split as a distinct species by the International Ornithological Congress in 2022 based on a 2021 study noting differences in plumage and vocalizations between both species.

The Malabar Flameback (Chrysocolaptes socialis) is a large, golden-olive woodpecker endemic to the wet, lowland, and foothill forests of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. Split as a distinct species in 2022, it is identified by its large bill, red rump, and a distinctly divided black horizontal stripe below the cheek. 

5-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - COMMON KINGFISHER (MALE) (Alcedo atthis)

The Common kingfisher in most parts of its range is indeed common, but it is under threat from river pollution, disturbances, and human developments. It is also vulnerable to bouts of severe winter weather, as it is unable to feed when bodies of water freeze over.

Common kingfishers serve as a good indicator of the health of an ecosystem. As they feed on small aquatic animals, toxins in the water affect them severely. A strong kingfisher population therefore usually means a healthy habitat. Common kingfishers are also important predators throughout their range of small fish from freshwater habitats, thus controlling their populations.

26-4-2026 MONTAVERNER, VALENCIA - LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)

 The little ringed plover (Thinornis dubius) is a small plover native to the Old World. It has mostly brown upperparts, a black neckband and a black mask around the eye with a noticeable yellow eyering. Its forehead, belly and the rest of the breast are white. A migratory species, it breeds in open gravel areas near freshwater, including gravel pits, islands and river edges. Its diet consists mainly of insects and worms, which it forages for in muddy areas.

The little ringed plover was formally described in 1786 as Chadrius dubius by the Austrian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli. The specific dubius is Latin meaning "doubtful", "uncertain" or "dubious" since French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat in 1876 had thought this bird might be just a variant of the common ringed plover. The little ringed plover is now one of seven plovers placed in the genus Thinornis that was introduced in 1789 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek this meaning "beach" or "sand" with ornis meaning "bird".

26-4-2026 MONTAVERNER, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm. The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria, Pararge aegeria tircis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula. The color of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline. 

The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream, or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species. The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling. The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions. The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.

26-4-2026 MONTAVERNER, VALENCIA - MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum)

Silybum marianum is a species of thistle. It has various common names including milk thistle, blessed milkthistle, Marian thistle, Mary thistle, Saint Mary's thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle (not to be confused with Onopordum acanthium or Cirsium vulgare). This species is an annual or biennial plant of the family Asteraceae. This fairly typical thistle has red to purple flowers and shiny pale green leaves with white veins. 

Once native from Southern Europe through Asia, it has spread throughout the world.

22-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE MADIKWE, S AFRICA - FAMILIAR CHAT (Oenanthe familiaris)

The familiar chat (Oenanthe familiaris) is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is a common resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara in rocky and mountainous habitat and around human habitation.

The familiar chat is a dumpy short-tailed bird 14–15 cm (5.5–5.9 in) long. The adult's upperparts are a dull brown with warmer brown ear coverts behind the eye. The underparts vary from off-white to pale grey-brown, and the rump and outer tail feathers are rufous with a dark brown tip. The central tail feathers are dark brown. The short straight bill and the legs and feet are black. The sexes are alike, but the juvenile is similar to the adult but has buff spots above and a scaly pattern on the breast.

The familiar chat has a soft "shek-shek" alarm call. The song is a warbling trill.

 The familiar chat is monogamous. It breeds between December and March in most of west Africa, but between March and May in Nigeria and mainly between October and November in South Africa. It builds a thick cup-shaped nest of plant material lined with hair, wool and feathers. The nest is usually placed in a hole in the ground, but rock faces and buildings are also used. This species will use nest boxes or a disused sociable weaver nest. The clutch is 2-4 greenish-blue eggs decorated with reddish-brown speckling. The eggs hatch after 13–15 days. The nestlings are fed by both parents and fledge after 13–15 days. Usually only a single brood is raised each year.

The familiar chat is typically seen sitting on a rock, or hopping on bare patches of soil. It has a habit of flicking its wings once or twice every time it moves. It is seen in small family groups of up to five birds, and is invariably tame and approachable. It eats insects, fruit, animal fat and household or farmyard scraps.

The Afrikaans name for this species "spekvreter" means "fat-eater", and comes from the fact that it developed the habit of feeding on the lard used to grease wagon axles by the voortrekkers.

25-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SUN JUMPING SPIDER (Heliophanus kochii)

Heliophanus kochii is a small species of jumping spider (family Salticidae) first described by French arachnologist Eugène Simon in 1868. It is known for its striking metallic sheen and impressive jumping ability. 

Physical Characteristics

Appearance: These spiders are dark (brown or black) with a strong metallic, iridescent sheen that can appear green or violet in sunlight.

Markings: They typically have a thin white band along the front of the abdomen and one or two pairs of white spots on the top.

Size: Like most sun-jumpers, they are tiny. Females range from 4 to 5.5 mm, while males are slightly smaller at 3 to 4 mm.

Legs & Palps: Their legs are often black with white stripes and light brown tips, and their palps are black with distinctive white hairs. 

Distribution and Habitat

Range: They are found across much of Europe, North Africa (Morocco), and parts of Asia (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Israel).

Recent Discoveries: In June 2023, the species was discovered for the first time in the UK on Brighton Beach, likely having "ballooned" across the English Channel from France. It was also first recorded in the Western Hemisphere (Buffalo, New York) in 2014.

25-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - POND OLIVE MAYFLY (Cloeon dipterum)

 

Cloeon dipterum is a species of mayfly with a Holarctic distribution. It is the most common mayfly in ponds in the British Isles and the only ovoviviparous mayfly in Europe. Males differ from females in having turbinate eyes.

In common with other members of the genera Cloeon and Procloeon, C. dipterum has a single pair of wings. This is also reflected in the specific epithet dipterum, which is from the Latin di-, meaning two, and the Greek pteron, meaning wing, and in his original description, Carl Linnaeus stated Inferiores alæ vix existunt ("smaller wings hardly present").

The compound eyes of C. dipterum show a striking sexual dimorphism, whereby females have lateral apposition eyes, while the males' eyes have an additional dorsal "turban-shaped" parts that function as superposition eyes. These extra eyes are thought to enable the males to locate isolated females in the mating swarm.

Cloeon dipterum is unusual among mayflies in being ovoviviparous, and is the only ovoviviparous mayfly species known in Europe. Females lay eggs 10–14 days after mating, and the eggs hatch as soon as they hit the water. The larvae can survive for months in anoxic conditions, an adaptation which is necessary to survive the winter in ponds which freeze over and therefore contain little dissolved oxygen. In captivity, adult females have been kept alive for up to three weeks.

Cloeon dipterum is widespread across Europe and Asia. In the British Isles, C. dipterum is the commonest mayfly in ponds, with around 40% of all ponds containing C. dipterum, rising to 70% in the south. In 1953, a single female Cloeon dipterum was discovered in Illinois, having not been previously recorded in North America, and was found near Lucas, Ohio in 1960. The species is now known to have a wide distribution in North America. Individuals of C. dipterum from Madeira are now placed in a different species, Cloeon peregrinator.

25-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GOLDWING MOTH (Synthymia fixa)

The Goldwing moth (Synthymia fixa) is a small, specialized moth known for its striking, hidden coloration and limited habitat range in southern Europe and North Africa. It belongs to the Erebidae family, specifically within the subfamily often referred to as underwing moths. 

Here are key facts about the Goldwing moth (Synthymia fixa):

Physical Characteristics

Appearance: They are small, with a wingspan of only 37–40 mm. The forewings are typically brown, providing excellent camouflage when at rest.

Hidden Colors: When disturbed, they reveal bright orange or golden hindwings. This sudden flash of color is a defense mechanism intended to surprise predators.

Appearance in Flight: They are often described as small brown moths that appear bright orange when flying in the countryside. 

Flight Time: They are primarily seen in late spring, particularly April and May.

Day-Flying: While many moths are nocturnal, Goldwings can be seen flying during the day, particularly when disturbed from their resting spots.

Habitat: They prefer warm regions and are found in the Maltese islands, parts of southern Europe, and North Africa. 

Host Plant: The caterpillars feed exclusively on Bitumen Vetch (Bituminaria bituminosa), which is also known as Pitch Clover or Silla tal-mogħoż in Malta.

Habitat Association: Due to their specialized diet, the moths are found in close proximity to patches of Bitumen Vetch. 

Distribution: While common in certain Mediterranean areas, they are not a resident British species, with only a single, historic report of one being caught in Devon in 1937.

Visibility: In good years, they can be seen in large numbers fluttering through patches of their host plant in the Maltese countryside. 

25-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN PIED FLYCATCHER (MALE) (Ficedula hypoleuca)

The European pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. One of the four species of Western Palearctic black-and-white flycatchers, it hybridises to a limited extent with the collared flycatcher. It breeds in most of Europe and across the Western Palearctic. It is migratory, wintering mainly in tropical Africa. It usually builds its nests in holes on oak trees. This species practices polygyny, usually bigamy, with the male travelling large distances to acquire a second mate. The male will mate with the secondary female and then return to the primary female in order to help with aspects of child rearing, such as feeding.

The European pied flycatcher is mainly insectivorous, although its diet also includes other arthropods. This species commonly feeds on caterpillars, flies, spiders, ants, bees and similar prey.

The European pied flycatcher has a very large range and population size and so it is of least concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

24-4-2026 AYUNTAMIENTO SQUARE, VALENCIA - ORCHID TREE (Bauhinia variegata)

Bauhinia variegata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to an area from China through Southeast Asia to the Indian subcontinent. Common names include orchid tree (though not belonging to the family Orchidaceae) and mountain ebony.In Cambodia, it is known as Deum Cheung Ko (ដើមជើងគោ).

This is a very popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical climates, grown for its scented flowers and also used as a food item in many South Asian cuisines. In the Neotropics, it can be used to attract hummingbirds—such as sapphire-spangled emerald (Amazilia lactea), glittering-bellied emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus), or white-throated hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)—into gardens and parks. On the other hand, in some areas it has become naturalised and invasive.

24-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea minuscularia)

 

Idaea minuscularia is a small, whitish-grey geometrid moth found in Southwest Europe and Northwest Africa, often in coastal maquis, cultivated areas, and villages, feeding on ground-level herbs like Oxalis, and recognized by its pale color with fine dark markings and a simple wing edge, differentiating it from similar Idaea species. 

Appearance: Small (1.2-1.8 cm wingspan), white/grey wings with scattered dark scales, often with indistinct lines and a dotted border on the wing edge.

Habitat: Common near coasts in maquis shrubland, cultivated fields, and walls in SW Europe & NW Africa.

Larval Diet: Feeds on herbs near the ground, including Oxalis in the Azores.

30-12-2020 MUNTANYETA DEL SANTS, VALENCIA - NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)

The Northern Lapwing, known scientifically as Vanellus vanellus, is a distinctive bird with a notable crest on its head. It measures 28–33 cm in length, with a wingspan of 67–87 cm and a body mass ranging from 128–330 g. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism; males have a pronounced crest and a stark black crown, throat, and breast, which contrasts sharply with their white face. Females and juveniles have shorter crests and less defined head markings, but their overall plumage is similar to that of the males, with a black and white coloration and a greenish tint on the back.

When identifying the Northern Lapwing, look for its rounded wings, short legs, and the characteristic crest that adorns its head. The male's long crest and contrasting black and white facial patterns are particularly striking during the breeding season. In flight, the species can be recognized by its slow wingbeats and the rounded shape of its wings.

Its diet consists primarily of insects and other small invertebrates. The Northern Lapwing often feeds in mixed flocks with Golden Plovers and Black-headed Gulls, the latter of which may steal food but also offer some protection against predators.

When identifying the Northern Lapwing, look for its rounded wings, short legs, and the characteristic crest that adorns its head. The male's long crest and contrasting black and white facial patterns are particularly striking during the breeding season. In flight, the species can be recognized by its slow wingbeats and the rounded shape of its wings.

The Northern Lapwing is a ground-nesting bird that favors open landscapes such as cultivated fields, grasslands, and wetlands. It is adaptable and can be found in a variety of temperate environments across Eurosiberia.

1-1-2020 SUECA, VALENCIA - 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.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - LILAC BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) (COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER)

The lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) is an African bird of the roller family, Coraciidae. It is widely distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa, and is a vagrant to the southern Arabian Peninsula. It prefers open woodland and savanna, and it is for the most part absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, amphibians and small birds moving about on the ground. 

Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs are laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defence of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding season the male will rise to a fair height (69 to 144 metres), descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries. The sexes do not differ in coloration, and juveniles lack the long tail streamers of adults. This species is unofficially considered the national bird of Kenya. Alternative names for the lilac-breasted roller include the fork-tailed roller, lilac-throated roller (also used for a subspecies of purple roller), Mosilikatze's roller, and troupand.