6-2-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

4-2-2019 XERACO, VALENCIA - ONION LEAFED ASPHODEL (Asphodelus fistulosus)

Asphodelus fistulosus is a species of plant known as hollow-stemmed asphodel, onionweed, onion-leafed asphodel, and pink asphodel. It is native to the Mediterranean region as well as the Arabian Peninsula, Transcaucasus, and Madeira.

It is an invasive exotic weed in the United States, with significant infestations in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is listed as a Federal Noxious Weed by the United States Department of Agriculture. It is also a common weed in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico, and it thrives in any area with a Mediterranean climate.

It is an annual or short-lived perennial herb growing a hollow stem up to 70 cm (28 in) tall. The root system has a series of tuber-like parts at the base of the stem. The plant takes the form of a large tuft of onion-like rounded hollow leaves up to 30 cm (12 in) long. The inflorescence is a panicle with widely spaced flowers. Each flower is 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide with six tepals which are generally white or very pale pink with a neat central longitudinal stripe of brown to reddish-purple. The flowers are diurnal, closing at night and in overcast or low-light weather conditions. The fruit is a rounded capsule containing six seeds.

5-2-2019 OLIVA, VALENCIA - COMMON CHAFFINCH (MALE) (Fringilla coelebs)

4-2-2019 XERACO, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

11-12-2015 BAGAN, MYANMAR - RUSSET SPARROW (MALE) (Passer cinnamomeus)

The russet sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus), also called the cinnamon or cinnamon tree sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. A chunky little seed-eating bird with a thick bill, it has a body length of 14 to 15 cm (5.5–5.9 in). Its plumage is mainly warm rufous above and grey below. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with the plumage of both sexes patterned similarly to that of the corresponding sex of house sparrow. Its vocalisations are sweet and musical chirps, which when strung together form a song.

Three subspecies are recognised, differing chiefly in the yellowness of their underparts. The subspecies rutilans and intensior breed in parts of eastern Asia, where they are usually found in light woodland, and the subspecies cinnamomeus breeds in the Himalayas, where it is usually associated with terrace cultivation. The russet sparrow is the typical sparrow of human habitations in towns where the house and Eurasian tree sparrows are absent. In the southern part of its range, the russet sparrow prefers higher altitudes, but in the north it breeds by the sea. The russet sparrow is known well enough in the Himalayas to have a distinct name in some languages, and is depicted in Japanese art.

This sparrow feeds mainly on the seeds of herbs and grains, but it also eats berries and insects, particularly during the breeding season. This diet makes it a minor pest in agricultural areas, but also a predator of insect pests. While breeding, it is not social, as its nests are dispersed. It forms flocks when not breeding, although it associates with other bird species infrequently. In some parts of its range, the russet sparrow migrates, at least to lower altitudes. Its nest is located in a tree cavity, or a hole in a cliff or building. The male chooses the nest site before finding a mate and uses the nest for courtship display. The typical clutch contains five or six whitish eggs. Both sexes incubate and feed the young.

3-2-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, 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.

30-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)

2-2-2019 CAMI LES FONTS OLIVA, VALENCIA - MALLARD (MALE) (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

2-2-2019 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

2-2-2019 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - MALLARD (MALE & FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

2-2-2019 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)

30-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)

The Cattle Egret, a member of the heron family Ardeidae, is a small white bird recognized for its association with grazing animals. It exhibits a stout build, with a wingspan ranging from 88 to 96 cm, and a body length between 46 to 56 cm. The species is relatively light, weighing between 270 to 512 grams. It is characterized by a short, thick neck, a robust bill, and a somewhat hunched posture.

Outside the breeding season, the adult Cattle Egret has predominantly white plumage, a yellow bill, and greyish-yellow legs. Come breeding time, the western variety develops striking orange-buff plumes on the back, breast, and crown, while the bill, legs, and irises turn a vivid red. The eastern variety differs slightly with buff coloration extending to the cheeks and throat during breeding, and the plumes taking on a more golden hue. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males are marginally larger with longer breeding plumes.

Cattle Egrets are adaptable birds that exploit a variety of drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their preferred environments include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands, and rice paddies.

Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, the Cattle Egret has seen a significant expansion in its distribution, colonizing much of the rest of the world over the last century. It is now found in the tropics, subtropics, and warm-temperate zones globally.

Cattle Egrets are often seen in the company of cattle or other large mammals, benefiting from the insects and small vertebrates these animals disturb. They are known for their migratory behavior, with some populations moving seasonally, while others disperse post-breeding.

At breeding colonies, the Cattle Egret emits a soft, guttural "rick-rack" call but is generally quiet outside this setting.

Breeding occurs in colonies, often near water and in the company of other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Both parents are involved in nest construction and incubation, which lasts about 23 days. Chicks are born with some down and are dependent on their parents for warmth and food.

The Cattle Egret can be confused with other white egrets, but its shorter neck, more robust build, and behavior around livestock help distinguish it.

The diet is varied, primarily consisting of insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and flies. They also consume spiders, frogs, small reptiles, and occasionally bird eggs and chicks. They are known to forage in fields, often near grazing animals, and have been observed following farm machinery to catch disturbed prey.

30-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)

30-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)

1-2-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SOUTHERN GREEN STINK BUG (Nezara viridula)

Nezara viridula, commonly known as the southern green stink bug (USA), southern green shield bug (UK) or green vegetable bug (Australia and New Zealand), is a plant-feeding stink bug. Believed to have originated in Ethiopia, it can now be found across the world. Because of its preference for certain species of legumes, such as beans and soybeans, it is an economically important pest on such crops.

Nezara viridula is a cosmopolitan species, living in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Europe between 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is believed to have originated from the Ethiopia region of East Africa, from where it has spread around the world due to its strong flight and human transport along trade routes.

The adult males can reach a body length (from front to elytral apex) of about 12.1 millimetres (0.48 in), while females are bigger, reaching a size of about 13.1 millimetres (0.52 in). The body is usually bright green and shield-shaped and the eyes are usually reddish, but they may also be black. There is a row of three white spots on the scutellum. They differ from the similar green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris) by the shape of their scent gland openings, which are short and wide in N. viridula, and narrow and long in the green stink bug.

30-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

31-1-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CARPET MOTH (Catarhoe basochesiata)

The Carpet Moth (Catarhoe basochesiata) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae, not typically considered a household pest species like the common tapestry moth (Trichophaga tapetzella). 

Description and Habitat

Appearance: This moth has a wingspan of 23–27 mm (0.91–1.06 in). The forewings range from reddish-brown to greyish-brown, with some individuals having very dark brown forewings that make their patterns less distinct.

Geographic Range: It is found across the western Mediterranean region, including the Iberian Peninsula, France, Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Preferred Conditions: It thrives in hot, dry conditions in low coastal regions, from sea level up to around 500 m (1,640 ft), occasionally at higher altitudes.

Host Plants: The larvae are known to feed on plants in the Rubiaceae family, specifically Rubia peregrina (Wild Madder). 

30-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (JUVENILE) (Ardea cinerea)

28-1-2019 BARX, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

28-1-2019 BARX, VALENCIA - ALMOND BLOSSOM (Prunus dulcis)

The almond (Prunus amygdalus, syn. Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb, nom. illeg. non Prunus dulcis Rouchy) is a species of tree from the genus Prunus. Along with the peach, it is classified in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by corrugations on the shell (endocarp) surrounding the seed.

The fruit of the almond is a drupe, consisting of an outer hull and a hard shell with the seed, which is not a true nut. Shelling almonds refers to removing the shell to reveal the seed. Almonds are sold shelled or unshelled. Blanched almonds are shelled almonds that have been treated with hot water to soften the seedcoat, which is then removed to reveal the white embryo. Once almonds are cleaned and processed, they can be stored for around a year if kept refrigerated; at higher temperatures they will become rancid more quickly. Almonds are used in many cuisines, often featuring prominently in desserts, such as marzipan.

26-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

Kestrels are a familiar sight, with their pointed wings and long tail, hovering beside a roadside verge. Numbers of Kestrels have declined since the 1970s, probably as a result of changes in farming, and so it is included on the Amber List. They have adapted readily to man-made environments and can survive right in the centre of cities.

Sadly, Kestrels declined by 37% between 1995 and 2023 and now feature on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern. The exact causes of this decline are still unclear, but could include what’s known as ‘secondary poisoning’ where Kestrels become sick or die from eating poisoned prey. Changes to the way land is farmed might also be a factor.

Kestrels are an RSPB Priority Species and we’re carrying out research to get to the bottom of their decline, so that we can better understand how to help them. We also work with farmers to help them create ideal habitat for these birds.

26-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - BLACK HEADED GULL (JUVENILE) (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small, nimble gull with a wingspan ranging from 94 to 110 cm and a body length of 37 to 44 cm. It weighs between 190 and 400 grams. Despite its name, the adult's summer plumage features a chocolate-brown head, which can appear black from a distance. The body is pale grey, and the primary wing feathers are tipped with black. The bill and legs are a striking red. In winter, the brown head is replaced by a white one with dark spots. Juveniles are mottled with brown spots and have a black band on the tail. There is no sexual dimorphism in plumage.

In flight, the white leading edge of the wing is a distinctive field mark. The summer adult's brown head, red bill, and legs are key identifiers, while the winter plumage features two dark spots on the head. Juveniles can be recognized by their mottled brown pattern and black tail band.

This species nests in colonies on the ground in large reed beds, marshes, or islands within lakes. It is not pelagic and is seldom seen far from coasts.

The black-headed gull breeds across much of the Palearctic, including Europe and coastal eastern Canada. It is migratory, wintering further south, but some remain in the milder westernmost areas of Europe. It is also present in northeastern North America and occasionally seen as far south as Virginia and some Caribbean islands.

Highly gregarious in winter, the black-headed gull is an opportunistic feeder, consuming a wide range of food from insects to carrion. It is known for its "kree-ar" call and displays various behaviors such as eggshell removal from the nest, which is believed to reduce predation risk.

The black-headed gull is a vocal species, particularly in colonies. Its call is a familiar "kree-ar," and its scientific name suggests a laughing sound.

This gull takes two years to reach maturity. First-year birds can be distinguished by a black terminal tail band and a less developed dark hood in summer. Breeding occurs in colonies, and the species is known for its complex social behaviors, including begging coordination between siblings and conspecific brood parasitism.

Diet and Feeding

The diet includes insects, fish, seeds, worms, scraps, carrion, and invertebrates in ploughed fields. It feeds in towns and agricultural areas with equal relish.

Conservation status

The black-headed gull is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not currently at significant risk of widespread decline.

Synchronization

Individuals synchronize their vigilance activities with nearby conspecifics, depending on the distance between them.

Australian discovery

The first recorded sighting in Australia occurred in 1991 at the Broome Sewage Ponds, marking a significant range expansion for the species.

In popular culture

The black-headed gull has been immortalized in Richard Adams' novel "Watership Down" as the character Kehaar and is the official bird of Tokyo, Japan.

26-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - BLACK HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

27-1-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The Eurasian Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a large, black seabird known for its long neck, strong hooked bill, and deep green eyes. It is found across a wide range in Europe, Asia, and Africa, often near water, and is a highly effective diver for prey such as fish and crustaceans. The plumage is not waterproof, so the bird frequently stands with its wings outstretched to dry after fishing.  

Large cormorant found nearly worldwide. Note large size, white patch on throat, and lack of crest. Breeding adults show circular white patch on flanks. Immatures typically have contrasting white belly; African "White-breasted" also has extensive white underparts in all plumages. Often spotted standing on rocks or pilings. Dives frequently, feeding on fish. Found in many types of water bodies, ranging from rivers to reservoirs to marine environments; in North America, restricted to coastal North Atlantic.

27-1-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - BLACK JACK (Bidens pilosa)

26-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)

26-1-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - WHITE WALL ROCKET (Diplotaxis erucoides)

Diplotaxis erucoides, the white rocket or white wallrocket, is a species of annual herb of the family Brassicaceae native to West Mediterranean.

Diplotaxis erucoides is an herbaceous plant up to 20–60 centimetres (8–23+1⁄2 in) tall, with green, erect stem, sparsely pubescent, and pinnatisect leaves up to 15 cm long. It has racemes of white flowers with four 6–8 mm petals, four sepals, six stamens and a style with green stigma. The fruit is a 25–33 mm siliqua containing 40–80 seeds in two parallel series.