27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - NORTHERN BALD IBIS (Geronticus eremita)

The northern bald ibis, hermit ibis, or waldrapp (Geronticus eremita ) is a migratory bird found in barren, semi-desert or rocky habitats, often close to running water. This 70–80 cm (28–31 in) glossy black ibis, which, unlike many members of the ibis family, is non-wading, has an unfeathered red face and head, and a long, curved red bill. It breeds colonially on coastal or mountain cliff ledges, where it typically lays two to three eggs in a stick nest, and feeds on lizards, insects, and other small animals.

The northern bald ibis was once widespread across the Middle East, northern Africa, southern and central Europe, with a fossil record dating back at least 1.8 million years. It disappeared from Europe over 300 years ago, although reintroduction programs in the region are underway. In 2019 there were about 700 wild birds remaining in southern Morocco, and fewer than 10 in Syria, where it was rediscovered in 2002 but where their number declined in the following years, maybe to zero.

To combat these low numbers, reintroduction programs have been instituted internationally in recent times, with a semi-wild breeding colony in Turkey which counted almost 250 birds in 2018 as well as sites in Austria, Italy, Spain, and northern Morocco. These programs and the natural growth in Morocco from about 200 birds in the 1990s helped to downlist the northern bald ibis from Critically Endangered to Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2018. There are about 2000 northern bald ibises living in captivity.

The reasons for the species' long-term decline are unclear, but hunting, loss of foraging habitat, and pesticide poisoning have been implicated in the rapid loss of colonies in recent decades.

The northern bald ibis is a large, glossy black bird, 70–80 cm (28–31 in) long with a 125–135 cm (49–53 in) wingspan and an average weight of 1.0–1.3 kg (35–46 oz). The plumage is black, with bronze-green and violet iridescence, and there is a wispy ruff on the bird's hind neck. The face and head are dull red and unfeathered, and the long, curved bill and the legs are red. In flight, this bird has powerful, shallow, and flexible wing beats. It gives guttural hrump and high, hoarse hyoh calls at its breeding colonies, but is otherwise silent.

The sexes are similar in plumage, although males are generally larger than females, and, as with other ibises that breed in colonies, have longer bills. The longer-billed males are more successful in attracting a mate. The downy chick has uniformly pale brown plumage, and the fledged juvenile resembles the adult except that it has a dark head, light grey legs, and a pale bill. The unfeathered areas of the young bird's head and neck gradually become red as it matures. Moroccan birds have a significantly longer bill than Turkish birds of the same sex.

27-5-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ROSE TABBY MOTH (Endotricha flammealis)

Endotricha flammealis, the rose-flounced tabby, is a species of snout moth, family Pyralidae.

The proposed subspecies carnealis and several supposed varieties seem to be indistinguishable from typical individuals found in Austria.

This species can be found in western, central and southern Europe and nearby regions. Its range extends to Turkey, Crimea, Cyprus, Iran (via the Caucasus), to Lebanon and Syria, and to Algeria and Tunisia.

These moths inhabit grassland, heathland, woodland, fens, scrub and gardens.

Endotricha flammealis has a wingspan of 18–23 mm. The forewings are oblong, rather pointed at the tip. The antennae of males are pubescent. The basic colour of the wings is extremely variable. It is usually ochre in colour, brown or pale brown, but it may also be pinkish brown. On the edge of the forewings there are characteristic darker brown markings and bright or pinkish lines. The front edge of the forewings shows also a series of small white spots. Sometimes the moths may be light coloured without almost no markings. These moths have usually a distinctive resting posture, with the head and the front part of the body raised on its forelegs and with bottom of wings touching the surface. The caterpillars are brownish.

The moths fly from July to August in the temperate parts of its range (e.g. in the British Isles) and are attracted to light. They mainly feed on nectar of Calluna vulgaris, Tanacetum vulgare, Chamerion angustifolium, Buddleja davidii, Heracleum sphondylium and Jacobaea vulgaris.

The females lay their eggs in summer on the underside of leaves. The caterpillars typically feed on common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) and bilberries (Vaccinium), as well as on various plant remains and on dry leaves of willows (Salix) and oaks (Quercus).

28-5-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea minuscularia)

The Wave Moth (Idaea minuscularia) is a small, pale grey moth of the Geometridae family, closely related to the Small Dusty Wave. It is most prevalent in southwestern Europe (including Spain and the Balearic Islands) and northwestern Africa. It adapts well to Mediterranean climates, residing in coastal maquis, villages, and gardens.

Taxonomic, physical, and behavioral facts about this species include:

Appearance: It is a rather nondescript, very small moth with a wingspan averaging about \(20 \text{ mm}\). Its wings are characteristically grey and dusted with indistinct markings, aside from a small, dark discal spot on the forewings.

Life Cycle: These moths exhibit multiple broods each year, and in very warm Mediterranean or coastal climates, they can fly almost year-round.Habitat: You are most likely to spot this moth around houses, walls, and cultivated areas, or near coastal shrubland.

Diet: While its sister species relies primarily on plants like ivy, Idaea minuscularia is highly polyphagous, meaning its larvae feed on a wide variety of ground-level herbs and vegetation.

Behavior: Like many members of the Idaea genus, they are nocturnal, fly actively at night, and are frequently drawn to artificial lights and illuminated surfaces.

27-5-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON GERANIUM BRONZE BUTTERFLY (Cacyreus marshalli)

The geranium bronze or brun des pélargoniums in French (Cacyreus marshalli), is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae.

The geranium bronze butterfly is native to South Africa. The butterfly was first introduced to Europe in the late 20th century, where it has quickly spread to many southern and eastern European regions. Since its introduction to Europe, the geranium bronze butterfly has become a pest to cultivated Pelargonium and Geranium plant species. Currently, efforts are being made to contain the spread of the geranium bronze butterflies as well as to determine the most effective pesticide for the species.

The adult geranium bronze butterfly's wingspan ranges from 15–23 mm in males and 18–23 mm in females. The wings are brown/bronze with a white border outlining the wings. The underside is a grey-brown with darker bands interlaced with white, creating an intricate pattern. The hindwings contain an eye spot in order to divert predators from attacking. The male and female are similar in appearance.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)

The scientific name of the waterbuck is Kobus ellipsiprymnus. The waterbuck is one of the six species of the genus Kobus in the family Bovidae. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. The generic name Kobus is a Neo-Latin word, originating from an African name, koba. The specific name ellipsiprymnus refers to the white, elliptical ring on the rump, from the Greek ellipes (ellipse) and prymnos (prumnos, hind part). The animal acquired the vernacular name "waterbuck" due to its heavy dependence on water as compared to other antelopes and its ability to enter into water for defence.

The type specimen of the waterbuck was collected by South African hunter-explorer Andrew Steedman in 1832. This specimen was named Antilope ellipsiprymnus by Ogilby in 1833. This species was transferred to the genus Kobus in 1840, becoming K. ellipsiprymnus. It is usually known as the common waterbuck. In 1835, German naturalist Eduard Rüppell collected another specimen, which differed from Steedman's specimen in having a prominent white ring on its rump. 

Considering it a separate species, Rüppell gave it the Amharic name "defassa" waterbuck and scientific name Antilope defassa. Modern taxonomists, however, consider the common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck a single species, K. ellipsiprymnus, given the large number of instances of hybridisation between the two. Interbreeding between the two takes place in the Nairobi National Park owing to extensive overlapping of habitats. Though both groups occur in Zambia as well, their ranges are separated by relief features or by the Muchinga escarpment.

Not many fossils of the waterbuck have been found. Fossils were scarce in the Cradle of Humankind, occurring only in a few pockets of the Swartkrans. On the basis of Valerius Geist's theories about the relation of social evolution and dispersal in ungulates during the Pleistocene, the ancestral home of the waterbuck is considered to be the eastern coast of Africa, with the Horn of Africa to the north and the East African Rift Valley to the west.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - TUFTED DUCK (MALE) (Aythya fuligula)

The tufted duck (or tufted pochard) (Aythya fuligula) is a small diving duck with a population of nearly one million birds, found in northern Eurasia. They are partially migratory. The scientific name is derived from Ancient Greek aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors such as Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin fuligo 'soot' and gula 'throat'. It is a game bird.

The adult male is all black except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill with golden yellow eyes, along with a thin crest on the back of the head. It has a prominent tuft on its head, which gives the species its name. The adult female is brown with lighter flanks, and is more easily confused with other diving ducks. In particular, some have white around the base of the bill, resembling the scaup species, although the white is never as extensive as that of those ducks. The female's call is a harsh, growling "karr", usually given in flight. Males are mostly silent but will whistle during courtship, based on a simple "wit-oo".

The only ducks that are similar are the greater scaup and lesser scaup, but these species lack the tuft and emit a different call.

The tufted duck breeds throughout temperate and northern Eurasia. It occasionally can be found as a winter visitor along both coasts of the United States and Canada. It is believed to have expanded its traditional range with the increased availability of open water due to gravel extraction, and the spread of freshwater mussels, a favourite food. These ducks are migratory in most of their range, and overwinter in the milder south and west of Europe, southern Asia and all year in the British Isles. One individual has been reported as far south as Melbourne, Australia. They form large flocks on open water in winter.

Their breeding habitat is close to marshes and lakes with plenty of vegetation to conceal the nest. They are also found on coastal lagoons, shorelines and sheltered ponds.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ELONGATED TORTOISE (Indotestudo elongata)

The elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) is a species of tortoise found in Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia.

Shell considerably depressed, more than twice as long as deep, with flat vertebral region; anterior and posterior margins slightly reverted, strongly serrated in young, feebly in old specimens; shields concentrically striated, except in old specimens; nuchal present (rarely absent), narrow and elongate; supracaudal undivided, more or less incurved; first vertebral usually nearly as long as broad in the adult, the others broader than long and nearly as broad as the costals. Plastron large, truncate anteriorly, deeply notched posteriorly; suture between the pectoral shields as long as or longer than that between the humerals; suture between the gulars as long as or a little shorter than that between the pectorals; anals forming a very short suture, or entirely separated by the anal notch; axillary and inguinal moderate. Head moderate; a pair of large praefrontal shields, usually followed by a nearly equally large frontal; beak feebly hooked, tricuspid; alveolar ridge of upper jaw short and rather feeble. Anterior face of fore limbs with moderate, unequal-sized, imbricate scales, which are largest towards the outer side; no enlarged tubercles on the thighs; tail ending in a claw-like horny tubercle. Carapace and plastron greenish yellow, each shield with an irregular black spot or blotch, which may occupy its greater portion, or may be much broken up or indistinct.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - POMEGRANATE (Punica granatum)

 The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) tall. The pomegranate is rich in symbolic and mythological associations in many cultures.

The pomegranate was thought to have originated from Afghanistan and Iran before being introduced and exported to other parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It was introduced into Spanish America in the late 16th century and into California by Spanish settlers in 1769. They are widely cultivated throughout West Asia and Caucasus region, South Asia, Central Asia, north and tropical Africa, the drier parts of Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin. The fruit is typically in season in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May, and in the Northern Hemisphere from September to February.

As intact sarcotestas or as juice, pomegranates are used in baking, cooking, juice blends, meal garnishes, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SOUTHERN LION (FEMALE) (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

Panthera leo melanochaita is a lion subspecies in Southern and East Africa. In this part of Africa, lion populations are regionally extinct in Lesotho, Djibouti and Eritrea, and are threatened by loss of habitat and prey base, killing by local people in retaliation for loss of livestock, and in several countries also by trophy hunting. Since the turn of the 21st century, lion populations in intensively managed protected areas in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have increased, but declined in East African range countries. In 2005, a Lion Conservation Strategy was developed for East and Southern Africa.

Results of a phylogeographic study indicate that lion populations in southern and eastern Africa form a major clade distinct from lion populations in West Africa, Central Africa and Asia. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group subsumed lion populations according to the major clades into two subspecies, namely P. l. leo and P. l. melanochaita. Within P. l. melanochaita three subclades are clearly distinguishable. One from northeastern Africa, another one from southwestern Africa and a third one from southeastern Africa.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - NORTHERN SHOVELER (MALE) (Spatula clypeata)

The northern shoveler (/ˈʃʌvələr/; Spatula clypeata), known simply in Britain as the shoveler, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and across the Palearctic and across most of North America, wintering in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Central, the Caribbean, and northern South America. It is a rare vagrant to Australia. In North America, it breeds along the southern edge of Hudson Bay and west of this body of water, and as far south as the Great Lakes west to Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon.

The northern shoveler is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. The conservation status of this bird is Least Concern.

27-5-2026 CAMPANAR, VALENCIA - RED WHISKERED BULBUL (Pycnonotus jocosus)

The red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), or crested bulbul, is a passerine bird native to Asia. It is a member of the bulbul family. It is a resident frugivore found mainly in tropical Asia. It has been introduced in many tropical areas of the world where populations have established themselves. It has a loud three or four note call, feeds on fruits and small insects and perches conspicuously on trees. It is common in hill forests and urban gardens.

The red-whiskered bulbul is about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. It has brown upper-parts and whitish underparts with buff flanks and a dark spur running onto the breast at shoulder level. It has a tall pointed black crest, red face patch and thin black moustachial line. The tail is long and brown with white terminal feather tips, but the vent area is red. Juveniles lack the red patch behind the eye, and the vent area is rufous-orange.[citation needed]

An albino red-whiskered bulbul has also been recorded.

The loud and evocative call is a sharp kink-a-joo (also transcribed as pettigrew or kick-pettigrew or pleased to meet you) and the song is a scolding chatter. They are more often heard than seen, but will often perch conspicuously especially in the mornings when they call from the tops of trees. The life span is about 11 years.

This is a bird of lightly wooded areas, more open country with bushes and shrubs, and farmland. Irruptions have been noted from early times with Thomas C. Jerdon noting that they were "periodically visiting Madras and other wooded towns in large flocks."

It has established itself in Australia and in Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Florida in the United States, as well as in Mauritius, on Assumption Island and Mascarene Islands. In Florida, it is only found in a small area, and its population could be extirpated easily. It was eradicated from Assumption Island in 2013–2015 to prevent colonisation of nearby Aldabra, the largest introduced bird-free tropical island.

The red-whiskered bulbul was introduced by the Zoological and Acclimatization Society in 1880 to Sydney, became well established across the suburbs by 1920, and continued to spread slowly to around 100 km away. It is now also found in suburban Melbourne and Adelaide, although it is unclear how they got there.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - BLUE BREASTED KINGFISHER (Halcyon malimbica)

The blue-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica) is a tree kingfisher widely distributed across Equatorial Africa. This kingfisher is essentially resident, but retreats from drier savanna areas to wetter habitats in the dry season.

This is a large kingfisher, 25 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue head, back, wing panel and tail. Its underparts are white, but it has a blue breast band. The shoulders are black. The flight of the blue-breasted kingfisher is rapid and direct. The large bill has a red upper mandible and black lower mandible. The legs are bright red.

Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults. The call of this noisy kingfisher is a whistled pu-pu-pu-pu-ku-ku-ku-ku.

The blue-breasted kingfisher is a species of a variety of well-wooded habitats. It perches quietly in deep shade whilst seeking food. It is territorial but wary. This species mainly hunts large insects, arthropods, fish and frogs, but will also eat the fruit of the Oil Palm.

It has a striking display in which the wings are spread to show the white linings. The nest is a hole in a tree termite nest. A single clutch of two round white eggs is typical.

Large and chunky blue, black, and white kingfisher. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, and thick woodland, mostly in the subcanopy and mid-story. Generally shy and usually detected by voice: an introductory whistle, followed after a pause by a mournful, slightly descending series of “chiew” notes. Similar to Woodland Kingfisher, but separated by its larger size, black patch on the back, blue on the breast, black line behind the eye, and preference for thicker habitats.

The blue-breasted kingfisher is the largest member of the genus Halcyon in Africa, measuring approximately ten inches (25cm) in length. The majority of the plumage is turquoise-blue with a black mask, back and shoulders. The crown is grey and the throat and abdomen are white. The upper mandible is bright red, while the lower mandible is black.

Very few nests in the wild have been located and described, however those that have been are holes excavated into the sides of termitariums at a height of 6-10 meters. Four of these nests contained clutches and/or broods of two, however captive nests have yielded a maximum of five eggs with four eggs being regularly observed.

The majority of the diet consists of animal matter including invertebrates such as roaches, grasshoppers, termites, wasps, beetles, mantises, spiders, millipedes, whip-scorpions, crabs and molluscs. Mud-skippers, frogs, toads, lizards, and mice are also consumed. In addition, a highly sought after food by this and many other primarily carnivorous species (incuding some hawks and some insectivores) is the fruit of the oil-palm.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ROUND EARED ELEPHNT SHREW (Macroscelides proboscideus)

The round-eared elephant shrew (Macroscelides proboscideus) or round-eared sengi (called the Karoo round-eared elephant shrew to distinguish it from its sister species; formerly misleadingly named the "short-eared elephant shrew"), is a species of elephant shrew (sengi) in the family Macroscelididae. It is found in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and grassland, and hot deserts. They eat insects, shoots, and roots. Their gestation period is 56 days.

Elephant shrews are among only a handful of monogamous mammals, making them a model group for the study of monogamy. They have been studied for their mate guarding behavior. Mate guarding is considered a predominant male trait in round-eared elephant shrews. This strategy is used to guard the female before and after heat to eliminate male competition, which makes male round-eared elephant shrews monogamous and more vulnerable to their surroundings as they spent a majority of their time dedicated to this tactic.

Research was recently conducted to determine that elephant shrews are thought to have dichromatic color vision due to their ability to differentiate between blue/green colors and grey. However, there is no evidence to prove that the species can see red colors.

27-5-2026 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - BAT EARED FOX (Otocyon megalotis)

The bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a species of fox found on the African savanna. It is the only extant species of the genus Otocyon, and is the sister species to all other members of the tribe Vulpini, not genetically being a true fox. Fossil records indicate this canid first appeared during the middle Pleistocene. There are two separate populations of the bat-eared fox, each of which makes up a subspecies. The bat referred to in its colloquial name is possibly the Egyptian slit-faced bat (Nycteris thebaica), which is abundant in the region and has very large ears. Other vernacular names include big-eared fox, black-eared fox, long-eared fox, Delalande's fox, cape fox, and motlosi.

It is named for its large ears, which have a role in thermoregulation. It is a small canid, being of comparable size to the closely related cape fox and common raccoon dog. Its fur varies in color depending on the subspecies, but is generally tan-colored and has guard hairs of a grey agouti color. The bat-eared fox is found in Southern and East Africa, though the two subspecies are separated by an unpopulated region spanning approximately 1,000 km (620 mi). In its range, the bat-eared fox digs dens for shelter and to raise its young, and lives in social groups or pairs that hunt and groom together.

The bat-eared fox eats mainly insects—a diet unique among canids. It forages in arid and semi-arid environments, preferring regions with bare ground and where ungulates keep grasses short, and locates prey by using its hearing, walking slowly with its nose to the ground and ears tilted forwards. Most of its diet is made up of harvester termites, which also hydrates the bat-eared fox, as it does not drink from free-standing water. By feeding on harvester termites, it acts as a means of population control for these insects, which are considered pests in regions populated by humans. In such regions, it has been hunted for its fur. No major threats to the bat-eared fox exist, and as such it is considered to be a least-concern species.

22-7-2020 LA PINET, ALICANTE - BLACK TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa)

 The black-tailed godwit is a large wader with long bill (7.5 to 12 cm (3.0 to 4.7 in) long), neck and legs. During the breeding season, the bill has a yellowish or orange-pink base and dark tip; the base is pink in winter. The legs are dark grey, brown or black. The sexes are similar, but in breeding plumage, they can be separated by the male's brighter, more extensive orange breast, neck and head. In winter, adult black-tailed godwits have a uniform brown-grey breast and upperparts (in contrast to the bar-tailed godwit's streaked back). Juveniles have a pale orange wash to the neck and breast.

In flight, its bold black and white wings and white rump can be seen readily. When on the ground it can be difficult to separate from the similar bar-tailed Godwit, but the black-tailed godwit's longer, straighter bill and longer legs are diagnostic. Black-tailed godwits are similar in body size and shape to bar-taileds, but stand taller.

24-5-2026 POTRIES, 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.

24-5-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORNET MIMIC HOVER FLY (Volucella zonaria)

Volucella zonaria, the hornet mimic hoverfly, is a species of hoverfly. These flies are capable of buzz pollination.

This species is present in most of Europe, in Tunisia, Iran, Russia (to Far East) and in Mongolia.

In Great Britain, it was only known from two specimens prior to 1940, so was regarded as rare. Since then, it has become increasingly widespread in many parts of the South and South East England, often in association with parks and gardens, where adults are usually seen visiting flowers. Elsewhere in England, only a few scattered records exist.

These hoverflies usually inhabit meadows close to forests. 

24-5-2026 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - RED VALERIAN (Centranthus ruber)

Valeriana rubra (synonym Centranthus ruber), the red valerian, spur valerian, kiss-me-quick, fox's brush, devil's beard or Jupiter's beard, is a popular garden plant grown for its ornamental flowers.

Valeriana rubra is a perennial plant, usually as a subshrub though it can take any form from a herbaceous plant to a shrub depending on conditions; the plants are usually woody at the base. The leaves are generally 5–8 cm in length. Their form changes from the bottom to the top of the plant, the lower leaves being petiolate while the upper leaves are sessile. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and are oval or lanceolate in shape. The plant flowers profusely, and though the individual flowers are small (no more than 2 mm), the inflorescences are large and showy. The flowers are small in rounded clusters each with 5 fused petals and a spur. The most typical color is a brick red or purplish red, but colors include deep crimson, pale pink, and lavender. Centranthus ruber 'Albus' (about 10% of individuals) has white blooms. Flowering takes place in early summer and, in cool summer areas, continues sporadically throughout the summer and into fall. The cultivar 'coccineus' is especially long-blooming. The blooms have a strong and somewhat rank scent. They are pollinated by both bees and butterflies and the plant is noted for attracting insects. It is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including angle shades. Seeds have tufts similar to dandelions that allow wind dispersal, and as such can self-seed freely and become invasive if not properly controlled.

26-5-2026 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - BROAD SCARLET DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis erythraea)

The scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its common names include broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, and scarlet darter.

The scarlet dragonfly is a common species in southern Europe and throughout Africa. It also occurs across western Asia as far as southern China. It is a very rare vagrant in Britain. Its first record in the country was at Hayle Kimbro Pool, The Lizard, Cornwall, on 7 August 1995. Since then there have been a few further records at scattered locations throughout Britain.

A wide range of both running and standing waters, except those that are shaded. Adults may be found some distance from water in habitats ranging from desert to open woodland; absent from dense forest.

25-5-2026 RIVER SERPIS, GANDIA - DESERT DARTER DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Sympetrum sinaiticum)

34-37 mm. Medium-sized dragonfly of the Libellulidiae family; it is distributed throughout the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula, with a tendency to expand its peninsular distribution.

Sexual dimorphism is present in mature males, which have brown upper eyelids and light gray lower eyelids. Their thorax is brown on top and lighter on the sides, with black-edged sutures. The abdomen is pale red on top with orange sides. The sides of segments S1 to S3 are pale and have a distinctive elongated black spot. The last segments are also spotted with black on the sides. The wings are hyaline with a bright red leading edge and a reddish (sometimes pale yellow) pterostigma. The leading edge of the wing is somewhat colored. 

The legs are edged in black, and the rest of the plumage is straw-colored to brownish with a light blue interior. The female is straw-yellow, lacking any orange coloration. She has the same black markings on the sides of her abdomen as the male, which helps in identification. The only other feature she shares with the male is the eye color, although it is somewhat duller.

It inhabits open spaces in warm areas, in all types of stagnant or slow-moving water. 

26-5-2026 MONTE CORONA, 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.

26-5-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON ANDRYALA (Andryala integrifolia)

Common Andryala (Andryala integrifolia) is a Mediterranean wildflower in the daisy family (Asteraceae) known for its bright yellow blooms, distinctive woolly texture, and highly resilient nature.

Scientific TaxonomyFamily: Asteraceae 

(Compositae)Genus: AndryalaSpecies: Andryala integrifolia (originally cataloged by Carl Linnaeus in 1753)

Common Names: Hoary Andryala, Lanutella comune (Italian), Cerraja lanuda or Carmelita descalza (Spanish), and Alface-do-monte (Portuguese).

 Physical CharacteristicsAppearance: An annual to biennial herbaceous plant that typically grows between 20 to 100 centimeters in height.

Foliage: The alternate, lance-shaped leaves are entirely undivided or unlobed, which explains the specific epithet integrifolia (Latin for "entire leaf").

Texture: The stems and leaves are covered in a dense layer of soft, whitish, and sometimes sticky hairs, giving the plant a distinctive "hoary" or frosted look.

Flowers: Bright yellow flower heads (capitula) measuring roughly 3 cm across are clustered together in flat-topped clusters called corymbs. They bloom from April to August.

Habitat & DistributionNative Range: It is highly widespread across the Western and Central Mediterranean region, heavily blanketed across the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), Southern France, Italy, and parts of North Africa.

Growing Conditions: It thrives in disturbed, sunny, open landscapes. You will frequently spot it growing in sandy or rocky soils, along roadsides, in ditches, abandoned farmlands, and dry pastures.

Ecological Status: While native to the Mediterranean, it has been introduced to places like Belgium and Sweden, and is flagged as an alien species on the island of Madeira, where it poses a hybridization risk to rare local flora.

Toxicity & DefenseChemical Profile: The plant produces a milky latex.Toxicity: This latex contains toxic compounds, including hydrogen cyanide. Because of this chemical defense mechanism, no parts of the plant should ever be ingested by humans or livestock.

25-5-2026 RIVER SERPIS, GANDIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

The Little Egret frequents a variety of wetland habitats, from the shores of lakes and rivers to marshes and coastal regions. It is often found in open environments, such as mangroves, swamps, mudflats, and sandy beaches, as well as human-altered landscapes like rice fields.

The species has a broad breeding distribution across warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Africa and southern Asia, while others remain as permanent residents in warmer areas.

25-5-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVED UMBER MOTH

Menophra abruptaria, the waved umber, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1792. It is found in south-western North Africa, southern Europe and Anatolia; in the north, it is found from England to Switzerland, south-western Germany, Bangladesh . The wingspan is 36–42 mm. Adults are on wing from April to June. Normally, there is one generation per year, although there can be a partial second generation in summer.

The larvae feed on Ligustrum ovalifolium and Syringa vulgaris.

A distinctive species, occurring reasonably commonly in the south of England and Wales, becoming scarcer into the northernmost English counties.

It inhabits woodland, parks and gardens, and flies in a single generation from April into June.

The larvae feed on garden privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) and lilac (Syringa vulgaris).

14-9-2015 CIUDAD DE ENCANTADA, CUENCA - EURASIAN NUTHATCH (Sitta europaea)

The Eurasian nuthatch or wood nuthatch (Sitta europaea) is a small passerine bird found throughout the Palearctic and in Europe. Like other nuthatches, it is a short-tailed bird with a long bill, blue-gray upperparts and a black eye-stripe. It is a vocal bird with a repeated loud dwip call. There are more than 20 subspecies in three main groups; birds in the west of the range have orange-buff underparts and a white throat, those in Russia have whitish underparts, and those in the east have a similar appearance to European birds, but lack the white throat.

Its preferred habitat is mature deciduous or mixed woodland with large, old trees, preferably oak. Pairs hold permanent territories, and nest in tree holes, usually old woodpecker nests, but sometimes natural cavities. If the entrance to the hole is too large, the female plasters it with mud to reduce its size, and often coats the inside of the cavity too. The six to nine red-speckled white eggs are laid on a deep base of pine or other wood chips.

The Eurasian nuthatch eats mainly insects , particularly caterpillars and beetles, although in autumn and winter its diet is supplemented with nuts and seeds. The young are fed mainly on insects, with some seeds, food items mainly being found on tree trunks and large branches. The nuthatch can forage when descending trees head first, as well as when climbing. It readily visits bird tables, eating fatty man-made food items as well as seeds. It is an inveterate hoarder, storing food year-round. Its main natural predator is the Eurasian sparrowhawk.