12-12-2015 BAGAN, BURMA - 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.

12-12-2015 BAGAN, BURMA - PIED BUSH CHAT (FEMALE) (Saxicola caprata)

The pied bush chat (Saxicola caprata) is a small passerine bird found ranging from West Asia and Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. About sixteen subspecies are recognized through its wide range with many island forms. It is a familiar bird of countryside and open scrub or grassland where it is found perched at the top of short thorn trees or other shrubs, looking out for insect prey. They pick up insects mainly from the ground, and were, like other chats, placed in the thrush family Turdidae, but are now considered as Old World flycatchers.

They nest in cavities in stone walls or in holes in an embankment, lining the nest with grass and animal hair. The males are black with white shoulder and vent patches whose extent varies among populations. Females are predominantly brownish while juveniles are speckled.

5-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PETITE WAVE MOTH (Scopula minorata),

 Scopula minorata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it is found in southern Europe. It can be distinguished from Scopula lactaria only by examination of its genitalia.

The wingspan is 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

Subspecies

Scopula minorata minorata

Scopula minorata corcularia (Rebel, 1894)

Scopula minorata ochroleucaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)

Scopula minorata tripolitana (Sterneck, 1933)

8-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LARGE TREE CRICKET (Oecanthus dulcisonans)

Oecanthus dulcisonans is a species of cricket sparsely but widely distributed in the Mediterranean Basin and in the Middle East.

The species can be found in several Thyrrhenian coastal regions of Italy, as well as in Sardinia and Sicily. O. dulcisonans was originally reported from Saudi Arabia and is present also in the Canary Islands.

In the Mediterranean area, its range overlaps that of its congener O. pellucens. According to some studies, O. dulcisonans sings preferentially from trees while O. pellucens seems to prefer high grass such as the vegetation growing along the small streams.

This thermophilic and heliophilic species is not particularly demanding, and can be found both in wet and in xeric environments.

The adult males grow up to 13–15 millimetres (0.51–0.59 in) long, while females reach 14–16 millimetres (0.55–0.63 in). The overall color is yellowish. Long forewings cover entirely the abdomen, hind wings are decidedly longer. It can be distinguished from O. pellucens by its bigger size, by the different shape of the sternal plate, and by the male genitalia. The morphological differences were investigated by Cordero et al. 

Its namesake song is among the most useful characters to recognize O. dulcisonans form O. pellucens: the strong and melodious trill of the former is continuous, as opposed to the equal, discrete 0.5sec - 1sec trills of O. pellucens. Furthermore, peak frequency by O. dulcisonans is slightly higher. Both species are difficult to locate by the unaided ear: the insect can vary the elevation of the forewings making difficult to identify the provenance of the sound, reverberated by the high grass or by the reeds.

9-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BURNT PINE LONGHORN BEETLE (Arhopalus ferus)

 Arhopalus ferus, commonly known as the burnt pine longhorn beetle, is a species of long horn beetle, of the order Coleoptera. It was first described by French entomologist Étienne Mulsant in 1839.

Adult beetles are 8–30 mm long reddish-brown to black, while males are generally smaller and lighter in colour.

The body is elongated and oval, typical for longhorn beetles. The head angles forward, showing most of the mouth parts. The thread-like antennae are half to three-quarters of the body length, longer in males. The prothorax is smoothly curved with no spines, narrower than the elytra. The elytra have four ridges and slightly tapering sides.

9-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM AND DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Polymixis dubia (Duponchel, 1836) is a nocturnal moth belonging to the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae. Commonly known in France as La Xyline floue, this species is primarily native to Southwest Europe and North Africa.

Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: It features an adult wingspan of approximately 37 mm.

• Coloration: The forewings display a marbled pattern of light and dark grey tones, often accented with contrasting whitish or straw-colored patches. Darker grey coloration tends to concentrate heavily across the transverse middle third of the forewings, while the wing margins generally fade into lighter shades.

 Lifecycle and Ecology

• Larvae: The caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on multiple plant species. However, they show a strong ecological preference for rockroses (Cistus).

• Habitat: It is typically found in Mediterranean shrublands, garrigues, and open woodlands where its preferred host plants thrive.

9-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PEARL MOTH (Udea numeralis)

The pearl moth (Udea numeralis) is a small species of snout moth in the family Crambidae.

Overview and Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: Approximately 25 to 26 mm.

• Description: Originally described by the entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1796. It belongs to the subfamily Spilomelinae and the genus Udea.

Distribution and Habitat

• Location: It is found in Southern Europe—including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, and Greece (such as the island of Crete)—as well as North Africa (Algeria and Morocco).

• Habitat: Commonly observed in warm, Mediterranean environments like olive groves and river banks.

Biology and Diet

• Food Plants: The larvae feed on plants from the Compositae (aster/daisy) family.

• Flight Period: In warmer southern regions like Crete, adults can be recorded across an extended period of the year.

8-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN LACE BORDER MOTH (Scopula submutata)

The Mediterranean lace border moth (Scopula submutata) is a small, pale-winged geometrid moth native to southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.

Physical Characteristics & Life Cycle

• Wingspan: Measures 20 to 25 millimeters (0.79 to 0.98 inches) across.

• Flight Period: Produces two generations each year, with adult moths active from May through October.

• Overwintering: The insect survives the colder months in its larval (caterpillar) stage.

Habitat & Diet

• Natural Environment: Inhabits hot, dry, and rocky locations, including open grasslands and Mediterranean maquis shrublands.

• Host Plants: Caterpilla larvae feed primarily on mint-family plants (Lamiaceae), specifically wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare) and thyme species (Thymus).

8-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MARSH CRANEFLY (Tipula oleracea)

The marsh crane fly (Tipula oleracea) is a species of cranefly found throughout the Palaearctic and parts of the Nearctic.

Its specific name oleracea means "related to vegetables/herbs" in Latin and is a form of holeraceus (oleraceus).

 

A usually greyish species, but abdomen occasionally ferruginous and often with a blackish median and/or lateral longitudinal stripe. The wing length is 18–28 mm. The minimum space between eyes below is at most subequal to the maximum width of antenna! scape; the antennae are 13-segmented. The male tergite 9 has a short median projection (its breadth at base exceeding its length), and roundly bifurcated at apex, the bifurcations blackish; sternite 8 simple, 9 almost fused with tergite 9 (as in T. paludosa and T. czizeki). female wings as long as abdomen; sternal valves usually extending to about two-thirds length of cerci, cerci only slightly clubbed at tips.

Tipula oleracea is prevalent mainly in Europe. Their habitat ranges in the South to North Africa, but has a limit in Algeria to the East. In Europe the South-eastern boundary is in Greece. It occurs on some Greek islands such as Crete as a subspecies and is also on Malta. It is found in Northern Europe with the exception of Finland and Latvia. 

20-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - BLUE CROWNED HANGING PARROT (Loriculus galgulus)

The blue-crowned hanging parrot (Loriculus galgulus) is a parrot species endemic to southern Burma and Thailand, Malaya, Singapore, and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo). These parrots are 12cm in height and weight 28g and have a longevity of 14 years. They are recognized by their green plumage, black beak and characteristic blue feathers arranged like a crown on their head.

Blue-crowned hanging parrots have green plumage and adults have black beaks. There is sexual dimorphism between males and females of the species. Adult males have a characteristic blue "crown" patch on their head and a red mark on their throat as well as a red rump bordered by a yellow lower back. Adult females plumage is duller green in color compared to the males, they do not have the red throat mark and have a less apparent or absent blue crown on the head and lack yellow feathers on their lower back. Juveniles' plumage is dull green, they also have little to no blue crown patch, they have a little to no blue crown visible and their bills are light in color.

The calls these birds make when flying are shrill and squeaky. When flying in flocks, the calls can be described as rapid and ringing. As they forage, they utter shrill two-syllable calls.

The blue-crowned hanging parrot is distributed throughout southern Thailand, western Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo and other nearby islands. The parrot inhabits forests, forest edges, swamps, riverine forest, bamboo patches, mangrove wooded gardens, and coconut groves, as well as plantations.

Throughout its range, Sulawesi is the only area where more than one Loriculus species is found because intraspecific competition usually prevents other closely related species from overlapping.

The hanging parrot can be observed travelling alone, in pairs, or in parties of 150 individuals in the canopy. During the mating season, bonded pairs will remain together and the male will chase off any other male that approaches.

Characteristic of hanging parrots, the blue-crowned hanging parrot sleeps upside down by hanging from tree branches. The birds climb or fly up tall trees and will hang by either both feet or only one foot and will fluff their feathers and tuck their head and neck into their body. This behaviour evolved in order to limit nighttime predation. The parrot's green plumage and hanging sleeping position imitates leaves among trees to camouflage themselves among the foliage. This behaviour was likely evolved from a common ancestor of Loriculus and Agapornis parrots endemic to Africa.

Young and sick birds are unable to hang and will perch sitting upright to sleep with their head turned to one side while tucked into the back feathers. Young birds have undeveloped modifications necessary for hanging but develop these rapidly as they fledge.

20-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - WHITE COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris)

The collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is a medium-sized kingfisher belonging to the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It is also known as the white-collared kingfisher, black-masked kingfisher or mangrove kingfisher. It has a wide range extending from the Red Sea across southern Asia to Melanesia. A number of subspecies and subspecies groups have been split from this species including the Pacific kingfisher, the Islet kingfisher, the Torresian kingfisher, the Mariana kingfisher, and the Melanesian kingfisher.

It is most commonly found in coastal areas, particularly in mangrove swamps. It also inhabits farmland, open woodland, grassland and gardens. In some parts of its range, especially on islands, it can be seen further inland, ranging into forest or into mountain areas. Birds often perch conspicuously on wires, rocks or bare branches.

7-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PETITE WAVE MOTH (Scopula minorata)

Scopula minorata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it is found in southern Europe. It can be distinguished from Scopula lactaria only by examination of its genitalia.

The wingspan is 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

Subspecies

Scopula minorata minorata

Scopula minorata corcularia (Rebel, 1894)

Scopula minorata ochroleucaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)

Scopula minorata tripolitana (Sterneck, 1933)

7-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM AND DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Polymixis dubia (Duponchel, 1836) is a nocturnal moth belonging to the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae. Commonly known in France as La Xyline floue, this species is primarily native to Southwest Europe and North Africa.

Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: It features an adult wingspan of approximately 37 mm.

• Coloration: The forewings display a marbled pattern of light and dark grey tones, often accented with contrasting whitish or straw-colored patches. Darker grey coloration tends to concentrate heavily across the transverse middle third of the forewings, while the wing margins generally fade into lighter shades.

 Lifecycle and Ecology

• Larvae: The caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on multiple plant species. However, they show a strong ecological preference for rockroses (Cistus).

• Habitat: It is typically found in Mediterranean shrublands, garrigues, and open woodlands where its preferred host plants thrive.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Insecta

• Order: Lepidoptera

• Superfamily: Noctuoidea

• Family: Noctuidae

• Genus: Polymixis

7-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SMALL RANUNCULUS (Hecatera dysodea)

Hecatera dysodea, the small ranunculus, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Europe, primarily in Central Europe and Southern Europe The northern boundary of the distribution is from the Baltic Sea and the southern part of Lithuania, Belarus, south of Moscow to the Urals. North Africa forms the distribution border in the south (from Algeria and Morocco) east they extend to the Middle East, Turkestan and across the Palearctic to Central Asia. It is an introduced species in North America, where it was first found in

The wingspan is 32–34 mm. The length of the forewings is 14–15 mm. Meyrick describes it thus - Forewings whitish irrorated with grey, median area suffused with grey and partly mixed with orange; subbasal line whitish, edged anteriorly with black mixed with orange; first and second lines whitish, edged internally with blackish; spots outlined with black mixed with orange; subterminal line formed of orange spots, preceded by some black scales. Hindwings pale grey, with darker posterior suffusion. Larva pale dull green, or yellowish freckled with brown; dorsal line pale, dark-edged; lateral dark, indistinct; spiracles black; head ochreous-brown or dull greenish.

3-1-2016 EDWARD YOUDE AVIARY, HONG KONG - BALI MYNA (Leucopsar rothschildi)

The Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi ), also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. It is critically endangered and in 2018, fewer than 100 adults were assumed to exist in the wild.

The Bali myna is a beautiful almost wholly white bird with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs, and a yellow bill. Both males and females are similar in appearance. The Bali myna is one of the rarest birds in the world. It is critically endangered and fewer than 50 adults are assumed to currently exist in the wild.

30-3-2018 OUDTSCHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE WEAVER (Ploceus capensis)

The Cape weaver, Ploceus capensis, is a robust bird, measuring 17 cm in length, with olive-brown streaked upperparts and a sharply pointed conical bill. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism.

During the breeding season, the male Cape weaver is resplendent with a bright yellow head and underparts, an orange visage, and striking white irises. The adult female, however, sports an olive-yellow head and breast, which fades to a paler yellow on the lower belly. While females typically have brown eyes, a small percentage may display pale eyes during the summer months. Juveniles resemble the female in plumage.

The Cape weaver thrives in open grasslands, lowland fynbos, coastal thickets, and agricultural landscapes, provided there is a consistent presence of water and suitable trees for nesting.

This bird is endemic to the southern reaches of Africa, specifically South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Its range extends from the Northern Cape's Orange River, southward to the Cape of Good Hope, and eastward to northern KwaZulu Natal, almost reaching Bloemfontein in the Free State.

6-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CONVOLVULUS HAWKMOTH (Agrius convolvuli)

Agrius convolvuli, the convolvulus hawk-moth, is a large hawk-moth. It is common throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, partly as a migrant. In New Zealand, it is also known as the kumara moth, and in the Māori language as hīhue.

The wingspan is 80–105 millimetres (3.1–4.1 in). This hawkmoth's basic coloration is in grayish tones, but the abdomen has a broad gray dorsal stripe and pink and black bands edged with white on the sides. The hindwings are light gray with darker broad crosslines.

Its favourite time is around sunset and during the twilight, when it is seen in gardens hovering over the flowers. This moth is very attracted to light, so it is often killed by cars on highways. Its caterpillars eat the leaves of the Convolvulus, hence its Latin name "convolvuli". Other recorded food plants include a wide range of plants in the families Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Leguminosae and Malvaceae. It can be a pest of cultivated Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato or kūmara) in New Zealand and the Pacific. The adult feeds on the wing and has a very long proboscis (longer than its body) that enables it to feed on long trumpet-like flowers such as Nicotiana sylvestris.

The caterpillars can be in a number of different colours. As well as brown (pictured below) they have been seen in bright green and black.

A. convolvuli is unmistakable in the eastern area of distribution, in the western area of distribution it can be mistaken for Agrius cingulata. This species, found mainly in South and Central America, is repeatedly detected on the western shores of Europe. Agrius cingulata can be distinguished on the basis of the clearly stronger pink colouring of the abdominal segments and a similarly coloured rear wing base. In addition, Agrius convolvuli form pseudoconvolvuli Schaufuss, 1870 has some resemblance with North American species in the genus Manduca, for instance Manduca sexta.

6-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PETITE WAVE MOTH (Scopula minorata)

Scopula minorata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it is found in southern Europe. It can be distinguished from Scopula lactaria only by examination of its genitalia.

The wingspan is 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

Subspecies

Scopula minorata minorata

Scopula minorata corcularia (Rebel, 1894)

Scopula minorata ochroleucaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)

Scopula minorata tripolitana (Sterneck, 1933)

5-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BEET ARMYWORM MOTH (Spodoptera exigua)

The beet armyworm or small mottled willow moth (Spodoptera exigua) is one of the best-known agricultural pest insects. It is also known as the asparagus fern caterpillar. It is native to Asia, but has been introduced worldwide and is now found almost anywhere its many host crops are grown. The voracious larvae are the main culprits. In the British Isles, where it is an introduced species and not known to breed, the adult moth is known as the small mottled willow moth.

Thought to have originated in south-east Asian countries, it was first discovered in North America about 1876, when it was found in Oregon, and it reached Florida in 1924.

The adult is a drab brown or grey moth with a wingspan of 26–32 millimetres (1–1+1⁄4 in). Forewing is greyish ochreous in color, washed with dull yellow and sprinkled with black scales. Inner and outer lines are double, indistinct, filled in with pale yellowish color. A dark waved median shade visible before lower half of outer line. Cell is dark brown. Orbicular stigma is pale or bright yellow, and round, whereas reniform has a curved brown lunule in centre. The submarginal line is pale grey. There is the darker shade preceding it with dark streaks between the veins. Terminal spots are black. Hindwings semihyaline are white, with the veins dark brown. All three margins are shaded with fuscous color.

Larvae are pinkish brown, clotted with black. Spiracular line pale ochreous, with dark upper edge. They are greenish-brown cutworms, soft and bulging caterpillars with dark longitudinal stripes.

5-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CONVOLVULUS HAWKMOTH (Agrius convolvuli)

Agrius convolvuli, the convolvulus hawk-moth, is a large hawk-moth. It is common throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, partly as a migrant. In New Zealand, it is also known as the kumara moth, and in the Māori language as hīhue.

The wingspan is 80–105 millimetres (3.1–4.1 in). This hawkmoth's basic coloration is in grayish tones, but the abdomen has a broad gray dorsal stripe and pink and black bands edged with white on the sides. The hindwings are light gray with darker broad crosslines.

Its favourite time is around sunset and during the twilight, when it is seen in gardens hovering over the flowers. This moth is very attracted to light, so it is often killed by cars on highways. Its caterpillars eat the leaves of the Convolvulus, hence its Latin name "convolvuli". Other recorded food plants include a wide range of plants in the families Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Leguminosae and Malvaceae. It can be a pest of cultivated Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato or kūmara) in New Zealand and the Pacific. The adult feeds on the wing and has a very long proboscis (longer than its body) that enables it to feed on long trumpet-like flowers such as Nicotiana sylvestris.

The caterpillars can be in a number of different colours. As well as brown (pictured below) they have been seen in bright green and black.

A. convolvuli is unmistakable in the eastern area of distribution, in the western area of distribution it can be mistaken for Agrius cingulata. This species, found mainly in South and Central America, is repeatedly detected on the western shores of Europe. Agrius cingulata can be distinguished on the basis of the clearly stronger pink colouring of the abdominal segments and a similarly coloured rear wing base. In addition, Agrius convolvuli form pseudoconvolvuli Schaufuss, 1870 has some resemblance with North American species in the genus Manduca, for instance Manduca sexta.

5-10-2026 GANDIA GRAU, VALENCIA - GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus)

The great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus, is a water bird of the grebe family, notable for its striking black and white plumage and elaborate courtship displays. It is the largest grebe species found in the Old World, with some larger species in the Americas.

Adults are unmistakable in summer with ornate head and neck decorations. In winter, they are whiter than most grebes, with a distinctive white above the eye and a pink bill. Juveniles can be identified by their black and white striped heads, which they lose upon reaching adulthood.

This species prefers vegetated areas of freshwater lakes for breeding.

The great crested grebe has three subspecies: P. c. cristatus in Eurasia, P. c. infuscatus in Africa, and P. c. australis in Australia, Tasmania, and the South Island of New Zealand. The European subspecies migrates from colder regions, while the African and Australasian subspecies are mainly sedentary.

The great crested grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, pursuing fish underwater. Its mating display is particularly elaborate, involving synchronized dances and poses.

The call of the great crested grebe is a loud barking "rah-rah-rah," complemented by a clicking "kek" and deep growls.

Both sexes build the nest at the water's edge, and the average clutch consists of four chalky-white eggs. Incubation is shared, starting with the first egg and lasting 27 to 29 days. The precocial young are capable of swimming and diving almost immediately and are taught by the adults.

Their diet mainly consists of fish, supplemented by small crustaceans, insects, small frogs, and newts.

The great crested grebe is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Conservation efforts in places like New Zealand's Lake Wānaka have been ongoing since 2013. The species has also been a beneficiary of early protection efforts by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the United Kingdom.

5-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GRASS EGGAR MOTH (Lasiocampa trifolii)

The grass eggar moth (Lasiocampa trifolii) is a hairy, reddish-brown or straw-yellow moth belonging to the family Lasiocampidae.

• Wingspan: Measures between 40 and 55 mm, with females notably larger than males.

• Markings: Features a curved cross-line on the forewings and a distinct central white spot.

 • Subspecies: Includes the pale form known as the pale grass eggar (Lasiocampa trifolii subspecies flava) found in Kent.

• Caterpillars: Thickly haired, growing up to 65 mm, and display ruddy brown, yellow, or black segments.

• Locations: Found across Europe, inhabiting coastal dunes, maritime cliffs, and acid heaths.

• Food Plants: Caterpillars feed on grasses, heather, bramble, and willow.

• Flight Period: Adults fly primarily from August to September and are active at night, showing strong attraction to light.

• Overwintering: The species overwinters in the egg stage near the ground before hatching in spring.

• Pupation: Larve spin tough cocoons low to the ground amongst grass stems and leaf litter.

5-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PETITE WAVE MOTH (Scopula minorata)

Scopula minorata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it is found in southern Europe. It can be distinguished from Scopula lactaria only by examination of its genitalia.

The wingspan is 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

Subspecies

Scopula minorata minorata

Scopula minorata corcularia (Rebel, 1894)

Scopula minorata ochroleucaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)

Scopula minorata tripolitana (Sterneck, 1933)

12-12-2021 LLUTXENT, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in Great Britain and Ireland, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, a member of the chat subfamily of the Old World flycatcher family. It is a plucky little bird, with a length of about 12.5–14.0 cm and a weight of 16–22 g. Both sexes are similarly adorned with an orange breast and face, lined with grey, brown upper-parts, and a whitish belly.

Adult robins can be identified by their orange breast and face, bordered by a bluish-grey on the sides of the neck and chest. The upperparts are brownish, or olive-tinged in British birds, and the belly is whitish. The bill and eyes are black. Juvenile robins are distinguishable by their spotted brown and white plumage, with patches of orange gradually appearing as they mature.

23-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)

The acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is a medium-sized woodpecker, 21 cm (8.3 in) long, with an average weight of 85 g (3.0 oz).

The adult acorn woodpecker has a brownish-black head, back, wings and tail, white forehead, throat, belly and rump. The eyes are initially dark in fledglings, turning to white within a few months. There is a small part on the small of their backs where there are some greenish feathers. In most subspecies, adult males have a red cap starting at the forehead, whereas females have a black area between the forehead and the cap. The white neck, throat, and forehead patches are distinctive identifiers. When flying, they take a few flaps of their wings and drop a foot or so. White circles on their wings are visible when in flight. Acorn woodpeckers have a call that sounds almost like they are laughing.