26-2-2025 CREU DE LONGA, ALBUFERA - 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.

This ibis is the most widespread of its kind, breeding in warm regions across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. It is migratory, with European birds wintering in Africa and North American birds migrating southward. The species has been expanding its range, with increasing numbers in Europe and successful breeding in Britain as of 2022.

The Glossy Ibis is known for its nomadic tendencies and dispersal movements post-breeding. Northern populations are migratory, traversing vast distances such as the Sahara Desert. The species nests in mixed colonies and forms large flocks during migration and winter. It often roosts communally with other species, sometimes in trees far from feeding areas.

The Glossy Ibis is relatively quiet, but it does produce a range of vocalizations, including croaks and grunts. A distinctive hoarse grrrr can be heard during the breeding season.

Nesting occurs above water on platforms of twigs and vegetation, with both parents incubating the 3 to 4 eggs laid. Chicks leave the nest after about a week but are fed by parents for another 6 to 7 weeks, fledging around 28 days old.

The ibis's diet is seasonal and opportunistic, feeding on a variety of prey such as insects, annelids, molluscs, crustaceans, and occasionally fish, amphibians, lizards, small snakes, and nestling birds.

The Glossy Ibis is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, it faces threats from habitat degradation and loss due to drainage, salinity changes, groundwater extraction, and invasive plant species. It is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

26-2-2025 RIO JUCAR CULLERA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds. Many fishermen see in the Great cormorant a competitor for fish. Because of this, it was hunted nearly to extinction in the past but luckily due to conservation efforts, its numbers increased.

The Great cormorant is a large black bird, but there is a wide variation in size in the species' wide range. Males are typically larger and heavier than females. It has a longish tail and yellow throat patch. Adults have white patches on the thighs and on the throat in the breeding season. In European waters, the Great cormorant can be distinguished from the Common shag by its larger size, heavier build, thicker bill, lack of a crest, and plumage without any green tinge. In eastern North America, it is similarly larger and bulkier than the Double-crested cormorant, and the latter species has more yellow on the throat and bill and lack the white thigh patches frequently seen on great cormorants.

Great cormorants occur throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and northeastern coastal North America. They may be both resident and migratory. Throughout the year in some areas, large groups remain within the breeding range. Greta cormorants frequent open marine environments and inland waters. They inhabit sandy or rocky sheltered coasts and estuaries and are rarely seen any distance from the coast. This species breeds on cliffs and inshore islands, among boulders and man-made structures. Birds that nest inland will breed on trees, bushes, and reedbeds, and even on bare ground.

Great cormorants are active during the day and are social birds, usually leaving roosts to forage early in the morning and returning within an hour. Little time each day is spent foraging, although parents with young tend to forage for longer. Much of the day is spent resting and preening near foraging areas or at roosts. Great cormorants generally are not aggressive towards one another, apart from at nest sites, where they exhibit territorial behavior. There may be dominance hierarchies. Outside of the breeding season, they usually gather in mixed-age, mixed-sex groups.

Great cormorants are monogamous, with pairs sometimes reuniting in subsequent years. The male chooses the nest site, displaying to attract the female by waving his wings up and down and flashing his white rump patch. He will also swing his head from side to side while holding his tail erect and calling loudly. The female responds by swinging her head slightly and “purring”. This species breeds at any time, depending on food resources. Breeding takes place in colonies of as many as 2,000 pairs, although colonies of a smaller size are typical. Colonies are often located close to other species, like darters, herons, and spoonbills. The parents build their nest with reeds, sticks, and seaweeds on a cliff, in a tree, or in a bush, according to the region. Often a nest is reused. 2 to 6 eggs are laid, with an average of 3-4. The parents share the incubation for 27 to 31 days. The altricial chicks hatch at intervals and fledge at about 50 days old. They remain with their parents for 50 or more days, relying on them for food. The young start to breed between 2 and 4 years old, typically when 3 years old.

26-2-2025 RIO JUCAR CULLERA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (MALE) (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), known as the black shag or kawau in New Zealand, formerly also known as the great black cormorant across the Northern Hemisphere, the black cormorant in Australia, and the large cormorant in India, is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds. The genus name is Latinised Ancient Greek, from φαλακρός (phalakros, "bald") and κόραξ (korax, "raven"), and carbo is Latin for "charcoal".

It breeds in much of the Old World, Australia, and the Atlantic coast of North America.

The great cormorant is a large black bird, but there is a wide variation in size in the species' wide range. Weight is reported to vary from 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) to 5.3 kg (11 lb 11 oz). Males are typically larger and heavier than females, with the nominate race (P. c. carbo) averaging about 10% larger in linear measurements than the smallest race in Europe (P. c. sinensis). The lightest average weights cited are in Germany (P. c. sinensis), where 36 males averaged 2.28 kg (5 lb 1⁄2 oz) and 17 females averaged 1.94 kg (4 lb 4+1⁄2 oz). The highest come from Prince Edward Island in Canada (P. c. carbo), where 11 males averaged 3.68 kg (8 lb 2 oz) and 11 females averaged 2.94 kg (6 lb 7+1⁄2 oz). Length can vary from 70 to 102 cm (27+1⁄2 to 40 in) and wingspan from 121 to 160 cm (47+1⁄2 to 63 in). They are tied as the second largest extant species of cormorant after the flightless cormorant, with the Japanese cormorant averaging at a similar size. 

In bulk if not in linear dimensions, the blue-eyed shag species complex of the Southern Oceans are scarcely smaller at average. It has a longish tail and yellow throat-patch. Adults have white patches on the thighs and on the throat in the breeding season. In European waters it can be distinguished from the common shag by its larger size, heavier build, thicker bill, lack of a crest and plumage without any green tinge. In eastern North America, it is similarly larger and bulkier than double-crested cormorant, and the latter species has more yellow on the throat and bill and lack the white thigh patches frequently seen on great cormorants. Great cormorants are mostly silent, but they make various guttural noises at their breeding colonies.

26-2-2025 PLATJA DE GARROFERA, LES GAVINES - SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris rapae)

Pieris rapae is a small- to medium-sized butterfly species of the whites-and-yellows family Pieridae. It is known in Europe as the small white, in North America as the cabbage white or cabbage butterfly, on several continents as the small cabbage white, and in New Zealand as the white butterfly. The butterfly is recognizable by its white color with small black dots on its wings, and it can be distinguished from P. brassicae by its larger size and the black band at the tip of its forewings.

The caterpillar of this species, often referred to as the "imported cabbageworm", is a pest to crucifer crops such as cabbage, kale, bok choy and broccoli. Pieris rapae is widespread in Europe and Asia; it is believed to have originated in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Europe, and to have spread across Eurasia thanks to the diversification of brassicaceous crops and the development of human trade routes. Over the past two centuries, it spread to North Africa, North America, New Zealand, and Australia, as a result of accidental introductions.

26-2-2025 PLATJA DE GARROFERA, LES GAVINES - CRETAN'S BIRD FOOT TREFOIL (Lotus creticus)

Lotus creticus is a species of perennial herb of the family Fabaceae[1] found in tropical Africa. It is symbiosis-competent and engages in nitrogen-fixing symbiotic interactions with species of the Ensifer genus. It comprises three varieties found in the Mediterranean. There is some controversy as to whether each subgroup could be considered the same species but are classically described as being subgroups. Varieties consist of the most commonly cited silky-hairy var. creticus, which is widely distributed in its western part of the coast; the non-silky var. glabrescens, which has a western Mediterranean distribution; and the eastern Mediterranean var. collinus, which is also not silky and can be described by long petioles and peduncles.

Lotus creticus has been described as a perennial herb of 1–2F with diffuse copiously-branched densely grey-silky Appearance. Leaflets are fleshy and oblanceolate-cuneate. Flowers are in umbels with 4–8 on axillary peduncles. Pedicels are described as short and bracts as a compound, equalling or shorter than the calyx. Flowers are corolla yellow and twice the calyx with linear pods linear of 12–18 lines long, turgid with 9–15-seeds per pod.

Lotus creticus has been found to engage in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Ensifer numidicus.

Lotus creticus is native to the Spanish Mediterranean coast. It can be found in a wide range of habitats ranging from sandy to heavy saline soils and from sea level to high altitudes.

Lotus creticus is used in agriculture as an alternative to traditional covering plants as they experience rapid growth, have higher yields than traditional alternatives, and are considered drought-resistant. L. creticus is also considered an important candidate for revegetation programs in Europe. It is a pioneer plant and can rapidly advance in poor soils. In studies comparing similar species in bioremediation, L. creticus showed the highest levels of dominance at the initial and oldest stages of the revegetation.

26-2-2025 PLATJA DE GARROFERA, LES GAVINES - KNAPWEED (Centaurea seridis)

Centaurea seridis is a species of perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Centaurea in the family Asteraceae.

It is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant, quite tomentose, with winged stems. The leaves are large (the basal ones exceed 30 cm in length and 5 cm in width), the upper ones are decurrent on the stem. The capitula have a thick spherical involucre (about 3 cm in diameter) whose bracts have more than 5 rigid spines, of equal length, which emerge from the same height and reach more than 5 mm. 1

It is distributed throughout the western Mediterranean basin in grasslands, fields and roads near the coast.

Centaurea seridis was described by Carl Linnaeus and published in Species Plantarum , vol. 2, p. 915 [1] , 1753. 2

Centaurea : generic name that comes from the Greek kentauros , horse-men who knew the properties of medicinal plants.

seridis : epithet

Accepted varieties

Centaurea seridis subsp. bloody (Willd.) Dostál

Centaurea seridis subsp. maritima (Dufour) Dostál

Centaurea seridis subsp. sonchifolia (L.) Greuter

26-2-2025 RIO JUCAR CULLERA, VALENCIA - AUDOUIN'S GULL (Ichthyaetus audouinii)

The Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii, presents itself as a large gull species, predominantly inhabiting the Mediterranean, the western coast of Saharan Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula. Its name pays homage to the French naturalist Jean Victoire Audouin. Resembling a small European herring gull, the adult Audouin's gull is distinguished by its short, stubby red bill and the unique "string of pearls" white wing primary tips. The legs of this bird are a subtle grey-green, and it takes a full four years for the gull to don its adult plumage.

When observing the Audouin's gull, one should note the red bill and the distinctive pattern of white spots along the wingtips, which contrast with the larger "mirrors" seen in other gull species. These features are key to distinguishing it from its relatives.

This gull favors coastal and pelagic environments, strictly adhering to regions where it can pursue its specialized diet.

The Audouin's gull is found in the Mediterranean, along the western Saharan African coast, and on the Iberian Peninsula. It breeds on small islands, either colonially or in solitude.

Once considered one of the world's rarest gulls, the Audouin's gull has established new colonies but remains a rare sight with a population of around 10,000 pairs. This bird is not known to wander far from its breeding grounds, though occasional records exist of it appearing as far afield as the Netherlands, England, and even Trinidad.

Unlike many of its kin, the Audouin's gull does not scavenge but is a specialist fish eater. It feeds at night, often far out to sea, and also patrols beaches, occasionally dipping its legs into the water to create drag, aiding in its hunting technique.

The Audouin's gull breeds on small islands, laying 2-3 eggs in a ground nest. It has been known to breed both in colonies and as solitary pairs.

The Audouin's gull is currently classified as Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List. It is also one of the species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

26-2-2025 CREU DE LONGA, ALBUFERA - EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer montanus)

The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape, and a black patch on each pure white cheek. The sexes are similarly plumaged, and young birds are a duller version of the adult. This sparrow breeds over most of temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia, where it is known as the tree sparrow, and it has been introduced elsewhere including the United States, where it is known as the Eurasian tree sparrow or German sparrow to differentiate it from the native unrelated American tree sparrow. Although several subspecies are recognised, the appearance of this bird varies little across its extensive range.

The Eurasian tree sparrow's untidy nest is built in a natural cavity, a hole in a building or the disused nest of a European magpie or white stork. The typical clutch is five or six eggs which hatch in under two weeks. This sparrow feeds mainly on seeds, but invertebrates are also consumed, particularly during the breeding season. As with other small birds, infection by parasites and diseases, and predation by birds of prey take their toll, and the typical life span is about two years.

26-2-2025 SOLLANA SOUTH, ALBUFERA - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)

The European goldfinch, or simply goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), is a small, vibrant passerine bird belonging to the finch family. This charming avian species is adorned with a striking red face, encircled by black markings near the eyes, and a black-and-white head. The back and flanks exhibit a warm buff or chestnut brown, while the wings are black with a prominent yellow bar. The tail is black, and the rump is a contrasting white. Males and females are similar in appearance, though the male boasts a slightly more extensive red mask.

Upon closer inspection, one can discern the male goldfinch by its larger, more vivid red mask that extends just beyond the eye. The female's red face does not reach past the eye, and her shoulder feathers are brown, as opposed to the male's black. The bill is ivory-colored, long, and pointed, and the tail is forked. Juveniles can be identified by their plain heads and greyer backs, but the yellow wing stripe is a clear indicator of their species.

The European goldfinch favors open, partially wooded lowlands and is a resident in the milder western parts of its range. In colder regions, it migrates to escape the harsh weather.

25-2-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (FEMALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

The Sardinian warbler, Curruca melanocephala, presents itself as a charming and distinctive bird of the Mediterranean. The males are adorned with a sleek grey back and pristine whitish underparts, crowned with a striking black head, a pure white throat, and captivating red eyes. The females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette, with brown upperparts and buff underparts, complemented by a subtle grey head.

When attempting to identify the Sardinian warbler, look for the male's black head and red eyes, which contrast with the white throat and grey back. Females can be recognized by their brown and buff coloration with a greyish head. The variability in plumage, including the presence or absence of a reddish hue, can be a helpful clue in distinguishing between subspecies.

This typical warbler favors open landscapes and cultivated areas, where it can find bushes suitable for nesting. Its preference for such environments makes it a familiar sight in the Mediterranean countryside.

The Sardinian warbler is a resident of the southernmost regions of Europe, extending its range into Asia in Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. While not extensively migratory, some individuals do venture to North Africa for the winter, and the species has been known to appear as a vagrant as far as Great Britain.

This species is known for its affinity for open and cultivated areas with ample shrubbery for nesting. The Sardinian warbler constructs its nest in low shrubs or brambles, where it lays a clutch of 3-6 eggs. Its diet is primarily insectivorous, but it will not shy away from indulging in berries and other soft fruits.

The Sardinian warbler's song is a rapid and rattling melody, a sound that has become synonymous with the Mediterranean landscapes where it thrives.

The breeding habits of the Sardinian warbler involve the construction of nests in low shrubbery, where the female lays a clutch of eggs that both parents will tend to.

16-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - YELLOW BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)

The Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis, is a striking wader of the African continent. This medium-sized stork, with a height ranging from 90 to 105 cm, is adorned with a predominantly white plumage contrasted by a short black tail with a green and purple sheen. Its namesake yellow bill is slightly curved at the end, distinguishing it from other storks.

During the breeding season, the Yellow-billed Stork's plumage is tinged pink on the upperwings and back, and its legs turn a vivid pink. The male is generally larger with a longer bill compared to the female. Juveniles can be identified by their greyish-brown coloration, dull yellowish bill, and brown legs.

This species favors wetlands, shallow lakes, and mudflats, typically in water depths of 10-40 cm, avoiding heavily forested areas and deep waters unsuitable for their feeding techniques.

The Yellow-billed Stork is found across Eastern Africa, from Senegal and Somalia to South Africa, and in parts of Madagascar. It exhibits local migratory movements influenced by rainfall patterns.

These storks are known for their high-stepped stalking gait and impressive flight aerobatics. They are generally non-vocal but may emit hissing screams during social displays in the breeding season.

The species is mostly silent, but during the breeding season, it engages in bill clattering and a distinctive "woofing" wing beat. Nestlings produce a loud, monotonous braying call to solicit food from adults.

24-2-2025 DAIMUS, VALENCIA - EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto)

The Eurasian collared dove, also known as the collared dove or Turkish dove (Streptopelia decaocto), is a bird of modest size, presenting a grey-buff to pinkish-grey plumage that is slightly darker above than below. It is recognized by its distinctive black half-collar edged with white on its nape, from which it derives its name. The species exhibits a blue-grey underwing patch and a tail that is grey-buff above, with dark grey and white-tipped feathers below. The sexes appear similar, with juveniles displaying a less developed collar and a brown iris.

To identify the Eurasian collared dove, look for its medium size, slimmer and longer-tailed body compared to a rock pigeon, and a shorter stature than the wood pigeon. The red legs, black bill, and red iris surrounded by a small area of bare skin, which may appear white or yellow, are key features. The bird's song, a three-part cooing "goo-GOO-goo," and a harsh screeching call are also distinctive identifiers.

This species is often found in proximity to human habitation, particularly where food is plentiful and trees are available for nesting. It is not uncommon to see these doves frequenting bird tables and farms.

Originally from warm temperate and subtropical Asia, the Eurasian collared dove has expanded its range dramatically, colonizing colder countries and becoming a permanent resident in many. Its range now includes Europe, North America, and the Caribbean.

24-2-2025 DAIMUS, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.

Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.

The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.

24-2-2025 DAIMUS, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (FEMALE) (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, where no other kestrel species commonly occurs, it is generally just called "kestrel".

This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. It has colonized a few oceanic islands, but vagrant individuals are generally rare; in the whole of Micronesia for example, the species was only recorded twice each on Guam and Saipan in the Marianas.

The common kestrel was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the current binomial name Falco tinnunculus. Linnaeus specified the type location as Europe but restricted this to Sweden in 1761. The genus name is Late Latin from falx, falcis, a sickle, referencing the claws of the bird. The species name tinnunculus is Latin for "kestrel" from "tinnulus", "shrill". The Latin name tinnunculus had been used by the Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner in 1555. The word "kestrel" is derived from the French crécerelle which is diminutive for crécelle, which also referred to a bell used by lepers. The word is earlier spelt 'c/kastrel', and is evidenced from the 15th century. The kestrel was once used to drive and keep away pigeons. Archaic names for the kestrel include windhover and windfucker, due to its habit of beating the wind (hovering in air).

16-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - NOMINATE YELLOW BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus ssp africanus)

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus, is a passerine bird, a member of the Buphagidae family. It is a bird of the savannah, easily recognized by its strong, direct flight and the distinctive yellow and red bill in adults, with juveniles sporting a brown bill.

Adult Yellow-billed Oxpeckers measure around 20 cm in length. They exhibit plain brown upperparts and head, with buff underparts and a pale rump. The bill is a notable feature, yellow at the base and red at the tip in adults. Their feet are robust, adapted to their unique lifestyle.

This species thrives in the savannah regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, where it can be found perching on large mammals.

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker is native to Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal east to Sudan and down to northeast South Africa. It is less common in the eastern extremes of its range.

Outside of breeding season, Yellow-billed Oxpeckers are quite sociable, forming large, chattering flocks. They have a symbiotic relationship with large mammals, feeding on the parasites found on these animals. At night, non-breeding birds may roost on their host animals.

 The call of the Yellow-billed Oxpecker is a hissy, crackling "krisss, krisss," which can be heard as they go about their activities.

Breeding Yellow-billed Oxpeckers nest in tree holes, which they line with hair plucked from livestock. They lay clutches of 2-3 eggs.

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker can be confused with the Red-billed Oxpecker, but the yellow base of the bill is a distinguishing feature.

Their diet consists primarily of insects and ticks, with a particular penchant for blood. They may consume over 100 engorged female ticks or thousands of larvae in a single day. They also feed on blood directly by pecking at wounds on their host mammals.

The IUCN Red List has classified the Yellow-billed Oxpecker as Least Concern, indicating a stable population.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix)

The Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) is a vibrant, small passerine bird, a member of the weaver family Ploceidae. It is known for its striking sexual dimorphism, with breeding males adorned in a fiery red and black plumage, while females and non-breeding males display a more subdued, streaky brown appearance.

Breeding males are unmistakable with their rich red and black coloration. They have a black face, throat, and belly, with the rest of the body a brilliant red, except for the brown wings and tail. Females and non-breeding males are paler and streaked brown, with the females being slightly smaller in size. The species is characterized by a thick conical bill, ideal for seed consumption.

The Southern Red Bishop thrives in wetlands and grasslands within Africa south of the Equator. It has a preference for areas near water, such as reeds and sedges, and can also be found in agricultural landscapes like sugar cane fields.

This species is widely distributed across the southern and eastern regions of Africa, ranging from South Africa to Angola, and extending to parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria, and Kenya. It avoids arid zones such as the Namib Desert and Kalahari.

The Southern Red Bishop is a sociable bird, often seen in flocks and nesting in colonies. It is polygynous, with males courting multiple females by constructing several nests and performing elaborate display flights. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, supplemented by insects.

21-2-2025 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - EURASIAN KESTREL (MALE) (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is a bird of prey from the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, it is often simply referred to as the "kestrel." This raptor is small compared to other birds of prey but larger than most songbirds, with long wings and a distinctive long tail.

Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The male has a blue-grey cap and tail with a black tip bordered by a narrow white rim. Its back is chestnut with black spots, and the underside is buff with black streaks. The female is larger and lacks the blue-grey coloring, having a brown back with black bars and a similar underside to the male. Both sexes have a prominent black malar stripe, bright yellow cere, feet, and eye-ring, with dark toenails, bill, and iris.

The common kestrel favors open habitats such as fields, heaths, shrubland, and marshland. It does not require woodland but needs alternative perching and nesting sites like rocks or buildings. It thrives in treeless steppes and can adapt to human settlements and various landscapes, from wetlands to arid savannas.

21-2-2025 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (MALE) (Saxicola rubicola)

The European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, is a small, charming passerine bird, once thought to be a member of the thrush family but now placed within the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This species exhibits a striking sexual dimorphism, with males donning a black plumage with vibrant orange throats and females wearing a more subdued brown.

Males in their summer plumage are unmistakable with their black heads, orange throats, and white bellies. They also sport a distinctive white half-collar and small white patches on the wings and rump. Females, on the other hand, are predominantly brown with less pronounced white wing patches. Both sexes have notably short wings, which are shorter than those of their migratory relatives.

The European stonechat favors heathlands, coastal dunes, and open grasslands dotted with shrubs, brambles, and heather. These habitats provide the perfect backdrop for their active foraging and breeding behaviors.

This species is widely distributed across Europe, reaching as far east as Ukraine and the South Caucasus, and can also be found in parts of North Africa.

Stonechats are known for their lively presence, often perching conspicuously as they keep a vigilant eye on their surroundings. They exhibit a partial migratory pattern, with some populations moving southward to escape the colder winters.

The male stonechat's song is a delightful, high-pitched twitter, reminiscent of a dunnock's melody. Both sexes communicate with a distinctive call that evokes the sound of two stones being tapped together.

European stonechats are monogamous during the breeding season and commence their reproductive efforts at one year of age. They raise two to three broods per season, with the female constructing the nest and both parents tending to the young.

The European stonechat can be confused with the Siberian stonechat and the African stonechat, but genetic evidence supports their distinction as separate species.

These birds are adept insectivores, gleaning a variety of invertebrates from their environment to sustain themselves and their offspring.

The European stonechat does not currently face any significant conservation threats and enjoys a stable population across its range.

21-2-2025 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - YELLOW IRIS (Iris pseudacorus)

Iris pseudacorus, the yellow flag, yellow iris, or water flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa. Its specific epithet pseudacorus means "false acorus", referring to the similarity of its leaves to those of Acorus calamus (sweet flag), as they have a prominently veined mid-rib and sword-like shape. However, the two plants are not closely related. The flower is commonly attributed with the fleur-de-lis.

The plant was rated in second place for per day nectar production per flower in a UK plants survey conducted by the AgriLand project, which is supported by the UK Insect Pollinators Initiative. However, when number of flowers per floral unit, flower abundance, and phenology were taken into account, it dropped out of the top 10 for most nectar per unit cover per year, as did all plants that placed in the top ten, with the exception of common comfrey, Symphytum officinale.

18-4-2018 CHOBE NAT PARK, BOTSWANA - BROWN SNAKE EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)

The Brown Snake Eagle, with its scientific name Circaetus cinereus, is a robust bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. It is characterized by its predominantly dark brown plumage, which may exhibit a purplish sheen under certain lighting conditions. The wings are similarly colored, save for the contrasting whitish-grey unmarked flight feathers. A relatively short tail displays brown and grayish cream bars, visible during flight.

This medium-sized eagle is distinguished by its large head and bare legs, setting it apart from other brownish eagles in Africa. Juveniles resemble adults but may show sparse white feather bases, with southern individuals displaying more pronounced white speckling. The species can be confused with a juvenile Bateleur in poor light, but the Bateleur has more varied coloration, brown eyes, a shorter tail, and shorter legs.

The Brown Snake Eagle inhabits open woods and wooded savanna, often favoring areas with gulleys or wooded hillocks that interrupt flat terrain. It shows a preference for more densely wooded areas compared to related snake eagles and can be found from sea level up to elevations of 2,000 meters.

20-2-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED MONAESES CRAB SPIDER (Monaeses paradoxus)

Male: Body colour yellowish brown, with black and white markings like in females. Body length: 5 - 6 mm.

Female: Prosoma with shades of reddish brown to cream grey, mottled with black and white.

 Chelicerae project forwards. Legs cream, mottled with grey and black, with numerous short black hairs, pairs I and II much longer. Abdomen elongated ending almost in a point and with rows located almost at the end of it, with colouration similar to the prosoma and with white lateral lines, sometimes with wider and greyish mediolateral lines. Epigynum wider than long. Body length: 8 - 11 mm.

Habitat: They inhabit areas of grassland and low vegetation.

Monaeses paradoxus is a species of crab spider in the genus Monaeses , family Thomisidae . It was scientifically described by Lucas in 1846.

Distribution

This species is found in southern Europe , Caucasus , Iran and Africa .

19-2-2025 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small, elegant passerine bird, a member of the family Motacillidae, which includes pipits and longclaws. This slender bird measures between 16.5 to 19 cm in length, with East Asian subspecies reaching up to 21 cm. It is characterized by its long, constantly wagging tail, a behavior that has become synonymous with the genus. Weighing an average of 25 g, the White Wagtail can live up to 12 years in the wild.

Adult White Wagtails exhibit a distinctive plumage with a combination of grey, black, and white. The bird's upper parts are generally grey, with a white face, belly, and breast. Males during the breeding season may show a darker back, and the species is known for its sharp, brisk call and more melodious song during courtship.

The White Wagtail is commonly found in open country, often in close proximity to human habitation and water sources. It shows a preference for bare areas which facilitate the sighting and pursuit of prey. This bird has adapted well to urban environments, utilizing paved areas such as parking lots for foraging.

This species has a vast breeding range across Europe, the Asian Palearctic, parts of North Africa, and has a presence in Alaska. It is a migratory bird, with populations moving to Africa and parts of Asia during the winter. In Great Britain and Ireland, the darker subspecies known as the Pied Wagtail is more prevalent.

The White Wagtail is known for its perpetual tail wagging, a behavior that remains somewhat enigmatic but is thought to be a signal of vigilance to predators. It is a monogamous bird that defends its breeding territory with determination.

The call of the White Wagtail is a sharp "chisick," softer than that of the Pied Wagtail. Its song is more structured and is used by males to attract females rather than to mark territory.

White Wagtails are monogamous breeders, with both sexes contributing to nest building. The nest is often placed in crevices or holes near water or in human-made structures. The species lays three to eight cream-colored, speckled eggs, which both parents incubate. Chicks fledge after 12 to 15 days and continue to be fed for a week thereafter.

The Pied Wagtail, particularly the subspecies M. a. yarrellii, is similar but has a darker back and is found in Great Britain and Ireland. Other subspecies vary in wing, back, and head coloration.

The diet of the White Wagtail primarily consists of insects and small invertebrates, including beetles, dragonflies, flies, and crustaceans. It continues to feed on insects even in winter, unlike many other insectivorous birds in temperate climates.

The White Wagtail is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its population is large and stable, and the species has adapted well to human-altered landscapes. However, it faces threats from being kept as pets, used for food, and potentially from climate change affecting migration patterns.

The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia and has been depicted on the postage stamps of several countries. It is celebrated in Latvian folk songs and holds a special place in the cultural heritage of the regions it inhabits.

19-2-2025 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds. Many fishermen see in the Great cormorant a competitor for fish. Because of this, it was hunted nearly to extinction in the past but luckily due to conservation efforts, its numbers increased.

The Great cormorant is a large black bird, but there is a wide variation in size in the species' wide range. Males are typically larger and heavier than females. It has a longish tail and yellow throat patch. Adults have white patches on the thighs and on the throat in the breeding season. In European waters, the Great cormorant can be distinguished from the Common shag by its larger size, heavier build, thicker bill, lack of a crest, and plumage without any green tinge. In eastern North America, it is similarly larger and bulkier than the Double-crested cormorant, and the latter species has more yellow on the throat and bill and lack the white thigh patches frequently seen on great cormorants.

14-2-2025 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - AUDOUIN'S GULL (Ichthyaetus audouinii)

The Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii, presents itself as a large gull species, predominantly inhabiting the Mediterranean, the western coast of Saharan Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula. Its name pays homage to the French naturalist Jean Victoire Audouin. Resembling a small European herring gull, the adult Audouin's gull is distinguished by its short, stubby red bill and the unique "string of pearls" white wing primary tips. The legs of this bird are a subtle grey-green, and it takes a full four years for the gull to don its adult plumage.

When observing the Audouin's gull, one should note the red bill and the distinctive pattern of white spots along the wingtips, which contrast with the larger "mirrors" seen in other gull species. These features are key to distinguishing it from its relatives.

This gull favors coastal and pelagic environments, strictly adhering to regions where it can pursue its specialized diet.

The Audouin's gull is found in the Mediterranean, along the western Saharan African coast, and on the Iberian Peninsula. It breeds on small islands, either colonially or in solitude.

Once considered one of the world's rarest gulls, the Audouin's gull has established new colonies but remains a rare sight with a population of around 10,000 pairs. This bird is not known to wander far from its breeding grounds, though occasional records exist of it appearing as far afield as the Netherlands, England, and even Trinidad.

16-2-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (FEMALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

This typical warbler favors open landscapes and cultivated areas, where it can find bushes suitable for nesting. Its preference for such environments makes it a familiar sight in the Mediterranean countryside.

The Sardinian warbler is a resident of the southernmost regions of Europe, extending its range into Asia in Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. While not extensively migratory, some individuals do venture to North Africa for the winter, and the species has been known to appear as a vagrant as far as Great Britain.

This typical warbler favors open landscapes and cultivated areas, where it can find bushes suitable for nesting. Its preference for such environments makes it a familiar sight in the Mediterranean countryside.

The Sardinian warbler is a resident of the southernmost regions of Europe, extending its range into Asia in Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. While not extensively migratory, some individuals do venture to North Africa for the winter, and the species has been known to appear as a vagrant as far as Great Britain. 

This species is known for its affinity for open and cultivated areas with ample shrubbery for nesting. The Sardinian warbler constructs its nest in low shrubs or brambles, where it lays a clutch of 3-6 eggs. Its diet is primarily insectivorous, but it will not shy away from indulging in berries and other soft fruits.

The Sardinian warbler's song is a rapid and rattling melody, a sound that has become synonymous with the Mediterranean landscapes where it thrives.

The breeding habits of the Sardinian warbler involve the construction of nests in low shrubbery, where the female lays a clutch of eggs that both parents will tend to.

The Sardinian warbler is part of a superspecies complex, which includes Menetries's warbler and the eastern subalpine warbler. These species share certain characteristics, such as white malar areas and light throats in males, but can be differentiated by other plumage features and their distinct calls.

Primarily insectivorous, the Sardinian warbler supplements its diet with berries and other soft fruits, particularly when insects are less abundant.

16-2-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKCAP (FEMALE) (Sylvia atricapilla)

The Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla, is a common and widespread typical warbler known for its distinctive cap and melodious song. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism with males sporting a black cap and females a chestnut one. The upperparts are generally olive-grey, while the underparts are pale grey. This bird is small and agile, measuring around 13 cm in length with a wingspan of 7–8 cm.

Males can be identified by their black caps and light grey underparts, while females have a reddish-brown cap and a slightly browner hue to their grey upperparts. Juveniles resemble females but have a rufous tinge to their upperparts and a more olive tone on the breast and flanks. The blackcap's tail is dark grey with an olive edge to each feather, and it has a grey bill and legs with a reddish-brown iris.

The blackcap favors mature deciduous woodlands with a well-developed understory. It also occupies parks, large gardens, and overgrown hedges, provided there are tall trees for songposts and dense shrubs for nesting.

This warbler breeds across much of Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa. It is a partial migrant, with northern populations wintering in northwestern Europe, around the Mediterranean, and in tropical Africa. Some have adapted to wintering in British and Irish gardens.

Blackcaps are territorial during the breeding season, with males establishing and defending their territories through song and display. They are mainly monogamous and may raise one to two broods per season. The species is known for its leap-frog migration pattern, where northern populations migrate further south than those from the Mediterranean.

17-2-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BRASSY WAVED UMBER MOTH (Menophra japygiaria)

Menophra japygiaria (Menofra) is a rare moth, with a 26-39mm wing span. This is a male, and besides the Maltese islands, this moth can be found in Northern Africa and Southern Europe.

Type Macro moth

Family Name Geometridae Sub Family Name Ennominae

Forewing 16-20mm

Foodplants Rhus coriaria,Ziziphus lotus