15-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis)

The tree pipit (Anthus trivialis ) is a small passerine bird which breeds across most of Europe and the Palearctic as far East as the East Siberian Mountains. It is a long-distance migrant moving in winter to Africa and southern Asia. The scientific name is from Latin. Anthus is the name for a small bird of grasslands, and the specific trivialis means "common", from trivium, "public street".

This is a small pipit, which resembles meadow pipit. It is an undistinguished-looking species, streaked brown above and with black markings on a white belly and buff breast below. It can be distinguished from the slightly smaller meadow pipit by its heavier bill and greater contrast between its buff breast and white belly. Tree pipits more readily perch in trees.

The call is a strong spek, unlike the weak call of its relative. The song flight is unmistakable. The bird rises a short distance up from a tree, and then parachutes down on stiff wings, the song becoming more drawn out towards the end.

The breeding habitat is open woodland and scrub. The nest is on the ground, with 4–8 eggs being laid. This species is insectivorous, like its relatives, but will also take seeds. 

15-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOUSE FLY (Phaonia trimaculata)

A medium-sized (body length 5-7.5 mm), strongly patterned Phaonia with three dark patches on the scutellum, which typically has an orange tip. and conspicuously clouded wing croos-veins. The thoracic dorsum has four bold dark stripes plus smaller dark patches over the prealar and supra-alar bristles. There is also a dark median stripe in front of the scutellum which is confluent with a dark mark at the base of the scutellum. There are four pairs of postsutural dorsocentrals and 2 pairs of long presutural acrostichals. The notopleurn has some hairs in additon ot the two strong bristles and the prealars are longer than the posterior notopleurals. The scutellum has two black lateral patches and a dark basal patch, and the tip is usually orange. The legs are dark except for orange hind and mid tibiae and all femoral tips. The hind tibiae have a single strong posterodorsal (in the apical third) and the front tibiae usually have a posterior brislte. The antennae are entirely blackish with a long-plumose arista and the palps are black too. The male eyes are densely hairy and very narrowly separated above, with the narrow white orbits touching. The female eyes are also obviously hairy and the frons is somewhat greater than one-third the head width.

In form 'servaeformis', the tibiae are dark and the scutellum lacks an orange tip. These can resemble P. laeta but have bolder markings on the scutellum, more conspicuous eye hairs, hairs on the notopleuri, and and in females, a greyer interfrontalia.

15-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN KATYDID (Phaneroptera nana)

Phaneroptera nana, common name southern sickle bush-cricket, is a species in the family Tettigoniidae and subfamily Phaneropterinae. It has become an invasive species in California where it may be called the Mediterranean katydid.

This bush cricket is native to mainland Europe, the Near East and North Africa. The Indo-Malayan species Phaneropera subcarinata, described by Bolívar, is morphologically similar to P. nana, and was classified under the P. nana name by Carl Brunner von Wattenwyl. As an invasive species, it has spread to the San Francisco Bay Area and may be widespread in the Los Angeles Basin, with records of its presence in California dating from at least 1952. In addition, it has been recorded in Portland, Oregon since 2015 and South America and hypothesized in the Annals of Carnegie Museum to have spread via shipping.

It mainly inhabits sunny and dry habitats, especially shrubs and low branches of trees.

The adult males grow up to 13–15 millimetres (0.51–0.59 in) long, while females can reach 15–18 millimetres (0.59–0.71 in) of length. In both sexes, the basic coloration of the body is light green, with many small black spots. The eyes are bright orange. In some individuals, there may be a brown dorsal stripe where the forewings (tegmina) meet, though the stripe does not extend onto the pronotum.[11] The hindwings are longer than the tegmina, with the tegmina approximately three-fourths of the length of the hindwings. In some specimens, the tegmina reach the apex of the posterior femurs.[13] In adult males, the cerci are prominent and curved, while in adult females, the ovipositor is about 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long and has the shape of a sickle.

P. nana and P. falcata are similar in appearance and may be confused for each other in parts of Europe, and elsewhere where the ranges of the two species overlap. These two species may be distinguished by the appearance of the male subgenital plate and the protonum. In P. nana, the male subgenital plate tapers near the end of the body, while in P. falcata, it diverges into two lobes. The protonum of P. nana is narrower than it is tall, while in P. falcata, the protonum is roughly the same width and length, if not longer than tall.

The Mediterranean katydid (Phaneroptera nana) female sings in response to the male, prompting the male to move towards the female. This is unique to the species, because in other species of katydids, it is usually the female moving towards the male in response to hearing their chirps. However, because the females stay static while the males move to locate them, the females are at less risk of encountering threats and predators. However, the males will not decide to interact with a female unless they elicit a response within 60 milliseconds, ensuring that the female is close enough to them.

The females are selective of the males they respond to, and generally they prefer longer chirps. At least two chirps from the males are needed for the female to entertain the males and reply to them. However, more chirps than that from the males do not make the females more likely to duet with the males.

The female Mediterranean katydids lay their eggs in the lamina of plants. The female does this by bending her abdomen and chewing on the lamina to create an opening. The eggs she lays around 3mm in size on average. Those eggs usually hatch in summertime but that can vary.[17] The timing means that P. nana is usually easily encountered through the summer and fall seasons.

P. nana is known to cause damage in pear orchards, feeding on pears that have not ripened. In addition, it has been recorded to consume the pupae of L. botrana.

13-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - AGAVE SNOUT WEEVIL (Scyphophorus acupunctatus)

Scyphophorus acupunctatus, the sisal weevil or agave weevil, is a species of polyphaga beetle of the family of the Curculionidae. Sisal weevil larvae, known as picudo del agave or "nixtamal worms", are a traditional food in parts of Mexico. Global plant trade represents one of the main pathways of introduction for invertebrates, including insects, throughout the world. Non-native insects include some of the most important pests affecting cultivated and ornamental plants worldwide. Defining the origins and updating the distribution of non-native invasive species is pivotal to develop effective strategies to limit their spread. 

The agave weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae), is a curculionid beetle native to Central and North America, although it also occurs in Eurasia, Africa, Oceania and South America as a non-native species. Despite being widespread, the extent of occurrence and origins of European populations of the agave weevil have been overlooked. In the present study, the current and potential worldwide distribution of S. acupunctatus was assessed and an analysis of its genetic diversity in the native and non-native ranges was performed. By analysing occurrences from local phytosanitary bulletins and citizen-science platforms, the agave weevil was confirmed to be widely distributed and to occur on all continents, except Antarctica. Additionally, there is potential for expansion throughout the world, as estimated by species distribution models. 

13-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CONTINENTAL STRIPED SHIELD BUG (Graphosoma italicum ssp italicum)

Graphosoma italicum is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae. It is also known as the striped bug (or Italian striped bug) and minstrel bug.

G. italicum can reach a length of 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in). The body is almost round, with a large shield. The basic color of the upperside of the body is red, with wide black longitudinal stripes. The pronotum has six black bands. The antennae are black. Also the sides of the abdominal segments (connexivum) are red with many small black spots. The legs are mostly black, which distinguishes it from its relative, G. lineatum.

Graphosoma italicum had been regarded as either a subspecies, or a synonym, of G. lineatum for over 100 years, so nearly all of the existing literature prior to 2007 referred to this species under the name lineatum. The validity of G. italicum was reestablished via DNA analysis, which demonstrated that the sister species to G. italicum is G. rubrolineatum, while G. lineatum is more closely related to G. semipunctatum.[1][2][3]

Subspecies

G. i. italicum (Müller, 1766) - nominate subspecies

G. i. sardiniensis Lupoli, 2017[3] - with reddish legs, similar to G. lineatum, and endemic to Sardinia.

Similar species

Graphosoma lineatum (Linnaeus, 1758) - The legs are orange. The distribution is restricted to Northern Africa and Sicily.

Graphosoma semipunctatum (Fabricius, 1775) - The legs are orange, the red and black bands are interrupted on the pronotum, where they form black points. The distribution is restricted to the Mediterranean region.

Graphosoma melanoxanthum Horvath, 1903 - Dark connexivi with small red points, it is distributed in South Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

G. italicum is distributed across the Western Palearctic and occurs in the entire Mediterranean area, with the northern limit of distribution fluctuating strongly. In recent decades, the northern border in western and central Europe has expanded strongly to the north, so that the species now occurs as far as the North Sea and Baltic Sea (Jutland and southern Finland). In Germany, the type occurs everywhere with exception of the northwest and is not rare regionally. In Austria, it is widespread, but only locally frequent. The insects populate open to half-shady areas in dry to more humid habitats. The subspecies G. i. sardiniensis occurs only in Sardinia.

G. italicum is an insect of warm and sunny areas. It prefers warm slopes and meadows located on south-facing slopes. The orange and black warning colours (aposematism) indicate that the insects are foul-tasting, protecting them from predators. The nymphs do not have the orange-black stripe pattern, instead they are mostly brownish. These shield bugs are frequently found on the umbels of Apiaceae (Daucus, Heracleum, Anthriscus, Foeniculum, etc.), plants which themselves are chemically-protected.

13-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WESTERN CONIFER SEED BUG (Leptoglossus occidentalis)

The western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis), sometimes abbreviated as WCSB, is a species of true bug (Hemiptera) in the family Coreidae. It is native to North America west of the Rocky Mountains (California to British Columbia, east to Idaho Minnesota and Nevada) but has in recent times expanded its range to eastern North America, to include Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Michigan, Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and has become an accidental introduced species in parts of Europe and Argentina.

This species is a member of the insect family Coreidae, or leaf-footed bugs, which also includes the similar Leptoglossus phyllopus and Acanthocephala femorata, both known as the "Florida leaf-footed bug". Western conifer seed bugs are sometimes colloquially called stink bugs. While they do use a foul-smelling spray as a defense, they are not classified in the stink bug family Pentatomidae. In Chile, it has been confused with kissing bugs (Triatominae), causing unjustified alarm.

The average length is 16–20 millimetres (0.63–0.79 in) with males being smaller than females. They are able to fly, making a buzzing noise when airborne. Western conifer seed bugs are somewhat similar in appearance to the wheel bug Arilus cristatus and other Reduviidae (assassin bugs). These, being Cimicomorpha, are not very closely related to leaf-footed bugs as Heteroptera go; though both have a proboscis, but only the assassin bugs bite even if unprovoked, and L. occidentalis like its closest relatives can be most easily recognized by the expanded hindleg tibiae and by the alternating light and dark bands which run along the outer wing edges on the flaring sides of the abdomen.

Their primary defense is to emit an unpleasant-smelling alarm pheromone; however, if handled roughly they will stab with their proboscis, though they are hardly able to cause injury to humans as it is adapted only to suck plant sap and not, as in the assassin bugs, to inject venom.

In its native range, the western conifer seed bug feeds on the sap of developing conifer cones throughout its life, and its sap-sucking causes the developing seeds to wither and misdevelop. It is therefore considered a minor tree pest in North America, but becoming sometimes more harmful e.g. in conifer plantations. However, it is not monophagous and even adaptable enough to feed on angiosperms if it has to, though it seems to prefer resiniferous plants that are rich in terpenes. As these are produced by plants to deter herbivores, it might be that in evolving its ability to overcome these defenses, L. occidentalis actually became somewhat dependent on such compounds.

Its host plants in the native range include conifers such as Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and white spruce (Picea glauca). Outside the native range, it is found on species such as eastern white pine (P. strobus) and red pine (P. resinosa) in eastern North America and Europe, and mountain pine (P. mugo), black pine (P. nigra), Scots pine (P. sylvestris) and pistachio (Pistacia vera) in Europe.

14-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MANTIS (FEMALE) (Mantis religiosa)

The European mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a large hemimetabolic insect in the family of the Mantidae ('mantids'), which is the largest family of the order Mantodea (mantises). Their common name praying mantis is derived from the distinctive posture of the first pair of legs that can be observed in animals in repose. It resembles a praying attitude. Both males and females have elongated bodies with two pairs of wings. The most striking features that all Mantodea share are a very mobile, triangular head with large compound eyes and their first pair of legs (the 'raptorial legs'), which is highly modified for the efficient capture and restraint of fast-moving or flying prey.

In Germany, M. religiosa is listed as Gefährdet on the German Red List on the basis of an assessment from 1998. It is not supposed to be caught or held as a pet. At a global level, it is assessed by the IUCN as least concern.

The great variation in the coloration of M. religiosa from different shades of yellow, brown, green, and sometimes black has been the cause of numerous hypotheses and studies for over 100 years. However, no generally accepted answer about reason, benefit, or mechanism of the coloration or the change of coloration has been found.

Di Cesnola observed in 1904 that green mantids were found on fresh green grass, whereas brown individuals seemed to prefer brown grass burned by the sun. When forced to change the location as to no longer match their coloration, almost all the ‘not matching’ animals were killed by predators such as birds. This indicates a camouflaging purpose of the coloration.

Przibram also observed in 1907 that a change in temperature can trigger a change in coloration: animals that hatched in a cold environment turned green after moulting when heat and sunlight were provided. Without the change in temperature and only a change in the color of the background, no change in coloration occurred. This finding contradicts with Di Cesnola, who claims to have observed the animals within the same time and location (and therefore the same temperature).

M. religiosa can be found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as North America, where it is considered introduced. Two confirmed stable populations are in Germany: one in Rhineland-Palatinate and one in Baden-Württemberg. In the last years, more reports have been made of the distribution of the animals in Northern Europe (Latvia, Estonia), as well.

Despite being an introduced species, it is the official state insect of Connecticut.

13-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EMERALD MOTH (Phaiogramma etruscaria)

Phaiogramma etruscaria is a species of moth of the family Geometridae.

It is found from the Mediterranean Sea area of Europe to central Asia. Records include Russia, Italy, France, the Crimea, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

This species inhabits warm scrubs and xerophilous hillsides.

Phaiogramma etruscaria has a wingspan reaching 17.7-19.3 mm in males, 20-23.3 mm in the females. Wings are light green, with clearly visible white antemedial lines and small marbled striations. Hind tibia bear only terminal spurs in males, two pairs of spurs in females. Antennae are ciliate in males, while in females they are filiform. Adults are on wing from May to June. There is one generation per year. The pupae overwinter.

The larvae are polyphagous and feed on various Apiaceae (Anethum graveolens, Bupleurum, Foeniculum vulgare, Daucus, Ferula, Peucedanum) and on Thapsus, Lotus, Clematis and Rosmarinus.

It is found from the Mediterranean Sea area of Europe to central Asia. Records include Russia, Italy, France, the Crimea, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

This species inhabits warm scrubs and xerophilous hillsides.

14-10-2017 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

The Eurasian reed warbler, or just reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus ), is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into the temperate western Palaearctic. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.

This is a medium-sized warbler, 13 cm (5.1 in) in length with a wing-span of 17–21 cm (6.7–8.3 in). The adult has an unstreaked brown back and buff underparts. The forehead is flattened, and the bill is strong and pointed. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are richer buff below. The Eurasian reed warbler looks similar to the great reed warbler, but the great reed warbler is larger in size and has a stronger supercilium.

The song is a slow, chattering jit-jit-jit with typically acrocephaline whistles and mimicry added.

This small passerine bird is a species found almost exclusively in reed beds, usually with some bushes.

Like most warblers, it is insectivorous, but will occasionally take plant material such as berries.

The Eurasian reed warbler is one of the species that are brood parasitised by the common cuckoo.

The males return to the breeding grounds two or three weeks before the females. The species is usually monogamous. The first eggs are laid at the end of April. The nest is usually placed in vegetation over water, especially in reeds of the genus Phragmites. The deep cylindrical cup nest is sited on average 65 cm (26 in) (range is 20 and 140 cm (7.9 and 55.1 in)) above the surface of the water and is built entirely by the female. She takes four days to build the initial cup of grass, reed stems and leaves, and another three days to complete the lining of finer material including hair. The clutch contains between three and five eggs that are laid daily. The eggs are very pale green with speckles and blotches of olive green or grey. On average they measure 18.4 mm × 13.6 mm (0.72 in × 0.54 in) and weigh 1.75 g (0.062 oz). They are incubation by both parents begins after the penultimate egg is laid. Only the female incubates at night. The eggs hatch after 9–12 days. The nestlings are fed and cared for by both parents. They fledge after 10–12 day but continue to be fed by their parents for another 10–14 days. Up to one third of pairs raise a second brood.

13-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Iphiclides podalirius)

Iphiclides feisthamelii, the southern scarce swallowtail, southern swallowtail or Iberian scarce swallowtail, is a butterfly found in Italy, Slovenia, southern France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of I. podalirius.

The larva feeds on Prunus amygdalus (almond), P. persica (peach), P. insititia (a kind of plum), P. longipes, Pyrus communis (common pear), Malus domesticus (apple) and Crataegus oxyacantha.

After many years being considered a subspecies of the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius this taxon can now be accepted as a full species.

Identification & Similar species: Compared to the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius, this species has a white/ grey-white rather than yellowish ground colour, but sometimes with faint yellow in the female. Markings are also darker, at least in the spring brood. The differences are subtle...

Genetalia are reportedly slightly different and there is some differentiation in mitochondrial DNA.

Distribution & Flight: North Africa, Spain and southwest France. There may be overlap with the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius in some areas particularly as these are mobile butterflies. Flies from March or April to the end of summer in multiple broods.

Habitat & Behaviour: Diverse habitats: scrub, meadows, parks, gardens, coasts to mountains.

This is a most majestic butterfly, huge and floating effortlessly. It is not, as its English name implies, scarce, and in my experience it is much more common than the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). I believe the English name originates from the early English lepidopterists and refers to its scarcity as a rare vagrant to the UK in the 1800s or thereabouts.

The previously-considered subspecies feisthamelii (English name: Iberian Scarce Swallowtail or Spanish Swallowtail) is now classified as a separate species. It is principally an Iberian species with distribution "spilling" into the eastern Pyrénées of France (http://diatheo.weebly.com/iphiclides-feisthamelii.html). It differs from podalirius in that it is noticeably paler, white in the male, and pale yellow in the female.

23-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER, COSTA RICA - MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)

The southern mealy amazon or southern mealy parrot (Amazona farinosa farinosa) is among the largest parrots in the genus Amazona, the amazon parrots. It is a mainly green parrot with a total length of 38–41 cm (15–16 in). It is native to tropical Central and South America. This parrot and the northern mealy amazon (Amazona farinosa guatemalae) are considered conspecific.

The southern mealy amazon occurs in tropical Central America and South America. It frequents humid to semi-humid forest (only rarely in deciduous forest) and plantations. In regions dominated by open/dry habitats it is restricted to gallery forest or completely absent.

12-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SIERRA NEVADA OCELLATED LIZARD (Timon nevadensis)

Timon nevadensis, the Sierra Nevada lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is endemic to Spain. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the ocellated lizard.

It is a showy and robust lizard, which can reach 26 cm in head-body length and exceed 70 cm in total length. It has strong and well-developed limbs. They are generally grey or brown in colour, with light green scales on the back, and during mating they can acquire more greenish and bluish tones. Its colour and body design change with age, some males lack ornamentation while others have dorsal ocelli in two or more rows. The scales are granular on the back and slightly keeled, while the ventral ones are wide and overlapping one another. Unlike T. lepidus , T. nevadensis lacks jet-black scales on the back, which in this case are grey or brown. Its head is also narrower and longer, as a result, its occipital plate is narrower than in T. lepidus . In addition, the Betic lizards have a lighter coloration in their blue ocelli. Their hind limbs, the end of the back and tail usually have orange-brown tones that T. lepidus does not have . Juveniles have a much more greyish or darker general coloration than juveniles of T. lepidus .

As for sexual dimorphism, males have a much larger head than females, due in part to the greater development of the masseteric muscles. In contrast, females have a greater relative body length than males, which translates into a greater number of ventral scales and lumbar vertebrae. The development of the femoral pores is also greater in males and the base of the tail is wider to accommodate the hemipenes. In general, females tend to maintain designs similar to those of subadults for longer. Juveniles have ocelli bordered with dark on the back and sides.

11-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)

The Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, often seen bustling along shorelines with a characteristic "sewing machine" feeding action. In its breeding plumage, it is easily identified by its distinctive black belly patch, a feature unique among waders of similar size. Outside the breeding season, it adopts a more subdued grey and white plumage. Juveniles can be recognized by their brown feathers with whitish "V" shapes on the back.

Adult Dunlins in breeding attire sport a striking black belly that sets them apart from other waders. In winter, they turn grey above and white below. Look for the strong white wingbar in flight, and note the black legs and slightly down-curved bill. The bill, while appearing sharp in deceased specimens, is actually blunt at the tip in living birds, equipped with a sensitive probe for detecting invertebrates.

Dunlins favor coastal mudflats and sandy beaches, where they can be observed in large, sociable flocks, especially outside the breeding season.

This circumpolar species breeds in Arctic or subarctic regions. European and Asian populations are long-distance migrants, wintering as far south as Africa and the Middle East. North American populations tend to migrate shorter distances to coastal areas.

Dunlins exhibit strong philopatry, with individuals often returning to their natal areas to breed. They are highly gregarious in winter and can be seen in large flocks, sometimes performing synchronized aerial displays.

The Dunlin's call is a typical sandpiper "peep," while its display song is a harsh trill.

Nests are shallow ground scrapes lined with vegetation. Both parents incubate the typically four-egg clutch. Chicks are precocial but require brooding early on. Flight is achieved around three weeks, with the male providing most of the brood care post-hatching.

The Dunlin can be confused with other small waders, but its breeding plumage and feeding behavior are distinctive. Hybrids with the White-rumped Sandpiper and the Purple Sandpiper have been reported.

On breeding grounds, Dunlins primarily consume insects. During the rest of the year, their diet includes molluscs, worms, and crustaceans.

The Dunlin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a very large range and population size. It is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

11-10-2017 ULAL DE BOLDOVI, VALENCIA - LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

The little grebe is a small water bird with a pointed bill. The adult is unmistakable in summer, predominantly dark above with its rich, rufous colour neck, cheeks and flanks, and bright yellow gape. The rufous is replaced by a dirty brownish grey in non-breeding and juvenile birds.

Juvenile birds have a yellow bill with a small black tip, and black and white streaks on the cheeks and sides of the neck as seen below. This yellow bill darkens as the juveniles age, eventually turning black in adulthood.

In winter, its size, buff plumage, with a darker back and cap, and “powder puff” rear end enable easy identification of this species. The little grebe's breeding call, given singly or in duet, is a trilled repeated weet-weet-weet or wee-wee-wee which sounds like a horse whinnying.

This bird breeds in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe, much of Asia down to New Guinea, and most of Africa. Most birds move to more open or coastal waters in winter, but it is only migratory in those parts of its range where the waters freeze. Outside of breeding season, it moves into more open water, occasionally even appearing on the coast in small bays.

11-10-2017 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a large long-legged wading bird of the heron native to Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It lives in wetland areas and feeds on various aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water.

The plumage of the Grey heron is largely ashy-grey above, and greyish-white below with some black on the flanks. Adults have a head and neck white with a broad black supercilium that terminates in the slender, dangling crest, and bluish-black streaks on the front of the neck. The scapular feathers are elongated and the feathers at the base of the neck are also somewhat elongated. Immature birds lack the dark stripe on the head and are generally duller in appearance than adults, with a grey head and neck, and a small, dark grey crest. The pinkish-yellow beak is long, straight, and powerful, and is brighter in color in breeding adults. The iris is yellow and the legs are brown and very long.

Grey herons occur in most parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Over much of their range, these birds are resident, but populations from the more northerly parts of Europe migrate southwards; some remain in Central and Southern Europe, and others travel on to Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Grey herons can be found anywhere with suitable watery habitats that can supply their food. Although most common in the lowlands, they also occur in mountain tarns, lakes, reservoirs, large and small rivers, marshes, ponds, ditches, flooded areas, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and seashore. They sometimes forage away from water in the pasture, and can even be found in desert areas, hunting for beetles and lizards.

Grey herons are social birds; they may feed alone or in groups and at night they roost in trees or on cliffs and tend to be gregarious. During the breeding season, they nest in big colonies. Grey herons usually hunt around dawn and dusk but they may also be active at other times of the day. They often perch in trees, but spend much time on the ground, striding about or standing still for long periods with an upright stance, often on a single leg. The main call of Grey herons is a loud croaking "fraaank", but a variety of guttural and raucous noises is heard at the breeding colony. A loud, harsh "schaah" is used by the male in driving other birds from the vicinity of the nest, and a soft "gogogo" expresses anxiety, as when a predator is nearby or a human walks past the colony. The chicks utter loud chattering or ticking noises.

Grey herons are carnivores (piscivores) and feed mostly on fish. However, depending on the season and what is available, they also may eat amphibians, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates, mollusks, snakes, small birds and rodents, and sometimes some plants.

Grey herons are serially monogamous; they form pairs and remain together for only one breeding season, which extends from early February until May or early June. These birds breed in colonies known as heronries, usually in high trees close to lakes, the seashore, or other wetlands. Courtship involves the male calling from his chosen nesting site and on the arrival of the female, both birds participate in stretching and snapping ceremonies. Females lay 3 to 5 eggs and both parents incubate them for 25-26 days. Chicks hatch altricial and are fed by both parents, who look after them attentively; one of the adult birds stays at the nest for the first 20 days. The young can fly at about 50 days old, remaining for 10 to 20 more days more at the nest.

11-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)

The Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia, presents itself as a graceful wader from the extensive Scolopacidae family. Its name, derived from the Neo-Latin term for the green sandpiper and the Latin for "mist," alludes to its marshy dwellings. In breeding plumage, it dons a brown attire, while in winter, it adopts a more subdued grey-brown. Notably larger than its cousin, the Common Redshank, it boasts long greenish legs and a long bill with a grey base, which appears upturned when the bird is in water.

Upon sighting, one may observe the white wedge on its back during flight. The bill's shape is distinctive, and its size is a helpful indicator, being somewhat larger than the Common Redshank. The bird's call, a rapid succession of three short fluty notes, can be transcribed as "teu-teu-teu."

The Common Greenshank favors dry ground adjacent to marshy areas for breeding, indicative of its preference for damp environments.

A subarctic species, the Common Greenshank breeds from northern Scotland, spreading east across northern Europe and the Palearctic. It is migratory, seeking winter refuge in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Australasia, typically near freshwater.

This bird is migratory, breeding on dry ground near marshy areas and laying about four eggs in a ground scrape.

The bird's vocalizations consist of a series of three short fluty notes, which can be heard as "teu-teu-teu."

The Common Greenshank nests on dry ground in proximity to marshes, where it lays approximately four eggs in a simple ground scrape.

The Marsh Sandpiper may appear similar when the Common Greenshank is in water, but the latter's bill shape is a distinguishing feature.

The diet of the Common Greenshank includes small invertebrates, and it will opportunistically consume small fish and amphibians.

The IUCN lists the Common Greenshank as Least Concern, indicating a stable population. However, under the Australian EPBC Act, it was listed as Endangered in 2024. It is also a subject of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

11-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)

The Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. It was described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. The Greater flamingo was previously thought to be the same species as the American flamingo, but because of coloring differences of its head, neck, body, and bill, the two flamingos are now most commonly considered separate species.

Greater flamingos have an attractive coloration and appearance. Their feathers are pinkish/white, the wing coverts are red and the primary and secondary flight feathers are black. They have long pink bills with a black tip, yellow eyes and long pink legs. The male is bigger than the female, and juveniles have a gray-brown coloration, with some pink on their underparts, tail and wings, with the legs and beak being mainly brown.

11-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

The Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, is a slender wader known for its strikingly long, pink legs and contrasting black-and-white plumage. This elegant bird is a member of the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae.

Adult Black-winged Stilts measure 33–36 cm in length. They possess a long, thin black bill and display a distinctive black and white coloration. The head and neck are predominantly white, with variable black markings depending on the sex and subspecies. Males typically have a glossy or greenish sheen on their black backs, while females exhibit a more brownish tinge. During flight, their long legs trail behind, and their wingbeats are steady.

Black-winged Stilts have the longest legs of any bird relative to size, making up two-thirds of their total body length. It’s no surprise where they got their name from – it does look like they’re walking on stilts.

These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.

The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.

Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.

The flight call of the Black-winged Stilt is a sharp and clear kleek, typically heard during its aerial maneuvers.

Nests are simple bare spots on the ground near water. These birds are communal nesters and may breed in loose colonies. They have been known to breed as far north as Britain, with recent successful breeding events recorded in Southern and Northern England.

The Black-winged Stilt can be confused with other stilt species, such as the Black-necked Stilt (H. mexicanus) in the Americas, the White-backed Stilt (H. melanurus), and the Pied Stilt (H. leucocephalus) in Australasia and New Zealand.

Their diet consists mainly of insects and crustaceans, which they deftly pick from the water's surface or from wet sand.

The IUCN lists the Black-winged Stilt as Least Concern, indicating a stable global population. However, they are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in their conservation.

Black-winged Stilts have been expanding their breeding range to the south of the UK, and more tend to arrive in spring when their favoured wetlands in south-west Europe dry out due to drought.

Much of Spain and France have been experiencing severe drought conditions, which has doubtless caused the influx of stilts to the UK this spring, alongside other species like Night Heron, Purple Heron and Great Reed Warbler.

1-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - SANDERLING (Calidris alba)

The sanderling, Calidris alba, is a small, dynamic wading bird, easily recognized by its plump form and stout bill. In non-breeding plumage, it presents a very pale, almost white appearance, save for a dark shoulder patch. Come summer, the bird's face and throat adopt a brick-red hue. Juveniles are more striking, with a spangled black and white pattern offering greater contrast.

Adult sanderlings in breeding plumage can be confused with stints due to their size, but their stouter build and thicker bill are distinguishing features. In winter plumage, they might be mistaken for dunlins or red knots. However, the absence of a hind toe and their unique foraging behavior—characterized by a "bicycling" action of the legs—help in identifying them. In flight, a strong white wingbar is visible.

During the breeding season, sanderlings favor the coastal tundra of the High Arctic, often selecting dry, stony areas near wetlands for nesting. In winter and during migration, they are most commonly found on coastal sandy beaches, as well as on tidal sand and mudflats, and less frequently on rocky shores.

Sanderlings breed in the High Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Svalbard, and northern Russia. In winter, they are nearly cosmopolitan along the world's marine coasts, migrating long distances from the Arctic to as far as South America, South Europe, Africa, and Australia.