23-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - GUADARRAMA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis guadarramae ssp. guadarramae)

The Guadarrama Wall Lizard (Podarcis guadarramae) is a medium-sized lizard endemic to the granite rocks of the Sistema Central mountain range in Spain and Portugal. It is characterized by a flattened head and slender body, with a coloration that ranges from brown to green and can include dark spots. This species is known for living on rocks and scree, but also occupies sandy areas, and is an egg-laying omnivore that eats insects, fruit, and berries.

Physical characteristics Size: A medium-sized lizard with adult males averaging around \(53.8\) mm in snout-vent length (SVL) and females around \(51.6\) mm.

Coloration: Can range from brown to bright green with dark spots, often with a contrasting pale dorsolateral stripe in males. The belly is typically white, pink, or orange.

Head: Has a distinctively flattened head and an elongated snout. Habitat and distribution Location: Found in the mountain ranges of the Sistema Central, including the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos, and Peña de Francia.Habitat: Primarily inhabits granite rock substrates, scree, and rocky areas, but also lives in sandy areas within pine forests. Behavior and diet Diet: An omnivore that feeds on invertebrates, fruits, and berries.Arboreal activity: While often found on rocks, recent observations show it also climbs trees and shrubs to significant heights, a behavior that is not fully understood.Territoriality: Males are highly territorial.

 Reproduction Reproduction: Egg-laying (oviparous).Eggs: Females lay between 3 and 11 eggs, one or two times a year, depending on the summer's duration.

Hatchlings: Growth rates of hatchlings are influenced by the environment they are in, with those in higher altitude, colder, more humid conditions growing faster.

High-altitude populations: Higher altitude populations tend to have a larger clutch size (average 3.5 eggs) compared to lower altitude populations (average 2.5 eggs). 

22-9-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SCARLET DARTER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis erythraea)

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

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

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

Crocothemis erythraea can reach a length of 33–44 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in). These dragonflies haves a flattened and rather broad abdomen. The adult male scarlet dragonfly has a bright scarlet red, widened abdomen, with small amber patches at the bases of the hindwings. Also the veins on the leading edges of the wings are red. Females and immatures are yellow-brown and have a conspicuous pale stripe along the top of the thorax.

22-9-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - IBERIAN STRAW GRASSHOPPER (Euchorthippus chopardi)

The Iberian straw grasshopper refers to species like Euchorthippus chopardi and Truxalis nasuta, known for their straw-like camouflage in dry Iberian grasslands, featuring herbivorous diets, cryptic behavior, and notable for being slant-faced grasshoppers that are harmless and often spotted near Mediterranean coasts, with Truxalis nasuta being large and camouflaged by color and shape in dry vegetation. 

Key Facts

Scientific Names: Common examples are Euchorthippus chopardi (Iberian straw grasshopper) and Truxalis nasuta (nosey cone-headed grasshopper).

Appearance: They are typically straw-colored, sometimes with reddish or green tinges, blending perfectly with dry, grassy environments.

Habitat: Found in the drier parts of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly near the Mediterranean, in dried grasslands with scrub.

Diet: Herbivorous, feeding on vegetation, especially grasses.

Behavior: They use their body shape and camouflage for concealment, making them hard to spot.

Classification: They belong to the family Acrididae (slant-faced grasshoppers).

Conservation: Euchorthippus chopardi is listed as "Least Concern" (LC) by the IUCN, indicating no immediate threat. 

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERAS - NORTHERN WHEATEAR (FEMALE) (Oenanthe oenanthe)

The Northern Wheatear, or Oenanthe oenanthe, is a small, charismatic passerine bird. It is the most widespread member of the wheatear genus Oenanthe in Europe, North and Central Asia, with populations also in northeastern Canada, Greenland, northwestern Canada, and Alaska. This bird is notable for its migratory habits, breeding in open stony country and wintering in Africa.

Adult Northern Wheatears measure 14.5–16 cm in length, with a wingspan of 26–32 cm and a weight range of 17-30 g. Both sexes boast a distinctive white rump and tail, marked by a contrasting black T-pattern. The summer male is adorned with grey upperparts, a buff throat, and a striking black face mask and wings. Come autumn, the male's plumage softens to resemble the female's, which is generally paler with brown upperparts and buff underparts. The male's song is a whistling, crackly melody, while its call is a sharp "chack," and the flight call mirrors this sound.

The Northern Wheatear favors open, stony terrain for breeding. It often nests in rock crevices and abandoned rabbit burrows, demonstrating a preference for environments that offer both shelter and open ground.

This bird's breeding range spans Europe, across the Palearctic to east Siberia, and into northwest North America. Remarkably, all Northern Wheatears migrate to spend the winter in Africa, regardless of their vast breeding distribution.

The Northern Wheatear is known for its impressive migratory behavior, undertaking one of the longest journeys of any small bird. It crosses oceans, ice, and deserts to migrate between its breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere and wintering grounds in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Northern Wheatears reach sexual maturity at one year of age. The female is solely responsible for nest construction, often in cavities like rabbit burrows or rock crevices. Clutches typically consist of 4-7 pale blue eggs, which are incubated predominantly by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 15 days and gain independence at around 28-32 days old. Usually, only one brood is raised per year.

The Northern Wheatear can be confused with other wheatear species, but its distinctive white rump and black T-pattern on the tail are key differentiators.

As an insectivorous species, the Northern Wheatear feeds on a variety of insects and other small invertebrates, foraging on the ground in its open habitat.

With an extensive range and a large population estimated at 2.9 million individuals, the Northern Wheatear is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. There is no current indication of significant population decline that would threaten the species.

Historically, the Northern Wheatear was trapped and sold as a delicacy in England, known as "the English ortolan." This practice has since ceased, and the bird now primarily holds interest for birdwatchers and ornithologists.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERAS - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (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.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERAS - CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata)

The Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) is a small, robust passerine bird, approximately 17 cm in height with a wingspan ranging from 29 to 38 cm. It weighs between 37 and 55 grams. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with a brown plumage that is paler on the underparts and a distinctive crest on the head, which is raised prominently during displays. The tail is short with light brown outer feathers, and the underwings exhibit a reddish hue in flight.

Adult Crested Larks are characterized by their brown, streaky plumage with a paler underside. The young birds can be identified by the additional spots on their backs. The species' most notable feature is its crest, which can be seen at all times but is particularly prominent during territorial or courtship displays. In flight, the reddish underwings are a key identification marker.

The Crested Lark is found in dry, open landscapes such as fields, roadsides, and wastelands. It has adapted well to human-altered environments and can often be seen in areas with sparse vegetation, such as sandy patches near railways, docks, and airfields.

This lark has a wide range across temperate Eurasia, from Portugal to northeastern China and eastern India, and in Africa down to Niger. It is a resident bird, meaning it does not migrate seasonally. However, it is a rare vagrant to Great Britain.

The Crested Lark is known for its undulating flight pattern and its melodious, warbling song, which can be heard from high in the sky or at ground level. It is a territorial bird that sings to establish its presence, often from a height of 30 to 60 meters.

The song of the Crested Lark is a liquid series of notes, often transcribed as "whee-whee-wheeoo" or "twee-tee-too." It is a characteristic sound of open country in its range.

The Crested Lark nests on the ground in shallow depressions, using dead grasses and roots to construct its nest. It typically lays three to five brown, finely speckled eggs, which hatch after about 11 to 12 days. The young are precocial and leave the nest early, becoming fully fledged at around 15 to 16 days old. The species often raises two broods per year.

Primarily vegetarian, the Crested Lark feeds on grains and seeds such as oats, wheat, and barley. It also consumes insects, particularly beetles. Juveniles are fed by both parents and start foraging on their own shortly before they are capable of flight.

The Crested Lark is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not currently at risk of extinction. The global population is estimated to be between 22 million and 91.2 million mature individuals, with a noted decline in Europe since 1982.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE (Helianthus tuberosus)

The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also called sunroot, sunchoke, wild sunflower, topinambur, or earth apple, is a species of sunflower native to central North America. It is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable.

Helianthus tuberosus is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 1.5–3 m (4 ft 11 in – 9 ft 10 in) tall with opposite leaves on the lower part of the stem but alternate towards the top. The leaves have a rough, hairy texture. Larger leaves on the lower stem are broad ovoid-acute and can be up to 30 cm (12 in) long. Leaves higher on the stem are smaller and narrower.

The flowers are yellow and produced in capitate flowerheads, which are 5–10 cm (2–4 in) in diameter, with 10–20 ray florets and 60 or more small disc florets. The flowers are briefly fragrant, giving off a light, vanilla-chocolate perfume.

The tubers are often elongated and uneven, typically 7.5–10 cm (3–3+7⁄8 in) long and 3–5 cm (1–2 in) thick, and vaguely resembling a ginger root in appearance, with a crisp and crunchy texture when raw. They vary in color from pale brown to white, red, or purple.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - AMERICAN POKEWEED (Phytolacca americana)

Pokeweed is a member of the family Phytolaccaceae, and is a large herbaceous perennial plant, growing up to 2.5 metres (8 feet) in height over the course of a summer. One to several branches grow from the crown of a thick, white, fleshy taproot; Michael D. K. Owen describes the branches as "stout, smooth, [and] green to somewhat purplish". Simple, entire leaves with long petioles are alternately arranged along the stem.

Pokeweeds reproduce only by their large, glossy black, lens-shaped seeds, which are contained in a fleshy, 10-celled, purple-to-near-black berry that has crimson juice. The flowers are perfect, radially symmetric, white or green, with 4–5 sepals and no petals. The flowers develop in elongated clusters termed racemes. The seeds have long viability, able to germinate after many years in the soil.

Plant Type: Perennial herbaceous plant which can reach a height of 3 m (10 ft) but is usually 1.2 to 2 m (4 to 6+1⁄2 ft). The plant must be a few years old before the root grows large enough to support this size. The stem is usually red late in the season. There is an upright, erect central stem early in the season, which changes to a spreading, horizontal form later with the weight of the berries. The plant dies back to the roots each winter. The stem has a chambered pith.

Leaves: The leaves are alternate with coarse texture with moderate porosity. Leaves can reach 41 centimetres (16 inches) in length. Each leaf is entire. Leaves are medium green and smooth, with a distinct odor that many characterize as unpleasant.

Flowers: The flowers have 5 regular parts with upright stamens and are up to 5 millimetres (1⁄4 in) wide. They have white petal-like sepals without true petals, on white pedicels and peduncles in an upright or drooping raceme, which darken as the plant fruits. Blooms first appear in early summer and continue into early fall.

Fruit: A shiny dark purple berry held in racemose clusters on pink pedicels with a pink peduncle. Pedicels without berries have a distinctive rounded five part calyx. Fruits are round with a flat indented top and bottom. Immature berries are green, turning white and then blackish purple.

Root: Thick central taproot which grows deep and spreads horizontally. Rapid growth. Tan cortex, white pulp, moderate number of rootlets. Transversely cut root slices show concentric rings. No nitrogen fixation ability.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (FEMALE) (Saxicola rubicola)

The European stonechat is a small passerine bird with a distinctive "stone-tapping" call. Males have a black head, brown back, white half-collar, and orange-red breast, while females are duller brown. They inhabit open areas with low vegetation like heathland, feed on invertebrates and seeds, and often perch on gorse bushes. 

Appearance

Males: Black head, brown back, a white half-collar on the neck, and an orange-red breast.

Females and juveniles: Paler and more mottled brown than males.

Size: Roughly robin-sized, about 13 cm (5 inches) long, with a large head and short tail. 

Behavior

Call: Makes a sharp, loud call that sounds like two small stones being tapped together, which is where its name comes from.

Posture: Often seen sitting upright on top of bushes, frequently flicking its wings.

Migration: Some northern populations migrate south for winter, while others are resident, especially in warmer climates. 

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - IBERIAN GREY SHRIKE (Lanius meridionalis)

The Iberian grey shrike, Lanius meridionalis, is a captivating bird, a member of the shrike family. It bears a resemblance to its relative, the great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor, yet it presents subtle distinctions in plumage. This bird is slightly smaller and darker than its great grey counterpart.

When observing the Iberian grey shrike, look for a bird that is somewhat diminutive and darker compared to the great grey shrike. Its plumage is generally similar, but keen birdwatchers will note the differences that set it apart.

The Iberian grey shrike is a bird of preference for dry, open country. It thrives in the southern European landscapes where it resides year-round.

This species is a resident bird of southern Europe, where it can be found throughout the year, gracing the open habitats with its presence.

The Iberian grey shrike is known for its unique feeding habits. It hunts large insects, small birds, and rodents from prominent perches. In a rather macabre display, it is known to impale its prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating a "larder" for later consumption.

The breeding habits of the Iberian grey shrike include the laying of eggs, as evidenced by the specimens collected and preserved in natural history museums.

The Iberian grey shrike is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Conservation efforts are essential to ensure the survival of this species.

The diet of the Iberian grey shrike consists of large insects, small birds, and rodents. Its method of feeding involves hunting from vantage points and storing food in a grisly fashion, skewering its catch on sharp points for later consumption.

24-9-2019 PLASENCIA, ESPANA - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.

The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitation, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, polar regions, and hot, dry deserts far away from human development. For sustenance, the house sparrow routinely feeds at home and public bird feeding stations, but naturally feeds on the seeds of grains, flowering plants and weeds. However, it is an opportunistic, omnivorous eater, and commonly catches insects, their larvae, caterpillars, invertebrates and many other natural foods.

24-9-2019 PLASENCIA, ESPANA - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)

The European Goldfinch is a small, 12 cm bird with a striking red, white, and black face, a brown back, and black wings with a bright yellow band. They primarily eat seeds, using their pointed bill to access them from plants like thistles and burdocks, but also consume insects and buds. Known for their melodic song and social, flocking behavior, they inhabit open woodlands, parks, gardens, and fields across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. 

Identification

Adult: Features a bright red face mask, a black and white head, a brown back, and black wings with a vibrant yellow stripe. Males often have a larger red mask.

Juvenile: Has a plain brown head but is identifiable by the bold yellow-and-black wing pattern.

Size: Roughly 12 cm (4.7 inches) long with a wingspan of 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 inches). 

Diet

Primarily feeds on seeds from plants like thistles, sunflowers, and burdocks.

Also eats buds, flowers, and fruits.

Consumes small insects, especially to feed their young during the breeding season. 

Habitat and behavior

Habitat: Prefers open habitats like woodland edges, orchards, parks, gardens, and grasslands with scattered trees. They avoid dense forests and completely treeless areas.

Flocking: Are highly social and often form large flocks, particularly in winter, to feed in weedy fields.

Flight: Flies in an undulating pattern and frequently calls while in flight.

Vocalization: Known for their pleasant, tinkling, and bubbling songs and calls.

Migration: Some populations are migratory, moving south for the winter. 

Breeding and lifespan

Breeding: Breeds in April, and can have two or three clutches per year, with each clutch containing 4 to 6 eggs.

Incubation: The hen incubates the eggs for about 12–14 days.

Fledging: The young fledge when they are around 14 days old.

Lifespan: Can live for around 2 years on average in the wild, with the oldest recorded individual living for over 10 years. 

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This small bird typically measures around 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighs between 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females and young birds displaying pale brown and grey plumage, while males are characterized by more vibrant black, white, and brown markings.

Males can be identified by their bright black, white, and brown markings, with a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, and a grey crown. Females lack the striking head patterns of males and are predominantly buffish with softer coloration. Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler with less defined markings.

The house sparrow is highly adaptable and can thrive in both urban and rural environments. It is commonly found in close association with human habitation and avoids dense forests, grasslands, polar regions, and deserts far from human development.

Native to Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and much of Asia, the house sparrow has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, making it one of the most widely distributed wild birds.

House sparrows are social birds, often seen in flocks. They exhibit a range of behaviors, including dust or water bathing and communal roosting. Males are known to be territorial around their nesting sites.

The house sparrow's vocalizations are predominantly variations of a simple chirping call. Males may sing or give an "ecstatic call" during the breeding season, and the species uses a variety of calls for different social interactions.

House sparrows are generally monogamous and may mate for life. They can breed in the season following their hatching and often produce multiple clutches per year, with each clutch containing up to five eggs. Nest sites are varied, with a preference for cavities.

The house sparrow can be confused with other seed-eating birds, such as the Eurasian tree sparrow, which has a chestnut crown and a black cheek patch.

An opportunistic feeder, the house sparrow's diet consists mainly of seeds from grains and weeds, but it also consumes insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season when feeding young.

Despite its widespread distribution and abundance, the house sparrow has experienced declines in some areas. However, it is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - WHINCHAT ( Saxicola rubetra)

The Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) is a small, migratory passerine bird, characterized by its short tail and an affinity for hopping rapidly on the ground. It exhibits a strong supercilium and mottled brownish upper parts, with a pale throat and breast, and a distinctively blackish tail with white bases to the outer tail feathers. During the breeding season, the male sports an orange-buff throat and breast, adding a splash of color to its otherwise muted tones.

To identify the Whinchat, look for the following features: a strong white supercilium and malar stripe, brownish upper parts with darker mottling, and a pale buff to whitish belly. The male, in breeding plumage, has a blackish face mask encircled by the white supercilium, a bright orange-buff throat and breast, and small white wing patches. Females are duller with a browner face mask and smaller or absent white wing patches. Adult males retain white wing patches throughout the year.

The Whinchat favors open grassy country with rough vegetation and scattered small shrubs. It thrives in habitats with high plant species richness and heterogeneous vegetation structure, often found in low-elevation areas with a high density of perches and tussocks.

This species breeds across Europe and western Asia, from Ireland to the Ob River basin and from northern Norway to the Caucasus Mountains. It winters in central Africa, from Senegal to Kenya and south to Zambia. The Whinchat's migration is marked by important stopover sites that aid in crossing barriers like the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Whinchat is largely solitary, forming small family groups in autumn. It exhibits a typical behavior of perching on elevated spots to scan for food and display territorial signals. Breeding occurs in late April and May, with the nest built on the ground by the female. Both parents feed the young, which fledge at about eighteen days old and remain dependent for another fortnight.

The Whinchat's main call is a soft "hue-tac-tac," with the male's song being a whistling, crackly but soft melody, often including mimetic phrases from other bird species' songs. The song is used for breeding from April to July and is occasionally heard on the wintering grounds.

Nesting occurs in dense low vegetation, with the female laying a clutch of four to seven eggs. Incubation lasts about thirteen days, and fledging takes place around eighteen days after hatching. The species is known to breed once they reach one year of age.

The Whinchat can be confused with the European stonechat or the Siberian stonechat, but it can be distinguished by its conspicuous supercilium, whiter belly, and longer wingtips, which are adaptations to its long-distance migration.

The diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates, with occasional fruit consumption. Whinchats perch on elevated spots to make sallies for ground insects or flying insects, displaying their white tail and wing flashes while perched.

The Whinchat is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, though some populations, particularly in Western Europe, are in decline due to agricultural intensification. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitat and mitigating the impacts of land use changes.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERES - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola)

The European stonechat is a small passerine bird with a distinctive "stone-tapping" call. Males have a black head, brown back, white half-collar, and orange-red breast, while females are duller brown. They inhabit open areas with low vegetation like heathland, feed on invertebrates and seeds, and often perch on gorse bushes. 

Appearance

Males: Black head, brown back, a white half-collar on the neck, and an orange-red breast.

Females and juveniles: Paler and more mottled brown than males.

Size: Roughly robin-sized, about 13 cm (5 inches) long, with a large head and short tail. 

Behavior

Call: Makes a sharp, loud call that sounds like two small stones being tapped together, which is where its name comes from.

Posture: Often seen sitting upright on top of bushes, frequently flicking its wings.

Migration: Some northern populations migrate south for winter, while others are resident, especially in warmer climates. 

24-9-2019 SALVATIERRA DE TORMES, CACERES - EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)

The Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a medium-sized passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is a noisy bird, especially in communal roosts and other gregarious situations, with an unmusical but varied song. Its gift for mimicry has been noted in literature including the Mabinogion and the works of Pliny the Elder and William Shakespeare.

 The Сommon starling is a medium-sized bird. It has glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen, which is speckled with white at some times of the year. The legs are pink and the bill is black in winter and yellow in summer. Juveniles are grey-brown and by their first winter resemble adults though often retaining some brown juvenile feathering, especially on the head. They can usually be sexed by the color of the irises, rich brown in males, mouse-brown, or grey in females.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERAS - EURASIAN WREN (Troglodytes troglodytes)

The Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) or northern wren is a very small insectivorous bird, and the only member of the wren family Troglodytidae found in Eurasia and Africa (Maghreb). In Anglophone Europe, it is commonly known simply as the wren. It has a very short tail which is often held erect, a short neck and a relatively long thin bill. It is russet brown above, paler buff-brown below and has a cream buff supercilium. The sexes are alike.

The species was once lumped with Troglodytes hiemalis of eastern North America and Troglodytes pacificus of western North America as the winter wren. The Eurasian wren occurs in Europe and across the Palearctic – including a belt of Asia from northern Iran and Afghanistan across to Japan. It is migratory in only the northern parts of its range. It is also highly polygynous, an unusual mating system for passerines.

The Eurasian wren is a plump, sturdy bird with rounded wings and a short tail, which is usually held cocked up. The adult bird is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) in length and has a wingspan of 13–17 cm (5.1–6.7 in).[18] It weighs around 10 g (0.35 oz).[19] It is rufous brown above, greyer beneath, and indistinctly barred with darker brown and grey, even on the wings and tail. The bill is dark brown and the legs are pale brown, the feet having strong claws and a large hind toe. Young birds are less distinctly barred and have mottled underparts. The plumage is subject to considerable variation, and where populations have been isolated, the variation has become fixed in one minor form or another.

24-9-2019 GALISTEO, CACERAS - WOODLARK (Lullula arborea)

The woodlark or wood lark (Lullula arborea) is the only extant species in the lark genus Lullula. It is found across most of Europe, the Middle East, western Asia and the mountains of north Africa. It is mainly resident (non-migratory) in the west of its range, but eastern populations of this passerine bird are more migratory, moving further south in winter.

There are two subspecies of woodlark, L. a. arborea and L. a. pallida. The former is native to northern regions of Europe, while the latter can be found in the south of the woodlark's range. Their diet is mostly composed of seeds but also includes insects during the breeding period. A comparatively small bird, the woodlark is between 13.5 and 15 centimetres long and roughly 20% shorter than the skylark. It is a brown bird with a pale underside and has a white-tipped tail.

Found mainly in Europe, the mountains of northern Africa and western Asia, the woodlark is present across much of its range. In Europe, the bird seems most at home in the sandy heaths of Belgium, where its density was 7.5 pairs per square kilometre (km2) in 1988. In the same year, densities in East Germany ranged from 0.29 to 5.0 pairs per km2 and between 0.1 and 0.25 pairs per km2 in southern England, with more optimal habitats being more densely populated. However, populations fluctuated across Europe in the 1990s and 2000s and more up-to-date density figures are unavailable. 

The extent of the woodlark's range is England in the west, parts of northern Egypt to the south, Iran and Turkmenistan to the east and the Scandinavian Peninsula in the north. Declining populations have resulted in the woodlark's range contracting, for example in Britain it once bred in Wales and central England but is now found only in southern England. Within its range it is mainly resident in the west, with eastern populations migrating south in the winter.

The woodlark's natural habitat is heathland and open spaces sparsely populated with trees. They prefer clearings in pine forests and heathland and like newly planted areas with pine saplings. Experimental work showed that annual ground‐disturbance can increase Woodlark abundance within lowland grass‐heaths. The bird can also be found more rarely in urban areas. For example, in 1950 a pair were recorded on a main road near Putney Heath, London.

22-9-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MOUSE SPIDER (Scotophaeus blackwalli)

Scotophaeus blackwalli, also known as the mouse spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Gnaphosidae.

It is a ground spider and does not create webs. Instead it hunts for insects and other spiders at night and uses its enlarged spinnerets to produce a sticky silk to subdue its prey. It is also an opportunistic scavenger.

Females also use their silk to build protective nests for their eggs.

The adult males of these spiders reach 9mm in length, maturing in the early summer, while females reach 12mm, and can be found until autumn.

The carapace is dark brown while the abdomen is brown/grey with hairs resembling the body of a mouse, hence the common name of 'mouse spider'. The legs are brown with thick pubescence. The male has a small scutum on the dorsum of the abdomen.

Scotophaeus blackwalli is native to Europe, the Caucasus, Turkey and Iran. It has been introduced to North America, Peru, and Hawaii. It is commonly found around and inside houses in Britain, usually in the Autumn, and also under bark and in holes in walls in warmer parts of Europe. It hunts nocturnally.

22-9-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - DOUBLE STRIPED PUG MOTH (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

The double-striped pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a widespread and common species, being found throughout the Palearctic region, including the Near East and North Africa.

This is a variable species but always easy to recognize due to the two prominent dark fascia across each forewing which give the species its common name. The forewing ground colour ranges from light to dark reddish brown. The crosslines are distinct. The inner margin of the pale white sub-marginal line bears black marks. The hindwings are pale grey with darker fringes, darker lines and a small black discal spot. There is a dark band across the basal segments of the abdomen. The wingspan is 15–19 mm.

The caterpillars reach a length of up to 17 millimeters and have a very variable basic colouration. It ranges from whitish to yellowish green, brown, red to purple. On the back there is a pale band marked with a series of dark diamonds or triangles. The drawing resembles a rear-facing trident, is sometimes crow-foot-like and can occasionally be only weakly formed. The head is yellowish brown.

Two, sometimes three, broods are produced each year and the adults are on the wing in April and May (sometimes earlier), July and August, and sometimes later in the autumn. Later broods are more heavily marked. It flies at night and is attracted to light and flowers, both of its food plants and others.

The larva feeds on the flowers of a huge range of plants (see list below) and has also been known to feed on the larvae of other lepidoptera. The species overwinters as a pupa.

22-9-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SOUTHERN PINE HAWKMOTH (Sphinx maurorum)

Sphinx maurorum, the southern pine hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Karl Jordan in 1931. It is found on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in southern and central France as far north as Corrèze and as far south as the Atlas and Rif mountains of North Africa. There are also records from Corsica.

The wingspan is 70–80 mm. There are one to two generations per year. Mostly, there is one generation with adults on wing from mid-July to early August. In some years, adults are on wing from May to June and again in August.

The larvae feed on Pinus (especially Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinaster) and Cedrus species.

Based on the search results, there are two distinct species often referred to in the context of "Southern Pine Hawk Moth": Sphinx maurorum (found in Europe/North Africa) and Lapara coniferarum (found in North America). Below are facts for both, with a focus on the North American species based on the terminology. 

Sphinx maurorum is sometimes called the Southern Pine Hawk-moth and is found in the Iberian Peninsula, southern/central France, and North Africa. 

Appearance: Wingspan is 70–80 mm. It is similar to S. pinastri but often lighter and less contrasting.

Life Cycle: One to two generations per year, with adults on the wing from May to August.

Diet: Larvae feed on Pinus (especially Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinaster) and Cedrus species.

Displacement: It is currently spreading north in Europe, displacing the standard Pine Hawk-moth (S. pinastri) in southern areas.