6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - DOUBLE BANDED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles bicinctus) PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The double-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles bicinctus, presents itself as a moderately-sized bird with a quail-like appearance. Its plump body is adorned with light brown plumage, featuring darker mottling and rows of whitish specks. The species is characterized by a small, pigeon-like head, elongated wings, and a lengthy tail.

Males can be readily identified by a striking black-and-white band across the forehead and a chestnut throat bordered by another black-and-white band. Both sexes boast an area of bare, yellow skin encircling the eye, while the male's beak is tinged with orange. Females are generally smaller and exhibit a more subdued brown coloration. Juveniles resemble the female in appearance.

3-1-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY (Lasiommata megera)

1-1-2020 SUECA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)

1-1-2020 SUECA, VALENCIA - WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)

2-1-2020 MONTE CORONA REST, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)

1-1-2020 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis)

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - RED CROWNED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes rubricapillus)

The red-crowned woodpecker, Melanerpes rubricapillus, is a vibrant member of the woodpecker family, Picidae. This species exhibits a striking plumage, with both sexes adorned in a similar fashion, save for subtle differences in their head patterns. Adults typically measure between 16 to 18.5 cm in length and weigh between 40 to 65 grams.

To identify the red-crowned woodpecker, look for the adult male's bright red crown and orange-red nape, contrasted with a pale yellow to whitish forehead. The female, while sharing the pale forehead, features a more subdued crown of pale gray-buff to whitish tones, with a reddish to orange-red nape. Both sexes have grayish-buff cheeks, chin, and throat, with a barred black and white mantle and back. Their underparts are generally buffish-gray with a reddish to orange-red central belly patch.

This species thrives in a variety of environments, from the interiors of mature deciduous forests to secondary forests, coastal scrublands, mangroves, and even human-altered landscapes such as plantations and gardens.

The red-crowned woodpecker is found across a broad range, from southwestern Costa Rica through Panama, into northern and central Colombia, the northern half of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Tobago.

As year-round residents, these woodpeckers are often observed foraging alone or in pairs, utilizing a combination of probing, gleaning, and hammering to extract their insect prey, as well as reaching for fruits which they skillfully pierce or peck open.

The red-crowned woodpecker is known for its distinctive calls, which include a wavering "churr, churr, krr-r-r-r," a display "wícka, wícka," and various chattering sounds. Both sexes engage in drumming, particularly during the breeding season, and also produce softer taps near their nest holes.

Breeding seasons vary by location, with nests typically constructed in large tree trunks, branches, or cacti. Clutch sizes are usually three to four eggs, but often only two young successfully fledge. Both parents share in the incubation over a 10-day period and continue to care for the nestlings and fledglings post-hatching.

While there are no specific similar species mentioned, it is important to note the differences among the subspecies, such as the slightly smaller M. r. subfusculus with darker underparts, or M. r. paraguanae with a paler yellow forehead and wider white bars on its upperside.

The diet of the red-crowned woodpecker is diverse, including a significant amount of fruits and berries, insects, spiders, and nectar from flowers. They are known to frequent feeders and can be considered a nuisance in plantations and gardens due to their fruit-eating habits.

The IUCN has classified the red-crowned woodpecker as Least Concern, with a stable population estimated to be over half a million mature individuals. It is common throughout most of its range and even abundant in some areas, potentially benefiting from forest clearance that creates more open woodland habitats.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BAY HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)

The bay-headed tanager (Tangara gyrola) is a medium-sized passerine bird. This tanager is a resident breeder in Costa Rica, Panama, South America south to Ecuador, Bolivia and north-western Brazil, and on Trinidad.

It occurs in forests, particularly in wetter areas. The bulky cup nest is built in a tree and the normal clutch is two brown-blotched white eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 13–14 days to hatching, with another 15–16 days before the chicks fledge.

These are social birds which eat mainly fruit, usually swallowed whole. Insects are also taken, mainly from the underside of branches.

This tanager favors forested environments, showing a preference for the more humid regions. It is adept at making its home in these lush habitats, where it constructs a bulky cup nest within the trees.

The Bay-headed Tanager is a resident breeder with a wide range extending from Costa Rica and Panama through South America to Ecuador, Bolivia, and northwestern Brazil. It is also found on the island of Trinidad.

Bay-headed Tanagers are sociable creatures, often seen in groups. They primarily feed on fruit, which they typically consume whole. Insects also form part of their diet, with a particular penchant for those found on the underside of branches.

The song of the Bay-headed Tanager is a melodious sequence of slow 'seee, seee, seee, tsou, tsooy' notes, which can be heard resonating through their forested habitats.

The species constructs a robust cup-shaped nest in trees to lay their clutch, typically consisting of two white eggs adorned with brown blotches. The female takes on the responsibility of incubating the eggs for a period of 13 to 14 days until they hatch. The fledging period for the chicks lasts an additional 15 to 16 days.

31-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHEEPS-BIT (Jasione montana)

Jasione montana is a low-growing plant in the family Campanulaceae found in rocky places and upland regions of Europe and western Asia. Common names include sheep's-bit, blue bonnets, blue buttons, blue daisy and iron flower. Due to the similarity of the common name of "sheep's-bit" with that of devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), it is sometimes called "sheep's-bit scabious" or "sheep scabious", but it is not closely related to the scabious genus (Scabiosa).

This plant is found in the temperate zone of Europe and northwestern Africa. It is a plant growing on heaths and moors in rocky or sandy districts, coastal cliffs, quarries and natural escarpments where the soil is thin. It prefers acid soils and is absent from limestone regions. It is often found on coastal cliffs in association with thrift and kidney vetch and blooms from May to September.

31-12-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PEA BLUE BUTTERFLY (Lampides boeticus)

The pea blue butterfly, also known as the Long-tailed Pea Blue, is a widely distributed species with a wingspan of about 2.5–3.0 cm. It is known for the male's purplish-blue upper wings and the female's brown wings with a blueish tinge. A key feature is the "false head" created by two black spots and fine, tail-like filaments on the hindwings, which helps confuse predators. 

Appearance and identification

Males: Have a vivid purplish-blue upper side with dark brown margins.

Females: Have a more muted appearance, with brown upper wings that have a blue-purple wash, especially on the forewings.

Underside: Both sexes share a light brown underside with white, linear markings and a pronounced white band near the outer edge.

"False head": The hindwings have two small black spots on the outer margin, with a sky-blue or metallic green rim, and a fine, tail-like appendage that mimics an antenna.

Size: The wingspan is typically between 2.5 and 3.0 cm. 

Habitat and distribution

Widespread: Found across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in parts of Australia and New Zealand.

Adaptable: Lives in a variety of habitats, including suburban gardens.

Migratory: This species is a strong and active migrant. 

Behavior and life cycle

Flight: They have a fast and jerky flight style and often stay close to the ground.

Basking: They often bask with their wings partially open, both in the morning and around midday.

Feeding: Adults feed on nectar and may also be attracted to damp soil to absorb minerals.

Pest status: Can be considered a minor pest in gardens, as the larvae feed on leguminous plants like peas and beans.

Ant association: The larvae are sometimes attended by ants, which protect them from predators.