Monday, 26 April 2021
26-4-2021 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Large wader (approx 102 cm or 3.5 ft) with an also large wingspan (approx 175 cm or 5.5 ft). Stylized silhouette and long neck. Greyish plumage in general. White head in adults with black forelock and long, black feathers like a plume. Light neck with dark lines. Ashen back and dark spot on the shoulders. Lighter belly. Long, sharp, yellow bill. Yellow legs. Silhouette in flight with neck folded in the shape of an "s" and stretched legs.
Its habitats are principally Wetlands, River and Riverside
It lives in all types of wetlands with salty or fresh water in winter. In the breeding season it needs wetlands with nearby tree vegetation. Also in Reservoirs, lagoons, ditches and irrigation ponds, stream banks, coast line.
Sunday, 25 April 2021
25-4-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - POND OLIVE MAYFLY (Cloeon dipterum)
Cloeon dipterum is a species of mayfly with a Holarctic distribution. It is the most common mayfly in ponds in the British Isles and the only ovoviviparous mayfly in Europe. Males differ from females in having turbinate eyes.
In common with other members of the genera Cloeon and Procloeon, C. dipterum has a single pair of wings. This is also reflected in the specific epithet dipterum, which is from the Latin di-, meaning two, and the Greek pteron, meaning wing, and in his original description, Carl Linnaeus stated Inferiores alæ vix existunt ("smaller wings hardly present").
The compound eyes of C. dipterum show a striking sexual dimorphism, whereby females have lateral apposition eyes, while the males' eyes have an additional dorsal "turban-shaped" parts that function as superposition eyes. These extra eyes are thought to enable the males to locate isolated females in the mating swarm.
Cloeon dipterum is unusual among mayflies in being ovoviviparous, and is the only ovoviviparous mayfly species known in Europe. Females lay eggs 10–14 days after mating, and the eggs hatch as soon as they hit the water. The larvae can survive for months in anoxic conditions, an adaptation which is necessary to survive the winter in ponds which freeze over and therefore contain little dissolved oxygen. In captivity, adult females have been kept alive for up to three weeks.
Cloeon dipterum was first described by Carl Linnaeus in the 2nd edition of his Fauna Suecica. Since then, Cloeon dipterum has been the recipient of unusually many taxonomic synonyms. Alongside new combinations of Linnaeus' original name in different genera (Ephemera, Chloeon, Cloe and Cloeopsis), true synonyms include three introduced by Otto Friedrich Müller in 1776 (E. annulatum, E. rufulum and E. dimidiatum), one by William Elford Leach in 1815 (C. pallidum), two by John Curtis in 1834 (C. marmoratum and C. obscurum), three by James Francis Stephens in 1835 (C. cognatum, C. consobrinum and C. virgo), and one each by Jules Pierre Rambur in 1842 (C. affinis), Costa in 1882 (C. apicalis), Bengtsson in 1940 (C. inscriptum) and Jacob in 1969 (C. szegedi).
Cloeon dipterum is widespread across Europe and Asia. In the British Isles, C. dipterum is the commonest mayfly in ponds, with around 40% of all ponds containing C. dipterum, rising to 70% in the south. In 1953, a single female Cloeon dipterum was discovered in Illinois, having not been previously recorded in North America, and was found near Lucas, Ohio in 1960. The species is now known to have a wide distribution in North America. Individuals of C. dipterum from Madeira are now placed in a different species, Cloeon peregrinator.
Saturday, 24 April 2021
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Tuesday, 20 April 2021
20-4-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GOLD CHINK (Ornithogalum dubium)
GOLD CHINK (Ornithogalum dubium), also known as the Sun Star or Yellow Chincherinchee, is a striking, long-blooming bulbous perennial native to South Africa. It is celebrated for its dense clusters of star-shaped, vibrant yellow or orange flowers featuring a contrasting dark brown or green center.
Review these quick growing and care details for cultivating your Gold Chink:
Bloom Time: Flowers typically emerge in late winter to spring, with individual blooms lasting up to several weeks.
Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. In Spain and other warm climates, bright morning or afternoon light is ideal, but some shade is required to prevent leaf scorch.
Soil & Water: Prefers loamy to sandy, well-drained soil. They require regular moisture during their growing season but are drought-tolerant once dormant. Take care not to overwater, as the bulbs are susceptible to rot.
Hardiness & Dormancy: These plants are winter-growing and summer-deciduous (they die back in the spring). In areas with hard frosts, they are best grown in containers so they can be moved indoors for the winter.
Toxicity: All parts of the Ornithogalum dubium are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. Always wear gloves when handling and keep out of reach of pets.
20-4-2021 MARXUQUERA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (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.
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