21-11-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED MONAESES CRAB SPIDER (Monaeses paradoxus)

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

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

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

3-11-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SADDLE BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)

The Saddle-billed Stork, known scientifically as Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, is a magnificent and large wading bird belonging to the stork family, Ciconiidae. It stands tall, reaching heights of 145 to 150 cm (4 ft 9 in to 4 ft 11 in), with a wingspan stretching an impressive 2.4 to 2.7 m (7 ft 10 in to 8 ft 10 in). The male of the species is typically larger and heavier than the female, with weights ranging from 5.1 to 7.52 kg (11.2 to 16.6 lb).

Distinguishing between the sexes is straightforward; the female boasts golden yellow irises, while the male has brown irises complemented by dangling yellow wattles. Both sexes share a striking plumage, with iridescent black covering the head, neck, back, wings, and tail, and the rest of the body along with primary flight feathers being white. The juvenile birds wear a more subdued brownish-grey attire. The stork's bill is a vivid red adorned with a black band and a distinctive yellow frontal shield, the namesake "saddle." Their legs and feet are black with pink hocks, and a bare red patch of skin can be found on the chest, which intensifies in color during the breeding season.

Saddle-billed Storks have a preference for protected areas abundant in open water, such as national parks and protected swamps, which provide safer environments for both the birds and ornithologists.

This species is a resident breeder in sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in the east, down to South Africa, and also found in The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Chad in West Africa.

In flight, the Saddle-billed Stork is a sight to behold, with its neck outstretched and its large bill drooping below the belly. They are generally silent, save for the bill-clattering sounds made at their nests. The species is known for its solitary nesting habits and lifelong pair bonds, often seen in pairs even outside the breeding season.

The Saddle-billed Stork builds large, deep stick nests in trees, where it lays one to five white eggs, with incubation lasting 30–35 days. After hatching, the chicks fledge in another 70–100 days, often staying within the parents' territory until the next breeding season.

These storks are adept hunters, stabbing their bills into water, mud, and vegetation to catch a variety of prey. They primarily feed on aquatic creatures like lungfish and catfish, which can weigh up to 1.3 kg (2.9 lb). They also consume frogs, snails, small mammals, birds, snakes, and various insects.

The Saddle-billed Stork is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although it is considered endangered in South Africa.

The Saddle-billed Stork is closely related to the Black-necked Stork, the only other member of the genus Ephippiorhynchus, which is widespread across Asia and Australia.

20-11-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GERMAN YELLOWJACKET (Vespula germanica)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/126155-Vespula-germanica

20-11-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BOX BUG (Gonocerus acuteangulatus)

The box bug (Gonocerus acuteangulatus) is a 11 to 14 mm long reddish-brown squash bug found across the Mediterranean, Europe, and parts of Asia. It feeds on plant juices from shrubs and tree fruits, and can act as a pest on crops like hazelnuts.

Appearance and ID

Adults: Speckled reddish-brown with a narrow body and sharp, pointed shoulder edges on the thorax.

Nymphs: Bright green abdomens that may turn dull red later in the year.

Similar species: Looks like the dock bug, but has a slimmer body and sharper points on the sides.

Habitat and Diet

Warm areas: Prefers dry, sunny spots, hedges, and forest edges.Host plants: Lives on box trees, hawthorn, buckthorn, and various berry shrubs.

Pest potential: Can damage hazelnuts and pistachios by causing kernel loss or deformities.

16-11-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - TRUE CRICKET (Gryllomorpha dalmatina)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1304989-Petaloptila-bolivari

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi)

The Green-veined White (Pieris napi) is a common, widespread butterfly belonging to the Pieridae family. Unlike its close relatives, the Large White and Small White, it is rarely a garden pest because its caterpillars feed primarily on wild crucifers rather than cultivated cabbages.

The easiest way to identify Pieris napi is by looking at its underwings, which feature prominent, beautifully distinct greenish-grey veins.

Underwing Markings

The underwing features highly visible yellow panels suffused with dark scales along the veins, giving it a characteristic "green-veined" appearance.

Upperside Markings

The upperside is mostly white with dark tips on the forewings. Females generally display two distinct black spots on each forewing, while males have only one or none.

Key Characteristics & Life Cycle

• Habitat: It strongly prefers damp areas with lush vegetation, such as hedgerows, woodland rides, riverbanks, and ditches.

• Diet: Caterpillars feed on wild crucifers like Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale). Adults feed on a variety of nectar-rich wildflowers.

• Flight Period: They usually produce two to three generations a year, flying from April to September in temperate regions.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - BRUSH FOOTED BUTTERFLY (Family Nymphalidae)

The Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world. Belonging to the superfamily Papilionoidea, they are usually medium-sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called brush-footed butterflies or four-footed butterflies, because they are known to stand on only four legs while the other two are curled up; in some species, these forelegs have a brush-like set of hairs, which gives this family its other common name. 

Many species are brightly coloured and include popular species such as the emperors, monarch butterfly, admirals, tortoiseshells, and fritillaries. However, the under wings are, in contrast, often dull and in some species look remarkably like dead leaves, or are much paler, producing a cryptic effect that helps the butterflies blend into their surroundings.

17-11-2021 DEVESES, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13000-Phoenicurus-ochruros

17-11-2021 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

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.

15-11-2021 LORCA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN WOOD MOUSE (Apodemus sylvaticus)

The wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) is a murid rodent native to Europe and northwestern Africa. It is closely related to the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) but differs in that it has no band of yellow fur around the neck, has slightly smaller ears, and is usually slightly smaller overall: around 90 mm (3.54 in) in length and 23 g in weight.ope and is a very common and widespread species, is commensal with people and is sometimes considered a pest. Other common names are long-tailed field mouse, field mouse, common field mouse, and European wood mouse. This species is a known potential carrier of the Dobrava sequence of hantavirus which affects humans and may pose serious risks to human health.

Wood mice inhabit forests, grasslands, and cultivated fields, tending to seek out more wooded areas in winter. Almost entirely nocturnal and terrestrial, wood mice burrow extensively, build nests of plants and live in buildings during harsh seasons. It is one of the most intensively studied species in the genus. In Europe, it ranges north to Scandinavia and east to Ukraine. The wood mouse is also found in northwestern Africa and on many Mediterranean islands.

Wood mice are primarily seed eaters, particularly seeds of trees such as oak, beech, ash, lime, hawthorn, and sycamore. If seeds are plentiful on the ground, they carry them back to their nests/burrows for storage. They may eat small invertebrates such as snails and insects, particularly in late spring and early summer when seeds are least available. Later in the season they will eat berries, fruits, fungi and roots. In winter, they may prey on hibernating bats, but this is still debatable.

Wood mice are mainly active during the dark, probably having evolved so to avoid predation, employing several anti-predatory strategies, though breeding females may be more active in daylight in order to collect sufficient food. While foraging, wood mice pick up and distribute visually conspicuous objects, such as leaves and twigs, which they then use as landmarks during exploration. If a wood mouse is caught by its tail, it can quickly shed the end of it, which may never regrow. Despite its name, it prefers hedgerows to woodland. During the colder months, wood mice do not hibernate; however, during severe winter seasons they can fall into a torpid state, a decrease in physiological activity.

17-11-2021 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - LITTLE GREBE (JUVENILE) (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4237-Tachybaptus-ruficollis

17-11-2021 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small passerine bird in the genus Phoenicurus. Like its relatives, it was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now known to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae). Obsolete common names include Tithys redstart, blackstart (not to be confused with the species currently known as blackstart) and black redtail.

The black redstart is 13–14.5 cm (5.1–5.7 in) in length and 12–20 g (0.42–0.71 oz) in weight, similar to the common redstart. The adult male is overall dark grey to black on the upperparts and with a black breast; the lower rump and tail are orange-red, with the two central tail feathers dark red-brown. The belly and undertail are either blackish-grey (western subspecies; see Taxonomy and systematics, above) or orange-red (eastern subspecies); the wings are blackish-grey with pale fringes on the secondaries forming a whitish panel (western subspecies) or all blackish (eastern subspecies). 

The female is grey (western subspecies) to grey-brown (eastern subspecies) overall except for the orange-red lower rump and tail, greyer than the common redstart; at any age the grey axillaries and underwing coverts are also distinctive (in the Common Redstart these are buff to orange-red). There are two distinct forms in first calendar year males at least in western subspecies, with the first ('carei') being similar to females and the second ('paradoxus') approaching adult males but lacking the whitish wing panel that does only develop during post-breeding moult of wing feathers in the second calendar year. This second form is much rarer than the first. 

17-11-2021 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - BLACK HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Not really a black-headed bird, the Black-headed Gull's head is more chocolate-brown. In fact, for much of the year, it has a white head. It's most commonly found almost anywhere inland. Black-headed Gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks, often gathering into larger parties where there is plenty of food, or when they are roosting.

Spring and summer days are full of squawking and squabbling for Black-headed Gulls. These dainty gulls nest in tightly packed colonies, where safety in numbers gives the best chance for their chicks’ survival. Like other members of their family, Black-headed Gulls are adaptable, and these colonies are as at home on our coastlines as they are in our towns. Large groups of birds are often seen following tractors on our farmland, too.

17-11-2021 EL PALMAR, VALENCIA - WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)

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

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

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

17-11-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4943-Egretta-garzetta

17-11-2021 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (MALE) (Saxicola rubicola)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17-11-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)

The Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, is a medium-sized passerine bird characterized by its glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen. Throughout the year, the plumage is speckled with white, though less so during the breeding season. Adults measure approximately 20 cm in length, with pink legs and a seasonally changing bill color—black in winter and yellow in summer. Juveniles display browner plumage compared to adults.

To identify the Common Starling, look for its iridescent black feathers, which may appear purple or green when reflecting light. The bird's bill is black in the winter and transitions to yellow in the summer, aiding in identification. The starling's flight is strong and direct, with pointed wings that are distinctive in the air. On the ground, its waddling gait is notable.

Common Starlings are highly adaptable, favoring urban and suburban areas where they find ample nesting and roosting opportunities. They also inhabit grasslands, such as farmlands and pastures, where short grass makes foraging for invertebrates easier.

Native to temperate Europe and western Asia, the Common Starling has been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, North America, and other regions. Its range extends from Europe to northern Africa and across the Palearctic to western Mongolia.

 The Common Starling is a gregarious bird, especially in autumn and winter, forming large flocks known as murmurations. These flocks are thought to be a defense against predators. On the ground, starlings forage in groups, often following grazing animals to feed on disturbed invertebrates.

The Common Starling's song is a varied mix of melodic and mechanical sounds, including mimicked noises from other bird species and the environment. Males sing to attract mates and defend their territory. Calls include a harsh alarm scream and a variety of social chatters.

Breeding occurs in the spring and summer, with the female laying four to five glossy, pale blue eggs in a nest built within a natural or artificial cavity. Both parents share incubation duties, and the young fledge after about three weeks.

Omnivorous, the Common Starling's diet includes a wide range of invertebrates, seeds, and fruit. They employ various foraging techniques, such as probing the ground and catching flying insects.

17-11-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - SPOTLESS STARLING (Sturnus unicolor)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14849-Sturnus-unicolor

17-11-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/144455-Ardea-alba

17-11-2021 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/201282-Gallinula-chloropus

17-11-2021 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis ssp. ibis)

The western cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. Most taxonomic authorities lump this species and the eastern cattle egret together (called the cattle egret), but some (including the International Ornithologists' Union) separate them. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century.

It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Western cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations of the cattle egret are migratory and others show post-breeding dispersal.

17-11-2021 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, VALENCIA - WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta)

They are short-distance migrants, construct cup-shaped nests, and feed on various small invertebrates picked off the ground or vegetation.

Adult Water pipits in spring plumage have greyish-brown upperparts, weakly streaked with darker brown, and pale pink-buff underparts fading to whitish on the lower belly. There may be some faint streaking on the breast and flanks. Their head is grey with a broad white supercilium. The outer tail feathers are white, and the legs, bill and iris are dark brown or blackish. In non-breeding plumage, the head is grey-brown and the supercilium is less distinct. The upperparts are more streaked, and the underparts are white, marked lightly with brown on the breast and flanks.

The sexes are similar although the female has, on average, a greyer head. Young birds resembles the non-breeding adult, but are browner and more streaked above with prominent streaking on the underparts.

17-11-2021 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - WESTERN MARSH HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/5173-Circus-aeruginosus

17-11-2021 DEVESA, VALENCIA - BLACK NECKED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis ssp. nigricollis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4205-Podiceps-nigricollis

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - GREEN VEINED CHARAXES BUTTERFLY (Charaxes candiope)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/136464-Charaxes-candiope