17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - COMMON POCHARD (MALE) (Aythya ferina)

The Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) is a medium-sized diving duck, belonging to the family Anatidae. It is a bird of robust build, with a sloping forehead and a relatively long bill. The male is distinguished by its chestnut head and neck, black breast and tail, and pale grey body with fine vermiculations. The female is more subdued in coloration, with a brownish body and a less vibrant head and neck.

Males can be identified by their striking chestnut head and neck, black breast, and pale grey body. They have a dark grey bill with a blue-grey band and yellow-orange to red irises, which intensify during the breeding season. Females and juveniles are less colorful, with brownish tones and grey legs and feet. The female's iris is brown, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, while juveniles have a yellow-olive iris that darkens with age.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - COMMON SHELDUCK (MALE) (Tadorna tadorna)

The common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna, is a waterfowl species that graces the Euro-Siberian region with its presence. It is a medium-sized bird, akin to a small, short-necked goose, and is quite the sight with its white plumage contrasted by chestnut patches and a black underbelly. The head and neck are a dark, iridescent green, and the bill is a reddish-pink, with the male sporting a conspicuous knob on the forehead during the breeding season. Pink feet complete the ensemble, making this bird a striking figure in its habitat.

To identify the common shelduck, look for the distinctive reddish-pink bill and pink feet. The male, especially in breeding plumage, has a bright red bill with a prominent knob. The female is slightly smaller and has white facial markings. Both sexes have a white body with chestnut patches, a black belly, and a dark green head and neck. In flight, the green and chestnut secondary feathers become visible, contrasting with the predominantly white underwings.

The common shelduck is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including temperate lakes and rivers, as well as estuaries and tidal mudflats in winter. It has a particular fondness for salt marshes and estuaries and is known to breed in rabbit burrows, tree holes, and even haystacks.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - RED CRESTED POCHARD (JUVENILE) (Netta rufina)

The Red-crested Pochard, Netta rufina, is a striking large diving duck. Its name is drawn from the Greek word for duck, 'Netta', and the Latin 'rufina', meaning 'golden-red', a nod to the male's vibrant plumage.

Males are resplendent with a rounded orange head, a red bill, and a contrasting black breast. Their sides are a crisp white, with a brown back and a black tail. Females, on the other hand, are clad in more subdued tones, primarily pale brown with a darker back and crown, and a whitish face. During eclipse, males resemble females but retain their red bills.

These ducks favor lowland marshes and lakes, thriving in the wetland habitats of southern Europe.

The Red-crested Pochard breeds from the steppe and semi-desert regions near the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia. It is a somewhat migratory species, with northern populations wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

18-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm. The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria, Pararge aegeria tircis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula. The color of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline.

The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream, or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species. The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling. The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions. The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.

 The average wingspan of both males and females is 5.1 cm (2 in), although males tend to be slightly smaller than females. Furthermore, males possess a row of grayish-brown scent scales on their forewings that is absent in the females. Females have brighter and more distinct markings than males. The subspecies P. a. tircis is brown with pale yellow or cream spots and darker upperwing eyespots. The subspecies P. a. aegeria has a more orange background and the hindwing underside eyespots are reddish brown rather than black or dark gray. 

The two forms gradually intergrade into each other. Subspecies P. a. oblita is a darker brown, often approaching black with white rather than cream spots. The underside of its hindwings has a marginal pale purple band and a row of conspicuous white spots. The spots of subspecies P. a. insula are a tawny orange rather than a cream color. The underside of the forewings has patches of pale orange, and the underside of the hindwing has a purple-tinged band. Although there is considerable variation with each subspecies, identification of the different subspecies is manageable.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - BLACK NECKED SWAN (Cygnus melancoryphus)

The black-necked swan (Cygnus melancoryphus ) is the largest waterfowl native to South America.

An unmistakable bird with bold patterns, Black-necked swans are characteristic and majestic inhabitants of southern South Americas wetlands. They are easily distinguished by their immaculate white body feathers that contrast sharply with their velvety black head and neck. The bill is blue-gray in color and has a noticeable, double-lobed scarlet-colored knob, called a caruncle, at its base. The eyes are surrounded by a thin white line which goes along the sides of the head to the rear. Males and females are similar in appearance, though females are generally slightly smaller. The juvenile does not have a caruncle, and has a head and neck that is more brownish-black, with varying amounts of brownish-tipped and grayish-flecked feathers.

The Black-necked swan inhabits southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands northwards to Paraguay, central Chile, and southern Brazil. It lives in a wide variety of freshwater and saline habitats such as shallow coastal regions along the Pacific Ocean, estuaries, inland lakes, lagoons, and marshes. Particularly important are places that are rich with submerged aquatic vegetation.

These swans are highly social birds, and are gregarious outside of the time of the breeding season. They become territorial during the breeding season and divide up into mated pairs, nesting in small colonies or as solitary pairs, but they regroup once the young have hatched, each flock numbering thousands of birds. These flocks may move around, dependent on the climate and resources, but usually stay in the south of South America until migrating north. Black-necked swans are diurnal and most of their time is spent in water. If males need to defend their territory, they display aggressive behavior such as lowering their neck and thrusting the head forward. After fighting with beating its wings, the male returns to the female in triumph, continuously lifting its chin and calling.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - RED KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)

 The Red-knobbed Coot, also known as the Crested Coot, is a striking waterbird with a predominantly black plumage contrasted by a distinctive white frontal shield. It is a medium-sized bird, measuring 35–42 cm in length with a wingspan of 75–85 cm. The males, slightly larger than the females, weigh between 770 and 910 grams, while females range from 455 to 790 grams. Both sexes appear similar in plumage. The species is characterized by its long, strong toes with partial webbing, an adaptation to its aquatic lifestyle.

To distinguish the Red-knobbed Coot from its close relative, the Eurasian Coot, one must look for the two small red knobs atop the facial shield, which are only present during the breeding season and are not visible from afar. The black feathering between the shield and the bill is rounded, as opposed to the pointed feature in the Eurasian Coot. Additionally, the bill of the Red-knobbed Coot has a subtle bluish-grey hue. In flight, unlike the Eurasian Coot, it lacks the white trailing edge on its secondaries.

This coot favors freshwater lakes and ponds as its primary habitat, where it can be seen swimming or walking along the water's edge.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - IBERIAN POND TURTLE (Mauremys leprosa)

The Iberian pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa), also known as the Mediterranean pond turtle or Mediterranean turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa.

Including the nominotypical subspecies, there are two sub-species which are accepted:

M. leprosa leprosa (Schweigger, 1812) – Iberian pond turtle

M. leprosa saharica Schleich, 1996 – Saharan pond turtle

Mauremys leprosa is native to the western mainland Mediterranean Basin, stretching from the tip of southern France to the northwestern Maghreb (in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya). It is most frequent in the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain)

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution across many parts of the Old World. It is not found in polar regions or many tropical rainforests but is otherwise widespread, often being the most common rail species in its range.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)

The great white pelican, known scientifically as Pelecanus onocrotalus, is a gargantuan bird, surpassed in size only by its cousin, the Dalmatian pelican. With a body length ranging from 140 to 180 cm and a wingspan stretching from 226 to 360 cm, it is one of the largest flying birds. The pelican's bill is an impressive 28.9 to 47.1 cm long, colored in hues of pink and yellow, and is accompanied by a pale-yellow gular pouch. Males are generally larger than females and exhibit a pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males averaging more than 30% heavier than females.

Adult great white pelicans are predominantly white with black flight feathers and a faint pink tinge on the neck. The bill is bluish-grey with a red tip and a yellowish gular pouch. During the breeding season, males display pinkish facial skin, while females exhibit a more orangey hue. Juveniles are distinguishable by their darker, brownish underparts and patterned underwings. 

These pelicans favor shallow, warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, swamps, and lagoons, often with dense reed beds nearby for nesting. They are also found in coastal estuarine areas and occasionally at elevations up to 1,372 m in East Africa and Nepal.

 The great white pelican breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia to Africa. It is a migratory species with populations found from Eastern Europe to Kazakhstan during the breeding season. In Africa, it is resident south of the Sahara Desert.

The great white pelican is a highly sociable bird, often forming large flocks. It is an adept swimmer and an elegant flier, known for its soaring flight with occasional slow wingbeats followed by glides. These birds are cooperative feeders, often foraging in groups.

This species is mostly silent but can emit a variety of low-pitched calls, including a deep, quiet croak in flight and deep "moooo" calls at breeding colonies.

Breeding occurs in large colonies with nests varying from stick nests in trees to ground scrapes lined with grass and other materials. The female lays 1 to 4 eggs, with incubation lasting 29 to 36 days. Chicks fledge at 65 to 75 days of age, with sexual maturity reached at 3 to 4 years.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - WHITE HEADED DUCK (MALE) (Oxyura leucocephala)

The White-headed Duck, Oxyura leucocephala, presents a striking figure with its distinctive plumage and stout build. Males are adorned with a white head contrasted by a black crown, a blue bill, and a body cloaked in shades of reddish-grey. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued palette with a dark bill and less vibrant colouring.

Upon encountering this species, one can identify the male by its white head, black cap, and neck, and a blue bill, while the female can be recognized by her grey-brown body, white face, and darker bill and cap. These ducks measure between 43–48 cm in length and weigh approximately 580–750 g.

The White-headed Duck favors lakes with open water and dense vegetation along the margins, which provide essential cover and nesting sites. These habitats include natural lakes and ponds as well as man-made water bodies.

This species has a breeding range that spans from Spain and North Africa to western and central Asia. Sightings have been reported north of their typical range, though the status of these observations is often uncertain due to the potential for escapees from captivity.

The White-headed Duck is an adept diver and swimmer, often opting to escape threats by swimming rather than taking flight. It exhibits a preference for aquatic environments where it can forage and seek refuge.

An omnivorous diet characterizes this species, with a strong inclination towards vegetable matter. They forage by diving and swimming underwater, and display a notable reluctance to fly.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the White-headed Duck as "Endangered." Populations have seen a significant decline over the past decade, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting. Additionally, the Spanish population faces genetic dilution from interbreeding with the introduced Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), prompting conservation efforts to eradicate the non-native species from western Europe. The species is also protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - YELLOW FORTNIGHT LILY (Dietes bicolor)

Dietes bicolor, the African iris, butterfly flag, fortnight lily, or peacock flower, is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial plant with long sword-like evergreen pale green leaves, growing from multiple fans at the base of the clump. This species belongs to the iris family Iridaceae. It can form large clumps if left undisturbed for years. It is commonly cultivated in its native South Africa, where it is often used in public gardens, beautification of commercial premises and along roadsides. It is also cultivated in mild temperate zones elsewhere.

The Yellow Fortnight Lily (Dietes bicolor) is a hardy, clumping evergreen perennial native to South Africa. Famous for its delicate pale-yellow flowers marked with dark brown or maroon spots, the plant blooms in bursts at roughly two-week intervals, though individual flowers last only one day.

The blooms, appearing in spring and summer, are pale yellow with three dark purple spots, which may be so dark as to appear black. Each is surrounded by an orange outline. They are followed by a capsule that may bend the flower stalks to the ground. Ripe seeds (dark brown in colour) are dispersed when the capsule dries and splits.

The leaves of Dietes bicolor are narrower than those of Dietes grandiflora and Dietes iridioides, and tend to arch more.

Plants prefer dappled-shade to full sun where they will flower in profusion, though they will grow in shaded areas (with an accompanying loss of flower production). This species, as well as Dietes grandiflora, is very drought tolerant.

Key Characteristics & CareAppearance: 

Long, narrow, sword-shaped leaves that form tidy, vase-shaped fans. It grows to about 1 meter in height and spread.

Sun Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. (Providing light afternoon shade is recommended in hot, inland climates to avoid leaf scorch).

Water & Soil: Prefers well-draining, humus-rich soil, but is highly drought-tolerant once established.

Hardiness: Hardy in USDA Zones 9–11. It tolerates wind, coastal salt spray, and occasional light frost.

Maintenance: Low. Spent flowers shouldn't be cut off immediately; leave the branching stalks as they will continue to bloom for several years.

17-6-2026 OCEANOGRAPHIC, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN POND TURTLE (Emys orbicularis)

The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), also called commonly the European pond terrapin and the European pond tortoise, is a species of long-living freshwater turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the Western Palearctic.

Subspecies

The following 14 subspecies are recognized as being valid.

Emys orbicularis capolongoi Fritz, 1995 – Sardinian pond turtle

Emys orbicularis colchica Fritz, 1994 – Colchis pond turtle

Emys orbicularis eiselti Fritz, Baran [tr], Budak [tr] & Amthauer, 1998 – Eiselt's pond turtle

Emys orbicularis fritzjuergenobstii Fritz, 1993 – Obst's pond turtle

Emys orbicularis galloitalica Fritz, 1995 – Italian pond turtle

Emys orbicularis hellenica (Valenciennes, 1832) – Western Turkey pond turtle

Emys orbicularis hispanica Fritz, Keller & Budde, 1996 – Spanish pond turtle

Emys orbicularis iberica Eichwald, 1831 – Kura Valley pond turtle

Emys orbicularis ingauna Jesu, Piombo, Salvidio, Lamagni, Ortale & Genta, 2004 - Ligurian pond turle

Emys orbicularis lanzai Fritz, 1995 – Corsican pond turtle

Emys orbicularis luteofusca Fritz, 1989 – Central Turkey pond turtle

Emys orbicularis occidentalis Fritz, 1993 – North African pond turtle

Emys orbicularis orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) – common European pond turtle

Emys orbicularis persica Eichwald, 1831 – Eastern pond turtle

15-6-2026 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a modestly adorned yet charming small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It is a migratory species, breeding across Europe and the Palearctic as far as Siberia, and spending the winter months in Africa and southwestern Asia. Despite its widespread presence, there is concern over its decline in certain areas.

Adult Spotted Flycatchers possess grey-brown upperparts and a somewhat pallid underbelly. Their crown and breast are streaked, which is the origin of their common name. They have short, black legs and a black bill shaped to suit their insectivorous diet. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner plumage and the presence of spots on their upperparts.

These birds favor deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens, particularly those with open spaces amidst trees.

15-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RAMBUR'S WAVE MOTH (Idaea elongaria)

Rambur's Wave Moth (Idaea elongaria) is a small, specialized insect belonging to the Geometridae family, which is widely recognized as the geometer or "inchworm" moth family. First formally classified by French entomologist Pierre Rambur in 1833, this species is categorized within the subfamily Sterrhinae and the tribe Sterrhini. 

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ArthropodaClass: InsectaOrder: LepidopteraFamily: GeometridaeGenus: IdaeaSpecies: Idaea elongaria

Habitat & DistributionDry Slopes: It thrives on xerophilous, dry, and sunny hillsides.S

Shrublands: The moth is frequently found in scrub environments and garrigue.

Agricultural Areas: It heavily populates Mediterranean olive groves.

Geography: It is primarily recorded across southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin, with documented populations on islands like Crete and parts of mainland Spain. 

Diet & BehaviorLarval Stage: The caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they consume a variety of plants.

Dietary Preference: Instead of fresh vegetation, the larvae specifically feed on withered or decaying leaves of herbaceous plants.

Camouflage: Like other geometer moths, its wings feature delicate, wavy patterns that mimic tree bark, rocks, or dry vegetation to evade predators.

 Identification & VariationsAppearance: It features a predominantly tan, light gray, or off-white color profile decorated with soft, transverse dark bands characteristic of "wave" moths.

Subspecies: It includes distinct subspecies variants, such as Idaea elongaria pecharia, documented on crowdsourced tracking databases like iNaturalist.

15-6-2026 CASA CULTURA GANDIA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Turdus merula)

The Common Blackbird, Turdus merula, is a true thrush and a familiar sight in gardens and woodlands. The male is distinguished by its all-black plumage, bright yellow eye-ring, and orange-yellow bill, which darkens slightly during winter. Females and juveniles are more demure in their attire, sporting mainly dark brown feathers.

Adult males are entirely black with the exception of the yellow eye-ring and bill. Females are sooty-brown with a duller bill, and juveniles resemble females but have pale spots on their upperparts. The very young may also exhibit a speckled breast.

15-6-2026 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - IBERIAN GREEN FROG (Pelophylax perezi)

The Perez's frog (Pelophylax perezi), also known as Iberian waterfrog, Iberian green frog or Coruna frog, is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It is native to southern France, Portugal, Spain, and has been introduced to the Canary and Balearic Islands, Madeira, the United Kingdom, and the Azores. In the Iberian Peninsula it is widespread and common.

Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, sandy shores, arable land, and urban areas. It is not considered threatened by the IUCN. A medium-sized, stout frog; snout-vent length is usually from 40 to 70 mm, but sometimes is longer than 10 cm (Docampo and Milagrosa-Vega 1988; González de la Vega 1988). The head is as long as wide, with prominent eyes located in dorsal position very close to each other. The tympanum is well marked, about 1/2 to 3/4 the eye diameter (Salvador and García-París 2001). Toes have well developed webbing. Skin is either smooth or slightly rough, with well-formed dorsolateral folds.

The dorsal coloration is very variable, usually green but also brown or grayish to dark gray. They usually show a vertebral stripe, mostly yellow or green. Two irregular rows of dark, rectangular spots are present on both sides of the vertebral stripe. These spots are also present on the rear limbs, sometimes forming a banded pattern. Some individuals lack both the spots and the vertebral stripe. Ventrally they are white with a variable number of dark spots. Males are smaller than females and have stronger forelimbs. They have gray vocal sacs than can be appreciated even when they are not in use.

Tadpoles grow up to 111 mm total length (Salvador 1985), but usually measure between 60-70 mm (Barbadillo et al. 1999). The spiracle is sinistral and the anus open on the right side of the base of the tail. Marginal papillae are absent from the upper side of the mouth. Denticles are arranged in a variable number of single rows (Llorente et al. 1994), but the most common formula is 2(2)/3. The dorsal fin is low, starting at the level of the spiracle. The tip of the tail is pointed. Ground coloration is green or light brown, with small, dark dots. These dots are denser and larger in the tail fin. The tail presents a typical pattern with three longitudinal dark stripes. The ventral coloration is white.

18-6-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HYPERICUM RHOPALID (Rhopalus subrufus)

Rhopalus subrufus is a species of scentless plant bugs belonging to the family Rhopalidae, subfamily Rhopalinae. It is found in most of Europe, but not Ireland and northern Scandinavia.

The total length of R. subrufus is about 7 millimetres (0.28 in). It can be distinguished for its membranous forewings and the connexivum with dark and light stripes.

It mainly feeds on Hypericum species, but also on many other plants.

15-6-2026 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops)

The Eurasian hoopoe, with its scientific name Upupa epops, is a bird of unmistakable appearance. It boasts a warm cinnamon plumage, contrasted by striking black and white wings, and a prominent black-tipped, fan-like crest which it can raise and lower. Its tail features a broad white band across a black background. The hoopoe's long, narrow bill curves downwards, adept for probing the soil, and is black with a fawn base.

When identifying the Eurasian hoopoe, look for its unique silhouette, characterized by its long, tapering bill and erectile crest. In flight, its broad and rounded wings display a bold black and white pattern, and its undulating flight is reminiscent of a large butterfly. The hoopoe's size ranges from 25 to 32 cm in length, with a wingspan of 44 to 48 cm, and it weighs between 46 and 89 grams.

The hoopoe is adaptable, favoring habitats with bare or lightly vegetated ground for foraging and vertical surfaces with cavities for nesting. These can include heathlands, wooded steppes, savannas, grasslands, and forest glades.

This species is native to Europe, Asia, and the northern half of Africa. It is migratory in the northern parts of its range, with European and north Asian birds wintering in the tropics. African populations tend to be sedentary throughout the year.

While the hoopoe's appearance is quite distinctive, its call can be confused with that of the Himalayan cuckoo in certain regions.

The hoopoe's diet consists mainly of insects, but it may also consume small reptiles, frogs, seeds, and berries. It uses its bill to probe the soil for larvae, pupae, and insects, which are then beaten against a surface to remove indigestible parts.

The Eurasian hoopoe is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. However, there has been a noted decline in populations since 2008, attributed to habitat loss and over-hunting in certain areas. Conservation efforts are in place in regions where the species is threatened.

10-3-2020 PERIYAR RIVER LODGE, INDIA - HEART SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Hemicircus canente)

The heart-spotted woodpecker (Hemicircus canente) is a species of bird in the woodpecker family. It has a contrasting black and white plumage, a distinctively stubby body and a large wedge-shaped head making it easy to identify while its frequent calling make it easy to detect as it forage for invertebrates under the bark of the slender outer branches of trees. They move about in pairs or small groups and are often found in mixed-species foraging flocks. They have a wide distribution across Asia with populations in the forests of southwestern and central India which are slightly separated from their ranges in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia.

A small, uniquely shaped, black and buff woodpecker with a large crest making the head look large for the short body and tail. Both males and females are predominantly black with heart-shaped black spots on white shoulders with broad white scapular patches and barring of flight feathers. The female has the forehead and crown buffy white while on males it is black with small white dots. The throat is whitish and the underparts are dark olive grey. A tuft of feathers on the back are specialized and are lipid rich which causes the feathers to stick together in preserved specimens. These special feathers or "fat quills" sometimes make the rump feathers appear buff and may be a form of "cosmetic colouration" and the secretion is said to have a pleasant smell but the functional significance is unknown.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. They are found in the Himalayan forests of India, and extend into Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Within India, they are also found in the Western Ghats and the forests of central India. A subspecies cordatus based on the description by Thomas C. Jerdon from a specimen from the Western Ghats is not considered distinct and the populations differ slightly in plumage colour and vary clinally in size (the northern birds being larger than those closer to the equator).

15-6-2026 MONTE CORONA FOUNTAIN, VALENCIA - ORANGE WINGED DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis kirbyi)

Trithemis kirbyi, also known as the Kirby's dropwing, orange-winged dropwing, or scarlet rock glider is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.

It is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. It is also present in southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Ocean Islands and South Asia to India.

Since 2003 this African tropical dragonfly has been colonizing Europe helped by a widespread increase in temperatures. It is now breeding successfully in Spain, Portugal and France.

15-6-2026 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

Trithemis annulata, commonly known as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter, or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. These dragonflies are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings, while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.

Trithemis annulata is a robust medium-sized species with a wingspan of 60 mm (2.4 in). The mature male has a dark red head and a yellow labium with a brown central spot. The eyes are red with white spots on the rear edge, and the frons is dark metallic purplish-red. The prothorax is violet with slightly darker longitudinal stripes. 

The membranous wings have distinctive red veins, the pterostigma is orange-brown, and there is a large orange-brown splash at the base of the hind wings. The abdomen is fairly broad and is pinkish-violet, with purple markings on the top of each segment and blackish markings on the terminal three segments. Females are a similar size to males, but the thorax is brownish, and the abdomen is yellow with dark brown markings. The wings of females lack the red veins of males but have similar orange-brown patches. It is very similar in appearance to the red-veined dropwing (Trithemis arteriosa), but that species has a more slender abdomen and a wedge-shaped black area on either side of the tip of the abdomen.

15-6-2026 MONTE CORONA FOUNTAIN, VALENCIA - POND SLIDER TERRAPIN (Trachemys scripta)

The pond slider (Trachemys scripta) is a species of common, medium-sized, semiaquatic turtle. Three subspecies are described, the most recognizable of which is the red-eared slider (T. s. elegans), which is popular in the pet trade and has been introduced to other parts of the world by people releasing it to the wild. Hatchling and juvenile pond sliders have a green upper shell (carapace), yellow bottom shell (plastron), and green and yellow stripes and markings on their skin. These patterns and colors in the skin and shell fade with age until the carapace is a muted olive green to brown and the plastron is a dull yellow or darker. Some sliders become almost black with few visible markings. The carapace is oval with a bit of rounding and a central crest with knobs, but these features soften and fade with age, adults being smoother and flatter. For determining an adult slider's sex, males typically have much longer front claws than adult females, while females usually have shorter, more slender tails than males. Their lifespans range from 20 to 50 years.

15-6-2026 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - SLENDER DIGGING GRASSHOPPER (Acrotylus patruelis)

The slender burrowing grasshopper (Acrotylus patruelis) is a species of bandwing grasshopper found throughout Africa, southern Europe and southwestern Asia. It occurs in many dry open habitats with bare ground, such as savannah, grassland and Mediterranean shrubland. 

15-6-2026 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - LONG SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Orthetrum trinacria)

Orthetrum trinacria, the Long Skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, France (Corsica), Gambia, Ghana, Italy (Sicily and Sardinia), Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. It was recently recorded in the Maltese Islands in 2003 and was recorded breeding on the island of Gozo in 2004.

Its natural habitats are rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes. Also breeding in Southern Spain (Murcia and Malaga Provinces) and the Canary Islands.

It reproduces in standing water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, man-made ponds and deserted, flooded quarries. It often lives in surroundings which are built or modified by humans, whenever there are some shore plants, such as reeds, bulrushes and rushes.

It flies powerfully and very often it is territorial and struggles with other male and dragonflies, such as Ischnura graellsii and Crocothemis erythraea, which it can feed on. It rests often, although it flies away whenever it feels it is under threat. These dragonflies rest on the ground or in vegetation, and keep their wings pointed forwards over the thorax. Generally speaking, this species' dragonflies are sedentary, but they can go away from the place where they reproduce and spread.

In Spain, it flies from June to October. However, it increases in range and it is more copious from June to September.

3-7-2020 ALDEAROQUETA, CASTELLON - EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus)

The Eurasian golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus) is the only member of the Old World oriole family of passerine birds breeding in Northern Hemisphere temperate regions. The name "oriole" was first used in the 18th century and is an adaptation of the scientific Latin genus name, which is derived from the Classical Latin "aureolus" meaning golden. Various forms of "oriole" have existed in Romance languages since the 12th and 13th centuries. Albertus Magnus used the Latin form oriolus in about 1250 and erroneously stated that it was onomatopoeic because of the golden oriole's song. In medieval England, its name, derived from the song, was the woodwele.

Males of this species are golden yellow in color with black wings that have yellow-tipped coverts. Females are almost greenish with a yellowish-white belly. Despite the bright colors of males it's quite difficult to spot these birds in the yellow and green leaves of the canopy due to their secretive habits.