Sierra Loja with John and Jenny

Whilst we were enjoying the sunshine down at the Rio Velez and the Sierra Tejeda, John and Jenny Wainwright were once more up their local, and I suspect favourite, mountain at the Sierra Loja.  Looks like they, once again, managed to find some good birds including the first Black-eared Wheatear of the year.



Sierra Loja  21 March

A  very warm day even at the top of Sierra Loja.  

We could not attend the next meeting of the group as we had prior appointments, but we did manage two hours up the Sierra Loja.  Our first encounters were of Collared Doves, Spotless Starlings, Wood Pigeons, Rock Buntings, Chaffinches, Great Tits, Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds and Serins, Crossbills and Wrens were heard but we couldn´t locate them. 

Black Wheatear  Collalba Negra Oenanthe leucura  (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

At the hidden quarry the air was inundated with House, Crag and Sand Martins and a few Barn Swallows were seen also. It is also good to see that the Yellow Violet (Viola demetria) are in flower again.

Yellow Violet  Viola demetria  (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

On the cliffs we saw Jackdaws, Chough, Black Redstart, Red-legged Partridges were very vocal here, and then a pair of Black Wheatears.  Just as we were setting off a pair of Lesser Kestrels  were seen.

Black Rubia  Collalba Negra Oenanthe hispanica  (PHOTO: Jenny Wainwright)

In the shrubbed area higher up we saw Sardinian Warblers, Stonechats and a few Linnets.  As we climbed the slope to the substation valley a Black-eared Wheatear (first of the year) was spotted along with two Thekla Larks and a Black Redstart.

Nothing extra on the way back home.

Looks like Jenny is once more in charge of the camera as all the photographs are hers!

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