There must be something about mountains with John and Jenny Wainwright. Just for a change they drove over in my direction to drive up that geological experience know as El Torcal and, as well as taking in the fabulous rock formations, managed to find some birds and other life as per John's report below. As John says, ".... it may be a short (report) this time, but really to let people know there are still sightings out there in all the branches of nature."
Torcal 21st August 2013
A very hot day with not much breeze about.
As we were in Antequerra we thought it may be nice to visit El Torcal for an hour or so. Lots of people on our arrival but not many at the viewpoint.
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| Griffon Vulture Buitre Leonardo Gyps fulvus (PHOTO: John Wainwright) |
The viewpoint was quite quiet at this time and we did locate, Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstarts. A couple of Spanish Ibex appeared, then two more a while later. While we stood at the viewpoint at least eight Griffon Vultures flew overhead.
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| Potter Wasp Delta unguiculata (PHOTO: John Wainwright) |
We headed back down the road and turned onto the track that leads to the microwave station. Here we saw two Spectacled Warblers, Thekla Larks, Sardinian Warblers, Goldfinches and Blue Rock Thrush. I know there isn´t a lot of birdlife here but insects/butterflies were quite numerous, including Tree Grayling, Spanish and Southern Gatekeepers, Hummingbird Hawkmoths, Potter Wasp (Delta unguiculata) and some very late fruiting Sloes or Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). It also looks like it will be a good year for Blackberries or Bramble (Rubus sanctus) if the birds don´t beat us to it - not a lot tastes better than a Blackberry and Apple pie.
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| Hummingbird Hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum (PHOTO: John Wainwright) |
I quite agree John.
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.
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