Spain by train and not in vain.


We went by train to view the countryside but the windows don't get washed.
A view of the Pre Pyrenees.
Sardinian Warbler. Casa Vivan, Sipan.
Griffon Vulture. Casa Vivan.
Frogs in Sipan.
White Wagtail. Sipan.

Blackbird. Sipan.
Blackcap. Casa Vivan, Sipan.
Lovely in the blossom.
Landmark Brandy Signs. All over Spain.
Tree Sparrow. Casa Vivan.
Lesser Kestrels nesting in old farmhouse. Mon Negros.

Corn Bunting were very common.
Crested Lark
Hoopoe. Monnegros.
Black Redstart.
Spectacled Warbler. Mon Negros.
Great Spotted Cuckoo.

Golden Eagle. Ebro Plains.
Red-legged Partridge. Sipan.
Calendra Lark.
Eagle Owl at nest.
White Stork. Sarinena.
Blue Rock Thrush.Vadiello gorge.

Crag Martins but are they "Rock" with those white throats?
Close up.
Peregrine. 'brookerie'.
Los Mallos de Riglos. Huge rock formations where climbers conflict with vultures.
Migrating Common Cranes.
Close up.

Monastery in the rocky cliffs.
Black Wheatear.
Bonelli's Eagle. One of only six in Pyrenees.
Dartford Warbler. Near Sipan.
Spotless Starling.
Marsh Harrier. Two flew into a bush near where we were parked.

We debated long and hard as to Hen or Marsh but on balance think Marsh.
A lot of grey on the primaries etc.,
Short-toed Eagle. Vadiello
Egyptian Vulture. Vadiello.
Blue Tit. Vadiello.
Cute!

After two days searching for it I looked up just as I was leaving and there it was.
Bearded Vulture.
We set off south and spent two nights at Parador de Almagro. A Monastery.
Our beds.
We took the oportunity to visit a local nature reserve. Greylag Goose.
The Park is Los Tablos de Damiel. A wetland in dry country, This Reed Bunting sang for joy.

Swallow
Water Pipit.
Our last stop. La Casita, near Casares in Malaga province.
Well equiped Self Catering.
Griffon Vultures overlooking the property.
Red-legged partridge.

European Spoonbill. Barbate.
Greater Flamingo. Barbate.
With a White Stork for company.
Zitting Cisticola. The only Cisticola in Europe. Thank goodness..
Cattle Egret. Guadiaro.
Bald Ibis on the local Golf course. Part of a re-established colony.

Bald Ibis at the breeding site. Frontera.
Nesting in cliffs.
Sanderling. Barbate
Kentish Plover. Barbate.
Lovely little plover.
Stone Curlew pair. Distant of course.

Stone Curlew.
Casares.
Banner.
Grey Wagtail. La Rambla.
Short-toed Rock Thrush.
Rock Bunting.

Side view.
Blue Rock Thrush.
Serin.
I would love to think this was a Desert Wheatear due to all black tail etc.,
But most likely just a Black-eared female or juv.
Little Ringed Plover.

Little Ringed Plover.
Two for one. Whinchat and Sardinian Warbler.
Hoopoe. Guadiaro valley. We liked ths valley just a few km from our base .
Quite precocious.
Woodchat Shrike.
Zitting Cisticola. This and following birds in the Guadiaro river valley.

Black-eared Wheatear.
Cirl Bunting.
Cirl Bunting.
Northern Wheatear.
Serin.
Little Ringed Plover.

Painted Lady.
Monk Parakeet.
Woodchat Shrike.
Black-eared Wheatear.
Booted Eagle.
Andalucian Pied Warbler.

Actually a luecistic Sardinian Warbler.
Startling bird.
A real poser.
Thekla Lark
Grasshoper on my wheel at La Casita.