In search of Lynx

Up and about early we explored the gardens before breakfast and then set off into the hills. As we got higher up we encountered red deer in groups dotted about, many of the stags roaring their message of supremacy. This sound filled our days as they never really seemed to stop.

Over the next 3 days we managed two single sightings of lynx and a mother with 2 cubs, although we didn't manage to photograph them this time. We also saw mouflon, wild boar and fallow deer.

We went down to the damn area where we found 3 species of bat inside the tunnell. An amazing sighting was of 2 Free-tailed bat flying around outside on the rocks. They appeared to be in a dispute over a crack in the wall and one soon returned while the other flew to a crack on the other dside of the bridge and wedged itself in.

As always in Spain we had some great sightings of birds, including azure-winged magpie, osprey, black vulture, spanish imperial eagle and blue rock thrush, butterflies and dragonflies 

with ticks for most of us including two-tailed pasha and copper demoiselle.

It is really such a lovely area with so much to look at that we will be back.

Return to Spain

As the last trip had been so pleasant we decided to re-visit the area in search of better views of lynx and anything else that was about. We booked a 5 day break and set off at an unearthly hour to Stansted for our flight to Madrid. To break the long drive we spent an hour exploring the steppes on the way where we found black-eared wheatear, raptors but no bustards. We did find windmills to tilt at and a view point overlooking a vulture nest site.

In search of Owls

We spent the next few days exploring the woods and fields finding lots of birds, including cranes, hooded crows, whooper swans, northern form of nuthatch and bullfinch, an unexpected osprey and the highlight - 3 toed woodpecker.

As well as flowers like hepatica, coltsfoot, wood anemone and gagea lutea.

We also saw several butterflies including small tortoiseshell, comma, brimstone and Camberwell Beauty.
We tried some evening drives but had no luck with Tengmalm's owl although we did hear some owl's calling.

Although the trip back was only a few days later, it was noticeable how much the land had thawed.

Swedish Spring

Having settled into our hotel we went to visit a friend who now lives near Stockholm where we had a lovely meal and caught up on the news. An osprey and lots of birds from the balcony were a real pleasure.

The next day we moved north.

Sweden - getting ready

Packed and ready to go. Another early start in the morning but it does mean we get half a day to look around and settle in. As we flew in over the land it looked really cold and frozen. We collected our car and set off north to find our bearings and see what birds we could find. Some cranes in a field, northern jackdaws and some gulls got us off to a good start.

Spain - Iberian Lynx

A short break to spain in search of iberian lynx. An early flight from Gatwick landed us in Malaga with most of the day to travel north to our casas rurales.

On the way we stoped off at the Laguna de Salobrar. White-headed duck was a real surprise. Also seen were several migrants and a Hoopoe.

Duxford Airshow.

A lovely hot and sunny day with a great selection of old planes to bring on the nostalgia.