Seeking Sanctuary

A run around the coast via Tarifa, where a couple of distant Cory's Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) and a Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) added to the trip lifers for some team members. Then on to a shallow valley containing the snappily named Santuario de Nuesta Señora de la Luz.

Nikon CP995

The bottom of the valley held a large swarm of Spanish Sparrows (Passer hispaniolensis) and a pair of Montagu's Harriers (Circus pygargus). Further along the CAP2213 road past the Santuario things got far more interesting and frequent stops provided some of the creatures of the trip including a pair of White-rumped Swifts (Apus caffer) and a Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Other goodies included Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and much more.

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)


Digiscoped with Nikon CP995, Leica APO77 + 20x eyepeice

Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauretanica)

Nikon CP995

Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus)

Nikon CP995

Spanish Marbled White (Melanargia ines)

Nikon CP995

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Nikon CP995

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)

Nikon CP995

Paper Wasps (Polistes gallicus?)


Nikon CP995

Next - Ojen Valley