Andalucia, April 2015.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

 We left Extremadura in heavy rain storms for Andalucia. Our first stop at Dehesa de Abajo in the Coto Donana was special with Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata, drake White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris on show the minute we parked the buses!

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

White-headed Duck (drake) Oxyura leucocephala

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Red-crested Pochard Netta ruffina

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male) Dendrocopus minor

 Finding Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at the nest was perhaps one of the unexpected highlights of our trip into Andalucia. Considering how difficult to see in the UK nowadays it was a delight to watch a pair at the nest near El Rocio.

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Penuline Tit (male) Remiz pendulinus

We spent some time watching Penduline Tits near the nest (just above this male in the photo) using 'scopes at a safe distance. Another Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was located as we did so.

Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare, Dehesa de Abajo.

Iberian Bluetail Ischnura graellsii

Iberian Puss Moth Cerura iberica