Spain; Southern Costa Blanca in summer (April 1st > October 31st)
September 2020, list with updates
Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) - P R Calblanque
The Southern Costa Blanca in summer GALLERIES
In 2020 we had the opportunity to visit this area in early September, for the first time. All other visits have been in winter. It made an interesting contrast, both in species seen and climate. At the time it was extremely hot and surprisingly humid. But watching nature usually springs surprises, and this proved to be no exception. We decided not to travel too far from our base at Los Alcazares and concentrate on the winter birding sites we knew, to see how good they were for odonata and other insects
After that visit we were able to make repeated trips during the spring/summer/autumn months April 1st > September 30th. Obviously the focus in summer is on odonata and other insects
MAIN SITES VISITED
For more site details see The Southern Costa Blanca in winter
Clot de Galvany (Gran Alacant)
Good for insects but odonata species were a bit disappointing in September. This really is an oasis in an urban desert, and a fairly large one too. Totally fenced off and fairly strictly controlled, no dogs are allowed on or off the lead. All this helps to create a superb habitat for many different species
El Hondo (San Felipe visitor centre and the 'long' circuit)
OK for dragonflies but a low species count
Los Nietos (Mar Menor)
In the vicinity of this coastal village on the Mar Menor are several 'tanks', agricultural reservoirs, that proved to be good for odonata. If you can find a way in … no further comment!
Albujon river (Los Alcazares)
There are various access points to this unpromising looking watercourse that flows through the southern end of Los Alcazares. Not bad for odonata, the water is surprisingly clean, helped by the Phragmites no doubt.
Parque Regional Calblanque (South of La Manga)
Bird-wise this super looking habitat on the coast proved to be almost as birdless in spring and September as it has been in winter. However, insects, especially orthoptera species, were another matter. Some areas were heaving with grasshoppers, with some interesting species seen.
Mar Menor
One or two sites along the coast proved productive for birds, including an ephemeral gravel spit near Los Alcazares and the 'model airfield' zone near Los Nietos.
REFERENCE SOURCES
See The Southern Costa Blanca in winter
SPECIES LISTS (1/4 > 31/10)
Birds – 199 species (+ 2 hybrids). Order follows Collins Bird Guide 2nd edn. (2009)
Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) - 10 El Algar 4/10/22, 1 San Pedro 27/10/22
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris) – Clot de Galvany, El Hondo; 2 El Algar 12/10/22
Common Teal (Anas crecca) – 1 Clot de Galvany 10/9/20
Garganey (Spatula querquedula) - 1 Lo Monte 9/10/22
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) - Regular now in Murcia in small numbers. Max. 8 Los Camachos 10/10/22; 6 Lo Monte 16/10/24
Pochard x Ferruginous Duck hybrid - 1 Lo monte 16/10/24
White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)
Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) - 2 (h) Guadalentin 24/5/22
Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) - Recorded Cabo de Palos, at least 2 photographed
Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) - Recorded Cabo de Palos, most large shearwaters should be these. Determined by photograph
Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) - Spring/autumn Cabo de Palos
European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) - 2 Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii)
Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
*Western Reef Heron x Little Egret hybrid (E. gularis x E. garzetta) - 1 Mazarrón 25/4/24
Great Egret (Egretta alba)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) - 1 ad Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) – 2 El Hondo 10/9/20, 1 Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)
Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) - 1 Playa Honda 3/5/22; 1 juv Los Alcazares 9/10/22
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - 1 La Risca dam 9/5/25
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) - 1 fem-type Los Alcazares 7/9/21
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) - 5 Guadalentin 21/5/23
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) – El Hondo
Purple Swamp-Hen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) - 1m Guadalentin 21/5/23
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) - Occasional sightings Mar Menor
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)
Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola)
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) - max. 23 Los Camachos 1/3/22. A bird on eggs (3) Los Nietos 26/4/22
Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) - 5 Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) - 1 San Pedro 9/10/22
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) - Max. 30+ El Hondo 29/4/22
Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii) - 2 ad-s Los Alcazares 26-27/4/22; 2 El Hondo 16/10/24
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)
Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) - 2 San Pedro 27/10/22
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) - 3 El Hondo 13/10/22
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) - Max. c20 El Hondo 29/4/22
Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) - Max. 25 near Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei)
Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
Audouin's Gull (Larus audouinii)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)- Max. 100+ El Pinet 29/4/22
Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans) - 1 El Pinet 2/5/23
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) - Max. 22 Los Alcazares 7/9/21
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) – Max. c50 El Pinet 29/4/22
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) - Los Alcazares; 2 15/9/20, 3 16/9/20, 1 9/2021, 1 El Hondo 17/9/21
White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) - 1 juv Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus) - Max. 40+ El Hondo 29/4/22
Razorbill (Alca torda) - 1 Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) - Max. 40+ Guadalentin 14/10/24
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) - El Hondo, etc
Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) - 2 El Pinet 29/4/22
Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Red-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) - 1 EDAR Alhama 21/5/23
Common Swift (Apus apus)
Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)
Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) - Max. 21+ Cala Blanca 7/5/25
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
European Roller (Coracias garrulus) - Corvera, Guadalentin etc
European (Iberian) Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis sharpei)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) - 1 Arroyo Blanco 20/5/25
Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)
Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae)
Woodlark (Lullula arborea)
Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)
Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens) - 10+ San Pedro 27/10/22, 2 Cope 22/5/25
Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica)
Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - Espuna, Calasparra, Mula etc
Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)
Rufous Bush Chat (Cercotrichas galactotes) - 2 Cope 7/5/25, 3 Cope 22/5/25
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica)
Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura)
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) - 2 Calblanque 29/4/24
Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - Corvera, Espuna etc
Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus alpestris) - Max. 15-20 Espuna 19/10/22
Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) - 1 Bajil 20/5/25
Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)
Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca iberiae) - 1m Espuna 16/5/25
Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)
Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)
Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)
Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta)
Western Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna opaca) - c7 La Contraparada 13/5/25
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
Western Bonelli's Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli)
Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)
Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) - 1 Calasparra 27/5/22, 1 Arroyo Blanco, 2 Bajil 20/5/25
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Coal Tit (Parus ater)
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - 3 Calasparra 8/5/3, 2 Espuna 2/5/24, 1 Calasparra 6/5/24
Crested Tit (Parus cristatus)
Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus)
Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis)
Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)
Common Magpie (Pica pica)
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor)
Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia)
Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Common Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)
European Serin (Serinus serinus)
Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)
Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)
Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia)
Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) - 7 La Contraparada 13/5/25
BIRDS seen Southern Costa Blanca ALL SEASONS list
Odonata – 39 species. Order follows K-D B Dijkstra 2nd edition 2020
Spain; Dragonflies of the southern Costa Blanca (Murcia, Alicante) gallery
Western Demoiselle (Calopteryx xanthostoma) - Common Calasparra 27/5/22, 1m Calasparra 17/10/22
Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) - 6+ Montnegre 26/5/22, common Mula, etc
Southern Emerald Damselfly (Lestes barbarus) - 20+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Small Emerald Damselfly (Lestes virens virens) - 3+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Willow Emerald Damselfly (Lestes viridis) - Fairly common Mula, 5+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Common Winter Damsel (Sympecma fusca) - 1 Espuna 11/5/22, 4 Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) - Thanks to Oscar Aldeguer Peral for correcting my original mis-identification (Iberian Bluetail)
---- Coastal plains and lowlands, e.g. El Hondo, Campo de Cartagena etc
Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) - 1+ Mula 7/10/22
---- Inland mountain areas
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) - 1m Mula 7/10/22; 2 Calasparra 17/10/22; 1f Calasparra 10/10/24
Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale) - Fairly common Mula. 1f Arroyo Blanco 20/5/25
Mediterranean Bluet (Coenagrion caerulescens) - Common Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22
Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum)
Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii) - 2-3 Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - 20+ Bajil 20/5/25
Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum) - Mula; 1m 7/10/22, 1m 17/10/22
White featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) - Common Calasparra 27/5/22, fairly common Mula
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - Common throughout
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)
Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) – Large numbers on wetlands. 1m Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22, 7/10/22; 1m Calasparra 8/5/23
Vagrant Emperor (Anax ephippiger) - Common El Hondo 29/4/22, 17/5/22 flying with the above species
Western Spectre (Boyeria irene) - 1 Calasparra 27/5/22; 2 (one dead) Mula 7/10/22
Yellow Clubtail (Gomphus simillimus) - Mula; 3 31/5/22, 1/6/22 (in-cop, ovipositing), 3+ 8/5/23; 1 ten. Calasparra 8/5/23; 1f Mula 8/5/24
Blue-eyed Hooktail (Onychogomphus uncatus) - Common Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22
Green-eyed Hooktail (Onychogomphus forcipatus) - 1m Mula 31/5/22
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)
Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) - 1m Mula 31/5/22
Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) - 1 Espuna 19/5/22, common Mula
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) - Fairly common throughout, common Mula
Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria) – Small numbers, all wetland sites
Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) – Very common
Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
Southern Darter (Sympetrum meridionale) - 6+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum) - Common Mula, Espuna etc 10/2022, 2+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea)
Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata)
Orange-Winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi)
Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) – On most wetland sites
Black Pennant (Selysiothemis nigra) - 2f El Algar 18/5/25
Butterflies - 42 species. Order follows Lanfranchis 2004
Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto)
Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus)
Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) - 2+ Embalse Alfonso XIII 8/5/24
Lulworth skipper (Thymelicus acteon)
Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) - 1 Los Alcazares 25/5/22
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus lavatherae) - 1 Los Nietos 1/5/23
Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae)
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
Spanish Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthamelii) - 1 Guardamar 17/5/22
Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
Large White Butterfly (Pieris brassicae)
Green-veined White (Pieris napi) - El Hondo 29/4/22
Small White (Pieris rapae)
Provencal Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) - Espuna 5/2022
Bath White (Pontia daplidice)
Blue-spot Hairstreak (Satyrium spini)
Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) - 2 Escalona 10/5/22
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) - 1 Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli) - 1 Los Alcazares 27/4/24
Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) - 1 Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Lang's Short-Tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous)
African Grass Blue (Zizeeria knysna) - Several El Algar 21/10/24
Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) - 1 Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Black-Eyed Blue (Glaucopsyche melanops) - Escalona 5/2022
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes) - 1 La Risca dam 9/5/25
Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)
Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) – Mostly El Hondo
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Queen of Spain fritillary (Issoria lathonia) - 1 Mula 5/2022
Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe)
Provencal Fritillary (Melitaea deione) - 1 Bajil 20/5/25
Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera)
Grayling (Hipparchia semele) - 1 Mula 17/10/22
Rock Grayling (Hipparchia semele) - 1 Mula 31/5/22
Striped Grayling (Hipparchia fidia) - 1 Espuna 19/10/22
Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba)
Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus) - 1 Escalona 16/5/22
Moths. Order alphabetical
Acontia trabealis (Spotted Sulphur) - several Embalse Alfonso XIII 6/5/24
Autographa gamma (Silver Y)
Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled)
Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw)
Idaea ochrata (Bright Wave)
Itame vincularia (Fettered Dyer)
Pyropteron affinis (Sesiidae) - 1m Corvera 12/5/25
Rhodometra sacraria (The Vestal) - Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Spoladea recurvalis (Crambidae) - 1+ El Algar 21/10/24
Synaphe diffidalis (Pyralidae) - La Risca 9/5/25
Synthymia fixa (Goldwing)
Utetheisa pulchella (Crimson Speckled Moth)
Zygaena lavandulae (Broom Burnet, Zygaenidae)
Zygaena sarpedon (Zygaenidae)
Zygaena occitanica (Provence burnet, Zygaenidae) - Los Nietos 23/4/24
Zygaenidae (Procridinae, Forester moths) sp. - 1 Corvera 12/5/25
Other insects. Order follows Brock, Paul D.
Ruspolia nitidula (Large Conehead) - 1f Mula 7/10/22
Conocephalus fuscus (Long Winged Cone-head) - 2+ Calasparra 17/10/22
Phaneroptera nana (Tettigoniidae) - Embalse de la Pedrera 13/9/20
Platycleis intermedia (Tettigoniidae) - 1f Mula 7/10/22
Tettigonia viridissima (Tettigoniidae) - 1 Corvera 12/5/25
Pyrgomorpha conica (Pyrgomorphidae)
Acrida ungarica mediterranea (Acrididae) - 2+ Mula 17/10/22, 1+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Truxalis nasuta (Acrididae) – Max. 30+ Calblanque 16/9/20 Truxalis nasuta identification
Calliptamus sp. (C. barbarus/wattenwylianus, probably barbarus) (Acrididae)
Sphingonotus rubescens (Acrididae)
Anacridium aegyptium (Egyptian Grasshopper, Acrididae) – Common throughout
Brachycrotaphus tryxalicerus (Savanna Grasshopper, Acrididae) - 1 Calblanque 16/9/20
Heteracris littoralis (Mediterranean Splendid Grasshopper, Acrididae) – Wetlands throughout
Acrotylus patruelis (Slender Digging Grasshopper, Acrididae) – Fairly common
Acrotylus fischeri (Acrididae) - Mula 1/6/22
Acrotylus insubricus (Acrididae) - Espuna 5/2022
Oedaleus decorus (Acrididae) - 1 Mula 7/10/22
Oedipoda charpentieri - 1+ Espuna 19/10/22
Oedipoda caerulescens (Blue-winged Grasshopper)
Oedipoda coerulea (Iberian Band-winged Grasshopper) - 1 Calasparra 17/10/22; 1 Espuna 19/10/22
Aiolopus strepens (Broad Green-winged Grasshopper) - 1 Calasparra 17/10/22
Aiolopus puissanti (Acrididae) - 1m Mula 8/5/24
Euchorthippus chopardi (Iberian Straw Grasshopper) - 1m Mula 17/10/22; 1m Espuna 19/10/22
Euchorthippus elegantulus (Elegant Straw Grasshopper) - Mula; 4+ 7/10/22, 1f 17/10/22
Chorthippus jacobsi (Iberian Field Grasshopper, Acrididae)
Eumigus cucullatus (Hooded Stone Grasshopper, Pamphagidae) - 1f Calblanque 6/5/22, 1 nymph Los Camachos 10/10/22
Iris oratoria (Mediterranean Mantis, Eremiaphila) – 1 Clot de Galvany 17/9/20
Ameles spallanzania (European dwarf mantis, Mantidae)
Mantis religiosa (European Mantis) - Common Mula, etc 10/2022
Rivetina baetica (Mantidae) - 1 Calblanque 3/6/22
Empusa pennata (Conehead Mantis, Empusidae)
Carpocoris mediterraneus (Pentatomidae, Shieldbugs) - 1 El Algar 18/5/25
Nezara viridula (Southern Green Shieldbug, Pentatomidae) - 1 Clot de Galvany 9/9/20
Graphosoma semipunctatum (Pentatomidae) – 1 Calblanque 16/9/20
Haploprocta sulcicornis (Coreidae, Leatherbugs) - 1 Calblanque 6/5/22
Pyrrhocoris apterus (Firebug)
Spilostethus pandurus (Lygaeidae) 1 Los Camachos 15/5/23
Gerridae sp (Gerridae, Water Skaters)
Cicada orni (Cicadidae, Cicadas) – 1 El Pinet 14/9/20
Chrysoperla carnea (Chrysopidae, Green Lacewings)
Nemoptera bipennis (Nemopteridae) - 2 Playa del Rafal (Cope) 7/5/25
Creoleon lugdunensis (Myrmeleontidae, Antlions) – 1 Calblanque 16/9/20
Libelloides baeticus (Ascalaphinae, Owlflies) - Espuna 19/5/22
Libelloides ictericus (Ascalaphinae)
Cephalota maura (Carabidae, Ground Beetles) - Mula 1/6/22
Cicindela campestris (Carabidae), Green Tiger Beetle - 2+ Mula 7/10/22
Serica brunnea (Brown Chafer, Scarabaeidae, Scarab Beetles) - 1 Espuna 19/5/22
Protaetia morio (Scarabaeidae)
Tropinota hirta/squalida (Scarabaeidae) - 1 Cablanque 22/4/24
Tropinota squalida (Scarabaeidae) - 1 La Risca 9/5/25
Oxythyrea funesta (White-spotted Rose Beetle, Scarabaeidae)
Acmaeodera cylindrica (Buprestidae, Jewel Beetles) - 1 Mar Menor 5/5/25
Acmaeodera degener (Buprestidae) - 1 Cablanque 22/4/24
Julodis onopordi (Buprestidae)
Trichodes apiarius (Cleridae) - Embalse Alfonso XIII 8/5/24
Tilloidea transversalis (Cleridae) - 1 Los Camachos 15/5/23
Coccinella septempunctata (7-spot Ladybird, Coccinellidae) - 1 Espuna 16/5/25
Chnootriba elaterii (Melon Ladybird Beetle, Coccinellidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 10/5/24
Pimelia baetica (Tenebrionidae, Darkling Beetles)
Blaps gigas (Tenebrionidae) - 2 Calblanque 11/10/22
Heliotaurus ruficollis (Tenebrionidae)
Oedemera podagrariae (False Blister Beetle, Oedemerinae)
Mylabris hieracii (Meloidae, Oil Beetles)
Zonitis immaculata (Meloidae)
Agapanthia cardui (Cerambycidae, Longhorn Beetles) - 1 El Algar 22/4/24
Timarcha gravis (Chrysomelidae, Leaf Beetles)
Larinus planus (Curculionidae, True Weevils)
Coniocleonus nigrosuturatus (Curculionidae) - 1 Cartagena 24/10/22
Bibio marci (St Mark's Fly, Bibionidae)
Bombylius cruciatus (Bombyliidae, Bee-flies)
Exoprosopa jacchus (Bombyliidae) - 1 Los Nietos 23/4/24
Exhyalanthrax muscarius (Bombyliidae) - 1 Calblanque 22/4/24
Lomatia lateralis (Bombyliidae)
Machimus pilipes (Asilidae, Robberflies) – Los Nietos 13/9/20
Saropogon aberrans (Asilidae)
Chrysotoxum intermedium (Syrphidae, Hoverflies) - 1m El Algar 13/5/22
Eristalinus aeneus (Syrphidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 15/5/23; 1 Los Nietos 30/4/24
Eristalinus megacephalus (Syrphidae) - 1f El Algar 21/10/24
Eristalinus sepulchralis (Small Spotty-eyed Dronefly, Syrphidae) – 1m El Hondo 14/9/20
Eristalis tenax (Syrphidae)
Helophilus pendulus (Common Tiger Hoverfly, Syrphidae)
Merodon sp. (Syrphidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 19/4/24
Scaeva pyrastri (White-clubbed Scaeva, Syrphidae)
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly, Syrphidae)
Xanthogramma marginale (Syrphidae)
Urophora quadrifasciata (Tephritidae, Peacock Flies)
Muscidae/Calliphoridae sp - 1f Calblanque 21/10/24
Sturmia bella (Tachinidae, Parasitic Flies) - Calblanque 22/4/22
Peleteria rubescens (Tachinidae)
Cylindromyia sp. (Tachinidae) - 1 El Hondo 24/4/24
Tenthredo sp. (Tenthredinidae) - 2 Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Brachymeria tibialis (Chalcididae) - 1 Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Ctenochares bicolorus (Ichneumonidae) - 1 Mar Menor 5/5/25
Enicospilus sp (Ichneumonidae) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Megascolia bidens (Scoliidae, Scoliid wasps)
Scolia hirta (Scoliidae) - 2+ San Pedro 9/9/21
Scolia hortorum (Scoliidae) - 1+ m El Algar 18-19/5/25
Scolia carbonaria (Scoliidae) - 1m Los Camachos 15/5/23
Dasyscolia ciliata (Scoliidae)
Cryptocheilus hispanicus (Pompilidae) - 1 El Algar 19/5/25
Aporus unicolor (Purseweb Spider-wasp, Pompilidae)
(?)Schistonyx perezi (Pompilidae) - Calblanque 22/4/22
Eumenes papillarius (Vespidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 14/10/24
Eumenes mediterraneus (Vespidae)
Allodynerus delphinalis (Vespidae) - 1m Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Rhynchium oculatum (Mediterranean Snouted Potter Wasp, Vespidae)
Euodynerus (dantici group, Vespidae) - 1 Calblanque 22/4/22, 29/4/24
Ancistrocerus biphaleratus triphaleratus - 1 Embalse Alfonso XIII 6/5/24
Polistes gallicus (Vespidae) - Common throughout
Ceramius lusitanicus (Vespidae) - 1m Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Ammophila sabulosa (Red-banded Sand Wasp, Sphecidae)
Prionyx lividocinctus (Sphecidae, Sand Wasps) – 5+ El Hondo 10/9/20
Prionyx kirbii (Sphecidae) - 1 San Pedro 16/9/21
Sceliphron madraspatanum tubifex (Sphecidae) - 1 San Pedro 14/9/21
Sceliphron destillatorium (Sphecidae) - 1 Calasparra 27/5/22
Bembix oculata (Crabronidae, Digger wasps) - 1 Los Alcazares 7/9/21, 2+ San Pedro 14/9/21; 1 Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Bembix sinuata (Crabronidae) - 1f Calblanque 6/5/22
Stizus sp. (Crabronidae) - 2 Los Nietos 23/4/24
Cerceris sp (Crabronidae) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Philanthus triangulum (European Beewolf, Crabronidae)
Philanthus coronatus (Crowned Beewolf, Crabronidae) - 1 Embalse Alfonso XIII 6/5/24
Tachytes panzeri (Crabronidae) - 1 Calblanque 22/4/22
Colletes sp (Colletidae) - 30+ Calblanque, 1 Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Andrena (cineraria-type) (Andrenidae) - Calblanque 6/5/22, 22/4/24
Andrena fuscosa (Andrenidae) - 1 Mar Menor 5/5/25; 1f Sirra Escalona 21/5/25
Andrena sp. (Andrenidae) - several unidentified
Melitturga caudata (Andrenidae) - Espuna 16/5/25
Halictus scabiosae (Great Banded Furrow-bee, Halictidae)
Lasioglossum discum (Halictidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 10/5/24
Sphecodes sp. (Halictidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 10/5/24
Nomiapis sp (Halictidae) - 1f La Mata 4/5/23
Dasypoda hirtipes (Melittidae, Pantaloon Bees)
Dasypoda sp (Melittidae) - 1f Calasparra 27/5/22
Anthidium sp (Megachilidae) - Calasparra 8/5/23
Rhodanthidium sticticum (Megachilidae)
Pseudoanthidium reticulatum (Megachilidae) - 1f El Carmoli 12/5/23
Osmia anceyi/bidentata (Megachilidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 5/5/23
Hoplitis adunca (group) (Megachilidae) - Calblanque 22/4/24
Hoplitis cristatula (Megachilidae) - 2 (m,f) Mar Menor 17/5/25
Megachile lagopoda (Megachilidae) - La Mata 4/5/23, El Carmoli 12/5/23, Los Camachos 15/5/23; 1m Los Alazares 21/10/24
Megachile sp (Megachilidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Coelioxys sp (Megachilidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Nomada succincta (Yellow-legged Nomad Bee, Apidae) - 22/4/24 Calblanque
Eucera (Synhalonia) rufa (Apidae)
Eucera sp (Apidae) - various throughout
Anthophora bimaculata (Apidae) - Calblanque 22/4/24
Amegilla quadrifasciata (White-banded Digger Bee, Apidae) - 10+ San Pedro 14/9/21
Amegilla albigena (Apidae)
Ceratina cucurbitina (Apidae) - 1f El Carmoli 12/5/23
Thyreus ramosus (Apidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 15/5/23
Thyreus histrionicus (Apidae) - 2 Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Xylocopa iris (Apidae) - 2 La Mata 4/5/23, Carmoli 12/5/23
Xylocopa violacea (Violet Carpenter Bee) - 1m Calblanque 11/10/22
Bombus terrestris lusitanicus* (Buff-tailed Bumblee, Iberian ssp, Apidae)
*Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumblebee) - Individuals seen at c1400 metres (Espuna) could be of this species
Bombus vestalis (Apidae) - 1m Espuna 16/5/25
Buthus occitanus (Common Yellow Scorpion) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Gluvia dorsalis (Solifugae, Sun Spiders) - 1 Mula 31/5/22
Argiope bruennichi (Wasp Spider) - 2+ Mula 7/10/22
Argiope trifasciata (Banded Garden Spider, Araneidae) - Wetlands
Hogna radiata (Lycosidae) - 1 Mula 7/10/22
Stegodyphus lineatus (Eresidae) - 1 Calblanque 5/5/25
Synema globosum (Thomisidae) - 1 Corvera 12/5/25
Ommatoiulus rutilans (Julidae, Millipedes)
Other fauna
Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) - 6+ Mula 7/10/22, 1 La Risca dam 9/5/25
Perez's Frog (Pelophylax perezi) – All wetlands
Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) – 1 Clot de Galvany 10/9/20, 1 Mula 31/5/22
Red-eared Terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans) - 1 Clot de Galvany 12/9/21
Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) - 1 Calblanque 16/9/20, 1 San Pedro 14/9/21
Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Spiny-footed Lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) - Common Calblanque
Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) - Fairly common Calblanque, etc
Edwards' (Spanish) Psammodromus* (Psammodromus edwarsianus) - 1+ Clot de Galvany 12/9/21, 1 Escalona 10/5/22.
*Spanish Psammodromus apparently now split into three species - see Edwards' Psammodromus
Sierra Nevada Lizard (Timon nevadensis)*
*Replaces Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus) in this region
Iberian Wall Lizard (Podarcis hispanicus)
Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris) – 1 Clot de Galvany 17/9/20
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) - 1 Espuna 2/5/24
Mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) - 2 Bajil 20/5/25
Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - 10+ Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - 4 (inc. 1 albino adult) Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) - 3+ Mula 7/10/22
Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) - 1 El Hondo 19/5/23
Fried egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata) - Mar Menor 10/2024
Flora
Orchids (Orchidaceae) - 10 species
Finding orchids in this part of Spain has been hard work. The season starts as early as January, ends in late May on the coast, and continues with a few other species inland through the summer. Hence the total is low compared with temperate Europe. And we don’t visit in high summer as it’s too hot and busy.
Order alphabetical, scientific names.
Anacamptis collina (Orchidaceae), Fan-lipped Orchid - Atamaria 20/2/25 - 3/3/25
Anacamptis papilionacea (Orchidaceae), Pink Butterfly Orchid - Las Cenizas 3/3/25
Anacamptis pyramidalis (Orchidaceae), Pyramidal Orchid - Las Cenizas 30/4/25
Limodorum abortivum (Orchidaceae), Violet Limodore – Espuna 11/5/22
Ophrys apifera (Orchidaceae), Bee Orchid - Arroyo Blanc 20/5/25
Ophrys lutea (Orchidaceae), Yellow Bee Orchid – Espuna 11/5/22
Ophrys scolopax (Orchidaceae), Woodcock Orchid - Arroyo Blanc 20/5/25
Ophrys speculum (Orchidaceae), Mirror Orchid - Las Cenizas 28/2/25 - 3/3/25
Ophrys tenthredinifera (Orchidaceae), Sawfly Orchid - Atamaria 20/2/25 – 3/3/25
Serapias lingua (Orchidaceae), Tongue Orchid - Las Cenizas 30/4/25
Other flora
Spain; Flora of the southern Costa Blanca (Murcia, Alicante) - list of species identified
Spain; Flora of the southern Costa Blanca (Murcia, Alicante) - gallery
Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) - P R Calblanque
The Southern Costa Blanca in summer GALLERIES
In 2020 we had the opportunity to visit this area in early September, for the first time. All other visits have been in winter. It made an interesting contrast, both in species seen and climate. At the time it was extremely hot and surprisingly humid. But watching nature usually springs surprises, and this proved to be no exception. We decided not to travel too far from our base at Los Alcazares and concentrate on the winter birding sites we knew, to see how good they were for odonata and other insects
After that visit we were able to make repeated trips during the spring/summer/autumn months April 1st > September 30th. Obviously the focus in summer is on odonata and other insects
MAIN SITES VISITED
For more site details see The Southern Costa Blanca in winter
Clot de Galvany (Gran Alacant)
Good for insects but odonata species were a bit disappointing in September. This really is an oasis in an urban desert, and a fairly large one too. Totally fenced off and fairly strictly controlled, no dogs are allowed on or off the lead. All this helps to create a superb habitat for many different species
El Hondo (San Felipe visitor centre and the 'long' circuit)
OK for dragonflies but a low species count
Los Nietos (Mar Menor)
In the vicinity of this coastal village on the Mar Menor are several 'tanks', agricultural reservoirs, that proved to be good for odonata. If you can find a way in … no further comment!
Albujon river (Los Alcazares)
There are various access points to this unpromising looking watercourse that flows through the southern end of Los Alcazares. Not bad for odonata, the water is surprisingly clean, helped by the Phragmites no doubt.
Parque Regional Calblanque (South of La Manga)
Bird-wise this super looking habitat on the coast proved to be almost as birdless in spring and September as it has been in winter. However, insects, especially orthoptera species, were another matter. Some areas were heaving with grasshoppers, with some interesting species seen.
Mar Menor
One or two sites along the coast proved productive for birds, including an ephemeral gravel spit near Los Alcazares and the 'model airfield' zone near Los Nietos.
REFERENCE SOURCES
See The Southern Costa Blanca in winter
SPECIES LISTS (1/4 > 31/10)
Birds – 199 species (+ 2 hybrids). Order follows Collins Bird Guide 2nd edn. (2009)
Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) - 10 El Algar 4/10/22, 1 San Pedro 27/10/22
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris) – Clot de Galvany, El Hondo; 2 El Algar 12/10/22
Common Teal (Anas crecca) – 1 Clot de Galvany 10/9/20
Garganey (Spatula querquedula) - 1 Lo Monte 9/10/22
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) - Regular now in Murcia in small numbers. Max. 8 Los Camachos 10/10/22; 6 Lo Monte 16/10/24
Pochard x Ferruginous Duck hybrid - 1 Lo monte 16/10/24
White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)
Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) - 2 (h) Guadalentin 24/5/22
Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) - Recorded Cabo de Palos, at least 2 photographed
Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) - Recorded Cabo de Palos, most large shearwaters should be these. Determined by photograph
Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) - Spring/autumn Cabo de Palos
European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) - 2 Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii)
Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
*Western Reef Heron x Little Egret hybrid (E. gularis x E. garzetta) - 1 Mazarrón 25/4/24
Great Egret (Egretta alba)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) - 1 ad Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) – 2 El Hondo 10/9/20, 1 Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)
Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) - 1 Playa Honda 3/5/22; 1 juv Los Alcazares 9/10/22
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - 1 La Risca dam 9/5/25
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) - 1 fem-type Los Alcazares 7/9/21
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) - 5 Guadalentin 21/5/23
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) – El Hondo
Purple Swamp-Hen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) - 1m Guadalentin 21/5/23
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) - Occasional sightings Mar Menor
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)
Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola)
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) - max. 23 Los Camachos 1/3/22. A bird on eggs (3) Los Nietos 26/4/22
Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) - 5 Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) - 1 San Pedro 9/10/22
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) - Max. 30+ El Hondo 29/4/22
Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii) - 2 ad-s Los Alcazares 26-27/4/22; 2 El Hondo 16/10/24
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)
Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) - 2 San Pedro 27/10/22
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) - 3 El Hondo 13/10/22
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) - Max. c20 El Hondo 29/4/22
Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) - Max. 25 near Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei)
Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
Audouin's Gull (Larus audouinii)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)- Max. 100+ El Pinet 29/4/22
Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans) - 1 El Pinet 2/5/23
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) - Max. 22 Los Alcazares 7/9/21
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) – Max. c50 El Pinet 29/4/22
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) - Los Alcazares; 2 15/9/20, 3 16/9/20, 1 9/2021, 1 El Hondo 17/9/21
White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) - 1 juv Los Alcazares 10/9/21
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus) - Max. 40+ El Hondo 29/4/22
Razorbill (Alca torda) - 1 Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) - Max. 40+ Guadalentin 14/10/24
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) - El Hondo, etc
Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) - 2 El Pinet 29/4/22
Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Red-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) - 1 EDAR Alhama 21/5/23
Common Swift (Apus apus)
Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)
Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) - Max. 21+ Cala Blanca 7/5/25
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
European Roller (Coracias garrulus) - Corvera, Guadalentin etc
European (Iberian) Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis sharpei)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) - 1 Arroyo Blanco 20/5/25
Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)
Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae)
Woodlark (Lullula arborea)
Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)
Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens) - 10+ San Pedro 27/10/22, 2 Cope 22/5/25
Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica)
Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - Espuna, Calasparra, Mula etc
Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)
Rufous Bush Chat (Cercotrichas galactotes) - 2 Cope 7/5/25, 3 Cope 22/5/25
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica)
Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura)
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) - 2 Calblanque 29/4/24
Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - Corvera, Espuna etc
Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus alpestris) - Max. 15-20 Espuna 19/10/22
Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) - 1 Bajil 20/5/25
Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)
Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca iberiae) - 1m Espuna 16/5/25
Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)
Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)
Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)
Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta)
Western Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna opaca) - c7 La Contraparada 13/5/25
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
Western Bonelli's Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli)
Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)
Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) - 1 Calasparra 27/5/22, 1 Arroyo Blanco, 2 Bajil 20/5/25
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Coal Tit (Parus ater)
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - 3 Calasparra 8/5/3, 2 Espuna 2/5/24, 1 Calasparra 6/5/24
Crested Tit (Parus cristatus)
Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus)
Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis)
Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)
Common Magpie (Pica pica)
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor)
Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia)
Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Common Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)
European Serin (Serinus serinus)
Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)
Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)
Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia)
Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) - 7 La Contraparada 13/5/25
BIRDS seen Southern Costa Blanca ALL SEASONS list
Odonata – 39 species. Order follows K-D B Dijkstra 2nd edition 2020
Spain; Dragonflies of the southern Costa Blanca (Murcia, Alicante) gallery
Western Demoiselle (Calopteryx xanthostoma) - Common Calasparra 27/5/22, 1m Calasparra 17/10/22
Copper Demoiselle (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) - 6+ Montnegre 26/5/22, common Mula, etc
Southern Emerald Damselfly (Lestes barbarus) - 20+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Small Emerald Damselfly (Lestes virens virens) - 3+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Willow Emerald Damselfly (Lestes viridis) - Fairly common Mula, 5+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Common Winter Damsel (Sympecma fusca) - 1 Espuna 11/5/22, 4 Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) - Thanks to Oscar Aldeguer Peral for correcting my original mis-identification (Iberian Bluetail)
---- Coastal plains and lowlands, e.g. El Hondo, Campo de Cartagena etc
Iberian Bluetail (Ischnura graellsii) - 1+ Mula 7/10/22
---- Inland mountain areas
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) - 1m Mula 7/10/22; 2 Calasparra 17/10/22; 1f Calasparra 10/10/24
Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale) - Fairly common Mula. 1f Arroyo Blanco 20/5/25
Mediterranean Bluet (Coenagrion caerulescens) - Common Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22
Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum)
Goblet-marked Damselfly (Erythromma lindenii) - 2-3 Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - 20+ Bajil 20/5/25
Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum) - Mula; 1m 7/10/22, 1m 17/10/22
White featherleg (Platycnemis latipes) - Common Calasparra 27/5/22, fairly common Mula
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - Common throughout
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)
Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) – Large numbers on wetlands. 1m Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22, 7/10/22; 1m Calasparra 8/5/23
Vagrant Emperor (Anax ephippiger) - Common El Hondo 29/4/22, 17/5/22 flying with the above species
Western Spectre (Boyeria irene) - 1 Calasparra 27/5/22; 2 (one dead) Mula 7/10/22
Yellow Clubtail (Gomphus simillimus) - Mula; 3 31/5/22, 1/6/22 (in-cop, ovipositing), 3+ 8/5/23; 1 ten. Calasparra 8/5/23; 1f Mula 8/5/24
Blue-eyed Hooktail (Onychogomphus uncatus) - Common Mula 31/5/22, 1/6/22
Green-eyed Hooktail (Onychogomphus forcipatus) - 1m Mula 31/5/22
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)
Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) - 1m Mula 31/5/22
Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) - 1 Espuna 19/5/22, common Mula
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) - Fairly common throughout, common Mula
Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria) – Small numbers, all wetland sites
Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) – Very common
Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
Southern Darter (Sympetrum meridionale) - 6+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Desert Darter (Sympetrum sinaiticum) - Common Mula, Espuna etc 10/2022, 2+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea)
Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata)
Orange-Winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi)
Black Percher (Diplacodes lefebvrii) – On most wetland sites
Black Pennant (Selysiothemis nigra) - 2f El Algar 18/5/25
Butterflies - 42 species. Order follows Lanfranchis 2004
Sage Skipper (Muschampia proto)
Mediterranean Skipper (Gegenes nostrodamus)
Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) - 2+ Embalse Alfonso XIII 8/5/24
Lulworth skipper (Thymelicus acteon)
Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) - 1 Los Alcazares 25/5/22
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus lavatherae) - 1 Los Nietos 1/5/23
Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae)
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
Spanish Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthamelii) - 1 Guardamar 17/5/22
Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
Large White Butterfly (Pieris brassicae)
Green-veined White (Pieris napi) - El Hondo 29/4/22
Small White (Pieris rapae)
Provencal Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenoides) - Espuna 5/2022
Bath White (Pontia daplidice)
Blue-spot Hairstreak (Satyrium spini)
Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) - 2 Escalona 10/5/22
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) - 1 Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli) - 1 Los Alcazares 27/4/24
Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) - 1 Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Lang's Short-Tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous)
African Grass Blue (Zizeeria knysna) - Several El Algar 21/10/24
Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera) - 1 Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Black-Eyed Blue (Glaucopsyche melanops) - Escalona 5/2022
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Panoptes Blue (Pseudophilotes panoptes) - 1 La Risca dam 9/5/25
Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)
Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) – Mostly El Hondo
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Queen of Spain fritillary (Issoria lathonia) - 1 Mula 5/2022
Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe)
Provencal Fritillary (Melitaea deione) - 1 Bajil 20/5/25
Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera)
Grayling (Hipparchia semele) - 1 Mula 17/10/22
Rock Grayling (Hipparchia semele) - 1 Mula 31/5/22
Striped Grayling (Hipparchia fidia) - 1 Espuna 19/10/22
Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba)
Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus) - 1 Escalona 16/5/22
Moths. Order alphabetical
Acontia trabealis (Spotted Sulphur) - several Embalse Alfonso XIII 6/5/24
Autographa gamma (Silver Y)
Eublemma ostrina (Purple Marbled)
Heliothis peltigera (Bordered Straw)
Idaea ochrata (Bright Wave)
Itame vincularia (Fettered Dyer)
Pyropteron affinis (Sesiidae) - 1m Corvera 12/5/25
Rhodometra sacraria (The Vestal) - Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Spoladea recurvalis (Crambidae) - 1+ El Algar 21/10/24
Synaphe diffidalis (Pyralidae) - La Risca 9/5/25
Synthymia fixa (Goldwing)
Utetheisa pulchella (Crimson Speckled Moth)
Zygaena lavandulae (Broom Burnet, Zygaenidae)
Zygaena sarpedon (Zygaenidae)
Zygaena occitanica (Provence burnet, Zygaenidae) - Los Nietos 23/4/24
Zygaenidae (Procridinae, Forester moths) sp. - 1 Corvera 12/5/25
Other insects. Order follows Brock, Paul D.
Ruspolia nitidula (Large Conehead) - 1f Mula 7/10/22
Conocephalus fuscus (Long Winged Cone-head) - 2+ Calasparra 17/10/22
Phaneroptera nana (Tettigoniidae) - Embalse de la Pedrera 13/9/20
Platycleis intermedia (Tettigoniidae) - 1f Mula 7/10/22
Tettigonia viridissima (Tettigoniidae) - 1 Corvera 12/5/25
Pyrgomorpha conica (Pyrgomorphidae)
Acrida ungarica mediterranea (Acrididae) - 2+ Mula 17/10/22, 1+ Yecla ZEPA 24/10/22
Truxalis nasuta (Acrididae) – Max. 30+ Calblanque 16/9/20 Truxalis nasuta identification
Calliptamus sp. (C. barbarus/wattenwylianus, probably barbarus) (Acrididae)
Sphingonotus rubescens (Acrididae)
Anacridium aegyptium (Egyptian Grasshopper, Acrididae) – Common throughout
Brachycrotaphus tryxalicerus (Savanna Grasshopper, Acrididae) - 1 Calblanque 16/9/20
Heteracris littoralis (Mediterranean Splendid Grasshopper, Acrididae) – Wetlands throughout
Acrotylus patruelis (Slender Digging Grasshopper, Acrididae) – Fairly common
Acrotylus fischeri (Acrididae) - Mula 1/6/22
Acrotylus insubricus (Acrididae) - Espuna 5/2022
Oedaleus decorus (Acrididae) - 1 Mula 7/10/22
Oedipoda charpentieri - 1+ Espuna 19/10/22
Oedipoda caerulescens (Blue-winged Grasshopper)
Oedipoda coerulea (Iberian Band-winged Grasshopper) - 1 Calasparra 17/10/22; 1 Espuna 19/10/22
Aiolopus strepens (Broad Green-winged Grasshopper) - 1 Calasparra 17/10/22
Aiolopus puissanti (Acrididae) - 1m Mula 8/5/24
Euchorthippus chopardi (Iberian Straw Grasshopper) - 1m Mula 17/10/22; 1m Espuna 19/10/22
Euchorthippus elegantulus (Elegant Straw Grasshopper) - Mula; 4+ 7/10/22, 1f 17/10/22
Chorthippus jacobsi (Iberian Field Grasshopper, Acrididae)
Eumigus cucullatus (Hooded Stone Grasshopper, Pamphagidae) - 1f Calblanque 6/5/22, 1 nymph Los Camachos 10/10/22
Iris oratoria (Mediterranean Mantis, Eremiaphila) – 1 Clot de Galvany 17/9/20
Ameles spallanzania (European dwarf mantis, Mantidae)
Mantis religiosa (European Mantis) - Common Mula, etc 10/2022
Rivetina baetica (Mantidae) - 1 Calblanque 3/6/22
Empusa pennata (Conehead Mantis, Empusidae)
Carpocoris mediterraneus (Pentatomidae, Shieldbugs) - 1 El Algar 18/5/25
Nezara viridula (Southern Green Shieldbug, Pentatomidae) - 1 Clot de Galvany 9/9/20
Graphosoma semipunctatum (Pentatomidae) – 1 Calblanque 16/9/20
Haploprocta sulcicornis (Coreidae, Leatherbugs) - 1 Calblanque 6/5/22
Pyrrhocoris apterus (Firebug)
Spilostethus pandurus (Lygaeidae) 1 Los Camachos 15/5/23
Gerridae sp (Gerridae, Water Skaters)
Cicada orni (Cicadidae, Cicadas) – 1 El Pinet 14/9/20
Chrysoperla carnea (Chrysopidae, Green Lacewings)
Nemoptera bipennis (Nemopteridae) - 2 Playa del Rafal (Cope) 7/5/25
Creoleon lugdunensis (Myrmeleontidae, Antlions) – 1 Calblanque 16/9/20
Libelloides baeticus (Ascalaphinae, Owlflies) - Espuna 19/5/22
Libelloides ictericus (Ascalaphinae)
Cephalota maura (Carabidae, Ground Beetles) - Mula 1/6/22
Cicindela campestris (Carabidae), Green Tiger Beetle - 2+ Mula 7/10/22
Serica brunnea (Brown Chafer, Scarabaeidae, Scarab Beetles) - 1 Espuna 19/5/22
Protaetia morio (Scarabaeidae)
Tropinota hirta/squalida (Scarabaeidae) - 1 Cablanque 22/4/24
Tropinota squalida (Scarabaeidae) - 1 La Risca 9/5/25
Oxythyrea funesta (White-spotted Rose Beetle, Scarabaeidae)
Acmaeodera cylindrica (Buprestidae, Jewel Beetles) - 1 Mar Menor 5/5/25
Acmaeodera degener (Buprestidae) - 1 Cablanque 22/4/24
Julodis onopordi (Buprestidae)
Trichodes apiarius (Cleridae) - Embalse Alfonso XIII 8/5/24
Tilloidea transversalis (Cleridae) - 1 Los Camachos 15/5/23
Coccinella septempunctata (7-spot Ladybird, Coccinellidae) - 1 Espuna 16/5/25
Chnootriba elaterii (Melon Ladybird Beetle, Coccinellidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 10/5/24
Pimelia baetica (Tenebrionidae, Darkling Beetles)
Blaps gigas (Tenebrionidae) - 2 Calblanque 11/10/22
Heliotaurus ruficollis (Tenebrionidae)
Oedemera podagrariae (False Blister Beetle, Oedemerinae)
Mylabris hieracii (Meloidae, Oil Beetles)
Zonitis immaculata (Meloidae)
Agapanthia cardui (Cerambycidae, Longhorn Beetles) - 1 El Algar 22/4/24
Timarcha gravis (Chrysomelidae, Leaf Beetles)
Larinus planus (Curculionidae, True Weevils)
Coniocleonus nigrosuturatus (Curculionidae) - 1 Cartagena 24/10/22
Bibio marci (St Mark's Fly, Bibionidae)
Bombylius cruciatus (Bombyliidae, Bee-flies)
Exoprosopa jacchus (Bombyliidae) - 1 Los Nietos 23/4/24
Exhyalanthrax muscarius (Bombyliidae) - 1 Calblanque 22/4/24
Lomatia lateralis (Bombyliidae)
Machimus pilipes (Asilidae, Robberflies) – Los Nietos 13/9/20
Saropogon aberrans (Asilidae)
Chrysotoxum intermedium (Syrphidae, Hoverflies) - 1m El Algar 13/5/22
Eristalinus aeneus (Syrphidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 15/5/23; 1 Los Nietos 30/4/24
Eristalinus megacephalus (Syrphidae) - 1f El Algar 21/10/24
Eristalinus sepulchralis (Small Spotty-eyed Dronefly, Syrphidae) – 1m El Hondo 14/9/20
Eristalis tenax (Syrphidae)
Helophilus pendulus (Common Tiger Hoverfly, Syrphidae)
Merodon sp. (Syrphidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 19/4/24
Scaeva pyrastri (White-clubbed Scaeva, Syrphidae)
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly, Syrphidae)
Xanthogramma marginale (Syrphidae)
Urophora quadrifasciata (Tephritidae, Peacock Flies)
Muscidae/Calliphoridae sp - 1f Calblanque 21/10/24
Sturmia bella (Tachinidae, Parasitic Flies) - Calblanque 22/4/22
Peleteria rubescens (Tachinidae)
Cylindromyia sp. (Tachinidae) - 1 El Hondo 24/4/24
Tenthredo sp. (Tenthredinidae) - 2 Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Brachymeria tibialis (Chalcididae) - 1 Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Ctenochares bicolorus (Ichneumonidae) - 1 Mar Menor 5/5/25
Enicospilus sp (Ichneumonidae) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Megascolia bidens (Scoliidae, Scoliid wasps)
Scolia hirta (Scoliidae) - 2+ San Pedro 9/9/21
Scolia hortorum (Scoliidae) - 1+ m El Algar 18-19/5/25
Scolia carbonaria (Scoliidae) - 1m Los Camachos 15/5/23
Dasyscolia ciliata (Scoliidae)
Cryptocheilus hispanicus (Pompilidae) - 1 El Algar 19/5/25
Aporus unicolor (Purseweb Spider-wasp, Pompilidae)
(?)Schistonyx perezi (Pompilidae) - Calblanque 22/4/22
Eumenes papillarius (Vespidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 14/10/24
Eumenes mediterraneus (Vespidae)
Allodynerus delphinalis (Vespidae) - 1m Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Rhynchium oculatum (Mediterranean Snouted Potter Wasp, Vespidae)
Euodynerus (dantici group, Vespidae) - 1 Calblanque 22/4/22, 29/4/24
Ancistrocerus biphaleratus triphaleratus - 1 Embalse Alfonso XIII 6/5/24
Polistes gallicus (Vespidae) - Common throughout
Ceramius lusitanicus (Vespidae) - 1m Sierra Escalona 21/5/25
Ammophila sabulosa (Red-banded Sand Wasp, Sphecidae)
Prionyx lividocinctus (Sphecidae, Sand Wasps) – 5+ El Hondo 10/9/20
Prionyx kirbii (Sphecidae) - 1 San Pedro 16/9/21
Sceliphron madraspatanum tubifex (Sphecidae) - 1 San Pedro 14/9/21
Sceliphron destillatorium (Sphecidae) - 1 Calasparra 27/5/22
Bembix oculata (Crabronidae, Digger wasps) - 1 Los Alcazares 7/9/21, 2+ San Pedro 14/9/21; 1 Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Bembix sinuata (Crabronidae) - 1f Calblanque 6/5/22
Stizus sp. (Crabronidae) - 2 Los Nietos 23/4/24
Cerceris sp (Crabronidae) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Philanthus triangulum (European Beewolf, Crabronidae)
Philanthus coronatus (Crowned Beewolf, Crabronidae) - 1 Embalse Alfonso XIII 6/5/24
Tachytes panzeri (Crabronidae) - 1 Calblanque 22/4/22
Colletes sp (Colletidae) - 30+ Calblanque, 1 Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Andrena (cineraria-type) (Andrenidae) - Calblanque 6/5/22, 22/4/24
Andrena fuscosa (Andrenidae) - 1 Mar Menor 5/5/25; 1f Sirra Escalona 21/5/25
Andrena sp. (Andrenidae) - several unidentified
Melitturga caudata (Andrenidae) - Espuna 16/5/25
Halictus scabiosae (Great Banded Furrow-bee, Halictidae)
Lasioglossum discum (Halictidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 10/5/24
Sphecodes sp. (Halictidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 10/5/24
Nomiapis sp (Halictidae) - 1f La Mata 4/5/23
Dasypoda hirtipes (Melittidae, Pantaloon Bees)
Dasypoda sp (Melittidae) - 1f Calasparra 27/5/22
Anthidium sp (Megachilidae) - Calasparra 8/5/23
Rhodanthidium sticticum (Megachilidae)
Pseudoanthidium reticulatum (Megachilidae) - 1f El Carmoli 12/5/23
Osmia anceyi/bidentata (Megachilidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 5/5/23
Hoplitis adunca (group) (Megachilidae) - Calblanque 22/4/24
Hoplitis cristatula (Megachilidae) - 2 (m,f) Mar Menor 17/5/25
Megachile lagopoda (Megachilidae) - La Mata 4/5/23, El Carmoli 12/5/23, Los Camachos 15/5/23; 1m Los Alazares 21/10/24
Megachile sp (Megachilidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Coelioxys sp (Megachilidae) - 1f Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Nomada succincta (Yellow-legged Nomad Bee, Apidae) - 22/4/24 Calblanque
Eucera (Synhalonia) rufa (Apidae)
Eucera sp (Apidae) - various throughout
Anthophora bimaculata (Apidae) - Calblanque 22/4/24
Amegilla quadrifasciata (White-banded Digger Bee, Apidae) - 10+ San Pedro 14/9/21
Amegilla albigena (Apidae)
Ceratina cucurbitina (Apidae) - 1f El Carmoli 12/5/23
Thyreus ramosus (Apidae) - 1 Los Alcazares 15/5/23
Thyreus histrionicus (Apidae) - 2 Los Alcazares 21/10/24
Xylocopa iris (Apidae) - 2 La Mata 4/5/23, Carmoli 12/5/23
Xylocopa violacea (Violet Carpenter Bee) - 1m Calblanque 11/10/22
Bombus terrestris lusitanicus* (Buff-tailed Bumblee, Iberian ssp, Apidae)
*Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumblebee) - Individuals seen at c1400 metres (Espuna) could be of this species
Bombus vestalis (Apidae) - 1m Espuna 16/5/25
Buthus occitanus (Common Yellow Scorpion) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Gluvia dorsalis (Solifugae, Sun Spiders) - 1 Mula 31/5/22
Argiope bruennichi (Wasp Spider) - 2+ Mula 7/10/22
Argiope trifasciata (Banded Garden Spider, Araneidae) - Wetlands
Hogna radiata (Lycosidae) - 1 Mula 7/10/22
Stegodyphus lineatus (Eresidae) - 1 Calblanque 5/5/25
Synema globosum (Thomisidae) - 1 Corvera 12/5/25
Ommatoiulus rutilans (Julidae, Millipedes)
Other fauna
Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) - 6+ Mula 7/10/22, 1 La Risca dam 9/5/25
Perez's Frog (Pelophylax perezi) – All wetlands
Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) – 1 Clot de Galvany 10/9/20, 1 Mula 31/5/22
Red-eared Terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans) - 1 Clot de Galvany 12/9/21
Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) - 1 Calblanque 16/9/20, 1 San Pedro 14/9/21
Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) - 1 La Mata 4/5/23
Spiny-footed Lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) - Common Calblanque
Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) - Fairly common Calblanque, etc
Edwards' (Spanish) Psammodromus* (Psammodromus edwarsianus) - 1+ Clot de Galvany 12/9/21, 1 Escalona 10/5/22.
*Spanish Psammodromus apparently now split into three species - see Edwards' Psammodromus
Sierra Nevada Lizard (Timon nevadensis)*
*Replaces Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus) in this region
Iberian Wall Lizard (Podarcis hispanicus)
Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris) – 1 Clot de Galvany 17/9/20
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) - 1 Espuna 2/5/24
Mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) - 2 Bajil 20/5/25
Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - 10+ Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - 4 (inc. 1 albino adult) Bay of Mazarrón (pelagic) 25/4/24
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) - 3+ Mula 7/10/22
Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) - 1 El Hondo 19/5/23
Fried egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata) - Mar Menor 10/2024
Flora
Orchids (Orchidaceae) - 10 species
Finding orchids in this part of Spain has been hard work. The season starts as early as January, ends in late May on the coast, and continues with a few other species inland through the summer. Hence the total is low compared with temperate Europe. And we don’t visit in high summer as it’s too hot and busy.
Order alphabetical, scientific names.
Anacamptis collina (Orchidaceae), Fan-lipped Orchid - Atamaria 20/2/25 - 3/3/25
Anacamptis papilionacea (Orchidaceae), Pink Butterfly Orchid - Las Cenizas 3/3/25
Anacamptis pyramidalis (Orchidaceae), Pyramidal Orchid - Las Cenizas 30/4/25
Limodorum abortivum (Orchidaceae), Violet Limodore – Espuna 11/5/22
Ophrys apifera (Orchidaceae), Bee Orchid - Arroyo Blanc 20/5/25
Ophrys lutea (Orchidaceae), Yellow Bee Orchid – Espuna 11/5/22
Ophrys scolopax (Orchidaceae), Woodcock Orchid - Arroyo Blanc 20/5/25
Ophrys speculum (Orchidaceae), Mirror Orchid - Las Cenizas 28/2/25 - 3/3/25
Ophrys tenthredinifera (Orchidaceae), Sawfly Orchid - Atamaria 20/2/25 – 3/3/25
Serapias lingua (Orchidaceae), Tongue Orchid - Las Cenizas 30/4/25
Other flora
Spain; Flora of the southern Costa Blanca (Murcia, Alicante) - list of species identified
Spain; Flora of the southern Costa Blanca (Murcia, Alicante) - gallery