OUR VISIT TO MONTNEGRE & AND STRIKING IT LUCKY ON MAIGMO

The weather forecast for this current week had not been good. The predicted heavy rain, thunder storms with lightening did occur but many areas were spared some, if not all, of the worst. On Thursday 11th June we left San Miguel de Salinas at 6.15am with a temperature of seventeen degrees, arriving in Gran Alicant by 7am. The sky was clear and with only a light wind. 

We had agreed previously to head for the mountains just north of Alicante. Montnegre being our first objective and with Maigmo later in the morning. From previous visits we knew what either location could give to us. We have objectives in mind for most trips and we concentrate on species and good quality viewing. We always want to see as much as possible, but quantity is not our target. The journey up to the summit of 725 metres above Tibi yielded no surprises. 

Our spot for Trumpeter Finches was our-go-to-place and there within seconds was a superb male. We remained patient and had other sightings too. We observed them feeding, and, flying further up the mountain. They are lovely birds to watch and this is the only location that we have had continued success at. We are amazed that we have received no requests for information bearing in mind we know of ‘organised’ trips to Cabo de Gata! It is a rare bird. 

We had been greeted with Nightingales singing in the ravine below and with both Black Wheatears and Blue Rock Thrushes calling, flying and perched. The Rock Thrushes were more distant with Wheatears much more obliging. There is not a tremendous amount of activity up here, but we heard and saw Serin, Goldfinch and House Sparrows. Sardinian Warblers were busy flying in and out of scrub. On cables a male Greenfinch trilled away. A lone Kestrel perched in the distance. While watching from the roadside Crag Martins flew within a few metres of our heads and Red-rumped Swallows showed well. Further away two large birds appeared over a ridge which were possibly Griffin Vultures. 

On reaching the high spot there was little to see except for Vultures circling and bearing in mind the time in the year we quickly descended through Tibi and across the valley towards Maigmo. Below Tibi near to the river we paused and observed two Spotted Flycatchers, a Cettis called from the river’s vegetation and that was that. Going up to Maigmo we encountered woodland-birds. Coal Tit, luckily Long-tailed and we had great views of a Tree Creeper. They are always good to see here and it is a spot worth remembering. A Chaffinch called and we had a clear view of a male a little later. Crossbills were overhead in the pines. We could have spent more time amongst the trees, but we wanted to get to the summit to see if the Alpine Swifts were on show. They were not although we had Pallid ones flying high. 

At the summit it was windy and it was butterfly time. We just struck it lucky. All three of us became absorbed with something that we had not seen before and in chasing this species down we saw the following: Clouded Yellow Banded Grayling Small White Marbled White Gate Keeper Swallow Tail 

Now to our new-to-us species. The photographers got really busy and viewed two species. The first, LIBELLIODES COCCAJUS or in lay man’s terms ‘the owly sulphur’.  They are of the family ASACALAPHIDEA and sub-family ASCALAPHINAE.  These OWLFLIES mainly inhabit areas of tall grass and sunny rocky slopes up to 1500 metres. This was the right location for them on this Limestone ridge. They are rare and can be seen in France, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland.

DESCRIPTION

 

The adults reach 25 millimetres (0.98 in) of length, with a wingspan of 45–55 millimetres (1.8–2.2 in). [3] The body is black and quite hairy. The eyes are large and bulging; the antennae are long and clubbed. The wings do not have scales and are partly transparent, with bright yellow areas in the first third, dark brown on the external side. An elongated black area is present towards the end of the posterior edge of the wing. The venation is black. The wings are held spread at rest, as in dragonflies. This species is rather similar to Libelloides lacteus. [3] 

The second species that were flying around in the same space and at the same time were THREADED LACE WING (Nemoptera sinuata). 

Great stuff and two for the price of one! We had arrived at the right time because they were flying everywhere with the genders seemingly behaving differently. Some were flying higher with others flying in and around vegetation and settling on a thin stem. This maybe accounted for, as the female, lays eggs on similar vegetable matter. 

Thanks to Bryan for his photos, enquiring mind and research and to the Internet to allow us the information to increase our knowledge. 

It's truly great out there and being able to do this after being incapacitated and locked in with ‘lock-down’. Terrific stuff with a new species and in good company too. Here's to the next time and thank you to the mountains for allowing these species to live.