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Loja Wildlife.

@lojawildlife.bsky.social
107 followers 73 following 70 posts

Wildlife Geek in Southern Spain. Birds, Butterflies, Orchids, Moths and anything else nature wise.

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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Coming back south from a trip to the North Paqui and myself stopped in at Tablas de Daimiel where we had some nice views of around 30 or so Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. Search lojawildlife for more photo's.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Desert Orange-tip's seen locally today. I only found a single female but there were at least 10 males present. Search lojawildlife for more photos.
Female underwing.Female upperwing.Male upperwing.Male underwing.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
A couple of weeks ago Karen, Rob and I had a great day in the Gredos area of Ávila with friend Keith from Finca La Sayuela. We saw a remarkable number of butterflies including a new species for me, Marbled Fritillary. Many more photographs on the blog, please search lojawildlife and have a look.
Marbled Fritillary, a new species for me.Scarce and Purple-shot Coppers sharing a Ragwort flower.Spanish Heath.Niobe Fritillary and a Long-horn Beetle Species without a name at the moment.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Photos of a Faded Pincertail. Along with Lynn and Steve, friends who were visiting from the UK we found several of this beautiful insects at a couple of sites during their trip. Photographing this species was also a good way of keeping some bits cool. More on the blog, search lojawildlife.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Spanish Zephyr Blue (Plebejus hespericus), several seen today in Granada Province, at least 4 mating pairs and a good number of individuals flying around their food plant. www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
3 of 6 Axis margarita moths seen near Loja GR this morning, whilst moth recording with Dave Grundy. I have only ever seen 1 insect of this species before which was recorded in my garden a few years ago.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
1 of 3 Spanish Greenish Black-tips (Euchloe bazae) seen yesterday in Granada Province. Always a real privilege to see this stunning butterfly. More on the blog at lojawildlife.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Out in Granada Province with friends Kiersten Hartley Rowland and Anne Hunt looking for Orchids today. We did well and found a good selection including these Sawfly Orchids (Ophrys tenthredinifera) which are quite variable but beautiful. More photos and species on the blog soon at lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
A very smart male Little Bustard which did a nice flyby whilst I was watching a pair of Montagu's Harriers in a territorial dispute with a female Marsh Harrier. I also saw Woodchat Shrike, Black-winged Kites and Stone Curlew. More on the Blog at www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
A few days ago I spent a brilliant morning with friends down in Malaga Province looking for Orchids, one of the best looking species we saw was Ophrys alpujata, both Yellow and Orange flowers were seen. www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Photos of the Rio Genil at Huétor Tajar, GR taken on the 22nd, 25th and 26th of January from the same spot, what a difference a few days and lots of rain can make. Search lojawildlife for my blog.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
One of several local patch Little Owls, this one is regularly on this post and I have taken this birds photo many times. We are lucky to still have a very good population of this cracking species, friends tell me that numbers are dropping in other areas. More on the blog, please search lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
While birding in El Temple Sunday, up on the Pylons was the place to be as along the row of the largest one at the site I had Golden and Iberian Imperial Eagle, Buzzard, Common Kestrel and Peregrine. I also had my first Great Spotted Cuckoo's of the year. More on the Blog at www.lojawildlife.com
Golden Eagle.Golden Eagle.Iberian Imperial Eagle.Great Spotted Cuckoo.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Spent around 20 minutes watching these little beauties this Morning on the Patch, 2 male and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were chasing around a group of dead Poplar Trees calling and drumming. More on the blog, search lojawildlife.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Back on the fields just to the North of Huétor Tajar, GR. Whilst looking for the European Golden Plovers for a friend who was coming over to see them, I photographed this stunning male Bluethroat (one of 3 seen) along one of the Irrigation channels. More on the blog, search lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Not sure what this is but guessing Beech Marten. It was up on my terrace a couple of nights ago. More on the blog, search lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Went for a walk down on the fields this morning in the fog, so I wasn't expecting much, especially a Turtle Dove or a Speckled Wood. More on the Blog search lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Out on the Local Patch, walked along the Rio Genil near Huétor Tajar in Granada Province this morning. Pleased with a female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, I picked it up as it was calling, and then she spent sometime moving around in dead trees next to the road. More on my blog, search lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
I sat in the car for a couple of hours by a puddle up on Cerro Hacho, near Loja this morning. Here are a few of the visitors that came in for a drink or a bath. More photo's soon on blog at lojawildlife
Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra).Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia).Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteño / Emberiza cirlus).European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis).
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Been great to spend a few days out and about with good friends Lynn and Steve from the UK, these are a few of the Dragonflies we saw during their visit. Loads more on the Blog at lojawildlife
A pair of Ringed Cascaders (Zygonyx torridus) during a visit to the Rio Guadalhorce we saw 4 males and a female.Western Spectre (Boyeria Irene) male.Desert Darters (Sympetrum sinaiticum) were common at several sites.Western Willow Spreadwing (Lestres viridis) male.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
Back in June whilst out in Granada Province with Deb and Ian from Australia we had several Desert Orange-tip (Colotis evagore) butterflies which were enjoying the Lantana flowers. Lots more of my wildlife photo's on the blog at www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
My main target in Moscardón was the Zapata's Ringlet, an endemic in the area. The first day I drew a blank but a couple had been seen. The second day I saw a couple in the afternoon, on the third day more but none behaved apart from one on a guy called Roberts wrist taking salt. Blog on lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
A short video showing a very small part of a puddling site near Moscardón in Teruel Provine today. 100s of Azure Chalkhill Blues, 100s of Red underwing Skippers as well as smaller numbers of other species. Search lojawildlife for the blog.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Up Sierra Nevada with jacksni.bsky.social AKA Garry. Target was Ortolan which we got before we got the Minibus up towards Valeta. Up high we had Alpine Accentor and on the walk back down we picked up Bearded Vulture which helped as we were both well knackered by this point. blog Lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Criptic / Spanish Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia rosae) a new species for me and Nevada Grayling (Pseudochazara hippolyte) which I have only seen once before. Both seen earlier in the month in Granada Province. I have now caught up with the blog, please have a read at lojawildlife
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Some more Butterflies but this time up on Sierra Nevada with Andy Tweed from the UK at around 2700m, up there we had good numbers of Spanish Argus, Escher's Blue and the endemic Nevada Blues and Spanish Brassy Ringlet. Lots more photo's on the almost up to date Blog on lojawildlife
Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis)Escher's Blue (Polyommatus escheri)Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus)Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania)
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Just a few of the Iberian Marbled Whites seen yesterday at a spot on the Southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada in Granada Province. have a look at the blog at lojawildlife #butterflies #butterfliesinspain #butterfly #Sierranevada #natureinspain
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Great to catch up with Paul Selby @selbypaul.bsky.social‬ for some Butterfly hunting in Sierra Nevada. Day one was at between 2300m and 2700m where we dipped the Zullich's Blue but Paul finished the day with 3 new species and a couple of new subspecies. More coming on the blog at lojawildlife.com
Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania).Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis) and Nevada Blue (Polyommatus golgus).Hermit (Chazara briseis) never easy to find.Oriental Meadow Brown (Hyponephele lupina).
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Paul Selby @selbypaul.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Ended my time in south Spain today with this Plain Tiger. This following my 5th new species in 3 days with Andalucian Anomalous Blue. Back to work tomorrow! Thanks to @lojawildlife.bsky.social for the help in site identification
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
Some species seen a couple of weeks ago up near Formigal in the Pyrenees with Deb and Ian from Australia, names on ALT and more on the blog at lojawildlife.
Turquoise Blue (Polyommatus dorylas).Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages).Small Blue (Cupido minimus).
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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Last weeks highlight was seeing Zullich’s Blue high in the Sierra Nevada. At 2,600 to 2,700m, in the same habitat as Spanish Argus, flying rapidly at ankle height across exposed ground of schist stones & sparse vegetation made them difficult to see & follow. @europebutterfly.bsky.social
Zullich’s Blue (Agriades zullichi)Zullich’s Blue (Agriades zullichi)Zullich’s Blue (Agriades zullichi)Zullich’s Blue (Agriades zullichi) on food plant.
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orientbutterflies.bsky.social @orientbutterflies.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Thanks to a tip off from @lojawildlife.bsky.social I was able to enjoy 50+ Plain Tigers going about their business near Motril , Spain. Fantastic opportunity to watch them take nectar on this low level plant.
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
After a 66 day trip around Spain with Deb and Ian, my good friends from Australia I am way behind with doing the blog (www.lojawildlife.com). Part of the trip included two weeks on the Canary Islands. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura all gave us good species. Firstly Tenerife.....
Bolle's Pigeon (Paloma Turqué / Columba bollii).Tenerife Blue Chaffinch (Pinzón Azul de Tenerife / Fringilla teydea) male.Echium wildpretii.Tenerife Lizard (Gallotia galloti).
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orientbutterflies.bsky.social @orientbutterflies.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Interesting find by @lojawildlife.bsky.social today at 2,500mtrs. An apparent fresh Purple Hairstreak looking more like its North African cousins. No oaks in site either.
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orientbutterflies.bsky.social @orientbutterflies.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Escher’s blue , Spanish ibex , Idas blue , and Apollo kept mine and @lojawildlife.bsky.social concentration high despite the searing heat.
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orientbutterflies.bsky.social @orientbutterflies.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
As always , great to meet up with @lojawildlife.bsky.social to share stunning scenery and butterflies in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Iberian marbled white posed in the early morning sun.
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orientbutterflies.bsky.social @orientbutterflies.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
After our disappointment with the Zullich’s blue no show , it was great to connect with Andalusian anomalous blue with @lojawildlife.bsky.social . What a stunning but vulnerable butterfly. Hope it receives the protection required so that others may enjoy the encounter we did.
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Dougy Wright @windmillfarm.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Great day out in Granada with @lojawildlife.bsky.social lotsof great birds and orchids! Thanks Mick
Bee EaterGreat Spotted Eagle
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Out and about with friends Karen and Robert from the UK in the Baza area of Granada Province today. I was over the moon when we saw a Spanish Greenish Black-tip and even more so when it landed several times and allowed us all to get some photo's. www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Whilst out yesterday with Kiersten and Anne these were some of the other Orchids we saw at Embalse de Bermejalis, GR. www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Yesterday I was Orchid hunting with Kiersten Hartley Rolands and Anne Hunt at Embalse de Bermejalis, GR. Kiersten found a nice clump of 12 O. Tentredinifera X O. Lupercalis = Ophrys x juanamarii and I picked up a smart hipocromatic Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera). www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Male and female Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus), at least 8 seen on Hacho, near Loja in Granada Province Today. More on the blog at www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Down on the fields again today, lots of Spanish Yellow Wagtails coming through as well as other subsp, Meadow Pipits still around and several newly arrived Woodchat Shrikes. Black-winged Kites, Montagu's Harriers, Little Bustards and an unexpected Pheasant were also seen. www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
More Orchids from down in Malaga Province a couple of days ago, Ophrys atlantica, Ophrys dyris, Ophrys alpujata x Ophrys lupercalis, Ophrys × diazii, Ophrys Scolopax, Ophrys alpujata, Ophrys x Fernandii, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys lutea, Gennaria diphylla and Orchis Italica. www.lojawildlife.com
Atlas Orchid (Ophrys atlantica).Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea).Ophrys x Fernandii. Italian Man Orchid (Orchis Italica).
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Giants (Himanthoglosum Robertiana), Somber Bee (Ophrys lupercalis), Sawfly (Ophrys tenthredinifera), Ophrys dyris, Ophrys x juarezi and Ophrys x juanamarii. Some of the species I saw at a site near Granada a few days ago. #wildorchids, #spanishorchids, #orchids, www.lojawildlife.com
Giant Orchid (Himanthoglosum Robertiana), 40+ spikes seen.Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera), around 30 spikes in the pines. Ophrys x juarezi (Ophrys Dyris x Ophrys Lupercalis).Ophrys x juanamarii (Ophrys Tentredinifera x Ophrys Lupercalis).
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
They may not be the brightest or showy but I do think Corn Buntings are cracking birds and I am lucky enough to have a really good population on my patch and in the area generally, they can be heard from my terrace regularly. www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
On Hacho, Granada Province today I had 2 new Orchids for the year Conical and Southern Early Purple. Other species were Fan-lipped, Giant and Somber Bee Orchid. More on the blog at www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
I popped down the fields this morning, sat in the car and watched 8 Little Bustards. So lucky to have these birds on my patch and less than 2 KM from my house. Whilst there I also had 3x Woodchat Shrikes, my first of the year. www.lojawildlife.com
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
A few days ago I went looking for Orchids with some info from friend Kevin Wade. Three were hybrids, Ophrys alpujata x O. lupercalis and Ophrys × diazii and Ophrys x Castroviejoi. Plus Ophrys tenthredinifera, O scolopax, O alpujata and Gennaria diphylla in the rain. The blog www.lojawildlife.com
O. alpujata x O. lupercalis.Ophrys × diazii (O. alpujata × O. scolopax).Ophrys x Castroviejoi (O. speculum x O. scolopax).
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Loja Wildlife. @lojawildlife.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Ok, going to give Bluesky another try as I was getting zero response last time I was here. Today I went to a spot close to my house where I saw Provence Hairstreak, False Mallow / Mallow Skipper, Western Dappled White and Southern Brown Argus and others. More on the Blog at www.lojawildlife.com
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