Popped out to my local spring near Pinoso today and had my first Violet Dropwings. All in the obelisk position due to the heat (39C today). Stunning dragonflies. #dragonfly #dragonflyphotography #dragonflies #insects

My #birdoftheday #covidae is this House Crow taken in Malacca Malaysia earlier this year. A common bird in Asia. #birds #birding #birdphotography

Incoming Squacco Heron at El Hondo. It has been another good year for this small heron with plenty about. #birds #birdphotography #birding #birdsseenin2026 #Alicante

I was pleased to get a better shot of the Long Skimmer at El Hondo the other day. Did not realise it had blue marking on!! #dragonfly #dragonflyphotography #dragonflies #insects

This is my contribution to #birdoftheday #singersandwingers - adult Whiskered Tern at El Hondo. #birds #birdphotography #birding

A beautiful Audouin’s Gull at Santa Pola headland on my visit to El Hondo and the coast. Got to be one of the smartest gulls in the world? #birds #birdphotography #birding #birdsseenin2026 #Alicante #naturephotography

Really pleased to find this Black Percher at El Hondo yesterday. Only the second one I have found in the Alicante region. #dragonfly #dragonflies #dragonflyphotography #insects

This Stone Curlew has chosen to nest by the car park at El Hondo. A Little-ringed Plover has chosen the same spot. I don’t know how they take sitting in the full sun all day. Birds are amazing. #birds #birdphotography #birding #birdsseenin2026 #Alicante

This is my #birdoftheday #perfectpoise - Little Egret at El Hondo balancing on the boardwalk handrail. #birds #birdphotography #birding

Not quite perfect but I really like this flight shot of the Western Black-eared Wheatear near Pinoso. It shows the distinctive tail and other plumage details well. Super birds to have locally. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2026 #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

Striped Grayling on my local patch (Monte Coto) this morning. Lots on the wing now. Still not seen Grayling this year but very scarce in the area. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #insects #naturephotography

Here is my #birdoftheday #buttshots - Black-necked Grebe at Clot Del Galvany Spain. #birds #birdphotography #birding

I’m starting to see a few young Peregrine Falcons about now. The other evening I watched an adult pass a Swift to the young bird at Sierra Salinas just outside Pinoso. Amazing to see. #birds #birdphotography #birdsofprey #birding #Alicante

There were plenty of Iberian Scarce Swallowtails on my local patch this morning. Along with another Sage Skipper and Dusky Heath. Not many birds but a few European Bee-eaters heading south. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #insects #Alicante

Portrait shot of the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse on the steppe near Pinoso. It’s been a good year for seeing them here but they are super elusive birds. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2026 #birding #Alicante

Not quite in focus but I was happy to catch this Emperor Dragonfly in flight at El Hondo. Boy do they move fast. #dragonfly #dragonflies #dragonflyphotography #insects

Iberian Yellow Wagtail at my local spring. Only a migrant at this spot. A few pairs breed down at Santa Pola salt pans. Smart birds. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2026 #birding #Alicante

This Marbled Duck at Clot Del Galvany looks like it is swimming into the jaws of some prehistoric dragon😂 Not planned like that just liked the colours on the water. #birds #birdphotography #birding #birdsseenin2026 #naturephotography #Alicante

A species I’ve only seen over here a few times this Sage Skipper was on my local patch (Monte Coto). #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #insects

Thekla Lark on the steppe near Pinoso. You can see that the feathers are now looking very abraded due to wear and the sun. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2026 #birding #Alicante

This lovely Common Kestrel was sat on a pylon by the road looking for lunch. Luckily for me when I drove up it did not fly off. You can see the black talons that separate it from Lesser. #birds #birdsofprey #birdphotography #birdsseenin2026 #Alicante #birding

Iberian Scarce Swallowtails have been a bit scarce this year so I was pleased to see 5 this afternoon. My local patch comes up trumps again (Monte Coto). Stunning butterflies. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #insects

This male European Roller has been returning to this area near El Hondo Spain for quite a few years now. As you can see it is a monitored bird. I have found a couple of pairs in new areas this year which has been pleasing. Stunning birds. #birds #birdsseenin2026 #birdphotography #birding #Alicante

This Mediterranean Praying Mantis seemed confused by its shadow at El Hondo. Just stood there looking for at least 5 minutes before I walked off. #insect #insectphotography #naturephotography

In coming Common Tern at El Pinet Spain. This tern colony has had great numbers of Gull-billed Terns this year and the Elegant Tern. #birds #birdsseenin2026 #birdphotography #birding #Alicante

Super photo. Remind me a lot of our Little Owls - similar piecing eyes

It certainly is - I have a large colony of Pallid Swifts that nest in my roof. Fortunately lots of nest sites still in Spanish towns. My view from my bed in the morning - bliss 👍🏽

This my post for #birdoftheday theme #ebony&ivory. Fly over Pied Avocet at El Hondo Spain. #birds #birdphotography

This male Blackbird sings from the tree in my garden everyday. He and his partner have raised 2 broods successfully so far this year. Here he is relaxing in the early morning sunshine. By the looks he has had a near miss with a cat. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2026 #birding #Alicante

The first time I have managed to take a bird flying past the moon. Female Kestrel over the Sierra Salinas near Pinoso. I was watching 4 Eleanora’s Falcons at the time hunting insects over the pines. Only my second sighting of them in the Alicante area. #birds #falcons #birdphotography #birding