Wildcats and Butterflies 9th September 2021

Thursday 9th September saw us pay a short visit to the Cabo de Penas Headland in search of migrants at first light. Despite some rain over night, there were only a handful of warblers and chats, although we did see another Wryneck and Sedge Warbler.We headed back to our hotel for breakfast and check out.

Today we had planned a drive to Reina through the mountains. A brief stop to pick up an Orange Sim Card, and then we headed to the Rede National Park. Here we drove to the small village of Caleao where we ate a very healthy lunch! The highlights of this area were a superb Goshawk having an aerial battle with a Common Buzzard. We also found a path with many butterflies. We identified Long-tailed Blue, Lang’s Short-tailed Blue and a Mallow Skipper which was a lifer! We also saw a Sooty Copper (another lifer!), Clouded Yellow, Green-veined White and Red Admiral butterflies.

After lunch we drove to Reina and birded through the mountains. There were some impressive flocks of Mistle Thrush and numerous Whinchats. After visiting Wildwatching Spain we drove to our hotel Tierra de la Reina in Boca de Huergano. There was excitement on this short journey when we saw a Wildcat standing in a field beside the road! Despite stopping quickly, it had disappeared when we walked back!

However, all was not lost as after checking in, we drove a short distance from our hotel and watched some cut hay fields for two hours. Within 20 minutes we saw the first of 3 more WILDCAT and managed some good photos! A new mammal!! Whilst watching we saw an immature RED-BACKED SHRIKE and two Tree Pipits. We also saw a lone