Well has spring arrived or not? Some of the wildlife in this area of Andalucia definitely thinks it has. Several species of bird are actively breeding and most of the residents birds are at least setting up territories. Quite a few wild flowers and orchids are in full bloom and the first of the years butterflies are on the wing on warmer settled days.

The earliest of the migrant birds to arrive back is the noisy Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius), who returned last month and is well on its way to tracking down the nests of Common Magpies, the main species the Cuckoo parasitizes. Azure-winged Magpies (common in this area) and most other members of the Crow family are also reported as being hosts but I have not yet seen any other species used in this part of Spain. The male Cuckoo flies around the Magpie nest site calling loudly as a distraction and the female Cuckoo slips in quietly and lays the egg. This is carried out several times at the same nest and others in the area. More than one female may also lay in the same nest. Whilst at the nest the female may remove or damage a number of the host’s eggs to prevent them from hatching. Later in the year the Magpies can be seen with three or four young Cuckoos, which are continually calling to be fed. The Cuckoos can be found in any type of heath / woodland with Magpies.

Whilst out on your walk through the local countryside looking for the Cuckoos you can lower your sights to the ground and start to pick out some of the wild flowers and orchids. In a nice bit of scrubby grassland with a few Oaks and other trees there is a chance of seeing several species of wild orchid including Fan-lipped, Sawfly, Somber Bee, Giant and Conical all in flower at the start of March.

The Giant Orchid (Barlia robertiana) is one of the earliest and most spectacular species to flower. I have seen it in full bloom in January in the mountains near Ronda and it is still in good condition in to mid April in our area. The plant can be up to 80cm high and the flower head can be a beautiful 30cm long and are dense and many flowered. The leaves are fleshy, glossy and up to 30cm long and 10cm wide.

Around the many wild flowers there may also be several species of butterfly looking for nectar from the early blooms, including Bath White, Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Provence Hairstreak, Small Copper and Spanish Festoon. Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus) is a small insect, which in Europe is only found in the southern two thirds of Spain and Portugal and along the southern most coast of France east to the Alps. It can be seen on the wing as early as January but in our area it is usually the end of February before it emerges. The adults are quick fliers and are easily disturbed from there resting place, which unlike most Hairstreak species (which prefer a high branch in a tree) is usually a low plant or stone.

February and March are fantastic months to get out and see what Wildlife inhabits your local area, as most species are at there nosiest, brightest and most mobile, so they can be quite easy to see. On even a short walk you will be surprised what’s out there.