Return

Malcolm and I returned yesterday evening from our nine-day stay in Benidorm. The weather, although sunny and pleasant, was cooler than we had in January. In fact with nighttime temperatures around 4C it was probably no warmer than back home. The sun shone on us however, and it was wonderful to see many flowering plants in full bloom, which we don't usually see earlier in the year.
A few new species for me to cross of my lists of plants and birds, more of which, later. We will start today with a familiar plant to many of us, as we grow it in our gardens, here in Britain. The crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum coronarium). The flowers can be almost any colour, and indeed, sometimes you may find more than one colour on a single plant.

Another familiar plant to us in Britain and growing all over the place around the hills of the Sierra Helada in Benidorm, is the Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris).

A beautiful, small, yellow flower which is in full bloom at the moment is known as Fumana ericoides.

One of the more common bird species t be found around the countryside of Benidorm is the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros). As common as sparrows, they flit about, flicking their tails constantly as they go. Beautiful!