| The Birds of Andalucía |
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Here is a brief summary of the bird species you could expect to find in Andalucía, depending obviously on the place and time of year: As well as several which migrate here annually from Africa, there are some 13 resident raptor species in Andalucía. The best place to see these are high in the sky in the more undulating parts of the province where they can be seen to hover or circle. The black vulture can be found in the Sierra Morena region north of Sevilla, this is one of the country's rarest birds; Although this may well be the largest colony in Europe, with most to be found in the Paraje Natural Sierra Pelada y Rivera del Aserrador, south of Aroche in Huelva province, there are thought to be just a few hundred pairs here. The Spanish imperial eagle is magnificent and equally as rare, mostly located in the Parque Naciónal de Doñana. Smaller birds of prey, such as various harriers, kestrel, red kite, and buzzard can be spotted in the forests or woods and in the lowlands. Other large birds of prey such as the Egyptian and griffon vultures, golden eagle (and several other eagles) can be found in the mountainous regions. Nesting from spring to summer on trees and towers and even electricity pylons, is the large white stork; a far more common sight in northerly Extramadura, can be seen in the western region of Andalucía. Water birds are far more plentiful, including wild ducks and flamingos; the latter can be seen in several other places including La Fuente de Piedra and Cabo de Gato. The orange, black and white hoopoe, with markings not unlike the spotted woodpecker, though in flight you cannot mistake this bird, common in open woodlands and golf courses. Among the most colourful of Andalucía's many other birds are the golden oriole, which can be seen in orchards and woodlands, particularly during the summer months. The male oriole has a dazzling bright yellow body. Also worth seeing is the vibrant gold, brown and turquoise bee-eater, not dissimilar to a kingfisher at a quick glance, and nests in sandy banks in summer, last but not least, various woodpeckers and owls which generally inhabit mountainous woodlands. For more information about bird watching in Andalucía, contact: Centro Ornitológio del Estrecho de Gibraltar Parque Natural Los Alcornocales Carretera Nacional N-340, Km 96 11390, Algeciras, Cádiz Bird Watching in Wetlands Coto Doñana National Park; comprises delta waters which flood in winter and then drain in the spring, leaving rich deposits of silt and raised sandbanks and islands. These conditions are perfect in winter for geese and ducks but most exciting in spring when they draw hundreds of flocks of breeding birds. La Fuente de Piedra; surrounded by vast, monotonous terrain, the Lagoon of Fuente de Piedra appears like a glorious oasis in the extensive Llanure de Antequera, considered to be one of the largest natural lagoons in Spain. North of Antequera, the lagoon is home to as many as 5,000 breeding pairs of Flamingos - the highest concentration in Europe - and also many cranes. The Guadiario Estuary, Sotogrande; the resident osprey often flies overhead into the high trees and, if you stand on the bridge, you might catch a glimpse of the shy otters. Gulls, including Audoin's, abound. Blue-throats and Penduline tits may be seen in winter and flamingos and spoonbills sometimes pass through. You might also see cormorants, kingfishers, plovers, innumerable grey herons, cattle and little egrets, and there's a lovely stroll along the beach. Palmones Estuary is perhaps not the most attractive site, opposite a heavy industry works, but Palmones can be a staging point for many migrants including waders, passerines, storks and herons and is alive with cattle and little egrets. Ospreys are often spotted here. Laguna de Medina; is near Córdoba; look for the rare white-headed Duck and the purple gallinule. Bird Watching Migration Southern Spain and Istanbul share the honours as the two main migration routes between Europe and Africa. Imagine standing on the Rock of Gibraltar looking across the Strait as the raptors soar overhead on the thermals - Egyptian, griffon and rare black vultures; golden, imperial, booted, and Bonelli's eagles, the honey buzzard and the pallid harrier. Or see them grounded in their hundreds on the Atlantic coast when the strong Levante (Easterly wind) is blowing. The sheer limestone cliffs of Gibraltar provide one of the finest viewing platforms in the world. High points of the migration occur between February and May for the northern raptor migration and September to October for the return journey. Gibraltar is the perfect site if the westerly wind is blowing. In addition, passerine and near-passerine migrants should be seen at about the same time and seabirds are good all year round. Peregrines and blue rock thrushes use the cliff face, the only Barbary partridges in mainland Europe wander freely on the Upper Rock and, down by the sea, you might be lucky to see one of the few remaining shags. Tarifa & Los Barrios with the Easterly wind blowing, drive to the Atlantic coast and watch the migrants crossing over the Strait, or, when it really blows, just grounded waiting for the wind to drop. And for the dedicated birder, visit the municipal refuse tips at Los Barrios and Tarifa-the smell is appalling but the chances are good. Almost invariably, you will see quantities of Griffon Vultures. In-land from here is the Los Alcornocales Park. |
