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Outline Itinerary
I had a bit of leave that needed using up so got chatting to a couple of friends and decided to go to
Andalusia, southern Spain to look for Iberian Lynx and a few Spanish specialties. It was also a great
opportunity to do some scoping out for possible future tours to the region for Birding Ecotours.
I had read a few trip reports that suggested April probably wasnt the best time to try for the Lynx
(most people going in January and February), but I planned an itinerary that offered me 3 or 4 days
in the key areas with the hope that this would give me enough opportunity to try and connect, with
the thought that there would at least be some migrants/interesting resident birds around whilst I
waited for the Lynx. I purposefully left the second half of my week flexible so that if I wanted to stay
in the Lynx area for longer I could, with the plan that I would try and get to some of the other decent
birding areas in the region if time permitted.
A short while before I left I got speaking to a local York area birder, Paz Fletcher who was keen to
join me for part of my trip, with the aim of seeking out Blind Mole and Spanish Festoon butterfly, with
the Iberian Lynx being a decent incidental tick for him. So we got things organised. Paz decided hed
come over for the first 7 days, and Id stay on for a few days after. Id had a lot of communication
with Oliver Reville (Next Generation Birders) who I knew was going to be staying over there with a
group so made loose plans to catch up with him if things fell into place.
As things transpired Paz and I spent four nights in Virgin de la Cabeza (Hotel: Complejo La Mirada),
followed by two nights in La Lantejuela (Hotel: Hotel Albanta). I then moved over to Alcala de los
Gazules where I met up with Oliver and the NGB team for three nights. The eventual itinerary was as
follows:
3rd April 2015 Early morning flight from Leeds Bradford to Malaga (Jet2), travel to Andujar
Area arriving late afternoon (overnight Virgin de la Cabeza);
4th April 2015 Andujar Area in the mountains looking for Iberian Lynx and following birds:
Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Iberian Green Woodpecker,
Iberian Grey Shrike, Black Wheatear, and Rock Bunting (overnight Virgin de la Cabeza);
5th April 2015 Andujar Area in the mountains looking for Iberian Lynx and following birds:
Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Iberian Green Woodpecker,
Iberian Grey Shrike, Black Wheatear, and Rock Bunting (overnight Virgin de la Cabeza);
6th April 2015 Andujar Area: relaxed birding and some cultural stuff around Virgin de la
Cabeza then looking for Iberian Lynx, butterflies and following birds in the lower areas along
the Rio Jandula: Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Iberian
Magpie, Nightingale, and Rock Bunting (overnight Virgin de la Cabeza);
7th April 2015 Early departure from Virgin de la Cabeza to the La Lantejuela Area
focussing on a range of salinas and permanent ponds, and arable and grassland agricultural
land looking for the following birds: White-headed Duck and other waterfowl, Black-winged
Kite, Montagus Harrier, Great Bustard, Little Bustard, waders, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, and
Iberian Yellow Wagtail (overnight La Lantejuela);
8th April 2015 La Lantejuela/Osuna Area all day. Morning birding for the aforementioned
species, afternoon ringing for Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, and Black-winged Kite
(overnight La Lantejuela);
9th April 2015 Early morning departure from La Lantejuela to Alcala de los Gazules via
Malaga (to drop Paz off), Tarifa, and Barbate. Target birds included a range of migrants
(weather dependent, hopefully raptors and passerines and Audouins Gull) at Tarifa and a
range of wildfowl and waders, and Northern Bald Ibis at Barbate (overnight Alcala de los
Gazules);
10th April 2015 A day focussing on saltpan, wetland and farmland birds at Bonanza Salt
Pans, Los Portugeuses, and Brazo del Este with the main target birds including: Marbled Duck
(and a wide range of breeding and passage wildfowl and waders), Squacco Heron, Purple
Swamphen, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Savis Warbler, Penduline Tit, Common
Waxbill, and Black-headed Weaver (overnight Alcala de los Gazules);
11th April 2015 A day in the mountains in Montejaque (Llanos de Libar) targeting the
following birds: Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Bonellis Eagle, Alpine Swift, Black
Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow, and Rock Bunting,
and an evening at Cantarranas until dusk for Black-winged Kite, nightjars and owls (overnight
Alcala de los Gazules);
12th April 2015 Relaxed morning departure from Alcala de los Gazules to Malaga via Tarifa
to have a look for mote migrants, and Audouins Gulls. Afternoon flight Malaga to Leeds
Bradford (Jet2).
A beautiful view along the Rio Jandula just after the second Iberian Lynx spot
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
Background Information/References/Resources
I had some really great (and appreciated) advice from Oliver Reville (NGB) on some decent places to
go birding in Andalusia, and he forwarded me a couple of really useful trip reports specific to the
Andujar/Iberian Lynx area. These had all the details I needed, and detailed annotated maps too. I
dont know who they are authored by as no details but I can provide copies of them on request.
As I was also going to do some birding in the Cadiz region I used John Cantelos excellent Birding in
Cadiz Province (June 2014 version), is easily available with a google search. This huge document
covers all the sites you could wish for, and importantly for me covered a few sites just outside Cadiz
province, ones I was planning to visit. Thanks should go to John for his report as it will have taken a
lot of work to put that together. I found all of the information within the document to be accurate
and helpful. I got to meet John in Alcala de los Gazules so was able to thank him personally! I dont
intend to detail instructions to all the sites visited (other than as in the outline itinerary above)
because I couldnt add anything to Johns notes, or those of the Andujar/Iberian Lynx trip reports.
However, if anyone requires any specific advice/updates Im happy to provide it where possible.
Where to Watch Birds in Southern and Western Spain (3rd Edition, 2008) was also quite useful at
times for a bit of an overview. The Collins Bird Guide (book and app) was useful and I created a
European bird song playlist for my IPhone based on CDs of European bird songs in my possession.
We also used a couple of guide to European Butterflies and Mammals.
Birding/Wildlife Highlights
Iberian Lynx The main reason for our trip and the main highlight too. We ended up seeing two
individuals. One from the main lookout area in Andujar along the road between Los Escoriales and La
Lancha after a day of observing from an assortment of viewpoints with another seen the following
day along the river (Rio Jandula) as we walked towards El Encinarejo. The first sighting came very
close to dusk on the 4th April, the Lynx miraculously appearing in front of a rock wed been looking at
for hours, just moments before we were about to give up for the day. The Lynx was tracked as it
moved up the valley at fairly close range before disappearing as easily as it had appeared. We were
ecstatic with this observation, our first Iberian Lynx right there! We were shaking with excitement!
Back of the camera Iberian Lynx Jeroen Vanheuverswyn April 2015 photographed on my IPhone!
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
The second sighting, along the river, was great fun. As we were quietly walking along the river midafternoon looking at butterflies and enjoying the Nightingale song on the 5th April I was suddenly
aware of a huge number of Iberian Magpies (c50 birds) alarming and flying in to mob something I
couldnt see until a Lynx walked out right in front of me on the opposite side of the river! Amazing
sight! It quickly walked up through the meadow and out of view. But we were buzzing again!
Paz and I celebrated big style with some amazing local food, and beer, wine and spirits after these
two great sightings. We just couldnt get over the excitement of seeing the Iberian Lynx. Anything
else after this point of the trip was just a bonus, a cherry on the top of the trip!
Very nice local steak and cider in celebration of a successful Iberian Lynx chase
Spanish Imperial Eagle Several seen of various ages during our time in the Andujar area. A truly
magnificent eagle and great to be able to see well at times. Had one fly below us at one point.
Black Vulture
Short-toed Eagle A couple seen at a few locations, great views of a pair hunting in the Llanos de
Libar (Montejaque), one of them perching close up on a rock.
Short-toed Eagle
Bonellis Eagle Seen nicely in the La Lantejuela area, and in the Llanos de Libar (Montejaque)
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
Booted Eagle Commonly recorded at a range of sites, an impressive hour or so at Tarifa gave
brilliant views of 122 birds coming low in-off the sea after making the crossing from Morocco.
Booted Eagle
Booted Eagle
Lesser Kestrel Amazing sightings! Paz and I got chatting to a couple of local bird ringers in the La
Lantejuela area, and after having a few beers and some dinner (and a great laugh) with them we
managed to get ourselves invited on some ringing the next day. We had a great afternoon catching
Lesser and Common Kestrels at a variety of sites that the guys were monitoring. Male Lesser Kestrel
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
in the hand was pretty smart and definitely a trip highlight. The male Lesser Kestrel was actually
quite sedate whereas the male Common Kestrel was a bit of a psycho!
Montagus Harrier One of my favourite raptors and seen well on a number of occasions,
especially around the La Lantejuela area.
Great Bustard An impressive count of 26 birds lekking in the Osuna area was a great sight,
especially watching some of them doing their foam bath display.
Little Bustard Several seen in the Osuna area, but far less numerous than the above species.
White-headed Duck Common in the La Lantejuela area where several pairs showed well.
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
Marbled Duck A couple of birds at Los Portugueses were a little disappointing in reality!
Northern Bald Ibis Great views of the important re-introduction scheme birds down at Barbate.
Bizarre looking things!
Audouins Gull Cant beat a good seagull. A couple seen on the beach, and past the headland at
Tarifa.
Slender-billed Gull Loads of them at Bonanza Salt Pans, most in breeding plumage looking quite
smart.
Slender-billed Gull
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
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Black-bellied Sandgrouse Good views of a couple of birds in the La Lantejuela area, followed by
excellent views of a flock of about 35 birds at close range.
Iberian Green Woodpecker Common in the Andujar area.
Iberian Magpie Common in the Andujar area but not seen away from there (formerly Azurewinged Magpie).
Iberian Grey Shrike Commonly recorded in a number of locations.
Black Wheatear Several seen well in the Llanos de Libar (Montejaque) area.
Rock Bunting Several seen well in the Andujar and Llanos de Libar (Montejaque) areas.
Spanish Festoon A very smart butterfly seen very well at a few locations, probably our best views
along the river (Rio Jandula) in the Andujar area and a definite highlight as both Paz and I really
wanted to see this butterfly.
Spanish Festoon
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Birding Sites
For details of all these sites (e.g. birding areas, access etc. refer to the documents cited above).
Andujar Area: The area was really beautiful hilly ground. It was really quite hot and dry while we
were here. The main quarry was the Iberian Lynx, which we saw. But we also recorded a wide range
of cool bird species in our time here including: Red-legged Partridge (proper ones!), Black-crowned
Night-Heron (5 birds in a roost), Osprey, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Black Vulture (4 birds peak count),
Golden Eagle (peak count 2 adults), Spanish Imperial Eagle (peak count 4 birds), Booted Eagle,
Peregrine Falcon (awesome thermal display), Common Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Tawny Owl,
Little Owl, Eurasian Scops Owl, Pallid Swift, Hoopoe, Eurasian Bee-eater, Iberian Green Woodpecker,
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Thekla Lark, Woodlark, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Nightingale,
Common Redstart, Black Redstart, Western Black-eared Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Blue Rock
Thrush, Cettis Warbler, Western Subalpine Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Western Bonellis Warbler,
Pied Flycatcher, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Iberian Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Iberian
Magpie, Chough, Spotless Starling, Serin, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting, and Rock Bunting.
Nightingale Paz is available for poem readings if youre looking for soemone
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White-headed Duck
Tarifa: Spectacular place! I went twice, both times the wind was unbearable, but it didnt prevent me
from seeing and enjoying some impressive raptor passage, the wooded/scrubby valleys producing a
few decent migrants too. Highlights here included: White Stork (66 in-off), Osprey (1 in-off), Shorttoed Eagle (1 in-off), Booted Eagle (122 birds in-off including 96 pale, and 26 dark birds), Black Kite
(12 in-off), Marsh Harrier (1 in-off), Montagus Harrier (1 in-off), Lesser Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon,
Audouins Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Turtle Dove, Common Swift (350 in-off in 15 minute watch), Hoopoe,
Eurasian Bee-eater (45+ in-off), Nightingale (c20+), Common Redstart, Western Black-eared
Wheatear, Stonechat, Blackcap, Pied Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike, Golden Oriole, and Cirl Bunting.
The beach area also produced some interesting passerines and gulls/terns including Audouins Gull,
Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Greater Short-toed Lark, Whinchat, Stonechat, and British Yellow
Wagtail. It was quite cool, once the cloud lifted to be able to look across at Morocco.
Booted Eagle
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
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Barbate: I stopped here to take a look at the re-introduction breeding colony of Northern Bald Ibis,
certainly an impressively ugly looking bird. Great views of them. I spent the early evening looking
over some nearby waterbodies and had a few nice birds, the highlight being a flock of 96 Common
Pratincole. Other birds noted included: Eurasian Spoonbill, Little Egret, Greater Flamingo, Marsh
Harrier, Montagus Harrier, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Little Stint, Caspian Tern, Pallid Swift, Iberian
Yellow Wagtail, Common Whitethroat, and Woodchat Shrike.
Bonanza Salt Pans: A really great place, loads of waders, and good views of most. I drove a
random way around the saltpans and went off road along a rather bumpy 4x4 track to an area of
scrub to look for migrant passerines. Highlights in the area included: Greater Flamingo, Osprey,
Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover, Curlew
Sandpiper, Little Stint, Slender-billed Gull, Little Tern, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Garden Warbler, and
Western Subalpine Warbler.
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
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Greater Flamingo
Los Portugeuses: Didnt spend too long here, just really driving through on my way between
Bonanza Salt Pans and Brazo del Este. However I did get my two main targets here, Marbled Duck
and Purple Swamphen. I did also see Lesser Short-toed Lark and a field full of White Storks.
Brazo del Este: Really liked it here. Spent an afternoon checking the site out, I thought I was in the
wrong place as I was driving through arable farmland, but then suddenly you hit the old ox-bow lakes
and birds are everywhere! Some of the highlights here included: Garganey, Red-crested Pochard,
Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron (2), Little Egret, Great Egret, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis,
Eurasian Spoonbill, Black Kite, Montagus Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Stone-curlew,
Collared Pratincole, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Gullbilled Tern, Whiskered Tern, Hoopoe, Eurasian Bee-eater, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, Sedge Warbler,
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Cettis Warbler, Savis Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Penduline Tit, Iberian Grey Shrike,
Woodchat Shrike, Common Waxbill, and Black-headed Weaver.
Squacco Heron
Montejaque (Llanos de Libar): This was a spectacular place great landscape and lots of great
mountain birds. I did have difficulty with my satnav here as it wanted to take my up a road that
simply wasnt wide enough for my car! Once I got on the correct road, minus a couple of wing
mirrors I could enjoy the place. Lots of good birds here, highlights included: Eurasian Griffon Vulture,
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
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Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonellis Eagle, Black Kite, Peregrine Falcon, Little
Owl, Alpine Swift, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Nightingale, Robin, Black
Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Western Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear, European Stonechat,
Blue Rock Thrush, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Blackcap, Western Subalpine Warbler, Western
Bonellis Warbler, Firecrest, Wren, Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Iberian Grey Shrike, Woodchat
Shrike, Chough, Raven, Rock Sparrow, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting, Corn Bunting, and Rock Bunting.
European Bee-eater
Cantarranas: I spent just an evening here but had good (but distant) views of two Black-winged
Kites. Other birds noted included: Marsh Harrier, Montagus Harrier, Common Buzzard, Eurasian
Scops Owl, Tawny Owl, Quail, Crested Lark, and Corn Bunting.
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Summary
Spain really is a great place for birding and wildlife watching, its also a great place for quality food
and drink, and a good time. Paz and I had a really brilliant time and I cant wait to get back. To see
two Iberian Lynx was way more than I could have hoped for, such an incredible animal. A number of
exciting birds were seen too Spanish Imperial Eagle being one of the best.
Huge thanks to Oliver Reville and NGB too, and also to Manolo and Pepe but mainly for Paz for
teaching me all I wanted to know, and more on Blind Mole. Alas we dipped, but youve got to have a
reason to go back, right?
If you would like any further information please drop me an email to andywalker1000 AT hotmail.com
subject Spain Birding
Thanks, Andy
7th August 2015.
The very happy team after an awesome days birding (Pepe, Andy, Paz and Manolo)
Andy works for Birding Ecotours check out the Guides Page for his general details and those of his
upcoming tours here: http://birdingecotours.com/staff/andrew-walker or the following link to a recent
Q&A session on the Birding Ecotours blog: http://birdingecotours.com/getting-to-know-andy-walker/.
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Common Shelduck
Gadwall
Mallard
Garganey
Marbled Duck
Northern Shoveler
Red-crested Pochard
Common Pochard
White-headed Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Scopolis Shearwater
Balearic Shearwater
Northern Gannet
Common Quail
Great Cormorant
European Shag
Black-crowned Night Heron
Squacco Heron
Western Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Eurasian Great Egret
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
White Stork
Glossy Ibis
Northern Bald Ibis
Eurasian Spoonbill
Greater Flamingo
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Short-toed Eagle
Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Cinereous Black Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
Spanish Imperial Eagle
Golden Eagle
Bonellis Eagle
Booted Eagle
Western Osprey
Black-winged Kite
Black Kite
Red Kite
Eurasian Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Montagus Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Common Kestrel
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A Few Photos
Algerian (Large) Psammodromus Lizard (Psammodromus algirus) (left), and Iberian Wall Lizard (right)
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Road signs in the Andujar area to remind you what youre looking for, and to not run them over!
Spain Trip Report Andy Walker 2015
3rd-12th April 2015
http://awbirder.blogspot.co.uk
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Mirror Orchid
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