The Birds of Andalucia

There are some 13 resident raptor species in Andalucía, as well as another 9 that migrate here annually from Africa. There are five Eagle species that can be found in the region. The Spanish Imperial Eagle is a very rare breeding bird that has been pulled back from the brink of extinction by extensive conservation measures. They can be found in Coto Donana and various locations along the Sierra Morena. The Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles are the local stars of mountainous regions but juveniles can also be found in many areas along coast especially during the winter. Booted and Short-toed Eagles provide the supporting cast and are common migrants (though one or two are now spending the winter in Southern Spain). The best place to see them is in the more mountainous parts of the province where they can be seen hunting or riding the thermals. Add to those; Egyptian, Griffon and Black Vultures and 7 species of Owls, plus smaller birds of prey, such as Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons, Hawks and Kites, you now have a total that comes to an amazing 30+ species of raptor that can be seen in the region and you don't have travel too far to find most of them!

Migration hotspots in the spring can produce many thousands of raptors at any one time and a visit to the areas around Tarifa during April - May and August – October can be very rewarding.

In Andalucia up to 20 Warblers may be seen, there are 16 regular breeding species and 4 more may be seen on passage migration or during the winter months. We have access to reliable breeding sites for Dartford, Western Bonelli's, Western Orphean, Western Olivaceous, Spectacled, Subalpine, Melodious, Savi's & Great Reed Warblers plus several others. We can show you colonies of White Storks, as well as Purple, Grey, Squacco & Black-crowned Night Herons, Cattle, Little & Great Egrets (rare outside of Coto Donana), Caspian Terns (winter months), Thekla, Crested, Wood, Sky, Short-toed, Lesser Short-toed & Calandra Larks. On top of this there are Pipits, Swallows, Swifts, Martins, Tits and Buntings.

Any time of the year is a good time to come including the winter months when huge numbers of Song Thrushes, White Wagtails, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Black Redstarts, Lapwings & Golden Plover descend upon the region. Lesser numbers of Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Little & Great Bustard, Alpine Accentor, Bluethroat & Penduline Tit will augment your winter sightings. You may even be very lucky and stumble upon a wintering Wallcreeper! What a find that would be.

A splash of colour is added with Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Roller, Shrikes, Woodpeckers, Serin and Kingfisher. we know of local breeding sites of Hawfinch, Wryneck, & Rufous Bush Robin.

The region also plays host to many European rare breeders, most of which are endangered species such as Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled and White-headed Duck, Purple Swamphen, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Black Vulture, Black Stork and Glossy Ibis. Many species on most wanted lists also appear, Penduline Tit, Black Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Bonelli’s Eagle, Eagle Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls to name but a few.

 

A group of introduced species such as Common Waxbill, Black-rumped Waxbill, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Red Avadavat, Monk and Rose-ringed Parakeets adds colour (and noise) to the avifauna of the region.

Why not join one of our day trips and seek out some of these exotic and exciting species? We provide accommodation here in Gaucin, you can stay with us for B&B, Self catering or Full-Board, minimum 2 nights.